Did you know... The skin is the largest organ in the body.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer.
The majority of skin cancers in the United States are considered sun-related.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the melanoma incidence rate among Colorado men was 38 percent higher than the national rate and 46 percent higher for Colorado women. This is because the sun shines over 300 days a year. Also, we are at a higher elevation and more easily exposed to ultraviolet rays!
Sun exposure causes premature aging of the skin, leaving your skin looking leathery and wrinkled.
So, what is the moral of this story? Take time each day to protect your skin from sun exposure!
How to Protect Yourself from the Sun: - Try to stay out of the sun during its strongest hours, between 10am and 4pm. Plan your outdoor activities for the early morning or evening!
- Use sunscreen...ALL THE TIME! Practice applying sunscreen every morning (about 20 minutes before going outside) and reapply throughout the day. It does not matter if it is the winter season or a cloudy day: It is always possible to be exposed to sunlight! Use SPF 15 daily and SPF 30 if you will be active in the sun.
- Cover up! Wear a hat to cover your face. Also, wear protective clothing such as long sleeve shirts and pants.
- Wear sunglasses. Protect your eyes from the sun!
What about tanning beds?
Tanning beds may be less likely to cause a sunburn than real sunlight, but that does not make them safe! Tanning beds still use ultraviolet radiation. They are still just as likely to cause skin cancer and premature aging of the skin as real sunlight.
Wait...Isn't sunlight good for you? Yes! Exposure to sunlight helps produce vitamin D in the body. However, you only need a small amount of sunlight to produce this vitamin...way less than you need to get a suntan!