Many of us love some fun in the sun. And while it’s good to get some vitamin D from the sun's rays, it's important to protect your skin.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. About 1 in 5 Americans will develop a skin cancer during their lifetime.
If you get a skin cancer diagnosis, it can usually be cured. But having surgery comes with challenges and it can leave scars that are visible for life. The best thing is to try to prevent skin cancer in the first place.
Keep reading for some key things to know about skin cancer and tips to help protect you and your family.
Learn more about skin cancer symptoms, diagnoses and treatments
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is a more dangerous type of skin cancer because it’s more likely to spread to other parts of the body. It develops when cells called melanocytes start to grow out of control.
Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin. People with lighter color skin are more likely to get them on their chest and back (for men) and legs (for women), as well as the neck and face. People with darker skin are less likely to get melanoma in these common sites, according to the American Cancer Society.
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What are the five warning signs of melanoma?
For melanomas, dermatologists use the "ABCDEs" of melanoma. These help guide you to identify spots – moles specifically – that might be abnormal. They are:
A: Asymmetry, or one side of the mole doesn’t match the other
B: Borders that are irregular or ragged
C: Colors, or there are different colors within the same mole
D: Diameter, if the mole is larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 millimeters)
E: Evolution, or the mole is growing or changing over time
When should you see a doctor for a mole or spot on your skin?
You should make an appointment with a dermatologist to get your spot examined if it is:
- Growing
- Changing
- Itching
- Painful
- Looking different than your other spots
Read why you should partner with a primary care provider for your health
How can you prevent skin cancer?
Some easy ways to prevent skin cancer include:
- Seek shade when you can.
- Wear protective clothing in the sun, like long sleeves, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats that cover your ears and neck.
- Apply sunscreen that's at least SPF 30 to exposed areas of skin and reapply it.
- Don't use tanning beds – a trend that's recently re-emerged.
- Avoid spending time in the sun in ways that can accumulate over time.
How much sunscreen should you use?
You may have heard that you should use about as much sunscreen as would fill up a shot glass. However, that’s outdated because people come in all shapes and sizes. A shot glass amount might not be enough.
You want to use enough sunscreen so that it evenly covers your skin with a light film. It should be applied generously to give you full coverage of all exposed areas of skin.
Find out more about sunscreen, SPF and tips for protecting your family
How can you make sure you’re choosing the right sunscreen?
It's best to find a sunscreen that applies nicely and doesn't leave a chalky, greasy feeling. There are lots of choices out there, so find one that you will use regularly.
Remember to look at the SPF or sun protection factor. This measures the sunscreen’s ability to prevent damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays. SPF 30 means that it will allow 3% of UV rays into your skin. SPF 50 allows 2% of UV rays into your skin.
You also want to get sunscreen that’s water resistant and broad spectrum to block two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. Both are harmful and can contribute to an increased risk of skin cancer.
Learn more about which SPF you should choose
How often should sunscreen be reapplied?
Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours so that you have good protection from the sun. You should also reapply sunscreen if you've been sweating, after you've been in the water or used a towel to dry off.
How should you apply sunscreen correctly?
When you apply sunscreen, you should rub it on your skin until you see a visible, even film on all areas that are exposed to the sun. The sunscreen will absorb and become less visible.
Should you apply bug spray before or after sunscreen?
Sunscreen is most effective if you apply it after you apply bug spray.
This blog was medically reviewed by Oma Agbai, board-certified dermatologist and director of multicultural dermatology at UC Davis Health
