10 Tips for Healthy Summer Skin

Beat the Heat

Overexposure to sunshine can cause eye complications, age spots, or wrinkles. Most seriously, it can also cause skin cancer. Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans are expected to develop skin cancer during their lifetime, which makes it the most common form of cancer. Your skin is the largest and fastest-growing organ on your body. Take care of it by developing safe summer skincare habits and discussing any changes with your provider. 

1. Layer on the Sunscreen. Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach. Every morning, apply about 1 ounce of sunscreen to your entire body. For normal sun exposure, use a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 15 or higher. Don't forget to reapply every two hours. 
    
2. Drink Lots of Water. Make sure you’re combatting the heat by drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day or more if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. 
    
3. Seek Shade. Find a cool place to hang out in the shade especially during peak burning hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is the strongest. Don’t be fooled on a cloudy day. The sun can still damage your skin even when you can’t see it.
    
4. Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate. Exfoliating regularly, especially during the summer months when heat and sun quickly damage delicate skin, ensures that your skin remains healthy and strong.
    
5. Don’t Forget to Moisturize. Apply a moisturizer immediately after skin is exposed to sun, after you exfoliate, and when you get out of the shower. Popular ones include lanolin, oils, and silicones like dimethicone. 
    
6. Properly Treat Sunburns and Other Sun Damage. Sunburn may take several days to heal. Rehydrate by applying plenty of moisturizer and drinking lots of water. Leave small blisters alone, and do not pull on peeling skin. Protect yourself by staying out of the sun.
    
7. Wear UVA-Protective Clothing and Accessories. Consider clothing that covers your skin to protect you from UV rays. Your head and ears are often vulnerable, so wear a hat and add sunscreen to your ears, face, and neck, even on cloudy days. Don't forget the sunglasses!
    
8. Fully Protect the Lips. The lips are a common site for skin and lip cancer. They’re often exposed to the sun for extended periods. Fully protect your lips by wearing lip-specific products with SPF 15 or higher—SPF 30 or higher.
    
9. Opt for Sunless Tanning Products Instead. Safely coat your skin with color by using sunless tanning products like lotions, creams, gels, and spray foams. Be sure to read labels carefully and stay away from any products not approved by the FDA.
    
10. Look Out for the Entire Family. Children, especially, need special attention since they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn more easily. Make sure they wear clothes, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect them from harmful UV rays.

When to See Your Doctor

It’s essential to check your skin, especially during summer. Any problem areas or changes should be examined by a provider, especially if they just appeared or have changed. The most important warning sign of melanoma is a new spot or a spot that’s changed in size, shape, or color. It’s called the ABCDE rule:

• A is for Asymmetry: Look out for one half of a mole or birthmark that doesn’t match the other.
• B is for Border: Are the edges irregular, ragged, blurred, or notched? This could be cause for concern.
• C is for Color: If the color isn’t the same all over, or includes shades of brown or black or patches of pink, red, white, or blue, tell your doctor immediately.
• D is for Diameter: If the spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about ¼-inch the size of a pencil eraser), it could be melanoma. 
• E is for Evolving: The mole is changing in size, color, or shape.

Other warning signs of skin cancer may include a sore that doesn't heal, a spread of pigment to the surrounding skin, redness or swelling beyond the normal borders of a mole, a change in sensation to the skin, or a change in the mole's surface texture.

Save Your Skin

If you’re experiencing any of the signs or symptoms mentioned above, Frederick Health can help. It’s important to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider today. This is often the best first step and they can refer you to a dermatologist, if necessary, to examine any problem areas.