Prevention

Work sunscreen into your daily habit. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30. "Broad spectrum” means that the sunscreen protects against both types of UV radiation – UVA and UVB. UV radiation can damage skin even in the winter and on cloudy days. Wearing sunscreen daily has also shown to help repair previously sun damaged skin.

Protect your skin by wearing a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a hat, and sunglasses.

The sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Avoid being in direct sunlight during these times.

Water, snow, and sand reflect and magnify the damaging rays of the sun, increasing your chance of sunburn.

Severe sunburns, especially during childhood, increase your risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers. Just one blistering sunburn can double your chances of developing melanoma later in life.

The World Health Organization has classified indoor tanning devices as cancer-causing agents. Indoor tanning has been shown to increase the risk of melanoma by up to 75%. Occasional use of tanning beds triples your chances. Melanoma is the number one new cancer diagnosed in young adults (ages 25-29), and scientists attribute this trend to the use of tanning beds among this age group, particularly young women.

Research also suggests a strong dose-response relationship – meaning the more sessions, hours and years spent tanning, the higher the risk of developing melanoma and other types of skin cancer.