Summer Skin Protection Tips

May 7, 2021, 6:00 pm

With the weather getting warmer, many of us are ready to dive right into the great outdoors. However, spending so much time under the sun can be very harsh on your skin.  Follow these tips to keep your skin healthy and happy.

• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
• Wear sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective sun protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label.
• Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreen provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
• Use sunscreen whenever you are going to be outside, even on cloudy days.
• Apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin not covered by clothing. Most adults need about 1 ounce — or enough to fill a shot glass — to fully cover their body.
• Don’t forget to apply to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears and the top of your head.
• When outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand, as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
• Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from tanning beds can cause skin cancer and premature skin aging.
• Consider using a self-tanning product if you want to look tan, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
• Perform regular skin self-exams to detect skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable, and see a board-certified dermatologist if you notice new or suspicious spots on your skin, or anything changing, itching or bleeding.

If you do notice any changes to your skin, the CoxHealth Skin Care Clinic offers a convenient option to care for patients with skin-related concerns. 

Services offered include treatment for minor skin issues without a referral. Some things patients may be treated for at the clinic include mole removal, cysts, rashes, and minor procedures and biopsies.

The clinic is overseen by a board-certified Family Medicine physician, who works in conjunction with the University of Missouri's telemedicine services. If a condition warrants further attention, a referral may be made to a dermatologist.

The Skin Care Clinic is located at 1925 West Chesterfield Street in Springfield. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 417-269-9060.

Source: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/how