Summer Sun Protection

What you need to know about sun damage & protection

With beautiful weather on the way, most of us are eager to feel the sun's warm rays on our skin again. That means that we are likely to migrate outdoors and put our sensitive skins at risk in the harmful rays of the glorious sun.

We know the dangers of being in the sun for too long will lead to painful burns, but are we fully aware of the most serious issue we are facing? Exposure to UV rays can result in the very serious, sometimes fatal skin cancer: Melanoma.

There is light at the end of the tunnel though because most skin cancers are entirely avoidable by limiting exposure to ultra violet light. Keep reading to find out if you are at risk and to learn how to protect yourself from the dangers of the sun.

ABCDE's of Melanoma

Here are the things to be aware of when a sun-affected mole starts to change:

Benign	Malignant	What to Look for
		Asymmetry: moles that are not symmetrical.
		Border: moles with diffused, unclear edges.
		Colour: moles that change in colour.
		Diameter: moles larger than a pencil eraser.

And finally, Evolution: a mole's change in one or more of the categories below.

**If you ever have any doubts, consult a doctor as soon as possible to get the proper diagnosis.

Are You At Risk?

Melanoma can be cured if detected early enough. The following are characteristics of those at highest risk for developing Melanoma:

Fair complexions with blue eyes
Blonde or red hair
Excessive sun exposure or blistering sunburns before 18 years of age
Family history
Excessive numbers of moles

Prevention is Better than Ever Needing a Cure!

Avoid the sun between 11am and 2pm
Check the UV index in the paper or on TV
Remeber that UV light still burns through cloudy days
UV light can reflect off surfaces – up to 85% of the sun's damaging rays can redirect off snow, pavement, water etc.
Wear sunscreen with an SPF15 at the very least, or SPF30 if you are high risk for melanoma
Reapply every 2 hours
Wear sunscreen under your clothes – a regular t-shirt only provides the protection of up to SPF8
Protect your lips with lip balm containing sunscreen – apply to dry lips at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Ensure your sunglasses provide UVA and UVB protection
Wear a hat
If possible wear special sun protection clothing which provides additional coverage and UV protection
Use self tanner or tinted moiturizers to obtain your bronzed glow
Teach your children! Make UV protection habits part of their routine because about 23% of their life exposure will occur before they turn 18