With summer upon us and June gloom gone, many are out enjoying the sunshine.
“The question we need to ask ourselves is, ‘How can I protect myself from harmful UV rays on sunny days and gloomy days alike?’” Steven Q. Wang, medical director of dermatologic oncology at Hoag Family Cancer Institute said.
The answer may surprise you.
“Most people think that the most important protection against UV rays is sunscreen. But sunscreen should actually be the last thing you think about,” Dr. Wang said. “Instead, we should focus on a comprehensive approach to protection.”
What does that look like?
Avoidance. Stick to the shade. Enjoy outdoor activities before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are less intense. And don’t be fooled by cloudy days. “People see cloudy days and think they are safe from the sun, but the UV rays can still penetrate,” Dr. Wang said. “Avoidance is the first line of defense.”
Accessories. Hats, sunglasses and UV protective clothing are key to avoiding the harmful UV rays that are associated with 3 million new cases of skin cancer in the U.S. every year. “Wear long-sleeve shirts, especially those that are lightweight and have UV protection,” he said. “And wear a hat.”
Screening. Nationwide, it takes about 40 biopsies to detect a single melanoma. “As much as we want to catch skin cancer at its earliest, when it is most treatable, we want to avoid unnecessary biopsies,” Dr. Wang said. “At Hoag, we have invested in advanced screening capabilities that can increase diagnostic accuracy by 25%.” Call your Hoag physician to make a screening appointment today.
Sunscreen. In the winter months, you can get away with an SPF 30. But on those hot, sweaty summer days, applying a waterproof SPF 50 should be as routine as brushing your teeth. In addition to skin cancer prevention, there is something else that sunscreen can help with: photoaging. “In Southern California, people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on botox to look younger. Spend $30 on a good sunscreen, avoid the sun as much as possible and you can avoid wrinkles,” Dr. Wang said.
Want to learn more? Tune in to Dr. Wang’s podcast interview about sunscreen facts & myths.
