Summer Wellness: Protect Your Skin

by | Jul 24, 2020 | Personal Insurance

proper skin protection during the summer

Proper Skin Protection

It’s important to protect your skin, especially during the summer months. Knowing how your skin looks typically is the first step to help spot a potential problem. And that’s a good thing. Skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

How To Take Care of Your Skin During the Summer

Protecting your skin doesn’t mean staying indoors; it means taking smart steps. Here are some great tips from the experts at the American Cancer Society:

  • Between the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. the sun is brightest, so take protective measures to minimize sun exposure or save outdoor activities earlier or later in the day. Practice “the shadow rule” and teach it to children: if your shadow is shorter than you are, stay in the shade.
  • Cover up with clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Choose comfortable clothes made of tightly woven fabrics.
  • Apply sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Ultraviolet rays travel through clouds.
  • Use sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. Be sure to apply a generous amount of sunscreen before you head outside. Reapply it after swimming, toweling dry, or perspiring.
  • Wear a hat. Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face, ears, and neck. If you choose a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.
  • Remember your sunglasses. Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV protection.
  • Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps.
  • Keep in mind, too, that some medicines can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. These include some antibiotics, as well as some diabetes, cancer, and high-blood-pressure medicine.

Stay Away From Tanning Beds

Every time you tan, you damage your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) stresses that there is no safe way to tan. Skin damage builds up over time. Tanning beds give off the same UVA and UVB rays as the sun and sometimes in higher levels. For adequate skin protection, avoid tanning beds altogether.

Check Your Skin Regularly

The AAD recommends you look over your whole body, including back, scalp, palms, sole, and between your toes. An easy way to remember your skin check is to do it every year on your birthday.

See your doctor right away if you find anything unusual. Remember the ABCDEs and get checked every year by your doctor or a dermatologist.

Florida Cancer Insurance

The sooner skin cancer is detected, the better chance you have of treating it and beating it. Skin cancer treatments are considered medically necessary and, therefore, are not elective procedures. Various treatments for skin cancer, such as cryosurgery, to more invasive surgical procedures, can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars without health insurance. 

Your overall wellness is largely dependent upon your skin, so protecting your skin is vital. Many cases of skin cancer could have been prevented with proper skin protection.

We can help you find a Florida health plan that meets your medical needs. Call us today to find the right policy for you.