Skin Cancer Prevention

The most important ways to lower your risk of melanoma (skin cancer) are to avoid being outdoors in intense sunlight too long and to practice sun safety when you are outdoors even on cloudy days. Skin cancer prevention begins with:

Seeking Shade

The easiest way to limit exposure to UV light is to avoid being outdoors in sunlight too long. This is particularly important in the middle of the day between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when UV light is strongest. Keep in mind that sunlight can reflect off water, clouds, sand, concrete, and snow, and can reach below the water’s surface.


Avoiding Other Sources of UV Light

The use of tanning beds and sun lamps is hazardous because the UV radiation they deliver can damage your skin. Not using tanning beds and sun lamps is highly recommended. There is growing evidence that they may increase your risk of developing melanoma. This is an area of active research.

Protecting Your Skin with Clothing

You can protect most of your skin with clothing, including a shirt with long sleeves and a hat with a broad brim. This is the only sure way to protect against melanoma if you are in the sun. Fabrics with a tight weave and dark colors generally provide the best protection from the sun. Baseball hats can protect the head but they do not protect the ears or neck. Straw hats are not

Using Sunscreen Correctly

Doctors, dermatologists, and dermatopathologists are divided on whether sunscreens protect against melanoma. Most studies have not shown sunscreen to be protective. But a lot of research suggests that newer sunscreens are more effective. One thing that all dermatologists agree on is that if you use sunscreens, it is important to use them properly.

You must use sunscreens with a SPF factor of 15 or higher on all areas of skin exposed to the sun, particularly when the sunlight is strong. Look for products that protect against both UVA and UVB rays, the two most damaging forms of UV radiation. Use sunscreen even on hazy days or days with light or broken cloud cover because the UV light still comes through.

Always follow directions when applying sunscreen. For it to work best, you should apply sunscreen before you go outside, about 20 to 30 minutes before so your skin can absorb the protective agents. Use it thickly on all sun-exposed skin, particularly your face, ears, hands, feet, and neck. And remember to reapply it at least every 2 hours. A 1-ounce application (about a palmful of sunscreen) is recommended. Many sunscreens wear off with sweating and swimming and must be reapplied often for maximum effectiveness. And don’t forget your lips. Lip balm with sunscreen is also available.

Sunscreen should not be used to allow you to sit in the sun longer. Sunscreen will not prevent melanoma; it just reduces the amount of UV light exposure. Researchers have found that many people use sunscreens to let them stay out in the sun longer. This results in the same amount of UV light exposure as if they hadn't used sunscreen at all, which doesn't reduce their risk. Too much sun exposure is unhealthy. Sunscreen should only be used to protect against normal sun exposure.

Wear Sunglasses

Wrap around sunglasses with at least 99% UV absorption provide the best protection for the eyes and the skin area around the eyes (not to mention prevents wrinkeling). Look for sunglasses labeled as blocking UVA and UVB light. Labels may read "UV absorption up to 400 nm," which means that they protect 99% to 100% UV absorption.


If you have any questions about skin cancers -  Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma or any of our dermatology or dermatopathology procedures please feel free to contact Board Certified Dermatologist, Board Certified Dermatopathologist, Babar K. Rao, MD, FAAD at his Manhattan, New York, New Brunswick, New Jersey, or Fresno, California office.