Two Tips To Help Protect You From Getting Skin Cancer

If you have concerns about getting skin cancer, your fears aren't entirely unfounded.  Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, affecting more than three million Americans each year.  While this is a staggering figure that may trigger anxiety in your heart if you've been worried about developing the illness, there are a number of things you can do to help decrease your risk for getting the disease. Use this information to learn two tips that you can start practicing right away which can help you avoid getting skin cancer.

Use Fashion For Prevention

One of the easiest things you can do to prevent skin cancer is pay attention to your fashion.  When it's warm outside, it's easy to want to follow fashion trends by wearing short shorts and sleeveless cutoff shirts.  However, this may not be the best thing to do if you're looking to minimize the chance that you'll get skin cancer.

You want to wear clothing that offers you as much protection from ultraviolet rays (UV) as possible.  Wearing shirts that have long sleeves, combined with long pants or flowing skirts offers a great deal of protection from UV rays.  You can pair this with a floppy brimmed hat that provides shade for your face, neck, and ears for an even more potent effect.

Keep in mind that it may not be feasible to be fully covered when it is exceptionally hot outside.  The key to getting around this is to wear long sleeved shirts, pants, and skirts that are made from a breathable fabric such as mesh when it's hot outside.  You'll still be covered, but will have air flowing in and around the garments so that you don't overheat.

Aim To Avoid Indoor Tanning

If you've decided to switch to indoor tanning so that you can avoid the risks of tanning in the actual sun, the trade may not be a profitable one.  Indoor tanning beds expose users to UV rays in concentrated doses.  Because of this, your risk of developing skin cancer does not decrease simply because you decide to get your tan indoors.

Indoor tanning is also harmful because it can lead to premature wrinkling of the skin, and may even change the texture of your skin.  

Doing what you can now to avoid getting skin cancer is one of the best ways to care for your health.  Put these techniques into practice right away so you can keep skin cancer at bay. You can also visit a local medical facility for a cancer screening.


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