Time to Remind Teens About Sun Protection

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Time to Remind Teens About Sun Protection

With summer fast approaching, it’s time to remind your children and teens about the importance of sun protection. “Even one blistering sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer. As few as five sunburns can double your risk of skin cancer,” Dr. Anjali Dahiya, a dermatologist at the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said in a news release.
Teenage girls need to be especially vigilant about sun protection. The potentially fatal skin cancer melanoma is the most common cancer in young women aged 25 to 29.
Much of the sun-related skin damage in these young women occurred in their teens.
“Sun exposure plays a significant role in the development of melanoma. Although more adults are using sunscreens during outdoor activities, many are unaware of how important it is to make sure that their children are getting the necessary skin protection,” Dr. Desiree Ratner, director of dermatologic surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, said in the news release.
The doctors offered the following skin protection tips for teens and “tweens”:

  • Apply sunscreen to the entire surface of your body about 30 minutes before going outside.
  • If you’re swimming, reapply sunscreen once you’re out of the water.
  • Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and be sure it has both UVA and UVB blocking ingredients.
  • Limit your sun exposure.
  • In addition to using sunscreen, use hats, sunglasses and umbrellas.
  • Never use tanning beds — try self-tanning creams for a safer summer glow.
  • Watch for freckles, which may be a sign of sustained sun damage.

0 Comments

  1. Heather says:

    Hi Dr. Walt,
    I appreciate the info, however, I’ve been reading so much about Vitamin D lately, and how necessary it is for our health, that I’m actually being cautious about applying sunscreen all the time. What is your opinion? Is it better to have some Vitamin D, which from the articles I’ve read on your blog, can help prevent cancer, or is it better to forgo the natural Vitamin D from the sunlight, something none of us get enough of, for skin protection?
    Also, I’m wondering if the high numbers of young women, age 25-29 with melanoma, isn’t related to the high number of women that age on birth control pills. My understanding iss that OCPs can increase sensitivity to sunlight.
    Thanks much!
    Heather

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