Because ultraviolet radiation damage is cumulative, a lifetime of consistent skin-protection practices is the most important weapon in the battle to reduce skin cancer rates. However, only 53 percent of adults surveyed by the American Academy of Dermatology used sunscreen, 54 percent sought shade, 27 percent wore hats, and only 8 percent wore shirts on sunny days to shield their skin from the sun. Three-fourths of adults surveyed reported that their children (ages 12 and younger) used some form of sun protection. An American Cancer Society survey found that one-third of teenagers tried to protect their skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt or pants.
One way to ensure that you are getting enough protection is to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater. Reapply sunscreen liberally every two hours or after swimming or perspiring. The Food and Drug Administration notes that sunscreen is not to be used in children younger than 6 months of age.
Other measures you can take to protect your skin include:
- Avoiding direct sunlight exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; if your shadow is shorter than you are, the damaging rays of the sun are at their strongest and you're likely to sunburn, advises the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Wearing sunglasses and sun-protective clothing when you are in the sunshine for prolonged periods.
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External Sources
 | American Academy of Dermatology
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| Food and Drug Administration, Safer Sunning in Seven Steps. Accessed February 9, 2007. |
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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