Sun Protection: Adding years to your life

It’s so tempting to put things off. It’s seductive, really. I’ll do it tomorrow. It’s not that far away … it’s just tomorrow. But then tomorrow comes and the whole thing starts over again. And then it’s months, years, decades.

Here are a few simple steps to add years to your life. Maybe you can do them today.

1. Don’t get within a hair’s breath to a tanning salon. In Great Britain, they’ve just come up with something that’s scaring both the World Health Organization and the European Union: Coin-Run tanning salons! Tanning salons allow customers to spend unlimited amounts of time getting tanned – and significantly up the risk of developing a malignancy. Medindia.com.

But I’m in the U.S., you say. Well, thank goodness, but tanning beds in Britain have two things in common with the U.S. One, there is a lack of adequate information regarding the health risks, and two, the predominant use of tanning beds is by teenagers. The earlier in life you start this bad habit, the higher the risk for skin cancer.

2. Do wear sunscreen. And because it wears off, rubs off, sweats off, reapply it
often.

3. Take a good look at yourself. A really good look. Every month. Check yourself out front, back and sideways. Look for moles that may seem irregular or black rather than brown or another color that doesn’t look right.

4. See a dermatologist once a year or more if you do see something suspicious.
Early detection and treatment is key.

5. If you enjoy being out in the snow, remember that snow reflects just as
water does, creating higher intensity of UV rays. Use sunscreen and protective
clothing, just as you would in summer.
6. Don’t get within a hair’s breath to a tanning salon. In Great Britain, they’ve just come up with something that’s scaring both the World Health Organization and the European Union: Coin-Run tanning salons! Tanning salons allow customers to spend unlimited amounts of time getting tanned – and significantly up the risk of developing a malignancy. Medindia.com.

But I’m in the U.S., you say. Well, thank goodness, but tanning beds in Britain have two things in common with the U.S. One, there is a lack of adequate information regarding the health risks, and two, the predominant use of tanning beds is by teenagers. The earlier in life you start this bad habit, the higher the risk for skin cancer.

7. Do wear sunscreen. And because it wears off, rubs off, sweats off, reapply it
often.

8. Take a good look at yourself. A really good look. Every month. Check yourself out front, back and sideways. Look for moles that may seem irregular or black rather than brown or another color that doesn’t look right.

9. See a dermatologist once a year or more if you do see something suspicious.
Early detection and treatment is key.

10. If you enjoy being out in the snow, remember that snow reflects just as
water does, creating higher intensity of UV rays. Use sunscreen and protective
clothing, just as you would in summer.

Lynn Rosenberg lost her husband to skin cancer and has made it her mission to educate and inform consumers about sun protection. She has also created a line of UV Umbrellas and Hats. For more information, visit: www.soleilchic.com.