May begins that lovely time of year when the sun shines longer and brighter, bringing on those wonderful summer days. Unfortunately as the sun gets hotter, our chance of skin cancer increases. For this reason, the month of May is dedicated to spreading awareness on this issue in order to lower our risk of getting skin cancer. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the weather while preventing skin cancer. We should not skip out on getting some sun because we fear its repercussions. Some things to try to include:

Diet

What you eat factors heavily into the overall health of your skin. Your diet is a good preventative measure when it comes to caring for your skin. The more antioxidants that you eat, the better it is for your skin as well as your overall health. You can get a healthy dose of them, such as Vitamin C, E, and A from fruits and vegetables. The brighter and more colorful the fruit or vegetable is, the more nutrients it contains. Bright blueberries, crisp kale, and vibrant peppers are all wonderful, nutritious foods to help keep your skin elastic and healthy.

Omega 3 fatty acids also aid in skin health. You can find them in salmon and walnuts. They help keep your top layer of skin tough. As a result, external toxins and other pollutants have a hard time irritating your skin or causing other kinds of complications. They help your skin stay strong and remain healthy. They’re very vital to its health. That why if you keep a wall balanced diet that includes the proper amount of antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, your skin can maintain its own health by supplying it with the appropriate nutrients. So make sure you’re watching what you eat!

Sunscreen

An incredibly useful means of skin protection is sunscreen. If you’re going to be outside and exposed to the sun for longer than 30 minutes, it’s best to apply sunscreen to your extremities that are not covered up. A simple coat of sunscreen on your arms, legs, or neck can protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Make sure when purchasing some sunscreen that the SPF (sun protection factor) is 30 or above. This will provide you the perfect level of protection. It’s also a good idea to apply it 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. This gives your skin enough time to absorb the UV filters and form a protective layer. If you’ll be swimming or sweating make sure you’re reapplying every 2 hours. This assures you that you’re completely covered without having to fear of certain patches being wiped off.

Protective Clothing

Sometimes the clothes that you wear can protect you well enough when dealing with the sun. A large brimmed hat can protect your nose, ears, eyes, neck, and scalp. If it’s not too terribly warm, you can wear long pants or a long sleeved t-shirt to protect your skin from the UV rays. It’s also important to wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of the sun’s rays. This protects your vision and prevents damage from looking to directly into the sun.

Keep a Lookout

If you are worried about the chance of skin cancer, make sure you’re checking your skin for new growths every month. Unfortunately, skin cancer requires careful inspection in order to detect. Very rarely is it painful. Some things to lookout for are:

1. Asymmetrical mole
2. Color changes or multiple colors in a mole
3. The diameter of the mole is larger than a pencil eraser
4. The size or shape of the mole changes over time

If you notice any of these symptoms it might be best to contact your doctor to get the growth checked out. If skin cancer is caught early, before it spreads to any other parts of the body, it’s much easier to treat. As with most cases of any illness, the quicker it gets discovered the easier it is to cure. That’s why this May, make sure you’re celebrating Skin Cancer Awareness Month the proper way. Eat plenty of foods that are rich in antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, protect your skin with sunscreen or the proper clothing, and inspect your skin for new growths every month. If you do these things, your skin will thank you in the long run!