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Don't Forget the Sunscreen This Summer

A bottle of sunscreen and a large hat.
MonikaP
/
Pixabay
Protect your skin this summer.

Before you head out to celebrate Memorial Day, remember to pack your sunscreen. 

Dr. Kelli Web, a reconstructive surgeon at Southern Illinois Healthcare, works with skin cancer patients. She said sunblock is essential to preventing skin cancer for yourself and your family, especially children.

"Studies show it's the sun damage you have when you're ten years old that causes those changes to your skin," she said.

Credit Steph Whiteside/WSIU
Helpful tips for choosing your sunscreen.

Dr. Webb advised wearing sunblock daily, even when you aren't going to be outside for long periods of time. Simply walking from your car to your school or office exposes your skin to UV rays.

"We know that people age more on the left sideof their face," she said. "That's from the sun coming through their window as they're driving their car."

Dr. Webb also warned against makeup that advertises SPF protection, because those products are not evaluated by the FDA. She recommended putting a regular sunscreen on underneath as well. 

And when you are outside, you'll need to keep putting more sunscreen on.

"Every two hours, if you're going to be out playing sports or in and out of thepool, you definitely need to be reapplying your sunscreen. One time in the morning is not enough," Dr. Webb said.

She said people should check themselves for sun damage regularly and see a doctor if they see something suspcious. That includes areas that are raised, red, bleeding and haven't healed in 3 months, dark spots that are irregular, and moles that are changing shape or size.

Dr. Webb also suggested taking other measures to protect your skin. Wearing big hats and long-sleeve shirts with SPF protection is also wise. And, she said, stay inside between 10am and 2pm, when the sun is at it's strongest. 

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