4 Tips to Protect Summer Skin During the Season When Kids & Adults Are Outside Most

Health

Guest Post 

by Dr. Justin Piasecki
Skin Cancer Expert, Harbor Plastic Surgery Center

Caribbean beach near Cancun, Mexico, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

Now that summer is in full swing -- with kids out of school and families taking or planning summer vacations -- more and more people are spending lots of free time enjoying the great outdoors. Whether it is riding bikes along a favorite path, hitting tennis balls at the court, or catching waves at the beach, it is estimated that people spend approximately 1-2 hours outside during the day during this season, and can spend up to 5-6 hours outdoors on a weekend.

While being outdoors has its positive effects such as more exercise, increased exposure to Vitamin D, and a more positive outlook, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can have a potentially negative effect on one’s skin. 

MBE Editor Janis Brett Elspas on the court, MommyBlogExpert.com

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, with the incidences of skin cancer outnumbering all cases of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers combined. 

Those who are most prone to developing skin cancer include individuals with blonde or red hair; those with a family history of melanoma or other skin cancers; and people who possess lighter skin naturally.

There are three common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Of the three, melanoma causes the vast majority of skin cancer-related deaths.

Dr. Justin Piasecki & Family, Image provided by Dr. Piasecki

To help prevent skin cancer, here are some important tips to protect you & your family

• Geography plays a role – Researchers at the University of California, San Diego found that individuals with fair skin who live in northern latitudes (north of Philadelphia or Boulder, Colo.) have a greater chance of being exposed to cancer-causing UVA rays since they’re less likely to feel the “burning” sensation on their skin.

• Skin cancers come in all shapes and sizes – Not all skin cancers look alike, nor do they follow the “typical” protocol. Not all appear black or brown; some are symmetrical and have few colors so it’s important to have a dermatologist examine any odd-looking moles or skin irregularities.

• Wear sunscreen, and often – When using sunscreen, make sure it protects against both UVB and UVA rays, as UVA rays can penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin and cause dangerous cell changes. When choosing a sunscreen, look for ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as they protect against all types of rays.

• Cover up – In addition to wearing sunscreen, experts suggest covering up exposed areas of skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses that wrap around the eyes, and appropriate clothing to cover arms and legs. 

Take the proper steps to protect yourself and your children and you'll be maximizing your chances of having as skin safe a summer as possible.

About the Author
The only physician in the world who has completed a Mohs (skin cancer) fellowship and earned board certifications from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Justin Piasecki currently offers cosmetic, skin cancer, and reconstructive procedures to his patients at Harbor Plastic Surgery Center in Gig Harbor, Washington. In May 2014, Dr. Piasecki launched Piasecki, MD first skincare line to utilize a unique organic protein in its products -- sericin silk -- in an effort to create a radiant and youthful appearance while at the same time help to prevent skin cancer development. Additional information can be found at HarborPlasticSurgery.com and PiaseckiMD.com.

FTC Disclosure:  Dr. Justin Piasecki provided the content and one of the images for this post. However, no payment or other compensation was exchanged in connection with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.