The great outdoors can be a huge source of fun. But watch out – overexposure to the elements, especially sunlight, can make you susceptible to diseases like skin cancer.
Sunlight has a spectrum of good and bad effects. The good ones include giving of warmth, photosynthesis, killing of micro-organisms, vision, vitamin D synthesis and some therapeutic effects. Its bad effects include sunburn, photosensitivity, photo allergy, cataracts, skin aging, and skin cancer.
Although people with dark skin and are generally not vulnerable to the harmful effects of the sun, it doesn’t mean they won’t develop skin cancer later. A harmless-looking mole may turn out to be a cancerous mole.
Check for its shape and asymmetry, border irregularity, color pigmentations, a diameter of more than six millimeters, itchiness and bleeding in advanced cases. Aside from overexposure to sunlight, other factors in the development of skin cancer include a family history of the disease, exposure to chemicals, coal, arsenic, and radiation.
At risk for skin cancer are election campaigners, cadets, military and police personnel, athletes, drivers, farmers, and schoolchildren. The effects of ultraviolet light (UV) from the sun are cumulative. Since the sun’s rays seem to be the main culprit, prevention is a matter of guarding the skin against these harmful rays.
To prevent skin cancer, here are some practical tips to follow:
Avoid unnecessary sun exposure to harmful ultraviolet light especially between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Block sunlight by wearing protective clothing, UV opaque sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats.
Cover your skin with chemical and physical sunscreens. Don’t rely on baby oil and regular lotions.
Don’t stay too long under the sun.
Enjoy yourself but take care.
To complement your sun protection regimen, use Lumnaderm, a whitening cream that eliminates freckles, unsightly age spots, sun spots, blemishes and hyperpigmentation. When used as directed, Lumnaderm will balance uneven skin tones and illuminate your skin. For more information, visit .
