"Don't Fry Day" Campaign To Prevent Skin Cancer
- labrokerinc
- May 27, 2016
- 4 min read
May 27 is Don't Fry Day and should be observed every day in order to prevent skin cancer. Yet, many people will go out of the house every day thinking they are fully prepared to face the day when they've left their skin defenseless from one essential agent - sunscreen. With Summer on the way and the increasing interest in outdoor activities such as hiking and going to the beach, it's important to safeguard your family against the ill effects of the sun.
Despite their increased risk of developing melanoma, many men just are not willing to use a sunscreen every day. Many men and women leave home every day without any protective clothing and studies have found that only 18% of outside workers wear sunscreen daily.
The sun damages your skin with different types of radiation. UVB (the rays that burn your skin), which is the primary cause of skin cancer and UVA (the rays that age your skin), which not only robs the skin of its natural ability to hold its shape, but can cause hyper pigmentation, commonly known as sun spots. The effects of UVA rays are so much so that they can penetrate through glass, so while you're sitting by a window, you will still be affected by the sun's rays that age you. A study published by the American Society for Photobiology found that people acquire only 23% of their sun damage by age of 18, and get around 10% more every decade after that. The message? Look after your skin and apply a UVA and UVB protective sunscreen every morning and always seek shade. Especially during the hours of noon and 3pm when the suns rays are at their peak.
Long exposures in the sun should be handled with care. Before leaving the house, you should apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. For women after your moisturizer and primer, but before your foundation. Furthermore, a pair of sunglasses with 99% UV protection to protect your eyes from and a hat can also be beneficial to your eye health and as additional protection to your face and ears. Not only will you have the protection from developing skin cancer but also reduce the aging effects of the sun.
Risk factors for skin cancer include:
Excess exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (from sunlight or indoor tanning devices)
Pale skin (easily sunburned, doesn’t tan much or at all, natural red or blond hair)
Exposure to large amounts of coal tar, paraffin, arsenic compounds, or certain types of oil
You or members of your family have had skin cancers
Multiple or unusual moles
Severe sunburns in the past
Weakened immune system
Older age (although melanomas can also occur in younger people)
Signs and symptoms of skin cancer (which should be checked and confirmed by a doctor immediately so that appropriate treatment can be administered):
Any change on your skin, especially in the size or color of a mole, growth, or spot, or a new growth (even if it has no color)
Scaliness, roughness, oozing, bleeding, or a change in the way an area of skin looks
A sore that doesn’t heal
Spread of pigmentation (color) beyond its border, such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
Change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain
Prevention and early detection!
First thing is finding a sunscreen you like the best and one you will wear on a daily basis. The American Cancer Society suggests an sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. Another thing to consider is that many sunscreens can harbor toxic ingredients that can speed the development of skin tumors when exposed to sunlight and allergens. Additionally super-handy sprays—even those with ingredients that are seemingly less toxic— are not good for you when they release nano-particles into the air which can then be inhaled. Here are a few super-clean, safe sunscreens (with very low (i.e. good) ratings from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database) that are easy to apply and don’t leave a ton of white residue behind.
The sunscreen is particularly nice: It’s completely sheer, meaning it leaves no trace of white behind. Another bonus: This was engineered for the entire family, meaning it’s safe for kids, too.
This company offers 100% Vegan, Eco-friendly, Paraben-free, Gluten-free, GMO-free, Cruelty-free catered to today's environmentally conscious clients. These natural products that make a real difference in the look and feel of your skin. This means that it's especially friendly to sensitive skin, perfect for daily wear.
EWG Rating: 1
This brand focuses on safety: Started by a Hamptons-based mom of two, concious of her kids' health. These mineral formulas are safe for babies.
EWG RATING: 1
Both are for daily wear, which is great! Both can be worn under your makeup and the Anthelios 50 has a mattefying effect, making it perfect for oily or combination skin!
This is a wonderful line: It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and extra-moisturizing, earning it brownie points all around. The body and face sunscreens are great, plus they also do a sunscreen for babies. The baby sunscreen is the least toxic with EWG rating of 1.
EWG RATING: 3
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