HealthyPlusno2Aug30pages (1) - Flipbook - Page 8
Sun’s Up, cover UP:
Tips for staying safe in the sun
L
iving in the northeast as we do, it’s only
natural that we want to soak up the sun as
much as we can during the warmer months.
But given the fact that skin cancer is by far the
most common of all cancers, it’s important to
make sure you’re doing all you can to enjoy the
sun wisely.
No such thing as a safe tan
According to Dr. Lixia Ellis, a dermatologist at
SVMC Dermatology, “There is no such thing as a
safe tan. Every time you tan or burn, you damage
the DNA in your skin. The more you damage your
DNA, the greater your risk of
Sun
developing skin cancer. And, no,”
damage
she adds, “getting a ‘base tan’
can happen
does nothing to help prevent
any time
future burning or minimize
you’re
damage to the skin.”
outdoors.
6 | HEALTHY+ | SUMMER/FALL 2022
Protect all the time, all the year
While most of us are good at applying sunscreen
and throwing on a hat before heading to the lake
or pool, Dr. Ellis notes that sun damage can happen
any time you’re outdoors.
“While it’s great to protect yourself when you’re
planning to spend hours outdoors, you really need
to take precautions every time you go out,” she
says. “Damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun
are always a risk, even on cloudy days. Over time,
all those quick runs to the mailbox or to walk the
dog add up to a lot of exposure. Sun protection is
an all-year, all-the-time proposition.”