People who have had severe blistering sunburns or frequent exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays are at greater risk of developing skin cancer, the U.S. National Cancer Institute reminds us.
Here the agency's list of additional factors that increase your risk of getting the disease:
- Using tanning beds on a regular basis.
- Having had skin cancer before.
- Having a close family member with a history of skin cancer.
- Having fair skin that burns easily.
- Taking medication that increases sensitivity to sunlight.
- Having a medical condition that compromises the immune system, or taking a medication that suppresses the immune system.
Health Tip: Apply Sunscreen Properly
Sunscreen helps protect your skin from sunburn and damage, but it must be applied properly.
The Skin Cancer Foundation offers these guidelines:
- Choose a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15.
- Apply sunscreen to children's skin, as long as they are at least 6 months old. Children younger than 6 months should not be exposed to the sun.
- Make sure you choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays,
- Use about 1 ounce of sunscreen for good coverage.
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours.
- Reapply sunscreen after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
- Be aware of how much time you spend in the sun. Your skin doesn't have to turn red to be damaged by the sun's rays.
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