May is skin cancer awareness month

Any minute now those sunny, 90-degree days we previewed last week will take over until October. Personally, my sun dresses are freshly laundered and ready to go. But even though the clouds are still thick, the American Cancer Society encourages everyone to start practicing sun safety at the beginning of the season. Sure, tans look nice; but wrinkles, depleted collagen, and melanoma do not.

No-excuse sun safety guidelines from the society:

-Limit direct sun exposure during midday, when UV rays are most intense - usually between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That includes cloudy days, time in the car, and especially on airplanes where sun rays are three times stronger. UVA rays pass through glass, clouds, and smog, and damage skin long before a hint of tan shows up.

-Use SPF. Always. The American Cancer Society recommends SPF 15 or higher, but dermatologists often recommend SPF 45 or higher. Follow label directions, and reapply every two hours. I like Neutrogena’s products with Helioplex, which keeps the formula stable and effective longer. Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 45 works beautifully under makeup, and I keep Ultra Sheer Body Mist in my bag for touch-ups during the day.

-Don’t forget your eyes, Wear sunglasses that block UV rays. Research has shown that long hours in the sun without eye protection increases the chances of developing eye disease. UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage, and reduce squinting which leads to crow’s feet over time. The ideal sunglasses do not have to be expensive, but they should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation.

If vanity tempts you to skip sunscreen, or even think of using a tanning bed, read this story from the UK about a girl whose skin fell off from UV exposure.

To learn more about sun safety from the American Cancer Society, click here.