This month, May, is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. We’ve all heard the old saw that an ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure, but how many of us actually do something even when we know it’s true? With skin cancer, your prevention efforts pay massive dividends. Here are just a few things that you can do to prevent skin cancer!

Wear Sun Screen

Yes, we all need some vitamin D. You can still get a little sun, just not when the sun is likely to burn you. And you can get vitamin D from your diet as well as in pill form. Even if it’s cloudy, ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin. Here’s a comprehensive list of types of sunscreen, strength, and other things to do to protect your skin. But how, you might ask? Keep sunscreen in your car, in your purse or man bag, at home, etc. The hours between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. are especially dangerous.

Use Protective Clothing

Did you know there is a lot of clothing that can protect you? Yes, you can even find clothing to protect you against UV at Costco! You never need to reapply it, unlike sunscreen, and it comes in many styles and colors. The Skin Cancer Foundation has details on sun-safe clothing that you might want to try. They recommend long sleeves with a tight weave, for instance. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation “Look for garments with a UPF of at least 30 so that you know you’re getting effective sun protection.”

Sun Glasses

Wear big sunglasses that’s rated so that it offers protection against UV. According to Mayo Clinic, sun glasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays are optimal. Also “opt for wraparound sunglasses or closefitting sunglasses with wide lenses that protect your eyes from every angle.” Think Jackie-O!  And also: read the label to ensure that your glasses really block both UVA and UVB.

Hats

Wear hats with a wide brim so you can keep the sun off your face. As a rule of thumb, a hat with a 3” brim is optimal. Although wider is even better! Although baseball caps are cool looking, they leave your ears and neck exposed.

Use Window Film

Of course, this is our favorite one! UV rays can come right through windows, but most people don’t wear sunglasses indoors! With window film, you don’t even have to think about dangerous UV light. Here are some recent articles about window film and how it protects you:

• Get Ready for Summer with Window Film
• Why is 3M’s Night Vision Window Film so Crazy Popular?

Expose Yourself Earlier and Later

And by that we mean if you must go in the sun head out before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The hours between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. are when the sun is at its strongest and most dangerous.

Avoid Tanning Beds

Yes, people still use those awful tanning beds. There are still plenty of salons that offer tanning. And tanning doesn’t protect you from the sun—quite the opposite, as tanning is your body’s response to injury from the sun.

Want Window Film?

Call our office in San Francisco, California! We’d love to hear about your upcoming project: 415.650.5200. We work all over the Bay Area, including the peninsula, San Francisco, and Marin (as well as other parts of the state and country!) We can help.