Summer tips: How to keep your skin safe

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – As the heat kicks up and summer activities begin, experts weigh in on how to protect your skin for years to come.

When it comes down to it, the sun raises more than just skin cancer concerns. Doctors say those UV rays also cause wrinkles, dark spots and other damage to the skin.

“Anytime that there’s a significant amount of sun we want them to avoid that,” Dr. Mammen Sam, internist and past chair of TMA’s Committee on Cancer, said.

Sam said there are ways to prevent sun damage and skin cancer.

“Protective clothing like wearing hats, glasses, sun protective garments,” Sam said.

A Nacogdoches dermatologist shared that it’s important to be mindful of the UV index levels, and to always wear Broad Spectrum SPF.

“Maybe you have lighter hair, lighter eyes, lighter skin, but you’ve got less natural protection from the sun and those with a higher melanin index will have more protection. That being said the UV radiation can still penetrate and cause skin cancer,” said Dr. Michaela Overturf, dermatologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners Nacogdoches.

Overtuf provided ways to spot skin cancer early.

“Things that are new, changing or growing, if there is a spot that’s pink or red, if there’s a spot that’s very dark,” Overturf said.

Keeping an eye on your skin before and after sun exposure is highly recommended.

“Moles that are starting to change in color or size are worrisome,” Sam said.

Sam said that people should not participate in the “base tanning” social media trend, it’s more dangerous than preventative.

“It’s the concept that if you get a little bit of sun exposure it will help your skin darken a little bit that you will have some more protection against the sun. Although there is some truth to that. I would never replace the advice that we give or use protective clothing or to use sunscreen,” Sam said.

He advises people not to use tanning beds as well because the exposure to large amounts of UV radiation. Sam said that monitoring the amount of sun exposure to the skin is paramount to keeping the skin healthy and youthful.

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