Cancer Hazards: 12 Skin Cancer Mistakes to Avoid
About 20% of all Americans will be
diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they hit 70, says the Skin Cancer
Foundation. Skin cancer may form as a non-melanoma (bad) or melanoma
(very bad) type of disease. Whatever it may be, one thing is certain -
you definitely don't want it. Worse, you may be inadvertently doing
things to increase your risk. For starters, sitting out in the sun
unprotected is instantly going to increase your odds of being diagnosed
with a case of skin cancer. But, some less obvious reasons could lead
you down a dangerous path. Here are 12 essential tips to bear in mind:
1. Getting nails done
1. Getting nails done
While you may not worry too much about
getting your nails done at the salon, using UV rays emitted from the LED
lamps at your nail salon for a short period of time could result in a
life-threatening skin cancer diagnosis. This is what happened to a
20-year-old woman from Illinois, who was diagnosed with skin cancer. Her
doctor said it was most likely caused by the regular gel manicures.
2. You aren't eating enough veggies
Eating plenty of veggies isn't just good for your health. It can help
protect against cancer too. According to the National Cancer Institute,
cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale are
broken down into indoles and isothiocyanates - two key elements that
have been shown to prevent cancer from developing. Veggies also keep
your immune system healthy. This comes in handy when your body is
fighting off illnesses and diseases.
3.You smoke
Most smokers likely assume that they are
putting themselves at risk for lung cancer. However, skin cancer is a
possibility too. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, inhaling
toxins can increase your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma on
your lips by 52%. Since it affects 700,000 people in the U.S. each year,
it is incredibly common.
4. You use a tanning bed
A vast amount of research has been conducted surrounding the dangers of
tanning beds. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people continue
to use them at an alarming rate. Just one session increases your risk of
melanoma by 20%, basal cell carcinoma by 29% and squamous cell
carcinoma by 67%.
5. You don't wear sunglasses
Sunglasses do more than keep the sun out of
your eyes. They help protect your delicate eye area - including the
very thin-skinned eyelids from skin cancer. Sunglasses should be worn
all year round and anytime you are enjoying the sunshine. Opt for a pair
that blocks 99 to 100% of those harmful rays.
6. You don't wear enough SPF
If you think that SPF 35+ is going to be enough at the beach, you are
mistaken. In a new study published in the Journal of the American of
Academy of Dermatology, researchers found SPF 100+ is more protective
against sunburns than SPF 50+. It is also essential that you reapply
often. Bear in mind that the higher the strength doesn't mean that it
has a longer staying power.
7. You're not protecting your skin from pollution
It's not just the sun that can harm your
complexion. Pollution is just as bad for you, as it is for the
environment. Pollution can cause uneven skin tone, accelerated aging and
skin cancer. To make sure it doesn't affect you, wash off your skin and
wear sunscreen every day. Put it on immediately in the morning and be
sure to spring for one that contains antioxidants.
8. You always sit by sunny windows
Whether you are in the car or not, according to the Skin Cancer
Foundation, sitting in front of a sunny window doesn't just lead to
wrinkles, it could also lead to skin cancer down the line.
9. You don't wear sunscreen on flights
People tend to feel safe from the sun in a
plane, despite traveling six miles closer to it. However, according to
one expert, that can really do some damage. Dermatologist Doris Day says
“The fact is, flying at 30,000 feet [for 60 minutes] can be as
dangerous as 20 minutes in a tanning bed.” So, if you're not wearing any
sunscreen, pull down the shade.
10. You rely on the SPF in your makeup for protection
It's nice that your face makeup has the added bonus of SPF. But don't
solely depend on that to protect your skin. Many products only have an
SPF of 15 and since the American Academy of Dermatology recommends at
least 30 SPF on a daily basis, you might need to apply extra before
getting ready for the day.
11. You're not careful with your spray tan
Getting a spray tan is a better option than
getting a real tan. However, after your appointment be extra cautious.
You have a higher risk of free radical damage from those UV rays for up
to 24 hours after bronzing yourself. After a day, you'll be fine to
apply sunscreen as usual.
12. You're wearing shiny lipsticks
You may want to rethink the high-shine, glossy lipsticks. According to
the Skin Cancer Foundation, they basically do the same thing as putting
baby oil on your body does - you become a magnet for UV rays that can
burn and damage your skin. Opaque lipstick with SPF 15+ is a better
option.