What can I do to prevent getting skin cancer?

The damage that your skin has already received from the sun cannot be completely reversed. However, several precautions can be taken to reduce your risk of developing further skin cancers:

Sun Safety Tips

1. Minimize sun exposure from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM when the sun's rays are the strongest. If you enjoy outdoor activities such as golfing, gardening, running, walking, or boating, try to schedule them outside of these "peak sun hours."
   
   
2. Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater at least one half hour before going outdoors and reapply as directed on the product label. Look for products containing avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. Choose a cream-based sunscreen if you have dry skin, and a gel-based, or non-comedogenic formula if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Choose a "very water resistant" formula if you will be sweating or in water, however remember that even these must be reapplied every 80 minutes. If the ears or portions of the scalp are exposed due to short or thinning hair, remember to apply sunscreen to these areas as well.
   
   
3. Protect your lips with lipstick or a lip balm containing sunscreen.
   
   
4. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, wide-brimmed hat and ultraviolet blocking sunglasses.
   
   
5. Avoid use of the UV beds at tanning salons.
   
   
6. Don't forget to use your sunscreen on overcast days. The ultraviolet rays can be as damaging to your skin on cloudy, hazy days as they are on sunny days.
   
   
7. Use a sunscreen while at lower latitudes or high altitudes. The sun is stronger near the equator and at high elevations where the sun's rays strike the earth most directly.
   
   
8. If you need a little "color," use a sunless tanning lotion or get a spray tan.

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