Spring classes are over and it’s summertime.
It felt like the longest winter hit the United States. Now, you need to focus on your mind, body and tan. The sun is back and it’s here to stay for a while (I hope!).
It’s really rewarding to study for a summer class out by the pool or read just for fun or even get your work flow on in the middle of the summer.
I definitely feel a difference if I don’t get a little sunshine every once in a while. I get a little cranky and feel a lot more tired than usual.
Laying out in the sun is awesome, but you need to be sure that you’re keeping your skin safe this summer.
What is melanoma?
“…unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors,” SkinCancer.org says.
There are ways to avoid those harmful rays!
Here are a few ways to dodge melanoma:
Get in the shade
You don’t want to burn do you? It’ll hurt for hours (maybe days) and will also kill your skin! Instead of going toward the light, take the opposite route.
Stay out of the tanning beds
I’ve been in a tanning bed a few times. I understand the appeal. It is so relaxing. The humming of the machine, the smell of coconut and lightly burnt skin is very, very tempting. Tanning beds are very bad for your skin. Imagine that huge sun in the sky a whole lot closer to our bodies. It doesn’t sound like a good idea, right? Grab some tanning lotion with sparkle and self tan that way instead.
Cover up
Modest is sexy anyway. Cover up your body and face when you’re stuck in the sun. Get one of those huge Kentucky Derby hats and plop it on your head. Also, make sure your shades are UV-blocking. I love the way maxi dresses at the pool after an internship or summer class looks.
Shine on with sunscreen
The magic number is SPF 15 or higher. You should really be wearing it every single day. If you’re out in the sun for much longer than usual, use SPF 30 on your entire body. Repeat the lather every two hours.
See your doc
Visit a doctor at least once a year and check your skin every month and look for moving patches or parts of your skin that seem to grow, darken, lighten or shrink.
Do you think you have something wrong with your skin? Notice any patches or bumps that weren’t there before. Click here to contact someone and schedule an appointment with a doctor.
