Today, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the world. Thankfully, there's a lot you can do to lower your risk of developing skin cancer. All you need to do is follow our GP advice in Costa del Sol on how to stay safe in the sun.
The main piece of GP advice in Costa del Sol that we give for staying safe in the sun is protecting yourself from the ultraviolet (UV) light emitted by the sun. Working toward a "healthy" glow is something that many people crave during the summer months. But that glow you might be craving is a sign of skin damage. Even if you tan instead of burning, your skin is being damaged by the sun. This damage can lead to premature signs of ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Here are some of the top pieces of GP advice in Costa del Sol on how you can protect yourself from the sun's harmful qualities.
Wear Protective Clothing
If you can, try wearing long trousers, keep your arms covered and wear a hat to protect your face and head. A hat will also help to protect easy to miss parts of your body - such as your ears.
Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses shield your eyes from UV rays. The UV rays from the sun can cause severe damage to your eyes and could lead to the development of cataracts. Remember, just buying an expensive pair of sunglasses doesn't guarantee they'll be the best protection for your eyes. Instead of looking at the price, you want to look for glasses that prevent 99% or 100% of UVB and UVA rays.
Limit Your Time in the Sun
The sun is at it's most active between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, so follow our GP advice in Costa del Sol and try to stay out of the sun as much as you can during these hours. Try to plan outdoor activities for early in the morning or later in the afternoon as these will be cooler and the sun will be less intense. If you are outside during peak sunny times, try to make sure you're somewhere you can find shade or dip inside if you need to. Try to plan an indoor lunch or sit under an umbrella to stay out of the sun at midday.
Use Sunscreen Properly
UV rays start to damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. To protect your skin, apply sunscreen to every part of your body that will be exposed to the sun. Remember to reach places that may be exposed if your clothing shifts or moves.
Ideally, you should apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside. This will allow time for the sunscreen to sink in so that it's most effective.
When you buy sunscreen, remember the higher the SPF, the better. You should go for no lower than SPF 15, but children and people with very pale or sensitive skin should opt for as high an SPF as possible.
Remember to reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours to keep your protection topped up. If you've been swimming or sweating excessively, you may need to reapply your sunscreen more often.
Get Your Vitamin D Elsewhere
We all know that the sun is an excellent source of vitamin D. But GP advice in Costa del Sol advises that there are much safer ways to get your intake of vitamin D. Remember - no matter how much vitamin D you get from the sun, it's not worth the damage to your skin and increased risk of skin cancer.
For more GP advice in Costa del Sol, become a Helicopteros Sanitarios member. Visit our website for more information.