Summer Sun Exposure Myths That Actually Increase Your Cancer Risk

With summer in full swing, you’re probably spending more time outside. That means fresh air and recreational opportunities. But it also means exposure to a known cancer-causer: the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

To avoid skin cancer and premature aging, you probably want to take steps to defend yourself against harm this summer. Ali Hendi, MD, and Joanna Dong, MD, have some guidance to help.

Specifically, we want to bust a handful of myths about summer sun exposure. To keep your skin safe this summer and beyond, pair this knowledge with regular skin cancer screenings at our office in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

1. You don’t need sunscreen on cloudy days

Cloud cover doesn’t necessarily offer you protection from UV exposure. In fact, on a day with light cloud cover, as much as 90% of the sun’s UV rays can get through to your skin.

Don’t assume any clouds that accumulate here in Maryland will keep your skin safe. Sun protection is just as important on a cloudy day as a clear one.

2. A high SPF means you don’t need to reapply

Choosing a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) does offer more defense against UV damage. We recommend you always grab sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

A higher SPF means more UV defense when it’s applied, but it doesn’t mean longer-lasting protection. No matter what number you see on the bottle, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours when you’re in the sun.

3. A base tan helps protect my skin

In summers past, you might have observed that if you have a little bit of a tan going — what people call a base tan — you don’t burn as badly. A tan does offer you some layer of protection, but it’s not nearly enough to defend against UV damage. Experts estimate that a base tan gives you an SPF equivalent of about 3-4.

4. Sunscreen is the only way to protect your skin from the sun

Sunscreen does a good job of preventing your skin from absorbing UV rays, but it shouldn’t be the only tool in your summer toolbox.

Anything that keeps UV rays off your skin helps reduce your risk of skin cancer. That includes:

Shade
Hats, especially wide-brimmed ones
Long-sleeved shirts
Pants

Plenty of outdoor companies make lightweight, breathable fabric designed to protect your skin. Look for clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) on the label.

5. Dark-skinned people don’t get skin cancer

The sun’s UV rays are damaging regardless of your skin tone. Dark skin doesn’t protect you. In fact, for folks with darker skin, skin cancer often gets diagnosed later, when it’s harder to treat. Sunscreen and other sun protection measures are important for everyone.

Now that we’ve busted some myths, you might realize you’ve been unwittingly exposing your skin to risk. A skin cancer screening helps check for any troubling spots now and gives you a baseline to measure against over time.

To schedule your screening, call our office at 301-812-4591 or make an appointment online today.