HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) — There’s no better feeling than relaxing at the beach and the pool on a beautiful day, or just catching some rays during the summer.
Although without proper protection, you can put yourself at risk, even if you don’t get a sunburn.
“It’s unfortunately very common to see people with a lack of understanding of the damage that can be caused by the sun,” Dr. Abdelaziz Atwez said.
Atwez is a plastic surgeon with Huntsville Hospital. He explained that the sun’s ultraviolet rays are what cause negative lasting effects.
“It’s an accumulative effect over time that they’re going to pay the price for when they are in the later age of their lives,” he said. “So, if you don’t protect yourself, you’re going to have skin cancer.”
We all know sunscreen is the best way to protect our skin outside, but it’s all about how and when you apply it.
“You’ve got to remember that reapplication is important,” he said. “Even if you’re very careful applying your sunscreen and choosing the right SPF, sunscreen is not effective after two hours. So, every two hours, especially if you go into water, if you get sweaty, if you move too much, you need to reapply.”
It’s also important to remember that even on a cloudy, overcast day like today, it’s important to wear your sunscreen because you can still get burned.
Caring for our skin takes place down the road as well. Atwez said it’s important to check yourself for sun spots.
“Any pigmented lesion that has gotten bigger, has irregular borders, or has an uneven color should be checked,” he said. “Melanoma is a very aggressive skin cancer that no one should ignore.”
The sad reality is that skin cancer is extremely common. Atwez said it is the most common form of cancer.
He recommended doing regular “self-checks.” The American Cancer Society tells you everything you need to know to perform one on yourself.
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