Skin is the largest organ of every human body. It requires constant and strict care to prevent the formation of cancer called skin cancer. Skin cancer can refer to melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma. These types of cancer are considered to be life-threatening and can happen to anyone, regardless of the race and age.
It is necessary to keep the skin healthy all the time, to lower the risk of skin cancer. Here are very that you must do to avoid getting any of the types of skin cancer.
1. Wash Hands and Body
Always remember the basic of how to take care of skin. This refers to regular washing, not just during shower or before and after you eat. It must be a habit to cleanse the hands whenever they are exposed to pollutants from some activities you’ve done. Besides, the germs and bacteria are collected from anywhere, even from just a little pencil, or your personal mobile phone.
In washing your hands and body, use the right skin care products, which are soap and water. You have to scrub your body thoroughly to ensure germs are removed. Aside from soap, a hand sanitizer and a rubbing alcohol can help cleanse some body parts like the neck, hands, arms and legs.
One thing to remember about body washing or showering is to not over cleanse it. The skin has essential oils that must remain intact. If you spend too much time in the shower or bathtub, those oils are likely removed from the skin. In addition, keep your skin dry so moisture is maintained and the essential oils are built up.
2. Limit Your Sun Exposure
Sun can provide some benefits and disadvantages too. The ultraviolet (UV) rays are able to give vitamin E on the skin, but too much exposure of it does not burn and make your skin red, but also causes to form cancerous cells.
Most of skin cancer cases are due to over exposure of sun. If you do not want to suffer from any of those illnesses, you ensure you do not soak under the sun or swim in the beach for a long period of time. As much as possible, avoid going out or exposing yourself under the rays of the sun from 10 AM to 4 PM. Those are the hours in which the sun is super hot.
3. Apply Sunscreen Lotion
If you know you are going to spend a lot of time outside during a very sunny day, especially during summer, remember to protect your skin by putting on some sunscreen lotion. The most recommended is 15 SPF (or higher) sun protection lotion. You apply a moderate amount of the substance all over your arms down to the hands, neck, legs, and even the face. It is better to put some lotion around 30 minutes before you head out.
4. Wear the Right Clothes
When it is very hot outside, you are not expected to wear a coat and a scarf on your neck, or else you suffer greatly. But, protecting your skin from the radiation of the sun is not a bad thing to do. You just balance your way of dressing up yourself. This means, instead of a skirt or short, have a pair of pants on. Aside from using umbrella, it is also helpful if you can wear sunglasses and hat when going out with direct exposure to sunlight.
5. Avoid Harmful Radiations
Other than the sun, there are other things that can harm your skin due to radiations. These are also found in electronic devices and industrial equipment. You must know how to limit some personal items that have radiations, and stay away from places with UV rays and other dangerous factors, which can have direct contact with skin.
6. Quit Smoking
Smoking is also not a good idea to do because it does not generally affect the health of a person, but contributes in the occurrence of skin cancer. The blood vessels are constricted when you smoke. When that happens, the nutrients and oxygen, which the skin needs, are deprived. Eventually, it will cause a person to suffer from skin cancer.
7. Reduce Chronic Stress
Stress, especially a chronic one, can cause a person to have some skin irritation from mild to harsh problems, including skin cancer. If you feel stressed, take some time to relax and have your mind rest.
8. Eat a Healthy and Well-Balanced Diet
The most obvious of all is to eat the right kinds of foods. There are many anti-cancer foods that can help you prevent inheriting any cancer, including the different types of skin cancer. Make sure your diet includes the most nutritious foods, which are vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and some lean protein. You must limit, or if possible, limit the consumption of sugary or sweet foods, and unhealthy fats. Those are other factors that cause skin problems.
Taking care of your skin is not a difficult thing to do. Your skin is your own, which must be a good reason to keep it healthy, smooth and beautiful. If you follow the tips suggested above, the less chance for you to get skin cancer and other problems related to skin damaging. Just remember to love your own and this can remind you to constantly care for your own skin.