How to protect your skin on your summer adventures in Maine

This story was originally published in May 2019.

Summer is here and with it we spend more time outside digging in the garden, exploring the rocky shores of Maine or climbing high mountain peaks. It's time to soak up the sun, breathe fresh air and leave the worries of winter behind us.

But are you and your family ready?

Cancer can affect people of all ages, ethnicities, races, and genders, but not always to the same extent. Skin cancer, in particular, is more common in men than women, affecting 25 in 100,000 Caucasians, while one in 100,000 African Americans. It also becomes more common as people age, with the highest rates of skin cancer occurring in patients between the ages of 75 and 85, according to the CDC.

So when you're making your summer plans, don't forget to think about sun protection measures in addition to those homemade popsicle molds you've been saving all winter to try out or those upcoming play dates at the water playground.

Need ideas? Here are five ways to protect yourself from the sun this summer.

Think beyond the white stuff

Sun protection is more than just sunscreen. Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Buy a large beach umbrella or a three-panel umbrella if you plan on spending time at the lake or beach. Consider buying rash guards — long- or short-sleeved swim shirts — for kids (or even for yourself), and don't forget a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses for everyone in the family.

Road trip? Pack snacks and a hat

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that nearly 53 percent of skin cancers in the United States occur on the left side of the body—that is, the driver's side. Susan T. Butler, co-author of the study, argues that the increase may be due to UV exposure that occurs when driving. Butler's team found over 82 percent of skin cancers on patients' heads or necks, so you may want to consider forgoing the convertible and sticking your left arm out the window, or at least wearing a hat and applying sunscreen to exposed areas like the face, neck, scalp, and ears.

A shot glass of sunscreen

The Skin Cancer Foundation has long recommended daily use of a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. But if you're out and about, the SPF should be even higher, and you should apply more than just a dime-sized amount. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends 1 ounce (or nearly a full shot glass) every two hours, and even more frequently if you're swimming or sweating.

Know your acronyms

SPF. UVA. UVB. All the numbers and acronyms associated with sunscreen can be confusing, so here are the basics: Sunlight is made up of two types of rays: UVA—which can penetrate window glass and prematurely age skin—and UVB—which are blocked by window glass but are the main cause of sunburn. UVA-blocking ingredients include avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. SPF, on the other hand, stands for “sun blocking factor.” When playing in direct sunlight, dermatologists recommend an SPF of at least 30, which blocks up to 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays. And while sunscreens with higher SPFs may block a little more, they don't last longer and still need to be reapplied every two hours, so choose a sunscreen you know you'll use again and again. Just make sure it offers broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection and has at least SPF 30.

Schedule an annual audit

With more than 1 million cases diagnosed each year across the country, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. This type of skin cancer rarely spreads and is therefore unlikely to be fatal. Melanoma, on the other hand, is less common but is more likely to spread throughout the body in advanced stages and cause death. Fortunately, self-exams and regular visits to a specialist can help. Perform a full-body self-exam at least once a month, making sure to check the “nooks and crannies” — behind the knees, under the arms, on the scalp — as well as the more conspicuous areas. If you notice anything suspicious, see the doctor. Also, consider scheduling an annual exam with a dermatologist. According to a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, skin self-exams have been shown to reduce melanoma mortality by as much as 63 percent, and melanomas discovered by doctors tend to be discovered at an earlier stage and are easier to cure than those discovered by patients.

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How to protect your skin on your summer adventures in Maine

Anna Harden

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