In light of Memorial Day weekend, The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) released new data discussing that "while most Americans will use sun protection at the beach or pool, many won't use sun protection when enjoying other outdoor activities such as jogging or cycling, ultimately increasing their risk of skin cancer." The AAD is prompting holiday weekenders to use protection whether it is snowy, cloudy or rainy outside.
"It's easy to remember to use sun protection when you're at places like the beach or the pool. However, many people forget to cover up or apply sunscreen during every activities. ... Any time you're outside and unprotected from UV exposure, you can increase your risk of developing skin cancer," explained George J. Hruza, M.D., MBA, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist, president of AAD.
Hruza shares three hot tips that you can bring to your clients to make sure they stay protected during the holiday weekend.
1. Seek out shade. The sun is the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so as a rule of thumb, if your shadow is shorter than you are it is best to seek out some shade.
2. Dress to protect. Cover up your skin with more than sunscreen by wearing lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats and sunglasses.
3. Apply sunscreen. When choosing what sunscreen to wear, go for the broad-spectrum, water-resistant kind that has an SPF of 30 or higher.
The AAD discovered that roughly one in five Americans actually use sun protection when it is cloudy, meaning four out of five Americans are vulnerable to dangerous UV exposure. To further encourage sun-safe protection the AAD has released their "Do You Use Protection" video in conjunction with Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
