The following sun safety protocols to avoid skin cancers

News24xx.com - When you're lounging outside, the sun's UV rays penetrate the outer layers of your skin, damaging DNA in the process. As a defense mechanism, skin cells called melanocytes produce melanin, a pigment that protects against further damage. 

Melanin not only helps absorb UV radiation, but it is also responsible for causing the skin to darken and tan. Fortunately, your damaged skin cells can repair themselves. 

When you stay out of the sun and subsequently, your tan fades, that's a sign that your skin has healed. However, when you are exposed to the sun for a long period of time, your melanocytes will continue to produce melanin even after you escape its rays. This is why your skin may continue to develop a tan a few days following a bad sunburn or after you have spent all day in the sunshine. 

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People of all skin colors have around the same amount of melanocytes in their bodies. However, the amount of melanin those melanocytes produce varies from person to person. People with fairer skin produce less melanin than people with darker skin. That's why dark-skinned people are less likely to get a sunburn because they have higher baseline levels of melanin. So, people of all skin colors can still develop skin cancer. 

Besides a sunburn, short term physical effects of sun exposure include melasma and freckles. 

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with one in five Americans developing it before the age of 70. 

Skin cancers associated with suntanning include both non-melanoma cancers — such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — and melanoma. Melanoma is the rarest, yet deadliest, type of skin cancer because it will spread to other organs if not treated early on. 

To ensure you're protecting your skin, we recommend

 the following sun safety protocols: 

1. Wear sunscreen
The CDC reports that less than 15% of men and 30% of women apply sunscreen regularly even though it's essential for protecting skin from UV damage. 

When it comes to choosing a sunscreen you should use broad-spectrum with a minimum of 30 SPF. 

2. Always avoid tanning beds
There are more skin cancer cases related to the use of tanning beds than there are lung cancer cases related to cigarette smoking. 

Indoor tanning is more dangerous than outdoor tanning because of the intense UV rays applied directly to a person's body. Outside, there are more physical barriers to protect you from too much UV radiation. Because of this, many states have banned the use of tanning beds for minors. 

Exposure to direct UV radiation from tanning beds can also cause harm to your eyes in the form of inflammation, cataracts, or eye cancer. 

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3. Cover up and seek shade
When outside, wear long-sleeve shirts and wide-brimmed hats for coverage. Also, when spending long hours outside on a sunny day, frequently seek shade not only to avoid sunburn but also heat illness.

And also avoiding the sun during peak hours, when UV radiation is at its highest, usually from 11 am to 3 pm, but that may vary slightly depending on your location and time of year.

4. Take a supplement
Polypodium leucotomos, commonly known as Heliocare, is taken as an oral supplement and has been shown to reduce skin damage from sun exposure. Additionally, nicotinamide, a vitamin B3 supplement, may reduce the risk of skin cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking these supplements.