The Skin Cancer Awareness Month Guide to a Real Sun Safety Routine

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. And while most people have heard "wear sunscreen" enough times that it barely registers anymore, the reality is that most people are not doing it consistently or correctly.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. At least 1 in 5 Americans will develop it in their lifetime. About 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are directly linked to UV exposure. Those are not small numbers.

The good news is that most of it is preventable. And the habits that prevent it are not complicated. They just have to actually happen.

Here is a guide to building a sun safety routine that holds up in real life.

Start with daily SPF

UV rays are present year-round. They penetrate clouds. They come through car windows and office windows. The sun does not take days off and your SPF shouldn't either.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning. Broad-spectrum means it protects against both UVA rays, which cause aging and penetrate deep into the skin, and UVB rays, which cause burning and are the primary driver of skin cancer.

If you wear makeup, choose a moisturizer or primer with built-in SPF so it's already part of your routine before you even think about it.

Use enough of it

Most people apply about 25% of the amount they actually need. Once again for the people in the back. Most people apply 25% of the amount they actually need.

For your face and neck, use about two finger lengths of product.

For your body, use enough to fill a shot glass.

Applying too little cuts your protection significantly. SPF 50 applied at half the recommended dose performs closer to SPF 10. The number on the bottle only works if you're using the right amount.

Reapply. Seriously. Reapply.

Sunscreen wears off. Sweat, water, oil production, and time all break it down.

Reapply every two hours when you're outside, and immediately after swimming or heavy sweating. For daily wear when you're mostly indoors, one thorough morning application is generally sufficient. But if you're spending time outside, reapplication is not optional.

Cover up when you can

Sunscreen is not your only tool. Hats, UV-protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours from 10am to 4pm all reduce your cumulative exposure significantly.

Know your skin and get it checked

A yearly skin check with a dermatologist is one of the most important things you can do.

Between visits, pay attention to any spots that are new, changing in size or color, irregular in shape, or won't heal. The ABCDE rule is a useful guide: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving.

Early detection is the single biggest factor in skin cancer outcomes. The earlier it is caught, the more treatable it is.

What to do about the damage that's already there

If you've had years of sun exposure, the goal isn't just prevention anymore. It's repair. UV damage accumulates in the skin over time, breaking down collagen, disrupting pigmentation, and degrading the skin's ability to function well.

• A facial series helps address surface damage. Treatments like the Hydrofacial and SaltFacial clear dead cells, improve texture, and support the skin's ability to hold hydration.

  
  

• For deeper repair, bio-revitalizing injectables like VAMP work at the dermis level to restore elasticity and support cellular repair using PDRN, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals.

Protection and repair work together. One without the other leaves a gap.

Book a Consultation or call 913-354-6002.