Importance of Sunscreen - Stephanie Walker, PA-C

This episode is all about protecting your skin and Stephanie Walker, PA-C joins us with expert information why this is important.

Practicing sun safety daily helps protect your skin from damage. 

Why do I need to wear sunscreen?

The sun emits a wide spectrum of light including ultraviolet-A (UV-A) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B). These are the two most common types of UV rays that contribute to skin cancer. They damage the skin on a DNA level that can eventually lead to skin cancer. Studies have shown that sunburns, especially blistering sunburns during childhood, can dramatically increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. It’s important that everyone in your family wears sunscreen to block out these harmful rays and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

What type of sunscreen do I need?

While The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher for everyday use,  we advise sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher to provide stronger protection. Remember, both UV-A and UV-B can cause skin cancer, so choose sunscreen that protects against both. This will be labeled as protecting against a “broad spectrum” of rays.

What should I look for during a self-examination of my skin?

There are three things to look for when examining your moles and skin: symmetry, borders and color. If you notice any changing moles that appear asymmetrical, have irregular borders or multiple colors, please contact a health care professional to evaluate the lesion. Any sore that hasn’t healed or is a painful lesion should be evaluated as well.

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