Time for Exercise

One thing about loving a fit lifestyle - it often means all too much time in the sun. And that means skin damage and a greater potential for skin cancer.

I speak on this topic as someone who really has to be concerned. I joke about being so pale that I must be part ghost. I don’t tan, I burn. Skin cancer is a serious concern in my family.

My children are perhaps more fortunate, taking after their half Italian father. As I put it, they were born with better tans than I’ve ever had in my life. However, this may also mean that it will be easy for them to take less care of their skin.

No matter your skin tone, you do need to protect it from sun damage. Darker skin means it takes longer for damage to occur, but you are still subject to damage.

If you are going to be spending any significant time out in the sun, take a few minutes and put on a good sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. I’ve often been told that the worst times to be out in the sun are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at least during the summer. For someone as pale as I am, significant time is about 10 minutes.

On the other hand, don’t take this to extremes. You do need some sunlight for your body to produce vitamin D. How much can depend on where you live, how dark your skin is and the time of year. The paler you are, the less time it takes for your skin to create enough vitamin D. From my reading, this time ranges from 15 minutes to 3 hours every few days, NOT daily.

Excessive exposure to the sun doesn’t just increase your risk of skin cancer. It causes wrinkles. Just think about any of your friends who are really into tanning. How does their skin look in comparison to other people their age? The older they get, the more pronounced this difference will be. People who tan a lot may look great when they’re young, but they’ll suffer later with far more wrinkles.

When it comes to protecting yourself from the sun, don’t forget a hat. I say this as my mother has recently discovered suspicious growths on the top of her head and just had them removed. You can’t easily get sunscreen into your scalp, even where your hair is parted, so a hat is much more effective.

Beyond keeping sun exposure levels appropriate, there are many good things you can do for your skin. Drink plenty of water. Keeping hydrated is great for your skin.

Use moisturizer as needed, keeping in mind your type of skin and where you’re putting the moisturizer. Your face may want a different moisturizer than the rest of your body. Don’t smoke. Eat healthy. Get enough sleep.

Finally, if you are in doubt about anything you see on your skin, go talk to your doctor or a dermatologist. They can reassure you, prescribe medications or remove problems as indicated. Skin problems can happen even when you take good care of yourself.

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