Protect Your Skin
Dr. Kathleen Holoyda
While out exploring Lake Tahoe, don’t forget about protecting your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
UV light from the sun or a tanning bed can permanently damage your skin, leading to wrinkles, sunspots/freckles, decreased elasticity, spider veins, and precancerous or cancerous skin lesions. Follow these tips for sun safety:
Learn to love sunscreen. Skin damage can start after 15 minutes in the sun. You should wear sunscreen every day—even when it’s overcast—and especially at higher elevations where the sun’s rays are more intense. Opt for a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and water resistance when necessary.
Reapply, reapply, reapply. You have to keep applying sunscreen throughout the day, especially when swimming or sweating. Even those labeled “water resistant” should be reapplied every 40 minutes.
Dress for sun protection. Wear long sleeves and pants made with synthetic fibers or opt for clothes made with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Top off the look with a brimmed hat and sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
Taking steps to protect your skin from the sun not only helps you fend off signs of aging, but also lowers your risk for skin cancer. Scan your body regularly and contact a dermatologist or reconstructive surgeon if you have concerns with your skin.
Dr. Kathleen A. Holoyda is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon offering skin restoration treatments following skin cancer. For more information call 530.543.5799.
