Top Tips for Protecting Skin from the Sun in Hawaii
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While May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, protecting your skin from the sun is a year-round endeavor, especially here in Hawaii.
Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United States. That being said, it is also the most preventable. Educating patients about skin cancer prevalence and risk factors, along with methods to protect themselves, is the key to skin cancer prevention.
Here are some skin cancer stats:
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent (1).
While May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, protecting your skin from the sun is a year-round endeavor, especially here in Hawaii.
According to a study done by the University of Hawaii, every year, over 10,000 people in Hawaii will be diagnosed with skin cancer (2). Our close proximity to the equator means our sun rays are more direct, putting Hawaii residents at a year-round risk for skin cancers.
Here’s some tips on how you can protect your skin and minimize your risk:
Regular skin checks
Having a dermatologist thoroughly examine your skin every 6-12 months is the best way to catch skin cancers and treat damage early. Take note of any changes you notice throughout the year to moles or other areas of the skin and inform your dermatologist at your appointment.
Wearing protective clothing
Sunglasses, hats, sun shirts, rash guards, wraps, and board shorts can help shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays. Several brands of clothing even have UV protection woven into the fabrics.
Shade is your friend
Use an umbrella or tent when spending time outdoors, or hang out under a tree. Don’t rely on cloud cover as sun protection - UV rays can shine through clouds and still cause sun burns.
Plan around the sun
Avoid going in the sun during peak UV hours. Enjoy the outdoors early in the morning or in the late afternoon. The UV index is the most intense between 10am to 2pm.
Add skin nourishing supplements to your routine
Beauty and skin protection really do start from within - especially when you include skin supplements utilizing ingredients such as polypodium or niacinamide.
Polypodium extract comes from a tropical fern that grows in Central and South America. It has been studied to protect against sun-induced skin damage such as sunburns and melanoma (3). This powerful ingredient also works as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that may also benefit the skin by boosting cell regeneration and wound healing. Dermal Radiance® is formulated with polypodium and other skin healthy ingredients to support healthy skin from within.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has remarkable effects when it comes to skin health. A study showed that niacinamide cut the rate of new squamous-cell and basal-cell skin cancers by 23% compared with placebo after 1 year among patients at high risk for skin cancer. Niacinamide was also shown to reduce risk for patients developing actinic keratosis, a common precancer of the skin (4).
Choose a mineral sunscreen
Many drugstore sunscreens contain potentially toxic chemicals such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octinoxate, octocrylene, homosalate, or nanoparticles. The Environmental Working Group recommends avoiding sunscreens containing these chemicals and instead, opt for a mineral sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. All sunscreens sold at Koru are mineral sunscreens, do not contain harmful chemicals and are reef-safe.
VI Skin Peel to the rescue
If the damage has been done by the sun, there are treatments such as skin peels that can help improve the look and condition of your skin. The VI Skin Peel can:
Improve dull and uneven skin tone
Even out skin texture
Improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles
Reduce the appearance of dark spots and sun damage
Fix discoloration
Shrink large pores and smooth skin roughness
Clear acne
Enhance the effectiveness of your topicals
TCA Peels to Treat Actinic Keratoses
Rough scaly patches or bumps on the skin caused by sun exposure, that can turn into skin cancer. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is often the chemical choice for treating these bumps. The TCA solution is left on the lesion for about 10-15 minutes. Then the doctor may apply a chemical neutralizing solution before cleansing the area. It is important to consult your dermatology practitioner to see if this treatment is right for you.
The biggest takeaway- WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN
Enjoying time in the sun can bring many health benefits when done properly and in moderation. Layering multiple forms of sun protection, even on a cloudy day, is the best way to help protect your skin from damage and aging. Our medical spa professionals can guide and educate you on prevention and treatment options that work best for you!
