1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. The good news is that if skin cancer is caught early, we can treat it with little or no scarring and high odds of eliminating it entirely. Often, we will even detect a growth at a precancerous stage before it becomes a full-blown skin cancer or penetrated below the surface of the skin. 

The Skin Cancer Foundation Recommendations: 

• • Seek the shade, especially between 10am and 4pm.
  • Don’t get sunburned.
  • Avoid tanning, and never use tanning beds.
  • Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
  • Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
  • Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or excessive sweating.
  • Keep newborns out of the sun. Use sunscreen on babies over the age of six months.
  • Examine your skin head-to-toe every month and see a dermatologist if you notice a change.
  • See a dermatologist at least once a year for a professional skin exam.