How Repeated Childhood Sunburns Can Affect You

You wouldn’t think twice about protecting your child from chemical products by keeping them locked and away, and avoiding giving them candy for all their meals because of the harm it can cause to their oral health. But many patients don’t think twice about protecting their child from a future of skin cancer. If your child is playing outdoors and is getting sun exposure, it is more important than ever to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. While a little fresh air is good for kids, UV ray exposure is not! The doctors at Keys Dermatology work routinely with patients of all ages to help them better understand the importance of prevention.

What about past sunburns?

You may be curious what risks you have from the sunburns you got as a child. Unfortunately, with every sunburn, regardless of age, you are significantly increasing your risk of skin cancer as you get older. Burns that occur before the age of 18 are more traumatic and can cause damage at the cellular level. This is why we urge patients, including both parents and children, to educate themselves on proper sun protection habits to reduce the risk of cancer in adulthood.

How do I keep my skin healthy and protected from the sun?

There are many ways parents and children can protect themselves from increasing their risks of skin cancer. Below are a few recommendations to consider:

• Wear high SPF sunscreen each day, regardless of how much time you spend outside
• Avoid being in the sun during the time of day when the UV rays are the strongest, typically between 10am and 4pm
• Reapply sunscreen as directed throughout the day when spending time outdoors
• Avoid spending extended periods of time outdoors whenever possible, or stay in shaded areas to protect your skin

How do I learn more about caring for my skin?

If you are interested in finding out what you can do to reduce the risk of skin cancer in yourself or your family members, connect with the doctors at Keys Dermatology to discuss prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Call our office at (305) 296-3334 to request an appointment at our Key West or Islamorada, FL locations.