Kinetiq Health has started a new series called, Better Health in 90, to bring you health tips in 90 seconds or less from our expert clinical team.

In preparation for a long summer ahead, Registered Nurse and Director of Kinetiq Health Sarah Michaels shares the five S’s of sun safety and tips to help prevent skin cancer.

Read on for more information!

Skin cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, with more annual diagnoses than breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer combined. One in five people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, but remember, skin cancer is often preventable if you are protected from the harmful UV rays the sun produces.

Here are the 5 S’s of sun safety to keep in mind when spending time outside:

• Slip – Slip on a long-sleeved shirt or protective clothing. The best way to prevent a burn is to reduce exposure to the sun.
• Slop – Slop on a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Choose one that protects against UVA and UVB rays and reapply every two hours. Dermatologists recommend that we use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. If you’re sweating or in water, you should reapply more frequently than two hours though.
• Slap – Slap on a hat with a wide brim to cover your ears, neck and face. Baseball caps typically aren’t enough coverage because the ears are still very exposed.
• Seek – Seek shade or shelter during peak sun exposure times, generally 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Did you know that tanned skin is actually a sign of sun damage? The UV rays are the strongest during those hours, so make sure you have shade available.
• Slide – Slide on UV-protective sunglasses to protect your eyes. The darker the lens does not always mean more protection. Make sure the sticker reads UV-protection.

Now you’re ready to enjoy the summer sun safely!

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