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The Mountain West is a beautiful region known for its plentiful outdoor activities. However, due to outdoor lifestyles and higher elevation, those living in the region are at an increased risk for skin cancer.
In fact, in the five-state region Huntsman Cancer Institute serves鈥擴tah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming鈥攎elanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, is among the top five most commonly diagnosed types of cancer. Approximately 4,500 new melanoma cases are expected to be diagnosed in the Mountain West in 2025 alone, according to the .
Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator Douglas Grossman, MD, PhD, co-leader of the institute鈥檚 Melanoma Center and a professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Utah, shares skin cancer prevention tips and explains how to pick out the best sunscreen.
How to Keep Your Skin Safe
These habits will help keep your skin safe whenever you are outside:
鈥 Seek shade whenever possible.
鈥 Wear protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats, long sleeves, pants, and sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
鈥 For water activities, wear UV-protective jackets or long-sleeve shirts.
鈥 Avoid sun exposure during peak sun hours, from 10 am to 4 pm.
鈥 Wear sunscreen.
Try to think of sunscreen as only part of your protection strategy. By combining sunscreen with these other sun-safe habits, you鈥檒l get the best protection.
Which Sunscreen Is Best?
Use these tips to choose the best sunscreen and apply it properly.
Check the ingredients. There are two types of sunscreen: chemical and mineral. Mineral-based sunscreens contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as active ingredients, which work by reflecting UV light away from your skin. Chemical-based sunscreens contain chemicals like avobenzone and benzophenone that absorb UV rays but can wear off more easily than mineral sunscreens, so they need to be applied more often. In addition, chemical sunscreens can sometimes cause allergic reactions and may be toxic to marine life.
Choose broad spectrum sunscreen. Broad spectrum sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays contribute to aging, while UVB rays cause sunburns. Both types of rays contribute to skin cancer.
Select sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. SPF stands for "sun protection factor." Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater blocks 97% of UVA/UVB rays.
Opt for water-resistant sunscreen. Water-resistant sunscreen stays effective in the water for 40 minutes. Reapply after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
How to Apply Sunscreen
Once you have chosen your sunscreen, you鈥檒l need to make sure you are applying it correctly to get the best skin protection possible. Use enough to fully cover your exposed skin. If you are using a spray sunscreen, be sure to rub it into your skin after spraying for complete coverage.
鈥淲hen and how often you need to apply sunscreen depends on the type of sunscreen you are using,鈥 Grossman says.
For chemical sunscreens:
鈥 Put on 30 minutes before you head outdoors. This allows time for the sunscreen to soak into your skin.
鈥 Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating鈥攚hichever comes first.
For mineral sunscreens:
鈥 Apply it immediately before you head outdoors.
鈥 Reapply if your skin gets wet.
While sunscreen is a great option for staying sun safe, babies under six months of age should not be exposed to direct sunlight since their skin is very sensitive. 鈥淪unscreens have not generally been tested on infants younger than six months,鈥 says Grossman.
Since glass does not block all UV rays, you may want to apply sunscreen if you are next to a window or in a car for an extended period of time.
There鈥檚 no reason to avoid all the outdoor activities the Mountain West has to offer. Just make sure you鈥檙e protecting your skin while you鈥檙e outside.
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.