Healthy Habits - 8 Essential Tips to Prevent Skin Damage and Promote Cancer Protection

 Dr. Fayne Frey vows, "Sunscreen is a must," and talks about the scientific studies that show the health benefits of applying daily sunscreen in her book The Skincare Hoax: How You’re Being Tricked into Buying Lotions, Potions & Wrinkle Cream (Skyhorse Publishing; ISBN: 9781510771550; Original Trade Paperback), which was a No. 1 New Release in Health, Mind & Body on Amazon. 

In an interview, Dr. Frey can discuss 8 Essential Tips to Prevent Skin Damage and Promote Cancer Protection:

•    Adults should use a minimum of 30 SPF. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is recommended for all adults.
•    Kids and those with sensitive skin should use mineral sunscreens. Those that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide filters.
•    Avoid direct sun exposure at all times. Direct sun exposure should be avoided at all times. Ultraviolet light from the sun does penetrate clouds and therefore sunscreen should be applied even on overcast days. Remember that no sunscreen is 100% protective of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
•    After 5 sunburns your risk of melanoma doubles. Frequent tanning and sunburn increase the incidence of skin damage and skin cancer.
•    Spray tans and self-tanner lotions are not harmful to the skin, but you STILL NEED to apply SPF. Spray tans and self-tanners are not detrimental to the skin; however, they do not offer any protection from the sun's rays.
•    If you’re Vitamin D deficient, take a supplement; do not sit in the sun. The AAD does not recommend getting Vitamin D from direct, unprotected sun exposure. If you’re diagnosed with this deficiency, take supplements and use SPF protection.
•    Skin cancer occurs in ALL skin types. The incidence of skin cancer is higher among lighter complected individuals; however, skin cancer does occur in all skin types.
•    Get an annual skin exam. As part of a complete early detection strategy, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a check-up annually for adults, or more often if you are at a higher risk of skin cancer, for a full body professional skin exam.

In addition, Dr. Frey can discuss the concerns many have regarding the safety of FDA-approved sunscreen filters as well as share her thoughts on the mRNA vaccine that can reduce melanoma recurrence in high-risk patients. Through her website, FryFace, consumers can learn more about sunscreen.

About the Author
Fayne L. Frey, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and graduate of Weill Cornell Medical College. In addition to having her expertise featured in publications, including Reader’s Digest, Runner’s World and The Doctor Weighs In, she has been a featured guest on NBC, CBS, Z100 Radio and many other outlets. Through her website, FryFace.com, she promotes dermatology education to help consumers choose the safest and most affordable products. She currently lives in the New York Tri-State area with her husband and has four grown children.