While many of you enjoy being outside, you detest applying sunscreen. Fortunately, there are other ways to shield your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays than just applying sunscreen. Sun exposure poses numerous dangers. Sunburn is the immediate risk of too much sun. With repeated sunburn, the skin begins to look dry, wrinkled, discolored, and leathery. Under a powerful microscope, you would see that the cells and blood vessels have been damaged. Although the skin appears to be thicker, it has been weakened, making it more likely to bruise. Doctors believe that the majority of skin cancers can be avoided by avoiding sun damage, making it the most prevalent form of cancer today. You can prevent skin cancer by making the following efforts:
1). Eat more foods that provide sun protection: –
Yes, that is correct. Actually, what we eat can help protect our skin from sun damage. Antioxidants in these particular foods help fight free radicals, which can cause wrinkles and premature aging, but more importantly, can cause cancer cells to form. Certain foods contain antioxidants that can help prevent the formation of free radicals. For increased skin protection, consume more of these ten antioxidant-rich foods: –
Tomatoes
Contain an antioxidant called Lycopene which can provide protection against UV radiation.
Watermelon
Also contain Lycopene antioxidant protection. I was really excited about this one because I love watermelon! If you prefer guava fruit or apricots, they also contain Lycopene protection!
Fish
Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acid such as salmon mackerel, halibut, and trout have anti-inflammatory compounds that have been shown to reduce free radical damage and even prevent some skin cancer.
Dark Chocolate
Yes!! The antioxidant called flavonoids in dark chocolate can help to protect the skin against sun damage and even prevent sun burns. Chocoholics rejoice!
Leafy Herbs and Vegetables
Fresh herbs like Basil, Parsley, Sage, andRosemary are jam packed with free radical fighting antioxidants. Leafy vegetables like Spinach, Kale, and Chard contain polyphenols and carotenoids which can protect the skin from the sun.
Green Tea
The fact that green teas start as leafy herbs means they are packed with antioxidants called polyphenols that have been shown to stop the progression of cancer by limiting the blood supply to the cancer cells. It has been shown to prevent some types of skin cancer.
Red and Orange vegetables
Colored vegetables such as carrots, squash, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene which has been linked to reduce reactions to sunburns.
Berries
Blackberries, Raspberries, Block-raspberries, Strawberries, and Blueberries all contains cancer-fighting antioxidants called anthocyanins which can slow down the growth of cancerous cells.
Broccolis
Broccolis contain a high level of sulforaphane which boosts the body’s protective mechanisms and flush out cancer-causing chemicals. Sulforaphane can also be found in lower levels in cauliflower and cabbage.
Almonds
Almonds and sunflower seeds contain a lot of vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant that can protect against sun damage – Add them to your salads or eat them as a snack!
2). Wear protective clothing: –
Sunscreen alone is not enough to protect your skin. A better way to protect yourself against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays altogether is to cover your skin with protective clothing. At the skin cancer foundation, we like to say that clothing is the first line of defense against the sun.
3). Know when and where you are sage: –
There are lot of misconceptions about when and where you are at risk for harmful sun exposure. You don’t have to be at the beach under skies to be exposed to those harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
i). You are still exposed to dangerous UV rays when its overcast or cloudy.
ii). Just because its cold outside, you are still exposed to the sun.
iii). If you are around snow and/or water, your exposure may be even higher as the UV rays can
reflect off these surfaces and onto your skin.
There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of skin damage and cancer: –
a). Make sure you protect your lips by wearing a UVA – protective lip balm.
b). Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your most sensitive body part from sun exposure (your face)
c). Avoid the high UV hours of the day, typically between 10 am and 4 am.
d). Stay in the shade as much as possible. You can still enjoy the outdoors but do it under a covered area.
In the past 30 years, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. 90% of skin cancer cases are associated with exposure to UV radiations from the sun. That means that we can prevent this by protecting ourselves from these UV rays!
I hope that you will take one or all of these sun protective methods and apply it to your life. It could actually save your life!
contain additional antioxidant defence from lycopene. I love watermelon, so I was very pleased about this one! There is also Lycopene protection in guava fruit and apricots, if you like those. Fish Salmon, mackerel, halibut, and trout are examples of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. These fish include anti-inflammatory substances that have been demonstrated to lessen free radical damage and even prevent some types of skin cancer.