X-Men‘s Wolverine has a little genetic advantage over the actor that plays his character, Hugh Jackman: he has plenty of facial hair! Nature’s hairy sun protection may not “bless” other non-mutant beings so we all need to look after our skin in the sun. Mind you, if you do have facial hair, remember that your forehead, nose and ears are exposed! (As I’m writing this, an image of hairy ears just flashed in my mind… not a good look!).
Hugh Jackman took to instagram to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention after being diagnosed with basal skin cell carcinoma.
Advice from the Skin Cancer Foundation
[Tweet “The Skin Cancer Foundation has this advice to offer to help us all prevent skin cancer:”]
- Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
- Do not burn.
- Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
- Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
- Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
- Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
- See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
There’s a really good skin cancer prevention infographic on where melanoma strikes in men and women at http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/types/skin/incidence/uk-skin-cancer-incidence-statistics
Bonus tip:
I would also advise you to set up an alarm on your phone to get in the shade after 30 minutes of sun exposure. This way you can still benefit from the Vitamin D of the sun and start developing a healthy tan but without risking a sun stroke, dizziness and sunburn.
Now go and reach for that bottle of sunscreen!