Sun Protection

One of the joys of living on the coast is the ability to spend time outside all year long. It always feels good when the sun kisses your skin, and the ocean breeze makes you feel alive. BUT there are some bad side effects of spending too much time on the beach. Sunburns, wrinkles, sun damage, and skin cancer are problems we face.



I'm fair complected and try to be aware of the potential for harm. I wear sunscreen and sit under umbrellas.

Another thing we do is visit the beach late in the afternoon or early evening when the sun's rays are not as intense.



I recently heard a man say he had skin cancer on his bald head but it didn't bother him. He accepted it as part of life on the coast.

Here are a few skin changes related to sun exposure:


Precancerous and cancerous (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) skin lesions caused by loss of the skin's immune function

Benign tumors

Freckles and wrinkles

Mottled pigmentation or yellow skin

Sallowness: a yellow discoloration of the skin


Skin cancer may be a part of life in South Carolina or wherever you live, but here are a few tips to lessen your odds of getting it.

Thirty minutes before going outside, apply sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or more and reapply every 2-3 hours.

Wear sunglasses with UV protection. I recently discovered some contacts are made with UV protection.

The last tip I want to share is to void direct sun exposure if possible between 10 am and 3 pm.

Stay safe this spring!