As people age, their skin changes. Wrinkles and age spots appear. Those are natural changes and there’s nothing wrong with them. However, one change you don’t want to see in your aging relative’s skin is skin cancer. Most people know the best way to prevent skin cancer is to use sunscreen. However, some people don’t know the proper way to use sunscreen or that there are other steps that can keep skin even better protected. Below are 5 things your aging relative can do to prevent getting skin cancer.
1: Know How to Use Sunscreen
There’s more to using sunscreen than simply rubbing it on the skin. To begin with, many people don’t use enough sunscreen. It takes about an ounce of sunscreen, the amount it would take to fill a shot glass, to cover the skin. Also, you don’t wait until the older adult is outside to put it on. Instead, it should be applied indoors 15 minutes to half an hour before going outside. Sunscreen should also be reapplied every two hours, or once per hour if the senior is swimming or sweating heavily.
2: Use Makeup with SPF
Older women can add another layer of protection to their skin by using makeup with SPF over their sunscreen. However, you should know that using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and a makeup with an SPF of 20 doesn’t mean the SPF adds up to 50. But, it does give her an added layer of protection from the sun. There are even lip balms and lipsticks with SPF.
3: Use Accessories to Block the Sun
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses helps to keep the sun off the face and eyes. There are sunglasses that offer UV protection. Seniors can also add a light scarf to protect their neck.
4: Choose Protective Clothing
Wearing clothing that covers the skin offers protection from the sun’s rays. Just how well clothes protect the skin depends on the type of fabric and the color. Darker colors block the sun better than lighter colors. Tightly woven fabric is also more effective.
5: Use Self Tanners
If your aging relative likes having that sun-kissed glow to their skin, encourage them to use a self-tanning lotion instead of tanning in the sun. That way, they can get the color without the risk.
Elder care can assist your aging relative to protect themselves from skin cancer. An elder care provider can help them to apply sunscreen properly and reapply it throughout the day. Elder care providers can also aid them in choosing clothing that will be both comfortable and keep out the sun’s rays.
Sources
https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/info-2019/10-beautiful-ways-to-defy-skin-cancer.html?intcmp=AE-HP-TTN-R3-POS1-REALPOSS-TODAY
https://www.cancer.net/blog/2015-07/10-tips-protecting-your-skin-sun
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/skin-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/uv-protection.html
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING ELDER CARE IN SUN CITY, AZ, CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY (623) 748-3301.