By Hannah Echols
Between pool days and beach trips, people are outside enjoying nature and soaking in the bright summer sun. While spending time outside has positive health benefits, the sun can be a short- and long-term enemy.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer, according to estimates by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Avoiding ultraviolet light – a risk factor for all types of skin cancer – could prevent more than 3 million skin cancer cases annually.
However, it is not always easy to avoid these harmful rays, especially during summer months, which is why using sunscreen is important. Bryan Combs, assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, and Dr. Lauren Kole, assistant professor in the UAB Department of Dermatology, share their best practices for sunscreen use.