Healthy skin addressed

This Wednesday, May 14, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m., the free Lunch and Learn session will focus on ‘Taking Care of Your Skin: Skin Cancer Awareness and Good Dermatologic Practices’ to expel some skin myths and give answers to some burning questions.

True or false?

‘ Sun screen is only for people who burn easily.

‘ Visiting a dermatologist is only necessary for those that have major skin problems.

‘ Summer is the only time to worry about skin cancer.

Answer: All of these are false.

Sun screen should be used by everyone, and daily. The most important way to take care of skin is to protect it from the sun. Ultraviolet light – the invisible but intense rays from the sun – damages skin and causes wrinkles, dry, rough skin, liver spots and skin cancer.

For the most complete sun protection, the Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding the sun during high-intensity hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats, and apply sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 15 liberally 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, after heavy sweating or after being in water.

Bring a sack lunch Wednesday and be informed about the leading cause of cancer. Learn how to prevent skin cancer and learn good skin care practices.

The free session is sponsored by the city of McMinnville.