Summer is approaching! The summer in Israel is known to be very hot and sunny. Going to the beach, participating in outdoor sports, and playing in the sun are everyday activities in the summer. While all these activities can be useful for vitamin D production, they can also be harmful and damage one’s skin. Side effects can range from dangerous, like skin cancer, to cosmetic damage like wrinkles and aging.

Actinic Keratosis/Solar Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis, also known as Solar Keratosis, is a prevalent skin condition caused by exposure to the sun. Actinic Keratosis causes rough, scaly patched of skin (usually on the head or face). Usually, they are harmless but, in some cases, they can lead to skin cancer. 

Symptoms for Actinic Keratosis:

• Rough skin
• Dry patches of skin 
• Hard wartlike surfaces on the skin
• Color variations (pink, red, and brown)
• Itching & burning 

If one of these symptoms appears, see a dermatologist. In Israel, most dermatologists have a long waiting list. Therefore, we recommend that if you are at high risk for skin cancer, make an appointment with a dermatologist for the summer. Worst case scenario, you can cancel the appointment before, and you don’t go. 

Skin Cancer 

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and worldwide. 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma. While these statistics are scary, skin cancer is very preventable. Wearing sunscreen daily can lower one’s risk of skin cancer significantly (for example, it can reduce your chance of melanoma by 50%). 

Aging and Wrinkles 

Aging is a fate that most people want to postpone for as long as they can while they are young. Extensive exposure to the sun (without sunscreen) can cause wrinkles and aging. It’s estimated that 90% of skin aging is because of sun exposure. The sun causes proteins in our skin to deteriorate, leading to the loss of our youthful appearance over time. This can be prevented by wearing sunscreen with at least 15 SPF or face cream with SPF. The face cream is the right solution because it has chemicals that can help against aging, and it has SPF that will protect against sun exposure. 

Many teens and young adults undermine risk and don’t take care of themselves when they are young because they don’t see its effect in the future. However, this is the time to act and take care of your skin. If you take care of your skin when you are young, you are more likely to prevent skin problems and age in the future. 

Conclusion 

The Israeli summer is scorching and sunny. Wearing sunscreen is a simple and easy solution to prevent or at least lower the chances of developing skin problems such as aging, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. If you have difficulty remembering to put it on, then place the sunscreen in a place that you won’t forget (your bedside table, next to your toothbrush, next to your keys, etc.). We hope you have a great summer.