If you live in a warm weather climate, then you likely spend a good amount of time in the sun. If you live is a cold weather climate, then you still may spend a lot of time outside enjoying the sun. It does not really matter because if you get too much sun exposure, you are at greater risk for getting skin cancer. Now remember that some studies indicate that a limited amount of sunlight is actually good for you and may help you prevent certain cancers (lung, colon, breast and prostate), diabetes, multiple sclerosis and asthma. But like most things in life you can get too much of a good thing and that definitely applies to sun exposure. Here are few simple steps to help you prevent skin cancer.

If you will be out I the sun for an extended period of time, you should wear a hat with two to three-inch brim all around. You should also wear a long sleeved shirt and pants. For better protection you should stick to fabrics that are tightly woven. Denim is a good example. This is better that fabrics that are loosely woven cotton or linen. Some studies indicate that wearing a hat and protective clothing is more effective than using a sunscreen according to recent studies. Other studies indicate that this is more important for those individuals that have fair skin, are easily burned, have 100 moles and who have a history of skin cancer either self or family. You should also look to buy clothing that is made from sun-protective fabrics. You may also want to consider buying a laundry additive that has a UV protectant that can be used to wash clothes with.

One of the most important things that you can do is to use sunscreen. You should properly apply sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Use sunscreen with a high SPF to cover any exposed areas of skin. You also need to use sunscreen on cloudy days because a good portion of UV rays still get through the clouds. You also need to use a lip balm with sunscreen and ensure you reapply the sunscreen and lip balm about every two hours.

You should also try to avoid exposure to the sun for time periods in excess of 20 minutes. You should also stay out of the sun during its peak hours of strength which are normally from 10 am to 4 pm.

You can also protect yourself from skin cancer by eating the right foods. Eat plenty of chlorella, goji berries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, astaxanthin, carrots and nutrient-rich super foods to boost your skin's natural UV protection. Some studies indicate that it requires about 30 days of eating these foods to help boost your natural UV protection. You also should consider adding Add to your diet that are rich in carotenoids such as tomatoes, peaches, broccoli, watermelons and spinach. Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants and protect against the sun's damaging UV rays.

You should also do a monthly skin exam. Skin cancer can develop in areas that are not getting any sun so you need to check your entire body. You should look for moles, spots or freckles that are asymmetric, have an irregular border, variation in color and are more than 6 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser). If you have anything that resembles any of these symptoms or anything else that worries you, you should discuss these with your doctor.

Some medications can also make your skin more susceptible to skin damage. So read the directions and warnings of your medications very carefully to ensure that they will not increase your risk of skin damage due to the sun.