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Intake Services at our hospital in
Tulsa. While you're slathering on
the sunscreen, remember the
bottoms of your feet and hands,
and take care to cover the beds of
your toenails and fingernails, too.
"Most people don't think to put
sunscreen there," says Dr.
Altshuler. And don't assume that
tattoos will serve as sun
protection. "You still have to
wear sunscreen," he adds.
"Tattoos do not protect against
skin cancer. But they can hide
skin cancers, so they should not
be placed over moles."
To help protect yourself and your
loved ones, remember thesesunsafety tips:
Wear broad-spectrum
sunblock with a minimum sun
protection factor (SPF) of 15, and
reapply every two hours, as all
sunscreens deteriorate after that
time. If you are swimming,
reapply more often. Don't forget
your lips, eyelids, between your
fingers and toes and behind your
ears.
Help your kids apply and
reapply the sunblock, "because
even one sunburn as a child can
increase the risk for skin cancer,"
says Dr. Farrington.
JF mag!
Avoid the sun between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when rays
are strongest.
Stay in the shade. If you have to
be out in the sun during highintensity hours, seek the cover of
trees or other protective sun
barriers.
Wear protective clothing such
as wide-brim hats, sunglasses,
long-sleeve shirts and pants.
Get yearly skin exams by a
physician, especially if your
family has a