Local dermatologist shares tips on sun safety

Jun. 1—Before getting out and enjoying the summer sun, residents should take steps to protect themselves from harmful rays and skin cancer.

Dr. Melody Stone, board-certified and MOHS surgeon with Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in St. Joseph, said the most important thing to remember about sun safety is sunscreen.

"Every two hours, the sunscreen needs to be reapplied because the sun breaks down the sunscreen and it's no longer effective," Stone said.

There are many types of sunscreen that you can use like face and body sticks, sprays and lotions. Stone said as long as it is at least SPF 30, it's effective in fighting against the sun's rays.

Not all skin has the same pigmentation, but Stone said despite melanin amounts being different, how you care for your skin under the sun is the same.

"So no matter what the skin tone is, everyone still needs a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 and over, and it needs to be reapplied every two hours," Stone said.

Another way to remind yourself to keep your skin safe and cancer-free is to follow the ABCs of sun safety: avoid, block and cover up.

"The best policy on that is to spend the least amount of time out in the yard doing your yard work, mowing between 10 and 3 p.m.," Stone said.

Advanced Dermatology will have a free skin screening at its Maryville location on Aug. 17 at 2617 Burris Road, Maryville, Missouri.