DVIDS – News – Protect your skin all year round

FORT POLK, La. – Young
man, I did not put a lot of emphasis
to protect my skin from sun exposure.
Like someone who has a black
dyed, I had always tanned
easily, so I thought I was OK.
I only remember having a sunburn
Once: I spent a day on the
lake without shirt while he was in post
in Fort Gordon, Georgia for the Army
police school. He
was a pretty severe
to burn, but I
recovered quickly
and never
gave him another
thought.
Throughout
my military career
I was a regular
on the softball
diamond
and golf course,
never taking the trouble to protect my lectures
the skin of the sun. Same with
deployments to places such as
National Training Center – back
then you could get by rolling
the sleeves of your blouse of fatigue
or just wearing a T-shirt.
I was young and invincible. I was
a soldier, throw it. I was hard.
Nothing would happen to me.
Then a few years ago I noticed
there was a stain on my nose that
bleed easily when I hit him. I admit,
I did not think much about it – I
thought it would go wrong.
But my wife, Susan, was persistent.
"Ask your doctor about this –
now, "she insisted.
Not wanting to go on the bad of Susan
aside, I did it as she asked. My doctor
took a look and sent me for a consultation
with a
dermatologist.
The diagnosis:
Basal cell carcinoma.
I found myself
to have a surgery
and the doctor was certain of cancer
was found early and completely
removed. I'll be back for annual
balance sheets to make sure it did not happen
return or spread.
July is national security against ultraviolet light
Months, and while there is not 100
percent guarantee you will not get
skin cancer, there are steps you can
take to help minimize the chances.
The Department of Veterans Affairs
offers these tips:
• Cover: wear a hat (preferably
wide-brimmed) or other protection against shadows
clothes can partly protect
your skin against the harmful effects of
exposure to ultraviolet rays. Appropriate Clothing
may include long-sleeved shirts,
pants, hats and sunglbades – for the eyes
protection.
• Stay in the shade: The sun
the dazzle is more intense at noon. Stay
in the shadow between hours
10 am and 4 pm will go further
protect your skin The sun can still
damage your skin in cloudy weather or
in winter. For this reason, it is important
stay protected throughout
l & # 39; year.
• Choose the right sunscreen: This
is extremely important. The United States
Food and Drug Administration
new regulation on the labeling of sunscreen
recommend that your sunscreen
have sun protection
factor
(FPS) of at least
15, and should
protect against
both ultraviolet
A (UV-A) and ultraviolet
B-rays (UV-B).
• Use the right amount of sunscreen:
According to the National
Council on Prevention of Skin Cancer,
most people only apply 25-50 percent
of the recommended amount of
Solar cream. When it's sunny, it's
important that you apply at least one
ounce (a palm tree full) of sunscreen
every two hours. You should apply it
more often if you sweat or
to swim, even if sunscreen is
waterproof.
As I mentioned earlier, when you
are a soldier, and young, skin safety
is often pushed to the back.
But it is important to pay attention
to protect your skin as soon as possible.
Officers and NCOs, give the example
for your soldiers and make sure
they take the necessary precautions
to protect their skin.
Parents, do the same for your children.
If you explain to them the importance of staying away from the direct sun
during the hottest part of the day,
and wear sunscreen for the protection of
harmful UV rays, perhaps when they are
older, they will remember.
Skin cancer is not fun. I was lucky; mine
was taken early. If you do not take care of
your skin, you might not be so lucky. Use
sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight –
your body will appreciate it.