You’ve surely seen your fair share of ups and downs and have lived a long and fruitful life thus far — but that doesn’t mean you can throw caution to the wind just yet! This is especially true when it comes to keeping your skin safe from the sun. Sun damage and skin cancer are serious health concerns that actually become even more of a risk with age.
Why are older people more likely to get skin damage?
Well, for starters, they’ve been around, well… longer! It makes sense that the longer you spend in the sun, the more likely you are to develop skin damage or skin cancer, right? Remember that having a nice bronze glow does damage to your skin, just the way sunburn does. On top of that, as we age our skin becomes thinner and our immune system is weakened, making it more and more difficult to fight off skin disease and cancerous cells.
3 Sun-Safe Tips for Elder-Folk
- Seek out the shade. We know you may want that sunkissed tan, but remember that it’s likely doing more harm than good.
- Lather on sunscreen daily. The sun’s rays can cause damage even on not-so-sunny days. That’s why it’s important to lather up with SPF 30 or higher each day.
- Moisturize! Don’t forget to keep your skin hydrated, that way it’s even more prepared to tackle the harsh sun. Many lotions also contain sunscreen, so you can kill two birds with one stone.
Yankee baseball legend Mickey Mantle once said, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” Learn a thing or two from The Mick and take care of the skin you’re in — it’s the only one you’ve got!
The Arbors Assisted Living is a community that works with support and compassion for the elderly. We provide a variety of activities that constitute a good, healthy lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more.