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4 ways to protect your skin after skin cancer

Here are four ways to protect your skin and reduce your risk of getting more skin cancer.

Updated on April 4, 2024

woman putting on suntan lotion
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If you've had melanoma once, your odds of getting it again are nine times higher than for people who have not had this type of skin cancer, which is uncommon but grows and spreads quickly in the body. Even if you haven't had melanoma, but instead have had another kind of skin cancer, you have an increased risk of developing skin cancer again.

That's why it's soShow More

someone applying sunscreen to their arm
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Use plenty of sunscreen

Just 53.7 percent of people with a history of skin cancer used sunscreen frequently, according to one 2016 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. But a good sunscreen is one of the best things you can do to protect against developing skin cancer a second time.

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woman sitting on beach
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Think beyond the lotion

While sunscreen is an important for protecting against harmful UV radiation from the sun, it's not your only defense. Other strategies include:

  • Staying indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when sunlight is most intense
  • Staying in shady areas when you are outside
  • Wearing clothes
  • Show More
balding, male pattern baldness, hair loss, skin care
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Perform self-checks

When you have a history of skin cancer, it's a good idea to get acquainted with your skin and markings like moles or birth marks. Performing a monthly self-exam is a good way to do this. You'll learn your potential problem areas and how to identify changes over time, while understanding the "Show More

mole, skin cancer, dermatology, dermatologist, skin check
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Attend follow-up care

Once you've been treated for skin cancer, you'll need to see an HCP regularly for monitoring in case the cancer grows back. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends you visit a board-certified dermatologist every year for a full-body exam. Depending on the type of cancer you had and otherShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Skin Cancer Stats.” 2021. Accessed May 21, 2021.
Cancer Research UK. “Skin care after skin cancer.” October 22, 2019. Accessed May 21, 2021.
American Cancer Society. “Living as a Basal or Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Survivor.” July 26, 2019. Accessed May 21, 2021.
AH Fischer, TS Wang, et al. “Sunburn and sun-protective behaviors among adults with and without previous nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC): A population-based study.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. August 1, 2016. Volume 75, Issue 2, pp 371-379.e5.
American Cancer Society. “How Do I Protect Myself from Ultraviolet (UV) Rays?.” July 23, 2019. Accessed May 21, 2021.
Skin Cancer Foundation. “Skin Cancer Prevention” 2021. Accessed May 21, 2021.
Cancer.net. “Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma): Follow-Up Care.” July 2019. Accessed May 21, 2021.
E Benati, C Longo, et al. “Baldness and scalp melanoma.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. December 2017. 31(12):e528-e530.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Indoor tanning use.” 2021. Accessed September 15, 2021.

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