In the past 10 years, the incidence of skin cancer in the global incidence rate has increased significantly, darker-skinned Asians were originally thought to be less likely to develop skin cancer, but due to ozone, air pollutants, infections and other aspects of the impact, data show that the incidence of skin cancer in China has also increased momentum, and the Hong Kong Hospital Authority’s Hong Kong Cancer Registry figures show that Hong Kong in 1997 there were 430 new cases of skin cancer, in The figures from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry of the Hospital Authority show that there were 430 new cases of skin cancer in Hong Kong in 1997 and 815 new cases in 2007, nearly doubling the number. What are the basic considerations in terms of sun protection? Parents especially need to protect their young children from sun damage. In fact, many studies have shown that severe sunburn in childhood with blistering wounds is a major causative risk for melanoma, squamous and basal cell carcinoma in adulthood. The American Academy of Pediatricians believes that infants younger than 6 months of age should not be exposed to direct sunlight because their skin is particularly fair and delicate. For most children and adults, using sunscreen, proper clothing, and avoiding going outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest are the primary ways to avoid damage. How important is clothing? For people of any age, it is the first line of defense against the sun, but snowy white T-shirts have a sun protection index (SPF) of only 7, so it is easy to get sunburned wearing this type of clothing. Thicker, darker clothes can provide SPF 15 or even higher protection. But a very depressing thing is that if you swim and have fun all day, even dark-colored T-shirts are not enough. At this time, sunscreen can come in handy. Studies have shown that quality sunscreen can reduce the risk of skin cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma. An Australian study showed that 40% of the reduction in the risk of these cancers came from the use of broad-spectrum sunscreen products with SPF 16. But what is considered a quality sunscreen product? Now, I’m afraid that you can find a whole wall of sunscreen products in the shopping malls of major cities in China, with dozens of brands, with different packaging and SPF values, and with products that claim to be tailored for babies, women and men, which makes us as consumers feel dazzled. So let’s take a look at the basic requirements for selecting a sunscreen product: buying a broad-spectrum sunscreen product: just because a product states an SPF of 50 or even 70 doesn’t mean it’s particularly good, because the SPF rating system only measures UV-B rays from the sun, not UV-A rays. UV-A rays don’t usually turn you into a big red face, but they are much more sinister and can penetrate into your deeper skin. It can penetrate deeper into your skin, causing more subtle but also more persistent pre-cancerous DNA damage. So when buying a sunscreen, you should refer to the new FDA regulations and buy a product with the word “broad spectrum” on the label. This indicates that it is formulated to block both UV-A and UV-B rays. SPF 30 is enough, don’t waste money on SPF 50 or higher: SPF 15 is a good starting product because it blocks 93% of UV-B rays, but the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using SPF 30. SPF 50 or higher may look cool, but clinically the extra protection is minimal compared to SPF 30 sunscreen. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UV-B, while SPF 50 is only one percentage point higher, at 98%. Use more, and more: Studies show that many of us don’t use enough sunscreen each time, which prevents us from getting adequate protection. The average adult has to wear 1 ounce (30 ml) of sunscreen at a time to protect themselves from head to toe. Don’t stay outdoors too long: Children, in particular, remain exposed to the sun long after wearing sunscreen, forget to apply it repeatedly as directed, or don’t use the full amount when they first start, and this can increase their risk of melanoma. Use year-round: This statement may surprise many people, but the American Academy of Dermatology recommends going this way. UV rays may be weaker in the spring, fall and winter, but they can still accumulate and cause skin damage. You should at least consider wearing a cream with an SPF of at least 15 every day, and on your face, ears and neck.