How to protect your skin from sun damage and cancer

Source: The Washington Post , August 2024

A previous version of this article incorrectly said that skin cancer is diagnosed in 20 percent of Americans each year. It should have said that skin cancer is diagnosed in 20 percent of Americans in their lifetime. The article has been corrected.

Your skin does a lot for you. The body’s largest organ has three main layers — epidermis, dermis and hypodermis — and creates a barrier against potentially harmful substances while also helping to regulate your body’s temperature. It’s out there every day fighting for your health.

But strong as it is, your skin is also susceptible to damage, particularly from the sun, which the 20 percent of Americans diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime know all too well. Skin damage can take years to appear, but it can be quite deadly.
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