MORE: Sunscreen Alone Wont Stop Melanoma Bent DNA is just as bad as it sounds. It increases your risk for skin cancer in two ways: It can lead to cell death, which leaves room for cancerous cells to proliferate, or mutation, which alters DNA and can lead to skin cancer. But, marvel that it is, your body is capable of repairing bent DNA. You just have to find a way to stop sustaining more damage in the here-and-now so your body can recuperate from the hit it’s already taken (think SPF at all times). “If you only sustain a little bit of damage from the sun exposure you get while walking down the street and then go inside, your body can keep up with it. But if you’re at the beach frequently trying to get a tan, your body may not be able to recover,” Brash explains. Researchers are currently looking into the possibility that slathering on topical energy-absorbing compounds after sun exposure can help stop the damage. “If you can prevent the photon from ever getting into your skin,” says Brash, “then you prevent all these other problems it can cause.” For now, the best way to stay protected is to wear sunscreen on exposed skin when you venture outdoors—SPF 30 or higher on your face, lips, hands, chest, etc., and shield yourself with hats, umbrellas, or by seeking available shade. MORE: Fight Sneaky Sun Damage
