The seasons are changing and spring is just around the corner. With it vastly approaching, in come the allergies and sunny days. Everyone can’t stand allergy season including me because I know the running red nose is not in style it’s just in season. With spring days comes sunshine and many girls who can’t wait for tanning time especially after a somewhat endless winter. However, sunshine may feel amazing and gives your body vitamin D, but it won’t always be on your side.

The sun is the leading cause to skin changes. For example it causes freckles, aging, and wrinkles. The most frightening effects of the sun is cancerous spots. The three types of skin cancer include melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. More than 1.2 million cases of skin cancer is diagnosed each year in the US. My view on the situation is that it is ridiculous and can easily be avoided by making safer and more rational decisions when it comes to your skin.

The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to apply sunscreen when going outdoors for a moderately long period of time. It is recommended by the SSA for teenagers and adults to use a sunscreen with a minimum of 15 SPF. By administering sunscreen you are saving your skin from harmful UV rays that will eventually make your skin old and wrinkly. It really seems pointless for teenagers to spend their time tanning trying to achieve better looking skin when in the end all they are left with is leathery dry suit, they call skin, and a better chance of getting cancer. When you are in places with reflecting surfaces like the beach it is crucial to reapply sun protectants after getting in and out of the water. It’s safe to say that going to the beach from 10 until 3 is not a wise decision because that is when the sun is at its peak.

Being tan is not worth the risk of your life or the pain of getting your skin cancer removed. Spending a little extra time applying sunscreen can mean all the difference. It’s time that we lowered the rate of skin cancer cases and that begins with everyone taking care of themselves. During this sunny season let’s not make allergies and tanning our number one priority; it should be the importance of our skin and the harm the sun can do if we don’t superintend it now.