Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is mainly made up of UVA and UVB rays. While UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to skin aging and wrinkles.

Both types of UV radiation can damage the DNA (hereditary material) of skin cells. Although the body has mechanisms to repair such damage, repeated and prolonged exposure can overwhelm these systems. Over time, this DNA damage can cause cells to start growing out of control, which can lead to skin cancer.

Although all skin types can develop skin cancer from excessive UV exposure, some groups are more vulnerable than others. You are at higher risk if you:

• Have fair skin (skin type 1 or 2) that sunburns easily and rarely or never tans.
• Have many moles (over 50-100), or large and irregular moles.
• Have been sunburned repeatedly, especially in childhood and adolescence.
• Have a close family history of skin cancer (genetic predisposition).
• Are taking medications that weaken the immune system (immunosuppressive therapy).
• Have had skin cancer in the past.
• Have spent a lot of time outdoors over many years without adequate protection.
  

Knowing your own risk profile can help you take better precautions and be more aware of the importance of regular skin and mole checks.

Limit time in strong sun: The sun is usually strongest between 12 PM and 3 PM. Try to reduce your time in direct sunlight during this period.

Seek shade: Taking breaks in the shade gives your skin a rest from the most intense radiation. Use parasols, trees, or other shaded areas.

Wear protective clothing: Light, covering clothing, a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears, and neck, and CE-marked sunglasses provide good physical protection.

Use sunscreen correctly: Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and UVA/UVB protection. Apply generously (a handful for the whole body) 15-30 minutes before going out. Reapply every two hours, and more often if you swim, sweat a lot, or towel dry. Don't forget exposed areas like ears, lips, neck, and feet.

Avoid tanning beds: Tanning beds expose your skin to strong UV radiation and significantly increase the risk of skin cancer. There is no safe way to use a tanning bed.

If a mole is suspicious, bothersome or cosmetically disturbing, we offer safe mole removal at Dr.Dropin. Our experienced doctors first assess whether the mole should be removed – often this can be done in the same consultation if you wish. The removal itself is performed under local anesthesia, so it is practically painless. The doctor gently removes the mole with a small margin around it, to ensure that all abnormal tissue is removed. For your safety, the mole that is removed is usually sent for analysis in a laboratory, so that we can rule out any skin cancer changes. You will receive an answer within approximately 1–2 weeks. Afterwards, the wound will heal within a few weeks, and we will advise on care for the best possible healing with the least possible scarring.

Our general practitioners can remove most common moles, while dermatologists take care of larger or more complicated cases. In any case, you can expect safe treatment from us.