Sun safety is a top priority for anyone who's received a transplant. Why? Because the medications that keep the immune system from rejecting the transplant also raise the risk of skin cancer.
Ready to step up your sun safety game? Check out these tips and tricks shared by transplant recipients who are part of Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community for patients and caregivers.
Avoid the sun when it's at its brightest
A good rule of thumb is to avoid direct exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., whether it's summer or winter, sunny or cloudy.
Consider these insider tips from the Mayo Clinic Connect transplant community:
- "I check the UV index during the day if I plan to be out of the house and dress appropriately."
- "I really try to not be in the sun during prime hours. In fact, we went to Hawaii last October and I never got the least bit burned due to just not spending time on the beach or out in the sun during prime hours."
- "I tend to just try to stay in the shade. We are looking into a vacation to a warm place during the winter. An essential for me is that there be shade, not a wide-open beach."
- "I live in Tucson and exercise in my pool usually after 4 or 5 p.m."
Wear sunscreen every day, year-round
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Don't skimp! Plan on using about an ounce of sunscreen or more for each application. Here's a hint: An ounce is about the size of a golf ball.
Make sure to put sunscreen on at least 15 minutes before heading outside. Reapply every two hours while outside. You'll need to reapply more frequently if you're swimming or getting sweaty.
Here are more lessons from the Mayo Clinic Connect community:
- "I 'grease up' every day no matter what, no matter the weather. And replenish it based on activities during the day."
- "As a malignant melanoma survivor, plus other skin cancers, I try to make it a point to keep sunscreen handy. Last year we were on a two-week camping trip, and sunscreen was used every day. No sunburn, no redness, and a clear report from the dermatologist right after."
- "I like sports sunscreen because it lasts longer. For everyday use, though, I like to use a daily moisturizing lotion with sunscreen."
- "Lips have no sun protection. Yikes! Because lips have no melanin, it is important to wear SPF lip balm (and apply it often)."
Cover up your skin
Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a wide-brimmed hat when outside — even if it doesn't look that sunny. Don't forget to protect your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses.
And consider this advice from the Mayo Clinic Connect community:
- "I have become a 'hat' woman and rarely wear sleeveless shirts unless I'm outside very early in the morning."
- "Don't forget to wear hats, and sunscreen every day, even if it is foggy."
- "I love moisture-wicking UVA clothing. It's what my husband and I wear when we ride motorcycles."
- "I have purchased some 'rash guard' shirts that have an SPF 50 to wear if I am out in the water on a sunny day."
Bring sun safety into the car
If you drive long distances or just spend a lot of time running errands in the car, you still need to protect your skin. Sun exposure through the windows can be just as dangerous as direct sun exposure.
Put on sunscreen before driving or riding in the car. Or wear a long-sleeved shirt. You can also have your windows tinted to help block out the sun.
Members of the Mayo Clinic Connect community found these tactics helpful:
- "I got my husband's truck windows tinted after his kidney transplant."
- "Wear white cotton gloves when driving; the rays coming through the windshield are harmful."
- "I now always cover my body in long sleeves, lotion and put up detachable, see-through screens on the side windows!"
- "It's actually incredible how much time I spend driving around with sun directly on me. Maybe I need an SPF shirt in the car to slip on from time to time as added protection."
- "In the car I normally have on short-sleeved shirts and will slip on sleeves only that cover arms. I purchased them online."
Get your skin checked regularly
Have your skin checked regularly — at least once a year — by your doctor. And be sure to mention any changes to your skin.
Inspect your skin often so that you know what marks and moles you have. That makes it easier to spot when something changes or is new. For parts of your body that are hard to see, like your back, ask a partner or loved one to help you.
Said one member of the Mayo Clinic Connect community:
- "My dermatologist will do a total body 'review' every year to check on possible spots or irregularities. I recommend that every transplant patient do the same."
Looking for an online community to connect with about health and wellness? Search for Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll find hundreds of discussion topics for people with specific diagnoses, for caregivers and for anyone wanting to connect with others about health.