Tis the season to get out side, go biking, swim in the ocean, hike, picnic and more.  The weather is warm, the sun is shining, the birds are singing.  

But did you know that there are 3.5 million cases of skin cancer in over two million people diagnosed annually and that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States?  The good news is, skin cancer is the most preventable form of cancer and can almost always be cured when it's found and treated early.

Skin cancer is something that has affected us personally at All About Neem and we wanted to take a moment to educate and remind others on how you can protect from the sun’s harmful rays. With the help of the Skin Cancer Foundation we’ve come up with 8 things you can do to prevent skin cancer from touching your lives.

1. Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is strongest. An extra rule of thumb is the "shadow rule." If your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation is stronger; if your shadow is longer, UV radiation is less intense.
2. Do not burn. A person's risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, doubles if he or she had had five or more sunburns at any point in life. Severe burns not only significantly increase your chances of developing skin cancer, but can make you ill.
3. Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths. UV radiation from tanning machines is known to cause cancer in humans. Indoor UV tanners are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than those who have never tanned indoors. Tanning bed users are also 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.
4. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Clothing can be your most effective form of sun protection, so make the most of it with densely woven and bright- or dark-colored fabrics, which offer the best defense.
5. Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen- For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
6. Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
7. Keep newborns out of the sun since their skin is extremely vulnerable. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months. Children are very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation- just one severe sunburn in childhood doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life.
8. Examine your skin head-to-toe every month. If you notice any change in an existing mole or discover a new one that looks suspicious, see a physician immediately. To find out more about how to perform self-examination and spot a skin cancer, visit www.SkinCancer.org/selfexamination.

Being outdoors and active is a great way to stay healthy and we have created an all natural way for you to enjoy the sun without getting burned. Check out our Neem Beta Sunscreen which contains both Neem Oil and Zinc to protect and soothe skin from sun damage.  

Have questions for The Neem Queen?  Ask now!

How do you use All About Neem Beta Sunscreen?  Check out what Jenn from the Neem Team has to say about it.