The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun. It is recommended that these sun safety habits be part of everyone's daily health care:

1. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, especially during the sun's peak hours (10 AM to 4 PM).
2. Seek the shade.
3. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat, long pants, a long- sleeved shirt, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
4. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
5. Avoid tanning parlors and artificial tanning devices.
6. Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens can be used on babies over the age of six months.
7. Teach children good sun-protective practices.
8. Examine your skin from head to toe once every month.
9. Have a professional skin examination annually.
10. Ask your Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon about suspicious areas on your face or in your mouth.