Skin care is not just a woman's domain when it comes to long term skin health. Men need to be aware of the various products and methods that are required to prevent against skin damage and skin cancer. Many spas are now offering skin care regimes targeted specifically at men, but with a bit of research and dedication it is easy to create your own regime at home.

First it is best to find a line of skin care products that are not too harsh on the skin. So many products that are available for men are filled with heavy scents and harsh astringents. Men's skin, especially in the neck are, is every bit as sensitive as a woman's skin. A good shaving gel and a clean sharp blade are the best way to begin skin care. Next follow up with a good sunblock with at least an SPF factor of 15. Men of all ages need to be aware of sun protection. Skin care diagnoses outnumber those of prostate and lung cancer. Moisturizing the male skin is as important as shaving. Many moisturizers also contain sunscreen, making this step an easy combination with sun protection. Exfoliating the skin is also a must for men. Many men shy away from this step, thinking it to be far to feminine for them. However, by sloughing off the dead skin cells to promote new cell growth many precancerous cells are removed from the face. While shaving is a natural exfoliant for the face, the neck area still needs to be addressed.

A skin care regime need not be expensive or time consuming, but a daily commitment to it is every bit as important for a man as it is a woman.

When I slather sunscreen on the shoulders of my fair haired toddler, I trust that the claims on the bottle are accurate. I believe that by frequently covering is pale skin in cream, his epidermis will be safe, healthy and cancer free. It turns out this might not be the case.

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington-based nonprofit, found that many of the most popular sunscreens do not provide any protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and break down too fast in the sun. Most consumers rely on the SPF number when buying a sunscreen, the higher the number the better the protection. But what continues to slip through the cracks is the sun block's ability to protect from UVA rays. The UVA rays damage skin without leaving a burn and are the main cause of skin cancer.

There is hope on the horizon. The FDA is addressing the UVA issues and is hoping to have some standards in place by the end of the summer. This is good news to those of us who heavily rely on sunblock as a protective effort to sun damage.

Over a million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed every year in the United States. Among those who are developing skin cancer at higher rates are adults. This fact seems a bit out of line to me; as a mother I am constantly slathering my kids in sunblock. I carry a tube in my purse and diaper bag, another tube lives in my car and there are several containers sprinkled throughout our house. Sunblock is not just a summertime accessory, it is a year-round necessity.

As mentioned by Brian White on our sister site, That's Fit, a recent study revealed that adults in some states are more negligent than in others. I was a bit surprised to learn that Utah is the worst culprit when it comes to sunburns, while Kentucky ranks in the bottom 10 states. I thought the beach states or the higher-altitude states like Colorado would rank higher. But regardless of rank, the fact that adult sunburns are the rise is alarming. Prevention is so easy and painless, the consequences too harsh. By simply donning a wide-brimmed hat, wearing longer sleeves, applying sunscreen, and not playing in the sun during the prime exposure hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., sunburns can be significantly reduced.

That's Fit blogger Jonathon Morgan wrote on May 25 about five sunscreen myths. In the spirit of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, it seems appropriate to mention this thought-provoking news here on this site.

I just heard a radio commercial about a certain sunscreen, claiming the product is so good consumers need only apply the lotion one time during an eight-hour time frame. It seems, according to the following list of myths, this is not exactly true.

Myth #1: Sunscreens protect all day.
Fact: Regardless of the SPF or what the label says, sunscreens must be reapplied every two hours because active ingredients in most products break down when exposed to the sun.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. This year over 1.3 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease and that number will continue to increase with time. One positive aspect about skin cancer is that it is largely preventable. By using some common sense, consistently applying sunblock and wearing sun protective clothing and accessories the adverse effects of sun exposure can be minimized. Following is a list of simple tips to follow for sun exposure.

• Babies are the most at risk for sun exposure. Infants under the age of six months should be kept out of direct sunlight at all times.
  
• The sun is stronger at certain times of the day. It is best to keep out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun and ultraviolet radiation are most intense.
  
• Sun smart clothing is a wise choice. Fabrics with a tight knit and a loose fit are the best bet for skin protection. 
• Hats with a wide brim that provide shade for the face and sensitive neck area are both fashionable and sensible.
• Wear sunglasses that block both ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays. Wearing sunglasses protects eyes from cataracts, retinal damage, macular degeneration and eyelid cancer.
• Sunblock is a must. A sunblock with a minimum of SPF 30 will bock UVA and UVB rays.
• Activities that involve reflective surfaces such as water, snow, sand and concrete increase the intensity of sun exposure. Choosing times when the sun is not at its strongest or wearing protective clothing helps to minimize the impact of the reflective surfaces.
• Stay away from tanning beds. They are not safe.