Absolutely, yes. In fact, practicing diligent sun protection becomes even more important after having a skin cancer, because you’ve proven that you’re susceptible to sun-induced skin damage. You should treat sun protection as a lifelong habit: use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily on exposed skin, wear protective clothing (hats, long sleeves, UV-blocking sunglasses), and seek shade especially during peak sun hours. Avoid tanning beds entirely. These measures will help reduce the risk of developing new skin cancers and also help your treated area heal with the best cosmetic outcome (since UV can cause pigment changes in healing skin).
Also, maintaining a good skincare routine is wise. That includes keeping your skin moisturized, because well-hydrated skin is healthier. If you have lots of actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions), talk to your dermatologist about field treatments like topical creams (5-FU, imiquimod) or photodynamic therapy to reduce those – that’s part of preventive skin care for someone with sun damage.
Specifically for the treated area: once it’s healed, you should still protect it from sun because irradiated skin can be more prone to sunburn and long-term changes. Always put sunscreen on that area when you go outside. And physical barriers (like a hat for the face, or UPF clothing for shoulders etc.) are great.
There’s no need for any special expensive products; just the basics: sunscreen, gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and monitoring your skin. If you’re someone who likes skincare, just ensure it’s not harsh. Avoid things that could irritate sun-damaged skin (like excessive exfoliation or strong chemicals) without guidance.
By continuing vigilant sun protection, you are essentially doing what you can to prevent future damage that leads to skin cancers. It won’t guarantee no new cancers, but it lowers the chances. Plus, it prevents photoaging, which is a nice cosmetic bonus.
Dermatologists often say “the best way to treat skin cancer is to prevent it.” So even though one was treated, keep preventing new ones by being sun-smart. We also advise patients to do regular self-exams – it’s part of post-treatment care that you keep an eye out and catch anything early.
So yes, continue and even step up your sun protection and skincare regimen after IG-SRT. Think of your skin as needing lifelong maintenance. By doing so, you’re protecting the investment you made in treating this cancer and helping ensure you hopefully won’t need more treatments in the future.
