No matter how small and button-like it may be, your nose sticks out farther than the rest of your face, making it more prone to sunburn. In fact, the nose is the most common location for skin cancer, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. Unfortunately, skin cancer on the nose is also one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer and is difficult to treat due to the complex anatomy of the nose. The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect yourself and your nose from the sun every day -- not just when you are at the beach or on the ski slopes.
Avoid sun exposure when the sun is at its brightest -- between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. When you are out during the day, seek out shade or create your own with an umbrella or hat.
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your nose. For best results, apply the sunscreen generously 30 minutes before sun exposure so the lotion has time to soak into your skin. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours, as well as after swimming.
Apply opaque zinc oxide to your nose for added protection.
Wear a sun hat with a brim that is at least 3 inches wide to protect your nose and the rest of your face from sunburn. Wide-brimmed sun hats offer much better protection than baseball hats do. Dark-colored under-brims are best as they absorb more of the ultraviolet rays that are reflected up to your face by water, sand and snow.