Hugh Jackman explains why he is urging everyone to wear sunscreen

If you have not lathered up on sunscreen today, Hugh Jackman is here to remind you to do so. The 54-year-old Golen Globe winner, who has been treated for skin cancer several times, reminded his fans to "put some sunscreen on" in an Instagram reel shared on April 3.

The "Wolverine" actor has been open about having had basal cell carcinomas before—which according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, is the most common form of skin cancer, caused by "abnormal, uncontrolled growth of basal cells" and can usually be cured when treated early. "Put some sunscreen on. You'll still have an incredible time out there. Please be safe," Jackman said in the video message, revealing a bandage on his nose after his most recent biopsies, TODAY reported. 

“I know you’ve heard me talk about my basal cell carcinomas before,” he captioned the post. “I’m going to keep talking about them if need be. And if it reminds even one person to put on sunscreen with a high SPF, then I’m happy.”

Jackman revealed in the video that he had seen a doctor and that the final results would be available in 2-3 days. “I’ve just had two biopsies done,” he explained, noting that his doctor had spotted symptoms that “could be or could not be” basal cell carcinoma. According to the Mayo Clinic, most basal cell carcinomas are caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. People can reduce their risk by avoiding the sun during peak hours, wearing sunscreen and avoiding tanning beds.

Jackman concluded the video by explaining his motivation for speaking out about his condition. “If I can just take this opportunity to remind you, summer is coming for those of us here in the northern hemisphere,” he explained. “Please wear sunscreen. It’s just not worth it. No matter how much you want to tan, trust me, trust me, and trust me. This is all stuff that happened 25 years ago that is coming out now. Put some sunscreen on. You’ll still have an incredible time out there.” This is not the first time the "Greatest Showman" actor has encouraged his fans to take precautions like wearing sunscreen to prevent skin cancer.

In an interview with TODAY in 2013, Jackman said he first discovered a carcinoma on his nose during the filming of “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”

“I was shooting the movie, and I had a bit of blood one morning, and I thought I’d scratched myself in a fight,” he explained then. His makeup artist had asked him to get it checked by a doctor. The "Deadpool 3" star previously told PEOPLE in 2015 that he has since gone "every three months for checkups."

"It's always a bit of a shock just hearing the word 'cancer,'" he said in 2015. "Being an Australian it's a very common thing. I never wore sunscreen growing up, so I was a prime candidate for it."

Jackman added, "I was trying to keep calm about it but it wasn't until [his skin cancer surgeon] Dr. Michael Albom explained to me that what I had, in a way, was the kind of skin cancer you want to have if you're going to have it. Basal cell carcinoma is just something you have to deal with. It's cancerous. It will grow. You just have to get it out."

In 2021, Jackman underwent a skin biopsy for a possible cancer scare and stressed the importance of wearing sunscreen outdoors and in warm weather. According to The Independent, the Australian actor often uses his social media to advocate for sunscreen use.