Skin Care and Sunscreen
It is important not to undervalue skin care as part of a healthy lifestyle. Science shows that our exposure to harmful UVB and UVA rays has increased dramatically with the rise of pollutants and other factors that affect the ozone layer. With our natural protective barrier being stripped away, we are all at risk for skin cancer, and the threat grows higher with each passing year. As such, it can't be stressed enough how important it is to wear sunscreen. Applying sunscreen as part of daily preparation for the day is the prudent advice of the present, not the future. Wearing sunscreen whenever we know we are going to suffer long hours of exposure to the sun is an absolute must.
Problems that result from the absorption of too much sunlight include premature aging, sun spots, and most importantly--skin cancer. Of all the cancers, skin cancer is one of the most treatable, but that does not make it any less of an extremely dangerous and deadly disease. If you notice unusual markings on your skin that appear new, and especially if these markings vary in color or increase in number or size, see a qualified dermatologist immediately. Whether you live in the sunshine state of California at the peak of summer or are wading through snow in Philadelphia during the winter months, it is important to understand that anyone is at risk for skin cancer and see a dermatologist if you have any concerns. Of course, the less exposure you have to harmful UVB and UVA rays the better, but skin cancer can strike anyone. The best defense is to wear sunscreen and check in with a qualified dermatologist at the indication of an unusual mark, patch, or lump in the skin.
There are a variety of skin conditions to look out for when assessing skin health and whether or not a mark might be cancerous. Melanoma, is the most serious form of skin cancer, and it doesn't get as much attention as it should. Melanoma can be caused by a number of factors, including genetic disposition in addition to overexposure to UVA rays. Other kinds of skin cancers include Basal Cell Skin Cancer, the most common form of skin cancer, and Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common form of skin cancer. Like most kinds of cancer, prevention and early detection lead to the most effective treatments and cures. However, early detection requires knowing what to look for. In addition to books and online articles, dermatologists are taking an active interesting in spreading awareness of skin cancer through lectures, sponsored events, and charity screenings. A few dermatologists with online profiles that provide this kind of service include Dr. Marlene Mash, Dr. Harold F. Farber, and Dr. Coyle Connolly, who has a series of skin cancer examination and treatment videos available online.
In addition to wearing sunscreen and seeing a qualified dermatologist at the first sign of skin cancer, the skin is also important to take care of as part of the human body. Skin cells rejuvenate multiple times throughout a person's lifetime, but the regeneration process is not infinite. Therefore, even if you are taking care to protect your skin when it comes to skin cancer prevention and treatment, you should also take care of your skin in other ways. Healthy skin (especially your complexion) also results from nutrition, sleep, and moisturizers. For a beautiful, healthy body, make sure you are consuming enough nutrients, sleeping enough, and moisturizing regularly.
For more information about skin health, skin treatments, skin cancer, and skin health, view the links below.
Additional Resources
Visit the Skin Cancer Foundation to learn about the effects of sunscreen.
View an article about sunscreen, skin care, and skin cancer from Healthlink.
Read about how sun burns and sun tans work at How Stuff Works.
View information about Dermatology at About, including links to information, resources, articles, dermatologists, and products.
Learn more about skin care through Skin Care News as published by Science Daily.
Learn about the Ozone layer from NOVA and how its depletion means we have to take better care of our skin.
To learn about dermatology and view some examples of dermatologists, visit Dermatologist Info.
View information about skin cancer and skin cancer screenings, as sponsored by products by Olay Skin Care.
Watch a YouTube video by dermatologist Dr. Coyle Connolly that shows an examination of skin cancer cells and biopsy on a live patient.
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