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Source: Barbara Ries
Each year, some 90,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma. Sarah Arron, MD, Ph.D., shares her thoughts on preventing skin cancer and helps separate the facts from the hype
What SPF?
The Sun Protection Factor Number (SPF) indicates the time it will take for the UVB rays to blush your skin. I tell my patients to choose SPF 30 or higher because most people do not apply sunscreen as indicated.
Moisturizer SPF?
These are a good idea! It is important that you enjoy wearing sunscreen enough to be a part of your daily routine.
Eyes and lips?
Wear a lip balm with SPF 15 and sunglasses with UV blockers in the lenses. the sun makes me happy, why should I protect it?
Exposure to the sun can stimulate mood, and this makes the sun addictive for some people. We like to rationalize this addiction by saying that it must be healthy if it makes us feel or look good. But this is not the case
There is no healthy tan, although the tanning bed industry is promoting its products this way. Until we reject the idea of a "healthy" tan, we will continue to see an epidemic of skin cancer in this country.
Are there any other ways to prevent skin cancer? Peak rush hours from 10 am to 2 pm Sports enthusiasts can go out early in the morning, take a break and leave later in the afternoon.
You can also buy UV protective clothing, including hats (in many styles), swimsuits,
What about vitamin D levels?
It is true that our skin produces vitamin D through UV rays. But there are many other ways to get vitamin D, such as leafy vegetables, fortified milk and supplements. In addition, it is rare that individuals are so scrupulous about avoiding exposure to the sun that it causes vitamin D deficiency.
What does broad spectrum mean?
This means that sunscreen protects against both types of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation – UVA and UVB. Both contribute to skin aging and skin cancer. UVB rays are the main sun and tanning rays, whether the ultraviolet rays come from the sun or from a tanning salon, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles. The number of SPFs only measures the UVB protection, so you must make sure that your sunscreen also specifies the protection of UVA.
Chemical versus mineral?
Everyone has its advantages and disadvantages. Mineral sunscreens contain titanium and zinc oxide. People with sensitive skin may have less reaction to a mineral sunscreen. Some of my patients prefer minerals because of concerns about chemical safety and a preference for a natural approach. The disadvantage is that these can feel thicker and heavier and can leave a ghostly glow on the face. Chemical sunscreens include avobenzone and oxybenzone in their ingredients and are usually formulated to feel lighter and look more elegant. Neither is more protective than the other.
Do dark-skinned people need to wear sunscreen?
Yes. When the sun affects our skin, there are two levels of damage. One is immediate, which we recognize as a sunburn and which mainly affects individuals with fair skin. Patients whose skin is dark and do not have sunburn may think that their skin is protected, but there is a second type of damage that results in loss of elasticity and premature aging. skin, as well as mutations of DNA.
What are the warning signs of cancer?
In general, with skin cancer, we see a persistent lesion that increases and changes shape and appearance and bleeds without ever healing. It is very important that people get to know their own skin and their own spots, so that when new things come up, they can report them to their primary care physician or dermatologist. I recommend screening from head to toe with a dermatologist to establish a baseline for the future
Which skin protection sites are reputable?
For our organ transplant recipients (60 to 100 times more risk of skin cancer), we have produced a downloadable booklet – and the information it contains is relevant to all patients: skincancer.ucsf.edu.
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