Sunscreen is a key tool in reducing your risk of certain skin cancers-but it’s not guaranteed to completely prevent skin cancer. “A good skin care regimen to protect against pollution involves not only a mineral sunscreen but also a cleansing regimen to remove chemicals that may have deposited on the skin, and serums that contain antioxidants to protect your skin against free radicals.” “Pollution contains toxic chemicals that can deposit and corrode the top layers of the skin, making it vulnerable to DNA damage,” says Dr. “Fun fact: Sunscreen testing was only done for 2 hours, so we really don’t know how well they hold up after that,” she says. And remember to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours. “To protect yourself from all these rays, sunscreens need to be mineral based-meaning that when you read the active ingredients, they need to contain zinc, titanium, or iron oxide,” says Dr. Wear sunscreen that will protect you from UV radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation like heat.“Some of my patients have darker skin types and may not be aware that they, too, are at risk of skin cancer-but skin cancer can affect all skin types so we recommend skin checks for everyone.” “I’ve seen skin cancer in patients as young as 20 years old,” says Dr. “We recommend annual skin checks if you’ve had a family history of skin cancer, if you’ve had a lot of sun exposure or sun burns, or particularly if you have a history of using indoor tanning beds.”īut everyone should be making a point to have their skin evaluated by a dermatologist. Kourosh, these are the top three tips for skin care prevention: But there are ways you can lower your risk of skin cancer. There’s no sure-fire way to prevent skin cancer. It’s best to get an expert opinion to remove any doubt and discuss any further steps you should take. This is especially common in basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. That’s because there are some skin cancers that can cause skin-tag-like tumors. However, if you notice a new growth (or cluster of growths) that look like skin tags, it’s still worth consulting with your doctor. They’re approximately the size of a small pebble, but they can occasionally grow up to a half-inch. Skin tags are not a sign of skin cancer in fact, they are benign growths that mostly form in areas where your skin creases or rubs against itself (such as your armpits, neck, or eyelids). They can help determine the cause of your itch and help you take steps to stop it. If you are concerned about a spot on your skin that is causing you to itch, contact your dermatologist. Skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, chicken pox, ringworm, or hives (among others).There are many other reasons you could be experiencing itchy skin, including, but not limited to: Itchy skin can be a warning sign of cancer-but itching isn’t an immediate cause for concern. Kourosh’s tips for identifying skin cancer. If a spot on your skin is changing in size, color, or appearance in any way or has symptoms such as pain itching crusting, it’s important to have it checked out. Squamous cell carcinoma lesions may look like rough, reddish patches on the skin that grow quickly.Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a small, fleshy bump or skin tag, an open sore that does not heal, a smooth growth that dimples in the center, or a lump with a waxy or pearly appearance.Kourosh.īasal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma may present differently from melanoma: “If a mole is changing in size, color, or appearance in any way, or you’re experiencing symptoms such as pain, itching, crusting, or burning, it’s important to have that evaluated,” says Dr. One of the most crucial factors in evaluating a mole is whether the mole is changing over time. Healthy moles are usually no larger than 6mm in diameter-about the size of a pencil eraser. Examine moles for irregular colors like pink, red, white, blue, or blue-black. If they’re jagged, for example, that’s a sign it should be checked. The borders of a mole should be fairly smooth. Watch for spots that are not symmetrical on your body. When doctors look for signs of melanoma skin cancer, they use the ABCDEs: Kourosh, rates of melanoma are on the rise both because of intense exposure to harmful radiation like UV rays, and unhealthy habits like indoor tanning. Squamous cell carcinoma (also known as non-melanoma carcinoma)Īlthough melanoma skin cancer is the least common of the three types, it is the deadliest.There are three main types of skin cancer: When it comes to identifying skin cancer, it’s important to understand that skin cancers are not all the same.
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