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8 Tips to Keep Your Skin Happy and Healthy

By Expert HERWriter
 
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Skin Cancer related image Via Pexels

Skin cancer may sound like a superficial problem. It’s on the surface of the skin, so how bad can it be, right? Wrong! Skin cancer can be deadly, just like any other kind of cancer. So I turned to Lajolla, California Plastic Surgeon Dr. Robert Singer for insight about the dangers of skin cancer and what each one of us needs to do to prevent it.

Did you know that you can get skin cancer without spending time in the sun? You can even get skin cancer on parts of your body that never see the light of day! Of course, we also know that time in the sun may cause skin cancer.

And there is clear evidence that sunburns, especially when they happen early in life can increase your risk of skin cancer. Other factors such as genetics also influence who will get skin cancer and who won’t.

Skin cancer is the result of changes inside the cells of your skin. Ultra violet light rays like those found in sunshine can actually change the genetic coding in your cells – your DNA. When cells are altered so that they malfunction, cancer develops. Excessive sun exposure is just one of the things that can cause the changes in cells that lead to skin cancer.

So what can you do to prevent skin cancer? Start with the basics by avoiding excessive sun. Don’t count on sunscreen to do all the work for you. Sunscreen is only as effective as the person applying it. So if you miss a spot or if you forget to reapply sunscreen, you can still get a bad sunburn.

You also need to consider the right SPF value for your skin. Fair skin obviously burns faster, so people who are fair need a higher SPF than people with darker skin. But if you have darker skin, don’t think you are safe from sun burn. All skin, no matter how fair or dark, experiences that same kind of damage from excessive sun.

Use a minimum of 30 SPF and a maximum of 50 SPF. You can spend the money on something higher than 50, but there is no proof that SPF higher than 50 will give you any extra protection. And make sure your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB radiation.

Sunscreen is not a miracle prevention for sunburn, but it can help if you use it correctly. My personal favorite sunscreens are Oil of Olay, Neutrogena, and Suzanne Somers Organics Facial sunscreens. All of these work great for me and don’t make my skin break out.

Of course, sunscreen only works where you put it. So put it everywhere! Don’t forget your face, on top of your ears, and that spot low on your back that only gets sun when you bend over and your top lifts up. You’re not going to want to pucker up for your sweetheart if your lips are sunburned, so be sure to get lip balm with SPF to protect yourself there as well.

If you think your hair will protect your scalp, you need to think again. If your hair is short or you have a part in your hair, you have bare skin ready to burn. So put on a hat with a wide brim to protect your head, the tops of your ears and your face.

Dr. Singer also reminded me that some medications including certain drugs to treat acne and depression can make your skin even more prone to burn. So if you read that warning on your medication, take it seriously!

If you slip up and get a sunburn, Dr. Singer’s best advice is to use cold cloths or a cold bath to cool your skin and take an over-the-counter pain medication to ease soreness. You should also drink extra water because if you are sunburned you are probably also dehydrated.

You can use moisturizing lotions, but if your sunburn is bad, you are going to peel no matter what you put on it. If your skin develops blisters take care not to pop them. If blisters do pop, watch the area for signs of infection and see your doctor if you have concerns. Other home remedies such as aloe vera, baking soda and oatmeal baths are all okay if they make you feel better.

The bottom line is this. Limiting sun exposure can definitely help protect your skin. But don’t think staying out of the sun means you are 100 percent safe from skin cancer. You need to monitor your own skin or get your skin checked by a dermatologist to make sure your skin is healthy. It’s the least painful cancer exam you’ll ever experience, but it could save your life.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Skin cancer can kill people, it's not nice. It's a must to follow your steps for prevention it's important for your well being to have healthy skin and teeth.

September 9, 2013 - 8:22am
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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