The Skin Cancer Foundation

Source: www.skincancer.org

Wearing sunscreen can cause vitamin D deficiency.
There is some controversy regarding this issue, but few dermatologists believe (and no studies have shown) that sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency. Also, vitamin D is available in dietary supplements and foods such as salmon and eggs, as well as enriched milk and orange juice.

If it's cold or cloudy outside, you don't need sunscreen.
This is not true. Up to 40 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. This misperception often leads to the most serious sunburns, because people spend all day outdoors with no protection from the sun.

Eighty percent of your sun exposure comes as a child, so it's too late to do anything now.
It appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A recent multi-center study showed that we get less than 25 percent of our total sun exposure by age 18. In fact, it is men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, and get the highest annual doses of UV rays. And since adult Americans are living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Buy a high-quality product with an SPF of 15 or higher; check its ingredients to make sure it offers broad-spectrum protection; and decide whether it works better for everyday incidental use or extended outdoor use. Finally, look for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, which guarantees that a sunscreen product meets the highest standards for safety and effectiveness. Once you choose the right sunscreen, use it the right way. But remember, you should not rely on sunscreen alone to protect your skin against UV rays; it is just one vital part of a complete sun protection program. By following our Prevention Guidelines, you can lower your risk of developing skin cancer, while helping your skin look younger, longer.

Looking for last minute Christmas gifts? Here are a few suggestions for people who love to pamper their skin. 

1. Clarisonic

The Clarisonic is a handheld facial cleansing brush that helps exfoliate skin and unclog pores. You can remove more makeup and toxins from your skin by using a Clarisonic a few times a week. They come in an array of colors and sets.

The Clarisonic can be purchased as www.clarisonic.com or most major department stores such as Macy’s, Nordstrom, or Dillards.

2. Schedule a Facial

Getting a facial is a real luxury. Often in our busy lives we don’t take time to pamper ourselves. Schedule a facial for your loved one to help them take time to relax and improve their skin.

Popular places to schedule a facial are Origins, Message Envy, or your local spa.

3. Lip Balm with SPF

Most people have a few lip balms laying around the house, but it is important to have a lip balm that contains SPF. Skin cancer can develop on the delicate skin of lips, so it’s important to protect the skin on your lips from the harmful rays of the sun.

There are a wide variety of lip balms with SPF available at most drug stores and department stores.

4. Sunscreen

This may seem like a lame gift, but think about the last time you went to the beach. Where you frantically searching last-minute for the bottle of sunscreen only to find that it's almost empty? Having a brand new bottle of sunscreen ready to go for the summer months can be a major help for people who are conscious about protecting their skin from the sun. It is almost certain that they will be grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Sunscreen can be purchased at most drug stores or department stores. Just be sure to check the label to ensure that the sunscreen you are purchasing contains at least one of the following ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone (a.k.a. Mexoryl).

5. Sephora Gift Card

If you are doing your last minute shopping and don’t have the time to shop around to decide on a specific gift, just pop in to Sephora and get a gift card. Sephora has many high end skin care lines with every product a skin health conscious person could want. From face wash to anti-aging products and moisturizers, you can never go wrong with a gift card from Sephora. 

When you head outside, hopefully you always make it a point to put on your sunscreen. Your initial thought may be to apply sunscreen to your face and body, but what about you lips? Your lips can actually develop skin cancer. Yep, that’s right. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the two most common types of skin cancer, are frequently found on or around the lips. The best way to protect yourself from developing skin cancer on your lips is to protect them with sunscreen. Many people are in the habit of applying lip balm to their lips every day. This is a great way to protect your lips from the harmful rays of the sun. Many lip balms have SPF built right in. It only takes a few seconds to apply (and reapply) lip balm throughout the day. Lip balm is easy to keep with you, as well. You can slip it into your bag or carry it around in your pocket. Not only will you have healthy, beautiful and moisturized lips, you will be protecting yourself from skin cancer by applying lip balm with a built-in SPF.

Below are some great and affordable lip balms that can have built-in SPF and can be found at your local drug store:

1. ChapStick Ultra SPF 30 
2. Hawaiian Tropic Tropical Lip Balm SPF 45+ Sunscreen
3. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15
4. Banana Boat Aloe Vera with Vitamin E Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 45

Did you know that many of the common signs of aging can be avoided? Over time, our skin losses it elasticity and wrinkles, fine lines and age spots can appear making us show our age. Some of these are unavoidable, but many of the signs of aging are directly related to sun exposure and, if you properly protect your skin from the sun, can be reduced. The process of aging due to sun exposure is known as photoaging.

The skin is composed of three different layers: the epidermis, or outermost layer, the dermis, or middle layer, and the subcutis, or bottom layer. The middle layer contains collagen, elastin, and other fibers that support the skin’s structure. It is these elements that give skin its smooth and youthful appearance- and that are damaged by UV radiation (UVR).  Chronic and repeated sun exposure can cause damage to the skin such as age spots that are small bit of pigmentation that doesn’t go away. They typically appear on the hands, arms, face and back.  The best way to prevent signs of photoaging is to be diligent in protecting your skin from the sun. This means wearing sunscreen 365 days a year and covering up to avoid the potential for sun burn. 

The following are 7 suggestions to help reduce the annoying and uncomfortable itch of eczema.

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Keeping your skin hydrated can be the key to reducing the itch caused by eczema. Applying a moisturizer helps lock in your skin’s own moisture. To get the most out of your moisturizer, apply it right after you get out of the shower or bath, pat dry leaving skin slightly damp and then apply the moisturizer. This will help lock in as much moisture as possible.

2. Use a cream or ointment instead of lotion to moisturize.           

You may not realize that there is a distinct difference between lotions and creams. Lotions come in pump bottles and creams come in a tube that you squeeze or a tub that your dip out. Lotions are thinner in nature and are not as effective in trapping moisture as the thicker creams. Ointments can also be effective. Using petroleum jelly can be very moisturizing.

3. Take an oatmeal bath.

A quick soak in a lukewarm oatmeal bath can help ease itching. You can purchase a pre-packaged oatmeal bath mix at your local drug store. Simply follow the directions on the label and soak for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then gently pat dry and apply moisturizer right away.

4. Use a cold compress.

Place an ice pack inside a towel and hold it on to the itchy skin for a few minutes or as needed to help relieve itch.

5. Wear comfortable fabrics.

Choose loose-fitting fabrics and comfortable fabrics such as organic cotton or cotton blends. Avoid coarse materials like wool and synthetic fabrics because they can be irritating to skin.

6. Keep fingernails cut short.

Having long fingernails can make it hard to resist the itching. Keeping your fingernails cut short will reduce the desire to itch and also do less damage if you do itch. If you find yourself itching at night, try wearing cotton gloves to bed.

7. Use over-the-counter medications.

Topical anti-inflammatory creams, such as hydrocortisone, can help reduce itch. Oral antihistamines, such as Claritin or Benadryl, can also be affective. If, however, your symptoms persist or worsen, be sure to see your dermatologist who can prescribe stronger treatments.

If you find that your eczema is not manageable, give our office a call. There are effective treatment options. Call us today at 574-522-0265 to schedule your appointment.