Skin Care Tips

Since our skin is our largest organ, we do need to protect it! These tips will also help lower your risk for skin cancer.

1. Stay indoors or avoid unnecessary sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

2. Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

3. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going into the sun and reapply if sweating or in the water as needed

4. Wear protective clothing. This includes wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts and pants, sunglasses, dark colored clothing, and tightly woven fabrics (Wear sun protective clothing such as the UPF 50+ Eclipse Glove) 5. Wear lip balm with SPF

6. Spend more time in the shade

7. PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN! Most skin cancer develops early in life, but doesn't show up for many, many years.

My Tip of the Month

As we age our skin becomes saggy, less toned and often cellulite may appear. Physical activity is enjoyable and fun, especially if you choose to exercise with others in a pleasant social setting.

It's not enough to just protect your skin with these skin care tips, but you also need to keep checking yourself for new growths or changes in your moles.

Both detection and treatment are very important.

The cure rate is very high when diagnosed early and before it has had a chance to spread. You should do self skin examinations every month. Stand in front of a mirror undressed and start with your head and work your way down to your feet.

You are checking for new growths or moles that have changed color. Check carefully. You can have someone else check your back for you.

It is also a good idea to get a full skin examination by your doctor yearly. You could go to your regular doctor or a dermatologist, which is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.

If you have a spot that has any changes in shape, size, or color on your skin, you should see a doctor. The doctor will check you over and if needed s/he will take a biopsy of the growth. If it turns out to be cancer, the doctor will numb your skin and cut out the cancerous part. You will be awake, but your won't feel it.

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