skin cancer

Spring Break is just around the corner – sunshine, here we come! Just know that the incidence of melanoma, which has nearly doubled in the last decade, is increasing at a rate faster than any other cancer. While most people take several measures to decrease the chance of getting skin cancer, some of these measures are ineffective. The following are common misconceptions of how to "prep" your skin for Spring Break.

Before you head out to that sandy beach you may hit the gym or go on a diet to get your body bathing-suit ready. You may even consider going to a tanning salon to get a “base tan” before hitting the beach – this is NOT a good idea according to dermatologists!

While you are having fun in the sun, don’t forget to protect your skin. Overexposure to sun is one of the leading causes of skin cancer. Make sure you keep that in mind while you are laying out by the side of the pool while sipping on your piña colada.

The weather outside maybe frightful but having your skin unprotected would not be delightful. The ultraviolet rays from the sun are just as harmful now as they are on the hottest day of summer. Whether you are traveling to a tropical location to get away from the snow, or you are a cold-weather-activity enthusiast, always remember to use sunscreen. One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. Protecting your skin year-round could decrease your chances of developing skin cancer.

Skinsight has decided to give everyone the gift of knowledge with the Twelve Days of Dermatology this holiday season. Each day we will be covering subject matter relating to rashes, skin conditions, and other dermatology topics. If you’d like to dicuss a topic further, or if you think we’ve missed a topic, check out our forum!

Learning new things is always good, especially when it involves one’s health. Your skin is a very visible indicator of your well-being, and many have come to our site to explore our picture database of different kinds of skin conditions. Here is the list for top 10 skin topics viewed on Skinsight.com this year¹.

Q: My 88-year-old mother has been diagnosed with actinic keratoses on her face. Her physician has recommended Levulan Kerastick treatment. She does not know if she wants to go through with the treatment. What will happen if she does not have it?
 

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer annually. While we are learning a lot about the disease and how to treat it, the best course of action is preventing it. Many skin cancers develop from precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses, and dermatologists perform procedures and prescribe medications that “search and destroy” these lesions before they turn into cancer.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer annually, so it is appropriate that we continue to identify the best treatments possible. But when it comes to actually preventing skin cancer, we mostly know only about the basic rules – use sunscreen, stay out of the sun, wear long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats, etc. 

But dermatologists can offer effective topical skin cancer preventives that find and destroy precancerous cells, stopping the disease in its tracks before it takes hold. These noninvasive therapies not only prevent potential cancers from developing, they may also soften lines and wrinkles at the same time.