Skin cancer is a common type of cancer in the United States, with over 5 million individuals being diagnosed with skin cancer each year. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, Mohs surgery is one of the effective methods to treat it. Mohs skin cancer surgeon Stockton offers treatment to effectively destroy the cancer cells in your body and spares the healthy tissue to minimize scarring.
Fortunately, there are ways you can protect yourself from skin cancer. Here are tips to skin your skin free from cancer;
1. Apply sunscreen
The exposed regions of your skin should always be covered with sunscreen, even if you’re not going to the beach or participating in outside activities. The sun may harm your skin even when seated next to a window in your home, office, or vehicle
Also, apply sunscreen even on overcast days because clouds do not block UV radiation. Every two hours, reapply sunscreen to your skin’s exposed regions.
2. Put on a hat and sunglasses
When you’re outside or in a sunny place, it’s best to wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, neck, and ears from the sun. Wearing sunglasses that offer 99 to 100 percent UV protection is also advisable because it will shield your eyes from the sun’s rays and protect the nearby skin from damage.
3. Check your skin from head to toe once a month
Every month examine your skin for any new moles or other irregularities in your skin that could point to excessive cell proliferation. Verify that your skin hasn’t altered in any way.
Visit a dermatologist if a mole or a blemish raises even the slightest suspicion in your mind. Visit a dermatologist immediately if a mole you’ve had for a long time begins bleeding or growing: It is clear from it that the mole is malignant.
4. Avoid the tanning beds
There is a misconception that indoor, regulated tanning using sunlamps or tanning beds is safer than sun exposure. However, this is not true. Due to the extended and severe UV radiation exposure, this may be more hazardous than the sun. Choose tanning sprays or lotions instead since they don’t harm the skin.
5. Wear protective clothing
Always wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts when going outdoors, particularly in the summer. Your other clothes will shield you from UV radiation and the sun’s beams.
Compared to loosely woven and white textiles, those in dark hues and with tighter weaves are more effective in blocking the light. To further protect yourself from the sun, you may wear clothing composed of sun-protective materials: An Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) tag is attached to them.
6. Stay in the shade
Avoid being in the sun from 10 am to 4 pm since the sun is at its strongest during these hours. If you must go outside, look for shaded places to keep your skin safe.
7. Be wary of medicines
Many drugs increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Medications like anti-inflammatories, blood pressure drugs, antibiotics, antifungals, and acne treatments can harm your skin. Limit your exposure to the sun if you are taking or receiving medications for one or more of these to prevent skin cancer.
Everyone is at risk of skin cancer. However, you can protect yourself by avoiding the sun, wearing hats and sunglasses, avoiding tanning beds, and visiting your dermatologist regularly.
Call LUX Dermatology to schedule your appointment and learn more about Mohs surgery.
