Category: Skin Care

10 Facts About Sunscreen In the immortal words of every dermatologist anywhere, ever and Baz Luhrmann, “Wear sunscreen.” (It’s OK if you don’t remember that song. Even people who do remember that song would rather they didn’t.) The fact remains that sun protection, particularly the daily application of sunscreen, is the best way to prevent damage caused by UV radiation – including fine lines, leathering and skin cancer. And, if facts are you sort of thing, here are 10 more that are sure to encourage you to slather on the sunscreen.

• Anyone can benefit from using sunscreen because anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of race, age or gender.
• Apply sunscreen anytime you’re outside. Whether summer or winter, cloudy or clear, you can still get sunburn.
• Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect from UVA and UVB rays. UVB radiation causes sunburn, while UVA radiation is responsible for the telltale signs of aging like wrinkling, sagging and leathering.
• Sun Protection Factor (SPF) measures a sunscreen’s ability to block out UVB rays only.
• A moisturizing sunscreen of SPF 30 is great for daily use. If your only sun exposure is a few minutes each day walking to and from your car, this will keep your skin protected.
• Choose a your sunscreen based on exposure. If you work outdoors or plan on lounging poolside, use a water-resistant sunscreen with a higher SPF value.
• Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before planned sun exposure. This allows the UV-blocking ingredients to fully absorb into the skin.
• Sunscreens expire. The FDA requires that sunscreens remain effective for at least 3 years. If there’s an expiration date stamped on the bottle, don’t use it past that date.
• Use 1 oz. of sunscreen for a full-body application. Be generous with the sunscreen; use about a shot glass-worth to cover all exposed body parts.
• There’s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. Sunscreens can be labeled “water-resistant” (effective for up to 40 minutes in water) or “very water-resistant” (effective for up to 80 minutes in water). Either way, frequent reapplication is necessary.

Need more convincing reasons to wear sunscreen? Visit the skin care experts at Forefront Dermatology. To find the Forefront physician nearest you, visit the Locations page today.

Whether she’s mama, mommy or just plain ma, mothers are special creatures deserving of respect. From the endearingly practical “never pay retail” to the slow-burning wisdom of “never change who you are for someone else” to the truly terrifying “I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it,” they’re also a seemingly endless well of knowledge and advice. In honor of Mother’s Day, we’ve compiled some of our favorite skin care mom-isms and home remedies. Some are spot on and other are – well, let’s just say they’re dubious at best.   “You’ll eventually outgrow acne.” On a long enough timeline, everyone outgrows acne – I mean, you don’t see many septuagenarians walking around with a face full of blemishes, right? And, yes, it’s true that the vast majority of acne occurs during adolescence – between the ages of 9 to 20 – when sex hormones are all over the place, but, for most, they eventually level off. However, for some individuals, acne may last well past adolescence and persist for decades. In others, acne may rear its ugly head later in life, especially women in their late 20s to 40s. Just imagine going through life feeling lucky for dodging the teenage acne bullet and – BAM – acne just took a decades long detour. Verdict: Some truth, but not quite that simple.   “Put toothpaste on a zit and it’ll be gone by morning.” On the surface, this may sound legit. Most toothpaste, after all, contains hydrogen peroxide – which sounds similar enough to the benzoyl peroxide found in over-the-counter acne treatments. However, toothpaste is made for teeth, not skin (otherwise it would be called “skinpaste”, and “skinpaste” sounds super-creepy) and employing it outside of its intended use is generally a bad idea. Toothpaste left on the skin is highly irritating. You may feel “drying out” a zit is winning the battle against acne, but it’s doing more harm than good. “I remember hearing this when I was a teenager,” says Dr. Kate Garvey, dermatologist at the Oconomowoc (as of May 25^th) and Beaver Dam clinics. “You’re much better off buying an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide product that specifically formulated for skin. Even then, if you have numerous acne lesions, you may need to see a dermatologist for a prescription approach.” Verdict: In this case, mother does not know best.   “You’re never too young to start moisturizing.” Your skin requires moisture to keep it supple and healthy. While it does produce its own moisturizing oils, much of it is wicked away by the environment and hygienic habits like showering and washing your hands. Moisturizers work by replenishing and trapping hydration in your skin, providing an extra layer of protection between you and your environment. “You can’t really over-moisturize your skin,” says Dr. Garvey. “It’ll absorb what it can (and what it needs). However, some ingredients may cause irritant or allergic reactions in some individuals over time. So, yes, do moisturize, but stick with a moisturizer that’s labeled ‘fragrance-free’ – which is not the same as ‘unscented’.” Verdict: The world it your moisturizer-filled oyster.   “A white vinegar cold compress will keep that sunburn from peeling.” Once you’re sunburned, there’s not a whole lot you can do. The damage is done. While vinegar does have some antibacterial properties and cold can be soothing, it can’t counteract the effects of inflammation ­– including peeling. By far, the best way to keep your skin from peeling is to not get sunburned at all. Verdict: Old wives tales are not sound medical advice.   “You get back here and put on sunscreen!” Between the neighborhood pool and trips to the beach, this was my mother’s summertime war cry. And, as it turns out, some darn good advice. “Even when we, as dermatologists, can get patients to use sunscreen, the sad truth is that most people don’t use them correctly,” says Dr. Garvey. “You should apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you go outdoors so that it is absorbed into your skin and, importantly, reapply every couple of hours after. Many of my patients will say, ‘I used sunscreen but I still burned!’ But eventually fess up to applying it in the morning but completely forgetting to reapply after, despite being outside all day. And if you’re swimming or sweating heavily, you should be reapplying sunscreen even more often.” Verdict: Dermatologist-approved motherly advice.   Even though I spent a good chunk of young adulthood virulently ignoring my mother’s advice, I can now appreciate that, for the most part, she knew what’s up – especially when she said, “Taking care of yourself is never selfish.” For skin care advice that’s always on the money, see the skin care experts at Forefront Dermatology. To find the Forefront dermatologist nearest you, visit the Locations page today.

Your skin is more than just a pretty wrapper. It serves as the first and best defense against everything from dangerous UV radiation to harmful bacteria. But did you know that your largest organ is subject to the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer. With more than with more than 3 million diagnoses each year, skin cancer is one of the most easily treatable and preventable forms of cancer. We tackle some more of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about skin cancer.

What are some signs of skin cancer?

Regular self-examinations are the best way to identify changes in your skin and catch abnormalities at their most treatable stages. When evaluating a mole, remember your A-B-C-D-Es – Asymmetry, Borders, Color, Diameter and Evolution. Check out our article from National Cancer Prevention Month for more tips on what to look for. Other things to look for:

• Changes to the size or color of a mole, growth or spot.
• Changes in skin texture, including scaliness, roughness and – yuck – oozing or bleeding.
• Sores that don’t heal.
• Pigmentation that spreads beyond the border of a mole, growth or spot.
• Changes in sensation, like itchiness, tenderness or pain.

FAQ: What types of skin cancer are there?

While there are many forms of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma are the most common. Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form, develops in the deepest layer of your epidermis; it’s slow-growing, rarely spreads to other parts of the body and highly treatable. Squamous cell carcinoma commonly appears on sun-exposed areas of your body like the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of the hands, and can also develop in scars or chronic skin sores. It’s more likely to grow into deeper layers of skin and, though uncommon, to spread. Still, it’s easily treated with good results.

The most dangerous common form of skin cancer is melanoma . Basically, a melanoma is a mole gone astray. It affects the melanocytes that give your skin its color and may develop anywhere on the body – even in areas that don’t see regular sun exposure. If left untreated, melanoma is more likely to spread to other parts of your body than other skin cancers.

FAQ: How common is skin cancer?

Skin cancer, particularly basal and squamous cell carcinoma, is incredibly common. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives. Of the 3.5 million new diagnoses each year, an estimated 2.8 million are basal cell carcinoma, 700,000 are squamous cell carcinoma and only 76,000 are melanoma. However, about 10,000 people will die of melanoma this year alone – that’s about one fatality per hour.

FAQ: What are skin cancer risk factors?

Most cases of skin cancer are the direct result of exposure to UV radiation.

Other Skin Cancer Risk Factors:

• Fair complexion
• History of severe sunburns
• Spending an excessive amount of time in the sun (or tanning beds)
• Living in sunny or high altitude climates (where UV radiation is most intense)
• Moles (dysplastic nevi) or precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis)
• Family history of skin cancer (a parent or sibling has had skin cancer)
• Personal history of skin cancer (you’ve had skin cancer in the past)
• Weakened immune system (organ transplants, HIV/AIDS, or autoimmune diseases)

Can skin cancer be prevented?

While there’s no way to avoid risk factors like family history, aging or a compromised immune system, you can control UV exposure. Firstly, use a moisturizing sunscreen daily to help prevent harmful UV damage. If you expect to be out in direct sunlight for a long time, but be sure to switch to a heavier, longer lasting sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater.

“Sun protection is important in all seasons,”

says Dr. J. Mark Jackson, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Louisville.

“Chronic sun exposure damages the skin and underlying tissues – which leads to everything from skin cancer to fine lines, pigmentation changes, wrinkling and leathering. Prevention is the key to long-term skin health.”

How do I know if I have skin cancer?

In short, if you are worried that a mole may be more than just a mole or rough patch may me more than just dry skin, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. The skin cancer experts at DermSpecialists in Kentucky can help you find skin cancer. Most importantly, we can help you treat it and beat it! To find the a board certified dermatologist near you, visit the locations page today.

What to Do When Seasonal Allergies Act Up The snow is melting. Flowers are blooming. And your face is a becoming a puffy, runny, itchy disaster. Goodbye winter; hello allergy season. If it feels like springtime is punching you in the face, you’re not alone. Each year, some 58 million Americans suffer through seasonal allergies, commonly known as hay fever. In addition to the runny eyes and nose triggered by airborne allergens like pollen and mold spores, hay fever can also cause eczema flare-ups and rashes. So what do you do when allergies are affecting your skin? Reduce Inflammation When allergens come in contact with your skin, they trigger the release of histamines, which dilate blood vessels and cause inflammation (read as: yucky puffy face). One way to counteract this is to use over-the-counter antihistamines and anti-inflammatories like corticosteroids, and drink plenty of water to help flush your system. Pay Attention to Diet Some of your favorite foods may be exacerbating your hay fever by containing or releasing histamines. Alcoholic beverages in particular are rich in histamines, which are naturally made in the fermentation process. The same rings true for aged or fermented cheeses, processed meats, yeasty breads, and vinegar-containing condiments. Basically, your sandwich and allergies are conspiring against you.  Treat Yourself There are about a million ways in which stress has been found to wreak havoc on your health. Allergies are no exception. Reduce stress and give your skin some TLC at home or at your dermatologist’s office with calming treatments – like a long soak in an oatmeal bath. Fortunately, for most, seasonal allergies are a minor inconvenience that usually only affects the area around your eyes and nose. If you’re one of the lucky few who become red, itchy, sentient balloon animals due to rash or exacerbated skin conditions, the experts at Forefront Dermatology can help. So, don’t cry. Dry your eye. And find a Forefront skin care expert nearest you by visiting the Locations page today.