If you are a patient at Skin Care Institute, there’s a good chance you are well versed in skin cancer statistics. For instance, you probably already know that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and worldwide. You probably also know that protecting your skin in the summer months — and year-round — is vital to lowering your skin cancer risk and maintaining your skin’s health.
Here are a few skin safety tips you may not know:
1. Sunscreen is your #1 beauty and skin health weapon.
We know you’ve heard this tip countless times, that you must wear sunscreen year-round, not just when going to the pool! We’re not so sure you know exactly why it matters. Yes, sunscreen helps block UV rays and lower your skin cancer risk. This is everything. However, blocking those UV rays is about so much more than just reducing skin cancer risk. When you are wearing sunscreen, you are essentially wearing a coat of armor that shields your skin from harsh elements like UV rays and pollutants. Here’s what you may not think about: Because you are shielding your skin, you are allowing your skin the ability to rest and do what skin does best, generating new skin cells and staying vibrant, elastic and healthy. When you take away your shield and allow UV rays and pollutants to penetrate, you are forcing your skin cells to work furiously at healing all the damage that is being done. Left unprotected, your skin cells are being constantly bombarded and forced to put out fires right and left. Instead of being happily at rest, sipping cucumber water under palm trees, your unprotected skin cells are working like superheroes to ward off a never-ending onslaught of complexion saboteurs like free radicals. Excuse the drama, but we think it helps us illustrate our point. In short, unprotected skin is exhausted, depleted and damaged. Protected skin is calm, healthy and free to keep glowing strong!
2. Annual skin check-ups are for everyone.
It seems to be a popular notion that regular skin checkups are only necessary for the fairest skin types or those with known skin conditions. While it’s true that the fairer the skin, the higher the risk for sun damage, skin cancer affects all types and tones of skin. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns. But just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life. Scheduling routine skin health check-ups at Dr. Jeff Alexander’s Dermatology Clinic (upstairs from Skin Care Institute) is an easy way to stay on top of your skin’s health.
3. You can reduce your melanoma risk by 50% by wearing an SPF 30 or higher every day.
We know sunscreen is good for us, so why do so many of us NOT wear sunscreen every day? We hear it all the time from patients, that sunscreens are greasy and make them feel slimy. We are here to tell you that you are using the wrong kind of sunscreen! Medial-grade sunscreens like the ones we carry here at Skin Care Institute (Colorescience®, SkinMedica®, SkinCeuticals®, Revision®, EltaMD®) are formulated to make your skin look amazing while protecting it from the harsh elements. Got oily, acne-prone skin? We have a sunscreen for that! Got dry skin with dark spots? We can help you achieve a brighter, more hydrated and more evenly toned glow. Medical-grade sunscreens are packed with results-driven ingredients and based on years of clinical research to help improve the look of your skin while protecting its health. Trust us, we can help you find a sunscreen that you will look forward to putting on every day!
Are you ready to get the right kind of glow this summer? You can keep your skin as cool as a cucumber with our expert tips and products. To learn more about our sunscreens or skin health check-ups, please call (918) 948-9639 or fill out our consultation request form today. You can also shop for skin care products and more online any time!
