What if you were informed that you could save ten years on your skin’s appearance by simply using sunscreen and avoiding prolonged contact with the scorching, hot sun? While healthy skin is usually hereditary or health-related, there’s no doubt that sun damage leads to skin tightening, deep wrinkles, skin discoloration and even skin cancer. You can’t prevent aging entirely, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to effective skin solutions!

Sun damage isn’t just manifested in sunburns or blisters. There are other effects that are more subtle but just as dangerous in the long run. For instance, deep wrinkles, dryness, freckles, mottled pigmentation and skin transparency are a few symptoms of sun damage. A yellow discoloration, known as “sallowness”, Telagiectasias, known as the dilation of small blood vessels beneath the skin, or Elastosis, known as the damaging of the elastic tissue that causes lines and wrinkles are telltale signs that skin solutions should be sought. Worst case scenario, pre-cancerous lesions appear as a result of the skin’s diminished immune function, which may also lead to full-blown cancer.

To find out if you have skin cancer, you should follow the “ABCDE Rule.” The “A” stands for Asymmetry, meaning that if you were to divide your mole in half, it wouldn’t look the same on both sides. “B” is for Border, or a mole with jagged edges, “C” is for Color, as darkening means danger, “D” is for Diameter because a mole larger than ¼ inch is bad and “E” is for Elevation, as a raised mole with an uneven surface can also be cancerous. Other things to look out for are moles that bleed, grow fast or itch. If you suddenly notice a new marking, then keep an eye on it and try to cover it or apply sunscreen to minimize further sun damage.

Skin cancer is usually detected via a biopsy, where the dermatologist takes a skin tissue sample and examines it beneath a microscope. Often times, the cancerous tissue can be removed and no other treatment is necessary. In some cases, basal cell or squamous cell cancer is treated by Mohs surgery, which cuts out chunks of the cancer. Electrodesiccation and curettage is a fancy name for the physical scraping away of the skin cancer cells, as well as electrosurgery to remove any trace of sun damage. Like any skin treatment, cryosurgery and laser therapy are both viable options. Drugs like Retinoids can also help restore a natural balance.

What should you do?

To minimize the risk of sun damage you should formulate a summer skincare plan in warm weather for both you and your youngsters. Its a good idea to get yourself familiar with an introduction to sun protection and skin care techniques in general.

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