With the official start to summer just around the corner, it’s time to repeat the importance of protecting your skin against damaging UVA/UVB sun exposure. Obviously, skin care is important year-round, but many of us spend more time outside during the summer (are you sick of mowing your lawn yet?).
Some people may not think of a plastic surgeon when they think of skin care, but Dr. McKee estimates that as many as 25-30% of his patients come to him for sun exposure-related skin conditions. These may include small “pre-cancers” (actinic keratoses), basal and squamous cell carninomas (two different types of skin cancer), or melanomas. Don’t take sun exposure lightly! As Dr. McKee told me and my siblings dozens of times when we were growing up, “It only takes one bad sunburn…!” That is where he would leave it, but we knew what he was saying: every sunburn increases the risk of common skin cancers and melanoma.
With that in mind, here are some great reads for your summer skin care checklist. Please share your thoughts on any of them with us in our comments.
image credit Jennifer R.S. Gordon, M.D., via New England Journal of Medicine
This image has been making the rounds lately, but what a clear illustration of the effects of sun damage on aging skin. Click on the photo or the link to read the article from ABC news.
The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal has an article with everything you need to know about today’s sunless tanners- GREAT information in a fun online format. I’ve been meaning to try the Tan Towel. What self tanners have you had a good (or bad!) experience with?
Fake It, Don’t Bake It- The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal
How many risk factors do you have for developing skin cancer? The Mayo Clinic provides a handy list for you. Read it and take the appropriate protective action.
David McKee, M.D. 