Skin Cancer Protection as recommended by American Academy of Dermatology
Unprotected exposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to skin cancer. This video provides sun protection tips to help reduce skin cancer risk.
Video by: American Academy of Dermatology
To kickoff Sun Awareness Week (May 28 to June 3), a new Ipsos survey, conducted for the Canadian Dermatology Association, shows that the vast majority of Canadians agree that it is essential to protect your skin from the sun (93%) and that too much sun ages your skin (94%).
While sunburn continues to top the list of worries for Canadians when exposing themselves to the sun with 62% saying that was their greatest fear concerning sun exposure, concerns over premature skin aging due to sun exposure continue to rise, – up five percentage points this year from 2016 (43% vs 38%) and nine percentage points (43% vs 34%) in 2015. Additionally, more are concerned over the sun causing increasing brown spots on the skin in this year’s survey (30% vs. 25%) compared to 2016.
Positively, year-round sunscreen use continues to rise, and is up 9 percentage points since 2015 (26% vs. 17%). Also, 7 in 10 Canadians say they apply sunscreen when going outdoors (71%), with the same proportion indicating they wear sunglasses with UV protective lenses when outdoors all year around.
Despite these positive results, there is still room for improvement in areas of sun safety awareness. Troublingly, men (55% vs. 67% women) and teens (54% aged 16-17 vs. 62% 34-54 and 63% 55+) are less concerned about increased sun exposure being linked to an increased risk of skin cancer. Also of concern, only one-quarter of Canadians strongly agree(25%) that sunscreen is safe to use and one-quarter agree that the dangers of the sun are exaggerated (24%).
For more information about this study click here.
Credit: ipsos.com
For the best protection, use broad spectrum creams or gels — and cover up
Spray-on sunscreen and so-called base tans aren’t the greatest way to avoid a sun damage to your skin, a Calgary doctor is warning.
Most people accept that sunscreen is important but they need to do more to keep their skin healthy, Dr. Raj Bhardwaj says.
As May is Melanoma Awareness Month in Canada, the doctor is trying to dispel myths and confusion so people can enjoy the current stretch of sunny, warm weather. Sunshine and temperatures in the mid to high 20s C are forecasted for the next few days.
“It’s about preventing overall exposure, so not just preventing burns,” Bhardwaj told the Calgary Eyeopener on Tuesday.
Avoid looking like a zebra by applying cream or gel sunscreen all over your body. Use a teaspoon for small body parts, like for each arm, leg and face/neck. Use two teaspoons for larger parts, like your front and your back.
Credit: cbc.ca
What to look for in a sunscreen as recommended by American Academy of Dermatology
With so many sunscreens available, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which sunscreen offers the best protection. This video explains what to look for when choosing a sunscreen.
Video by: American Academy of Dermatology
A: Yes, if it’s been there for more than a few weeks, you absolutely need to see a doctor for that. It could be a precancer or even a skin cancer, and the sooner it’s treated, the better.
A common precancer called actinic keratosis (AK) generally looks like a dry, scaly patch. It can be pink or yellowish, round or another shape, usually about a quarter of an inch in diameter, but it can grow wider or grow an outward extension like a little horn. An AK may feel rough, different from the skin around it, and it might be a little tender, sensitive or itchy. Generally, AKs develop in sun-exposed areas, including the face, lips, ears, scalp, hands, arms and neck.
It’s best to see a dermatologist, because we can usually diagnose an AK just by looking at it. I generally see AKs in people 40 and older. But I also see them in 20- and 30-year-olds, especially those who have fair skin, light eyes and spend a lot of time outside. If it is thick, large or has a horn, it might need a biopsy to make sure that it’s not a skin cancer. If left untreated, an AK can develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common type of skin cancer.
I generally treat AKs by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. It’s not a big deal. It takes just a few seconds and you only feel a quick burning sensation. It will scab up and peel off over the next week or two. Once it peels, the skin should be smooth. If you still feel roughness there, you should follow up because it may need further treatment or a biopsy.
Since actinic keratoses develop from years of chronic sun exposure, if you have one, it’s likely you’ll develop more. So if you’ve been diagnosed with an AK, you’ll need a whole-body skin exam. (In fact, all adults should have regular skin exams.) I also recommend that those who have been diagnosed with AK follow up regularly with a dermatologist. People who have a lot of AKs can also have the precursors to these precancers, meaning damage that isn’t yet visible. For those patients we may suggest what we call field therapy to treat a larger area with topical medications, a chemical peel or a special kind of light therapy. It’s much better to be preventive and stay on top of it.
It’s crucial to protect yourself from the sun to prevent future AKs. Plan outdoor activities before 10 am or after 4 pm to avoid peak sunlight hours, and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever you’re outside.
Credit: skincancer.org
How to apply sunscreen as recommended by American Academy of Dermatology
Sunscreen only works when applied correctly. This video offers tips for proper sunscreen use.
Video by: American Academy of Dermatology
“Federal regulators warned natural sunscreen companies Tuesday that they’re illegally marketing pills and capsules that claim to protect against the sun.
The Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the companies are “misleading consumers, and putting people at risk.”
“There’s no pill or capsule that can replace your sunscreen,” said Gottlieb.
If an ingestible product was making the claim that it could protect against the sun, FDA says it would be considered a drug and the agency hasn’t approved a drug with that claim.”
The companies that are receiving warning letters sell products called Advanced Skin Brightening Formula, Sunsafe Rx, Solaricare and Sunergetic, which Gottlieb says “are giving consumers a false sense of security that a dietary supplement could prevent sunburn, reduce early skin aging caused by the sun, or protect from the risks of skin cancer.”
FDA warned the companies to correct all violations associated with their products and to review product websites and labeling to make sure claims don’t violate federal law.
The health care community and federal regulators have been working to improve UV protection, but also have been fighting false claims. In 2015, actress Jessica Alba’s Honest Company was sued and widely pilloried for claims about a number of products, including sunscreen consumers claimed didn’t work.
Continue to read here.
Credit: usatoday.com
Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects about 2% of the population. It features red, thickened areas with silvery scales, most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Some cases of psoriasis are so mild that people don’t know they have it (e.g. they think they just have dandruff). More moderate or severe psoriasis can cover large areas of the body. Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another, but it is most likely to occur in members of the same family. Patients with psoriasis are more likely to have other health conditions, e.g. metabolic syndrome (diabetes, high cholesterol), heart disease, and depression. Up to 25% of people with psoriasis can also develop psoriatic arthritis, most commonly of the small joints of the hands and feet.
The following healthy lifestyle modifications may help psoriasis:
The goal of psoriasis medical treatment is to reduce inflammation and to control shedding of the skin. Treatment is based on a patient’s health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis. Moisturizing creams loosen scales and help control itching. Steroid preparations can help to reduce inflammation, redness and scales of the skin, and itching. Dovobet gel and Enstilar foam are combination of steroid and vitamin D and are often used as first-line topical preparations for mild to moderate psoriasis; they are versatile to use on the body and scalp. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory creams such as Protopic ointment or Elidel cream can be quite helpful in the groin, armpits, and face.
Systemic treatment options for psoriasis are divided into older systemic therapies (e.g. Soriatane, Methotrexate) and currently widely used biologic therapies, such as Enbrel, Humira, Stelara, Cosentyx, Tremfya, and Siliq. Otezla is an effective and safe pill medication for psoriasis. All the biologics and Otezla are also effective for psoriatic arthritis to varying degrees. These medications are typically covered by private drug plans and some by ODB. They can be truly life-changing for psoriasis patients. As well, psoriasis is a very active area of research, with many ongoing therapeutic clinical trials including at our clinic. As a result of the constant developments in treatment and understanding of psoriasis, make sure to speak with your dermatologist as to the best option for you.
Check out this “serious” video about a very serious issue:
Video by CollegeHumor
