May is Sunscreen & Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and before stepping out into the sizzling summer sun, there are a few anti-aging skin care tips and options every patient should know about. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention (NCSCP) says that skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancers in America. More specifically, one out of every five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in life. To protect Americans from skin cancers, organizations like the NCSCP, along with manufacturers of anti-aging skin care products and other relevant stakeholders, use UV Awareness Month to help raise awareness about the dangers of unprotected skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Houston Facial Plastic Surgeons, like Dr. Bradford Patt, also strive to educate patients about the effects of sun rays and the aging skin process. Below are some helpful skin care tips to keep your skin healthy and protected for summer.
Use Effective Sunblock & Sunscreen Products
Sunlight contains UVA and UVB rays that are potentially harmful to the skin. Because of their deep penetration power, UVA rays tend to destroy keratinocytes cells located in the basal layer of the epidermis. UVB rays, on the other hand, have lower penetration power, and tend to damage upper epidermis cells, potentially causing sunburns and reddening. As such, it’s best to use high-quality sunscreen to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation. To be on the safe side, use sunscreens with an SPF higher than 15. It is also important to note that a broad-spectrum sunscreen protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Some leading dermatologists urge patients to use a combination of antioxidant skin care products and sunscreens during the summer months.
Treat Yourself to Anti-Aging Procedures
Exposure to sunlight is likely to cause dead skin cells to accumulate on your skin's surface, thereby causing your skin to look dull, wrinkled, and stressed. To alleviate these issues, Dr. Patt recommends various anti-aging skin care procedures including microdermabrasion, Botox, and Ultherapy®. These in-office procedures are highly effective at rejuvenating skin, reducing wrinkles, and removing dead skin cells; moreover, they aren’t photosensitive to the sun’s rays. Though these procedures aren’t affected by the sun, Dr. Patt would still urge patients to maintain these treatments by not directly exposing skin to the sun for prolonged periods, and by continuing to use sunscreen lotions. Furthermore, using rich clinical moisturizers and skin cream conditioners also help keep skin well hydrated and healthy, ensuring a smooth, supple, and youthful glow.
Ultimately, it’s important that patients learn to reduce their chances of developing skin cancers by taking precautions to protect against direct sunlight. As the sun tends to increase signs of aging, especially on the face, patients can also take advantage of the many available anti-aging skin care treatments that Dr. Patt offers.
Call (281) 649-7170 to schedule an appointment today! Learn more about Skin Cancer Awareness & Ultraviolet Protection by visiting these sites:
http://www.skincancer.org/media-and-press/Press-Release-2011/skin-cancer-awareness-month-reminder
https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/health-awareness/ultraviolet-awareness-month.html
