The Truth About Sun Exposure.

Sun exposure is the skin's most dangerous enemy. If you're not convinced, compare the color and
texture of the skin where it has been exposed to the sun with an area that has been protected, such as the abdomen. Notice how the sun-protected skin is smooth and evenly colored, whereas the exposed skin may be coarse and discolored. Sun exposure accumulated over a lifetime causes most of the changes to the skin associated with aging such as wrinkling, brown spots, broken blood vessels, sallowness, roughness, and cancer.

Protection from the Sun.

To prevent your skin from appearing old and unhealthy, simply protect yourself and your family from the sun.

• Stay out of the sun between 10 AM and 3 PM
• Apply sunscreen on a daily basis
• Cover exposed skin: wear a broad-brimmed hat or carry an umbrella
• Always seek the shade

Selecting a sunscreen that provides both UVA and UVB radiation protection is essential. UVA and UVB radiation have different wavelengths and are thought to have different effects on the skin. Although window glass stops UVB radiation, UVA radiation can damage your skin even when you're inside your home, office building, or car.

UVA causes the skin to tan and age prematurely; UVB causes sunburn. Sunscreens currently contain an SPF (sun protection factor) that numerically rates the sunscreen's ability to protect from sunburn. This number, however, says nothing about preventing aging of the skin. For best protection, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing active ingredients such as microfine zinc oxide that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Remember to apply sunscreen as part of your morning routine.

Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers.

Eventually, exposure to the sun over many years will damage the skin beyond repair, resulting in skin cancer. The most minor form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma that appears as a small lump that repeatedly bleeds and scabs. Another form of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma that appears as a scab or wound that does not heal within six weeks.

The most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body and appears as an asymmetrically shaped and irregularly colored spot with uneven borders that is larger than a pencil eraser. Suspicious moles should be examined by a dermatologist immediately. If diagnosed early before it penetrates deeply within the skin, melanoma is completely curable.

Skin care products can provide excellent sun protection on a daily basis. For example, a facial moisturizer that contains sunscreen, such as microfine zinc oxide, can prevent aging (UVA radiation) and sunburn (UVB radiation) when applied consistently. Men, women, and children can use sunscreen-containing facial moisturizers. Because most people get the majority of their sun from casual daily exposure, sun protection must be an everyday concern.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Skin.

Great-looking skin can be yours if you follow just a few common sense skin care tips:

• Clean your face twice daily with a mild moisturizing beauty bar or a face wash that cleans without causing dryness. Apply a sunscreen-containing facial moisturizer each morning to maintain the skin barrier intact.
• Bathe with a mild moisturizing body cleanser designed for your skin type.
• Examine your body regularly for new growths or suspicious sores.
• See your dermatologist annually for a complete body examination.
• Proper skin care and sun protection are important for the entire family. Healthy skin is great-looking skin!

Your Skin is Your Image!

It’s terrific to look great. But have you ever considered what looking great means? It depends, in part, on the condition of your skin. Let’s discuss some important steps you can take to protect the health and maintain the condition of your skin.

The Largest, Most Versatile Organ of the Body.

Skin is the largest organ of the body, vital to protecting the inner workings of the complex human machine. It functions as:

• a barrier that prevents toxic substances from damaging the body’s vulnerable interior
• a first line of defense that prevents bacterial, viral, and fungal organisms from causing disease
• a thermostat that regulates body temperature, allowing humans to live in various environments
• an organ that senses stimuli through touch and temperature The skin also contains sweat glands, oil glands, and hair follicles. Its extreme versatility enables tremendous growth from childhood to adulthood and efficient repair following injury.

Great-looking skin begins in childhood, but requires careful attention throughout life to guarantee healthy skin as an adult. Caring for your skin is easy and rewarding once you understand some basic medical facts.

Woman to Woman: Your Skin Care Guide.

A woman's skin is subtly different than a man's skin. For example, because women have thinner skin than men do the sun's penetrating UVA rays damage female skin to a greater degree. This is one of the reasons why women may seem to age more quickly than men. Remember that it is vitally important for women to wear a sunscreen!

Women develop melanoma on different body areas than men. Because women often wear skirts, the most common site for melanoma in women is the lower legs. In men, the upper back is the most common location for melanoma. To protect yourself from cancer, remember to cover skin exposed to the sun with as much clothing as possible. A woman's skin also tends to change color and texture with age. Sun exposure causes some of these changes, whereas others are caused by dynamic hormonal variations that occur around menopause. Estrogen maintains the bony framework beneath the skin, keeps the skin soft and resilient, and encourages a vibrant, healthy complexion. Remember to see your physician for medical advice about using hormonal replacement therapy if you are approaching menopause.