Most people know that summer outdoor fun requires sunscreen and those who forget to learn very quickly through the pain of a sunburn. However, many do not realize that winter sunlight still contains UVA and UVB exposure, and snow reflection can be almost as damaging to skin as direct sunlight. Additionally, reduced melanin in winter can limit skin’s ability to Continue reading
Firefighters at greater risk for skin cancer “As if their jobs aren’t dangerous enough, there’s new evidence that suggests that firefighters may have an increased risk for skin cancer over those in other professions,” explains Dr. Jennifer Vickers, board certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Bee Cave, Texas. What’s causing the increased risk? According to researchers studying the Annual Cancer Continue reading
Although it doesn’t always get a lot of attention, skin cancer is actually the most common cancer in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014, “76,665 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanomas of the skin and 9,324 people died from this cancer”. “This is why it’s essential to perform regular Continue reading
When doctors talk about skin cancer, they often reiterate the point that it’s important to catch any potential issues early in order to have the best chance of recovery. But exactly how quickly can skin cancer grow? Is it safe to wait a week after noticing something strange on your skin? How long should you wait before deciding that a Continue reading
When a doctor performs a skin biopsy on you, the doctor removes a small part of your skin, analyzes it, and looks at it under the microscope. “This is a sample, a piece of the bigger skin, usually removed for diagnostic purposes,” shares Dr. Azeen Sadeghian, board certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA. In this case, the Continue reading
Mohs Surgery: What Is It? While number of treatment options exist for skin cancer, Mohs surgery has proved to be the most effective, providing both the highest cure rate, and the least amount of scarring. Originally developed by Frederic Mohs, M.D., Mohs surgery is a very particular, in-office technique of removing and examining cancerous tissue layer by layer in order Continue reading
Sunscreen is an everyday staple, it’s not just for the summer months. As you feel the crisp, cool air hitting your face as fall moves in you may feel tempted to toss out your sunscreen. Don’t do it! Even in the dreary cloud filled days ahead of us, your skin is still at risk for UV exposure. Keep reading for Continue reading
Skin Cancer is caused by an abnormal growth of skin cells linked to sun exposure, ultraviolet light and yes, tanning beds. Exposure to these elements is cumulative, so the risk for skin cancer increases as we age. It has been reported that in the past thirty years, the number of skin cancer cases exceeds the total number of all other cancers combined. Continue reading
There are many different types of skin cancer, but basal cell carcinoma is the most common and most easily treatable. Basal cell carcinoma tends to occur on exposed parts of the body, usually appearing as a small growth on the face, where you tend to get the most sun. “While it rarely spreads to other areas, it’s still important to be on Continue reading
It’s commonly believed that African-Americans and other darker skinned individuals don’t get skin cancer and shouldn’t worry about protecting themselves from the sun. This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. “While melanin, the pigment that gives skin its deeper color does guard darker skin from the full onslaught of the sun, it does not provide total protection from UV rays,” states Dr. Continue reading
