Prevention Tips for Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the United States. Still, over 5 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year. With May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the team of experts at ARTisan Skin and Laser Center feel it is important to share prevention tips related to sun exposure to help you protect yourself from the dangers associated with too much sun. 

Get Screened

First and foremost, it is important to have regular skin checks with your dermatologist! While all the following prevention tips are important, they are not intended to take the place of regular screenings.

Your daily dose of SPF

Wear your SPF (sun protection factor)! Our team members encourage and recommend that you wear sunscreen daily…yes, even in the winter months and on cloudy days. Believe it or not, wearing sunscreen is THE most important part of one’s skincare routine! Sunscreen helps you protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays that cause skin cancer and photoaging. 

Chemical or Mineral

When it comes to chemical versus mineral sunscreen, the ARTisan experts believe you can find quality products in both arenas. Both are great options and the choice comes down to your specific needs and personal preference. To put it simply, chemical sunscreen acts as a sponge, absorbing the sun’s rays, whereas physical sunscreen acts as a shield, deflecting the sun’s rays. If you find that sunscreen causes irritation, reach for a fragrance-free physical sunscreen. 

Proper Sun Protection

When looking to protect your skin, using an SPF of 30 or higher is important to get proper protection. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Don’t forget to reapply! Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. Make sure you are applying sunscreen to any exposed areas and don’t forget your hairline, ears, neck, and lips as these areas are easily missed when applying sunscreen! Also ensure you are choosing waterproof or sweat-proof formulations when necessary. Lastly, keep in mind that wearing sunscreen is not the only way to protect yourself. Wear clothing with SPF protection, seek shade when possible, and be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your skin AND your eyes!

Sunscreen Favorites

ARTisan staff favorites include the Revision Skincare Intellishade products. These come in a few different formulations, including one that has entirely physical protection properties. The ARTisans love Intellishade because it can function as a sunscreen along with a moisturizer PLUS it has some great anti-aging properties! Intellishade comes with or without a tint, but most of the ARTisans prefer the tinted versions that can double as your daily makeup! 

For those who want a sunscreen alone, the EltaMD UV Clear sunscreen is a great option. The UV Clear comes with or without a tint, doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin, and finishes with a light, non-greasy feel! It is even gentle enough to be used on kids! EltaMD also has a specific lip protection and a waterproof body formulation.

Already have UV damage? Lasers, please!

If you are someone who already has UV damage, whether that is sun spots, discoloration, or wrinkles, some of the best ways to address that damage are with the ARTisans’ favorite light and laser treatments! From BBL® HERO™ to Moxi™ to the HALO® laser, ARTisan Skin and Laser Center offers several options to help decrease the damage from UV rays. 

One of the most effective ways to help reverse UV damage is the HALO laser. This hybrid fractional laser was designed to restore your skin’s glow by regenerating collagen and resurfacing the top layer of your skin. The result? Reversing years of sun damage while also giving you healthier and younger-looking skin! This leaves you not only feeling and looking more confident, but truly having overall healthier skin.

With the use of some light and laser treatments, sun-damaged skin that is reddened or riddled with actinic keratoses can effectively be replaced by rejuvenated skin cells and thus healthier skin. Light and laser treatments are highly customizable to your skin’s specific needs. Treatments can also be tailored to fit the downtime that works best for your life, while getting you the results you want. 

Again, there is no substitute for regular skin checks with a qualified medical professional, but protecting yourself from the sun’s rays can help keep your skin healthy for years to come!

Interested in seeing if HALO might be a fit for you? Contact ARTisan Skin and Laser Center at 605-371-7057 to schedule a consultation today!

See the World Better. See Yourself Better.