Have a question? This line is open until Friday, April 29th. Our expert will then answer the top questions and we’ll post the answers right here and on our Facebook Page.
Q: What should I know about skin care?
A: Skin care products are not subject to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their benefits may not be adequately tested and their claims may be exaggerated. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations for skin care products that have strong science behind them and have been proven safe and effective in human studies.
For day, wear sunscreen and consider using product containing antioxidants because they have sun-protection properties. At night, consider using products containing retinoids, peptides or growth factors for their repair properties.
Q: Do I need to wear sunscreen every time I go outside?
A: Wear sunscreen every day. Sunscreen does more than prevent sunburn. Daily use of sunscreen throughout your life can reduce signs of aging such as age spots and fine lines as well as significantly decrease your risk of developing skin cancer.
Newer sunscreens eliminate that sticky or gritty feeling, and many products feel comfortable under makeup.
Dermatologists recommend wearing a sunscreen that offers and SPF of atleast 30 and broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays
Broad-spectrum protection (shields skin from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays).
Q: What are the warning signs for skin cancer?
A: Get to know your skin. If something is bleeding or doesn’t look right, see a dermatologist.
Look for the ABCDEs:
- Assymetry: one half is unlike the other half
- Border: An irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border
- Color: Varied from one area to another, has shades of tan, brown, or black; or is sometimes white, red or blue
- Diameter: Melanomas usually are greater than 6mm (the size or a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller!
- Evolution: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.