Save My Skin!

May 20, 2011
Save My Skin!
Now that warm weather is here to stay, it’s tempting to grab your towel, shades and e-reader and spend weekends lounging in the sun. But first, you may want to give your skin a second look.

Between ozone layer depletion and global warming, our skin is more at risk than ever. Approximately 29,000 American women get skin cancer every year, and women are twice as likely to develop melanoma as men until the age of 39. How can we stay healthy – and keep our skin looking its best? 

 Recording how moles look by photographing them once a year and comparing them to last year’s photos is an easy method that could save your 

life. “By doing this, you can be alerted to changes to moles on your body,” expert dermatologist Dr. Tess Mauricio tells PINK.

“This is great for areas that are hard to see, like your back or legs,” says Mauricio, who also suggests consulting your dermatologist right away if you notice any changes.

Want more?

Since merely driving or walking to and from your car exposes skin to damaging UV rays, Mauricio suggests wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Try Skin Medica’s Environmental Defense or Neutrogen’s Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch – the formulas are light enough to wear everyday.

To measure how high your risk of skin cancer is, check out this quiz from Health A to Z to determine your risk factors.

Bonus PINK Link: Check out more ways to prevent premature aging and skin cancer.

By Caroline Cox

“I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.” Unknown