National Healthy Skin Month | Surgical Associates of Cleveland

Did you know that November is National Healthy Skin Month? This campaign helps raise awareness about the importance of healthy skin, and educates the public about common skin problems such as skin cancer. One large aim of Healthy Skin Month is to inform the public about the ways skin cancer can be prevented through simple lifestyle tips. The Surgical Associates of Cleveland would like to help you take the proper steps to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer among Americans. There are about 1 million people newly diagnosed with skin cancer in the US each year. As much as 20% of Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. While the most common types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, experts estimate that 75% of skin cancer related deaths are caused by melanoma (the third most common form).

Learn more about melanoma here.

Consider these top tips to keep your skin healthy and avoid putting your skin at risk for cancer:

Always use sunscreen.
When sun exposure cannot be avoided, wear sunscreen with an SPF above 15 and apply it 20 minutes before going out into the sun. You should re-apply sunscreen every one to two hours depending upon your activity (how quickly you sweat).

Quit smoking.
Smoking dramatically ages the skin by reducing blood flow and depleting the skin of vital oxygen and key nutrients. It also damages the elastic fibers and collagen in the skin. If you don’t smoke, be mindful to avoid secondhand smoke.

Moisturize regularly.
It’s important to keep your skin hydrated, particularly during the cold weather of winter. Proper moisturization helps retain a youthful glow, and helps prevent skin damage from outward elements. If you moisturize daily, you can help avoid premature aging.

Be smart about skin care.
It’s always best to check with your skin care professional before using new skin care products. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin. Some skin care products may actually contain additives which are damaging to the skin, and even increase your risk of skin cancer.

Visit our website today to learn more about our services, and please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns about skin cancer treatments.