It’s a fact, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer accounting for about half of all the cancers in the U.S.. It’s also a fact that skin cancer is beatable and treatable if detected early. Here are some tips to help keep you and your family safe.

• Check your birthday suit on your birthday. Don’t become a statistic. Give yourself the gift of healthy skin and schedule an annual skin exam with a board certified dermatologist.
• Avoid tanning beds. Research has found that exposure to tanning beds prior to age 35 increases one’s risk of developing melanoma by 76%. Like a tan? Consider using a sunless tanning product to achieve that golden glow.
• Generously apply a water-resistant broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. Re-apply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved sun shirt, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with ultraviolet protection.
• Seek shade when possible.
• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet.

Dr. P Medical

The most up-to-date information on sunscreen safety was recently published by the Environmental Work Group (EWG) in its 5^th Annual Sunscreen Guide. Surprisingly only 39 out of 500 beach and sport sunscreens earned a “green” rating for safety. The remaining 92% of sunscreens scored either a “yellow” or “red” rating due to one or more of the following:

• An SPF rating of over 50, which tends to give consumers a false sense of security and encourages the user to stay out in the sun longer than advised.
• The sunscreen contains a form of vitamin-A called retinyl palmitate, which FDA studies suggest may actually accelerate skin damage and cancer risk.
• The suncreen contains oxybenzone, which is a hormone-disrupting compound that is absorbed into the skin and enters the bloodstream.
• The sunscreen product is in the form of a spray or powder that may be harmful to breathe.

Want to see how your favorite sunscreen ranked? Visit www.ewg.org/2011sunscreen

Dr. P Cosmetic, Medical

Absolutely not! It just means being smart about it. The best defense against getting too much harmful UV radiation starts by selecting a good suncreen  that provides broadspectrum  UVA & UVB protection. My personal favorite is ELTA MD’s Sport with SPF 50. Be sure to reapply every 2 hours and wear protective clothing when possible. For more information on sunscreens and sun safety please  visit www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen

Dr. P Medical

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer accounting for approximately half of all the cancers  in the United States. According to the statistics of The American Cancer Society, over 10,000 people  die from skin cancer each year and 1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.  Skin cancer is especially dangerous due to the fact that everyone is at risk for it, no matter what skin type they have. As Floridians, our risk is even greater because of our increased and prolonged exposure to the damaging rays of the sun. For this reason, I encourage all my patients and all Central Floridians to get in the habit of getting their “birthday suits checked on their birthday”.  For patients who have  a history of skin cancer or pre-cancers, I recommend a skin exam once every 6 months. These exams are typically covered by insurance. However, I do offer free screenings several times per year as part of my on-going commitment to skin cancer prevention. It’s a fact, skin cancer is beatable and treatable if detected early.  When it comes to skin cancer, there is simply no reason anyone should become a statistic.

Dr. P Medical

Mineral make-up IS all the rage and rightfully so.  At my office, we carry GLO Minerals as we believe it to be the gold-standard in mineral-based cosmetics. Our patients absolutely love it and this is why  – Mineral makeup consists purely of minerals and pigments found in nature.  GLO Minerals is all-natural and free of ingredients that can harm the skin. It is non-comedogenic  which means that it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts. Additionally, mineral makeup foundations and powders are considered physical sunscreens because they utilize physical blockers such as titanium dioxide to reflect the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Natural ingredients, like mica, make mineral makeup a good choice for sensitive or easily irritated skin types as well. It’s even safe to use a couple weeks after non-invasive treatments like chemical peels or laser procedures.

Dr. P Aesthetic, Cosmetic