Reasons To Maintain Proper Skin Screening IN Joliet

June 14, 2011 - PRLog -- In addition to premature aging, excessive sun exposure puts our health at risk. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 1 million cases diagnosed each year. And melanomas cases — the most serious and fastest-growing types of skin cancer — have doubled in the past 20 years.
Around 90 percent of skin cancers occur on the head, neck, ears, lips or hands — those areas that are in the sun most often.
Other factors that play a role in the risk of skin cancer include our age, complexion (light-skinned people have the greatest risk), any prior family history of skin cancer and geographic location of the country (the sunny Southern states are a hot spot for increased risk of skin cancer).
A sunburn can happen anywhere, not just at the park or the pool. You are exposed to sun while driving, through glass windows in your home or reflected off another surface such as concrete, sand or snow.
The good news is that it's never too late to begin protecting your skin. Recent studies by the Skin Cancer Foundation state that the average individual has received only 23 percent of your lifetime sun exposure by age 18 — not 80 percent as formerly thought — so there's always a health benefit to be gained by beginning new habits at any time in life.
Protect your skin
To protect your skin, start with a good sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. The number refers to the product's ability to protect the skin, i.e., the amount of time it takes to burn unprotected skin versus sunscreen-protected skin. For example, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 allows you to spend 30 times longer in the sun without burning.
Be sure to choose a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection, also called a "broad spectrum" sunscreen. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays — ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B rays (UVB) — affect the skin differently.
UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply; causing DNA and collagen damage, and play a significant role in skin aging and in the development of skin cancers. UVB rays, on the other hand, are shorter, more intense rays that cause skin color changes (such as a burn or tan), and can also quicken skin aging. UVB also plays a key role in the development of skin cancer.
Protect your skin all day, but especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the prime time for sunburns. Remember that it's still possible to get sunburn on cloudy days too. Apply plenty of sunscreen (about an ounce, which is the equivalent of a shot glass of lotion), 20 to 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply frequently — about every two hours — particularly after exercise or water activities.
Size, shape and color
Keep an eye on freckles, moles and other spots on your skin, and show any changes to your doctor or dermatologist. Warning signs to look for include a mole, birthmark or brown spot that over time changes color or texture, increases in size or thickness, has irregular outlines, or is bigger than 6 millimeters or a quarter-inch (the size of a pencil eraser).
Also, any spot or sore that itches, hurts, crusts, scabs or bleeds, or an open sore that does not heal should be brought to the attention of your doctor.
Concerned about a suspicious spot on your skin? Visit the American Academy of Dermatology and National Cancer Institute web sites to compare the various types of melanomas and their visual characteristics - then contact your doctor for a skin cancer screening.
You can view examples of malignant melanomas at www.aad.org/public/exams/abcde.html or www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/moles-and-dysplastic-nevi/page9 .
If found and treated early, melanoma has a high cure rate, about 99 percent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Cancer screenings and mole removals are highly encouraged for everyone, but especially those that have lived in high risk situations.  For screenings in the Chicago, Naperville, and Joliet areas, please visit our site and make an appointment with Dr Burt and Dr Will.
Please visit their site for more information on Cancer and Sunburn Damage Screening http://burtplasticsurgery.com

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At Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Laser Centre, our modern procedures are provided in a caring and comfortable atmosphere. At our cosmetic surgery practice in Plainfield and Morris and serving the entire Naperville and Chicago area, Drs. Tripti Burt and Neena Will are experienced providers of facial cosmetic surgery, body contouring, breast augmentation, laser skin care treatments, and a full range of Medspa services. Imagine having the body you’ve always wanted, or being able to enhance your facial features for a natural looking, rejuvenated appearance. Drs. Burt and Will specialize in a full range of services that can help make these dreams a reality. To speak with us about your cosmetic goals, contact Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Laser Centre today.
More can be found here http://burtplasticsurgery.com