BEEN SUNBURNED, VISITED A TANNING BED, OR WORKED AS A LIFEGUARD?

As I tell my patients, sun damage is a souvenir of happy times 😄 spent outdoors ⛱️.   So I never scold or shame them about enjoying the sun ☀️ because I love being outdoors as well. But PLEASE be smart and get your skin checked.
 
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month & warmer, sunnier days are ahead of us, so here’s how to protect yourself:
 
Q:  HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET CHECKED?

A:  See your Dermatologist once a year for a fully body skin examination; more frequently if you’ve had lots of sunburns (especially as a kid/teen), visited tanning beds, worked as a lifeguard 🛟, or have a family or personal history of Skin Cancer. It’s also a good idea to check yourself for any new or changing growths.
 
Q:  WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT MY SKIN EXAM?

A:  Prepare to get NAKED. Doctors don’t have Xray vision, so if your doctor looks at you from across the room while you’re fully clothed, they’re not being thorough. Make sure your Doctor checks your WHOLE body, including your SCALP, GROIN, and FEET 🦶🏼. 
 
Q: WHAT ELSE SHOULD BE CHECKED?

A: I also advise my patients to get their EYES 👀 checked because MELANOMA can occur in the eyes, esp if your eyes are LIGHT and you’ve spent lots of time outdoors on the WATER 🌊⛵️ or SNOW ⛷️, which reflect UV rays.
 
Q: IS THERE ANY SUPPLEMENT TO TAKE?

A:  For my patients who’ve had skin cancer already, I recommend a supplement called NICOTINAMIDE.  This B Vitamin has been shown to reduce the risk of future Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma, as well as precancers, in those with a high risk of skin cancer.
 
To find out how to spot skin cancer early, and whether you’re at risk, visit www.skincancer.org for more information by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
 
See you outside!