Natural Image Orange County Cosmetic Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

skin cancer and pre-cancer

 
About Skin Cancer
One of every three cancers diagnosed in the United States this year will be skin cancer, for a total of more than 700,000 new cases. more...
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery, also called Mohs micrographic surgery, is a precision surgical technique that is used to remove all parts of cancerous skin tumors, while at the same time preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. more...
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis (also referred to as solar keratosis, or AKs) is a sun-exposure condition which displays as thick, scaly, or crusty patches of skin. more...

What you should know about the sun… It causes 90% of all skin cancers:

  • Overcast days are not much safer than those that are sunny, as 70-80% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can get through the clouds.
  • The sun is about 80% stronger when reflected off sand and snow.
  • The sun’s rays increase in intensity about 4% for every 1,000-foot rise in altitude.
  • It’s better to play or engage in sports before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. If that’s not possible, try to avoid being out at high noon.
  • The sun weakens the immune system, reducing your defense against infection.
  • In general, kids can get all the vitamin D they need for strong bones from fortified milk, salmon, vitamin supplements and/or brief, casual sun exposure.



SUNSCREENS Who needs to use sunscreen?
Everyone! More than 4.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed in more than 2 million people annually. Many studies have found an association between sunburns and enhanced risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that, regardless of skin type, a broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays), water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 should be used year-round.

What are UVA and UVB rays?
Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays: ultraviolet (UVA) rays and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays (which pass through window glass) penetrate deeper into the dermis, the thickest layer of the skin. UVA rays can cause suppression of the immune system, which interferes with the immune system’s ability to protect you against the development and spread of skin cancer. UVA exposure also is known to lead to signs of premature aging of the skin such as wrinkling and age spots.

The UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays (which are blocked by window glass) and are the primary cause of sunburn. A good way to remember it is that UVA rays are the aging rays and UVB rays are the burning rays. Excessive exposure to both forms of UV rays can lead to the development of skin cancer.

Read more about sun block and sun damage on Dr. Sikorski's blog>>