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Sun Damage & Skin Cancer Can Be Prevented!

simulated sun damage

simulated sun damage

Summer is almost here!  New bikini…? check.  Bejeweled flip-flops…?  check. Reading material…? beach towel… ? Done, and done!  Now, is there anything else we’ve missed before we start lounging poolside?

Yes! How could we forget? THE COVER UP!  (Pssst… We’re talking about much more here than the cute sarong you found on discount last week.)

Nothing wreaks havoc on your body’s most prominent organ than the sun. It’s rays are guilty of prematurely aging the skin and increasing your risk of developing skin cancer. While we may strive for that sun-kissed look we see in magazines, just a “kiss” of sun can still do some pretty serious damage. The only way to fight sun damage is to prevent it, and since it’s effects are cumulative, if you’ve already spent a lot of time in the sun, or if you can see visible signs of sun damage, protection is even more critical.

Here are some sun safety tips from the American Academy of Dermatology.

  • Stop intentionally sunbathing.
  • Always wear sunscreen. The FDA recommends a sunscreen that is labeled as broad spectrum (meaning that it protects from UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 15 or higher. For additional FDA sunscreen recommendations click here.
  • Wear a hat with a brim when out in the sun.
  • The sun’s rays are at their strongest between 10 am and 3 pm. Avoid prolonged exposure during these peak hours.

These days we are all getting smarter about protecting ourselves from the sun. But even with the best intentions, residual damage from years of summer fun can still result in premature aging of the skin.  Completely reversing the effects of sun damage may not be possible, but there are many non-surgical aesthetic procedures that can help reduce its visible signs, and restore a more youthful appearance.
Whether or not you are seeing the effects of sun damage,  you could still be at risk of developing skin cancer.  Dr. Elisabeth Potter M.D. is an experienced skin cancer reconstructive surgeon, and urges you to protect yourself before it’s too late.

Dr. Potter offers many non-surgical aesthetic procedures for skin rejuvenation. Call  512-324-2765 to discuss which options are best for you.  

For more info on how to protect your skin, check out the American Academy of Dermatology’s sun skin safety tips.