May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer in which the melanocytes (the cells that give your skin pigmentation) start to grow abnormally. Although melanoma is treatable when caught early, it is a cancer that can spread quickly, which is why preventing sun damage in the first place is the best recourse.
This coming summer, the team at Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery encourages you to be more proactive about protecting your skin. This is not only important for your health, but also a critical component of keeping your skin looking young for as long as possible.
Why Summer Protection Matters
It’s true that ultraviolet rays are at their most harmful during the summer, but that’s not simply because it’s hotter outside. UV rays are most intense during the summer months because the sun is higher in the sky and passes through less atmosphere to reach your skin.
At the same time, it is important to realize that sun exposure in the colder months can also damage your skin. Some people sustain more sun damage in the winter because they are less inclined to take actions to protect themselves during these months. Protecting your skin year-round is the best approach.
Although not as harmful to your health as melanoma and other forms of skin cancer, visible signs of aging are another consequence of sun damage. UV exposure harms healthy cells, which can accelerate and exacerbate skin laxity, lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
How to Protect Your Skin
The most important habit to incorporate into your daily routine is sunscreen. Anytime you leave the house during daylight hours, you should wear sunscreen with a high SPF. When you can avoid it, it is best not be outdoors during the peek sunlight hours, which are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cover up your skin with clothing, hats, and large sunglasses (specifically lenses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection) to further prevent damage.
Visit Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery to Revitalize Your Skin
If you have accumulated sun damage throughout your life, the good news is that treatments have never been easier and more effective for making cosmetic improvements to your skin. For example, Halo laser addresses age spots and fine lines with less downtime than other laser procedures and RF microneedling restimulates collagen production to improve the tone and texture of your skin.
While these treatments are not a replacement for proper skin protection, they can supplement your routine to rejuvenate your face, neck, and hands. To meet with Charlotte’s best team of aesthetic specialists, please schedule a consultation by calling 704-375-7111.