Skin cancer happens when the cells in the epidermis overmultiply and overgrow due to an error in mutation. An appointment with a dermatologist can help immediately after experiencing skin changes like open sores, reddish patches, moles, and scar-like lesions. A specialist for treating this type of cancer offers quality treatments like cryotherapy and advice on preventing and managing the condition. Here are the three dermatology tips that can help you avoid the risks of carcinoma:
Regular Checkups
Checkups allow a dermatologist to detect early signs of skin cancer and take the right measures to stop its progress. The dermatologist can discover less noticeable skin changes and tailor the treatments before the condition becomes unmanageable. A professional dermatologist may also screen you using a dermatoscope to identify unseen signs of carcinoma.
A dermatoscope is a specialized medical tool that uses a lens and light to illuminate and magnify the skin in suspicious areas and check the condition of skin moles. Some screenings dermatologists conduct to check for this skin condition during appointments include visual exams, biopsies, or mole mapping. Regular checkups also allow a dermatology specialist to remove pre-cancerous growths of lesions, which become carcinomas when left untreated.
Prioritize Sun Safety
Strong sunlight emits some ultraviolet (UV) rays, which damage the cells’ DNA structure, making them grow without control. The rays may also damage the skin’s elastin fibers or collagen protein, minimizing its elasticity and causing premature sagging.
Dermatology specialists advise people with Albinism or those with skin types 1 and 2 to prioritize sun safety. Skin types 1 and 2 are pale and light, making them burn easily when exposed to strong sunlight. Albinism skin is at high risk of carcinoma because it lacks adequate melanin to protect against damage by the sun’s UV rays.
If you have these skin conditions or types, prioritize applying sunscreen with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating. You should also perform your day activities in the early mornings or late evenings when you’re less likely to sustain sunburns. During the day, stay in the shade or use an umbrella to protect your skin. You should also wear sunglasses, a hat, and clothing that covers most of your skin.
Avoid Smoking
Tobacco has harmful carcinogenic chemicals, which can directly alter the DNA structure of cells in the epidermis. The free radicals in cigarettes also cause oxidative stress, which may interfere with cell DNA and cause carcinoma. Smoking for a long period declines the ability of the body’s defense systems to fight cancerous cells on the skin.
Toxins from cigarettes also cause the blood vessels to become narrower, minimizing the ability of the blood to flow properly. Because of inadequate blood flow, oxygen and nutrients supplied to repair skin cells damaged by UV rays are reduced.
Contact a Skin Cancer Specialist
If you have skin cancer in its early stages, a dermatologist can treat it through methods like Mohs surgery and surgical excision. The types of carcinomas a dermatology specialist can treat include melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Schedule an appointment with a professional dermatologist today to learn how to prevent this skin condition.