With 360 days of sun each year, Arizona is one of the most popular outdoor states in the country. However, there’s a hidden danger, and many families aren’t aware of the full extent of this threat to themselves or their children.

Did you know that as little as 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure can result in lifelong damage to skin? Tanning booths, once thought to be a safe, cause irreversible skin damage that can be especially lethal to teens whose skin is more easily damaged.

Skin cancer is the fastest growing cancer nationally, with more than 1 million cases reported annually. Although it’s perceived as being less dangerous than other cancers, it claims a life every minute. On the positive side, skin cancer is preventable with proper protection that starts early and continues for life.

Most skin cancers are rooted in a lack of protection that occurs during childhood. Over the years, damage compounds and the skin’s ability to repair itself breaks down, leaving a person vulnerable to basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the most deadly, melanoma.  It is very important to note that only one sunburn could lead to cancer.

At Deseret Aesthetic & Lifestyle Institute, we provide free skin assessments using state-of-the-art imaging equipment that painlessly lets us peak under the skin’s surface.  By snapping a picture with our Beau Visage equipment, we see damage to blood vessels, melanin, and any potentially dangerous conditions– all before they are visible to the eye.  With intervention and care, most skin damage can be reversed; even damage that occurred years ago.

To keep safe, use only sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or greater that offers both UVA and UVB protection. Deseret Aesthetic can help you the select highly effective sun care products that won’t cause breakouts, a concern for acne-prone teens, who often avoid sunscreen for this very reason.

You can minimize your risk of skin damage and skin cancer by seeking shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter before you need relief from the sun. To be safe outside, always wear daily sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Your best bet is to protect your skin anytime you’re outside—even when you’re in the shade.

Dr. Gregory Allen, M.D. is the founder of The Shun the Sun Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and fighting skin cancer. As a practicing physician, Dr. Allen is alarmed at the startling rise in skin cancer cases, especially among young people.  A volunteer lecturer at local schools and churches, he sees a widespread lack of awareness regarding the dangers of being out in the sun unprotected.  Arizona has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the nation. He is the medical director of Deseret Aesthetic & Lifestyle Institute, located at 1425 South Greenfield Road, Suite 102, Mesa, Arizona 85206, (480) 832-7546, www.deseretskin.com.  The clinic, which specializes in wellness and anti-aging treatments, offers free cancer screenings and skincare evaluations.

Written by Dr. Gregory S. Allen, M.D.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 3:12 pm and is filed under Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.