Celebrate National Healthy Skin Month This November!

The month of November may bring Thanksgiving to mind, but did you know that November is also National Healthy Skin Month?

Launched by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) in November 1997, National Healthy Skin Month is designed to encourage Americans to learn more about skincare and “adopt habits that can lead to a lifetime of healthier skin, hair, and nails.” And, if you’re wondering why hair and nails are included in this designation, it’s because they join with skin to form the integumentary system, the body’s outermost layer.

The cosmetic surgeons—Drs. Paul Gardner, Leo Baccaro, Mark Walsh, and Andrew Bonett—at Naples Plastic Surgery—join with the AAD and dermatologists to promote this healthy skin outreach because of their first-hand experience repairing damaged skin. With plenty of bright sunshine, southwest Florida-area residents face a high risk of skin cancer. By participating in National Healthy Skin Month, Naples Plastic Surgery can help people avoid the need for skin cancer removal and reconstruction. Read on to learn more about the importance of taking care of your skin and tips to help optimize your skin’s health.

Why You Need to Take Care of Your Skin

Your skin is the largest and heaviest organ of your body. It is considered an “organ” because its collection of tissues and cells performs essential functions on behalf of the entire body. These functions include protection, sensation, and regulation. Weighing in at about six pounds, your skin is a protective layer over all other bodily systems. It also contains millions of nerve endings that allow us to sense temperature, pressure, texture, and other feelings. Based on these sensations, the skin regulates our body temperature through blood flow management within the skin and by sweating.

As a protective barrier, the skin faces many threats during one’s lifetime, with skin cancer being the most serious. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that skin cancer is the most common cancer among people in the U.S. and worldwide. Thus, National Healthy Skin Month focuses mainly on skin cancer prevention. Some other skin cancer facts and statistics include:

• More than 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every day and one in five will develop skin cancer by age 70.
• Two or more Americans die every hour due to skin cancer.
• Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, with about 3.6 million cases diagnosed annually.
• Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer, with 1.8 million diagnoses per year.
• Melanoma is diagnosed in almost 200,000 Americans per year.
• About 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are linked to exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun and tanning beds.
• Between 80-90% of melanomas are linked to UV exposure.

Some Healthy Skincare Tips

By practicing healthy skincare routines, you can help prevent skin cancer and promote the healthy appearance of your skin. This holds especially true with skincare tactics designed to protect you from UV exposure, as the cumulative sun exposure over the years is largely responsible for the look of aging skin. Key tips for practicing healthy skincare during National Healthy Skin Month and every month of the year include:

• Apply an SPF 30 sunscreen to your exposed skin daily.
• Inspect your skin regularly for any changes to the appearance of moles and other spots.
• If you have a family history of skin cancer, numerous moles and/or freckles, fair skin, or red hair, consider seeing a dermatologist annually.
• Keep your body well hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day.
• Use skin moisturizers to help lock in the skin’s moisture
• Wash your face daily with a gentle cleanser.

Turn to Naples Plastic Surgery for Your Skin Cancer Treatment

We trust that these tips will help you avoid skin cancer and maintain your skin’s youthful appearance. If you notice any abnormal skin growths, bumps, sores, white patches, or other discoloration, get it checked out by a medical professional. Our Plastic Surgeons at Naples Plastic Surgery can diagnose any skin irregularities and perform skin cancer removal and skin repairs designed to maintain your skin’s beauty and limit scarring. To learn more, contact Naples Plastic Surgery today at 239.566.2611 to schedule your initial consultation.