Assessing the Damage of this Past Summer’s Sun Exposure

Earlier this week, I attended a panel discussion by several leading dermatologists on the dangers of cumulative exposure to the sun. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m the last person to be found basking in the sun. In fact, one of my healthiest addictions is to sunscreen. I’m relentless when it comes to reapplying. Not everyone, however, shares my fear of ultraviolet rays. That’s why now—at summer’s end—is the perfect time to encourage your spa-going clients to schedule a yearly skin screening with their dermatologists to detect any potential skin cancers.

Here are a few sun-savvy facts you should know:

• More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are associated with sun exposure.

• The need for adult Americans to consider past sun exposure and damage has never been greater. Skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer but also one of the most preventable.

• It’s not true that almost all UV skin damage is complete by 18 years of age. It can continue throughout an entire lifetime.

• Actinic keratosis (AK) is one of the earliest warning signs of potential skin cancer and is caused by long-term exposure to the sun’s UV light. They are rough or scaly spots that form on the skin. AKs can vary in shape and color, ranging from red to light or dark tan, pink, or a combination of these colors.For more information, visit www.isitakorok.com.