I have a friend who's foot had a small spot that looked different. It was purple and white and itched. That spot started because a melanocyte had gone out of control. He was informed by his personal physician that he had a melanoma.
Melanocytes are the cells that produce melanin. Melanin gives dark or tan color to the skin. But, when one of these cells gets out of control, it can produce one of the most dangerous cancers known. And more than 52,0007 people are told that they have melanoma every year just inside the United States.
Risks for getting Melanoma
The most common risk factor for melanoma known is over exposure to ultraviolet rays. When melanoma was first studied, it was found that people who worked outdoors had a much higher risk of melanoma. Then it was found out that mostly those who had gotten a sunburn that caused blisters were much more likely to get a malignant melanoma.
People with light skin are much more likely to get melanoma. This might likely be related to the fact that they are more likely to get skin damage by sun exposure. But, this is not a hard and fast fact.
Those who have lots of nevi (moles) are at higher risk for melanoma, especially those who have over 50. Also, those with a particular type of mole called a dysplastic nevus are at higher risk.
Some people have had other skin cancers successfully treated including squamous cell carcinoma. Those people are more likely to get melanoma.
If you have had other people in your family that had melanoma, then you are more likely to get a melanoma as well.
Finally, those who have a weakened immune system get malignant melanomas more frequently. Whether a person has AIDS, an organ transplant needing medications to curtail the immune system or others using those medications, that person will have a higher risk.
One published case exemplified the role of genetics in melanoma. A man who was a chimera got melanoma. A chimera is someone who has different parts of the body having two different sets of DNA. This could be the result when twins are formed and somehow join into one body. This man had large metastatic lumps on one side of his body and none at all on the other!
How to Identify a Malignant Melanoma
The only way to be sure whether a bump on your skin is a melanoma or not is to have your doctor take it off and get it studied by a pathologist. However, there are some ways to know if you should be suspicious of one of those lumps or bumps.
Irregular Border - A melanoma will usually have an uneven border. The average mole has a sharp border. You can point to any spot on your skin and say for sure whether it is part of the mole or not. This is not the case with melanoma.
Asymmetric Shape - The melanoma lesions typically have two halves that don't look like mirror images.
Different Color - Malignant Melanomas often will have different parts of the tumor that have different colors.
Size - most melanomas are larger than other moles. And they also tend to grow and may bleed or itch.
If you have a supicious lesion that you have a question about, get it examined by your doctor early. Getting that tumor removed early gives you a much better chance of a cure. Particularly when the lump is still quite small.
This coming weekend me and my friends will visit the most popular Island (beach) in the Philippines and that's Boracay. And we are ready to have some tan and have some fun. here are some tips on how to have a safe bronze tan that every body wants, not just by soaking up in the sun and get all the sun you want, Its not like that.
Safe Tanning
Everyone loves the look of well tanned and healthy looking skin. But, in order to change your pasty white skin to warm, bronzed and beautiful you need to get a tan! We have all heard of the stigma that surrounds suntans and tanning beds, but the purpose of this article is to help you achieve a beautiful tan safely, not just by soaking up the sun at Boracay beach or other beach resort.
Dangers of Tanning:
You must have read that just by lying out in the sun at Boracay you are soaking up dangerous UV rays that can promote skin cancer. The more that you are exposed to intense sunshine, the greater the chances of complications. If you don't want to resemble an 89 year old person when you're 49, read on for all you need to getting a safe tan!
Best Ways to Tan in the Sun
When you are tanning in the sun, there are several tips that will insure that you tan securely. When just starting out, give yourself a given amount of time tanning and no more. As previously stated, the longer you are exposed to ultraviolet rays, the greater the risk. You shouldn't stay in the sun long enough to get a burn; just long enough to soak up some of those golden rays! Light skinned folks usually must have a shorter time in the sun's rays before they begin to burn, so remember to set a timer, To people with very white skin, do not apply things like butter or baby oil to speed up your tanning. These can speed up serious sun burns with blisters and even bleeding!
Best Suntan Products
When you are looking for suntan products, only apply products that are designed for tanning. Look for products that block the ultraviolet rays (spf) while allowing you to tan. Another thing to do is use a special hydrating lotion before and after your tanning session so your skin won't dry out from the sun. If you're getting rays at the beach, take along some sunscreen so that when your allotted tanning time is up, you can lather it on.
Sunless Tanning
If you would like a great tan without the problems, simply choose a sunless tanning product. A great thing to try is the spray on kind because there is less and lower the risk of uneven tanning in some places like knees, ankles and elbows. Start slowly as well. Rub in an amount just large enough to cover the skin. If you don't tan to the level you desire, you can always add more later, but it's a huge nuisance to remove it if you turn orange or very dark!
Tanning is great and it is great to look at, but if you do not apply these safe tanning tricks, you will end up looking more like a wrinkled old hag or a lobster! Good luck with working on your suntan and always do it safely. Boracay here we come!!!
Summer is here in the Philippines, everybody is out there swimming at the beach, but be careful in going out under the sun, too much sun is dangerous to our skin. Despite this dangers who can resist the lure of a beautiful sunny day on the beach, specially after a dreary stormy weather and for those unluckier ones who barely see and feel the sun because they are sleep at day. The sun enables us to manufacture Vitamin D and luckily for us who live near the equator we get enough sun during our day to day activities. Here are some simple tips too avoid harmful rays from the sun:
- Use sunscreen = A sunscreen will not make you sun proof but its sun protection factor (SPF) represents the degree to which a sunscreen can protect the skin from sunburn. You will still tan even when you use a sunscreen. An SPF of 15 for daily activities and up to SPF 30 for full sun exposure is recommended. Make sure the label reads broad spectrum protection, sunscreen that protects UVA and UVB. Check the water resistance sunscreen that stays on your skin longer even if it gets wet. Water resistant doesn't mean its waterproof, water resistant sunscreen need to be reapplied as instructed on the label. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and repeatedly every 30 minutes to 1 hour, especially when engaged in vigorous activities such as swimming and tanning on the beach.
- Dress with care = Wear clothes that protect your body, cover as much of your body as possible. If you plan to be outside on a sunny day. Wear a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves and long pants. Use an umbrella for shade. And don't forget to protect your lips and your eyes as well, Wear UV protected sunglasses and lip balm with SPF.
- Reduce time in the sun = This is especially recommended from 10 am to 4 pm, when the sun's rays are strongest, Even on an overcast day, up to 80% of the sun's rays can get through the clouds. Stay in the shade as much as possible throughout the day.
A day at the office can subject your skin to stresses and if gotten worst skin cancer, you might be aware of dehydration from heating and cooling systems, ultra violet radiation from fluorescent lighting or unshaded window and prolonged exposure from photocopiers and other office machinery(not to mention what drinking several cups of coffee can do to your skin's hydration level.
The solution? Your first line of defense is a good moisturizer with SPF (sun protection factor) and antioxidants vitamins to help counteract UV radiation. If you sit by a window, ask to have a solar filter instead. If you're near a radiator, get humidifier or place a bowl of water on the radiator to help get some moisture in the air and keep skin more supple.
Avoid pressing the phone or cellphone against your face, a pore clogging habits that's a frequent cause of jawline acne. Disinfect your phone regularly, especially if someone else has used it.
Finally, don't stay glued to your desk all day. Revving up your circulation by taking a walk around the block or even the office can ward of greenish cast. Your skin will improve and you'll feel rejuvenated, ready to face another one on one with your computer or perhaps an evening out having your celebrity skin.
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Our skin is very important. It covers and protects everything inside our body. Without skin, people's muscles, bones, and organs would be hanging out all over the place. Skin holds everything together. It also protects our bodies,helps keep our bodies at just the right temperature and allows us to have the sense of touch.I have listed seven skin bad habits that we do and might do to harm our sensitive skin and some tips to avoid the bad habits for our skin.
1. Addicted to coffee - Coffee is a fantastic perk me-up; but having too much has been said to cause a variety of diseases. Also coffee's main component caffeine, is a known diuretic, meaning that its main function is to basically drain fluid from your system. and we know lack of fluids can be bad to our skin.
Tip: Try apples instead, they are little known as alternative to caffeine, which rely on to wake them up.
2. Addicted to alcohol - Consuming alcohol in moderation is said to provide some protection against heart disease, but it can do various unmentionables to your face. Too much of it constricts blood vessels, resulting in a splotchy-looking face the day after your beer binge.
Tip: Try an occasional glass of wine, and a face cleansing regimen that includes a detoxifying mask.
3. Lack of sleep - We all know there are many factors why we experience the lack of sleep and sometimes we don't pay attention to what it can cause to us. One of it is for our skin, it brings out dark under eye circles, and results in a blotchy complexion the morning after.
Tip: Try taking power naps in the middle of the day, if you do really have trouble falling sleep at night.
4. Addicted to smoking - smoking is the worst thing that you can do ever do to your skin. it not only dries it up, but exacerbates the appearance of pimples and wrinkles, the latter more than 80%.
Tip: Nibbling on a organic banana or potato chips to keep you occupied.
5. Lack of water intake - Not getting enough water daily is a known cause for premature aging. Dehydration causes dry skin and a sallow complexion that, when prolonged can cause wrinkles and infinitely more skin allergies.
Tip: Try to drink more water please its for your own good.
6. Too much make-up - Make-up and beauty products can do wonders for your complexion. But too much of it, specifically for those that are not hypo-allergenic tend to cause unsightly breakouts.
Tip: Try to use always a hypo-allergenic products, and always cleanse your face in the morning before putting make up and at night before you sleep. Exfoliate can do some good things too.
7. Too much Sun - We all know we can get vitamin D from the sun but don't over it, because UVA and UVB rays care seriously damaging our skin, and can lead to ailments to our skin like premature aging and skin cancer.
Tip: Try fake tanners if you really want to have a tan. best time for vitamin D from the sun is before 10 am and the best time to get tan is 2 to 4 pm.
