19 Mar Spring is Coming Up Roses—Are You Ready?
As spring approaches, everyone is putting away their cardigans in favor of tank tops, sleeveless shirts, shorts, and skirts. It is also the perfect season to schedule your annual mole check at RefinedMD. Although skin cancer has a strong genetic component, it’s also largely environmental. Sun damage is cumulative, although there’s a persisting myth that most sun damage occurs before the age of 18. Exposure to UV rays is the number-one cause of skin cancer, and it can take years after excessive tanning for skin cancer to present itself.
People with fair skin and a generous sprinkling of moles may be more prone to skin cancer, but it can happen to anyone. Preventative measures and early detection are key. Prevention includes wearing sunscreen anytime you are exposed to the sun (even through windows), reapplying it every two hours, and covering the skin when in direct sunlight. Hats and long-sleeved loose-fitting clothing is best. Early detection means getting an annual mole check, which is just as important as an annual physical.
Skin. Care.
Skin cancer is the deadliest of all cancers, but also the most treatable when caught early. Early detection often requires a simple in-office extraction of the mole site and surrounding area. The best method of removing skin cancer sites and dysplastic nevi (unusual moles that may turn into skin cancer) is usually via a scalpel, punch, or freezing-away.
Staying on top of moles is just part of your spring clean routine. For many people with rosacea, this is also the season for flareups with shifting, warmer weather. If you have rosacea, there might not be a “fix” but management is definitely possible.
Rosacea Triggers You Need to Know About
There’s no cure for rosacea, but knowing your triggers is key to minimizing flareups. At our clinic, rosacea clients are equipped with the knowledge and tools to manage the common condition that causes flushing, redness, and sometimes bumps or thick skin. Rosacea usually occurs on the face, which means eye and sinus problems are possible with flareups. There are a few common triggers to be aware of, or to monitor if you’re not sure if they are triggers for you.
Sunlight is one of the most common triggers. While it’s important to always wear sunscreen when outdoors for skin health, sunscreen isn’t going to protect your skin from triggering rosacea. It’s a good idea to wear protective clothing such as a hat and sunglasses. Heat from the sun also has the risk of dilating vessels further, worsening rosacea.
Soothing Tools
Your diet can also play a role. Common food triggers include spicy foods, alcohol, and hot beverages. However, everyone is different, and you might notice that other foods are connected to rosacea flareups. Although hot beverages can be a trigger, studies have shown that regular coffee drinkers actually have fewer rosacea flareups—perhaps because it has natural immunosuppressive effects.
Stress can be a big trigger for many rosacea patients, which is yet another reason why it’s so important to have your own stress management techniques that work for you. Practicing yoga and meditation can help many rosacea patients. However, overly intense exercise is actually a rosacea trigger for many. It’s critical to keep up an exercise routine, but moderation is key as is working out in a cool space to avoid overheating.
Finally, skin care products and some medications are also linked to rosacea outbreaks. Your dermatologist should work with you to choose and customize skin care solutions that achieve your goals while minimizing rosacea flareups. If you’re ready to get started on a customized rosacea management plan, contact RefinedMD today by calling the clinic or filling out the online form.