ADVICE ON PROTECTING OUR SKIN
Posted by Xanit Internacional Xanit Internacional | Posted in Pediatrics | Posted on 16-06-2015
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As summer is almost here we thought it would be appropriate to mark the occasion by interviewing the Head of the Dermatology and Venereology Unit, Dr. Enrique Herrera, in order that he can advise us how to protect ourselves against the sun.
What is the best way to care for our skin prior to sun exposure?
Maintain healthy habits. The sun is a source of life, when we expose ourselves to it we have to bear in mind our skin tone, the type of activity we are doing outside, and the time of day, in order that we don’t get sunburnt. Methods of solar protection are vital such as wearing a hat, t-shirt, sunglasses, etc. It is also important to consume antioxidents (fruits, vegetables, foods with high vitamin content….) in order to reduce wherever possible the damage that the sun can have on our skin.
Which types of skin are the most sensitive to UVA rays?
Those people with the palest skin are those who suffer most. The lighter our skin colour the faster we burn, and the less time we can be exposed to the sun. Regarding children, prior to 3 years of age children should not be exposed directly to the sun, and definately not without sunscreen. At this age the skin has not yet developed the capacity to defend itself from ultraviolet radiation.
If our skin has a lot of moles, when should we go to see a specialist?
Those persons who have more than 40 moles, a personal or family history of melanoma, or those who have noticed a change in one of their moles (shape, color, edges, diameter, rasised…), should visit a doctor to get it checked out.
What is a melonoma?
Melanoma is the generic name given to melanic or pigmented tumours. It is a form of cancer which begins in the melanocytes (the cells which make the melanine pigment). This can start out as a mole (cutaneous melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues such as the eye or the intestines. It is highly invasive and has a capacity to generate metastasis.
Apart from skin cancer, what other conditions are we susceptable to if we don’t protect ourselves properly?
The list would be extensive, however nowadays the most frequent are probably sun intolerences (known commonly as allergies to the sun), and all of the pathologies which derive from photoaging (stains, wrinkles, extreme dryness of the skin …etc)
5 tips in order to care for our skin?
- Use a sunscreen suitable for our skin type
- Use moisturisers for cutaneous hydration
- Use soaps suited to our skin type
- Provide our bodies with antioxidents
- Maintain a balanced diet
Head of the Dermatology and Veneriology Unit