Taking care of your skin’s important not only to avoid premature aging but also to keep your skin healthy.

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and about half of all cancers in the United States are a form of skin cancer. Even making a few small changes can make a big difference.

Catch it Early

The key to beating skin cancer is to catch it early. You can catch cancer in its early stages by going to regular checkups and getting a body skin examination.

If you catch it early enough, you will be able to not only treat cancerous cells, but you will also be able to prevent them from coming back again.

Ninety-nine percent of skin cancer can be cured and your dermatologist will be able to help you to find the best way to remove it.

The Many Different Types of Skin Cancer

There are a number of different skin cancers, and some are classified as melanoma which is more serious than other forms of skin cancer.

Sun Doctor’s dermatologists are one of those who are able to tell whether or not it is a serious form of skin cancer or not which in the end helps an individual to deal with it.

Ways to Avoid Skin Cancer

There are a number of ways that you can avoid getting skin cancer but sometimes even with care, you may still develop a form of skin cancer.

If you notice anything that is unusual such as a strange bump on your skin or if you notice a change in an existing mole you should make an appointment to see your dermatologist right away.

If you spend a lot of time outside you need to make sure that you protect yourself. You need to wear protective clothing and stay in the shade as much as possible.

You should also wear sunscreen any time that you go outside, even in the wintertime or on an overcast day. UV rays will get through clouds and will still be able to damage your skin, even in the colder months of the year.

You also need to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day to ensure that you have proper protection and coverage.

You can also install special UV filtering windows in your home and vehicle so that you can cut down on the amount of UV exposure that you get. Windows can be particularly harmful because they can actually magnify the sun’s rays.

Mind Your Meds

You also need to pay attention to the type of meds that you are taking as certain prescription medications can make your skin more prone to the damaging effects of the sun.

Doxycycline, voriconazole, and diuretics such as Lozol and Microzide are just a few medications to be aware of. If you are unsure about any of the medications that you are taking you can always consult with your doctor or dermatologist.

Watch Your Diet

Your diet is another way that you can protect your skin against the sun’s harmful rays. If you consume a lot of alcohol at an outdoor event or get-together, it will increase the harmful effects of the sun as well as make you more prone to developing skin cancer.

Coffee, on the other hand, has been shown to help lower the rates of non-melanoma skin cancer, so the more coffee you drink, the better off your skin will be, and your chances of developing skin cancer will go down substantially.

Garlic is a great way to boost your immune system, and it is also a great line of defense against the sun and skin cancer.