Don't get caught up in rising skin cancer rates

 

Melanoma rates are on the rise, and just because you have African American skin doesn't mean you're safe from the sun's harmful UV rays. MSNBC reports that a new study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings finds that rates of skin cancer have soared in the U.S., and young women ages 18 to 39 are particularly at risk of developing this disease. In response to the news, all women should protect themselves from the sun this summer.

Female First offers some suggestions for staying sun safe, and some of them you may not have thought of before. For example, some women may be at a higher risk of skin cancer for a number of surprising factors.

"If you are taking prescription medication, ensure that you check the labels to see if they affect your body's reaction to the sun and heat, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you are pregnant, ask your doctor about the potentially harmful effects of heat, sun and fatigue," according to the news source.

Also, simply applying SPF in the morning before you leave the house is not enough. You should reapply every four hours or so, especially if you are on the beach and going into the water. Remember, you need at least two tablespoons of sunscreen on each body part. 

Eliminate dry skin before summer

 

Summer is almost in full swing, and yet you may still have dry, cracked African American skin caused by winter winds. When you're getting ready to break out the bathing suit, the last thing you want is to have flaky, scaly skin on the beach. Recently Hello magazine recently published an article offering some tips on how to get rid of dry skin before summer.

First, the news source stated it's good to have a fine-grained body scrub. You can even make your own by mixing sugar, lemon and honey. Next, they offered tips for how to improve your skin while you sleep.

"Top tip before bedtime: don’t forget to smother hands and feet in your favourite body cream and pop on some cotton socks and gloves for instant hydrated skin by morning," according to the information provider.

Women's Health magazine suggested using a baby's washcloth on the skin after exfoliating, since these are usually softer and more gentle than other ones. The news source also recommended applying a soothing aloe mask on your face twice a week. This may help rehydrate the skin and reduce inflammation.

Get ready for summer with skin cancer protection

 

Summer is almost here, which means it's time to protect your African American skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. There are many ways to do this, such as buying an African American skin care product that contains SPF. Recently, Fox News published an article explaining some of the basics of skin cancer prevention.

The news source stated that seeking shade during midday hours, when the sun is at its peak, is an important part of keeping your skin safe. Also, you should learn how to spot a mole that needs attention from a dermatologist.

"Although brown spots and moles are typically harmless, atypical moles can be an early sign of melanoma. Cancerous moles may be asymmetrical, have uneven borders, vary in color, have a diameter larger than one-fourth of an inch and evolve over time," according to the news source.

The information provider added that caucasians are ten times more likely to develop skin cancer than African Americans. However, the National Cancer Institute states that African Americans are often diagnosed when the cancer has reached an advanced stage, when there is less chance of successful treatment. This is why it's important to protect your skin and visit a doctor if you notice a suspicious spot. 

Do you have your summer sunglasses?

 

Protecting your African American skin in the summer is important, considering that increased exposure to the sun can contribute to skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunglasses are a good way to protect your eyes and the skin around them from UV rays.

Recently, Bold Sky published an article with tips on picking the right sunglasses for this season, and what makeup you can wear with your frames .

"If you are wearing spectacles or sunglasses, your under eye dark circles will be clearly visible. So, do not forget to apply a concealer and hide the dark spots under your eyes," according to the news source.

The information provider also recommended keeping your complexion in mind when choosing sunglasses. They said that lighter shades look great on dark skin, such as yellows or light blues. Of course, black frames are classic and can go with any type of complexion.

Also, you may want to keep your foundation with you when you are out wearing sunglasses. That way, you can cover up any marks on your face that the glasses leave behind when you take them off.