Melanoma often occurs with excessive sun exposure, so the best way to prevent melanoma is to reduce the amount of time you spend in the sun, avoid the sun from 11 am and 4 pmand make sure that you are well protected when you are in the sun, I also recommend exposure to the sun cautiously, choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) from 20 to 50 + according to phototype. It ’s important to apply a generous amount of sunscreen on all exposed skin. Many patients tell me that the using of sunscreens block the tanning, but this is a mistake because even applying 50 + SPF creams a part of the radiation passes through and you can tan gradually within a few days
Children need special attention since sunburns in childood may favor the development of melanoma, so it is recommended to bring children to the beach early in the morning and late in the afternoon, avoiding the central hours of the day. Be sure to reapply sunscreen after swimming or exercising . I also recommend wearing protectiveclothing and sunglasses during the central hours of the day; some companies even sell photoprotective clothing.
The use of hats is recommended in children and bald subjects. Also important is to avoid sunbathing and tanning salons. Studies suggest that artificial sources of UVrays such as tanning beds and sunlamps are as dangerous as sun exposure (in my practice I visited persons utilizing UV lamps every week of the year). Workers exposed to the sun as should wear a the shirt and the hat. Sunblockers should always be used. With the help of mirrors, check your face, neck,ears and scalp. It ’s also important to examine your skin for new skin growths or changes in existing moles every 4 months. When you detect a mole that is irregular in shape or color you must consult your doctor. Annually you must consult a dermatologist who will analyze the skin with dermatoscope. This instrument allows us to analyze moles and to identify atypical moles or melanoma. Moreover, the dermatologist is able to inform patients about the risks of excessive sun exposure, he may inform patients on how to protect their skin from the sun by identifying the phototype and advising a sunscreen.
Website by Dott Nicola Angelotti, Dermatologist, Massa, Italy: E mail: dermatologo@virgilio.it
melanoma prevention
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