Earlier this week, it was revealed that Sarah Ferguson had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The diagnosis of cancer was made after several moles were removed and analyzed on the advice of his dermatologist. Advanced tests are currently being carried out to determine whether the cancer was detected at an early stage.
Keeping track of your moles (size, shape, color and texture, as well as new moles) can be critical for early detection of malignant melanoma; If you are worried about anything, see your doctor or have a mole check. dermatologist.
But moles aside, you may also want to take a look at what you do on a daily basis to help protect your skin from cancer. Here’s what some of the UK’s top dermatologists say…
Use SPF every day
London-based NHS consultant dermatologist Dr. “The official advice from NHS England is that you should only apply sun protection between April and October, when the UV index is above three, which you can check from your phone,” says Cristina Psomadakis. .
However, like every other expert we spoke with, he recommends getting in the habit of applying sunscreen year-round, as UV rays are present year-round and if you’re outside, or even just near a window. UV dose.
“In winter you apply sunscreen not to prevent burning, but to prevent cumulative UVA exposure, which leads to skin aging and the development of some skin cancers,” explains consultant dermatologist Catriona Maybury. Maybury is also the medical director of skin care brand Dermatica.
The best SPF is the one you will use
Consultant dermatologist Dr. You want a product that protects against both UVA and UVB, as Angela Tewari explains: “The initial dose of sunburn, usually from UVB, is followed by a spreading, steady stream of sunburns that can occur through clothing, resulting in certain skin cancers.” It is the UVA dose.” Like melanoma.”
He also recommends using SPF50, which may sound high, but he points out that since most of us don’t apply enough, “most of the time you really only get a quarter of it.” (You want two finger lengths for the head and neck, then for each arm, the same for the front of each leg.)
Don’t worry about whether your sun protection is “chemical”, also known as organic; or “physical” – also known as inorganic or mineral, this sunscreen is more likely to leave a chalky streak, especially on darker skin. Instead, skin cancer researcher Dr. Jason Thomson, chief medical officer of skincare company Skin + Me, recommends: “Look for a sunscreen that you enjoy using and like the way it feels on your skin.”
Sacrificing SPF50, £5.25; L’Oréal Revitalift Clinical SPF50+ Invisible Fluid, £9.99, Boots; Bioderma Photoderm Cream SPF50+, £12, essential
Don’t forget to reapply
“Generously apply sunscreen to all sun-exposed areas, ideally 20 minutes before sun exposure and approximately 15 to 30 minutes after sun exposure,” says Dr Thomson. “This helps cover any patches you missed and makes up for the fact that most of us don’t apply enough. Reapply every few hours if you are in the sun, after swimming, exercising, sweating and towel drying.
But Dr, consultant dermatologist and surgeon at Guy’s Hospital in London. “There’s no need to reapply when you’re indoors, unless you’re near a window,” says Magnus Lynch.
Dr Tewari likes to complement invisible sunscreen sprays that can be applied over makeup during winter months. “These can add some moisture to the skin, keep you feeling hydrated, and also provide sun protection.”
Try the following selections:
Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Unscented Sunscreen Face Spray, £8.99; Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Face Sunscreen Mist SPF50, £11.99, super drug; Ultrasun UV Face and Scalp Spray SPF50, £15.40, Sephora
Be mindful of other steps in your routine
“Topical retinoids, retinol, or any product that affects the skin barrier (such as the acids found in skin peels or laser treatments) can temporarily increase your chance of burning, so be extra careful to reapply sunscreen frequently after a procedure,” says Dr Maybury. .
“While it is sensible to avoid these treatments 48 hours before exposure to intense sunlight, there is no evidence that they increase the risk of melanoma,” says Dr Lynch.
What is ‘safe’ time in the sun?
“There is no ‘safe’ level of sun exposure, as the risks of skin cancer caused by sunlight exposure are cumulative,” says Dr Lynch.
However, Dr Psomadakis agrees that there are benefits to staying outdoors in the sun and therefore recommends the use of protective hats and clothing, as well as sun protection.
Above all, avoid burns, which increase your risk of skin cancer. As for the argument that you need to get a dose of sun to boost your vitamin D levels, it says that in the UK most of us don’t get enough vitamin D from the sun alone, so supplementation is recommended.
BetterYou D4000 Vitamin D Daily Mouth Spray, £9.95
Red – or clear – be extra careful
“Darker skin types contain something called Eumelanin, which acts as protection around the DNA of the cells in your skin,” says Dr Tewari. “This means darker skin types can stay outdoors a little longer, but they’re still prone to skin cancer and should still use broad-spectrum SPF50.”
Conversely, Dr Tewari explains that redheads tend to have skin that contains something called Pheomelanin, which can actually cause more skin damage.
“They should use sun protection that contains antioxidants, especially polypodium leucotomos, which really helps reduce the sunburn threshold.”
Leeds-based NHS dermatology registrar Dr. “Red hair is also associated with a variation in the MC1R gene, which affects the type of melanin pigment they produce, and is associated with increased melanoma,” says Sina Ghadiri. So while everyone should be careful about the sun, if you’re pale or have red hair, you’ll need to take extra precautions.