Your epidermis is showing — so take care of it

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It is delicate, yet self-sufficient. It’s resourceful, but sensitive. And though beauty is certainly more than skin deep, proper care of your exterior is essential.

Here are three common skin problems — and solutions — for you to put your finger on.

Acne — at any age
Teens aren’t the only ones who battle pimples.

“About 30 percent of my acne practice is women over 40,” says Dr. Richard Parkinson, a Provo dermatologist. “For them acne is a long-term problem — it’s distressing.”

For patients with just a few pimples that come and go, Dr. Parkinson suggests ignoring them. But six or more acne cysts or legions requires attention.

Hormonal changes from pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and starting and stopping birth control are frequently the cause of acne. Other factors are bacteria, medications and heredity.

Dr. Parkinson offers a number of approaches for fighting acne. Tweaking a woman’s hormones with birth control pills or a hormone-blocking agent will often clear the complexion. Topical prescription medications like tretinoin (Retin-A), clindamycin (Cleocin T), and benzoyl peroxide are another option.

If patients require further treatments, oral medications like isotretinoin (Accutane) may be introduced. Dr. Parkinson also recommends light therapy treatments for those reluctant to take medicine.

Skin cancer
More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. Current estimates show that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

“Skin cancer is the most common cancer,” Dr. Parkinson says. “And it can be a nuisance or it can be very dangerous. About once a week we see a very dangerous cancer, and 20 times a week we see those that are potentially dangerous if not treated. It’s a bad thing. Melanoma is a killer.”

There are three major forms of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are slow growing and highly treatable if found early. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer.

Sun-exposed parts of the skin are most susceptible to skin cancer, and all skin tones are at risk. The appearance of skin cancer depends on its type, but here are a few things to watch for.

• A pearly or waxy bump on the face, ears or neck
• A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion on the chest or back
• A firm, red nodule on the face, lips, ears, neck, hands or arms
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface on the face, ears, neck, hands or arms
• A large brownish spot with darker speckles
• A simple mole that changes in color, size or feel, or one that bleeds
• A small lesion with an irregular border and red, white, blue or blue-black spots on the limbs or trunk
• Shiny, firm, dome-shaped bumps

Skin cancer initially forms in the skin’s top layer, and the biggest cause of the disease is UV light, which means it’s preventable. Protecting yourself from UV rays may require new habits, but it can be simple — and life-saving.

• Avoid the sun’s rays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — no matter the time of year. UV radiation is strongest during these hours, and both sunburns and tans cause skin damage.
• Wear sunscreen on all exposed skin. Sunscreen should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before heading outside and reapplied every two hours after (more frequently if you’re swimming or exercising).
• Wear protective clothing, including sunglasses and a hat.
• Never visit a tanning bed — the UV rays emitted from tanning beds penetrate deeper into the skin and cause precancerous lesions.
• Know your medications. Some prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs enhance the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.

Signs of age
The main cause of wrinkles is hard to avoid — it’s simply a part of aging. Skin gets thinner and less elastic as you age, so it’s more prone to damage. Genetics and time in the sun are big factors in deciding your skin’s texture in your older years.

If your wrinkles bother you enough to seek treatment, be comforted that modern medical advances are on your side.

“Dermatologists now have a whole cupboard full of things to offer patients — peels, laser resurfacing, prescription medications that cause the skin to rejuvenate, and Botox to eradicate wrinkles,” says Dr. Parkinson.

Another new treatment is biological fillers made from a natural chemical that can be injected into the skin to semi-permanently fill in deep creases and wrinkles.

“It gives the skin a more youthful, filled-out appearance,” Dr. Parkinson. “It’s wonderful and you don’t have to be subject to a plastic surgeon.”

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