Dermatology Blog

Today is Melanoma Monday and we want to make sure you know the facts about skin cancer and how to reduce your risk.

RISK FACTORS
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Canada. 1 in 6 Canadians will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, with an estimated 1,050 deaths due to melanoma every year in Canada. The good news is that melanoma is highly treatable when diagnosed early, so you need to be aware of changes in your skin and monitor your skin on a monthly basis.

• Skin Color: Lighter skin types are more at risk, but melanoma can affect anyone.
• Genetics: Those with a family history of melanoma have a higher risk of developing melanoma.
• Environmental: Up to 90% of skin cancers are a result of sun exposure. Sun protection is needed if the UV index is 3 or greater.

PROTECT YOURSELF
UV light in the sun's rays are the number one cause of skin cancer. Here's what you can do to decrease your risk:

• Avoid being out in the sun during peak hours, and when you are outdoors, seek shade and/or wear protective clothing.
• Sunscreen is the LAST line of defense. At minimum, you should be using a broad-spectrum SPF 30. A golf-ball sized amount should be adequate to cover the whole body, but be sure to re-apply every couple of hours, and after any swimming or sweating. Don't skip sunscreen even if it's cloudy, as harmful UV rays can penetrate through clouds.
• Avoid artificial sun! Skip the tanning beds and opt for bronzing creams or lotions instead.
• Familiarize yourself with moles on your body and perform a self-check regularly, paying attention to any changes in size, shape or colour. Make an appointment with us to address questions or concerns.

Make sun protection a new family rule. Watch this cute video and take initiative to protect yourself and your family, 365 days a year.

At Compass Dermatology, we offer comprehensive skin solutions to reverse signs of sun damage, as well as protection.

Neocutis: We've been looking for a new skincare line with a growth-factor to add to our line-up, but hadn't yet found one that had the perfect scent or texture—until now. Neocutis offers intense anti-aging benefits and promotes increased collagen production. The highly potent BioSerum delivers visible skin rejuvenation and is the next big thing to kickstart healthier skin and battle aging. We're giving one of our lucky monthly readers a Neocutis BioSerum Intensive Treatment—congrats to Theresa W.!

SkinCeuticals: Try the CE Ferulic Serum for advanced environmental protection, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The antioxidant properties of the serum neutralize any harmful free radicals that get past your sunscreen, giving you added protection.

LaRoche-Posay: Hydraphase Intense UV is a moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. Hydraphase UV Intense provides long-lasting hydration and protection.

Already done some damage? If you're seeing wrinkles, fine lines and discoloration from sun damage, we offer several ways to reverse these tell-tale signs of aging. Broadband Light Laser targets broken blood vessels and sun spots. Halo is also a fantastic option to reduce brown spots and hyper pigmentation from UV damage. We can also customize a facial peel designed specifically for your concerns. Give us a call and we'll get you on the right path to healthy, happy skin!