*Okay, technically "aging" should not be described as a disease...but for my purposes I'm talking not about pre-mature aging due to pollution, UV rays, chemicals, and improper skin care.
As you may be aware from one of my previous posts, the sun is our enemy. If you want a clear complexion, no sun spots (I already have two <gasp>), reduced fine lines and wrinkles (these can begin appearing in your 20s - I have one line!) , and a lower chance of skin cancers , then you should protect yourself. There is no doubt about it that the UV rays from the sun ARE a carcinogen. They WILL cause wrinkles, and they WILL cause cancer.
Obviously, there is no justification to yourself for going to the cancerbeds either (aka tanning beds - shame to you if you are still tanning and are reading this, for you should know better). No matter what false advertisements the tanning industry tells you "our beds only contain UVA not UVB" or "tanning in our beds is healthier then tanning outside" or "this is a great way to get vitamin D" I hope you all are more intelligent than that and realize that all UV rays cause damage to your skin, they break down the fibers that hold your skin together (causing wrinkles), and you will most likely get enough Vitamin D by having your wrist exposed outdoors during the walk to your car when you go the grocery store and around class. (less than 20-30 minutes-according to my dermatologist, and a few journal articles I've read from those who have written about it)
So if you are still tanning you must only be doing it because you want to keep my future dermatology clinic in practice. . . just kidding... It's so kind of you to think of me, but guess what that equals for you as I cut out the melanoma from your face or back? Lots of these $$$$$$$$ and you also could be the 1 person that dies every hour from melanoma.
For your viewing pleasure I have attached a youtube video of melanoma being removed from by favorite dermatologist vlogger : Dr. Schultz.
Here's one of many stories where it wasn't so easy to just "remove the mole" and save a life. Skin cancer is still cancer - it's not just a mole.
I just pulled this from her family's Youtube video found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYO-XNP8z_M Check it out if you want to meet her and watch her family hug her after surgery.
"Katie is 29 year old with stage 4 melanoma. started as a mole on her arm in 2006. two years later,in 2008, just two weeks after she has her second baby, there was a lump in her armpit the size of a pingpong ball. She had lymph nodes removed from her armpit, two weeks later had to have the same surgery. One clinic trial later, travailing 300+ miles away from home and her children, it spread to the lungs with two tumors in the right lung. After, having the surgery and the hardest recovery of 3 months, she finally felt she was over the biggest hurdle of all.....but not so, just 4 months later, the cancer spread again. 4 weeks before Christmas, she was sent to the ER with horrible headaches, finding another tumor in her brain. Couple days later she was thrown into another surgery,not knowing if she would wake up being the same person she was before....recovery was easy compared to the others...went home the very next morning with headaches and feeeling great! But again the cancer haunting her, two weeks later had another surgery to remove an ovary. This tumor was 8cm, causing her to look as if she was 4 months pregnant. It was pushing so much on my other organs causing pain and discomfort. Recovery was okay, couldnt sit up herself, they had cut through her belly button. Made it home in time for Christmas though, and was so happy to be with family!! Scans done in January showed over 100 spots (took a trip to Disneyland, doctors orders), the doctors were trying to turn her weeks into months at this point. The time had come where, it was close to saying goodbye. Started new chemo that has shown many tumors shrinking in size. 10+ rounds of chemo and 3 rounds of radiation...she is still alive today and continues to fight everyday of her life!!! NEVER give up hope!!!"
Prevention:
Sunscreen everyday + sunglasses that protect against 100% UV rays when it's sunny are your best bet. Also, for heaven's sake don't smoke!!
Proper skin care will help fight pre-mature aging. Since I'm not a doctor, I'll let Dr. Schultz describe the best skin care for each decade in his short clips (about 3 minutes long each). Subscribe to his Youtube channel for more fun info sessions.
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