Skin Care Tips

Skin Care Tips

The sun and hot temperatures can come with risks to your skin. Sun damage can lead to premature skin aging, wrinkles and even skin cancer. Led by Dr. Kevin Dawson, Dr. Douglas Chun, and Dr. Sarah Grekin, Dawson Dermatology in Honolulu, HI offer a range of dermatological services to their patients. Here are 7 skin care tips for maintaining healthy skin.

1. Clean and moisturize your skin. You may shower more often during the summer, but harsh soaps can remove protective oils from your skin, so limit your shower time and use warm water - not hot water- to avoid drying out your skin. Apply moisturizer to your skin soon after showering.

2. Avoid the sun during peak hours. Avoid the sun during the peak hours of UV radiation, from 10 am and 4 pm. This is the time the sun’s rays are most intense and damaging. You want to avoid getting sunburns because they increase the chances of skin cancer. If you're outdoors during peak hours, seek shade under a large umbrella, tree, or other shelters.

3. Use sunscreen every day. Sunscreens are designed to reduce your risk of skin cancer. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, on both clear and cloudy days. Put it on about 20 minutes before you go outside. Apply sunscreen to all bare skin. Reapply every two hours, or after sweating or swimming.

4. Rinse your skin after you swim. Both salt water and chlorinated water can dry outy our skin. Always wash or rinse after a swim to remove residues which may later react in the sun or interfere with your sunscreen.

5. Know the risks of tanning. Tanning bed sessions and sunbathing increase your chances of damaging your skin and getting skin cancer. Self-tanners can give your skin a sunkissed look without exposing it to harmful UV rays. Self-tanners are commonly sold as sprays and lotions you apply to your skin. Professional spray-on tanning is also available.

6. Do a skin self-exam. Examine your skin head-to-toe every month, so you can find any changing or new lesions that might be precancerous or cancerous. By examining your skin once a month for spots that might be signs of skin cancer, and bringing those changes to your dermatologists' attention, you can play a key role in protecting the health of your skin.

7. Get a skin cancer screening. Get a professional skin exam, or skin cancer screening, at least once a year. A skin cancer screening is a visual inspection of your skin by a healthcare professional. Annual skin exams are the key to diagnosing the disease at an early stage.

Ready to take control of your health? A professional skin exam could save your life! If you need a skin cancer screening, call Dawson Dermatology at 808-599-3780 right now to schedule an appointment in Honolulu, HI. You will experience exemplary service and state-of-the-art care at Dawson Dermatology.

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