According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, over nine thousand people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day and more than two people die every hour from the disease. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the United States than all other cancers combined, and according to the Cancer Statistics Center, 9,640 new cases of skin cancer have been diagnosed in Florida so far in 2023.
There are things we can start practicing now to protect ourselves. Dr. Bertha Baum, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon from Aventura Dermatology & Aesthetics (with offices in Aventura, Hallandale and Boca Raton), provides insight on how to best protect our skin.
Baum explains there are three main types of cancer: basal cell carcinoma (the most common), squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The latter is the most dangerous type, as it can spread to other parts of the body if not caught early.
“Skin cancer is usually caused by long-term exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. In addition, other factors might increase the risk, such as having fair skin, a history of sunburns, a weak immune system and a family history of skin cancer,” says Baum, 40. “It’s important to protect the skin from the sun’s UV rays by wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen and avoiding the sun during peak hours.”
Baum provides an example of a basic morning skin care routine:
- Start by washing your face with a cleanser that suits your skin type. Gently massage the cleanser into your skin with your fingertips, then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Apply a lightweight serum to your face and neck to address any specific skin concerns, such as fine lines or hyperpigmentation (a condition that makes some areas of the skin darker than others). Baum recommends applying vitamin C.
- Follow up with a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and protected from environmental stressors. Choose one with SPF for added sun protection.
- If your moisturizer does not contain SPF, apply a separate sunscreen to your face and neck to protect your skin from UV damage.
“It’s important to note that everyone’s skin is different, so you may need to adjust this routine to suit your skin’s specific needs,” she says. “Additionally, a consistent skin care routine combined with a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise and sufficient sleep can help maintain your skin health over time.”
Baum recently shared on her Instagram account a picture of her at 27, stressed and exhausted while finishing medical school alongside another image of her at 39 after filler treatments and a great skin care routine. “Trust me, treatments work!” she posted.
For a better skin care routine, she recommends everyone to have an antioxidant, a broad-spectrum sunscreen and a retinol that your skin tolerates.
It’s never too early or too late to start taking care of your skin. Baum says that, while it’s ideal to establish a basic skin care routine in your teens and early twenties (since that’s when many people experience acne or other skin concerns), as you approach your thirties and beyond, one could start incorporating anti-aging products like serums and moisturizers with retinoids or peptides. She stresses the importance of continually using sunscreen to protect skin from the sun, as UV damage can lead to premature aging and skin cancer.
“The best age to start taking care of your skin is now. No matter what age you are, a consistent skin care routine combined with healthy lifestyle habits can help keep your skin looking and feeling its best.”
Photo courtesy of Dr. Bertha Baum