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Skin care products are everywhere. We can buy them in grocery store and supermarket shelves and in drugstores. It is best to know what to look for in a skin product or things or ingredients to avoid. First most important thing to do is to read the certain product’s ingredients. You can try to avoid petroleum based products as this may clog our pores and not allow it to breathe. Instead you can opt to take an alternative ingredients like jojoba oil, which is closest to the human sebum, green tea as an anti inflammatory and hylaronic acid as alternative hydrator. When you buy sunblock products, make sure the ingredients contain only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients.

The general result of skin cancer is sun exposure. Forty to 50 percent of Americans who live to the age of 65 will have skin cancer at least once. The most common types of skin cancer in the United States are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. These are referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer.
Cutaneous melanoma will develop invasive, approximately one in 60 people during their lifetime. Individuals worldwide who has fair-complexion are prone to have this and environmental factors like excessive ultraviolet radiation. There is also a chance that genetic mutation or inherited cases from parents have a 50/50 chance to be more susceptible regardless of gender.
Genetic testing at present are performed for clinical testing that allows patients to have a long term follow-up.

The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year, representing a growing public concern. Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once.
The two most common types are basal cell cancer which almost never spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body however, cause damage by growing and invading surrounding tissue and squamous cell cancer which is found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is less common but most serious form of skin cancer because it tends to spread (metastasize) throughout the body quickly. The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in the appearance of the skin, such as a new growth or a sore that will not heal.
Some of the Risk factors that cause skin cancer are; exposure to sun. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. The risk of developing skin cancer is also affected by where a person lives. People who live in areas that receive high levels of UV radiation from the sun are more likely to develop skin cancer; age. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun’s damaging effects begin at an early age. Therefore, protection should start in childhood in order to prevent skin cancer later in life; exposure to ultraviolet radiation in tanning booths. Tanning booths are very popular, especially among adolescents, and they even let people who live in cold climates radiate their skin year-round; therapeutic radiation, such as that given for treating other forms of cancer.
Avoiding sun exposure in susceptible individuals is the best way to lower the risk for all types of skin cancer. A good idea for people with higher risk of skin cancer is regular surveillance of susceptible individuals, both by self-examination and regular physical examination. People who have already had any form of skin cancer should have regular medical checkups.

Causes of Skin Cancer

1.Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
2.Sunburn.
3.Heredity.
4.Environment (Cloud cover).

Symptoms of Skin Cancer

1.Change in a wart or mole.
2.Red, tender, flat spot that bleeds easily.
3.Small, fleshy bump with a smooth, pearly appearance.
4.Shiny bump that may look like a mole or cyst.
5.Skin growth that looks like a wart.
6.Patch of skin that feels scaly, bleeds, or develops a crust.

Using the notes you wrote as reference, review your moles for changes, touch for bumps or any painful sensation. Look if there are other skin discolorations. Changes in moles or birthmarks may indicate cancer cell activities.

When Checking moles check for its ASSYMETRY, BORDER, COLOR and DIAMETER, or simply ABCD.

Asymmetry:
Moles are usually round in shape, odd shaped moles are “suspects”, as well as the moles that changed in shape.

Border:
Moles usually has borders which are even. Check the moles for irregularities and uneven edges.
Color:
It is normal for moles to be black or brown in color. But moles which have different shades of brown and black colors may be skin cancer.

Diameter:
Most moles are just about 6 mm or smaller in diameter. If you notice moles getting bigger and bigger it may be cancer.

*If you experience changes or other suspicious markings on your skin you should immediately see a dermatologist.

Scan your body thoroughly

Using the full length mirror, examine your whole body.

First, look at your body in every direction and angle: front and back, your left and right sides.

Second, Your elbows and armpits , as well as your upper arms. Fore arms, palms, and fingernails.

Third, Examine your legs: front back and the sides.

Fourth, Examine your genitals and buttocks. After that move to your feet, check your toenails and soles even spaces between the toes.

Lastly examine your face, neck, ears, and scalp, for areas unreachable by your sight you can touch for moles or get someone to examine it for you.

Be sure to jot down what you have seen and discovered.

To be continued…

Skin cancer, there’s no telling when you’ll get it (if you’ll get it) on top of that it does not inflict pain in developing stages making it difficult for you to detect it right away.
It would be best to search your own body. There is nothing to lose and very little to fear because skin cancer is treatable if found early.
Start by cleaning your body , then you would need to be in a comfortable, well-lighted room a full length mirror, pen and paper and a hand mirror as well.

Check the moles and birthmarks you’ve always had ever since you were born. If you detect something that wasn’t there before, write its location. Even though moles appear randomly in a humans’ lifetime, you still can’t take the possibility that it may be a developing melanoma.

To be continued…

You are safe from cancer as long as you don’t get a sunburn?
The truth is that sunburns make your skin more vulnerable to cancer, BUT UV in sunlight damages the skin whether you get sunburned or not. You can still get cancer even if you avoid sunburns.

The sun has no permanent damage because the skin can quickly regenerate?
Yes the skin can heal the visible damage. This is why sunburns lasts for days. But unknown to us there are underlying damages that accumulates with every exposure to the sun, it is long term and may not be seen immediately. So it is advised to use proper protection (sun block, clothing etc), and still limit direct exposure to the sun even when you are protected. 

A strong dose of sunlight is necessary to maintain a good health?
While it is true that MODERATE exposure to the sun will help in the production of Vitamin D in the skin, it is not advisable to prolong yourself in the sun. Excessive Ultraviolet Rays exposure will most likely raise the risks of you getting skin cancer. A few minutes will do. Eating food rich in vitamin D is a better option,

Skin cancer naturally develops as you age?
It is true that you are more prone to skin cancers as you age. But there are reports about melanoma cases in children and young adults. Which means melanoma can occur to people from all age brackets.