Naples Dermatologists specializing in Skin Cancer
H. Ross Harris, MD, is a board certified dermatologist practicing at the Naples Dermatology office. Dr. H. Ross Harris, along with the other dermatologists at Harris Dermatology is committed to using his extensive training to provide Naples Florida residents with the best medical skin care.
Naples Dermatologists: Prevention Tip Number One –
Stay in the shade, especially between 10am and 4pm. This is when the sun’s rays are the most powerful. If you are outside, seek shade under a pavilion or leafy tree and carry a sun umbrella with you.
Naples Dermatologists: Prevention Tip Number Two –
Avoid getting burned while outside. Every single sunburn increases your risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of cancer. Five or more sunburns double your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.
Naples Dermatologists: Prevention Tip Number Three –
Avoid outdoor tanning and UV tanning booths. By now it’s common knowledge that a tan is never safe whether it’s a beach tan or a salon tan. Tanning salon operators often say their new bulbs are completely safe and that minor UV exposure is necessary for vitamin D but neither of these statements is true. In general, it is far safer to get your vitamin D dose through vitamin D rich foods like salmon, fortified milk, orange juice, or dietary supplements.
Naples Dermatologists: Prevention Tip Number Four –
Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Your Harris dermatologist will tell you that clothing is one of your most effective forms of protection from the sun. Densely woven and bright or dark fabrics offer the best defense. To put this into perspective, a plain white t-shirt provides an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of about 5. This means that the shirt lets in about one-fifth of the sun’s rays. In contrast, blue jeans have a UPF of about 1700. The more skin you cover the better. Choose long sleeves and pants whenever possible to help prevent skin cancer.
Naples Dermatologists: Prevention Tip Number Five –
Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how long unprotected skin can be exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet B rays (UVB) before burning. If used correctly, sunscreen with an SPF of 15 would prevent sunburn 15 times longer than if you left your skin bare. These higher SPFs can make a difference for people with skin that is prone to burning, people with photosensitive conditions such as lupus, those taking medications that increase photosensitivity, and outdoor sports enthusiasts who spend a lot of time in the sun. However, a high SPF alone is not enough. SPF protection against UVB, but not against the sun’s ultraviolet A rays (UVA), and new research shows that UVA penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB, causing as much or even more damage.
Naples Dermatologists: Prevention Tip Number Six –
Reapply your sunscreen every two hours or after swimming and excessive sweating. Sunscreen is a great option for protecting your skin but it’s important to remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied throughout the day. After two hours of being out in the sun, sunscreen will start to lose its effectiveness and will have to be reapplied. Sunscreen is also not waterproof so be sure to reapply it after you go swimming or if you have been exercising heavily.
Harris Dermatology Skin Fact: Your skin renews itself every 28 days.
Contact a Naples Dermatologist Today
Harris Dermatology is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm with an office conveniently located in Naples. When searching the web for Naples dermatology or Naples dermatologists, look no further than Harris Dermatology. We will make every effort to give you the best service possible with our expert medical care. Click here for driving directions and a Google map to visit us at Harris Dermatology.