Your skin is the largest organ in your body and often serves as the first defense against infections and injuries. So it’s no surprise that dermatologists promote that its protection is extremely important to your health.

“UV light exposure increases the risk of developing skin cancers such as melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma,” said Dr. Aho Meydaniinterim division chief of dermatology at the Cambridge Health Alliance” It also damages the collagen in the skin, reducing the elasticity of the skin, making it more prone to injury. Older skin has already been damaged the skin. Has reduced elasticity, so it’s important to protect it from the sun and minimize damage.”

Sun protection

Here are six of Meydani’s tips for protecting the skin from sun damage and spotting the signs of skin cancer.

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on all areas covered by clothing. Reapply sunscreen every two hours when you’re in the sun, or after sweating or swimming.

Wear sun protection clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection, light, long-sleeved shirts, and pants. Wear shoes that completely cover the feet.

Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

UVA penetrates glass, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen when outdoors or sitting in front of a window.

Do not use tanning beds. Tanning bed use, even just once, increases your risk of developing skin cancer, and it accelerates the signs of skin aging.

Eat a balanced diet rich in a variety of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. They contain micronutrients and antioxidants that are needed to protect the skin from sun damage and inflammation. This is especially important in older adults because their natural antioxidant defenses are not as strong as they were when they were younger.

Detection and treatment of skin cancer, especially melanoma, give you the best chance of a successful outcome. Meydani provided the following guidance on recognizing the symptoms of skin cancer.

ABCDEs are an easy-to-remember the sign of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you notice any of these features in a mole, you should get it checked out by a board-certified dermatologist as soon as possible: asymmetry (if one side of the mole is different from the other); border (if the border is irregular as opposed to smooth); color (if there are several colors or there is a change in color); diameter (if it is larger than a pencil eraser); Growth (if there is any change in size, shape or color).

If you notice a wound that hasn’t healed, a growing lump, or a rough, scaly lump, they could be a sign of basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, common skin cancers that need to be evaluated and treated by a board-certified doctor. Should be done by a dermatologist.

Skin Care Tips

AlerisLife, one of the nation’s largest senior living companies, says on its website: “As you age, your skin naturally grows with you. The production of collagen and elastin slows down, causing your skin to lose some elasticity. The skin also becomes thinner and more delicate; the glands lose their ability to effectively moisturize the skin; And so it is more common for older adults to have dry skin is done. A person’s ethnicity and heredity are also factors in the age of his skin,” the site said.

Aleris offers these skin care tips:

Wash gently. Use warm water instead of hot water when washing and avoid taking too many baths or showers. Use mild cleansers instead of harsh soaps and alcohol-based products. Avoid bath oils as they make the tub slippery, increasing the risk of falls.

Moisturize your skin

Consider a fragrance-free moisturizer and keep your skin well hydrated to help prevent the cracking and itching that accompanies dry skin. This will help stop the “itch-scratch-rash-itch cycle”.

Do not smoke

Smoking damages your skin in many ways, contributing to wrinkles and otherwise aging of your skin. In smokers, the blood vessels in the outer layer of the skin narrow, reducing blood flow and reducing nutrients and oxygen to the skin. Collagen and elastin, which provide elasticity to the skin, are also damaged by smoking.

Install a humidifier in your home to add moisture to the air

Limit Using too much soap, perfume or antiperspirant can worsen dry skin.

Meydani If your skin is consistently dry and itchy

a graduate of Brown University and Yale School of Medicine, “sometimes older adults don’t realize that as part of the natural aging process, Their skin and its needs change. They also don’t realize that as a result, they need to change their routine, such as increasing their use of moisturizer or decreasing bathing. As people have developed self-care routines that Used for more than 50 years,” she explained, “it can be difficult to change routines.”

However, in their own experience, they have found that older adults are often more consistent in skin protection measures than younger people. “Perhaps because they themselves, or someone they know, had skin cancer, or they saw the sun’s effect on accelerating the signs of aging in their parents,” she said. “

Healthy skin is what we present to the outside world,” Meidani said. “It helps us feel more confident, improving our self-esteem and quality of life at every age.” helps.”