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Philadelphia Tribune - April Magazine - Blogger Nation - Index

Saving your skin from sun damage
If you’re one of the millions of
Americans with a rich skin tone, you
might think you don’t need sun protection.
But it’s time to shed some light on
that frequent misconception.
People of African, Latin and South
Asian descent have higher levels of
melanin in their skin but still need
daily protection from harmful UV rays.
As with all incidents of sun exposure,
skin cancer can occur if proper precautions
are not taken.
According to The Skin Cancer
Foundation, the disease can be deadly
for women with richer skin tones
because it’s more likely to go undetected.
Sun exposure can also lead to other
problems for women with more
melanin in their skin.
“Acne spots and melasma, which are
more common in darker skin tones, can
worsen with sun exposure,” says dermatologist Jeanine
Downie, M.D. To keep skin safe and protected at all times, she
recommends adding a sunscreen with a high SPF to your daily
skin care regimen. When selecting a sunscreen, it is important
to select one with an SPF of at least 30, and it should contain
photo-stabilized sunscreen technology to ensure that it doesn’t
break down in the sun.
A good pick is a sunscreen that is formulated with a stabilized
sunscreen technology such as the Aveeno Continuous
Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 55. It
offers broad-spectrum protection against
both UVA and UVB rays, which is necessary
for total sun protection, as well as
moisture-rich soy.
For those who want to keep their skin
care regimen to a minimum, Downie recommends
using a daily moisturizer that
has a sunscreen already in the formula.
The Ambi line offers a moisturizer with a
stabilized sun-protection technology in
the form of an SPF of 30. Ambi Even &
Clear Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 is
designed for women with richer skin
tones and includes ingredients such as
soy, antioxidants and essential vitamins to
help even skin tone and texture to reduce
the appearance of skin discoloration,
while offering protection from both UVA
and UVB rays. The moisturizer was
recently awarded The Skin Cancer
Foundation Seal of Recommendation for its ability to effectively
and safely aid in the prevention of sun-induced skin
damage.
Downie also recommends reapplying sun protection
throughout the day, wearing a hat when in direct sunlight, and
screening your body to look for any changes in moles or birthmarks.
And most importantly, see a dermatologist once a year
for an annual body check to ensure that skin cancer is caught
in the early stages.
Five foot problems men should never ignore
Feet are the Rodney
Dangerfield of body parts;
they don’t get no respect.
That’s especially true for
men’s feet. Men often resist
going to the doctor when
they’re sick or in pain. But
most foot conditions are
treatable, and easier to treat
when diagnosed early.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
(ACFAS) wants men to know about five foot problems they
should never ignore:
1. Heel pain is often caused by tissue inflammation, but
can also result from a broken bone, a tight Achilles tendon, a
pinched nerve or other problem. A qualified physician will
know how to diagnose and treat the true cause of heel pain.
2. Ankle sprains always, always, always require a prompt
visit to the doctor. Men who skip out on medical care are
more likely to suffer repeated ankle sprains and then develop
chronic ankle instability.
3. Big-toe stiffness and pain
develop slowly over time, as cartilage
in the big-toe joint wears
down. This eventually leads to
arthritis. The sooner a man has
this diagnosed, the easier it is to
treat.
4. Achilles tendonitis usually
develops from a sudden increase
in physical activity, such as when
men play weekend sports. Chances of an Achilles tendon
rupture can be reduced by treatment of the symptoms of
Achilles tendonitis: pain and tenderness on the back of the
foot or heel.
5. Ingrown toenails can pierce the skin, open the door for
bacteria to enter the body, and convince some men to perform
dangerous “bathroom surgery.” Few men know that a
doctor can perform a quick procedure that will end the pain
and permanently cure an ingrown toenail.
For a list of five additional foot problems men should never
ignore, visit the ACFAS Web site, FootPhysicians.com.
TRIBUNE MAGAZINE APRIL 2008
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