Many of us are Floridians because we love the light and warmth of the sun.
Unfortunately, the sun isn’t our skin’s friend. It's harsh UV rays damage our skin and cause cosmetic concerns, like premature signs of aging — think hyperpigmentation, rough texture, and wrinkling — but more worrisome is that unprotected sun exposure raises your risk for skin cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed not just in the United States, but across the globe.
At Z-ROC Dermatology, Dr. Matthew Zarraga, Dr. Khongruk Wongkittiroch, and our entire team are committed to being your partners in care and educating you about caring for your skin, including sharing the dangers of tanning with patients.
Getting that sun-kissed look became popular about a century ago, and it was a symbol of status. If it was apparent you’d spent time in the sun, you were affluent enough to have leisure time by the pool, on the tennis court, or at the beach.
Unfortunately, no one knew then about the health risks associated with sun exposure, and that a “healthy looking tan” is an oxymoron.
First, it’s important to know about the different ultraviolet (UV) rays emanating from the sun. There are UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. UVC rays don’t reach the Earth, so we’re concentrating on UVA and UVB, carcinogens.
Most UVA rays reach the Earth and are the primary rays in tanning beds. They cause several types of damage by:
UVB rays are a bit different in that they zero in on the outermost layers of your skin and cause sunburn, skin cancer, and skin blistering. UVB damage is worse when you’re at higher altitudes and amplified when it hits reflective agents like ice or snow.
The atmosphere protects you from most but not all UVB rays. They’re responsible for cornea damage and hamper your body’s ability to fight illness.
Skin cancer is most frequently caused by exposure to the sun and tanning beds, so being smart about sun protection is essential, as is never going near a tanning bed.
Here we list the different types of skin cancer, starting with the most frequently diagnosed types.
This cancer type is often linked to the Merkel cell polyomavirus, and very fair people are at higher risk.
The most important things you can do to combat sun damage and preventively protect your skin are to know what a skin cancer looks like and never to delay seeking treatment from your Z-ROC Dermatology provider.
Know the ABCDEs of skin cancer characteristics and why monitoring your skin carefully and getting it checked regularly is essential.
When it comes to protection, be sure to avoid the sun in its strongest hours (10am-4pm), always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 (yes, even on cloudy days), and invest in sun-protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
We offer diverse treatments for skin cancers:
We use Mohs surgery for BCC, SCC, and melanoma.
Be sun-smart, get your skin checked regularly, and call our Fort Lauderdale office at 954-564-0040 to schedule an appointment for care or sun protection guidance, or book one online.
