Connolly Dermatology for Your Skin Care Needs This Winter

By Lauren Cincotta and Sean Adair, certified physician assistants at Connolly Dermatology
One of the most dangerous types of skin cancer is malignant melanoma. According to the American Cancer Society, estimates of prevalence in the United States for 2016 alone are:
• 76,380 new melanomas will be diagnosed (about 46,870 in men and 29,510 in women).
• 10,130 people are expected to die of melanoma (about 6,750 men and 3,380 women).
The American Academy of Dermatology states that there are certain risk factors that contribute to a person developing melanoma. Excessive sun exposure (UV light) is the leading cause of melanoma, which includes both natural sunlight and also tanning beds. Other risks include, but are not limited to, having five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20, fair skin, red or blonde hair, light eyes, fifty or more moles, and sun sensitive skin that burns easily, as well as using sunless tanning beds. It is therefore imperative to practice good sun protection year round.
A few methods of sun protection have proven successful. These include the use of sunscreen (ideally a zinc or titanium-based product of SPF 30) applied every two hours when outdoors, as well as using protective clothing, such as long sleeves, pants and wide brim hats. A good rule of thumb is minimizing unprotected sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
As winter approaches, we often forget about the risk of sunburn. However, like beach sand, the sun’s rays will reflect off of snow and therefore we should protect ourselves while hitting the slopes this season. In addition, Connolly Dermatology offers comprehensive care for all ages and specializes in tailoring treatment for many winter-prone ailments such as eczema and psoriasis.
It is advised that full skin exams be performed at least annually by a trained health care provider. In fact, the winter months are often an ideal time of year for your routine exam, as the darker pigmentation and evidence of the summer sun fades and many skin lesions are much more easily examined. Here at Connolly Dermatology, we have a skilled group of professionals proficient in the detection and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers alike.
We are thrilled to be a part of your health care team and are currently accepting new patients in all of our offices located throughout southern New Jersey. For more information and to make an appointment, call (609) 926-8899 or visit www.connollyskincare.com.