Breyer Medspa in Philadelphia

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause significant damage to your skin. The skin can start to thin with sun exposure and cause fine wrinkles, easy bruising, skin tearing, and the appearance of telangiectasias, tiny blood vessels, in the skin especially on the face.The most noticeable sun-induced pigment change is a freckle (age spots/liver spots), which occurs more noticeably in light-skinned people. Over time UV exposure can also cause white spots, hypopigmentation, as melanocytes are destroyed.
It is well known fact that with excessive sun exposure comes the risk of getting skin cancer. The 3 main skin cancers are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer and it is believed that the amount of exposure of the skin to the sun before the age of 20 is the determining risk factor for melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer and tends to spread locally. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer, and it can metastasize although not as commonly as melanoma. The risk of getting basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma is determined by a person’s lifetime exposure to UV radiation and the person’s use of sun protection.

A- Asymmetry: You should notice the general look of your moles or growths, for example, if one-half of the mole or growth does not match the other half.

B- Border Irregularity: Notice if the edges of the mole or growth are ragged, notched or blurred.

C- Color: The pigmentation of the growth is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown and black are present. Dashes of red, white and blue add to the mottled appearance.

D- Diameter: If the width is greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), it could be an indicator of an abnormal skin growth. Generally, any new mole growth should be a concern