For the third consecutive year, Dr. Levens has been voted "Best Cosmetic Surgeon" by the readers of the Coral Springs/Parkland Forum in the newspaper's annual citywide "Best Of" program.
April /May / June 2010 Archived Tips & Trends
Enjoy the sun without wrinkling and skin cancer
worries?
You have worked hard all winter and it is finally time to
take that summer getaway. Rest, relaxation, and recreation
may be your goal; however, protecting your skin should be your
top priority. Sun damage has a cumulative, perilous effect
on your skin. According to the American Cancer Society, more
than one million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this
year. Learn how the sun affects your skin, how skin cancer
develops, and what you can do to protect your skin while still
having fun in the sun.
How does the sun affect your skin? Ultraviolet A (UVA) and
ultraviolet B (UVB) rays penetrate your skin and change the
cells on a molecular level. It causes your skin to sag and
wrinkle prematurely with the effects exacerbated with repeated,
unprotected contact to the sun.
In addition to premature aging of the skin, sun damage also
increases your risk of skin cancer. The three common types
of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma,
and melanoma.
How does skin cancer develop? Cancer cells develop when DNA
is damaged within the cell. Usually, the body is able to repair
the damage; however, in the case of cancer cells, it is not
repaired. These malignant cells are found in the outer layers
of your skin, called the epidermis. In this layer there are
basal cells, squamous cells, and melanocytes. Damaged DNA can
be inherited, but in most cases, a person's DNA becomes damaged
by exposure to something in the environment, such as harmful
ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Sun damage accounts for 90 percent of the symptoms of premature
aging. Be proactive and take preventative measures! Contact
your facial plastic surgeon for more information on prevention
or treatment of sun-damaged skin.
What can you do to prevent premature aging and skin cancer?
Avoid excessive exposure during midday sun, 10am-4pm, when
the sun's rays are the strongest and most damaging.
Seek shade when you proceed outdoors.
Apply sunblock with at least a sun protection factor (SPF)
of 15. Reapply every two hours while outdoors and immediately
following swimming or exercising.
Wear protective sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB
rays.
Keep your skin hydrated with a moisturizer.
Wear protective clothing, such as a wide brim hat.
Replace old bottles of sunscreen each season; the chemicals
decompose over time.
Examine your skin once a month. Look for any changes in
moles and age spots, keeping in mind the following anagram:
ABCDE: asymmetry, borders, color, diameter, and enlargement.
Interested in seeing past Tips & Trends?
Please see our archived Tips
& Trends section.
Dr. Levens has been providing plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive
surgery procedures for patients in Boca Raton, Boynton
Beach, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Davie, Delray Beach, Ft.
Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Margate, Miami, North Lauderdale,
Parkland, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Palm Beach, Wellington,
Weston and throughout South Florida since 1989.
