Did you know that PTs are educated on skin care and the integumentary system as part of their coursework and that many PTs specialize in skin and wound care? As the weather starts to warm up (waiting for normal weather in Fort Collins…) and everyone starts to spend more time outdoors, taking care of your largest organ, your skin, is so important! You should have a head to toe skin check yearly to screen for skin cancer by your provider, as well as perform self-checks on larger moles, freckles, etc. regularly. Early detection is key to prevent spreading of lesions and treatment with excision. You can see Dr. John getting his #FatherhoodFitness on with Malaki, enjoying sunny Colorado and practicing safe skin care! Tag us on social so we can see those dad bods moving!
Here is what you should look for when performing a self-check:
The ABCDE’s of Skin Cancer
Asymmetry: If you draw a line through the lesion, the halves will be uneven
Border: Edges of the lesion will be uneven, crusty, or notched
Color: Uneven coloring, especially appearance of white and/or blue
Diameter: Lesions larger than a pencil eraser in diameter
Evolving: The lesion will begin to change in size, shape, or color or begins to bleed and scab
Summer Skin Care Tips
- Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of 30 SPF minimum to all exposed areas of skin when spending time outdoors (and reapply every 2 hours!)
- Wear lightweight protective clothing to prevent prolonged sun exposure, especially between 10am and 2pm
- Avoid tanning beds and sunbathing
- EXERCISE! While it won’t protect you from skin cancer, working up a regular sweat is the best way to keep your skin healthy. Exercise increases circulation, delivers nutrient-rich blood to the skin, helps to flush out damaging free-radicals, and boosts skin cell turnover!