FitSugar

Get Naked With Your S.O. and Check Your Skin

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:32:48 PDT

Fall weather might mean your skin is all covered up, but you still shouldn't neglect the largest organ in your body. Covering Health magazine, the actress from the new film Machine Gun Preacher, Michelle Monaghan, talks candidly about her brush with skin cancer:

" . . . A few years ago I had a mole on the back of my calf, and he [husband, Peter White] was adamant that I get it checked. In Australia, they're very aware of skin cancer. I finally went and it was skin cancer. I had quite the chunk taken out of my leg. I'm so grateful he noticed it."

After my hubby's dermatologist noticed and removed a weird mole on his back, we've become super vigilant about checking each other's skin. And last year, he found a mole on my back, in the same spot as his! Weird, I know, but I feel better since I've had it removed.

Learn from Michelle and take this as a friendly reminder to get naked with your favorite person and check every inch of each other's skin for raised, abnormally shaped, or discolored moles, or moles that look different than the last time you checked. Hey, it's not the most romantic way to hang out without your clothes, but it's one way you can ensure you live a long, healthy life together. It's scary to think that you might have skin cancer, but it's way better to have anything questionable checked out and removed, so you know you're skin is cancer-free.

Why Your Stylist Might Save Your Life

Jaime Richards — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:16:24 PDT

In medieval Europe, there existed barber surgeons: haircutters who also happened to perform some minor medical procedures like bloodletting and teeth pulling. And in modern times, it seems the stylist/medical connection just may be drawing closer - although not quite to Middle Ages extremes.

A recent study performed by Harvard's School of Public Health found that of 203 Houston-area hairstylists polled, 58 percent had recommended that their clients have suspicious moles checked. Since stylists work so close to their clients' hair, scalps, necks, and faces, this gave Alan Gellar, the study's coauthor, pause. He, along with his Harvard colleagues, are currently working with the Melanoma Foundation of New England, and have formed The Skinny on Skin, a Massachusetts program to help educate hair professionals on what to look for when it comes to possibly cancerous spots on their clients' skin. To find out more, just keep reading.

DrSugar Schools Us on Skin Cancer

DrSugar — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:37:50 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's schooling us on skin cancer.

Given that summertime is right around the corner and with warmer weather blessing a good part of the country, I figured it was a good time to share some knowledge about how to recognize skin cancers and how to prevent them.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is now the most common cancer among people 25-29 years old. Anyone can get melanoma and it can develop anywhere on one's body. Most often, however, according to the Mayo Clinic, it develops in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as your back, legs, arms, and face. It can grow on areas where there is less exposure to the sun, such as the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, eyes, and fingernail beds.

Learn the signs of melanoma.

Melanoma Risk Factors: What You Need to Know

Jaime Richards — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:15:00 PDT

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, and unfortunately, it's a disease that's on the rise. However, melanoma, which can be described as the uncontrolled spread of pigment-producing cells, can be easily cured when detected early enough.

It's National Skin Cancer Awareness month, so for more tips on prevention, stay tuned. But first, discover more about this type of cancer and who has a greater risk for developing it, when you keep reading.

5 Reasons to Wear Sunglasses

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:30:13 PDT

We're finally enjoying some warm, sunny weather here in San Francisco, but even when it's not Summer or incredibly sunny, sunglasses are a must-have accessory for your health. Here are five reasons you should absolutely wear sunglasses.

Avoiding sunburn. It is possible to sunburn your eyes, resulting in redness, irritation, and a gritty feeling similar to sand in the eyes. Ouch!
Maintaining long-term eye health. Overexposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts and glaucoma. Choose sunglasses that screen out 75 to 90 percent of light and block at least 95 percent of UVA and 99 percent UVB radiation. Wearing a hat doesn't hurt either.

For three more reasons to get shady,

Sunscreen: Healthy or Hazardous?

FitSugar — Thu, 27 May 2010 07:00:28 PDT

A few years ago, I went to the dermatologist to get a suspicious mole checked out on my back. The doctor agreed that it looked like it could be malignant, and I was so freaked out. I started to feel really bad that I hadn't been better about using sunscreen every time I went outside. I was grateful that the mole wasn't cancerous, but it was a huge wake-up call to me. Now I'm religious about slathering it on my whole family, all year round.

But a recent report from the Environmental Working Group says that sunscreen is actually a health hazard, and that the chemicals it contains can "accelerate the growth of skin tumors or disrupt the intricate workings of your hormonal system." They also believe that sunscreen gives us a false sense of security. We feel that sunscreen protects us from skin cancer, so we end up spending more time in the sun.

Before you ditch your bottles, the American Academy of Dermatology disagrees, saying that sunscreen is indeed beneficial in helping prevent skin cancer. They do agree that not all sunscreens are created equal, and that most people don't apply sunscreen as often as they should, and when they do, they don't use enough.

For tips on buying the safest sunscreen and how to apply it so you stay protected,

Could You Be Tanorexic?

FitSugar — Wed, 26 May 2010 09:00:42 PDT

Over the weekend I was at brunch with a large group of women when one of them mentioned she used a tanning bed to prepare for a Caribbean vacation. I was totally shocked! While most of you admit to using a tanning bed in the past, I'm willing to bet that after realizing just how bad they are for your health, you stopped.

With vacation and bikini seasons looming ahead, I can see why it's tempting to jump in the tanning bed for a little color; especially if you're worried about burning in the sun. But the LA Times recently reported on "tanorexics" - people addicted to tanning. According to the article, one in four teens shows signs of tanorexia, a dangerous obsession that could lead to skin cancer. Researchers think that tanning may cause a rush of endorphins in the brain, which can in turn cause feelings of well-being similar to a runner's high. And judging by my brunch experience, teens aren't the only ones susceptible to these feelings.

While you may think a little glow makes you look healthier, a natural tan is actually your skin's reaction to UV exposure. And according to one FDA scientist, "any tan is a sign of skin damage. Recognizing exposure to the rays as an 'insult,' the skin acts in self-defense by producing more melanin, a pigment that darkens the skin." This leads to premature aging, and in severe cases, cancer. If you're chasing that natural glow, try an at-home tanner, or spray-on tan. While neither will provide a "base" for UV exposure, they'll give you the healthy glow you're looking for. And, of course, when you're out in the sun, wear sunscreen. In my opinion, the risks of UV exposure are not worth the reward.

Practice Safe Sunning During Skin Cancer Awareness Month

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:00:00 PDT

Here's an excerpt from OnSugar blog Queen of the Quarter Life Crisis:

So if you don't already know, May is national Skin Cancer Awareness Month. This is something especially near and dear to my heart, as my closest Aunt passed away of skin cancer when she was only 43 years old back in 1996. Luckily, more and more people are becoming aware of how harmful the sun is to our skin and health but it's still not enough. . . And even though it's the most preventable cancer, it's also one of the most deadly.

Skincare giant La Roche-Posay created this great new public awareness campaign called Save Our Skin in hopes to increase awareness. For every person who signs up for the campaign, La Roche-Posay will donate money to The Skin Cancer Foundation and the Women's Dermatological Society. In the meantime, here are my current SPF favorites.

Find out her choices when you read more.

5 Ways to Protect Yourself From Skin Cancer

FitSugar — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:30:43 PDT

You might like being golden brown from a tan, but prolonged sun exposure can have serious risks that go beyond a sunburn. The most common form of cancer is skin cancer, which is a shame since it's highly preventable. Fortunately it's also very treatable, although deaths still do occur from the disease. In honor of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, here are five easy ways to keep yourself safe from the disease.

Sunscreen Smarts: Facts and Figures

FitSugar — Tue, 04 May 2010 04:30:58 PDT

I was shocked to read that only 20 percent of Americans wear sunscreen on a daily basis, which got me wondering what else I don't know about this Summer essential.

Whether you're hopping on your bicycle for a long ride or just taking a walk at lunchtime, it's crucial that you protect your skin from harmful rays. Find out how well you know your sunscreen facts and figures.

Take the Quiz