Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and its incidence is increasing faster than any other type of cancer. If a member of your family suffered from melanoma, would you change your sunbathing habits? Would you start using sun protection more often?
According to studies of melanoma, when skin cancer affects a family member, many people do not modify their high risk behavior; they continue to “engage in relatively low levels of sun protection and high levels of sun exposure.”
Recently published research on BMC Public Health aimed to evaluate how demographic, medical, psychological, knowledge, and social influence factors correlated with sun protection and sunbathing practices among first-degree relatives of melanoma patients.
A study collected information from 545 relatives of melanoma patients, including their age, sex, race/ethnicity, level of education, marital status and their relation to the patient with melanoma.
Subjects reporting higher levels of sunbathing were:
- Younger
- More likely to be female
- Perceived more benefits of sunbathing
Relatives who reported higher sun protection had a higher education level, greater concerns about photo-aging and greater sun protection norms.
To reduce the incidence of melanoma, researchers suggest that use of sun protection should be emphatically recommended for younger, female relatives of melanoma patients. One way to do this is to emphasize the fact that sunbathing can cause unwanted signs of aging earlier in life.
Preventing the early occurrence of photo-aging is often as simple as 1) avoiding sun exposure, i.e. not sunbathing and 2) regular use of quality sun protection.
Dermesse offers a variety of sun protection products, in SPF 15 to 55. These products can help you prevent sunburn and minimize premature aging due to sun exposure. With an aloe based formula , Dermesse sunscreen delivers high UV protection with wrinkle fighting peptides and antioxidants.
With Dermesse, you get broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB radiation, antioxidant benefits of alpha-lipoic acid and Green tea extracts, as well as Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Hexapeptide-3.
We generally recommend that you apply Dermesse sunscreen in the morning and during the day as needed. Apply a dime size amount to the face and neck. You can apply it on your skin after cleansing or over your moisturizer, followed by makeup.
