Preventing Wrinkles While Avoiding Skin Cancer
by Conor Hustedde
Only 10% of Americans wear sunscreen every day, showing a lack of awareness for skin health. This is problematic as most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. Further, a person’s risk of melanoma doubles after only 5 sunburns.
The cells of melanoma (a type of cancer caused by mutated melanocytes).
Skin cancer is a growing problem and it can affect all of us. Recently, Fresno High’s own principal Mrs. Linda Laettner had skin cancer on her lip. “I would tell students it is extremely important to wear sunscreen,” she advised. “The sun’s rays are much stronger than they used to be and you are very unaware of how much damage the sun’s rays can do to your skin.” According to National Geographic, the ozone layer has been thinning since at least the 1970s and it is not getting better.
“I myself experienced a situation where I was found to have skin cancer on my lip and they had to go in and remove the cancer on my lip which removed a good portion of my lip,” explained Mrs. Laettner. “So. because of that, I am going to have to engage in reconstruction surgery for my lip. It’s a pretty significant consequence for not being really mindful of the sun and having healthy-skin awareness throughout my life. So, I would just encourage students to make sure that they are putting that sunscreen on all the time. Even if they don’t think it's a really sunny day it’s going to help protect them in the end.”
Mrs. Jennifer Reed, one of Fresno High’s IB ESS teachers, gave her advice on how students can protect their skin. She began researching skincare in college and has kept it up ever since. She stated, “Exfoliate your skin once a week, use a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 every single morning when you go out, and wash your face before you go to bed every night, and if you have a night moisturizer you want to put that on as well.”
Mrs. Reed’s advice is supported by scientific research: exfoliating will help remove dead skin, prevent dryness, and prevent clogged pores. Moisturizers will do the same thing, preventing dryness and helping keep your skin clear.
A light sunscreen is enough to protect you from cancer in your old age. The New York Times recommends the Super Gloop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 (left) as an overall sunscreen. If you want to counteract dry skin, Mrs. Reed recommends the Olay SPF 15 Daily Moisturizer (right).
