This newsletter is dedicated to the largest organ in the human body – SKIN!  Since it is summer, we tend to show a little more skin; here are some tips to help you keep your skin healthy.

If you haven’t been to the website lately, be sure to take a look – its been re-done with a blog, so check back often to read the latest posts!

Dr. Jaspreet Mundeir

Skin Cancer

Protect yourself from Skin Cancer

Being in the sun often increases your risk for skin cancer and skin cancers most often occur on parts of the body that are repeatedly exposed to the sun.  A tan results from your body’s attempt to protect itself from the sun’s rays.  Having fair skin, red or blond hair, sun burning easily, many moles or freckles, being in the sun a lot, a family history of skin cancer and tanning all put you at a higher risk of having skin cancer.  Tanning booths are not safer than being out in the sun, tanning booths use UVA rays that go deep into the skin and can cause damage.

Here are some tips on preventing skin cancer:

• Avoid the sun, especially from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
• Don’t use tanning booths or sunlamps.
• Wear protective clothing and a hat whenever you go outside. Remember that you are often exposed to the sun while driving, especially your hands and arms.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap and are rated to block at least 99% of UVA sunlight.
• Check your skin yourself every month for signs of skin cancer.
• If you see an area on your skin that looks unusual, ask your family doctor about it.

Sunscreen can be used to help protect you if you are going to be in the sun for an extended period of time.  Use safe sunscreen’s recommended by the Environmental Working Group to make sure you are not exposing yourself to harmful chemicals while applying sunscreen.  Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside to all exposed areas including your ears, the back of your neck.  If you are swimming, be sure to reapply your sunscreen every hour.

If you are at higher risk for skin cancer, you should visit your dermatologist year for a head to toe exam.  Here is what you should be looking out for when you see a suspicious mole or growth on your skin.

Follow the ABCDE rule:

A for asymmetry: A mole that, when divided in half, doesn’t look the same on both sides.
B for border: A mole with edges that are blurry or jagged.
C for color: Changes in the color of a mole, including darkening, spread of color, loss of color, or the appearance of multiple colors such as blue, red, white, pink, purple or gray.
D for diameter: A mole larger than 1/4 inch in diameter.
E for elevation: A mole that is raised above the skin and has an uneven surface.

Visit this website for more information on how to perform a self skin exam.

Healthy Skin

Healthy skin is directly a result of our body’s health.  Make sure that your skin is nourished with the following nutrients.

Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiencies are often found in people with eczema and psoriasis.  EFA’s, especially Omega-3s improve the quality of skin and hair.  Skin cells require a steady supply of EFA’s to keep the skin flexible and moist and to help repair damaged skin cells.  Essential fatty acids are a critical factor in the development of cellular injury and death. Without them, our cells lose their ability of hold water and nutrients and to communicate with other cells in the body.

Water is involved in and helps improve many bodily functions – digestion, absorption, circulation, and excretion.  Water helps flush harmful toxins from the body, it also helps carry nutrients into the cells of the body.  When cells are properly hydrated, they can function properly.  Water moisturizes your skin from the inside out, it helps keep you skin smooth and drinking adequate water is the most important thing you can do to improve the appearance of your skin.  A good rule of thumb is to take your weight in pounds, divide it in half and drink that many ounces of water a day.  If you weigh 150 lbs, then you should be drinking 75 ounces of water a day, at minimum.

To keep healthy, youthful skin here are some minerals/vitamins that you should include in your diet: Silica, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin A, C and E.

Free 15 minute consultations

Wondering how Naturopathic medicine can benefit your or your families health?   Dr. Mundeir offers FREE 15 minute phone consultations, where you can talk with her about your health concerns and she can explain to you how Naturopathic medicine can help you see the changes you are hoping for.

Call today to set up your FREE 15 minute consultation, 925.937.3266.