Skin ExpertsSkin CareAges 50 and over

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Skin Care in Your 50’s and over

Ages 50+

Reaching your 50’s can mean many more years of active, healthy living ahead of you. A healthy diet and regular exercise along with good skin care habits are vital to retaining your lifestyle. In addition to regular check-ups it is important to visit your dermatologic surgeon to assess your skin and help you maintain a healthy appearance.

Female Derm Exam

Combination Therapies

Reaching your 50’s can mean many more years of active, healthy living ahead of you. A healthy diet and regular exercise along with good skin care habits are vital to retaining your lifestyle. In addition to regular check-ups it is important to visit your dermatologic surgeon to assess your skin and help you maintain a healthy appearance.

Skin Cancer Screening

Skin Cancer

While skin cancer can appear at almost any stage of life, the incidence of skin cancer increases once you reach your 50’s. One out of every seven people in the United States will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.

And, just one serious sunburn over your lifetime can increase your risk of skin cancer by as much as 50 percent. That's why sun protection is crucial – not only to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging but more importantly to help prevent skin cancer.

Fortunately, most skin cancer is curable, especially if recognized and treated early.

There are three types of skin cancer to be on the lookout for: basal cell, squamous cell and the more dangerous malignant melanoma.

Main skin cancer treatments include:
• Curettage: A sharp instrument is used to scrape away the malignant tissue, often followed by the use of an electric needle to destroy any remaining cancerous tissue.

• Surgical excision: The skin is cut away to remove the growth, then closed up with stitches.

• Cryosurgery: Liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the skin to freeze and destroy the cancerous tissue.

• Topical chemotherapy: Chemicals which can destroy precancerous growths are applied to the skin surface.

• Laser surgery: laser light energy can cut away and/or vaporize the cancerous tissue.

• Mohs micrographic surgery: Developed by dermatologic surgeons, this procedure is typically used to remove more complicated skin cancers (for example, on the eyelid or side of the nose) or large, invasive, recurrent tumors. This method allows a dermatologic surgeon to precisely remove the cancer cells, layer by layer, with the aid of a microscope, providing superior accuracy and effectiveness.

Learn more about skin cancer treatments and skin cancer self-exam kits and possible free skin cancer screenings in your area.