Dr. Marguerite Germain Starts Summer Encouraging Sun Awareness and Safety at Her Charleston-Area Practice

CHARLESTON, SC--(Marketwired - June 05, 2017) - As a dermatologist serving Charleston, SC, Dr. Marguerite Germain marks the days after Memorial Day weekend -- the unofficial kickoff to summer -- as a prime time to remind the women, men, and children of South Carolina about the importance of safe habits related to sun exposure.

While ultraviolet radiation beats down on everyone all year long -- whether the skies are blue or cloudy -- the warmest season of the year typically prompts more people to head outside while wearing less clothes than usual. Skin laid bare to the light and heat from the sun is also skin that takes damage, suffering a breakdown of vital collagen and hyaluronic acid, as well as the potential development of precancerous and cancerous cells.

Fun in the sun is not out of bounds, but dermatologist Dr. Germain encourages anyone who wants to get outdoors to be smart about their activities.

First, know that prevention is a great tactic to guard against both cosmetic and health problems caused by ultraviolet radiation. Consider staying indoors during the late morning and afternoon hours, when the sun is high and strong. When out and about, sunglasses to prevent squinting (and related crows' feet); a hat for shading the face, ears, and neck; long sleeves and pants to cover limbs; and closed-toed shoes for protecting the feet are all excellent choices.

If it's simply too hot, or the activities on hand require something more appropriate to the situation -- say, a bathing suit? -- a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 or 45 is recommended. This should be applied prior to any outdoor activity, with re-applications made periodically throughout the day, and especially after contact with water.

Monthly self skin checks are recommended for maintaining a good idea of the skin's condition, as well as keeping an eye on any suspicious moles or other lesions. Be especially aware of any mole that exhibits one or more of the ABCDE warning signs. If it is asymmetrical, has an irregular border, has an unusual color or is multi-colored, has a diameter larger than a pencil eraser, or is evolving and changing over time, visit a dermatologist, who can take a closer look and recommend further treatment, such as a biopsy. An annual visit to a dermatologist is another recommended strategy, considering a dermatologist is specially trained to identify a variety of skin problems, including skin cancer.

For more summertime tips, contact dermatologist Dr. Marguerite Germain in the Charleston area by calling (843) 881-4440.