Melasma
It is a bluish or brownish pigmentation of the skin and predominates on the face, although we can find it in other areas of the face and even on the forearms.
It tends to be itchy in some cases. These patches usually develop gradually. There are no other symptoms other than aesthetic ones.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the generic name for melanic or pigmented tumors and malignant melanoma is a serious variety of skin cancer, causing the majority of skin cancer-related deaths.
Systemic photoprotection
Systemic Photoprotection is that which goes beyond the skin and acts at a general level inside our body. This is a group of immunophotoprotectors that are administered orally. The main advantage is that since they are systemic, their protection is global and they act on the entire skin surface.
Systemic or oral photoprotectors are immunophotoprotective substances administered orally (capsules, tablets, solution), mostly antioxidants, which are responsible for eliminating free radicals that are generated in our skin due to many factors, including solar radiation.
One of the fundamental aspects that must be highlighted is that since they are systemic, their protection is global, that is, they act on all of our skin. Among these we find:
Beta-carotenes: they are usually administered for sun intolerance or as a preventative in people with white skin.
Commercially, they can lead to confusion since many people think that they are used to get tan or acquire color before sun exposure.
In reality, they prepare the body for sun exposure and there will be an increase in pigments to reduce the rapid appearance of erythema, although it must be taken into account that these are not preventative of skin cancer.
– Vitamins C and E
– Green tea polyphenols
– Polypodium leucotomos
The most used is ascorbic acid or vitamin C, which also stimulates collagen synthesis, making the repair of damaged tissue even faster.
Vitamin E or alpha-tocopherol also protects against UVB and is usually combined with vitamin C for greater effectiveness. As other substances, we have carotenoids (lutein is an example), flavonoids (used from silymarin and red clover), Omega-3 (fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects as well as photoprotective) and Green tea polyphenols (reduce erythema and inflammation when there is sunburn).
Basal cell carcinoma
The most common and low-risk type of skin cancer as long as it is treated correctly. It has no ability to spread beyond the skin unless it is allowed to evolve for years without treatment.
It usually presents as a shiny, reddish or somewhat darkly pigmented area, usually presents small erosions or superficial wounds, and does not usually cause any discomfort but does not resolve without adequate treatment.
Currently, dermatologists who are experts in the field have the ability to detect it when they are millimetric and on some occasions it can progress or invade very superficial areas, so that its treatment can be performed even with barely invasive techniques and leaving minimal scarring.
Skin type studies
Skin type studies are considered essential in dermatology since each person requires personalized treatment depending on their skin characteristics.
Each person’s skin type is genetically determined, and knowing each individual’s skin type is necessary to choose the appropriate treatment for each skin type, and thus improve its appearance and delay the aging process.
From the clinical study of each patient, information is obtained about the level of hydration, elasticity, thickness and sebum secretion of their skin.
The classification of skin includes four basic types: dry skin, which presents a greater loss of water and is more unprotected against possible risks; oily skin, in which sebum secretion is very high; sensitive skin, which reacts to many stimuli that do not cause a reaction in normal skin; and normal skin, characterized by an ideal balance between water and sebum levels.
Skin cancer
Generally, it is considered any tumor or tissue that, without adequate treatment, will tend to grow uncontrolled in the skin and may invade nearby tissues.
There are certain types of skin cancer that, if not treated properly, can also acquire the ability to spread beyond the skin, as in the case of invasive melanoma. There are different families of skin cancer, the most frequent and least aggressive being carcinomas.
Melanomas are less common, however they can appear in younger patients and have a higher risk if they are not detected early. There are other much rarer types of skin cancer such as lymphomas or skin sarcomas.
Skin protection from sun exposure, as well as skin self-examination and, above all, dermatological visits for early detection are essential tools for prevention and adequate healing.
