How To Protect Your Skin This Summer

This article was created in collaboration between GetMr. Founder Dr. Beth Goldstein and Supply in honor of Melanoma Awareness Month.

Men in the U.S. younger than 49 are more likely to get melanoma than any other cancer and are 55% more likely to die from skin cancer than women in the same age group.

While genetics may play a factor, an overwhelming issue is the lack of daily SPF. Below the two discuss the best ways to take care of your skin, what to look out for in terms of skin cancer and how to have healthy skin all year long. 

What is the #1 skincare product for healthy skin after shaving?

First, any self-respecting doctor will always recommend applying a product that contains an SPF of at least 30. This helps protect skin from daily UV damage whether you're inside or heading outdoors. You'll want to wear this every day throughout the whole year, not just after shaving.

If you do, it will help reduce your risk of melanoma by 40%, and as a bonus, can reduce 90% of the signs of aging such as wrinkles and brown spots. When outdoors, you'll want to wear great sunglasses, a brimmed hat, UPF shirt, and stick to the shade when possible to keep skin healthy.

In addition to a daily SPF, during the summer especially, acne can flare up due to the heat and humidity. Your skincare therefore should include cleansers that gently exfoliate your skin. These cleansers can contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Remember, though, benzoyl peroxide can bleach your towels and clothes and can sometimes, although rarely, cause allergic reactions. You can opt for Allantoin, which used in Supply's skincare line, to provide gentle exfoliation, soothe skin and heal any wounds. GetMr.'s The Daily is an all in one SPF that will do all of this and more.

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Use promo SUPPLY for 10% off your first purchase.

Let's dig in more on sunscreen and skin cancer. Where does skin cancer usually appear on the body?

The quick answer is wherever you have had sun exposure. The head and neck are the most common locations for skin cancer in men and women, however, the scalp and ears are more common in men due to men not having as much hair to protect in those areas. Melanomas in men occur on the scalp and on your back, but they can also appear on your palms, bottoms of the feet, inside the mouth, around, and underneath your toes and fingernails. This is especially, but not exclusively true, in people with darker skin types. 

Can my mole or ingrown hair lead to skin cancer?

An ingrown hair usually comes up quickly and should settle down once it's been removed from diving into the skin. In some cases, there is swelling, redness, pus, and even a scar if it gets out of hand.

A mole will come typically where this had not occurred. Trauma to a mole can aggravate it but typically does not go through the same effects of an ingrown hair. That being said, if you have a bump or pimple that has not healing after 3-4 weeks or a mole that's growing and changing, you should get that checked out by a doctor.

Here's a list of concerning symptoms for when you should see a doctor. It's notable that skin cancer has a very high cure rate, but when left untreated can have serious consequences, even death. When detected early, melanoma has a cure rate of 98.4%.

1. A waxy or shiny area on your skin. 
2. Flat or raised spot on your skin that is asymmetrical, changing in size, shape or texture.
3. Spots, again raised or flat, with irregular borders.
4. Changes in color; skin cancers can be pink as well as varying shades of brown, gray and black.
5. Spots that won’t heal after 4 weeks.
6. Scaling or dry spots that don’t respond to lotion after 3-4 weeks.
7. Scars that grow, change and you have no reason for the scar.
8. A sore or pimple that does not heal in 4 weeks.

What is the best way to prep your skin before a shave?

Always start with a moist beard with warm water or by shaving right after you take a shower. This will ensure your skin is cleansed of excess grime and dead skin that can keep your razor from shaving effectively.

Using shaving cream will increase the amount of water that enters the hair shaft, making hair softer and easier to remove cleanly. Just make sure to use a mild, non-irritating shaving cream with clean, plant-based ingredients whenever possible. 

In the market? Check out the Ultra Lather Shaving Cream.

 

What happens if I wait too long to change out my blades?

It's important to always clean your blade throughout the shave process. Each razor blade will have it's own quality and performance lifetime, but the typical blade life is between 5-7 shaves. The Single Edge injector blades can get anywhere from 5-10 shaves from a single blade.

If you don't switch out your blades regularly, it can lead to shaving with a dull blade, resulting in irritation, nicks and cuts.

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Alright, here is the million dollar question. Which is best: single or multi-blade razors?

Single and fewer blade razors are preferred, especially if you are naturally prone to ingrown hairs. Shaving with fewer blades prevents ingrown hairs since they are designed to shave at the surface of the skin rather than below it. Multi-blade razors are designed to pull up on the hair follicle with the first blade, and then shave below the surface of the skin with the remaining blades.

If you have sensitive skin, avoid using pressure and always shave with the grain or in the direction of the hair growth. If you have oily skin, you have more flexibility with how you shave, but starting with the grain on a first pass is always recommended to protect skin.

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