As we approach the end of another year, you probably have a lot on your to-do list: holiday preparations, a gift your aunt might like, final contributions to your IRA, travel plans, and so much more. As you make your list and check it off multiple times, don’t forget yourself! Your health matters because you matter. And overall health starts with your skin, your body’s largest organ. This critical skin barrier is your immune system’s first line of defense, so you need to take good care of it.
So, schedule your annual skin check to Apex Skin before the year is out! In addition to screening for skin cancer, your dermatologist will skillfully examine all your skin make sure they are healthy, that any chronic conditions are properly treated and that any suspicious spots are caught before they turn into something dangerous like skin cancer. An annual skin cancer screening can provide early detection of melanoma skin cancer (or any other type of skin cancer) so that early treatment can give you 99 percent survival rate!
The idea that skin health is only “skin deep” is one of the least useful, most inaccurate sayings in medicine. “Some skin conditions cause inflammation throughout the body,” explains Dr. Arballo. “Improving the appearance of the skin can also benefit mental healthwhich has a significant impact on overall well-being. Some cancers can also spread to other parts of the body and are potentially fatal, such as melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.’
All of these conditions can cause discomfort, lead to emotional distress, and indicate chronic inflammation. Some can even become fatal. The skin often reflects what’s going on inside, which makes an annual skin check vital to overall health and well-being.
Through these skin check appointments, your dermatologist can:
The main point of these regular appointments with your dermatologist is to keep an eye out for any spots, skin growths, moles or changes that could indicate potentially dangerous problems before they become dangerous. Although your dermatologist will monitor, note and advise on any other skin conditions found, the real issue is that this is a life-saving screening for skin cancer. There are several different types of skin cancereach looks a little different, but each has the potential to become deadly. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and every dayabout 9,500 people receive a skin cancer diagnosis;
Skin cancer statistics it’s pretty clear: early detection saves lives. The 5-year survival rate for localized (a spot that hasn’t spread anywhere else) skin cancer is about 99 percent, which is great for any kind of cancer! The later skin cancer is detected, however, the more widely it can spread, the more difficult it is to treat and the lower the survival rate:
But these are not the only ones skin cancer statistics you don’t want to be a part of: One in five people in the United States will develop some type of skin cancer by age 70, and more than two people die every hour from skin cancer. If you have experienced five or more sunburns in your lifetime, your risk of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, doubles.
As Dr. Arballo explains, you should never fear screening for skin cancer—you should fear not detecting and treating it soon enough. Your dermatologist can help you stay on the good side of these numbers.
As a dermatologist, Dr. Arballo often finds lesions that patients don’t see, notice or think are serious and actually turn out to be suspicious. Regular skin cancer screening can greatly increase your chances of survival.
An annual skin check is a particularly useful tool for monitoring spots, molesskin growths and other skin conditions change and shape over time. It is these changes that lead us to the potential development of skin cancer. Patients should always be on the lookout for moles or signs that look suspicious.”ABCDE” signs:
Elderly patients especially need the help of these annuals skin cancer screening appointment because sun damage accumulates, Dr. Arballo explains. “Incidence of precancer detection may be higher with greater cumulative sun exposure and skin lesions.”
Also, remember that if you notice any changes at any point between your annual skin check appointments, we urge you to schedule a same day SPOT check appointment. You should never wait if you feel that a spot has shown any of the ABCDEs above or that the spot is painful or itchy. We’ll be glad to see it right away!
In addition to staying ahead of possible signs of skin cancer, you may also be dealing with other serious skin conditions that require ongoing treatment and management. Regular dermatological checkups can help you get better results, fewer complications such as infections, and a more comfortable quality of life.
“What’s unique about Apex Skin is that we have multiple teams that can help you achieve your skin care goals,” says Dr. Arballo. “You can participate clinical research trials or explore us aesthetic offers. After all, an annual skin check keeps you on track to maintain healthy skin and achieve all of your skin care goals.”
Speaking of research tests, Apex Clinical Research Center is currently working on clinical trials and additional research to help find better, longer-term, more effective treatments for a wide range of troublesome skin conditions, including:
If you are dealing with any unpleasant skin condition that is affecting your quality of life, confidence or comfort, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment.
We said at the beginning that now is the best time to schedule your annual skin exam. But why did we say that? Sure, it’s not the only time of year you could have a skin checker appointment, but Dr. Arballo reminds us of one important thing:
In addition to this important financial aspect of scheduling your annual screening for skin cancer and other skin conditions, the end of the year is a great time to reflect and reset your health and wellness goals and plan for the coming year. It’s a great time to look back and see how you took care of your skin this year, get an update on your skin health from a professional and set new goals like wearing better sunscreenor moisturizing more diligently. This is also a time of year when your skin undergoes major changes from the winter weather and holiday stress! Getting your dermatologist on board can keep your skin healthier and happier next year and give you peace of mind that all is clear and well for your skin, or that you’re getting prompt treatment if there are problems.
So, let’s talk about what you can expect during a full body skin check. Dr. Arballo explains the process:
One of the most important things we do at an annual skin check is provide important education and dispel myths about skin health that can lead to skin damage if left uncorrected. The biggest misconceptions about skin are usually about sun exposure.
In other words, it’s never too early or too late to start practicing good sunscreen on all skin exposed to the sun. Do it now!
Dr. Arballo mentions two other common misconceptions:
“A major misconception is that there is no UV exposure in the winter. There is! UV light passes through clouds and reflects off snow, so wear it sunscreen even if you ski!” urges Dr. Arballo. “Also, people with darker skin should also wear sunscreen. We all do! They also have to do skin checks.”
There are so many long-term benefits to annual skin checks. The biggest is perhaps peace of mind knowing that your skin is being monitored by a professional and that if problems arise, they can be identified and treated quickly for the best outcome.
You’ll also feel the comfort and glow of healthier skin as you work with your dermatologist over time to address any skin issues that arise with appropriate skin care routines and treatments, lifestyle adjustments, sun protectionand the professional support of someone who understands your unique skin condition and needs.
And that’s really what it’s all about: Personalized care that works for you.
Are you ready to schedule your skin checkup? Make an appointment with Dr. Olivia Arballo in ours Office of Mentor. She is fantastic at what she does and would love to meet you. If this location is out of the way, for your convenience, Apex Skin has 13 other full services dermatology locations throughout Northeast Ohioso you can easily find a location near you and get your skin health on schedule, even this busy time of year! Your skin is such an important part of your overall health, and it’s worth making time for this important self-care need today.
