Category: Skin Cancer Treatment

6 Minute Read: 

Stress has a more considerable effect on us than we realize. One of the ways it can manifest itself is through our skin. Wrinkles, acne breakouts, and dry skin are just some consequences of dealing with tension. Robert Wald MD explains how stress can affect your skin and how to manage its effects. 

What situations cause us the most stress?

We can experience stress in many different situations, mainly when significant life-changing events occur. Going through a divorce or moving long-distance are some of the most stressful events one can go through during their life. These events can affect our physical and mental health, including our skin. Knowing how to deal with these events and get through them as easily as possible is essential. Hiring professional movers for your long-distance move is one of the ways to make this process easier. This will help you tremendously, as pros can make it stress-free and leave you with much less to worry about. Professionals can also help you through challenging times such as divorce or losing a close friend. Always reach out for help when facing complex, life-changing events like these. 

• Stress can aggravate pre-existing skin conditions

Stress can be hazardous, as it not only causes several health conditions but also worsens your existing conditions. The most common condition people face that is made worse by stress is eczema. Symptoms of eczema can be managed, but dealing with stress is an essential step toward that. Rosacea and psoriasis flare-ups can be triggered by stress as well. When battling these conditions, the first and most crucial step is stress-management.

One way stress can affect your skin is that it can cause your skin conditions to get worse. 

• Stress can lead to skin picking

Feeling anxious and stressed can cause us to pick at our skin, leading to wounds and scars. Another habit that frequently follows stress is nail-biting. Nail-biting increases your chances of coming into contact with harmful bacteria and viruses. It also causes damage to your nails and can lead to severe conditions. Biting can also make your nails grow differently than they should. It’s common to bite your lips and grind your teeth when stressed out, too, and these all are terrible habits. Grinding your teeth can have severe effects on your teeth. So, try to remind yourself as often as possible to relax your jaw to prevent this from happening. 

• Acne breakouts are one of the most common ways stress can affect your skin

You’ve probably noticed having more acne when you’re feeling stressed out, such as when moving or changing jobs. Stress has a significant effect on our hormones and, therefore, on acne. It affects our oil glands, making them produce more oil, which leads to breakouts. You will likely notice more acne on the oiliest parts of your face. Consult with your dermatologist to create the perfect, personalized skincare routine for when you experience stress-related acne breakouts, and do whatever you can to minimize stress. If your anxiety is moving-related, experts from Mod Movers CA advise you to ask for help. You can enlist your friends and family to assist with moving tasks or listen to you while you vent. 

A good skincare routine can minimize the effects of stress on your skin

• Stress can lead to dry skin

Dry skin is another common issue you might experience when feeling stressed out. This is one of the most common signs of stress we may overlook because we think it’s just how our skin is. We even assume we are using the wrong products for our skin type. Even though this can be true sometimes, it’s best to talk with your dermatologist when you notice dry skin patches. You might even see your skin is inflamed and itchy too. These can all be signs that you are under too much stress and pressure. 

• How stress can affect your hair

One of the most noticeable changes in our skin we can experience during stressful times is hair loss. This is a common effect that stress can have on people. Hair loss can indicate an underlying medical condition, but it can also signify high stress levels. This doesn’t mean it’s permanent. There is a high chance of your hair growing back if hair loss is caused by stress. Another common way stress can affect your hair is by causing it to go grey. This type of stress manifestation can take some time to show. It won’t occur overnight, but when it does, it’s a sign you’ve been under stress for too long. 

• Ways stress can affect the skin on your face

When stressed, our bodies produce the hormone cortisol much more quickly. More stress means more cortisol, which means more noticeable skin issues. Being stressed and anxious can cause your skin to wrinkle much faster, and this can cause us to look older than we are. Bags under the eyes don’t mean just a lack of sleep. They are also a sign of stress. Don’t worry – they can be managed and reduced through a good sleep regimen and a healthy diet. 

Have a daily skincare routine to help with these problems

How to ease the stress

The most crucial step is to take good care of your skin. This means taking regular showers, doing your skin routine every day, and using high-quality products. There are also many easy ways to manage stress and prevent these effects on your skin. Start with your diet. Eating healthy meals regularly and avoiding junk food can go a long way. 

After this, implement a good exercise regimen. Doing simple meditation or yoga after waking up will help you cope with stress much better. On that note, regular exercise is good for stress management too. It’s not just good for your health but is also an excellent stress-relief option. 

Finally, keep a journal or talk with someone about the things that cause you stress. Remember to do something you love every day, whether it’s a hobby, watching your favorite TV show, or just taking a relaxing bath. Treat yourself from time to time and go to a wellness center for a massage or to enjoy the spa. And don’t forget to sleep for at least eight hours a day. 

Most of the effects of stress are temporary or reversible.

In conclusion

Most of the ways stress can affect your skin are reversible or temporary. Making simple changes to your lifestyle and how you deal with stressful situations can minimize them. Stress is one of the most dangerous things we face daily, and it doesn’t just have negative consequences on our skin but our health as well. So think of effective ways to cope with stress.  

This entry was posted on Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at 8:00 am and is filed under Skin Cancer Treatment, Skin Care. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

4 Min Read

Get regular skin checkups to ensure that your skin is healthy and receives early treatment if needed.

Skin cancer is a common concern of many Americans, especially those with freckles and fair skin. 

The main contributing factor to the formation of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Tanning beds and other artificial sources of light and heat are also culprits.

While there are some people who have a predisposition or higher risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer than others, almost anyone can develop skin cancer.

Skin cancer can be removed when found and treated early, including more severe cases of melanoma. The key is early detection and being informed.

Below are some details on what to do if you think you may have skin cancer, and what to expect after a cancer diagnosis.

How Is Skin Cancer Identified?

Skin cancer most commonly appears on the face, neck, back, shoulders, and arms. 

You can notice when something is different about your skin by performing self-checks and having a loved one help you with harder to see spots, such as your back. 

Diagnosing Skin Cancer

When you see your physician for regular checkups, or if you think you may have an issue, they can examine your skin and run tests to see if your concern is skin cancer or not. 

If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, your physician will discuss your treatment options with you. 

What Is Skin Cancer Treatment?

Typically, the affected tissue is removed from the location or areas where cancer is found.

The removal process will likely leave some scarring in the area of excision. 

For patients who are having cancer removed from their face, this can be worrisome. 

But it is important to remember that cancer, when left untreated, can spread and cause further damage to the skin and body, so you want to take care of it as soon as possible.

Fortunately, plastic surgeons are able to reconstruct the skin to form a smooth appearance if you require the removal of tissue.

Reconstruction After Skin Cancer

If you have significant scarring after skin cancer removal, reconstruction can restore your appearance. Your treatment may include:

• Prosthetics: features, such as the ears, may need restructuring to create a fuller appearance
• Scar revision: this process reduces the noticeability of scars by smoothing out the skin
• Tissue transference: tissue flaps can be used for areas that have had a large amount of tissue loss

How Can I Prevent Skin Cancer?

In some cases, skin cancer can be avoided by practicing various techniques. Some helpful tips for reducing the risk of developing skin cancer, or catching symptoms early to remove any cancer that does form, include:

• • Do not intentionally get a tan. Getting a sunburn or a tan is damaging to your skin, whether it is through sunshine or a tanning bed. Tanning also causes premature wrinkles that can significantly age your appearance. Self-tanning lotions can be an excellent alternative if you seek bronze skin.
  • Wear sun protection every day. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing can shield you from the sun’s damaging rays. Avoid direct sun exposure and liberally apply and reapply your sunblock.
  • Get checked regularly by a professional. Notify them of any changes in your skin, such as a new growth or an existing mole growing or becoming painful. It is best to catch these concerns immediately and seek treatment during the early stages. 
  • Be careful around snow, water, and sand. These surfaces are all very reflective and can cause sunburns. The same goes for an overcast day; the sun can still burn you, so please use protection.

• Conduct self-examinations at home. In addition to regular checkups, you will want to become familiar with your skin and analyze any abnormalities that arise. 

The ABCDE Test

According to The American Academy of Dermatology, the warning signs of skin cancer can include:

Asymmetry

Are any of your moles asymmetric? Is one half of the mole a different shape than the other half?

Borders

Are any of your moles irregularly shaped or poorly outlined?

Color

Have any of your moles changed in color or shade? You may notice a tan, brown, black, white, red, or blue coloration. Any variation of color can be a warning sign.

Diameter

Are your moles the size of a pencil eraser or even larger?

Evolving

Have any of your moles or skin lesions changed in size, shape, or color? 

Staying in the shade, wearing a large-brimmed hat, and liberally applying sunscreen are great ways to avoid the sun’s damaging UV radiation.

What If I Think I May Have Skin Cancer?

If you believe you might have skin cancer, have been diagnosed with skin cancer, or have already undergone a removal treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Wald in Orange County today to discuss your concerns.

You can get in touch online or call us at our Fullerton, CA, office at (714) 312-3549. 

This entry was posted on Monday, December 9th, 2019 at 8:43 am and is filed under Skin Cancer Treatment. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer, affecting more people in America than breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers combined. While each patient is unique, there is currently a 93 percent survival rate for skin cancer, which is one of the highest survival rates of any cancer. This is due to a number of factors, the most important being early detection.

Catching any cancer in its early stages is one of the main keys to surviving it. Educating yourself on what skin cancer and precancerous lesions look like will help you know when you should get evaluated for skin cancer. The ABCDE system of identifying cancerous and precancerous lesions will help you know if you should get your lesion checked for skin cancer.

• A: Asymmetry – Cancerous lesions are not symmetrical. If you draw a line through the center of the lesion, both sides don’t match up.
• B: Borders – Regular lesions have smooth borders, while cancerous and precancerous ones have jagged, irregularly shaped borders.
• C: Color – Most benign moles are one color. If you have a lesion that varies in color, you should get it evaluated.
• D: Diameter – Cancerous lesions are usually larger than benign lesions. You should get checked if your lesion has a diameter larger than 6mm or if it is bigger than an eraser head.
• E: Evolving – Moles and other lesions usually stay static. If yours changes in appearance or grows over time, you should have a doctor check it out.

Diagnosing Skin Cancer

If you believe that you might have a cancerous lesion, it is important to schedule a consultation with a doctor. During your consultation, a small portion of the lesion will be cut off and sent to a lab to be biopsied. If your results come back as precancerous or cancerous, the next step to take is treatment.

Treating Skin Cancer

Whether you have a precancerous or cancerous lesion, the first step is removing the mass. Smaller lesions can be removed in-office using local anesthesia. Common removal techniques include excision or desiccation. After removal, some patients may require further cancer treatment that may include chemotherapy and radiation.

Reconstruction After Treatment

Some lesions are larger or placed in visible areas that can leave unattractive marks on the skin after removal. Sometimes it is just some slight scarring, but in other cases, whole sections of tissue may be removed from the nose, lips, or ears. Dr. Wald performs reconstruction on areas that have undergone cancer removal. This is done to restore the aesthetic appearance of the skin. Common reconstruction techniques include:

• Scar revision
• Transferred tissue flaps  
• Prosthetics

If you need to have a lesion tested for cancer, need a lesion removed, or need reconstruction after treatment, schedule your consultation with Dr. Wald today. Contact our office at (714) 312-3549 or fill out our online contact form here for additional information.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 27th, 2015 at 4:49 pm and is filed under Skin Cancer Information, Skin Cancer Treatment, Skin Care.