Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 13

recommends nothing less that an SPF of 45. “A lot of people think because their moisturizer has an SPF of 15, they are good to go. You should put on sunscreen whenever you leave the house. An SPF of 15 is great for going to work, as long as you aren’t a trainer working outside all day. If you are going to be out in the sun, you need more.” And don’t forget the lips! Skin cancers on the lips have a higher than average rate of metastasis. How you apply the sunscreen also matters. It’s something that she sees people being too stingy about, a sentiment backed by a recent study. “Be generous. Don’t just put a dab on your arm and rub it in, use a whole glop.” You don’t necessarily need to leave a film of sunscreen, though that’s how Tabas applies it. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for frequency of reapplication. While you’re taking care of your skin, it won’t hurt to baby that lotion a bit, too. Check the expiration dates. If you have to reach way back in your bathroom vanity for a sunscreen, it’s probably worth investing in a fresh one. If you’ve left a

tube in a hot car, even once, toss it. It’s lost much of its effectiveness. Put It in Reverse When the damage is done but the impact is merely cosmetic, there are things that you can do to actually reverse the freckling, dilated blood vessels, thinning skin, and loss of elasticity that are the unattractive by-products of sun exposure. Chemical peels are one course of action, says Tabas. Topical application nightly of a retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A, is another option. It can reverse some pigment change, thicken thin skin, and even reverse some early precancerous lesions. There is one caveat, however. Use of such a product will increase your sensitivity to the sun, so you will need to use a high SPF sunscreen and a hat with a 4" brim. Schedule Your Check-up Part of the preventive process is a yearly screening. Tabas urges everyone, particularly those who are out in the sun regularly, and especially if they have a history of skin cancer, to visit a board-certified dermatologist yearly for a preventive screening. “It doesn’t take very long, unless there are a number of things that

are of concern.” In her practice, it takes about 35 minutes for a fullbody screening from the time patients walk in the door until they leave. “It’s a small investment for good health and peace of mind.” Get Proactive Alas, even the most careful regime is imperfect. Be observant. You should see a doctor immediately when you spot anything that seems suspicious. Signs of non-melanoma skin cancers are anything new that itches, hurts, bleeds, or even anything that you have a hunch about. Don’t ignore it. The sooner it is seen to by a professional, the better. A melanoma will be irregular in color with a diameter larger than an eraser head at the end of a pencil, surrounded by an asymmetrical border. Nonmelanoma skin cancers usually necessitate some surgery. Melanoma can be fatal. A little biopsy, she adds, is certainly better than the alternative. “There are no stupid questions here,” says Tabas. “What you think might be a silly concern or stupid question could be something that will save your life.” D

Is Your Dog Vulnerable to the Effects of the Sun?
“There is some concern with dogs and the sun, too,” says Lance Horwitz, DVM of Ft. Washington Veterinary Hospital in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania, who has a special interest in dermatology. “With melanomas in dogs it is a matter of location, location, location. Skin melanomas in dogs are typically not highly malignant, for example, but melanomas of the nail bed are.” Hairless dogs or dogs with light-colored coats and unpigmented skin are susceptible to sunburn, however. In addition to being painful, sunburn can result in chromosomal damage, which is cumulative and can lead to squamous cell carcinomas. Dogs with autoimmune skin diseases, such as discoid lupus or the complex of pemphigus diseases, can have lesions that are exacerbated by sunlight. Look for crusting and perhaps ulceration on the bridge of the nose and the nose itself. Loss of pigmentation, such as a black nose that develops patches of pink, paired with the loss of the nose’s cobblestone texture, can be early signs of discoid lupus. Dr. Horwitz says the best defense for dogs with light coats, loss of pigmentation, or autoimmune disease is to keep them out of the sun when the sun’s rays are most intense. “If you are at a trial, think about covering the dog with a light coat before your run, and again as soon as you leave the ring.” He also recommends using a sunblock on the bridge of the nose of a dog that tends to burn.
Sally Silverman is a freelance writer whose life has gone to the dogs. An avid agility competitor, she recently finished her MACH with her youngest dog, Bounce. She has also achieved many canine freestyle titles with Bounce and his older sister, Tinker. Sally and her husband share their hearts and their home with three Australian Shepherds. She is an active member of Y2K9s Dog Sports Club outside of Philadelphia, where she trains and teaches. May 10 | Clean Run 13

Clean Run Magazine -May 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine -May 2010