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Wellness

Dermatologist reveals the one crucial spot most people are forgetting to put sunscreen

It can make a huge difference.

Photo credit: Canva

Sunscreen is one of our most crucial lines of defense against harmful UV rays.

Summer is officially upon us. Which means that, even though sunscreen is recommended every season of the year, nearly everyone is being more mindful about slathering some on before heading outdoors—be it for vanity’s sake, or for cancer prevention. Honestly whatever motive ingrains the habit.

But according to dermatologist Dr. Michael Park, there’s one key spot that most people tend to leave out of their sunscreen regimen, which could leave them susceptible.

“I don’t know if you guessed it, but it’s the ears,” Dr. Park says in a video posted to TikTok.

Park, who worked in a melanoma specialty clinic for over a year, recalls seeing multiple patients with melanoma, a common type of skin cancer, right behind the ear where the sun “beat down on their skin.”

Park also notes the seriousness of melanoma.

@michael.park.md #skincare ♬ original sound - Michael Park, MD

“I don’t know where people got the idea of ‘oh it’s just skin cancer, it's not that big of a deal.’ Y’all, let me make something really clear: melanoma, if not caught early, will kill you. Aggressive squamous cell carcinoma on the head and neck will also kill you,” he says.

Even basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of cancer which in most cases is not fatal, will have to be cut out…along with the skin surrounding it.

Park quips that while no one would probably want large chunks cut out of them, “certain areas that would be way worse than others, and one of those places… is the ears.” Which is why he’s sending out a friendly PSA about the importance of sunscreen in every nook and cranny that might get some sun.

“Unless you want to be a Vincent Van Gogh looking a**, make sure you put sunscreen on your ears,” his video concludes.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. So it’s important not to forget to defend any and all vulnerable areas with every UV blocking products available—from sunscreen every couple of hours to protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, etc.

For more skin care tips from Dr. Park, find him on TikTok.

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Heroes

14-year-old develops soap that treats mild forms of skin cancer

The soap would offer a low cost treatment option for people who need it.

ABC News|YouTube

14-year-old creates soap that treats skin cancer

Cancer is a scary word no matter what kind of cancer it is. But skin cancer is extremely common for those with fairer skin though it can and does occur in people with darker skin as well. It's often advised to slather yourself in a high SPF sunscreen, wear hats, sunglasses and stay in shaded areas when needing to be outside for long periods of time, skin cancer still can still develop.

While the disease is common, treatments can still be fairly expensive. One teen put on his thinking cap to attempt to find a way to not only treat skin cancer but make the treatment more affordable. 14-year-old Heman Bekele recently won an award from 3M's Young Scientists Challenge, for what he's named STS, which stands for skin cancer treating soap.

That's right, a boy who just barely reached his teen years has created a soap that treats milder forms of skin cancer.

The soap uses nanoparticles to release cancer fighting drugs when it's being used by activating the body's immune cells. Heman lives in Virginia but immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia, where he explained that people didn't have much knowledge on what happens when you're constantly exposed to the sun.

"People work really long hours in the sun and there is no awareness or any sort of information being shared around about how dangerous sun exposure really is," He tells ABC News. "So when they do end up developing issues like skin cancers, it's really just incredibly difficult for them to be able to afford the affordable cures."

Heman's skin cancer treatment soap only costs about $8 a bar and you can learn all about it below:

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affordable skin cancer treatment

Family

These sisters developed a sunscreen specifically for black people. It's about time.

Dust off your rompers, cue up "Steal My Sunshine," and fill up on froyo because summer is on its way.

Go ahead and do your summer shimmy. I'll wait.

GIF via "BAPS."

With summer fun comes summer sun, and while it feels so, so good after a long winter, the rays can wreak havoc on your skin.

That's why everyone needs sun protection. White people. Black people. Brown people. Seriously, everyone needs sun protection.

Because black and brown people can get sunburns too.

GIF via "Modern Family."

Let me say this one more time for people in the back: Black and brown people get sunburns too.

The melanin, or pigment, in our skin does provide a certain degree of protection, but it doesn't make us immune to sunburns, skin damage, or skin cancer. In fact, a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed black patients are often diagnosed with later stage melanoma and have the lowest survival rates by ethnicity.

The first line of defense against the sun's harmful rays is typically sunscreen, but for those of us with more melanin, the white cream leaves an unsightly residue on our skin.

The culprit? Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two common sunblock ingredients that help reflect sunlight. If you have a darker complexion, it's not a good look. Basically, we go to the beach looking like ashy ghosts in a flour factory.

This is my skin with and without sunscreen. And yeah, that's what it looks like rubbed in. Notice the difference? Photo via Erin Canty/Upworthy.

This, coupled with the fact that many people of color mistakenly assume they're not at risk for skin damage, may explain why 63% of black participants in one survey said they never used sunscreen.

That decision is killing us. Thankfully, one company came up with a fresh solution.

Chinelo Chidozie and Ndidi Obidoa developed a sunblock specifically for black women.

Go ahead and do your black girl magic shimmy. I'll wait.

GIF via Chloe and Halle.

Chidozie and Obidoa are the cofounders of Bolden, a skin-care brand built by and for brown women and girls to meet the needs of our unique skin and complexions. The women are skin-care and beauty enthusiasts with MBAs, so starting their own business in 2015 was a natural fit.

"We're here to solve the skin-care problems that black women face," Obidoa says.

Chidozie (left) and Obidoa, the founders of Bolden. Photo via Bolden, used with permission.

A common problem for many black women is hyperpigmentation, which can become exaggerated with sun damage. Bolden's solution? SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer is a facial sunblock that guards against UV damage, keeps skin moisturized, and dries clear. (Yep, no more ashy ghosts at the beach.) Down the road, they hope to release a body sunblock too.

"I think there's a lot of education that needs to go on around the need for sunscreen," Chidozie says. "[Melanin] gives you a false sense of protection or safety that 'I don't need to wear sunscreen.' But you do."

So this summer: Have fun, rock your favorite swimsuit, eat your weight in watermelon, and use sun protection.

Keep your melanin poppin', now and forever. You'll be glad you did.

Cue the sun protection shimmy. GIF via "Oprah."

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Family

3 easy ways to protect yourself from UV rays, as told by Hugh Jackman GIFs.

Hugh Jackman is an awesome dude.

He can sing. He can dance. He can act. He can even slay villains with one hand.

GIF from "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

One might say he's a "jackman of all trades." OK, no one will say that, but they should.

But unfortunately, skin cancer doesn't care if you're awesome.

Jackman announced on his Facebook page this week that he had a basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, removed from his nose.

This is Jackman's fifth run-in with skin cancer in less than three years.

In November, 2013, Jackman's wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness, noticed a small mark on his nose and pushed him to go to the doctor. Her intuition was right, and Jackman had a small carcinoma removed.

Deb said to get the mark on my nose checked. Boy, was she right! I had a basil cell carcinoma. Please don't be foolish like me. Get yourself checked. And USE sunscreen!!!
A photo posted by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on Nov 21, 2013 at 9:58am PST

Since then, Jackman has had four more basal cell carcinomas removed, including the latest this week. The 47-year-old actor has always been very public about his diagnoses and treatment, often encouraging fans to get checked and wear sunscreen.

While scary, Jackman's form of skin cancer is rarely fatal.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, with more than 3.3 million people diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

A dermatologist uses an iPhone as a dermatoscope to examine a patient for symptoms of skin cancer. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images.

Despite its frequency, this type of cancer isn't usually life-threatening, as basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads beyond the lesion site. However, it should be taken seriously as it can cause disfigurement.

But the good news for Jackman, and all of us, is that prevention is not only possible, it's easy.

1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. And while many skin cancers are treatable, it's still wise to prevent them in the first place.

Allow Mr. Jackman (in GIF form anyway) to walk you through three easy things you can do to protect yourself from ultraviolet (UV) rays, one of the primary causes of skin cancer.

GIF via "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

1. You've heard it before, but it bears repeating: Wear sunscreen.

And do it year-round. While most sunscreens don't filter out 100% of harmful radiation, they still do a great job of protecting your body's largest organ — your skin. So slather it on and re-apply if you swim or get sweaty.

GIF from "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

2. In addition to sunblock, wear some protective clothing.

Since sunscreen doesn't provide full protection from UV rays, it's important to supplement your skincare routine with clothes and garments that provide additional coverage. Cover up with dark, tightly-woven fabrics on your arms and legs. It may not be the cool, effortless beach look you were going for, but your skin will thank you.

And don't forget a hat and sunglasses. Your face needs love too.

GIF via "The Fountain"

3. Whatever you do, avoid tanning beds.

The UV light used in tanning beds is the same type of light you should be protecting yourself against when you're outdoors. If you're looking for a shot of color, head to your drug store's bronzer aisle.

GIF from "Australia."

And one more tip, just for good measure.

Don't be afraid to get up close and personal with your skin.

No one knows your skin like you, so give it a thorough once over on the regular. Use a mirror and really get in there. Be on the lookout for any changes to existing freckles, birthmarks, or moles. And, of course, if you develop any skin growths, let your doctor know.

With regular checks you'll be the first to notice any changes.

GIF from "Someone Like You."

Now have fun, be safe, and take care of yourself. Hugh would want you to.

From Your Site Articles

skin cancer

Dermatologist reveals the one crucial spot most people are forgetting to put sunscreen

It can make a huge difference.

14-year-old develops soap that treats mild forms of skin cancer

The soap would offer a low cost treatment option for people who need it.

These sisters developed a sunscreen specifically for black people. It's about time.

Dust off your rompers, cue up "Steal My Sunshine," and fill up on froyo because summer is on its way.

That's why everyone needs sun protection. White people. Black people. Brown people. Seriously, everyone needs sun protection.

The first line of defense against the sun's harmful rays is typically sunscreen, but for those of us with more melanin, the white cream leaves an unsightly residue on our skin.

Chinelo Chidozie and Ndidi Obidoa developed a sunblock specifically for black women.

So this summer: Have fun, rock your favorite swimsuit, eat your weight in watermelon, and use sun protection.

3 easy ways to protect yourself from UV rays, as told by Hugh Jackman GIFs.

Hugh Jackman is an awesome dude.

But unfortunately, skin cancer doesn't care if you're awesome.

This is Jackman's fifth run-in with skin cancer in less than three years.

While scary, Jackman's form of skin cancer is rarely fatal.

But the good news for Jackman, and all of us, is that prevention is not only possible, it's easy.

1. You've heard it before, but it bears repeating: Wear sunscreen.

2. In addition to sunblock, wear some protective clothing.

3. Whatever you do, avoid tanning beds.

Don't be afraid to get up close and personal with your skin.

Now have fun, be safe, and take care of yourself. Hugh would want you to.

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