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The Women's Health Resource Center

Skin Care

Acne - Hormones during adolescentce and young adulthood cause the sebaceous glands, which are small oil producing glands in the skin, to become overactive causing the skin to develop acne or blemishes. Some people have little problem with acne and others have severe conditions. A genetic predisposition plays a major role.

Aging Skin - The best prevention is to avoid the sun as much as possible and utilize sunscreen, waterproof SPF-15, protection whenever exposure to the sun is unavoidable. During peri-menopause and declining female hormone estrogen, the skin may become excessively dry. Avoid hot baths and water-based lotions. Use a skin emollient or cream to ease dryness.

Skin Cancer - Basal Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma are generally thought to be caused by the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays, blistering sunburns and an inherited risk within families. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and because it is visible, it is the most easily diagnosed and treated cancer. Approximately 300,000 to 600,000 skin cancers are treated every year. With the exception of melanoma, is also the most curable cancer. You should bring any unusual skin change to attention of your physician immediately.

For more information contact the Women's Health Resource Center at 415-600-0500, the Community Health Resource Center at 415-923-3155 or the Institute for Health and Healing at 415-600-3660.

What you can do…

Wash your face twice a day to avoid excessive oily build up that can lead to blemishes and acne.

Use a face and skin lotion that has an SPF-15 sunscreen daily.

Avoid sunburns by staying in shaded areas, wearing hats and sunscreen.

Examine your skin daily for any changes in condition.

Look for these early signs of skin cancer:

Any spot that forms a scab and fails to heal

A scaly skin thickening that develops in a small area, usually on the face, neck or hands

A mole-like growth that increases in size, darkens, becomes ulcerated, bleeds easily

A pearly or waxy growth

Any sore, blister, patch, pimple or other blemish that does not show signs of healing within two to three weeks