The fact that your skin appears a certain color on the outside, is not necessarily indicative of how your skin will be behave. Technology has made it easier than ever to uncover your ancestry. A simple DNA test in 2019 can help you gain insights into your ancestry and reveal important information about your skin. Information such as how your skin will respond to certain ingredients, ideal treatments, as well as risks can all be uncovered with information from your DNA. Individuals of Hispanic or Asian descent for example may be more susceptible to keloids, an overgrowth of scar tissue which is a very difficult condition to treat. Try researching your ancestry in 2019 to learn more about your heritage and your skin.

It’s not just about SPF in 2019. Wearing hats and sunglasses to keep your melanin protected is essential. American Cancer Society recommends wearing a 2-to-3inch brim hat to protect areas such as the ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. A sunburned scalp is not as unusual as you might think. Newly, braided hair styles make for greater scalp exposure which increases the risk of sunburn to the scalp especially during the summer months. Sunglasses that block UV rays are also recommended to protect the skin around the eyes. Sunglasses should block 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Buy sunglasses that say “UV absorption up to 400 nm” or “Meets ANSI UV Requirements “.

A July 2016 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology revealed that skin cancer is most deadly in people of color. African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma in its later stages than any other group and had the worst prognosis and the lowest overall survival rate. Commit to checking your skin at home in 2019. A self-exam can be performed once a month at home to check for moles, blemishes, freckles and other marks. If while performing an at home self-exam you come across anything unusual follow up with your dermatologist. You can also ask for a skin exam to be included in your routine health check-up.