The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention Encourages Everyone to Protect Your Skin Today and Every Day

PRNewswire -- As millions of Americans prepare to enjoy the great outdoors Memorial Day weekend, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention reminds everyone to practice sun-safe behaviors - pack those wide-brimmed hats in the suitcase. The incidence of melanoma (the most fatal of skin cancers) continues to rise significantly, at a rate faster than any of the seven most common cancers.(1) In an effort to raise awareness about a health issue that is largely preventable: skin cancer, the Council is naming the Friday before Memorial Day Don't Fry Day.

"Many people believe skin cancer occurs after a lifetime of exposure, and yet, melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for young adults 15-29 years of age(2)," says Henry Lim, MD, Council co-chair. "In the last 30 years, the number of women under age 40 diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma has more than doubled while the squamous cell carcinoma rate has also increased significantly."(3)

"Any change in your skin, whether burned or slightly tanned, is a sign of UV damage," says Drusilla Hufford, former Council co-chair. "The good news is: you can protect yourself and your family members from skin cancer's main cause: too much sun. In the same way we teach kids to wear bike helmets, we can also teach them to wear wide-brimmed hats."

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers in the United States. More people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year than breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer combined. Whether from the sun or an artificial light source, ultraviolet radiation is a carcinogen. According to a recent study, in 2006, in the 116 largest (most populous) U.S. cities, there were, on average, more tanning salons than there were Starbucks® coffee shops.(4)

Here are some simple ways to be safe in the sun. Remember, Slip, Slop, Slap®... and Wrap(5) and plan activities away from the midday sun:

- Slip on a shirt;
- Slop on sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher);
- Slap on a hat; and

- Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them from ultraviolet light.

For more information, including additional statistics and other resources, visit the Council's site: http://www.skincancerprevention.org/ The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention is the united voice of 45 groups dedicated to reducing skin cancer morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Council members represent some of the nation's premier researchers, clinicians and advocates for melanoma and skin cancer prevention.

1. LAG Ries, D Melbert, M Krapcho, A Mariotto, BA Miller, EJ Feuer, L Clegg, MJ Horner, N Howlader, MP Eisner, M Reichman, BK Edwards (eds). National Cancer Institute, Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Cancer Statistics Review 1975-2004: http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2004/.

2. U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. "Cancer Epidemiology in Older Adolescents & Young Adults," Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results AYA Monograph (2007): 53-63.

3. LJ Christenson, TA Borrowman, CM Vachon, MM Tollefson, CC Otley, AL Weaver, RK Roenigk. "Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years," JAMA (2005): 294: 681-690.

4. Katherine D. Hoerster, Rebecca L. Garrow, Joni A. Mayer, Elizabeth J. Clapp, John R. Weeks, Susan I. Woodruff, James F. Sallis, Donald J. Slymen, Minal R. Patel, Stephanie A. Sybert. "Density of Indoor Tanning Facilities in 116 Large U.S. Cities," American Journal of Preventive Medicine, no. 36 (March 2009): 3, 243-246: http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/PIIS0749379708009756/abstract.

5. Slip, Slop, Slap® is a registered trademark of the American Cancer Society.

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Top Tips For Spring Beauty

(NAPSI)-Spring has officially sprung, and from the fashion runways to the beauty pages of your favorite magazine, looking great this season is all about skin-baring looks and fresher, lighter makeup. You may think the new trends are going to cost you a fortune, but it is easier than you might think to get your beauty routine ready for spring.

"Altering your beauty regimen for spring and summer is simple; all it takes are a few easy changes," says Rebekah George, former beauty editor at Prevention magazine. Here are some tips that George recommends:

• Peachy Lips--Gone are the severe reds and pinks of this past winter. This season, lips are lighter, more natural looking. "We saw lots of peach and light coral tones on the runway for spring 2010," says George. "These colors brighten your face and give you a fresh, lively look."

• Silky Soft Skin--It's the season for tank tops and mini-skirts, so it's more important than ever that your skin looks and feels great. The best way to get silky smooth skin is to moisturize daily. "I recommend Vaseline Sheer Infusion body lotion with Stratys-3, a superior moisturizing technology that gives you incredibly silky skin that lasts all day long. It provides twice the moisture when compared to other leading everyday body lotions," says George.

• Soft Waves--Hair has lightened up for summer as well. Soft, natural-looking waves complement spring and summer styles perfectly and they are easy to re-create. "Instead of using a brush," suggests George, "try finger-combing wet hair to maintain a natural wave. Then apply a mousse for a light hold and body. Twist 1−2-inch sections of hair and let them air-dry."

• No-Makeup Makeup--The old adage has always been that you should try to look like you are not wearing makeup at all. This could not be any truer this season. To achieve this look, George suggests sticking to mineral foundations and using light pink and peach tones on eyelids with minimal or no eyeliner.

• Shimmer Is Back--One place where you can get away with a little bit of noticeable makeup is shimmer on your cheeks and eyelids. Shimmery pastels and other light hues will be big this spring. "Check out your local drugstore for shimmery palettes to play with. It is best to gently apply these shades with a large, fluffy shadow brush," says George.

All these great beauty products, which help you get the perfect look this spring, are available at drugstores and makeup counters nationwide.

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How to know when it's time to replace old beauty products

(ARA) - From the first day she applies new lipstick or inaugurates a new bottle of facial cleanser, every American woman is headed toward the same dilemma. How long will that lipstick tube last? Does the razor you used twice and then forgot about for a couple months have some life left? When is cleanser too old to be effective?

Many of us are unsure when beauty products expire - or even if they do at all. Consequently, we may wind up holding on to partial bottles and remnants of products because we're not sure of their usefulness. The arrival of warm weather is a great time to purge.

Cleaning out old beauty products can be emotionally cathartic, and spare you from using expired items that may potentially irritate your skin or that just don't work anymore. Plus, tossing the old opens up opportunities for discovering great new cosmetics, beauty items and skin care products. Here's some advice to get you started:

Cosmetics

Because cosmetic products are used on some very germ-laden areas of our bodies, like around the eyes, nose and mouth, they can breed bacteria. Therefore, they don't have an indefinite shelf-life. The usable life of some common cosmetics are:

* Mascara and liquid eyeliner - three months

* Cream eye shadows -- three to four months

* Powder shadows -- six months if you don't reuse the applicator; three to four when reusing applicators

* Liquid, cream or powder foundation - one year if regularly applied with a new sponge or puff; six months if applied with fingertips.

* Cream and gel blush -- six months. Powder blushes - about a year

Once you've purged old cosmetics you'll be ready to restock with some of the season's hottest new colors and products.

Skin care products

Skin care products can also be susceptible to bacteria growth over time, so if you don't finish a product within a few months, keep an eye on how long you've had it. Discard products like moisturizers, concealers and toners that contain skin nutrients like vitamin C or alpha hydroxy acids after they've been open for about 12 months. Those active ingredients can lose their effectiveness after a year.

Exposure to moisture, air, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can all affect the ingredients in skin care products, so store them in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight. And if a product separates or smells differently than it did when you first opened it, discard it right away.

Once you clear out old cleansers and moisturizers, reward your hard work by trying something new, like Olay Professional Pro-X Cleansers, which offer exfoliating and cream formulas. Both are designed to purify and renew skin for a refreshed, smooth texture. Or, pamper dry skin in areas that often get overlooked, like under your arms. Secret Soothing Effects antiperspirants and deodorants use soy and acai berry to soothe sensitive skin and hydrate that underappreciated skin under your arms.

Shaving products

Warm weather means getting a good shave is more important than ever for anyone who wants to wear shorts, tanks, miniskirts or bathing suits. Old shaving products, like razors and creams, not only become a breeding ground for bacteria, they can also leave your legs looking like you've been through a battle.

Depending on how often you shave, a razor should last a couple of weeks or a little longer. A good rule of thumb is to discard disposable razors when the moisture strip on top wears off. If a blade is visibly rusty, toss it immediately. To avoid rust problems, don't leave your razor in the shower where it will repeatedly get wet every time someone showers.

Gather up old razors and any leftover shaving products older than a year and trash them. Then, treat yourself to a new shaving experience by trying Venus Embrace, a woman's razor that gives a close, comfortable shave using five spring-mounted blades surrounded by a protective ribbon of moisture.

Cleaning out old cosmetics and skin care products can help you feel and look better this season. Plus, it's great inspiration to reward your cleaning efforts by trying something new.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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