Vitamin D Facts: This answers a question that we get daily from our patients...

One person dies from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every hour. Get your vitamin D from your diet and supplements and not from the sun. 
http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/vitamin-d

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DYSPLASTIC NEVI (atypical moles) are unusual benign moles that may resemble melanoma.  People who have them are at increased risk of developing single or multiple melanomas.  The higher the number of these moles someone has, the higher the risk; those who have 10 or more have 12 times the risk of developing melanoma compared to the general population. 

Dysplastic nevi are found significantly more often in melanoma patients than in the general population.  Medical reports indicate that about 2 to 8 percent of the Caucasian population have these moles. 

Heredity appears to play a part in their formation.  Those who have dysplastic nevi plus a family history of melanoma (two or more close blood relatives with the disease) have an extremely high risk of developing melanoma.  Individuals who have dysplastic nevi, but no family history of melanoma, still face a 7 to 27 times higher risk of developing melanoma compared to the general population—certainly a great enough risk to warrant monthly self-examination, regular professional skin exams and daily sun protection.

Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist if you feel that you may have moles of concern.  

Actinic Keratoses (AKs): AKs form on skin that soaks up lots of sun over the years. An actinic keratosis (ak-ti-nik ker-ah-TOE-sis), or AK, is a rough, dry, scaly patch or growth that forms on the skin. An AK forms when the skin is badly damaged by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or indoor tanning. Most people get more than one AK. When you have more than one AK, you have actinic keratoses, or AKs.

Anyone who has many AKs should be under a dermatologist’s care. Most people who have many AKs continue to get new AKs for life. AKs are considered precancerous. Left untreated, AKs may turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

By seeing a dermatologist for checkups, the AKs can be treated before they become skin cancer. If skin cancer does develop, it can be caught early when treatment often cures skin cancer.

Dermatofibromas are very common skin tumors typically found on the arms or legs of individuals.  They are composed of collagen-producing cells called fibroblasts.  Compression of the nodule between the thumb and index finger results in “dimpling” downward into the skin.  This is diagnostic of a dermatofibroma.  Dermatofibromas may occur spontaneously or following a minor trauma, bug bite, pimple, burn, or laceration.

Treatment of dermatofibromas is usually not necessary.  However, if any of the following occur, then the lesion can be surgically excised:  increase in size, itch, burn, color change, irritation due to clothing or shaving.

Montana Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center has added the EltaMD UV Lip Balm to the products that we carry in our office.  Price: $10.

EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 31 soothes and UV protects dry, chapped and sun-exposed lips. Transparent zinc oxide, antioxidants, and creamy, long-lasting moisturizers are blended in a sheer, water-resistant formula.  Provides both immediate and long-lasting skin hydration. Powerful UV protection and a cosmetically elegant formula make EltaMD UV Lip Balm the ideal lip protector for all skin types and lifestyles.

Additional Benefits:
•UVA/UVB protection
•Long-lasting moisturization
•Antioxidants help absorb free radicals
•Water-Resistant (80 minutes)
•Fragrance-free, paraben-free, sensitivity-free and noncomedogenic

The acting U.S. surgeon general is asking Americans to give up their love of sunbathing and indoor tanning beds, citing an alarming 200-percent jump in the number of deadly melanoma cases diagnosed since 1973.  Read more...