Your Skin Deserves a Second Look This May

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and one in five Americans will develop it in their lifetime. Along the Emerald Coast, where sunshine is a way of life, that risk is a year-round reality. The good news is that when caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.

That’s why May, Skin Cancer Awareness Month, is the perfect time to make your skin health a priority. Dermatology Specialists of Florida is making it easy to do exactly that by bringing free community skin cancer screenings to multiple locations across the region throughout the month of May — including Panama City, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Milton, Watersound, Defuniak Springs, and Marianna.

Haley Lewis

“As a Bay County native, I feel privileged and honored to care for the skincare needs of the community that raised me and helped me to become the doctor I am today. Events like our May screening are one of the most meaningful ways we can give back — and early detection truly saves lives.” — Haley Lewis, DO, Board-Certified Dermatologist, Dermatology Specialists of Florida, Panama City.

Screenings are complimentary and open to community members who are at least 18 years of age and have not had a professional skin screening within the past 12 months. Spots are limited and fill up quickly, so visit mydermspecialists.com/may-skin-screening for location-specific dates, times, and to reserve your appointment today.

For those who may need further evaluation or treatment, patients across the Emerald Coast have access to comprehensive skin cancer care close to home. Dermatology Specialists of Florida is proud to have two of the region’s most accomplished Mohs surgeons on its team. Jon Ward, MD, founder of the practice and board-certified dermatologist, is among the first in the nation to receive dual certification in both dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery and has performed more than 20,000 skin cancer surgeries. Michael Stickler, MD, is also among the first in the nation to achieve that same dual certification and brings decades of expertise caring for patients throughout the Florida Panhandle. Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the gold standard for treating many common skin cancers, offering the highest cure rates while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

The ABCDEs of melanoma are worth knowing year-round: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving changes in any spot or mole. If something looks different, or if you simply haven’t had a skin check recently, scheduling a professional exam is always a good idea.

Prevention matters just as much as detection. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every morning and reapply every two hours when spending time outdoors. Wear UV-protective sunglasses, wide-brim hats, and lightweight protective clothing when in the sun for extended periods. Seek shade during peak UV hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and avoid tanning beds entirely. Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of UV rays still reach your skin, making sun protection a year-round commitment here in Florida.

To make that commitment a little easier this month, Aqua Medical Spa is offering 25% off all sunscreen throughout May, available in-spa and online at aquamedicalspa.com.

Your skin is worth protecting at every age and every stage. Schedule your appointment today at mydermspecialists.com or call 877-231-3376.