Q: What is the difference between Stress Acne and Adult Acne?

A: Adult acne is mainly caused by hormonal imbalances in acne-prone individuals, for example, during menopause or is manifested in teenage acne that persists through adulthood. It can also be triggered by factors such as lifestyle habits, certain cosmetics, prescription medications, polycystic ovarian syndrome, etc. On the other hand, stress acne is triggered by an excess in cortisol production. This particular stress hormone causes the sebaceous glands to become overactive and produce more oil, which can quickly turn into clogged pores and acne lesions. Therefore, stress acne can be improved by managing stress in the first place.


Q: What is the skin exposome?

A: The skin exposome is the measure or sum of all factors we are exposed to during our lifetime that influence our body and skin health. It includes both external and internal factors and the human body's response. There are seven exposome factors that can increase the visible signs of aging and negatively affect skin health: sun exposure and solar radiation, smoking, weather and extreme temperatures, poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, and pollution. Understanding these factors and knowing how to prevent and correct the effects they produce on the skin can help individuals reduce their rate of aging and minimize their risk of skin cancer.


Q: I’m bad about using sunscreen and saw a spot on my arm. How do I know if it is melanoma?

A: Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can be lethal if not diagnosed promptly. Prolonged and unprotected sun exposure can cause skin lesions that could appear benign to the untrained eye and passed off as simple spots, bumps, or moles. Nevertheless, they could be the first manifestation of skin cancer. That is why it is crucial to have these lesions checked by a dermatologist as soon as they are noticed, particularly if the person is a sun lover or has had a history of previous lesions. One way to quickly learn if these lesions are malignant is to follow this ABCDE rule.

A: Stands for asymmetry. If the lesion is split in half, and both halves are shaped differently, you have a worrying factor.
B: Stands for borders. If the lesion has irregular, scalloped, mottled, or undefined edges, it presents cause to worry.
C: Stands for color. If the lesion has very dark, uneven, or multiple color shades or hues throughout, that is potentially troublesome.
D: Stands for diameter. If the diameter or size across the lesion is larger than 5 mm or the size of a pencil eraser, that is another reason for concern.
E: Stands for evolution. When a lesion has grown or changed in texture, shape, etc., rather quickly within days, weeks, or a few months, this presents one more concerning factor.

Any of the above signs call for a visit to the doctor asap and remember, staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen as soon as possible are smart ways to reduce the risk of skin cancers.