JACKET Sunscreen was formed by Dr. Thomas Balshi, a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in South Florida. An avid outdoorsman himself, Dr. Balshi understands the demands on sunscreen from both the user functionality aspect as well as the medical and health side. With that knowledge, he sought to develop the best sunscreen on the market — one that delivers maximum protection, comfortable application, and exclusive anti-aging ingredients that fade dark spots and smooth wrinkles while worn. We know claiming to be the best is a bold statement, but we believe every word.
Here is a quick note from Dr. Balshi himself, reminding us all about the importance of wearing sunscreen and protecting ourselves from UV rays. Unlike many cancers, skin cancer is, for the most part, preventable. But we have to do our part.
Don’t get burned! Make informed decisions and be safe out there!
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In fact, there are more new cases of skin cancer each year than the incidence of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined. More than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually, 90% of which are caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and tanning beds.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime, and the likelihood increases to 50% individuals age 65 and older. Luckily, most skin cancers are found early and can be managed in a dermatologist’s office.
The deadliest form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma — causing one death every 62 minutes.
While the incidence of many other cancers is falling, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise at a rate faster than that of any of the seven most common cancers. Melanoma only accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases, but it causes more than 75% of all skin cancer deaths.
One or more blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can more than double an individual’s chances of developing melanoma later in life. If serious sunburns are a part of your history, extra precautions are absolutely mandatory.
The good news is that the survival rate for patients where melanoma is detected early and before the tumor has penetrated through the skin, is about 99%. The bad news is that the survival rate falls to only 15% for those with advanced disease.
One problem with melanoma is that there are no symptoms — no pain, no itch, nothing but maybe a speck of color change that only a trained eye is equipped to recognize.
As a dermatologist with a strong awareness of skin consequences, I urge everyone not to burn in the sun. Be religious about applying sunscreen, wear protective clothing and enjoy the great outdoors responsibly. Don’t become part of the skin cancer epidemic. Don’t become a statistic.
The single most important preventative measure is to see your dermatologist for a professional skin exam. This is a life saver you can’t afford to live without