B - Border Irregularity: The borders of early melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges. Common moles have smoother, more even borders.

C - Color: Common moles usually are a single shade of brown. Varied shades of brown, tan, or black are often first sign of melanoma. As melanomas progress, colors red, white and blue may appear.

D - Diameter: Early melanomas tend to grow larger than common moles - generally to at least size of a pencil eraser (about 6mm, or 1/4 inch, in diameter). However, they may also be smaller.

Remember, checking your skin should be part of your medical regimen, and adults should schedule an annual check-up at a dermatologist office. The only way to diagnose a melanoma, with certainty, is for a qualified pathologist to examine tissue under a microscope.

Now that you understand importance of skin care protection, you need to know how to best protect yourself and your loved ones.

Sunscreen: The best sunscreen is one that you wear daily! Your sunscreen should have a zinc oxide content of 6 percent or greater, because zinc will be stable in light and not lead to sensitivity reactions. Most importantly, zinc blocks UVB and UVA long rays. Zinc is also a great sunscreen, because dimethicone coated (Z-Cote) is both transparent and non-greasy, unlike thick sunscreens of past.

Protective Clothing: When exposed to sunlight wear protective clothing such as broad-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and UV-protective sunglasses.

Summary: While everyone worries about prospect of cancer, it's important to remember that you can take a proactive role in protecting yourself and your family. Skin cancer is highly preventable by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing and staying out of sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) as much as possible. Furthermore, by keeping a close eye on moles and regularly seeing a dermatologist, skin cancer is usually treatable and even curable if found early.

For more information on this article, or assistance with your skincare needs, please feel free to contact us at advice@skintegrity.com.

Only 15 per cent of waiting list group attained 50 per cent reduction in headache days. The effectiveness of both sham and real acupuncture is about same as treatment with drugs and has fewer side effects. The results, they conclude, "may be due to non-specific physiological effects of needling, to a powerful placebo effect, or to a combination of both."