Dr. Sarah Cely, Pictured Above, of Savannah River Dermatology
Happy Tuesday, Everyone! Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing local Augusta dermatologist, Sarah Cely, with Savannah River Dermatology. I had been wanting to do a local interview and thought, why not start with an expert who can speak to summer skin care?
Here is a little more on Sarah’s background — she is a native of Augusta and received her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University. She attended medical school at the University of Louisville. She completed an internship in Internal Medicine and residency in Dermatology at the Medical College of Georgia in 2011. Lastly, she is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and Augusta Dermatology Society.
I learned so much from our one-on-one interview and will be making some major changes in my daily routine!
With summer upon us, what is the best way to prevent sun damage while enjoying the great outdoors?
Sarah: Regular use of a an SPF 30 Sunscreen or Higher, with re-application every 80 minutes. The higher-level SPF’s are fine, too, but they still have to be re-applied every 80 minutes. In addition to sunscreen, avoid the times of the highest UV-rays, from 10am-2 pm and seek shade when possible. Also, UV-Protective Clothing is another from of sun protection, as regular clothing does not protect you 100%. Lastly, I also recommend using a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
So, I forgot to reapply my sunscreen at the beach, and end up with a burn. What should I do next?
Sarah: The best way to alleviate pain is with Aloe-Vera and a cool-compress; you should also avoid direct sunlight for the next several days. The natural course of progression is redness and swelling for a few days, followed by peeling. When you do start to peel, the most important thing is to moisturize regularly to promote new skin-cell turnover and heal the skin. Very rarely do you need to seek medical attention, but if you start to have fever, chills, or feel ill –see a doctor.
How often should I get checked for skin cancer, and at what age should young women start coming in for screening?
Sarah: There is no age of recommendation at which to begin skin exams. If you have a family history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer, have multiple blistering sunburns, or if you are using or have used tanning beds, you should have your skin checked routinely. A good rule-of-thumb is that women should start getting screened around the time they start having routine gynecological exams & and should plan on coming in once a year.
