Skin cancer is a growing problem internationally. The incidence of melanoma has increased by 4% to 6% annually in fair-skinned populations in North America, Northern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.1 One in 50 Americans develop skin cancer, and melanoma skin cancer kills one American every hour – that is almost 10,000 people per year.2 During the last 30 years, the incidence of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) has been rising 3% to 10% per year whereas the basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidence rate has risen between 20% and 80% in the United States.3 

Aestheticians, massage therapists, hairdressers, and beauticians regularly observe skin of clients, and therefore, any skin therapist plays an important part in the diagnosis and referral of skin cancers. Aestheticians professionals see clients, especially women, more often than dermatologists or family physicians, which means that they play an important role in early skin cancer detection, thereby saving some lives.4  

Any cancer is an overgrowth of cells, and skin cancer is no different. Cellular abnormalities are caused in skin’s outer layer, the epidermis, by ultraviolet rays that trigger genetic mutations and cause basal, squamous, and melanoma skin cancers in skin.  

Dr. Sharad P. Paul is a skin cancer specialist, skin care formulator, and medical doctor. He is known for one of the largest series of skin patients worldwide. In 2015, he received the Ko Awatea Global Award for “improving skin cancer management, education, and patient-centered care internationally.” TIME magazine called him an “Open Heart(ed) Surgeon.” The New Zealand Medical Association described him as “one of the most inspiring, intelligent, and compassionate men [one is] likely to meet.” He has authored best-selling books like “The Genetics of Health,” “Skin, a Biography,” and several medical textbooks. He is the founder of Healthy Skin Lab and recently launched Skin by Dr. Sharad, featuring No-ToxÒ technology, in the United States.