Hi there, Being a sailor, you clearly have been exposed to the elements. Efudix cream is not unreasonable to deal with the actinic (sun) damage that you have developed. When treating sun damage on the face, the reaction to efudix tends to be more predictable and reliable than of the face. So for my ...

Hi there, There are a number of ways of removal a mole. If the moles were lumpy and bumpy and they were removed superficially without stitches, then this may explain why they have returned as the roots do not appear to have been removed. If they are still posing a nuisance for you (clearly not for t...

Hi there, There is greater risk of you developing skin cancer if you have a first degree relative affected, that is your mother, father, brother or sister rather than your grandmother. There are many risk factors for developing skin cancer but sun exposure is a big one which causes DNA damage within...

Hi there, The mole would have to have pretty deep roots for it to infiltrate the nerves and subsequently affect the eye. In 18yrs of medical practice, I have yet to see such a case. I would recommend you see your GP for an assessment first and if he/she is concerned, I'm sure they will make the onwa...

Dear Alison,

Depending on your skin type and sensitivity to the sun, I would recommend minimum SPF 15 on your face but ideally 30 would be better.

Hope that helps!

Dr Juber Hafiji

Hi there, It is advisable to use sunscreen daily as even on a cloudy day, UVA and UVB can still come through and cause sun damage. Most cosmetics will contain SPF15 so some protection is better than none in my view. Minimum SPF that I recommend is SPF 30 regularly and often depending upon activity a...

Hi there, Moles usually develop early in life and can grow and change with you as you get older. Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer can develop from a pre-existing mole or more commonly, present as a new mole. The major factors that we look for is the change in size, shape, colour and other f...

Hi there! Firstly I think your partner should see his GP to have the mole on his back checked. With you father's history, I too think he ought to have his checked out too. Perhaps father and son can go together if they are local? I recommend minimum SPF 30 but SPF 15 in cosmetics would be OK. Having...

Hi there, Great question! You don't actually need to be in the sun long to have vitamin D activation for the body to use. If you're fair skinned, being outside for 10 minutes in the midday sun—in shorts and a tank top with no sunscreen would give you 10,000 international units which isn't bad. Obvio...

Hi there, Sorry to hear that there is alot of cancer in your family. Certain types of breast cancer are associated with an increased of skin cancer and if you have moles, it might be worthwhile seeing your GP or a dermatologist. Regarding your eczema, I do think you need to see your GP to explore po...