When you hear the words Botox or Dysport, which demographic comes to mind?  Probably very few people would guess people in their twenties, but according to a report on CBS’ ‘The Early Show,” more and more young people are choosing to undergo the needle.  In a segment on “The Early Show” broadcast on July 20, 2010 it was reported that 5 million people received Botox last year, and of those 5 million people “almost 30% were under the age of 30.”

So are people in their 20’s and 30’s too young for Botox?  Botox/Dysport is a personal decision.  Many people are concerned about injecting a “poison” into their body.  Both Botox and Dysport are actually made from the refined protein.  In fact, Botox has been used for years for both cosmetic and medical purposes.  The benefit of having Botox or Dysport at a younger age is that it’s preventative.  By relaxing the muscles, you are preventing the wrinkles from becoming severe over time.

Before treatment with Botox to glabella

After treatment with Botox. Notice the vertical lines between brows are minimized

Learn more about Botox and Dysport by visiting our website: Botox and Dysport info

Think just because you have darker skin that you won’t get skin cancer?  Well you’re wrong, according to an article on MedPage Today (7/19, Walsh). 

The article sites a study published in the Archives of Dermatology and found that people with darker skin are “also at risk for skin cancer” especially in places that are very sunny… like San Diego.

The research, conducted in sunny Florida, showed that the incidence of melanoma increased- most notable was the increase in melanoma in hispanic and african-american individuals. 

Everyone, regradless of skin tone, needs to take sun precautions; wear a wide brimmed hat, wear and re-apply sunscreen every 1-2 hours, and try to avoid being out midday for prolonged periods of time.  Full body exams are strongly recommended at least once a year.

To read the full article, please click on the following link: MedPage Today

A 62 year-old woman visited the office to discuss photodamage she had accumulated over the years.  She was looking to even out skin tone and  improve the appearance of her skin overall.  She presented with larger lentigos, sometimes referred to as “sun spots” or “age spots,” primarily on her cheeks.

To achieve a dramatic result with limited downtime, I treated the patient with the Qs Alexandrite laser, or Alex for short.  Treatment with the Alex laser is very well tolerated, but some patients prefer to have a topical numbing cream applied which stays on the skin for up to 10 minutes.  The actual laser procedure only takes about 15 minutes to treat the entire face.  The areas that were treated with the laser appear slightly red and swollen, similar to a bug bite.  That redness and swelling decreases significantly the next day and the treated spots will appear slightly darker before sloughing off about one week later.  During that week, patients may wear make-up and resume all their normal activites, but should wear sunscreen and a hat while outdoors.  After about a week, patients can expect the lentigos to be much lighter, if not completely removed.

To learn more about this and other cosmetic procedures offered in our office, please follow this link to our website: San Diego Dermatology and Laser Surgery: Cosmetic Dermatology

Before treatment with Qs Alexandrite laser

After 1 treatment- notice that the large brown spots have resolved resulting in an impressive improvement.

Photo of malignant melanoma- notice the irregular border, larger size and irregular color. Photo courtesy of From Your Doctor Service powered by Vivicare.

Although the month of May is officially Skin Cancer Awareness month, the health of your skin deserves attention year-round; especially when you live somewhere like sunny San Diego.  While sunscreen and protective clothing is essential to help protect your skin from skin cancer, it’s reassuring to know that advances are being made in the way skin cancer, specifically malignant melanoma, is being treated.

A report in the Chicago-Sun Times(6/5, Thomas) explained that the incidence of melanoma has increased in the U.S. over the last 30 years.  But a new drug, called Ipilimumab, is showing promise as a treatment for melanoma.  USA Today(6/7, Szabo) describes the new drug as an immune stimulator.  According to the AP(6/7, Marchione), ipilimumab “works by helping the immune system fight tumors.”  The help this drug has offered is to give patients with late stage melanoma a longer life.  Bloomberg News(6/5, Pattypiece) reports that “ipilimumab kept about a quarter of patients battling late-stage melanoma alive for two years- about twice the proportion with current therapies.”

When discussing skin cancer, especially melanoma, we cannot stress the importance of regular skin checks with a dermatologist.  What can you do in between check ups with your doctor?  Know your skin- about every 3 months take a look at you body in the mirror and notice any changes in size, shape, and/or color.  If you do notice any changes, don’t wait the full year until your next skin exam- make an appointment to see your doctor.  Early detection is a key factor in keeping you healthy!

It’s time to take a good look at yourself in the mirror… and check for any changing moles or suspicious spots, because May is Skin Cancer Awareness month.  According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, in the last decade and a half the number of skin cancers has increased by 350 percent!!  Although May is designated as Skin Cancer Awareness month, you need to be mindful all year long about limiting your sun exposure to avoid becoming a skin cancer statistic.

Here are some facts about the most common types of skin cancers:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)- Accounts for 80% of all skin cancers and is the most common form of any cancer diagnosed in the United States.  Basal cell carcinomas appear on areas of the body that have received the most sun and are commonly found on the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands and arms.

Photo of a basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)- Nearly 250,000 American are diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma each year.  Squamous cell carcinomas appear on areas of the body that have received the most sun and are commonly found on the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands and arms.  Squamous cell can have many different appearances, like:

• A dry, crusted, scaly patch of skin that is red and swollen at the base
• A sore that won’t heal
• Crusted skin
• A thickened, crusty patch of skin with a raised border with a pebbly, granular base

Photo of a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Melanoma (MM)-  The most serious type of skin cancer because it can metastasize (spread) quickly.  Change in the size, shape, color, or feel of an existing mole could be an indication of melanoma.  Moles that are exhibiting any of those characteristics should be evaluated by a dermatologist.

It’s important to have a full body exam done once a year, or as often as needed, as advised by your dermatologist.  Skin cancers, especially melanoma, can be treated when caught early.

In addition to regular skin exams, here are some important tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation (http://skincancer.org/Guidelines/)   to practice safe sun this summer:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

To learn more you can visit our website: derm sd medical glossary or visit the Skin Cancer Foundation at: http://skincancer.org/

A 63 year-old woman presented in the office with concerns about brown sun spots that had developed on the backs of her hands as a result of years of sun exposure.

“Sun spots,” or lentigos, are a relatively easy fix.  I treated the patient with the Qs Alexandrite Laser, a device that targets brown spots caused from sun exposure over the years.  After one treatment the patient’s brown spots had resolved, or lightened significantly.  The patient was very pleased with her results.

Before and after (1 treatment)

Before and after Qs Alexandrite Laser for treatment of sun spots (1 treatment). Notice how the elimination of brown spots results in more youthful looking hands!

Treatment with the Qs Alexandrite Laser is a quick and easy procedure with minimal downtime.  After treatment the spots will appear slightly darker for about one week on the face, and about 2 weeks on the hands before exfoliating off.  It is important to wear sunscreen regularly to avoid getting new brown spots after treatment.  When applying sunscreen pay special attention to face, neck, chest and back of hands as those areas are most exposed to sun and most susceptible to brown spots.

To learn more about Qs Alexandrite Laser, please follow the link to our website: Brown Spot Removal

Summer in San Diego: the beach, the sun… the skin cancer?!  As we head into another beautiful summer in southern California, we like to remind outdoor enthusiasts about the importance of sun protection.  Especially after a new study published in Archives of Dermatology details the rise of non-melanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma).  In the U.S., skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and this new study indicates that “the incidence of skin caner in the United States has substantially increased from 1992 to 2006.”  In fact, incidences of non-melanoma skin cancer rose an average of 4.2% a year in the Medicare population.  The study states that “in 2006, there were an estimated 3.5 million skin cancers overall in the U.S.” 

Photo of a basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Photo of a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

To read the full article, please follow this link:Melanoma/Skin Cancer Health Center, WebMD

A 57 year old male with a long history of excessive sun exposure presented with concerns about the photodamage on his face, particularly skin discoloration, moderate to severe wrinkling, and overall wanted to improve the texture of his skin.

Before treatment with Pixel CO2

I treated the patient with the Qs Alexandrite laser to address the more discrete brown spots (lentigos) and then treated the patient’s full face with the Pixel CO2.  Pixel CO2 is the perfect treatment for someone who has moderate to severe photodamage and would like to do some resurfacing, but is concerned about undergoing traditional CO2.  Pixel CO2 is fractionated resurfacing, which means downtime will be minimal- only about 1 week for the average patient.  Risk of infection is dramatically decreased  because unlike traditional CO2, Pixel CO2 doesn’t break open the skin- there is no oozing or weeping.  The line of demarcation, which is often associated with traditional CO2, is not an issue with Pixel CO2.  What you will get with Pixel CO2 is noticeably smoother, more youthful skin.

Pick up the latest issue of Radiant Life- the Aesthetic Wellness Magazine, featuring Dr. Jason Lupton!

San Diego Dermatology & Laser Surgery is pleased to announce the latest addition to our practice…

Introducing Pixel CO2!!

Pixel CO2 Laser offers the latest in fractional resurfacing technology.  Results from the Pixel CO2 are very similar to those of traditional CO2, but with dramatically reduced downtime and much less risk of complications.  For the average patient, a week of downtime results in tighter skin, dramatically diminished wrinkles, and overall improvement in skin texture and appearance.  When you’re ready for the next step, consider Pixel CO2!   

Photos courtesy of Alma Lasers