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Archive for the ‘Healthy Skin’ Category
Monday, November 28th, 2011
California’s governor has signed into effect SB 246, which bans the use of tanning beds by anyone under the age of 18- making California the first state to pass such a law. The bill was the result of efforts by the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and the Aim at Melanoma Foundation, and had the support of many other groups. The law won’t take effect until January 1, 2012 and will ban minors from using indoor tanning beds, with the exception of phototherapy prescribed by a doctor. Research has shown that use of indoor tanning beds has a direct correlation with an increased risk in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
More articles about california, law, melanoma, skin cancer, tanning
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Thursday, October 27th, 2011
 Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee to get their day started… or maybe 2 or 3 cups of coffee? Downside to drinking that much coffee? It may discolor your pearly whites. Upside? Research has linked coffee to a decreased risk in skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma.
As reported on The Los Angeles Times (10/25, Brown) “Booster Shots” blog, The Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study followed a combined total of 112,897 people over the span of 24 years. Their data showed that “women who drank more than three cups of coffee had a 20% reduction in risk for basal cell carcinoma.” They also found that men “benefited from a 9% reduction in risk of this type of skin cancer” when they drank three or more cups of joe per day WebMD (10/25, Warner).
Mere coincidence? The researchers also found that “drinking decaffeinated coffee did not have any effect on skin cancer risk…” So is caffeine the skin cancer fighting ingredient? To answer that question, the researchers are now “looking into whether caffeine should be added to sunscreen to increase its effectiveness against skin cancer” WebMD (10/25, Warner).
So… when you’re walking out the door in the morning, remember to slather on the SPF and grab that cup of java!
More articles about caffeine, coffee, diet, health, skin cancer
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Monday, August 29th, 2011
 Grapes can be a delicious snack to your healthy diet, and they could potentially help your skin. An article in the UK’s Daily Mail reports that “grapes could protect against skin cancer and prevent premature ageing.”
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council, found that grapes- more specifically, flavonoids found in grapes, may have skin protecting benefits. The scientist found that the flavonoids “protect cells from the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun…”
Grapes aren’t just for the produce aisle anymore! In light of this new research, you may soon be able to find them in the skincare aisle as well!!
To read the article in it’s entirety, click on the following link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2020975/Scientists-discover-grapes-protect-skin-cancer.html
More articles about diet, grapes, health, skin cancer, sun exposure, youthful appearance
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Friday, June 17th, 2011
 Confused as you walk down the sunscreen aisle? Apparently so were alot of other people. So the FDA announced some changes that they will require for sunscreen labeling. Here are the facts:
When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that offers broad-spectrum protection. According to the CBS Evening News, manufacturers may only label their product as broad-spectrum “only if the sunscreen protects [against] ultraviolet B which causes burning and ultraviolet A which causes wrinkling.” The AP reports that sun protection products that aren’t broad-spectrum, or that are less than SPF 15 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”
The Washington Post reports that the FDA will do away with the terms sunblock, waterproof, and sweatproof due to the inaccuracy of the terms. Instead, they will be labeled water-resistant.
The FDA has not yet decided if it will require manufacturers to do away with excessively high SPF numbers (SPF 80, 90, 100). According to the New York Times, products that are labeled with that high of a SPF “offer little more protection than those with an SPF of 50.” USA Today reports that everyone should use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen.
Before you head out to the beach this summer, make sure your sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection, that it is at least an SPF 30 or higher, and that you apply enough sunscreen (think a shot glass size amount for the entire body), and re-apply every one to two hours while outdoors.
More articles about FDA, skin cancer, sun exposure, sunscreen
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Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
 According to Practical Dermatology (March 2011), more than 16 million Americans are affected by rosacea. When most people hear the word rosacea, they think of facial redness. However, rosacea is a little more complicated than that. Rosacea is a tendency to flush or blush easily. The condition progresses to persistent redness, pimples, and visible threadlike blood vessels (telangiectasias) in the center of the face. These skin changes can eventually spread to the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose. The National Rosacea Society conducted a survey recently in which 76 percent of surveyed rosacea patients stated that their skin condition lowered their self-esteem and self-confidence. Surprisingly, “only a fraction of the millions of Americans suffering from the condition has been treated” (Practical Dermatology, March 2011).
So what are the treatment options available to those suffering with rosacea? Patients may want to consider an oral antibiotic or topical treatments. There are several prescription, as well as cosmeceutical products that are safe and effective. In our office, we recommend DermSD Recover which is very effective at reducing redness and calming inflamed skin. Of course when choosing this treatment method, patient compliance is crucial. When oral antibiotics and topicals aren’t enough, patients may want to consider laser treatment. Pulsed dye lasers, like the Vbeam, are extremely effective at reducing redness, minimizing telangiectasias, and decreasing breakouts associated with rosacea. In this day and age of technology-on-the-go, a new resource will become available to those with rosacea: a smart phone app! The Rosacea App, which will launch in April, will provide those who have, or think they have rosacea with valuable information.
To learn more about rosacea and available treatment options, please visit the following links:
San Diego Dermatology Medical Dermatology Reference Library
San Diego Dermatology Blood Vessel Treatment
National Rosacea Society
More articles about blood vessels & veins, DermSD Recover, laser, pimples, redness, rosacea, vbeam
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