California Bans Tanning for Teens

“The Young and the Tanless” caught my attention a couple weeks ago as news coverage highlighted California’s ban on teenage tanning bed use. The Golden State has become the first to outlaw anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds. There are 30 states that have laws in place that restrict tanning for minors. Current South Carolina law states that for anyone under the age of 18, a parent must give permission in person and that protective eyewear must be worn.

I wholeheartedly support California’s new legislation and would love to see more restrictive policies here. I know it’s homecoming season for most high schools and colleges, if you or your child are thinking about going to a tanning bed to keep your summer color longer – don’t! The World Health Organization has placed tanning beds in its Group 1 Carcinogen Category along with cigarettes and plutonium.

If that doesn’t cause you to rethink tanning beds, consider that the American Academy of Dermatology has research showing that people who have used indoor tanning have a 75 percent higher risk for developing melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 25 to 29.

I read that Los Angeles County has shockingly more tanning salons than Starbucks coffee shops and McDonalds restaurants. A quick Google search shows that similarly Greenville is not hurting for tanning choices. As an alternative to tanning, please consider using a spray tan. Many salons offer them as a substitute to harmful tanning beds. Or come visit our office, my staff and I can give you guidance on tanning lotions, bronzers and keeping a radiant, and more importantly, healthy glow through the fall.

Allergies and Your Skin

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recently released their 2011 list of “The top 100 Fall Allergy Capitals.” Not surprising to those of us living in the Upstate, several southeastern cities made the top 20, including Columbia, S.C. Our hometown of Greenville, S.C. came in 31^st, just above Charleston at 32^nd.

Experts predict this fall to be one of the harshest allergy seasons yet. Severe weather throughout the summer including flooding and an active tropical storm season have increased ragweed levels and produced higher quantities of mold spores.

With this allergen alert, it’s important to take steps to manage your allergies and to adjust your skincare regime accordingly.

Tips:

• Drink plenty of water and moisturize frequently to ward off the effects that antihistamines can have on your skin.

• Keep your eyes, nose and lips from becoming chapped or red by using tissues with lotion, aloe or vitamin E.

• Switch to hypoallergenic moisturizers and make-up.

• To fight redness, use a bronzer with brown instead of red undertones and look for concealers with a green or gold base.

• Avoid matte textures which make dry skin look drier. A little shimmer will give your skin a rested and dewy appearance.

• Blue eyeliners and mascaras will brighten the whites of your eyes, making you look more rested.

To see the complete list of all cities included in the “The top 100 Fall Allergy Capitals,” visit the link below:

http://www.aafa.org/pdfs/Public%20LIST%20FALL_2011%20v2.pdf

Antioxidants 101

We constantly hear buzzwords like antioxidants and free radicals in the news. They have us drinking more green tea and buying products with labels that claim to contain the marvelous compounds, but what are they?

It’s a little strange to think of our bodies rusting, but as we age a similar process of oxidation affects body tissues. Free radicals form in the body as oxygen interacts with certain molecules and trigger a chain reaction in the skin that damages its structure and weakens it on the cellular level. Antioxidants are our bodies’ defense against cell damage. They protect cells and promote healthy aging as they equip our bodies with the ability to fight free radicals caused from such factors as sun exposure, pollution, alcohol and stress.

Antioxidants can be taken orally as vitamins or delivered topically. They work under the skin's surface by fortifying the body’s natural repair systems and preventing new damage. Some antioxidants have been shown to reverse some of the discoloration and wrinkles associated with aging and over exposure to the sun.

Remember that even though a product may claim to contain useful antioxidants, it is difficult to know what quantities are in some antioxidant-based products. To be effective as a topical treatment, they need to be in high concentrations and formulated properly to remain stable. Common names to look for are coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid and retinoic acid. If you are considering using an antioxidant for your skin, we can talk about which products are best for you.

Meet our New Primary Medical Esthetician

Dr. Miller and the staff of Greenville Dermatology are excited to announce LeeAnn Faulkner, as the practice’s new Primary Medical Esthetician.

LeeAnn will work hand in hand with our board certified dermatologists to provide customized medically directed skincare treatments tailored to each patient’s needs. LeeAnn is dedicated to her patients care and offers an expert touch to rejuvenate skin, remove sun spots and even out skin tones. Her expertise lies in clinical and restorative facials, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. LeeAnn is also well-versed in cutting-edge cosmeceutical products & corrective cosmetic treatments.

A graduate of Greenville Technical College, LeeAnn received her Esthetics Certificate Program license, and then went on receive her medical esthetician training from Grace Medical in Summerville, SC.

LeeAnn is excited for the opportunity to provide Greenville Dermatology patients with the best skincare and customer service possible. “I love what I do, and truly enjoy making a difference in my patient’s lives by supporting them with their skincare needs.”

Services:

· Facials

· Acne Treatments

· Chemical Peels

· Free Visia Scans

· GloMineral Consultations

· Microdermabrasion

· Waxing

· Electrolysis

· IPL Hair Removal

· IPL Pigmentation

· Fractional Laser Resurfacing

· Capillaries

· Hyper Pigmentation

· Facial Rejuvenation

Call today to book your appointment, mention this blog and receive $25 dollars off your next service with LeeAnn.

Are You a Brilliant Distinctions Member Yet?

Are you a member of the Brilliant Distinctions® program?

Well you SHOULD BE!

The new Brilliant Distinctions Points Program offers fantastic rewards when you visit your physician for BOTOX® Cosmetic and/or JUVEDERM® XC treatments, as well as LATISSE® or VIVITÉ® product(s). You will start earning points that can be used immediately towards discounts on select ALLERGAN products and services.

Members of the Brilliant Distinctions program enjoy:

• Points each time you get BOTOX and/or JUVÉDERM XC treatments

• Points each time you purchase LATISSE or VIVITÉ product(s)

• Redeem your points for big savings on BOTOX, JUVÉDERM XC, LATISSE and VIVITÉ product(s)

• Option to donate your points to Dress for Success or the Make-A-Wish Foundation

• A personalized monthly eNewsletter that includes:

o Helpful tips, articles and information personalized just for you

o Promotions to earn bonus points, points balances, treatment reminders and exclusive invitations to events in your area

Redeeming points is a breeze for qualified patients - simply login and go to the Redeem Points section on your web page and choose how you wish to redeem your points.

Coupons can be used for a number of great rewards, including dollars off BOTOX Cosmetic treatments, JUVÉDERM XC treatments, and the purchase of LATISSE or VIVITÉ Skin Care product(s).

The more points you earn in the program, the more dollars you can save!

Call the Greenville Dermatology office today at 864-242-5872 where we can assist you in joining Brilliant Distinctions or answer any questions you may have about the program.

Fall Makeup Trends

Fall is almost upon us, and as we see the seasons changing, we begin to notice the makeup trends changing, as well. So this fall make sure your makeup is not only fashionable, but also healthy for your skin. Mineral based makeup is an ideal option to achieve both.

While minerals have been used as enhancers in makeup for some time, new healthier formulas have been developed as of late. These products have been updated to remove potentially irritating fillers like talc, harmful chemicals and synthetic dyes. Instead of chemicals on your skin you get makeup that looks beautiful and is kinder to your skin.

When researching mineral makeup, it is a good idea to look for certain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Makeup containing these ingredients will be higher quality and better for your overall complexion. At Greenville Dermatology, we recommend Glo Minerals to our patients. This makeup line contains vitamins that additionally improve and heal the skin.

If you are in need of a makeup-makeover call our office today. Medical esthetician LeeAnn Faulkner will help you update your fall look and refresh your complexion with the new Fall 2011 Glo Minerals collection. With so many shades to choose from in matte and shimmering hues, there is something for everyone’s skin tone.

Melanoma and Young Women

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune discusses the sobering fact that melanoma is now the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in young women. Incidents of melanoma have been on the rise in the last 30 years, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, and the rate among white women aged 15 to 39 has grown by an average of three percent a year for the last 20 years. The article goes on to state that melanoma “is the most common form of cancer for women aged 25 to 29…and the second most common for females 15 to 30, together the prime age range of tanning salon customers.”

This trend parallels a rise in the use of tanning salons and time spent tanning on the beach. Most women report that after lying in a tanning bed they feel more confident and beautiful, thus leading to more frequent visits. The article states that “despite the warnings and growing body of scientific evidence, young women continue to go to tanning salons, in part, some experts believe, because the tanning salons play down the scientific evidence and play up the benefits of vitamin D from ultraviolet rays."

Most young women do not realize the seriousness of this cancer. In intense circumstances, melanoma may need to be treated with chemotherapy and frequent visits to the dermatologist for the remainder of their lives.

Stay away from tanning beds, wear sunscreen and remember most skin cancers are treatable when caught early. Visit your dermatologist today.