Men More Likely to Die from Skin Cancer than Women

New research shows that men are 70 percent more likely than women to die from malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

The Cancer Research UK studied data from 2011 and found that although similar numbers of women and men were diagnosed with melanoma, 3.4 men per 100,000 die from the disease compared with two per 100,000 women.

Further analysis shows that, of the 6,200 men who develop melanoma each year, 1,300 die from it, while only 900 women out of 6,600 who develop the disease die.

This gap is predicted to widen even more in the future, since death rates from malignant melanoma are increasing in men, but remaining stable in women.

"Research has suggested the difference between the sexes could be in part because men are more likely to be diagnosed when melanoma is at a more advanced stage,” said Professor Julia Newton-Bishop, Cancer Research UK dermatologist from the University of Leeds.

We also know that men and women tend to develop melanoma in different places – more often on the back and chest for men and on the arms and legs for women.

According to Cancer Research UK, death rates for men with melanoma have increased by 185 percent since the early 1970s. On the other hand, death rates for women have only increased 55 percent.

“One of the reasons for the difference [between men and women] may be attitudes towards seeing a doctor. [Women] tend to be reluctant to 'waste' the doctor's time - men are especially likely to put it off,” said Sara Hion, director of early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK.”

It is essential for people to protect their skin from the sun. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Note that even products labeled “waterproof” or “sweatproof” only protect you for 40 minutes while swimming or sweating. Greenville Dermatology’s retail store carries a wide selection of broad-spectrum sunscreens that are ideal for everyday use.

Early detection of melanoma plus regular skin exams is vital for beating the disease. When detected in its earliest stages, melanoma is 99 percent curable. Call Greenville Dermatology today at (864) 242-5872 to make an appointment with a dermatologist.

The 6 Foods that Will Save Your Skin

If you want clean, healthy skin look no further than what you are putting into your body. There is ample research these days that says what you eat can affect many aspects of your body, but especially your skin. There are many sources that cite specific foods that are good for your skin.  Below, we list six that we believe are most beneficial and are consistently credited with skin benefits.

1.       Water

Hydration plays a big role in keeping skin looking healthy and young, according to many sources. Additionally, it is suggested that hard water, the kind that is high in minerals, is especially good. Water is also helpful in getting cells to move nutrients in and toxins out of the body. Prevention says that water makes your skin appear plumper and less wrinkled.

2.       Dark chocolate

Chocolate contains high levels of antioxidants called flavanols, which Fitness Magazine says will hydrate your skin and make it firmer and more supple. Prevention.com also mentions dark chocolate as having skin benefits saying that it not only hydrate skin, but also improves circulation.

3.       Oatmeal

In this category, steel cut oats are the best choice because they are less processed, therefore retaining more vitamins, according to Fit  Magazine. The Huffington Post featured an article on oatmeal’s beauty benefits saying it is full of vitamins, minerals, and lipids that will add moisture to skin. It also contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties so it is ideal for sensitive skin, and can be used in a bath soak or face wash.

4.       Green Tea

Green tea has health benefits that can reach all parts of the body, but in regards to skin, sources say that it can reduce redness, make your skin more elastic and smooth and boost blood flow and oxygen to the skin. WebMD says green tea may even help prevent or reduce the risk of skin cancer.

5.       Walnuts

Walnuts contain omega-3 essential fatty acids, which not only softens skin but improve its elasticity as well. Prevention.com lists walnuts as especially important to vegetarians who skip fish because omega-3 fatty acids are essential to the diet.

6.       Tomatoes

This vegetable is the most beneficial for your skin when it is cooked. This way, your body will gain the most sun shielding nutrients. According to Women’s Health Magazine, lycopene is the phytochemical that makes tomatoes red and has the ability to eliminate skin-again free radicals from UV rays. Prevention.com also says that tomatoes improve our skin’s natural SPF to protect against the sun’s harmful rays.

In general, remember to stay away from processed foods and added sugars as best you can, and instead stick with natural, whole foods. If you make an effort to incorporate some of these six foods into your eating habits, your skin will surely reap the benefits.

If you have any questions about what you are eating and its affect on your skin, our team at Greenville Dermatology is available for answers and advice. Call Greenville Dermatology at 864-242-5872 to schedule an appointment today.

Answers.com: Facial Rejuvenation on A Budget

The following is a preview of an article Dr. Miller wrote for Answers.com. Click here to read the full article.

Facial rejuvenation has become big business. Getting Botox injections and facial fillers like Juvederm and Restylane have become the number one cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. These injections are much more affordable than a facelift, but can still be cost-prohibitive for some. However, you may be surprised at what you can get for your money. Here are some ideas for facial rejuvenation for the consumer on a budget.

1. Under $50 A Month Or $600 A Year

If you can only afford $50 or less, wear sunscreen. Regardless of what you decide to do to rejuvenate your face, wear sunscreen. Sun exposure will negatively affect any anti-aging procedure you decide to do which means you need to avoid the tanning bed as well. Also, by wearing sunscreen now, you will need less facial rejuvenation in the future because you will have less wrinkles and less damage to your skin. If you only have money to do one thing to improve your appearance, wearing sunscreen would be the single most important thing to do.

2. Under $100 A Month Or $1200 A Year

If you have a little more to spend, add an exfoliating cleanser to your sunscreen regimen. Exfoliating cleansers contain glycolic or salicylic acid and will remove photo damaged skin from the face. A good exfoliating cleanser will cost between $40 and $60. Most good brands are sold at cosmetic physician's offices, but some cosmetic counters in department stores have options as well. Adding an exfoliating cleanser with your sunscreen should cost less than $100 a month.

For more facial rejuvenation recommendations for budgets between $200-$400 a month, read Dr. Miller’s full article on Answers.com.

Depending on your goals and budget, our team of experts at Greenville Dermatology can help you determine what treatment is best for your skin. To schedule an appointment, call (864) 242-5872 today. 

Winter Skincare Tips

Winter is in full swing across the country, and while we are lucky in the South to avoid much of the snow and ice that northern climates experience, we still must deal with winter air that can negatively affect our skin. Temperature changes and lower humidity levels frequently can cause dryness and ashiness, and for those already with sensitive skin, winter is a very tough season.

It’s important to consider making changes to your skincare routine during this time because some of the things that you do in summer months may actually harm your skin in winter months. This article lists many tips for winter skincare and we have highlighted some of our favorites below.

·         Be Gentle: Use gentle products that are engineered for dry skin and are alcohol free, which will also dry out skin.

·         Moisturize when needed: Apply moisturizer whenever skin feels itchy or dry. Apply extra moisturizer at night, when your skin has a chance to repair while you sleep. Use moisturizers like shea and cocoa butter on your hands and feet and cover with cotton gloves or socks overnight.

·         Take shorter showers or baths: Exposure to hot water during a long shower will dry out your skin. Take shorter showers and lower the water temperature to minimize the damage.

·         Avoid wool: Harsh fabrics like wool will cause dryness when they run against your skin. Try to wear softer fabrics or place a softer fabric between your skin and the wool garment.

·         Reduce indoor heat: Turning up your heat inside will dry out your skin. Try to keep indoor temperatures between 68-70 degrees.

·         Use sunscreen: Use sunscreen or products containing SPF at all times when outside, including during cold weather. This is especially important if you plan to hit the slopes!

·         Remember the lips: Chapped lips are one of the most frequently felt pains during winter. Remember to put moisturizer on your lips 30 minutes before going outside. This will give the moisturizer time to absorb into the skin.

·         Be vigilant: Dry skin can often be mistaken for a more serious condition, such as psoriasis or eczema. If you see red, itchy patches that do not respond to moisturizer and appear to get worse, consult a dermatologist for more specific treatment.

Fortunately, winter weather will eventually disappear and your skin should feel less dry. However, if your dry skin symptoms are more severe or continue to worsen, please call our team at Greenville Dermatology so we can help determine whether you should receive further treatment. Call Greenville Dermatology at 864-242-5872 to schedule an appointment today.

Social Media and the Increase in Perceived Need for Cosmetic Surgery

Social media is becoming more and more important in our lives as a way to connect and share with family, friends, professional associates, and our favorite brands. Our use of our mobile devices has grown too, and now that most are photo and video capable, we are capturing photos and videos of our selves more than ever. This includes the wildly popular “selfie” trend that is so big that “selfie” was named the word of year in 2013.

This trend in social media has led to an interesting trend in cosmetic surgery. As more people are seeing their image shared across multiple platforms, many are seeing a perceived need for cosmetic surgery. A 2014 survey conducted by Glamour magazine found that 64 percent of the women surveyed said that looking at pictures of themselves on social media sites makes them feel bad about their body. This can often lead to considering cosmetic procedures to correct those perceived needs.

Real Self, an online information-sharing community that offers information related to cosmetic surgery and dermatology among other things, recently surveyed 527 visitors to the website. They asked, “Has social media influenced you to consider or choose to have a cosmetic procedure?” Shockingly, nearly half of the respondents confirmed that social media had in fact played a role in their decision. 15.37 percent of people said “yes” and nearly 34 percent responded “somewhat, I knew I wanted a change, but photos on social media made me more aware.”

The perceived need for cosmetic procedures is not always generated by looking at a photo of one’s self. The desire for a procedure can also be generated by seeing more photos of personal friends or associates that have undergone procedures. People see the positive effects of a procedure and are more likely to consider it in their own life. People are also using social media channels to connect with their doctors and give feedback about positive and negative experiences through online reviews on websites. A dermatology practice that is very engaged with patients over social media could potentially grow their business through that channel.

Whether you are seeing a need for cosmetic procedures through your selfies or your friends’ latest activity on Facebook or Instagram, our team at Greenville Dermatology can help you determine exactly what needs you may have, especially if you are showing symptoms of a more serious condition. Call Greenville Dermatology at 864-242-5872 to schedule an appointment today.

Surprising Ways you are Aging Your Skin

Many things can prematurely age your skin. There are the usual suspects, like smoking, lack of sleep, and not enough sunscreen. But there are other, more surprising things that you may be doing every day that are also aging your skin. View this article for the complete list and read below for some of the most shocking culprits.

·         Washing Your Face Too Much: While it is recommended to wash your face daily, it is possible to over wash your face. Do not wash more than twice daily and monitor the ingredients in your cleansers. A non-soap cleanser without alkaline is a better option for repeated washing.

·         Drinking through a Straw: Repeatedly pursing your lips around a straw can cause wrinkling around your mouth. These lines may not appear until a later age when your skin is weaker but actions at a young age may contribute to this showing up in your skin later.

·         Wearing Contacts:  Contact lens users typically pull at the skin around their eyes when putting in or taking out their lenses. Over time, this repeated action can cause inflammation, and lead to wrinkling and sagging.

·         Driving: UVA rays, which can cause skin aging, can penetrate through auto glass and affect your skin even while driving. Try to remember to apply sunscreen to your exposed areas, including your face and left forearm.  

·         Sleeping on your face: Sleeping on your face repeatedly might create more facial wrinkles because of facial compression against your pillow. If you must sleep on your side, switch to a silk or satin pillowcase which will decrease the amount of wrinkles and help your skin retain moisture.

·         Slouching at work: Slouching or resting your chin on your arm can stretch the skin and lead to wrinkles over time.

·         Eating too much sodium: You may already know that sodium will suck water out of your system, so it makes sense that too much sodium will also take water out of your skin. Cut out some salty foods and remember to drink plenty of water.

Some of these every day actions will negatively affect your skin over time. While not all habits are easy to break, it’s important to think about routine changes that could help extend the life of your skin. Should premature skin aging be something you are concerned about and would like to treat, our team at Greenville Dermatology can recommend products or treatments depending on your skin condition. Call Greenville Dermatology at 864-242-5872 to schedule an appointment today.

Gift Ideas that will Give to Your Skin All Year Long

Photo courtesy of Greenville Dermatology

In addition to providing high quality skin care and cosmetic treatments to patients in the Greenville area, Greenville Dermatology has a large retail store on site that is stocked with a variety of cosmetic products, including makeup and sunscreen, as well as skincare solutions and accessories to help protect your skin. These products are carefully hand-selected by Dr. Matthew Miller due to their high quality and safety for all skin types.

If you are looking for last minute gifts for friends, family or yourself, consider stopping by our office and checking out these amazing products:

·         For your best friend: Obagi® products. To help supplement her regular beauty routine, this transformative collection of skin care products and systems will improve penetration of prescription and cosmetic agents across the skin barrier.

·         For your mother: Neocutis products, which are designed to heal the skin while diminishing visible signs of aging and keep her skin looking fresh.

·         For your niece: glo.minerals™ cosmetics. For your active but beauty conscious family and friends, this line of cosmetics delivers unsurpassed coverage, broad spectrum UV protection and help combat free radical damage. 

·         For your jetsetter friends: Chic accessories that will help block UV rays when your friends escape to warmer climates in the winter months. The boutique at Greenville Dermatology is stocked with sunglasses, hats, makeup, scarves and visors that can protect your skin from the sun.

·         For yourself: Latisse™ solution, which is an FDA-approved treatment that grows longer, thicker and darker eyelashes. Transform your lashes in 2015!

All of the above products are available for purchase at our office at 369 Woodruff Road in Greenville. For the holidays, we have special pricing for some of these products, so be sure to consider these items as you are collecting your last minute gifts and preparing your own skin for the winter.

For more information on how these products could benefit your skin, and what else might be right for you, make an appointment with one of our dermatologists. Call Greenville Dermatology at 864-242-5872 to schedule an appointment today.