Scientists Look for Ways to Measure the Age of Your Skin

Every day we look in the mirror and see that wrinkle or fine line that we wish would just disappear. We stare back at our reflection and wonder why we hadn’t done things differently in our youth. We long to go back in time and apply sunscreen with SPF 30 instead of tanning oil. While that might have helped, we know that aging is a natural process.

There are two distinct types of aging — intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging is caused by genetics. This is typically known as the natural aging process, or chronological aging. It is continuous and usually begins in our mid-20s. Around this age, collagen production slows down, elastin because less elastic and dead skin cells prevent quick turnover of new skin cells because they don’t shed as quickly as they once did.. The good news, though, is that while aging begins early in life, the signs may not be visible for several years. These indicators include fine lines and wrinkles, thin or translucent skin, loss of underlying fat, and hollow cheeks and dry skin. How quickly these signs appear merely depends on genetics.

Extrinsic aging is caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to sun, smoking, air pollution and other external factors affecting our skin. The most detrimental of these factors is exposure to radiation from sunlight and, because of this, extrinsic aging is sometimes called photoaging.

While we know the causes of aging, scientists are now beginning to find standardized ways to measure the damage that aging causes to the skin.

A study published in Optical Society of America’s open-access journal, Biomedical Optics Express, described how a group of Taiwanese scientists used a special microscope to peer under the skin’s surface to measure age-related changes in the size of skin cells. Researchers believe this process will help measure the effectiveness of ‘anti-aging’ skin products.

The researchers studied 52 subjects from ages 19 to 79 years old using a technique known as harmonic generation microscopy (HGM). This technique has previously been used to study developing embryos. It works by sending a concentrated beam of photons into a material and studying the “harmonics” or vibrations of the protons. These harmonics can show different structures at very high resolution. As a result, the researchers were able to produce a high-resolution map of the tissue that revealed the structures within the skin cells.  

In an article in Medical News Today, distinguished professor at National Taiwan University and chief director of the university's Molecular Imaging Center Chi-Kuang Sun stated, “No one has ever seen through a person's skin to determine his or her age from their skin. Our finding serves as a potential index for skin age." 

Using HGM to create an index will help doctors determine the true age of the skin and serve as a tool to evaluate and monitor the overall health of the skin.

With researchers peering into the past through our skin, it makes us wonder if our younger selves would have taken advantage if they had a crystal ball to see the future. What if your 20-year-old self could have seen the damage and aging as it was happening?

An Acne Treatment You May Not Know About

According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, adult acne affects 40 to 50 million people in the U.S., and that number is growing. It is not uncommon for teens to experience acne, but acne can be particularly frustrating and embarrassing for adults. About 20 percent of women and 30 percent of men ages 20 to 60 years old have acne, according to the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

Greenville Dermatology offers one of the leading treatments for adult acne – aminolevulinic acid (ALA) combined with a light therapy. While many people may not have heard of ALA, this compound was discovered more than a decade ago and is now considered a first-line treatment. ALA is produced naturally in our bodies and has a photo-sensitizing effect, which means that it makes the skin more sensitive to light.

During ALA application at Greenville Dermatology, ALA is applied to the patient’s skin and absorbed by hair follicles and oil glands. The treated skin is then exposed to a light, which kills bacteria in the pores and shrinks the oil glands that produce sebum, an oily substance that clogs pores and attracts bacteria – in other words, the primary cause of acne. The light is significantly more effective in treating acne when the skin has been sensitized to the light through the application of the cream containing ALA. While the ALA treatment shrinks the cells that produce oil, it does so without damaging any surrounding cells.

Adult acne can be difficult to treat because there are so many causes. Treatment with ALA is perfect for patients whose skin produces too much sebum, resulting in clogged pores and inflammation. Another main cause is an imbalance of hormones, which is why women often have breakouts during menstruation, pregnancy and the various stages of menopause.

While ALA is one of the most effective treatments against acne, it is not currently covered by insurance. However, it is an affordable treatment and we invite you to come in today to discuss your options. For more information, call us at 864-242-5872.

The Skin Cancer Foundation Busts Myths about Vitamin D and Sun Exposure

Vitamin D is often called the “sunlight” vitamin because the body produces it when the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are absorbed through the skin. The vitamin is essential for strengthening bones and building a healthy immune system, but it is often used as an excuse to justify sun exposure and tanning. However, according to a recent statement from the Skin Cancer Foundation, the healthiest and most effective way to absorb vitamin D is by eating a balanced diet and taking vitamin supplements. The Foundation also stated that sun exposure actually weakens the immune system, countering one of the key benefits of vitamin D.

“The misconception that exposure to UVB radiation is the optimal source of vitamin D puts people at risk for potentially life-threatening skin cancer,” Dr. Perry Robins, President of the Skin Cancer Foundation, said in the statement. “Furthermore, in most cases the body stops producing Vitamin D after just a few minutes of sun exposure.”
 

The Skin Cancer Foundation article listed some myths and facts related to vitamin D, sun exposure and tanning:
 

Myth: UVB radiation is a good source of vitamin D.

Fact: We can produce only a limited amount of vitamin D from UVB radiation. For Caucasians, that limit is reached after just five to 10 minutes of midday sun exposure.¹ After reaching the limit, further exposure will not increase the amount of vitamin D in the body. Rather, it has the opposite effect: the vitamin D stored in the body begins to break down, leading to lower vitamin D levels. ⁴

Myth: Sun exposure is the only source of vitamin D.

Fact: Vitamin D can be obtained from oily fish (like salmon, fresh tuna, trout and sardines) and cod liver oil, as well as from fortified orange juice and milk, yogurts, and some cereals. Supplements are readily available and inexpensive.

Myth: Tanning beds are a healthy option for boosting vitamin D levels.

Fact: The indoor tanning industry often makes the false claim that indoor tanning is helpful for vitamin D production. In reality, vitamin D is received through exposure to UVB rays; the bulbs used in tanning beds mainly emit UVA rays. Tanning beds are a known carcinogen. Just one indoor UV tanning session increases users’ chances of developing melanoma by 20 percent, and each additional session during the same year boosts the risk almost another two percent. ⁵

For more information about skin cancer prevention and vitamin D, visit SkinCancer.org.

¹ Wolpowitz D, Gilchrest BA. The vitamin D questions: how much do you need and how should you get it? J Am Acad Dermatol 2006; 54:301-17.

Valentine’s Day has passed, but it’s not too late to treat yourself!

Want to treat yourself and your skin? This month Greenville Dermatology is offering a great deal on peels! If you’ve never had a peel, here are some FAQ’s to help you understand the benefits.

What are the benefits of a chemical peel?

Chemical peels can be done on the face, neck or hands. They can be used to:

·         Reduce fine lines

·         Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging

·         Improve the appearance of mild scars

·         Reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills

·         Improve the look and feel of skin

Who should get a chemical peel?

Anyone who has fine lines, wrinkles, scarring or sun damage and is interested in correcting the blemishes without surgery should consider a chemical peel. (Sagging skin or bulges cannot be improved with peels and typically require cosmetic surgery.)

Is the peel painful?

During a chemical peel, most people feel a burning sensation that lasts about 5-10 minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. Putting cool compresses on the skin may ease the stinging. You may need mild pain medication during or after a deeper peel.

What types of peels does Greenville Dermatology use?         

We provide alpha-hydroxy glycolic acid, beta-hydroxy salicylic acid peels, and TCA (trichloroaecetic acid) peels. These chemicals loosen blackheads and decrease acne by removing the top layer of skin, revealing the resulting new, healthier layer of skin.

How long does it take for my skin to heal and to see results?

The amount of time for skin to heal varies by patient but could take up to 14 days. However, once your skin has healed, you will see immediate improvements. For optimal results, we recommend patients have a second peel within the next six months to a year.

If you want to improve the skin you’re in without surgery, a chemical peel may be just right for you! For more information or additional questions, please call us today at 864-242-5872.

Protect your eyes

 

When protecting yourself from sunburn, you most likely give the most attention to your skin. However, it is important that you protect your entire body from harmful UV rays, including your eyes. According to a survey from the American Optometric Association (AOA), nearly 35 percent of Americans admitted that they often forget to protect their eyes from the sun.

Sunburned eyes can cause both short-term and long-term effects. Symptoms include redness or irritation, tearing, pain, a gritty feeling (almost like there's sand in your eyes), blurry vision and temporary loss of vision (called photokeratitis or snow blindness). Long-term effects can include cataracts, benign growths on the eye, skin cancer of the eyelids and surrounding tissue, and possibly macular degeneration.

Recently, CNN newsman Anderson Cooper revealed that he went blind for 36 hours after the sun’s reflection off of the ocean sunburned his eyes. During a broadcast of his daytime talk show Anderson Live,  Cooper explained, “I woke up in the middle of the night and it feels like my eyes are on fire…I think, oh maybe I have sand in my eyes or something…It turns out I have sunburned my eyeballs...I went blind for 36 hours.”

According to the AOA, eye damage due to UV rays is cumulative, so it is never too late to start protecting your eyes. Following are some tips for getting started:

1.       Wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to UV light, even on cloudy days and during winter months.

2.       Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses should block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UB-B radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.

3.       Check to make sure your sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection.

4.       Purchase gray-colored lenses. They reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects, providing the most natural color vision.

5.       Don’t forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.

6.       Schedule comprehensive eye exams.

These simple safety precautions can determine the fate of your eye health now and later in life. Isn’t your vision worth it?

 

Skin Cancer Foundation Filed Complaint Against Jersey Shore

Last week the Skin Cancer Foundation filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (F.T.C), urging them to look into the promotional initiatives of MTV’s Jersey Shore’s. The Foundation is asking that the F.T.C. hold the show accountable for the excessive use and glamorization of tanning it believes is encouraging dangerous behavior among young viewers.

This formal complaint is not the Skin Cancer Foundation’s first attempt to initiate change. In 2010, the Foundation staged an intervention on the television show Extra; on air the cast pledged to change their behavior. However, we’ve seen in the past years that the cast members have continued to tan and talk about tanning. According to the Foundation, the topic is no longer part of organic conversation, but a recurring promotion of tanning.

With the latest filing, The Skin Cancer Foundation is demanding that MTV include with the show and all associated promotions a warning about the risks of skin cancer. The Foundation vehemently believes that if the Jersey Shore producers insist on endorsing excessive tanning, then the least they can do is disclose the related health risks to its impressionable viewers.

In an effort to prove its point, the Foundation assessed and identified an alarming 186 visual or verbal references to tanning in just 17 episodes. In one episode, cast member Paul DelVecchio (Pauly D) enthusiastically nominated himself “Most Likely to Get Skin Cancer.”

The Skin Cancer Foundation recognizes that it is not MTV’s responsibility to advocate or discourage tanning. However, MTV’s demographic is a core part of the population at higher risk for skin cancer. According to a report from the American Cancer society, the incidence of melanoma increased 800 percent in young women and 400 percent among young men from 1970 to 2009.

Do you think that MTV should be responsible for warning Jersey Shore viewers about dangers of tanning? Or do you think that it is a parent’s and individual’s responsibility to be educated on the risks of any behaviors or habits that they endorse?

UV Nail Lamps: Are they safe?

Gel nails and gel nail polishes have become a growing trend among American women. Similar to acrylic nails, gel nails are made from a monomer liquid that is combined with a polymer powder. This formula creates long polymer strands and once dried, those strands create a hard resin on top of the natural nail. Gel nails also contain shorter strands, called oligomers, which make the nail more flexible.

In order for the gel to harden, nails must be placed under a UV lamp, exposing the surrounding skin to UV light. As a result, many have asked if this exposure might lead to skin cancer. Some dermatologists have gone as far as claiming that these nail lamps are as damaging to the skin as tanning beds. However, according to an article published by WebMD Health News, the development of skin cancer as a result of exposure from a nail lamp is highly unlikely.

According to Dr. Alina Markova of Massachusetts General Hospital, “Nail lamps are safe for over 250 years of weekly manicures, and even then there would be a low risk of skin cancer.” Dr. Markova goes on to say that the lamps are not completely risk free, but that they pose little risk.

In a different article, dermatologist and clinical researcher, Dr. Susan Taylor shared her concerns relating to gel nails -- one being exposure to UV light. She also mentioned the exposure to a chemical ingredient call methyl acrylate, which has been known to cause a rash when it comes in contact with the skin, and also that constant application and removal of gel polish will lead to weaker and flaking nails over time. Her suggestion to counter these potential problems is to moisturize your nails several times a day.

Dr. Markova has been one of the only researchers to conduct a credible study on the effects of the UV lamp. So without further information, it is difficult to determine the safety of gel manicures. As a dermatologist, I never promote the use of artificial UV lamps if not 100% necessary. So the question you would need to ask yourself is whether or not even a minimal risk is worth a long lasting manicure.