Self-Exam

Skin cancer has the advantage of being the only cancer that can be seen on the surface of the skin.  By performing a skin self-exam, you can detect early the warning signs of skin cancer and increase your chances of a good outcome with early treatment.  Adults should regularly examine their skin once a month looking for abnormal skin growths and changes.

Although basal cell carcinomas usually appear on sun damaged, over-exposed areas of the skin, skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body.   In a self –exam it is important to check the all over the scalp, soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, and even beneath finger and toenails.

The American Academy of Dermatology has published a Body Mole Map on their website at http://www.aad.org/spot-skin-cancer/understanding-skin-cancer/how-do-i-check-my-skin.  It walks you through how to do a skin exam, the ABCDE’s of evaluating moles, and how to map and record your findings.

To begin it is helpful to have a full length mirror, a handheld mirror, plenty of light, and the Body Mole Map or similar.   Some things to look for are:

• Moles that are different from the rest, itches, bleeds, or is changing in any way — even if the mole is    smaller than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser)

• Sores that never fully heal

• Translucent growths with rolled edges

• Brown or black streaks underneath a nail

• Clusters of slow-growing, shiny pink or red lesions

• Waxy-feeling scars

• Flat or slightly depressed lesions that feel hard to the touch

If you find a suspicious lesion, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer has a high cure rate when detected early.

Screen the Ones You Love

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and this May the American Academy of Dermatology hopes that in addition to brunch and flowers you’ll honor Mom (and next month Dad) with a skin cancer screening. 

Based on current estimates more than 2 million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer annually.  You may think that’s a small number based on total population, but the fact is 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.  Not to use an obvious scare tactic, but think about  how many loved ones you have. 

Unfortunately, even with awareness campaigns, incidence rates of melanoma among whites have been increasing 3 percent per year since 2004.  And although before age 40, melanoma rates are higher in women than men, after 40, the rates are almost twice as high in men.  The good news is that the 5 year survival rate for those who catch and treat it before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent. 

To minimize the risk of skin cancer, make sure your parents and loved ones understand their risk factors and methods of prevention.  If, however, you’d like to spoil Mom this Mother’s Day as well, we are having a special.  Buy a $150 gift certificate and get a $50 gift certificate for free. 

Happy Mother’s Day!

New Labels for Summer

As we kick off National Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May, it’s important to know that the Food and Drug Administration has issued new labeling rules for sunscreen manufacturers that will become effective June 14, 2012.  No longer will you see the words “sunblock”, “sweat proof”, “waterproof”, or “all day protection”.  If you’ve ever stood in the drug store aisle wondering how to evaluate differing sunscreen claims and SPF’s, the new rules should make your next purchase easier.

Going forward manufacturers will not be able to use language that overstates their product’s effectiveness.  The labels will now clearly state whether a sunscreen protects against sunburn, skin cancer and signs of premature skin aging.  If a label reads “broad spectrum” and has an SPF of 15 or higher, it will protect against all three, but even then it will not be allowed to claim to provide sun protection for more than two hours without reapplication.

For sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum or that are broad spectrum but with an SPF value between 2 and 14 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”

No product can claim to provide “instant protection” and as far as being “water resistant” goes, new labels must clearly state whether a consumer can expect to maintain 40 or 80 minutes at the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on uniform testing standards.  Sunscreens that are not water resistant must include a direction instructing users to use a water-resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.

These new guidelines are meant to help consumers choose the right level of protection.  Remember that for prolonged exposure look for an SPF of 30 to 40 and that a full application is about two ounces – enough to fill a shot glass.

Sun Damage and Young Teens

There’s a feeling of invincibility that comes with childhood.  If you’ve ever had a child roll their eyes at you as you try to explain the importance of not talking to strangers or wearing a seatbelt, you understand how difficult it can be to make them understand that certain dangers are real.  A new study of 585 children using UV photography to show hidden signs of sun damage has made the specter of skin cancer all too real. 

For the study, children were photographed using standard photography, cross-polarized photography and UV photography.  The results revealed more than the mottled pigmentation and dark spots that indicate photoaging, it unfortunately uncovered that even 12 and 13 year olds are showing signs of advanced sun damage.  The severity of which showed a high correlation with known risk factors such as having light-colored skin, blue eyes, red hair, and already visible freckling. 

The researchers hope the images get more kids to think about sun safety.  It’s hard to ignore the evidence when it’s written on your own face; and the photography doesn’t lie.  The more damage highlighted in the UV images, the greater the cancer risk.  I generally don’t like scare tactics, but will use them if I can save a child from facing melanoma later in life.  Our Visia complexion analysis can expose hidden damage and make recommendations for renewal and maintenance going forward.    

Hair Loss: Salon vs. Medical Approach

The average person loses 50 to 100 hairs in the normal course of a day. The discovery that more and more is getting left in shower drain can be a little upsetting, but hair loss is a common condition in both men and women. It can be the result of any number of things from illness and diet to age and medicines. If you are experiencing hair loss your first response might be to run to your favorite salon for some expensive shampoo and serums. An estimated $175 million was spent on hair loss products last year; unfortunately a lot of that money was wasted.

If you need your hair cut, colored, or styled, definitely a stylist is what you want. If you’re looking for hair loss answers, then a dermatologist is what you need. Some people hear dermatology and only think skin. Dermatologists specialize in the treatment of diseases that affect the skin, nails, and hair. I will take your medical history, ask about any lifestyle changes, and do a scalp biopsy to evaluate the hair follicles. This allows me to determine whether the hair loss is genetic, due to a hair disorder, due to an underlying health condition, or due to something external like stress. Most people will have an identifiable cause that can be addressed with medication, hormones, or better nutrition. If no trigger is present, then it’s likely hereditary and can be treated with Minoxidil. Be skeptical of anyone who claims to be able to determine the cause of your hair loss just by looking at the hair itself.

When it comes to hair loss the more quickly medical consultation is sought the better. Some treatments do regrow hair, but many just stop any additional hair loss.

New Palomar Laser at Greenville Dermatology

Lasers have been used to treat all kinds of dermatological and cosmetic skin conditions. The technology has been around for years and like cell phones, has gone through several generations. Compare your new iPhone to the old Motorola DynaTAC 8000. It stored thirty numbers, gave you half an hour of talk time, and took eight hours to charge. Likewise the difference between old and new lasers is just as vast.

When looking into laser treatments, it’s important to know that all lasers are not created equal. A lot of the technology that’s out there is simply out-of-date. Burning off layers of skin has become a catch-all with claims that it will treat discoloration, wrinkles, unwanted hair and surface veins. The procedures are painful and leave patients with swollen, red faces.

I consistently look for new technologies and procedures that enable me to deliver genuine results to my patients. Our new Palomar laser’s patent pending microfractional technology uses laser energy microbeams to precisely space treated areas of skin at a microscopic level, leaving some skin perfectly intact. In the treated areas, the body's natural healing process creates new, healthy tissue to replace the areas of affected tissue, resulting in healthier, younger-looking skin. The untreated areas maintain the tissue's stability for quicker recovery.

With this new laser we provide an initial free consultation to evaluate skin type, discuss expectations and give an overview of the process. Most procedures take 30-45 minutes and require 2 to 5 sessions. With this new laser we are able to treat laser hair removal, stretch marks, brown spots, vascular and pigmented lesions (broken blood vessels), and scar visibility reduction and have found that the Palomar laser treats all these conditions quickly and cost-effectively.

Time to Eat Your Veggies

It’s a well known fact that fruits and vegetables are highly nutritious, but did you know that they make you more attractive? Foods like carrots, broccoli, squash, pink grapefruit, tomatoes, and spinach contain carotenoids, the yellow-red pigments that give many produce their color. Carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and lycopene, are associated with changes in skin color and are even found in leafy greens. They are known to be helpful antioxidants and help protect skin from sun exposure by decreasing skin’s sensitivity to UV light.

Researchers have found that a modest increase in fruit and vegetable consumption over a six week period improves yellow and red skin tones. A second study showed that such changes in coloration were judged to enhance appearance and attractiveness in the eyes of others.

Don’t worry, no amount of cantaloupe and carrots is going to turn you orange. For those wanting a natural, healthy glow this is a great alternative to tanning or chemical self-tanners. So if nothing else motivates you to start eating better, give in a little to vanity and be beautiful.