In an effort to increase the public’s knowledge about skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology (ADD) has launched the SPOT Skin Cancer initiative.

The goal of SPOT is to educate people on how to protect themselves from the sun and how to detect skin cancer, says Daniel M. Siegel, MD, a dermatologist and president of the AAD.

The program’s call to action is three parts:

1. Prevent—stay in the shade, cover up, and use sunscreen.
2. Detect—look for changing spots on your skin.
3. Live—visit your dermatologist if you notice any spots changing, itching, or bleeding.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S;  however, the AAD’s national online survey showed that 74 percent of respondents didn’t know this. It is estimated that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

When people know what to look for, they can catch it early when skin cancer is most treatable.

“Unlike other types of cancer that can’t be seen by the naked eye, skin cancer shows obvious signs on the surface of the skin that can be easily detected by properly examining it,” says Dr. Siegel.

When skin cancer is caught early, it has a 98 percent cure rate.

Visit the SPOT Skin Cancer program’s website, www.SpotSkinCancer.org, to do the following:

• Learn how to perform a skin self-exam.
• Download a body mole map for tracking changes in your skin.
• Find free skin cancer screenings near you.

The website also features stories of those affected by skin cancer.

French actress Emmanuelle Beart recently told French newspaper Le Monde, “I had my mouth done at 27. It was botched.”

An overdone lip augmentation is often referred to as a “trout pout” because the plumped appearance makes them resemble a fish.

The TODAY Show reports that Hollywood is obsessed with the trout pout because women think it makes them look younger; however, it actually makes them look older because nothing makes you look older than bad cosmetic surgery.

Avoid Extreme Lip Augmentation

While fuller lips may be considered more attractive than thin lips, bigger is not always better. If you go too big, you start losing the shape of your lips, the TODAY Show reports. It also becomes obvious that you’ve had work done when you get your lips over-plumped.

In addition to shape, keeping the right lip proportion is also important. Many surgeons say the bottom lip should be larger than the top lip to look natural.

It is important that your cosmetic surgeon guides you toward a natural look for your lip augmentation to ensure best results.

Dr. Leslie Baumann, a cosmetic dermatologist to celebrities, told TODAY that she has seen lots of overdone cosmetic surgery.

“Some people call me Doctor No because I talk people out of more things than I tell them to do,” Baumann said. “But it’s just so important to know when to stop.”

There are a number of options for lip augmentation, and your cosmetic surgeon will select the one that is best for you. Injectable fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane, or fat are often used, although in some cases a type of implant may be recommended.

Learn more about lip augmentation in the Cleveland area.

She has collaborated with the National Rosacea Society for an online public service announcement to help educate patients on the facts about rosacea.

“It was a relief to find out from my dermatologist what was going on with my skin, especially because rosacea can get worse if it’s not treated,” says Nixon, who for years thought her blemishes were acne.

It’s not uncommon for rosacea to go undiagnosed. Symptoms of this vascular condition include:

• Red skin, like a sunburn
• Red bumps or blemishes on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin
• Visible small red blood vessels
• Flushed skin after taking a hot shower, exercising, or drinking alcohol
• Irritated or bloodshot eyes

Because rosacea symptoms can resemble other skin problems, such as acne or eczema, it can be difficult to recognize.

“Over 16 million Americans have rosacea, but 78 percent of Americans have no knowledge of this condition, including how to recognize it and what to do about it,” says Sam Huff, Executive Director of the National Rosacea Society. “It’s important to spread awareness because in addition to the physical symptoms, rosacea can cause anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment among sufferers.”

Rosacea Treatments

While there is no cure for rosacea, your dermatologist can treat the condition. Treatments that can help control symptoms include topical medication, oral medication, and laser treatments, such as Photofacial, which utilizes IPL or intense pulsed light.

Patients can also try to avoid things that may trigger rosacea; common triggers include exposure to the sun, exercise, alcohol, and hot and cold weather. Using sunscreen and gentle skin care products can also help.

“My dermatologist told me that my harsh, do-it-yourself skin care routine was actually contributing to my rosacea flare-ups, and she helped me develop a regimen that worked for me,” says Nixon.

To view more of Nixon’s rosacea videos, visit www.rosaceafacts.com.

The combination was found to help prevent skin cancer and reduce tumor size in mice, according to study results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting.

“I believe we may extrapolate these findings to humans and anticipate that we would benefit from these combination treatments as well,” said Yao-Ping Lu, Ph.D., associate research professor of chemical biology and director of skin cancer prevention at the Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in Piscataway, N.J.

The study looked at the effects of caffeine and exercise on mice that had a high risk for developing skin cancer. The mice had been exposed to UVB radiation, which is associated with skin cancer risk. The mice were divided into four groups: the control group received water and no exercise wheel; a second group received water mixed with caffeine and no exercise wheel; a third group received water and an exercise wheel; and a fourth group received water mixed with caffeine and an exercise wheel.

After 14 weeks of treatment, the mice that received both caffeine and exercised had 62 percent fewer non-melanoma skin tumors. In addition, the size of the tumors decreased by 85 percent compared to the control group.

The mice that received either caffeine or exercise alone also saw skin cancer prevention benefits, but not as much as the mice who received both caffeine and exercise.

“The mice move more with caffeine. The common mechanism we see is that both [exercise and caffeine] decrease tissue fat. Both moderately prevent skin cancer,” said Lu.

Another set of experiments had the mice on a high-fat diet, and the group with caffeine and exercise again saw the most benefits. The mice lost fat and had as much as a 92 percent drop in inflammation, in addition to less cancer and reduced tumor volume. According to the researchers, the results suggest that fat and tumor growth are related.

To help reduce your risk of skin cancer on a daily basis, use sunscreen and try to limit your sun exposure.

Sources: Time, Medical Daily

dsc_2979 by By Francesco Crippa, on Flickr

Eating more fruits and vegetables isn’t just good for your waistline. It can also make your skin look healthier, according to a new study.

Researchers from the School of Psychology at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland found that a diet that includes more fruits and vegetables can improve your skin’s complexion.

The study followed 35 people for six weeks, recording their diet and skin color. It linked an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption with perceptibly healthier and more attractive skin color.

The researchers found that the redness and yellowness in the skin increased as participants ate more fruits and vegetables.

Lead researcher Ross Whitehead said it is due to the impact of carotenoids. “These are red/yellow plant pigments, which are distributed to the skin surface when we eat fruits and veggies.”

In addition to the changes in skin color, the researchers also linked eating more fruits and vegetables with increased attractiveness.

Diet Changes That Improve Your Skin’s Complexion

The diet in the study is easy to replicate and gave participants relatively quick results.

Whitehead said that changes were noticeable when participants had just two additional portions of fruits and vegetables a day during the six weeks.

The carotenoids that were studied included beta-carotene and lycopene. Foods rich in these include:

• Carrots, yams, spinach, peaches, pumpkin and apricots (beta-carotene)
• Apricots, watermelons, tomatoes and pink grapefruits (lycopene)

Because most of the study’s participants were white, further research is needed to see how diet affects other groups, the researchers said.

Only 25 percent to 30 percent of Americans eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, according to dietitian and nutritionist Samantha Heller.

“But once the word gets out that eating fruits and vegetables can make you sexy, attractive and maybe even look younger, hopefully, the carrots, kale and cantaloupe will be flying off the shelves and into people’s meals,” she said.

A non-invasive fractional laser is also beneficial for improving the skin. This laser resurfacing treatment stimulates collagen production, ultimately restoring your healthy complexion and skin texture.

Source: HealthDay

Approved by the FDA to treat frown lines between the eyebrows in April 2002, in the past ten years the uses for Botox have grown through new approvals and off-label treatments. Allergan, the maker of Botox, says that last year about 51% of sales came from therapeutic uses and 49% from aesthetic uses.

The most recent news is that Allergan filed applications for approval to sell Botox as an overactive bladder treatment. New data showed that the injectable significantly reduced daily incontinence episodes compared to a placebo injection, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A Brief History of Botox

Botox for cosmetic applications was developed by ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers and her husband, according to USA Today. While treating a patient with it for facial muscle spasms in 1987, the patient told Carruthers she had missed a spot. “It’s just every time you treat me there, I get this beautiful, untroubled expression,” the patient told her.

An idea formed, as Carruthers knew that frown lines between the eyebrows were hard to treat. She wondered if a botulinum toxin could be the answer.

From there, she and her husband, a dermatologist, spent several years experimenting and investigating, resulting in the FDA approval of Botox for treating frown lines ten years ago.

According to Allergan, today Botox is approved for 25 different indications, including neck pain for adults with cervical dystonia; symptoms of severe underarm sweating; and headaches in adults with chronic migraine.

Botox for Crow’s Feet

Allergan reports it will be seeking approval for the use of Botox on crow’s feet. Many aesthetic physicians — including dermatologists, oculoplastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons — already use Botox for crow’s feet and other aesthetic purposes, such as softening neck bands, as off-label treatments.

Facial fat grafting adds volume to your face using your own natural fat. Fat is removed from one area of the body, such as the abdomen or the buttocks, and is then processed to remove excess fluids, before being injected into the face.

The Selphyl system used in the study takes a small amount of the patient’s blood to prepare platelet-rich fibrin matrix, which is combined with the patient’s fat before being injected back into the body.

The case study examined a 37-year-old woman who had fat taken from her outer thighs and grafted on two sites on her abdomen. One site had her injected fat and the other had her fat combined with Selphyl.

Eight weeks later, the tissue was examined. Both sites had viable fat, but the site where the fat was mixed with Selphyl had an increase in blood vessels, which is crucial to improving the chances of long-term fat survival.

Fat Grafting Results Can Vary

During facial fat grafting, it’s not possible to predict how much fat will survive after the procedure, as fat has a tendency to become re-absorbed into the body. Therefore, a follow-up visit may be needed to monitor results.

The study’s authors noted that variability of graft survival (typically 50–70%) is considered a downside to the procedure, but the case study shows that adding Selphyl to fat could improve the survival rate.

“The result of this case study indicates that fat mixed with Selphyl may improve graft survival by increasing both neovascularization and total cell number,” the authors concluded.

Read the study’s abstract in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, and learn more about facial fat grafting in Cleveland, Ohio.

How Your Hands Age

As you age, your hands lose fat, volume and elasticity; because the skin is thinner and more translucent, you begin to see the underlying tendons and veins. Years of sun exposure cause brown spots to appear.

Luckily, cosmetic techniques can turn back the clock — even for your hands.

“The hands are a hot new area,” said Dr. Neil S. Sadick, a dermatologist in New York City. “Now that we have the face so well treated, we’re looking at the hands, neck and décolleté.”

Hand Rejuvenation Techniques

For lost volume, fillers, such as Radiesse or Juvederm, can be injected under the skin on the hand to plump it up.

Some of the other techniques that are being used for hand rejuvenation include:

• Lasers to remove wrinkling or discoloration.
• Laser skin tightening to tighten the skin.
• Intense pulsed light or CO2 laser resurfacing too remove sun spots.

However, Dr. Sadick did not recommend surgery on the hands. He said that surgical removal of excess skin is not an option for the hands since it causes scarring and doesn’t heal well. In addition, there’s a higher risk of complications.

Dr. Amy Wechsler, a dermatologist, said the most important thing to do is to apply sunscreen to your hands.

“Treat your hands like you treat your face. People wash their hands so much these days that they’re washing off their sunscreen,” she said. Her tip? Keep a small sample size of sunscreen in your handbag and reapply after washing.

Caused by years of sun exposure, actinic keratosis has the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma. AK affects about 58 million Americans.

The website aims to raise awareness about the consequences and symptoms of actinic keratosis. The site includes photos of AK and explains how to check your own skin for AK and other signs of sun damage.

“Many people are aware of the connection between melanoma and moles, but many Americans who may be at risk for skin cancer are unaware of actinic keratoses, what they look like, how to detect them and their relationship to skin cancer,” says dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. “In fact, nonmelanoma skin cancers make up the vast majority of skin cancers diagnosed each year.”

Symptoms of actinic keratosis include lesions that are small and red, brown, or skin-colored patches that usually appear on the face, neck, hands and scalp — but can be found on other areas of the skin as well. The lesions may also:

• Have a rough texture
• Have red, irritated skin around them
• Itch, burn or sting

Treating Actinic Keratosis

There are several different treatment options for AK. Your doctor may prescribe a topical cream or “freeze off” visible lesions with liquid nitrogen treatments.

Chemical peels are another treatment option. The old skin with the AK lesions is peeled off and healthy skin replaces it.

Lasers can also be used to remove actinic keratoses.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a special chemical solution that makes skin more sensitive to light. When the treated skin is exposed to light, it activates the solution and destroys the AK lesions.

If you have concerns about actinic keratosis or other skin conditions, contact Visage Surgical Institute.

Vitamin Packaging by colindunn, on Flickr

Vitamin A supplements appear to reduce the risk of melanoma, but researchers aren’t yet recommending you add it to your vitamin regimen, reports WebMD.

A study analyzed the risk for melanoma among 69,635 participants. Those who took vitamin A supplements were about 40 percent less likely to develop melanoma, compared to those who did not take the supplements.

However, the researchers warned that it is too soon to recommend taking extra vitamin A to reduce the risk of melanoma. Vitamin A can be toxic in large doses; risks can include liver damage, hair loss and bone pain.

Vitamin A and Skin Cancer

The study, which appeared in Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that only vitamin A supplements lowered the risk for melanoma, not vitamin A taken in through diet or multivitamins. In addition, the effects were more visible in women than men and in skin that was regularly exposed to the sun.

“It was definitely linked with supplements, not diet,” said study researcher Maryam Asgari, MD, MPH.

“People who are concerned about melanoma should avoid sun exposure, practice sun protection, and get annual skin checks,” Asgari said.

Dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD, agreed. “It is not surprising to me that vitamin A may be protective against melanoma,” she said. “However, high doses of vitamin A can have serious side effects, including liver toxicity.

“This may be an option for patients at high risk for melanoma because of prior diagnosis or family history, but not for the general population,” she said.

Vitamin A and Anti-Aging

While the researchers are not currently recommending taking a vitamin A supplement for skin cancer prevention, vitamin A already has a prominent role in anti-aging creams.

Tretinoin, the acid form of vitamin A, is a cream or gel that is used to treat acne as well fine wrinkles, dark spots and rough skin.

Learn more about professional-grade skin care products.