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Caffeine and Exercise Combo May Ward Off Skin Cancer

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Becky

skin cancer prevention Caffeine and exercise together may have surprising health benefits.

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

Posted in News, Reconstructive Surgery, Skin Care | Tagged skin cancer prevention | Leave a comment

Diet Tips for an Improved Complexion

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Becky

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

Posted in News, Skin Care | Tagged diet to improve skin | Leave a comment

Botox Turns Ten and Its Uses Continue to Grow

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Becky

Botox uses Botox, the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world, has turned 10.

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.