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Archive for July, 2010

Still Tanning Despite the Risks? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Excessive sun exposure and tanning bed use increases the risk of getting melanoma, basal cell cancer and other non-melanoma cancers.  We have several patients who, despite having been treated for serious skin cancer, continue to tan.  Why?  Well, it turns out that they may suffer from a tanning addiction.  They suffer uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms when they try to stop.  Many repeat tanners exhibit addictive behaviors similar to those exhibited by people addicted to substances such as meth and alcohol.  In a recent study (Arch Dermatol 2010 Apr;146:412) 70% of study participants who visited tanning parlors met criteria for addiction to indoor tanning.  Study participants who met criteria for addiction also had greater anxiety and greater alcohol and marijuana use.  Tanning addiction seems to involve the same drives as other  forms of substance related  disorders.  Of course , it is important to distinguish addicted from non-addicted tanners.  It is hoped that lessons learned from treating other addictions can be translated into concrete interventions to reduce risky tanning behavior.

 

Do Sunscreens Cause Cancer? Are they safe? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

The latest question on patients’ minds this summer is the safety of sunscreen.  A few websites have posted articles scaring people into questioning whether or not they should use sunscreen.  The bottom line is that sunscreens protect us from skin cancer and here’s why:

What do we know?

Numerous studies have looked at this issue, and none have confirmed any link between sunscreens and skin cancer. Some researchers have speculated that since sunscreens allow users to stay out in the sun longer they may increase the risk of skin cancer.  There have also been worries about physical sunblocks zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (micronized).  The worry is that these may pose a danger if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.  A large National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study found minimal skin absorption of titanium nanoparticles and this has been confirmed by other studies.  It is possible that inhaled nanoparticles may be risky.  So if you use a spray sunscreen keep it away from your face (spray on your hand and rub in) or hold your breath when you spray.

We do know that the sunscreens help prevent skin growths called actinic keratoses.  These are rough scaly patches that can develop into squamous cell cancer.  There  is less evidence that sunscreens protect against melanoma and basal cell cancer.  This may be because these two cancers are strongly linked to sunburn.  Your risk of melanoma doubles if you have had five or more sunburns at any  age or from just one blistering sunburn before the age of 20.  Basal cell cancer seems also to be linked to  the  amount of freckling and number of burns.  In other words excessive sun exposure definitely causes cancer!!

Given that we know the sun can cause cancer and the evidence is nonexistent that sunscreens cause cancer common sense should prevail. Use sunscreen!

Are sunscreens safe for the environment?

Unfortunately sunscreens are bad for the ocean environment!  They come off in the water and settle down to the coral reefs blocking vital UV radiation. What can you do?  I am a huge proponent of  light weight wetsuits and  UV protective rash guards used for surfing.  I always wear one when I snorkel or windsurf. It is easier to put one of these on your kids and yourself than to deal with suncreening your whole body and reapplication after swimming.  They come in cute colors and styles and are widely available.  You can bolster their UV blocking abilities by washing with SunGuard or a similar product.  They claim they are effective up to 20 washing  cycles or swimming dips!  Apply your sunscreen to your face and hands and cover up  the rest with UV protective clothing!! You save your skin and the ocean!

 

A Little Wrinkle Reduction Goes a Long Way! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Some people feel overwhelmed when they look in the mirror by all the things they’d like to improve about their face.  But you don’t necessarily need to make a major investment of time or money to look more youthful.  In fact, a new study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 9(2):79-88, demonstrates how even even modest wrinkle improvement can make someone look much better.  The study reduced the skin “surface topography” or wrinkles in the photos of six women ages 45-65 on their foreheads and around the eyes.  The photos were then shown to male subjects who found the women “significantly younger and more attractive” than in the unmodified photos.  What is of note, is that the surface topography in the photos was only reduced by 20 percent!  This amount of improvement is certainly within reach for people with simple treatments like Botox, filler or even just good skincare products.  Not only is starting with small changes usually the best way for people to enter the world of cosmetic dermatology, but it will also get you looking better than you might expect.

 

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