Archive for the ‘Skin Health’ Category

Love Your Partner this Valentine’s Day! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Staying healthy is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your partner. Why not add checking for skin cancer on each other to your night of romance this Valentine’s Day?

While self-exams are important, it can be difficult to see areas like the back, where nearly one-third of all men develop melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer), and the scalp. Skin cancer that is detected early can usually be treated quickly and easily. Couples may have a better chance of spotting early warning signs on one another than on themselves.

Here’s what to look for on your loved one:

-A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored.

-A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown spot that changes color, increases in size or thickness, changes in texture, is irregular in outline, is bigger than the size of a pencil eraser, and/or appears after age 21.

-A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed.

-An open sore that does not heal within three weeks.

So get close to your partner this Valentine’s Day for better health and who knows where else it may lead??

No Teens in Tanning Beds! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, November 14th, 2011

Hurray for California!! Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a bill that bans children under the age of 18 from using tanning beds. This law replaces the Filante Tanning Facility Act of 1988, which allowed minors aged 14 and older to tan with the permission of a parent or guardian. The new law will come into effect in January 2012.

Close to 2.5 million teens tan indoors in the US every year, increasing their risk of developing melanoma (a potentially deadly form of skin cancer) by 75 percent. Indoor tanners are also 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. My hope is that by preventing early exposure to dangerous UV rays we will see a drop in future skin cancer development. It may also help change the mindset of teenagers and the social perception that being tan is the norm. At present, over 30 states have adopted this law, and hopefully all 50 will soon!

Go Starbucks! Caffeine and Reduced Skin Cancer: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Yet one more reason to enjoy your morning cup of coffee - every sip you take may help reduce your risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) skin cancer!

At the October 2011 American Association for Cancer Research International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, data was presented from the Nurses Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, which followed more than 100,000 people over a 22 to 24 year period between 1984 and 2008, combined. Researchers found an association between coffee drinkers and a lowered risk for skin cancer (WebMD 10/24/11), “women who drank more than three cups of coffee had a 20% reduction in risk for basal cell carcinoma and men benefited from a 9% reduction.” Caffeine seems to be the power ingredient as drinking decaffeinated coffee did not have any effect on skin cancer prevention.

We already know that coffee berry (derived from the fruit of the coffee plant), which is found in the Revaleskin anti-aging product line, is an excellent antioxidant for its free radical scavenging properties, so continuing research on caffeine and its potential use in sunscreen and its effects on skin protection if consumed on sunny days is exciting!

The best way to prevent all the forms of skin cancer is still by staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen, but you might as well enjoy a cup of coffee while you are at it!

Still Doubting the Safety of Sunscreen Ingredients? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, October 24th, 2011

On the heels the FDA’s new sunscreen label regulations in June 2011, a report was released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommending that consumers avoid products that contain retinyl palmintate and oxybenzone, two ingredients commonly found in sunscreen.

The EWG based their conclusion on a study of rats that were fed active sunscreen ingredients. In the July 2011 issue of Archives of Dermatology, a letter was published (Wang, MD, Lim, MD & Burnett) putting the findings from the animal study into perspective. They concluded that the length of time and application necessary to produce systemic oxybenzone levels in humans equal to those studied in rats is “essentially unobtainable.” The authors of the letter found that it would take a woman who applied sunscreen every day on her face, neck, hands and arms, 277 years to apply enough to even potentially lead to absorption sufficient enough to cause any systemic issue. I think most of us would agree that using any product in a manner which it is not intended can, of course, cause problems - just read the back of your aspirin bottle for example!

Based on public use for many years and the available scientific literature there is no evidence to support that oxybenzone in sunscreen contributes to hormonal alterations or any other significant health issues in humans. If there were any threats to humans, we would have seen them by now given their widespread use. The risk of skin cancer, which is known, documented and studied, far outweighs any hypothetical risk of using sunscreens topically. So, keep your skin healthy and continue to use your sunscreen!

Safety of Sunless Tans: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Friday, September 9th, 2011

In the beginning there was lying out in the sun with baby oil and iodine to give our skin that bronzed, golden glow. Then we found out that outdoor sun exposure ages the skin prematurely and can cause skin cancer, so the pursuit of tanned skin became an indoor sport. Enter, tanning beds. While burning the skin could be avoided with the beds, UVA ray exposure could not, which damages the skin just like the real sun.

So, in a continued search for a safe tan and what we are led to believe is a more “healthy” look, we have yet another alternative: the spray tan. Whether it be in a booth or airbrushed onto our skin, there are some things to keep in mind if you are using the lesser of all evils in the tanning world.

Sunless tan creams and sprays contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), an FDA-approved color additive. DHA is a sugar compound that reacts with proteins in the outermost layer of dead skin cells to produce a brownish hue that lasts until the skin sloughs off.

While DHA is widely used, a person can still be allergic to the perfumes, preservatives or other ingredients in a particular product. If you have sensitive skin or know you have skin allergies, be sure to look at an ingredient list. Everyone should do a test patch of any tanning cream or spray before you use it all over your body.

Safety studies have not been done on DHA’s use around the eyes, lips, other mucous membranes, or for inhalation. Safety practices at spray tan facilities are also all over the board. While some may remind the client to close their eyes, they may not be told when to hold their breath or offered safety equipment like goggles, cotton balls for their nostrils or petroleum jelly for their lips. If you are a habitual spray or airbrush tanner, please ask to use these safety measures at your facility as the regular, long term effects of DHA are unstudied.

People who have a spray tan tend to be less careful with their sunscreen because they think they have a “base” tan and won’t burn. This is untrue. A tan resulting from a bottle or spray provides no protection from the sun’s harmful rays, so the use of sunscreen is essential to avoid burning and aging of the skin.

If you have ever thought tanning pills might be an option, please don’t. The side effects from such products sold over the internet or elsewhere are severe and hazardous.

As a dermatologist, it is a double edged sword to promote sunless tanning products because it also promotes the notion of being tan. Until the saying, “pale is the new tan”, takes root however, it is still much safer to use the creams and sprays for that sun kissed look than the sun and the beds.

FDA asked to Look at Hair Straighteners & Formaldehyde: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Just wanted to spread the word about recent concerns with hair straightening products since this new trend has become so popular with patients.

“The AP (7/8) reported that at least 10 members of the House of Representatives “are asking the Food and Drug Administration to look into” whether women using keratin-based hair straighteners, including the popular Brazilian Blowout, are exposed to high levels of formaldehyde. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said she had heard that users of such products had experienced hair loss, respiratory problems and other illnesses. Along with Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), Schakowsky and eight other House members “wrote to the FDA in May asking for better regulation and labeling of keratin-based hair-smoothing products that contain formaldehyde,” classified as possibly carcinogenic by the Environmental Protection Agency. An FDA spokeswoman said that the agency was evaluating data on hair straighteners, while noting that as cosmetic products, they are not subject to FDA pre-market approval.”

A New Look for your Old Sunscreen: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Your sunscreen bottle may look different in the next year or two! Earlier this month, the FDA issued new labeling regulations on sunscreens. Below is quick summary of the new requirements:

Sunscreens may be labeled “broad-spectrum” if they provide protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.

Only broad-spectrum sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher can state that they protect again skin cancer if used as directed with other sun protection measures.
Sunscreens with an SPF of 2-14 will be required to have a warning stating that the product has not been shown to help prevent skin cancer or early skin aging.
The terms “sunblock”, “sweatproof” and “waterproof” are no longer allowed on sunscreen labels.
A sunscreen may claim to be “water resistant”; however, the product must specify if it offers 40 minutes or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Sunscreens that are not water resistant must include a direction instructing consumers to use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.
Sunscreens cannot claim to provide sun protection for more than two hours without reapplication.
Sunscreen manufacturers will have one year to comply with the FDA ruling; smaller companies will have two years.
The ingredients in sunscreens marketed today have been used for many years and FDA does not have any reason to believe these products are not safe for consumer use.

The FDA reiterated that sunscreen alone is not enough, and should be used in conjunction with a complete sun protection regimen, including seeking shade, wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hats and sunglasses.

As always, be sure to use a shot glass sized amount of sunscreen for your body and a large nickel size for your face. Re-application is key! Make it easy to remember by carrying sunscreen in your purse, bag and car. If you don’t like to reapply a lotion form of sunblock, try the Colorscience Pro Sunforgettable Mineral Powder, a quick and easy way to touch up throughout the day.

For more details on the changes to sunscreen labeling, please visit the FDA’s website.

Dry Skin, What’s Itching You?

Sunday, January 9th, 2011

If you are like most people this winter season, you’re itchy. There are many contributing factors that can ultimately lead to this scratchy annoyance. Virtually all patients suffer from some form of dry skin during winter months. Soaps and frequent, long showers can cause sensitivity, because the harsh chemicals and steamy temperatures can remove lipids. In addition, dry air conditioning reduce the atmospheric humidity as well, which leads to decreased moisture levels in the skin. Left untreated, dry skin can actually lead to complications such as atopic dermatitis (a form of eczema). Other complications can occur such as folliculitis, or the inflammation of the hair follicules, as well as cellulitis, the infection of the skin tissue. In order to prevent or alleviate dry skin, harsh soaps should be avoided and mild cleansers should be used to clean the skin. Immediately applying lotions or oils to help trap in water on the surface of the skin is recommended as well. Special creams, known as barrier creams, that are specially formulated for hand, are particularly effective as they stay put despite frequent hand washing. If these methods are not effective, then make an appointment with your physician to determine if the cause of your dry skin is actually a condition. When there is irritation to the skin and dryness, the skin barrier becomes impaired, and we are more prone to developing infections. In these cases, treatment with prescription medications is necessary to clear infections and calm down inflammation so that the skin barrier can heal and re-form. In any case, there are many ways to alleviate you dry, itchy skin.

A new way to reduce eyelid wrinkles without excessive downtime….

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Genetically, or due to age and sun damage, some people have poor quality, thin crepy eyelid skin. If there is not too much excess skin, eyelid surgery will not be helpful or necessary. In the past the best treatment was regular use of eye creams and laser resurfacing or deep chemical peels. Dr. welsh now offers a procedure with less downtime “the Madonna Eyelift,” developed by Dr. Bruce Katz in NYC. This procedure is a lighter fractional CO2 laser procedure that has minimal down time. 3-4 treatments are necessary to see results, but it is a relatively painless procedure and takes only about 20 minutes with 3-4 days of a mild sunburn effect. Dr. welsh had the procedure done on a Wednesday and was able to work Thursday and Friday without patients noticing.  Results can be improved by use of the Clarisonic Opal or one of our anti- aging eye creams. The Clarisonic Opal is Opal is a breakthrough for your eye area, targeting fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. It uses proven sonic technology to apply eye serum more effectively than manual application. The gentle sonic action infuses the Anti-Aging Sea Serum into the outer layers of the epidermis. In just one minute, Opal provides more than 7,500 micro massages to instantly hydrate, smooth and brighten the appearance of the eye area. Eye creams such Replenix Retinol Eye Cream or our new Skinmedica TNS Eye Repair reverse aging in the eye area by offering collagen building properties along with DNA repair. A younger, smoother eye is now easier than ever to achieve.

Finally! An Alternative Acne Treatment- Notes From a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

There is now have an additional option for treating acne in patients who want fast clearance and a comfortable result. Isolaz harnesses the power of vacuum suction, coupled with a painless broadband light, to deep clean your pores from the inside out . This treatment is a great option for teenagers, pregnant women, those seeking an alternative to oral medications, or anyone who wants beautiful, clear skin!

Isolaz therapy uses a vacuum first to remove white heads, blackheads, and inflamed pimples while deep cleaning the pores. A broadband light source is then used to destroy the P. acnes bacteria, a bacteria that leads to clogging and breakouts, and also reduces redness in the skin. A full face treatment takes between 20 and 30 minutes and is very gentle, even for patients with sensitive skin. And the best part is, Isolaz works quickly and the results last. Some patients actually start to notice a favorable effect within a few days, with results improving with each session and being maintained months following treatment. Patients typically schedule three to four sessions of Isolaz, spaced one to two weeks apart. If downtime is a concern, then this is the treatment for you. Isolaz has virtually no downtime and no significant adverse side effects. Patients often notice and refreshed and radiant look to their skin following treatment. If you are struggling with acne and are looking for a fast, effective treatment, call our office for more details.

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