Posts Tagged ‘sunblock’

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.

Eyelids and Skin Cancer, an Overlooked Danger: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Did you know that the eyelid region is one of the most common sites for non-melanoma skin cancers? Recently, and article was published in the Skin Cancer Foundation Journal bringing attention to this important topic.

The thinness of the skin around the eyes and the lack of proper sun protection, makes it very susceptible to skin cancer and sun damage. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most typical cancers we see in the eyelid area.

Generally on the body, non-melanoma skin cancers appear as spots or sores that don’t heal. However, skin cancers in the eye area may present with a scar-like appearance or texture or as a mass or tumor-like growth. These cancers must be removed to keep the cancer from spreading into other ocular structures and causing further damage. If caught early, you can minimize the amount of tissue that needs to be removed to treat the cancer, giving a more pleasing cosmetic result. The Moh’s micrographic surgery technique used for removal has a five year cure rate of 99 percent for basal cells and 98.1 percent for squamous cells.

The best way to prevent skin cancer in the eye area is to examine the area yourself often or take pictures on occasion for comparison and see if any changes have occurred. If you notice any differences have them checked out by a dermatologist as soon as possible.

Wearing sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of the sun’s UV rays helps prevent cataracts and skin cancers. Broad-spectrum sunblock is also important on your eyelids. If you find lotions too irritating, choose a dry sunblock and lightly dust it over the area. We carry Colorscience mineral sunblocks and makeup that would be a good choice to protect the eyes. They also make a product specific for the eye area called Colorscience Eyescreen that is silky, light and provides good protection. Contact our office for more details.

Sports & Sun Safety: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, June 15th, 2009

As a sports enthusiast myself, I know how enjoyable it is to get outdoors and be active. So you can continue to enjoy your sport now and for years to come, it is especially important to protect your skin during your activity from burns and long term sun damage.

While the basics for sun safety always include a broad spectrum sunblock that you apply every two hours, outdoor sport fans should take extra precautions to ensure they remain protected. Below are a few tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation Journal on the steps you should consider for your activity.

Golf: A sweat resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30 that should be reapplied every nine holes or two hours. Remember to apply on the ears, top of head, backs of hands and neck - areas often overlooked. Even better, wear a hat with at least a 3 inch brim to give extra protection to these areas and in general from the sun’s rays.

Running: Even on overcast or cloudy days, 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can still penetrate through. Wear clothes with a UPF or ultraviolet protection factor rating of 30 or above. You can find a wide selection of UPF clothing at most sporting good stores. You can also help overheating by choosing fabrics that wick away moisture and keep you drier.

Swimming/Surfing/Windsurfing/Kiteboarding: Any water sport will require a water resistant sunblock. The best choices are those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These physical sunblock ingredients are more resistant to water exposure. Make sure to reapply your block after toweling off and in between getting out and going back in the water. Wear a swim shirt to protect your your back - an area that is difficult to apply sunscreen on your own.

Sailing: Reapplication of sunblock is key when sailing. Spray from the water and moisture in the air can degrade your sunblock more quickly, so be sure to keep it handy. Also, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes as the water reflects ultra violet rays.

Tennis: Wearing a sun visor will help shade your face in addition to your sunblock. If you use a towel to wipe your face or body in between sets, be sure to reapply.

Another commonly forgotten area to protect is your lips. Sun damage can cause this area to become constantly dry and peely. Carry a lip balm containing a broad spectrum sunblock and reapply often to avoid future issues.

It is also important to know that NSAIDS like Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve) make your skin extra sensitive to the sun. So if you are take medications for aches and pains, be especially cautious about your sun protection.

The sun’s UV rays are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, so if possible, try to schedule your activity around this time frame.

Enjoy your sport safely this summer and contact our office with any questions!

You Can Leave Your Hat On: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

The most underrated sunblock these days is hats! In addition to your regular sunscreen, hats are a quick, easy and stylish way to protect your skin even more this summer. This is especially true for areas like our scalp, ears and back of the neck, which we tend to forget when applying our sun lotion. You simply need to put one on to enjoy the additional benefits of sun protection that hats provide. Hats also keep you cooler and instantly give you a more finished and glamorous look. They protect our eyes and keep us from squinting - another way to prevent the worsening of crow’s feet and frown lines!

Look for hats with a brim of at least 3 inches, but remember wider is even better at keeping the sun’s harmful rays off your skin. Try on a few different styles, making sure to change up the angle of how it sits on your head - sometimes a slightly asymmetrical of off-center angle will look just perfect. Use a full length mirror and you will quickly see what shapes flatter your features and your outfits.

Our office has a wonderful selection of hats from the famous San Francisco Hat Company this summer, so stop by to try them on and see what makes you look your best. Mention this blog and receive 10 percent off any hat purchased in our office. Stay cooler, look more chic and protect your skin better with a new hat today!

Glow-How: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, June 8th, 2009

What can I do to have that certain “glow” and make my skin look radiant? This is a question I hear all the time as a dermatologist in San Francisco. The answer is luckily more simple than people think! Below are highlights from a recent article in The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal that summarized the topic well along with some tips of my own.

Let’s start with the big picture…

If you have any tan, let your skin fade back to its normal tone. Playing up the coloring mother nature gave you is how to best get your glow-on.

If you have any obvious sun-spots or broken capillaries on your face, a trip or two to a dermatologist’s office can help to diminish their appearance and give your skin a more even-tone.

Maintain the integrity of your skin by wearing sunblock daily.

If you wear makeup, match it to the skin along your jaw-line as closely as possible. To add a bit more glow, you can apply bronzer or blush to the areas where natural highlighting occurs like the apples of the cheeks, center of forehead, bridge of nose and chin. Less is more, so don’t overdo or you’ll turn your glow into an obvious mask of makeup. Pale skin looks best with a light pink blush, whereas darker skin looks best with deeper shades. A fluffly, densely bristled brush works great to apply blush/bronzing powders.

As part of your daily routine….

Cleanse your face morning and evening. You can even use cleansing cloths, if it is more convenient. Cleansers do not have to foam up to be effective, so ask your dermatologist what is best for your skin type.

In the morning apply an anti-oxidant after cleansing. There are many good choices these days, including Skinceuticals Vitamin C serums, Obagi C Clarifying serum, RevaleSkin coffeberry or Prevage MD. Not only will they help protect the skin from free radical damage, but they will help to repair damaged skin cells.

Next apply a broad spectrum sunblock, with at least a 30 SPF. If you are out all day long, be sure to re-apply your sunblock to maintain its protective benefits. If re-applying a lotion is not to your liking, ColorScience makes a dry sunscreen that can easily be dusted on top of your makeup throughout the day.

Cleanse at night to remove the makeup, sunblock and oil build up from the day.

After your skin is dry, apply a Retin-A product sparingly to promote exfoliation of dead skin cells and really get your skin glowing. The less build up of dead skin cells, the less dull the skin will look. It will also help alleviate plugs in the skin, which can lead to acne and blemishes. And best of all, it increases collagen production to prevent and diminish fine lines and wrinkles.

Next up apply a moisturizer. This will relieve dryness associated with Retin-A products and help the skin maintain its natural moisture barrier. Skin that looks dewy reflects back light, adding to your glow.

If you cannot stand the idea of not having some color on your body, be sure to at least choose one of the self-tanning options. Tanning booths will only increase your risk of skin cancer and, really, who wants their skin to look like leather anyway? When applying a self-tanner to your body, make sure to prep the skin by using an exfoliating scrub or loofah, moisturize, then apply the self-tanning lotion. If your skin is dry in certain areas (like elbows and knees) it will absorb more of the lotion and look uneven. Make sure to wait at least 12 hours after shaving your legs to follow these steps. Self-tanners may aggravate certain skin conditions, so if you suffer from eczema or other skin issues, please check with your dermatologist before using any self-tanning methods.

Through my patients, I have seen that the tanning lotion application services offered at salons work very well. They will exfoliate your skin and apply the lotion much more easily and evenly than applying it yourself. I also like the look of Jergens Natural Glow moisturizer. This type of product moisturizes the skin and gradually encourages it to develop a natural color, without looking fake or orange.

Please feel free to contact our office with any questions about products or makeup. Start with these simple tips to get your glow-on today!

Sunblocks - What you need to know about Ingredients and Amounts

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Choice can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to sunblock. There are so many bottles, tubes, sticks, wipes and powders lining store shelves that it’s easy to be confused about what works best.

To help wade through the sea of options, it is most important to know that the Sun Protection Factor or SPF rating you currently see on labels relates only to protection against the sun’s UVB rays. UVB rays cause reddening and burning of the skin, which contributes to skin cancer. At this time, SPF ratings do not relate to UVA rays, which actually penetrate the skin more deeply, contributing to wrinkles, photodamage and skin cancer. New labeling rules may be finalized by the FDA in September, forcing companies to also rate their sunblock’s UVA protection (if any) on the label within 18 months.

In the meantime, Dermatologist David Pariser, MD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology, recommends that “for now, consumers should look for labels that tout ‘broad spectrum’ protection and list ingredients known to screen UVA rays.” Specifically, consumers should “look for avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or ecamsule (also known as Mexoryl SX).”

In addition to using a broad spectrum product, it is also necessary to use the right amount. Studies show that most people apply only a quarter of the amount they should, which means the actual SPF they have on their body is even lower than advertised. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you should use 1 oz. (shotglass sized amount) of sunblock to get the full SPF. During a long day at the beach, for example, one person should use around one half to one quarter of an 8 oz. bottle. Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin. And, no matter what the SPF rating, sunscreens should be applied every two hours, especially after swimming, toweling off or excessive sweating.

There is also no substitute for shade and keeping the sun off your skin. If you are out at the beach or park, choose shady areas whenever possible. Wear a hat, sunglasses and SPF rated clothing to give yourself the best protection possible. We only get one skin, so do your best to take care of it! If you have any other questions regarding sunblocks, give our office a call - we will be happy to assist you.

Lunch & Learn - Join us on May 22nd for Snacks, Samples and Information on Neova Copper Products, Sunscreens and New Eyelash Conditioner

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

A representative from Procyte will be available at our office on Friday, May 22nd, to discuss the benefits of the Neova Skincare Line, Ti-Silc sunscreens and to launch Neova Advanced Essential Lash™ conditioner.

Neova skincare products have long been a staple at our office to provide gentle, yet effective skin renewal. Neova Therapy’s patented GHK Copper Peptide Complex® micronutrition helps revive dull, lifeless skin, remedy the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and restore moisture and firmness.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that copper plays a fundamental role in skin health, by helping restore the skin’s ability to repair itself. Copper is a powerful collagen and elastin promoter and plays an antioxidative role in the body. Plus it’s important in the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs – the cement that bonds tissue components together). What’s more, copper-dependent enzymes increase the benefits of natural tissue building processes.

We love Ti-Silc® GT™ SPF 60+ and Ti-Silc^® Sheer SPF 45 high performance sunscreens for superior sun protection. The titanium dioxide formulations are designed to blend in naturally, without a chalky residue, leaving skin smooth and satiny. Both are water-resistant. Ti-Silc® GT™ SPF 60+ also contains Japanese Green Tea to help protect your skin against free radical damage and the sun’s harmful rays.

Neova Advanced Essential Lash™ conditioner is the answer for people with sensitive eyes seeking a lash enhancer that is non-irritating and paraben free. Essential Lash renews and restores health and vitality to promote the appearance of fuller, thicker, longer lashes.

We hope you can stop by our office on May 22nd for free lunch snacks, samples and fun!

Helping Hands

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

In general, people are now in the habit of using some form of sunscreen on their face each day to protect their skin from sun damage. Hands are another story.

Patients often complain that their hands either “give away” their age or they seem prematurely aged compared to the rest of their skin. Our hands are constantly exposed to environmental elements like water and temperature and they receive a tremendous amount of sun. Yet knowing all the abuse our hands endure, they are often overlooked when it comes to skin care and sun protection. Wrinkles, brown spots and precancerous lesions on hands can nearly all be attributed to sun and UV ray exposure. Also, the skin on the hands is thin, so further breakdown of its collagen by UV rays causes it to become even thinner more quickly than other body parts. Not only does this effect its texture, but aging and unattractive veins and tendons can show right through!

So, what can be done for these under cared for extremities? First of all, prevention is key. Keep a tube of moisturizing sunblock in your purse or carry all and apply often, especially after washing. We recommend sunblocks with at least an SPF 15 that contain some zinc or titanium dioxide (physical blocks that do not degrade as quickly). This will keep your hands from being dry and keep them consistently protected. Consider keeping a pair of gloves in your car and slipping them on before you hit the road. This will keep the sun off your hands when holding the steering wheel, especially for long car rides. Treat the skin on your hands with anti-aging and collagen building products. This is usually easiest at bedtime when you are washing your hands less frequently. We will often recommend that patients use Retin-A mixed with a bleaching cream to lighten brown spots and build collagen. Use caution with any products on your hands as the skin can become irritated more easily. Ask a professional for proper instructions with any product.

There are many treatment options available to help reverse damage on the hands. Chemical peels and lasers are very effective in making your skin look less spotted and wrinkled. Fillers can also be used to plump up the skin on the hands and help reduce the appearance of veins. Please contact our office for more details. In the meantime, be good to your hands, they deserve it!