skin cancer
Simple Skincare: Maximizing Skin Health with a Few Easy Steps
For those with no serious skin conditions, skincare can be something that often falls to the wayside when schedules get busy during the holiday season. However, even if you don’t suffer from rosacea or acne and aren’t ready for wrinkle treatments, it’s important to take care of your skin now to prevent future issues like the signs of aging or even skin cancer. There are four main steps to maintaining healthy skin: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and apply sunscreen.
Cleanse: Choose a cleanser that works with your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive, normal), and wash your skin once or twice a day with warm water. Over-cleansing can dry out your skin, and washing in very hot or cold water can cause broken capillaries or visible facial veins. Those with dry skin should choose a creamy cleanser, and oily-skinned individuals should opt for a clear cleanser. If you wear makeup, make sure to remove it with a makeup remover before going to bed to prevent dirt and bacteria from building up in your pores.
Exfoliate: In order to protect you from outside elements, your skin is constantly regenerating new skin cells. However, sometimes dead skin cells don’t slough off as easily as they should. Exfoliation helps to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Using a gentle scrub with small polishing particles, lightly rub the face in a circular motion working from the inside out.
Each person’s exfoliation schedule depends on his or her skin type. Those with more sensitive facial skin may need to stick to weekly exfoliation, while those with more durable or oily skin may exfoliate more often. The key to exfoliation is gentleness. Remember that the exfoliation process is supposed to leave the skin healthier afterward, not irritated and red.
Moisturize: There are multiple moisturizers on the market that work well for individuals of all different skin types. Cleansing the face removes any dirt or oil that could clog pores, but it also often strips the skin of its natural moisturizing and protective oils. By applying the appropriate moisturizer for your skin type, your skin can replenish the oils eliminated by the cleanser and protect itself from outside elements.
Apply Sunscreen: Of all the skincare steps one should take, applying daily sunscreen is the most important. The main cause of wrinkles is unprotected sun exposure. UV rays hasten the aging process, breaking down the support structure behind the skin creating lax tissue that makes us look older than we are. A simple daily application of a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen on facial skin can help prevent advanced signs of aging as well as skin cancer. There are currently many moisturizers on the market that include SPF for a combination of the last two steps.
Skincare is often much simpler than people think. A quick 4-step regimen takes less than 10 minutes to complete and sets you up for healthy skin now and in the future. Our Skin Medics™ Medical Spa can formulate an easy skincare program catered toward your age and skin type.
For individuals who may suffer from dermatological problems like psoriasis or eczema and need more than a simple skincare regimen, we recommend you make an appointment with one of our highly trained dermatologists. We can also offer information on our other services like vein removal, laser tattoo removal, facial rejuvenation, and treatment of other skin conditions.
You can keep up with DAA’s latest news on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Study Emphasizes Sun Protection over Water Consumption for Beautiful Skin
We’ve all heard that drinking 8 glasses of water a day keeps your skin glowing and dewy. However, a recent investigation by the British Nutrition Foundation found that protecting your skin from the sun along with maintaining a healthy diet is much more important in achieving a healthy complexion and fighting the signs of aging.
While drinking water is important as part of adequate nutrition, forcing down 8 glasses a day to keep your skin hydrated may not be necessary. According to the BNF, “There currently appears to be very little scientific evidence relating to the effects of water consumption on skin hydration, and whether drinking more or less water actually has any impact on skin appearance.” Instead, eating a healthy range of fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins A, B, C, and E and wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day are better actions to prevent wrinkles and fine lines.
Unprotected sun exposure is a proven cause of skin cancer as well as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. This is one reason that legislation in California was recently passed that banned teens under 18 from tanning salons even if they had their parents’ permission. Sun exposure breaks down the support structures in the skin speeding up the aging process and producing fine lines and sunspots.
While it’s still important to regularly drink water, Dermatology Associates of Atlanta encourages our patients to take further measures to ensure the health of their skin and postpone the signs of aging from appearing.
For more information on anti-aging, skin cancer prevention or treatment, skincare, or dermatology contact us. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter with the latest in dermatology news and updates!
Harvest Something Beautiful this November at Skin Medics Medical Spa
Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s Skin Medics™ Medical Spa is offering a fabulous fall special on Microdermabrasion paired with a Pomegranate Peel. Prepare for those holiday parties and family get-togethers with this relaxing facial rejuvenation combination. See the flyer below for more details and schedule your microdermabrasion/peel combo before this great deal expires by calling (678) 552-2163.
Women and Men Get Skin Cancer Checks for Different Reasons
As the seasons change, we like to remind our patients that fall is the time we recommend our skin cancer body check. The Archives of Dermatology reported that in a survey of patients, men and women seek skin cancer screenings for very different reasons. Women are more likely to schedule skin cancer body checks after noticing a change in skin lesions, due to a family history of skin cancer and sun exposure. Men, on the other hand, most often attend skin cancer screenings much later in life after being prompted by a female spouse or family member or after a previous skin cancer diagnosis.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. Evidence shows that while family history does play a part, extended unprotected sun exposure (including time spent in tanning beds) is a recognized cause of skin cancer, and that early detection is an important key in catching signs of pre-cancers.
While it seems as though women are seeking skin cancer screenings for the right reasons, it is still important to do so in a timely manner. The median age of women in the survey was around 53 years old. The truth is that people of any age should seek a skin cancer body check if they notice any troubling change in their skin texture or tone. Actinic keratosis is a pre-cancer that is most often found in commonly sun damaged areas like the face, top of the shoulders, and arms. These actinic keratoses are characterized by red, rough, and scaly spots of skin that become rough, and almost even tender when rubbed.
If left undetected and/or untreated, actinic keratosis can lead to one of three kinds of skin cancer including squamous and basal cell carcinoma as well as melanoma. Squamous cell carcinoma appears as irritated, scaly patches of skin, while basal cell carcinoma is characterized by raised, smooth bumps around the head, neck, or shoulders. Sometimes it can look like a sore that never heals. Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer and most often looks like a darker brown or black lesion. Actinic keratoses may seem harmless because they aren’t cancer, but if patients go too long without treatment, they can turn into basal or squamous cell carcinomas and even melanoma.
Though it’s the most serious form of skin cancer, it’s important to know that melanoma can be 100% curable if detected early.
Monitor your skin for changes in moles including changes in shape, size, elevation, and color. To help with at-home monitoring of potential skin cancers, we often tell our patients to look for the ABCDE’s when checking any moles or suspicious lesions:
- Asymmetry
- Borders (irregularities)
- Color (changes)
- Diameter (bigger than a pencil eraser)
- Evolving over time
During a medical skin cancer body check, your dermatologist will carefully examine your skin for any curious moles or lesions. If you have any concerns, it’s best to address them with your doctor, and he or she can track any new or existing moles from year to year to measure any growth or other changes.
If necessary, your dermatologist may recommend a treatment option based on any existing pre-cancers or cancers he or she finds. For example, photodynamic therapy uses laser light to destroy cancerous tissues, while cryosurgery uses extreme cold to eliminate abnormal cells and pre-cancers.
Skin cancer screenings are a short, painless prevention measure that can help individuals of any age recognize the signs and symptoms of skin cancer. The survey published in the Archives of Dermatology demonstrates that women are ahead of men in terms of staying on top of skin cancer checks. Regardless of age, sex, or sun exposure habits, it’s important to track your yearly skin changes.
Contact us for more information on Dermatology Associates of Atlanta and to schedule your skin cancer body check. You can also stay up-to-date on our news and events by “Liking” us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
California Passes Tanning Bed Ban for Teens
California recently became the first state to ban those under 18 from using tanning salons because of connection between tanning beds and skin cancer. While awaiting FDA regulations on teens and tanning, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the measure prohibiting tanning salons from allowing anyone under 18 to use tanning beds, regardless of parental approval. Georgia hasn’t banned the use of tanning beds for those under 18, but it is one of the states that requires in-person, parental permission for anyone under 18 to tan in a tanning bed.
According to stats from the National Cancer Institute up to 35% of 17-year-old girls will use a tanning bed to maintain their summer glow. Other studies have indicated that tanners, especially young girls, can exhibit behaviors demonstrating an addiction to indoor tanning. Additionally, tanning beds use activity that exposes humans to some of the highest levels of carcinogens to humans, increasing the risk of developing melanoma by 75%. Tanning beds utilize concentrated ultraviolet light which can cause sunburn and speed up the skin’s aging process and increase the risk of deadly skin cancer. Those who tan indoors are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.
In fact, a recent article published in Skin & Allergy News links the spike in current melanoma cases amongst women aged 25 to 34 to the use of tanning beds during their teens in the 1990s. One dermatologist said that almost all of his melanoma patients admitted to using a tanning bed at some point in their past.
At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we encourage our patients to avoid unprotected sun exposure including the use of tanning beds. For those who may not have adhered to this rule in the past, we perform annual skin cancer screenings to ensure no cancer is present, and identify any pre-cancers (actinic keratosis), to begin skin cancer treatment plans if necessary.
Skin cancer treatments like photodynamic therapy which destroys cancerous tissue, topical chemotherapy for basal cell carcinomas, cryosurgery to freeze and eliminate abnormal tissue, and Mohs skin cancer surgery to remove the cancerous tissue layer by layer, are all available at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta. Depending on the patient and type of skin cancer, some laser treatments from our Laser Institute of Georgia may also be used instead of cryosurgery.
For more information on skin cancer symptoms, prevention, and treatment, contact us. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest dermatology and skin cancer news.
Dermatology Associates of Atlanta Featured in Jezebel Magazine Who’s Who of Atlanta
Dermatology Associates of Atlanta‘s Drs. Griffin, Karempelis, and Curtis were featured in Jezebel Magazine‘s October Who’s Who issue on newsstands now! For more information on DAA and our doctors or to schedule an appointment, contact us! You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more news and updates.
Could Caffeine Be the Answer to Staying Bright-Eyed and Cancer Free?
Caffeinated beverages are an irreplaceable staple to many American morning routines. A new study performed by researchers from Rutgers and the University of Washington suggests that topical caffeine application could reduce the risk of developing melanoma.
According to the National Cancer Institute, skin cancer remains the most prevalent form of cancer in the U.S. with a whopping one million new cases diagnosed annually. This fact, coupled with the unsightly cosmetic effects photoaging can have on the skin and its texture and the millions of dollars spent by Americans on treatments like laser skin resurfacing, Foto Facial® treatment, and chemical peels to reduce the appearance of photo damage, make it no surprise then that this study is not the first of its kind. › Continue reading
Addicted to Tanning: Study Links Brain Changes to Tanorexia
Despite the well known negative effects of unprotected sun exposure (i.e. premature wrinkling, sun spots (liver spots), increased freckles, and even skin cancer), thousands of Americans flock to the tanning bed to gain the “healthy glow” they feel is key in looking trim and vivacious. According to statistics released by the Skin Cancer Foundation, nearly 120,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year. In addition to those startling statistics, previous studies have shown that those individuals under the age of 30 who regularly tan (at least ten times per year) are eight times more likely to develop malignant melanoma than those who don’t; yet, the tanning industry is booming. A study completed by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center may have just figured out a key component to this seemingly vicious cycle of sun damage: addiction.
UT Southwestern’s pilot study monitored the brain circulation of participants while tanning. The participants completed two tanning sessions–one that exposed them to regular ultra violet light and another that used special filters to block the damaging UV rays. The study’s subjects were also administered a compound to measure blood flow to the brain and interviewed after their tanning sessions about how much they wanted to continue tanning. › Continue reading
Skin Cancer Awareness Extends Through June
Last month was officially skin cancer awareness month, but skin cancer awareness shouldn’t end in May. We also would like to take this opportunity to better explain recent FDA changes to sunscreen which you may have heard about in the news the last few days. With 35 years of experience treating skin conditions, the physicians and providers at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta know that, although most skin cancer is treatable, prevention is critical. Following a few easy tips can prevent skin cancer without compromising your warm weather fun.
- Apply appropriate sunscreen:
Select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. If you plan to be in the sun for extended amounts of time, you will need to reapply. The length of time it takes for sunscreen to wear off is based on the SPF and can be determined by multiplying the SPF by 10 (SPF X 10=minutes of sun protection). For instance, one application of 30 SPF should last about 300 minutes. › Continue reading
Skin Care Head to Toe! Receive a FREE DAA Bottle of sunscreen at your skin cancer body check
Dermatology Associates of Atlanta offers multiple options for skin care and cancer prevention, hair loss, wrinkle reduction, fat reduction, skin tightening, and vein elimination. Present this flyer at your next skin cancer body check and receive a FREE bottle of DAA sunscreen.
DAA’s Laser Institute of Georgia
If you thought Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s eight on-site specialty centers were extensive, then you will definitely consider the sixteen different lasers at the Laser Institute of Georgia amazing. We, however, see it as a way to provide Atlantans with the best skin care head to toe. Lasers can treat a variety of skin conditions, and our physicians have over twenty years of experience working with this skin care technology.
If you’re wondering why sixteen lasers are necessary, allow us to explain: just like no two human beings are identical, all lasers are slightly different. Although settings can be adjusted on most lasers, certain lasers treat specific conditions and skin types better. Lasers are attracted to pigment, the darker the pigment, the more effective the laser treatment. Take laser hair removal and laser tattoo removal for an example. We probably wouldn’t have much luck trying to remove hair with a tattoo removal laser (or setting). › Continue reading
Sunscreen for Rosacea Treatment?
We’ve all been preached to about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure: melanoma, skin cancer, wrinkles, sun spots/liver spots, rough skin texture, freckles, sunburn, hyperpigmentation, (the list goes on and on). One thing you may not have heard is that sunscreen, in addition to preventing skin conditions like those listed above; can also help treat skin conditions that increase photo sensitivity—like rosacea.
Rosacea is a skin disorder marked by inflamed, red, or irregularly textured skin of the neck and face. The causes of rosacea are › Continue reading
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