Posts Tagged ‘skin cancer’

« Older Entries

Ban on Tanning Beds

Monday, November 28th, 2011

California’s governor has signed into effect SB 246, which bans the use of tanning beds by anyone under the age of 18- making California the first state to pass such a law.  The bill was the result of efforts by the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and the Aim at Melanoma Foundation, and had the support of many other groups.  The law won’t take effect until January 1, 2012 and will ban minors from using indoor tanning beds, with the exception of phototherapy prescribed by a doctor.  Research has shown that use of indoor tanning beds has a direct correlation with an increased risk in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.  

tanning_bed

More articles about , , , ,
Posted in Healthy Skin | 2 Comments »

Coffee and Skin Cancer

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

9502coffee_beanWho doesn’t love a good cup of coffee to get their day started… or maybe 2 or 3 cups of coffee? Downside to drinking that much coffee? It may discolor your pearly whites. Upside? Research has linked coffee to a decreased risk in skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma.

As reported on The Los Angeles Times (10/25, Brown) “Booster Shots” blog, The Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study followed a combined total of 112,897 people over the span of 24 years. Their data showed that “women who drank more than three cups of coffee had a 20% reduction in risk for basal cell carcinoma.”  They also found that men “benefited from a 9% reduction in risk of this type of skin cancer” when they drank three or more cups of joe per day WebMD (10/25, Warner).

Mere coincidence?  The researchers also found that “drinking decaffeinated coffee did not have any effect on skin cancer risk…”  So is caffeine the skin cancer fighting ingredient?  To answer that question, the researchers are now “looking into whether caffeine should be added to sunscreen to increase its effectiveness against skin cancer” WebMD (10/25, Warner).

So… when you’re walking out the door in the morning, remember to slather on the SPF and grab that cup of java!

More articles about , , , ,
Posted in Healthy Skin | 1 Comment »

Skin Protection From Grapes??!!

Monday, August 29th, 2011

flavonoidsGrapes can be a delicious snack to your healthy diet, and they could potentially help your skin.  An article in the UK’s Daily Mail reports that “grapes could protect against skin cancer and prevent premature ageing.” 

The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council, found that grapes- more specifically, flavonoids found in grapes, may have skin protecting benefits.  The scientist found that the flavonoids “protect cells from the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun…”

Grapes aren’t just for the produce aisle anymore!  In light of this new research, you may soon be able to find them in the skincare aisle as well!!

To read the article in it’s entirety, click on the following link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2020975/Scientists-discover-grapes-protect-skin-cancer.html

More articles about , , , , ,
Posted in Healthy Skin | 1 Comment »

Sunscreen Shake-up

Friday, June 17th, 2011

IntellishadeSPF45Confused as you walk down the sunscreen aisle?  Apparently so were alot of other people.  So the FDA announced some changes that they will require for sunscreen labeling.  Here are the facts:

When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that offers broad-spectrum protection.  According to the CBS Evening News, manufacturers may only label their product as broad-spectrum “only if the sunscreen protects [against] ultraviolet B which causes burning and ultraviolet A which causes wrinkling.”  The AP reports that sun protection products that aren’t broad-spectrum, or that are less than SPF 15 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”

The Washington Post reports that the FDA will do away with the terms sunblock, waterproof, and sweatproof due to the inaccuracy of the terms.  Instead, they will be labeled water-resistant.

The FDA has not yet decided if it will require manufacturers to do away with excessively high SPF numbers (SPF 80, 90, 100).  According to the New York Times, products that are labeled with that high of a SPF “offer little more protection than those with an SPF of 50.”  USA Today reports that everyone should use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen. 

Before you head out to the beach this summer, make sure your sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection, that it is at least an SPF 30 or higher, and that you apply enough sunscreen (think a shot glass size amount for the entire body), and re-apply every one to two hours while outdoors.

More articles about , , ,
Posted in Healthy Skin | 41 Comments »

Positive Link Between Chemical Peels and Skin Cancer

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

San-Diego-Dermatology-and-Laser-SurgeryChemical peels are a great treatment option for certain types pigmentary problems, skin rejuvenation, and overall brightening of the skin.  Now another advantage: a recent study has shown that chemical peels have a postive influence on UV-induced skin cancers, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

During a 10 week study researchers exposed the subjects to UV radiation three times a day.  The subjects were then treated with different peeling agents at regular intervals.  Their findings?

“Glycolic acid, salicyclic acid and TCA(trichloracetic acid) had reduced tumor formation by 95% to 100%…  Glycolic acid, salicyclic acid and TCA also delayed the time to tumor development.”

Furthermore, the researchers found that all four types of the chemical peels they tested “reversed the histological changes associated with with chronic UV exposure.”

More articles about , ,
Posted in Face & Beauty | 49 Comments »

« Older Entries