March 2007 Blog Archive
Monday, March 19, 2007
More Evidence: Smoking Ages Skin
A study published in the Archives of Dermatology is the latest in line to discourage smoking cigarettes. Researchers concluded that the effects of smoking impact skin all over the body, not just the face.
People are often informed about the resulting tiny lines around lips that can form from the act of smoking itself. Previous studies have indicated that cigarette smoking prematurely ages skin, believed to be primarily a result of the constriction of blood vessels near the skin's surface.
The latest study looked at skin that was not exposed to sunlight and found that even in those locations, smokers had more visible skin damage. The number of cigarettes smoked per day and the length of time someone smoked were correlated with the amount of skin damage.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Help For Sun Addicts
So, you're one of those Tanning Addicts? Worried about having skin that too closely resembles leather one day in the not so distant future?
Here's what can be done to correct for those years of admiring the golden orb in the sky...
"Photoaging" is the term used to describe skin damage from sun exposure. You'll recognize photoaging as thick, dry skin with freckles and other discolorations, as well as deep wrinkles.
Depending on variables such as your age, general health, medical history, severity and type of the damage, and your tolerance for treatments, there are several therapies that might be recommended to increase regeneration of new healthy skin:
*injections of botulinum toxin type A to temporarily immobilize facial muscles to prevent wrinkle formation and soften existing lines
*chemical peels in which the top layer of skin is removed, allowing the regeneration of new, undamaged skin
*injections of collagen to replace skin's lost supply, to plump up wrinkles and scars
*dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, which uses a machine to abrade the top layer of skin for a smoother appearance
*laser resurfacing and non-ablative resurfacing, which utilizes high-energy light (lasers) that literally burns damaged skin away
*tretinoin, a topical cream that can reduce wrinkles and discoloration
So if you just can't stay out of the sun, learn about your options now to make up later for all that tanning time.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Addicted to The Sun
Ever known someone who just can't get enough of tanning, even though they have access to all the facts on how bad it can be for your skin and health?
A newly published study says that there really is an addictive component to the tanning process, and it has to do with the endorphin release and resulting sensation of pleasure from exposure to UV light.
University of Washington college students were surveyed by researchers with a list of questions that are commonly used to determine whether or not someone has an alcohol related disorder. In addition to the usual questions, the study authors also asked the following more tan-specific questions:
-- "Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your tanning?"
-- "Have people annoyed you by criticizing your tanning?"
-- "Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your tanning?"
-- "Have you ever thought about tanning first thing in the morning?"
The results: 12% of the total sample of 385 students tested positive for substance-related disorder (SRD) with regard to UV light. Additionally, far more of the subjects who reported using indoor tanning services tested positive for SRD to UV than those who tan outside only.
The researchers also state that the numbers found are similar to rates of addiction by college students to alcohol and cigarettes.
Incredibly, even students who reported a family history of skin cancer -- a well known risk factor for developing skin cancer -- "significantly more likely to engage in tanning" than students without a known family history.
The study authors suggest their findings help explain why simple education on the facts of sun-worshipping and skin cancer isn't enough to change people's tanning behavior. They recommend their conclusions be used to argue for more strict regulations on the tanning industry.
The study was published in the March 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Getting a Jump on Aging
Talk about perspective. Celebrities and wanna-be's in their early to mid-20's opting for cosmetic enhancement to fend off "aging"... C'mon, how bad can it be?
As long as they're not spending bucks that would be better put toward their babies' well-being, what's wrong with plumping up your lips and poofing out those lines before anyone else even knows they're there?
This is a bit different than procedural attempts at correcting what one thinks are congenital flaws like too small or too large breasts, crooked noses, and the like. The truth about those is that, yes, a lot of folks will look more attractive once fixed up.
But forehead crevices at 23?
Even those of us who lived out in the sun daily in a practically pre-sunscreen era weren't showing the effects until we were at least in our 30's. What good is youth if you can't stay up partying until the sun rises, catch a few winks out in the midday sun later, and still look plump and fresh for dinner?
Plastic surgeons are seeing increasing numbers of very young women choosing techniques like Botox injections and lip fillers as a kind of unproven insurance against ever aging. Some experts say that there's a chance such enhancements might indeed keep the wrinkles at bay later. However, there's no scientific proof to the stance. So, many bona fide specialists in the art of looking beautiful are saying that the simple things -- healthy diet, plenty of good rest, not smoking, consistent use of sunscreen -- are still the best ways to promote your youthful good looks into middle age.
That's not to say that all skin work is a bad thing for 20-somethings or teens. Some docs talk about "aging maintenance" with their patients, which includes the good sense stuff along with recommendations for starter treatments like retinoids or alpha hydroxy acid products. Acne scars and early sun damage can indeed be ameliorated with microdermabrasion.
Some dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons do say that getting to work on aging's effects will likely result in making those effects less inevitable. The overall effect could be a whole lot fewer middle agers turning to the knife down the road. Still, even the most gung-ho docs shy away from saying that out and out avoidance of looking more mature is a good thing psychologically.
After all, skin-deep appearance isn't the only thing that will transform over a person's lifetime. Chances are that a bit of wisdom comes with those wrinkles, and that's not something anyone wants to lop off.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Actress Marcia Cross to Spearhead Olay Cancer Awareness
Actress Marcia Cross will be the spokesperson for this year's Skin Cancer Takes Friends free skin cancer screening program sponsored by Olay. (PRNewsFoto/Procter & Gamble, Jeff Bark)
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
If anyone should know about the topic, it's fair-skinned beauty Marcia Cross.
Two of the "Desperate Housewives" actress' family members have dealt with melanoma. And with pale skin like hers, you know that Cross is a daily suncreen user.
Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) have announced that Cross will be the official spokesperson for their "Skin Cancer Takes Friends" campaign, which includes free cancer screenings around the country.
Dermasurgeons who volunteer with the campaign will provide free skin cancer screenings during May, June, and July. The goal is early detection, when cancer is not necessarily recognizable to the layperson, but is at its most treatable stage.
One in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime.
Starting April 1st, more information on the "Skin Cancer Takes Friends" campaign -- including how to find a free screening near you -- can be found online at skincancertakesfriends.org or asds.net.
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