February 2009 Blog Archive
Friday, February 27, 2009
Coffee a day keeps the Skin Doctor Away?
According to new research, caffeine may be linked to protecting you from skin cancer. US News and World Report has released the evidence and data done by the University of Washington (Seattle). So nowadays a coffee a day may keep the dermatologist away. For those of you bronzed beach bums, this may be great news, you can sunbake and drink your favourite double shot skim cappuccino everyday.
The study says, "We have found what we believe to be the mechanism by which caffeine is associated with decreased skin cancer,' said lead researcher Dr. Paul Nghiem, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Washington in Seattle. They found that in cells damaged by UV rays, caffeine interrupted a protein called ATR-Chk1, causing the damaged cells to self-destruct. ATR is essential to damaged cells that are growing rapidly, Nghiem said, and caffeine specifically targets damaged cells that can become cancerous. 'Caffeine more than doubles the number of damaged cells that will die normally after a given dose of UV,' he said."
The research was published in the February 26 edition of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Dermatologists however have urged people not to increase their cups of coffee or tea.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Allergen and Cosmetic Dermatology may be Getting a Lift
In recent months Allergen (the company that produces Botox), has been struggling to stay afloat in tough financial times. Last quarter share prices and profit slumped. But news is breaking that Allergen and Botox may be making a comeback. Over the past year Botox injections have been experimentally used for headache and migraine relief alongside other non-wrinkle-removal uses.
Business Week reported on this possible lift for Botox and Allergen, "Two things could soon make Allergan's stock move higher: a new application of Botox to treat chronic daily headaches and a new product called Lumigan, a treatment for glaucoma. But it's one of the side effects of Lumigan that could deliver a bounty for Allergan: use of the compound results in longer and thicker eyelashes. As a result, Allergan developed a product called Latisse, which the Food & Drug Administration approved for eyelash enhancement last December. Latisse is applied on the upper eyelid while Lumigan, an eyedrop, is used in the eyes."
If this new use for Botox boosts revenue and profit for Allergen, other possible uses of Botox may begin to get utilized in the future. Research is going on to see if Botox injections can aid in any other way besides cosmetic enhancements.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Video Game Woes
The last thing we associate Playstation and video games with is skin ailments. So watch out for your tykes at home playing excessive amounts of video games, because Reuters has reported that copious amounts of gaming can cause painful lumps and various other skin problems. Gamers beware!
The Reuters article said, "Called 'PlayStation palmar hidradentitis' by the scientists, the skin disorder can cause painful lesions on the palms similar to patches found on the soles of children's feet after taking part in heavy physical activity, they said, 'The tight and continuous grasping of the hand-grips together with repeated pushing of the buttons produce minor but continuous trauma to the (palm) surfaces, 'Vincent Piguet and colleagues at University Hospitals and Medical School of Geneva reported in the British Journal of Dermatology."
This may be a blessing in disguise for concerned and/or annoyed parents/wives everywhere, because it can be your ticket to telling your family member that too much gaming can cause skin disorders. So angry girlfriends, wives, and mothers "PlayStation palmar hidradentitis" may be key to saving your relationship!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sugar and Acne the Never Ending Saga
I thought the love affair and relationship between sugar and acne had ended years ago. But according to the New York Times, the lovers are back for round two, and this time it's not so sweet. For years scientists had been trying to find the link between acne breakouts and sugar intake, though nothing definitive was proven. The idea was thrown out the window and sugar love teenagers were back to their old habits of gorging on candy. But now the relationship and link is back in the limelight. Doctors are saying that sugar and acne are linked.
The New York Times article says, "In recent years, studies have shown that what matters may not be sugar itself but a food's glycemic index, or the speed and extent to which it raises blood glucose levels. Foods that have a high glycemic index - and as a result raise glucose levels rapidly - cause the body to release a flood of insulin and other hormones, which some scientists suspect can stimulate oil production and inflame the skin."
The study examined different sets of people on high-glycemic foods and people on low-glycemic foods. Those with a high intake eating things like pasta, sugary cereals and white bread as opposed to high protein diets like fish and whole grain breads had an influx of acne and skin lesions. Other studies have also found similar links between high glycemic foods and acne.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Skin cancer awareness has just reached new heights. The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and the Tampa Bay Rays are hosting the 2nd Annual Sun Safety Tour starting this Thursday. The skin cancer testing booths will be set up across a number of baseball stadiums all over Florida. The stands will screen skin cancer for baseball fans and patrons, hoping to detect early stages of cancer whilst promoting awareness and knowledge of the disease.
Tampa Bay Online reported that, "Last year, Moffitt screened 695 people through the program and identified 108 suspected cancerous lesions and 264 suspected precancerous lesions."
Hopefully such new promotions with the support of the MLB will help people learn about the dangers, symptoms, and treatments available for skin cancer, while also urging people to get checked regularly and apply sunscreen continuously - especially while at outdoor sporting events like baseball games.
Friday, February 20, 2009
More Affordable Anti-Aging
So you've lost your job or your fearful of losing your job? Well no doubt you've added a wrinkle or two or twenty, but with the current economic climate you cannot afford to spend thousands on a face-lift or hundreds on regular Botox injections. There are more cost-efficient and viable options for anti-aging in the market. Of course the occasional Botox injection is a great idea, and couple that with some home remedies and you may be able to get rid of those recession blues.
The Huffington Post outlined a few tips for better skincare and wrinkle-care, " Retin A, Vitamin C Serum, sunscreen, microdermabrasion, bleaching agent, soft cleanser and moisturizer." Later the article says, "The regime Dr. Gmyrek recommends is use of Retin-A at night, the vitamin C serum in the morning before your moisturizer and sunscreen and moisturizer. You didn't get those wrinkles in a wink and you can't wink them away overnight"
When the wrinkles attack and the markets plummet, just calm yourself and your skin down with some love and skincare. It won't make a hefty dent in your wallet either!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Forgotten Gem
The buzz around town and globally is clearly Botox, anti-aging and facial fillers. The minimally-invasive procedures are a hit from Brazil to San Francisco. But many of us have forgotten about one of the best strategies for healthier, revitalized and younger skin - microdermabrasion and chemical peels. For years the two of these procedures were the hot studs in town, but now with Botox still thriving in a dwindling economy, its proving that it's here to stay. Although Botox is a wonder at wrinkle-ridding, these two more cost efficient techniques will take up less of your time and be considerably more hassle free.
"The range of muscle relaxants and dermal fillers is much better today," he says. "And the demand for these types of non-invasive procedures will continue to grow. There has been a lot of research over the past decade into non-surgical techniques. Ten years ago the only things really available were facelifts and laser resurfacing. Now there are new lasers that actually work beneath the skin with less pain and better recovery times." (Sydney Morning Herald)
If you're worried about pinching pennies right now, perhaps very expensive invasive procedures and injections like Juvederm, Restylane and Botox are not the wisest options.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
And the Oscar Goes to...
As the Academy Awards creep up on us in a few weeks, so too do our wrinkles. In times of beauty, movies and Hollywood stardom cosmetic dermatologist's see an influx of patients hungry for Botox injections, facial fillers and rejuvenation treatments. From celebrities to housewives (I'm not talking about the infamous desperate ones), people are looking to feel and look younger. The Academy Awards breeds the superficialness in us, from primping, pampering and glamour we all want in and we all want to be A-list even if it is just for a night. Clearly our star-studded celebs head to the doctor for a prick or two, but non-celebrities seek out anti-wrinkle treatments because the Oscars also mean parties.
"Every year I see an increase in celebrities and industry people wanting Botox and fillers in anticipation of the awards season," said Santa Monica plastic surgeon Michael McGuire, MD, ASPS president-elect who reports business is up 20 percent in his practice due to pre-Oscar procedures. "The numbers may be down slightly from previous years and some non-A-listers may be cutting corners as it relates to beauty, but this is still Hollywood, where beauty reigns supreme."
Even the economic downturn can't stray celebrities and fans from steering clear of beauty. So this year the Oscar goes to...Botox.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Military Personnel and Skin Ailments
For years warfare and combat have gone hand-in-hand with troop skin diseases. A recent study shows that the common skin ailments military personnel suffer from is: dermatitis, benign moles, hives and cancerous skin lesions. The vast majority of these problems are induced by poor hygiene, sub-tropical environments, exposure to the sun and even chemicals and weaponry.
"In tropical and subtropical climates, skin diseases have accounted for more than half of the days lost by frontline units. Skin diseases during wartime are exacerbated by sun exposure, temperature and humidity extremes, native diseases, insects, crowded living conditions, difficulty maintaining personal hygiene and chafing and sweating caused by body armor, helmets and other protective gear."
Thankfully, most these skin diseases do not cause fatality or serious problems, though they become nuisances and problematic during combat and warfare. Now that more people are aware of the possible complications with military personnel, hopefully preventative measures and education will be deployed.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Botox Coupons
Allergen has seen profits trickle and prices seriously drop for Botox injections. The Irvine, California based pharmaceutical company is hoping to spark business and prices. Dermatologists had been putting pressure on the company to lower their prices, since physicians had been unable to sell any injections for previously high prices. Now, Allergen is offering specials and coupons for physicians and consumers for Botox.
The Orange County Business Journal reported on this attempted Botox boom, "On Allergan's fourth-quarter conference call earlier this month, Pyott told analysts and investors that Allergan is offering a $50 off coupon for wrinkle remover Botox Cosmetic. The company also is offering a $100 rebate on two syringes of Juvéderm, Allergan's filler for lower face wrinkles. In doing so, Pyott said he's using a time-tested technique to drum up business as some people have pulled back from Botox and other cosmetic treatments they have to pay for themselves."
The company is said to get at least 35% of its $4 billion in revenue from the facial filler sales. So the slump is adversely affecting the company's profits. Till now, Botox has not only carried the company, but has also been the industries only viable and credible procedure, though now new products are flooding the market.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Valentine's Botox
This Valentine's Day it seems like the hippest trend is to get couples Botox at the local dermatologist. For those silly lovebirds aching to get an injection, it seems like anti-aging with your partner is the way to go. Dermatologists say they see a significant boom pre, during, and post Valentine's Day weekend. Like many other commercial holiday's, Valentine's Day sees cosmetic junkies buy up a storm of gift certificates or take their loved ones for a prick, lift, or tuck.
In a slumping economy, I'm sure that struggling cosmetic dermatology clinics are keen to work on the weekend to make some extra cash. Valentine's Day Botox is like free advertisement for clinics. Or will the recent financial crisis put a damper on V-day this year? We'll see on Monday what the numbers and figures from dermatology clinics nationwide show.
Friday, February 13, 2009
New Wrinkle Treatment
As the recession blues deepen so do our wrinkles. Allergen and Botox are struggling, but there is a new anti-aging procedure in town called Evolence. The treatment is new to the US, but has been used in Europe and Canada for several years. The only caveat to this new wrinkle-ridding gem, is that it is made from pig fat and pig tendons. Many medical treatments use pig-related products as well as other animal products, but injecting such products in one's face is new territory for many intrigued potential consumers.
Fox News says, "But using pig collagen, taken from pig tendons, as an injectable wrinkle-filler, was only approved by the FDA last year. The treatment is called Evolence, and is used on the lines from the nose, to under the corners of the mouth. Evolence is an alternative to other facial treatments, such as Botox, which is a toxin; Juvederm and Restalyne, which are acids; or other fillers that use cow collagen."
Johnson and Johnson is hoping for full FDA approval to use the Evolence product for full facial filling. Who know's, this may become the more cost-efficient anti-aging treatment.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
In Demand
The numbers of cosmetic uses for Botox may be sliding, but Italian physicians and researchers have found benefits of Botox for men with BHP (benign prostatic hypertrophy). BHP is a prostate ailment that causes serious pain and discomfort due to an enlarged prostate, and researchers are saying that Botox use may alleviate that pain for nearly 30 months.
Reuters reported this morning, "Dr. Giuseppe Brisinda of Catholic University Hospital 'Agostino Gemelli' in Rome and his colleagues report the outcomes for 77 men ages 50-80 years with so-called benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH, in the medical journal Urology. The patients were given injections of Botox into the two lobes of the prostate under ultrasound guidance."
In recent months the use of Botox injections for things other than ridding wrinkles has made great headway. Some physicians are using Botox for migraines and headaches, while other researchers are learning more about other positive attributes. As more data comes out, Botox may be far more in demand for non-cosmetic reasons.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Skin Cancer Commercials
As each day passes whilst I'm living in Sydney, Australia I am blown away by the constant, in-your-face ad campaigns about skin cancer. Every street corner in every suburb has skin-cancer clinics and posters promoting the constant use and reapplication of sunscreen. Bondi beach is not only bustling with handsome surfers, but tourists, kids and locals all lathering their bronzed bodies with loads of sunblock. I have never seen a nation of people so aware and so active about any disease as Aussies are with skin cancer. Perhaps the gaping hole in the ozone layer above Australia has something to do with it, or the former lack of knowledge about skin cancer and the peak in numbers of cases, but awareness is the hottest thing around Sydney this summer.
Devout outdoorsman Aussies are always surfing, playing cricket traveling or playing footy, their lives revolve around the sun and so too does their health. Whether they are watching the Cricket at the Sydney Cricket Grounds in blazing summer heat or simply watching their pooch down the road, they are always wearing copious amounts of sunscreen. All children (youngsters till teens) are obliged to wear large hats to school to protect them from the suns dangers, and similarly government sponsored commercials constantly show the ramifications of getting burned. Hopefully this sense of skin health and cancer awareness will spread to their western counterparts in the northern hemisphere.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Cut Prices, Cut Quality?
Before investing in facial fillers, be sure to do ample research and homework about the physician you are putting your trust in. Many dermatologists are urging potential Botox, Restylane and Juvederm patients to take caution when seeking out cut-price deals, for many may also be cutting quality along with prices.
The UK Daily Mirror is saying, "Not only may these substances be below standard, they're likely to be given by poorly-trained people, leading to problems from infection to permanent scarring. People opting for dermal fillers are especially at risk. Unlike muscle-relaxing treatment Botox, dermal fillers are unregulated in the UK. This means they can be bought and administered by anyone and no quality and safety checks are carried out on the clinic or salon."
But such concerns should not only be considered when in the UK or oversees, slashed prices in the US can also mean poorly trained so-called 'experts' or bad quality products. Make sure your 'expert' is using the right products and technique when administering you with injections.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Wrinkles and Recession
Are wrinkles the new sign for recession on Wall Street? I am sad to say that beauty enhancing products and procedures are even too expensive for the devout fans in Manhattan, Los Angeles and Orange County. When walking around Fifth Avenue, not only are stores closing down, but wrinkles have increased. As the recession deepens and America falls into a gloomy depression, wrinkles are beginning to increase.
Yesterday we talked about how Allergen has seen a serious dip in Botox profits from this last quarter, and today it seems as if these recession blues are not only causing wrinkles, but also not allowing us to get rid of our wrinkles. Many cosmetic dermatologists have lowered prices on Botox injections, but people are flocking to get pricks of wrinkle-ridding as they did months before. However, the Botox industry is still booming as opposed to their beauty counterparts in plastic surgery. Invasive procedures are taking a serious hit.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Not So Vain Afterall
As Wall St begins to rattle as the markets roil, so too is Botox use. Once an untouchable entity, for beauty was far too important to disregard, now Botox and the manufacturer Allergen are seeing a slump in injections. As sales slip and pricks dip, Allergen has begun to lay off employees. We had seen a decrease in pricey procedures like breast implants and rhinoplasty nationwide, nay worldwide, however Botox was still going strong up until last quarter. The fact that injectables are even suffering from the dreaded global financial crisis is causing a fright amongst cosmetic dermatologists – many of which were relying on wrinkle-ridding and more cost-efficient procedures to keep their businesses afloat.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday, "The company reported that sales of Botox - both for wrinkle-smoothing and for medical problems like eyelid spasms - fell about 3 percent, to about $329 million in the fourth quarter, compared with the corresponding quarter in 2007."
Even with the slump in sales of Botox, facial fillers and breast implants by Allergen, the company is not suffering in the pharmaceuticals area. Cosmetics may begin to be cut, but medical necessities like drugs are still in demand.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Extreme Botox Addicts
The love for anti-aging wonders like Botox has reached new heights. According to morticians around the US, people are requesting that their loved ones be given Botox injections once they are dead, so the loved one can look healthier if there is an open-casket funeral. However, this controversial request is stirring up anger and disbelief in headlines. Some of the other people requested for lip plumping, microdermabrasion, and at extreme levels of obsession even lifting drooping jowls.
Often times morticians do a small touch-up to the deceased, but this is taking cosmetic enhancement to a whole new level. Really how vain can we be? Has society lost the ability to mourn and grieve their loved ones passing? Or are many of us still too cosmetic and superficially driven? Some people reported to MSNBC, they feel cosmetic enhancements on the deceased or making a request for themselves prior to dying (like a will), is completely appropriate and lets them look their finest at the last time people can see them. I suppose we'll see in the near future if this trend continues to gain popularity or if it stirs up more controversy and anger.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
The Many Wonders of Botox
We've heard of Botox being used for migraines, wrinkle-ridding and even crocodile tears, but this week UK Daily Mail has reported that Botox injections are being used to treat psoriasis. The pesky skin disease affects thousands of people globally, and recent research shows that the symptoms may be alleviated with a prick of Botox.
According to the Daily Mail, "A trial of Botox injections at the University of Minnesota follows the discovery that patients with dystonia - a neurological movement disorder - who also have psoriasis saw improvements in both conditions after treatment. The toxin may have a beneficial effect on nerve cells that are involved in psoriasis."
For those of you keen on anti-aging fillers like Botox, if you suffer from skin ailments like psoriasis you may be able to look younger and relieve discomfort. With the recent wave of information flooding dermatologists about the beneficial uses of Botox, there is bound to be even more tests and research done for its non cosmetic perks.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Simmer Down
US researchers may have found a link between aggressive malignant melanoma and stress. Physicians believe stress induces and accelerates the progression of melanoma in 'basket case' patients. In fact for those hot-headed folk, researchers found stress to have the worst affects on skin cancer. So it may be time to simmer down and cool-off that temper when summer rolls around this year.
"According to a study published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity, the stress hormone, norepinephrine, increases the amount of all proteins involved in the development of melanoma."
Though Australia has some of the highest numbers of skin cancer rates, it's a good thing their national motto is "no worries mate," for if that was America we'd be filled with worries.
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