Beauty News: Don’t Let Age Spots Show Your Age This Summer
Roslyn, NY (PRWEB) May 3, 2010
Everyone knows it. Age spots on our skin make us appear many years older than our true ages. In preparation for summer, dermatologist Joshua Fox, M.D., says there are many treatments available to reduce or remove these age spots, helping us to look years younger.
Age spots are flat, light or dark brown marks that develop on the skin as we age. They appear mainly on areas exposed most to the sun, including the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Dr. Fox says that age spots, more correctly called lentigines, are caused by overexposure to the sun, which damages skin. Often, once you start to see age spots, he says, youll also see other signs of sun damage including deep wrinkles, dry rough skin, fine red veins and thinner, more translucent-looking skin.
Typically considered to affect people over age 40, younger people who spend a great deal of time in the sun may see age spots too. While true age spots are harmless, they may resemble cancerous growths, says Dr. Fox. For that reason, if you start to see age spots on your skin, ask your dermatologist to look at them to make sure they are not suspicious, adds Dr. Fox.
If you notice any new mark on your skin, or if an existing mark has any changes in color or shape, your doctor will determine if it is cancerous or something to be concerned about, Dr. Fox says. He explains that melanoma is the most dangerous of all skin cancer types, resulting in over 80,000 cases per year. The good news, he adds, is that most brown spots are not harmful and can be removed or easily treated to improve the skins appearance and make you look younger.
Once your doctor has ruled out skin cancer, there are several different home remedies and in-office treatments that can help reduce or remove the age spots, Dr. Fox says.
Once age spots have developed, Dr. Fox says, they can attempt to be lightened safely with skin-bleaching lotions and creams that can be purchased in department stores, drug stores and online. However, Dr. Fox adds that this typically only results in a small improvement. Successful treatment needs to penetrate the topmost layer of skin where the extra pigment is located, so the products must be used regularly over several weeks or months before noticeable results occur. When choosing a nonprescription fade cream, choose one that contains hydroquinone, deoxyarbutin, glycolic acid or kojic acid.
If these over-the-counter products dont do enough to reduce the spots, and Dr. Fox adds that most people do not get satisfactory results from these lotions and creams, your dermatologist has an arsenal of other treatments that do a great job of reducing or removing age spots, Dr. Fox says, listing the top six in-office treatments.
Prescription creams. Bleaching creams containing hydroquinone, used alone or with retinoids and a mild steroid, when used regularly, may partially fade age spots over time.
Q-Switched Lasers. Laser treatments performed in your dermatologists office can remove sun spots, brown spots and liver spots. These treatments work by being very specific for brown color and selectively removing the lesions.
Microdermabrasion. In this procedure, the skin is sanded with a special instrument to lessen the age spot. This procedure helps to strengthen and rejuvenate aging skin, and may even help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Cryosurgery. This procedure uses liquid nitrogen to freeze skin tissue and remove age spots.
Chemical Peel. Chemical peels are a powerful treatment that not only help reduce and remove age spots, but can also strengthen the skin to boost collagen production. A chemical peel involves applying an acid, which burns the outer layer of your skin. As the skin peels, new skin forms to take its place.
Laser Skin Rejuvenation Fraxel and Pixel. A popular cosmetic treatment, Fraxel is a powerful resurfacing laser treatment that smoothes and rejuvenates the skin, removes age spots and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Pixel is a more powerful resurfacing laser which also treats some of the deeper lines.
Dr. Fox adds that prevention, or reducing exposure to the sun, is the best way to reduce the likelihood of getting age spots. Wear sunscreen all the time on all areas of exposed skin, no matter what the weather or season. If you must be in the sun, even in winter, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (which blocks both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of at least 15.
While aging does cause a host of changes to our bodies, our skin doesnt have to make us look or feel old, says Dr. Fox. A consultation with your dermatologist can help you identify the right treatment for you that will reduce or even remove age spots and leave you feeling and looking younger, adds Dr. Fox.
About Dr. Fox: Joshua L. Fox, M.D., F.A.A.D., earned his medical degree from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He completed an internship at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, followed by a three-year dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine. A Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Fox is a leading authority in the field of dermatology, with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery and laser procedures. He is the founder and director of Advanced Dermatology, P.C. of New York and New Jersey and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery and is a spokesman for both the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery.
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Health News: Skin Cancer Screening is More Important than Ever
Plainview, NY (PRWEB) May 8, 2010
Now there are twice as many reasons people should visit a dermatologist for yearly skin cancer exams. According to a recent study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, people with a history of nonmelanoma lesions face twice the risk of developing other cancers.
Those systemic malignancies include melanoma, lung, colon, and breast cancers. Patients who develop skin cancers may have inherited a family tendency for other types because of an inadequate ability to repair DNA. In addition, the younger a person gets a nonmelanoma skin cancer, the higher his or her risk of developing other cancers.
More than one million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, outnumbering all other cancers combined. One in five Americans will develop the disease at some point, yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer.
According to dermatopathologist Dr. George Hollenberg, medical director of Acupath Laboratories in Long Island, New York, there is no reason to delay a clinical exam for skin cancer. The risk is just too big.
The prevalence of skin cancer screening among adults inched higher during the first half of this decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2000, one in seven adults said they had ever undergone a head-to-toe skin exam by a dermatologist or other physician; by 2005, this figure rose to one in six. Those are still risky odds. An annual screening is ideal because finding a growth in its early stages can mean the difference between life and death.
Most melanomas can be seen by the naked eye, adds Dr. Hollenberg. Usually there is a long period of time when the tumor grows beneath the top layer of skin but does not penetrate the deeper layers. This slow growth means the cancer may be cured if a tumor is found before it spreads deeper. Mortality rates are directly related to the depth of the cancer. If all skin cancers were found and treated early on, the disease would be nearly 100 percent curable.
Researchers speculate that the popularity of tanning beds may be one cause of higher melanoma rates. Exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning lamps has been linked to both melanoma and squamous cell cancer. For young women, using tanning beds for the first time before age 35 increases melanoma risk by as much as 75 percent. In response to skin cancer concerns, some states now require parental consent for teenagers or ban anyone under 18 from using salon tanning beds.
Dr. Hollenberg clarifies the process and importance of vigilant screening:
How often should someone check for abnormalities? Do monthly self-exams for suspicious moles and spots. Recruit a partner for those hard-to-spot spots. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist.
Who is at risk? Its misleading to think that only a certain demographic should be screened. Exams are a necessary routine no matter your age or your ethnicity. According to Dr. Hollenberg, its a myth that melanoma primarily affects older people: it is the number one cancer in adults aged 25-29.
Do I need a doctors opinion? A dermatologist or regular provider should perform a clinical skin exam at least once a year (more often if you have a history of skin cancer). Through the American Academy of Dermatology’s National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening program, volunteer doctors perform free skin cancer screenings.
Multiple studies have shown that physicians are more likely to detect melanomas at a thinner stage compared with non-physicians. According to recent research, 81% percent of physician-detected melanomas were clinically thin compared with 62% percent of melanomas detected by laypersons. Research published in the August 2009 issue of Archives of Dermatology showed that most melanomas detected in a dermatology office were found as a result of doctor-initiated exams instead of a specific patient complaint. Doctors can educate patients about the signs and symptoms of melanoma and train them in how to perform a thorough self-examination with the aid of informational brochures, handheld mirrors, combs, and hair-dryers.
What to look for? The American Academy of Dermatology has revised the ABCDs of Melanoma Detection by adding an “E” for evolving. A mole or skin lesion that is evolving, or changing in size, shape, or color should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist. This is in addition to other characteristics of moles for which individuals should check their skin: A symmetry (one half unlike the other half), Border (irregular, scalloped or poorly defined), Color (varies from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue), and Diameter (the size of a pencil eraser or larger). A mole with any of these characteristics, or one that is an “ugly duckling”, meaning it looks different from the rest, should be brought to a dermatologist’s attention.
What happens next? If an area on the skin looks abnormal, a doctor may recommend a biopsy.A biopsy is the only certain way of identifying skin cancer and determining the specific type of cancer, says Dr. Hollenberg. In a biopsy, the doctor removes suspicious cells or tissues with a local excision. A dermatopathologist then examines the growth under a microscope to check if it is benign or malignant.
Bio: As the founding director of Acupath Laboratories, Inc., Dr. George Hollenberg supervises the analysis of thousands of biopsies each year, utilizing the most cutting-edge technology in histology and immunocytochemistry, as well as the latest advances in computerized report preparation. He is a veteran in the fields of pathology and dermatopathology, with expertise in the areas of dysplastic nevi, melanoma and other forms of cancer. Board-certified in dermatopathology, and clinical and anatomic pathology, Dr. Hollenberg boasts visiting fellowships in dermatopathology from New York University Medical Center and Jefferson University Medical Center. After receiving his medical degree from New York Medical College, he completed his residency in clinical pathology at Cornell University Medical Center and in anatomic pathology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Hollenberg is currently a consultant in dermatopathology for North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and an assistant professor in dermatology at Stony Brook University Medical Center. Often contacted by editors for his expertise, Dr. Hollenberg has written dozens of medical articles and has had his work published in various acclaimed medical journals and publications.
Acupath Laboratories, Inc. located in Plainview, New York, is an anatomic pathology and cancer genetics laboratory. http://www.acupath.com
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News About Green Tea and Antioxidants in Skincare: Latest Skin Care Research
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) August 22, 2009
According to folklore, a hot cup of tea can fix almost anything that ails us. Now, research suggests that tea’s benefits also extend to our skin. The key is in green tea’s antioxidants, which fight off free radicals, sun damage and other factors that can hurt your skin. Skincare-News.com’s latest article, “Green Tea: A Bevy of Skincare Benefits,” offers a brief look at green tea’s potential benefits.
http://skincare-news.com/a-6473-Green_Tea_A_Bevy_of_Skincare_Benefits.aspx
Types of tea
Tea is made by steeping processed leaves, buds or twigs. Green tea is just one type of tea along with black, oolong and white tea. These teas vary in color, flavor, fermentation and processing. Yet, all four types come from the same plant — Camilla Sinensis. Regardless of processing methods, all teas contain valuable ingredients. Green tea is the most studied of the teas and boasts many benefits.
Antioxidants and free radicals
Free radicals cause skin damage, resulting in signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and elasticity loss. Fortunately, antioxidants counter this free radical damage. Green tea contains large amounts of antioxidant polyphenols and catechins. To help boost catechins’ absorption by the intestines, Yahoo! Health suggests adding citrus juices, like lemon, lime or grapefruit, to your tea.
You can take advantage of green tea’s antioxidant and anti-aging benefits topically, too. Many skincare products feature this ingredient.
Antioxidants and the sun
The antioxidants in green tea have important implications for sun exposure, too. Studies suggest that green tea helps make sunscreen even more effective. Applying green tea to skin may also reduce sunburn, inflammation and sun damage.
Plus, it may help stave off skin cancer, thanks to green tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. According to mice studies, conducted by Santosh Katiyar, Ph.D., professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, green tea may be able to prevent skin cancer cells from developing and even destroy some cancerous cells. To get these benefits, you can drink five to six cups a day, Dr. Katiyar tells Rosemary Pennington on 90.3 FM WBHM, a Birmingham radio station. While this may not be feasible, he also says that applying green tea’s polyphenols is just as effective as drinking the tea.
However, green tea by itself doesn’t provide sufficient sun protection and doesn’t block UV rays. So you still need to use sunscreen daily!
The antioxidants in green tea may aid skin’s elasticity, which helps skin retain a smooth texture, free of wrinkles and sagging. According to a 2005 study, “Researchers found that the women taking green tea supplements showed improvement in their skin’s elastic content,” writes Allison Tannis in Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles: Eat Your Way to Firmer, More Beautiful Skin with the 100 Best Anti-Aging Foods. And because green tea has the amino acid L-theanine, it also reduces cortisol, a hormone that can destroy the collagen that keeps skin firm, according to Yahoo! Food.
EGCG: New life for old cells
EGCG (epigallocatechin galleate) is a polyphenol antioxidant in green tea. According to research conducted by Stephen Hsu, Ph.D., professor and biologist at the Medical College of Georgia, EGCG may prevent skin problems in new cells and treat skin problems in older cells.
Specifically, Dr. Hsu found that a skin cell normally lives for about 28 to 30 days. Young skin cells are found in inner layers of skin, while older skin cells are found on skin’s outer layer or surface. Therefore, older cells on skin’s surface are close to dying. EGCG aids skin cells in multiple ways. It:
Helps skin cells travel from inner to outer layers of skin quicker, accelerating the turnover process.
Produces more new, young skin cells.
Re-activates the DNA of old, dying skin cells.
Because of EGCG, green tea may also help with skin concerns like wrinkles, psoriasis, rosacea and acne.
Green tea and psoriasis
Animal studies have suggested that green tea may treat psoriasis. Green tea helps inhibit inflammation. It affects a protein called Caspase-14, which carries instructions for skin cells on how to divide, how long to live and when to die. In psoriasis, skin cells are constantly created, without dying off, as they would in normal skin.
Also, in psoriasis, the gene proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), is over-expressed and accelerates the creation of skin cells. In one study by Dr. Hsu, animals with psoriasis had high levels of PCNA. PCNA appeared in all the skin’s layers, even though it’s usually only found in the bottom layer. After being treated with green tea, the animals “showed near-normal levels of PCNA in only the basal layers,” according to Science Daily. Green tea may help regulate cell production and cell life.
Caffeine and sun damage
Caffeine isn’t just the fuel that wakes us up in the morning. It may also help protect the skin. In a series of mice studies, caffeinated green tea (and black tea) — used orally and topically — prevented and repaired sun damage, writes dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., on her Yahoo! Health blog. In contrast, decaffeinated teas didn’t provide any sun damage prevention or repair. Some studies even indicate that topical caffeine may be stronger and provide more benefits than green tea’s polyphenol antioxidants, Dr. Baumann explains.
DIY tea treatments
You can use tea to concoct your own beauty treatments. Give these a try:
Want a toner? G. Todorov, Ph.D., of Smart Skin Care, recommends brewing green tea, pouring it into an ice cube tray and sticking it in the freezer. Once the green tea cubes are frozen, remove the tray and let it thaw for a few minutes to prevent freezer burn. Then rub one cube gently over your face.
Need a remedy for puffy eyes? The old at-home treatment of putting tea bags on your eyelids can help. Be sure to use caffeinated tea bags because caffeine serves as an anti-inflammatory. And don’t use Earl Grey tea: It actually contains an oil that can leave you red and itchy. Dunk the tea bags in cold water first, which is refreshing and decreases swelling. Then apply a tea bag to each lid.
Have aching feet? Make a soothing green tea foot soak, ideal at the end of a long day or prior to an at-home pedicure. Use Helen Foster’s recipe from The Beauty Book:
1.Boil water and pour it in a large footbath container.
2.Throw in five green tea bags and a few drops of peppermint oil.
3.Allow water to cool slightly for a few minutes, and then soak your tired tootsies.
Key considerations
How do you know if a product contains green tea? And whether it contains a good amount of the ingredient? When buying green tea products, pay close attention to the:
Label. Green tea may be listed by many other names, such as camellia, Chinese tea, GTE, Matsu-cha Tea or Thea viridis, according to Medline Plus. Also, pay attention to where the green tea is listed compared to the other ingredients in a skincare product, licensed esthetician Lisa Frost tells The Natural Merchandiser. For example, if you see green tea listed as one of the first ingredients, then the product has a higher amount of green tea. Is green tea listed further down? Then you can assume there’s a lower amount of green tea in the product, and it won’t be as powerful. If the product has several other ingredients, it probably has a lower amount of green tea. Some of those ingredients — like parabens or propylene glycol — may even counteract green tea’s benefits, says Frost.
Storage. When a skincare product containing green tea comes in contact with the air, polyphenol oxidization may occur. This decreases its antioxidant power,
Guide to Skincare Conditions Skincare News Presents Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook Part 15: Skincare Conditions
Rancho Cordova, CA (PRWEB) February 22, 2011
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