In an effort to increase the public’s knowledge about skin cancer, the ADD has launched the SPOT Skin Cancer initiative.

The goal of SPOT is to educate people on how to protect themselves from the sun and how to detect skin cancer, says Daniel M. Siegel, MD, a dermatologist and president of the AAD.

The program’s call to action is three parts:

1. Prevent—stay in the shade, cover up, and use sunscreen.
2. Detect—look for changing spots on your skin.
3. Live—visit your dermatologist if you notice any spots changing, itching, or bleeding.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S;  however, the AAD’s national online survey showed that 74 percent of respondents didn’t know this. It is estimated that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

When people know what to look for, they can catch it early when skin cancer is most treatable.

“Unlike other types of cancer that can’t be seen by the naked eye, skin cancer shows obvious signs on the surface of the skin that can be easily detected by properly examining it,” says Dr. Siegel.

When skin cancer is caught early, it has a 98 percent cure rate.

Visit the SPOT Skin Cancer program’s website, www.SpotSkinCancer.org, to do the following:

• Learn how to perform a skin self-exam.
• Download a body mole map for tracking changes in your skin.
• Find free skin cancer screenings near you.

The website also features stories of those affected by skin cancer.

She’s collaborating with the National Rosacea Society for an online public service announcement to help educate patients on the facts about rosacea.

“It was a relief to find out from my dermatologist what was going on with my skin, especially because rosacea can get worse if it’s not treated,” says Nixon, who for years thought her blemishes were acne.

It’s not uncommon for rosacea to go undiagnosed. Symptoms of this vascular condition include:

• Red skin, like a sunburn
• Red bumps or blemishes on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin
• Visible small red blood vessels
• Flushed skin after taking a hot shower, exercising, or drinking alcohol
• Irritated or bloodshot eyes

Because rosacea symptoms can resemble other skin problems, such as acne or eczema, it can be difficult to recognize.

“Over 16 million Americans have rosacea, but 78 percent of Americans have no knowledge of this condition, including how to recognize it and what to do about it,” says Sam Huff, Executive Director of the National Rosacea Society. “It’s important to spread awareness because in addition to the physical symptoms, rosacea can cause anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment among sufferers.”

Rosacea Treatments

While there is no cure for rosacea, your dermatologist can treat the condition. Treatments that can help control symptoms include topical medication, oral medication, and laser treatments, such as VBeam.

Patients can also try to avoid things that may trigger rosacea; common triggers include exposure to the sun, exercise, alcohol, and hot and cold weather. Using sunscreen and gentle skin care products can also help.

“My dermatologist told me that my harsh, do-it-yourself skin care routine was actually contributing to my rosacea flare-ups, and she helped me develop a regimen that worked for me,” says Nixon.

To view more of Nixon’s rosacea videos, visit www.rosaceafacts.com.

The combination of caffeine and exercise was found to help prevent skin cancer and reduce tumor size in mice, according to study results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting.

“I believe we may extrapolate these findings to humans and anticipate that we would benefit from these combination treatments as well,” said Yao-Ping Lu, Ph.D., associate research professor of chemical biology and director of skin cancer prevention at the Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in Piscataway, N.J.

The study looked at the effects of caffeine and exercise on mice that had a high risk for developing skin cancer. The mice had been exposed to UVB radiation, which is associated with skin cancer risk. The mice were divided into four groups: the control group received water and no exercise wheel; a second group received water mixed with caffeine and no exercise wheel; a third group received water and an exercise wheel; and a fourth group received water mixed with caffeine and an exercise wheel.

After 14 weeks of treatment, the mice that received both caffeine and exercised had 62 percent fewer non-melanoma skin tumors. In addition, the size of the tumors decreased by 85 percent compared to the control group.

The mice that received either caffeine or exercise alone also saw skin cancer prevention benefits, but not as much as the mice who received both caffeine and exercise.

“The mice move more with caffeine. The common mechanism we see is that both [exercise and caffeine] decrease tissue fat. Both moderately prevent skin cancer,” said Lu.

Another set of experiments had the mice on a high-fat diet, and the group with caffeine and exercise again saw the most benefits. The mice lost fat and had as much as a 92 percent drop in inflammation, in addition to less cancer and reduced tumor volume. According to the researchers, the results suggest that fat and tumor growth are related.

Sources: Time, Medical Daily

In the past decade the uses for Botox have grown through new approvals and off-label treatments. Allergan, the maker of Botox, says that last year about 51% of sales came from therapeutic uses and 49% from aesthetic uses.

The most recent news is that Allergan filed applications for approval to sell Botox as an overactive bladder treatment. New data showed that the injectable significantly reduced daily incontinence episodes compared to a placebo injection, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A Brief History of Botox

Botox for cosmetic applications was developed by ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers and her husband, according to USA Today. While treating a patient with it for facial muscle spasms in 1987, the patient told Carruthers she had missed a spot. “It’s just every time you treat me there, I get this beautiful, untroubled expression,” the patient told her.

An idea formed, as Carruthers knew that frown lines between the eyebrows were hard to treat. She wondered if a botulinum toxin could be the answer.

From there, she and her husband, a dermatologist, spent several years experimenting and investigating, resulting in the FDA approval of Botox for treating frown lines 10 years ago.

According to Allergan, today Botox is approved for 25 different indications, including neck pain for adults with cervical dystonia; symptoms of severe underarm sweating; and headaches in adults with chronic migraine.

Botox for Crow’s Feet

Allergan reports it will be seeking approval for the use of Botox on crow’s feet. Many  aesthetic physicians — including dermatologists, oculoplastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons —  already use Botox for crow’s feet and other aesthetic purposes, such as softening neck bands, as off-label treatments.

The study found that melanoma rates are eight times higher among young women and four times higher among young men today than they were 40 years ago.

The study looked at cases of melanoma in health records from Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 1970 to 2009 among men and women ages 18 to 39. Researchers chose to examine a specific population, as they said it had more accurate results than studies that use national cancer databases.

Mayo Clinic dermatologist Dr. Kurtis Reed said the findings are only applicable to similar populations. Olmsted County’s population is about 85 percent white; people with lighter skin have a higher risk of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.

Indoor Tanning & Melanoma

While the study did not look at what caused the melanoma cases, the researchers suggested a link between indoor tanning and the increase in melanoma.

“We know for sure that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is linked to cancer in a big way, especially tanning bed exposure,” said Mayo Clinic dermatologist Dr. Jerry Brewer, who led the study.

In order to prove the link, the Mayo Clinic researchers said they would need to survey young adults in Olmsted County about their tanning habits and then follow them to see if they develop cancer. Previous studies have uncovered a strong association between melanoma and tanning beds. A 2010 study by the University of Minnesota found that those who have used a tanning device are 74% more likely to develop a melanoma.

The Mayo Clinic study also showed that melanoma rates are almost two times higher in women than in men.

“That doesn’t prove the point that it’s tanning beds, but it certainly looks like there’s something in the behavior of women, young women, that puts them at greater risk,” said Carin Perkins, an epidemiologist who works for the Minnesota Department of Health.

Dr. Brewer told NBC News that the number one thing to do was to stop going to tanning beds. “All correlations point toward that as the reason for the increase,” he said.

To protect yourself from UV radiation when you’re outside, apply a high quality sunscreen.

The science of genomics, the study of genes, may be the key to better skin care in the future, according to Dr. Zoe D. Draelos, a dermatologist at Duke University.

“There is ground-breaking research underway to determine the differences between old and young genes,” said Dr. Draelos. “The hope is that by understanding how to make old genes act younger and how to keep young genes from getting old, we can better advise our patients on caring for their skin.”

For instance, researchers have looked at how genes are expressed in older and younger skin and how our diet may affect our genes. Dr. Draelos said that these studies are working to determine how certain ingredients can produce changes in the skin over time.

Scientists are also studying aquaporins, the proteins in the cell membrane that regulate the flow of water, in order to understand how ingredients such as glycerin interact with them. Glycerin, which is a popular ingredient in skin care products because of its ability to moisturize the skin, is being researched for its potential to improve skin care products, according to Dr. Draelos.

“This next generation of genomic-based research is helping us determine not only what ingredients may work best for specific skin types, but how what we eat now and throughout our life can affect our skin as well,” said Dr. Draelos. “Science holds the key to helping us make better recommendations based on this newfound knowledge.”

As scientists work to improve skin care products, patients can also improve their skin with a number of non-surgical facial procedures, including chemical peels, lasers and injectables.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology

According to a presentation by dermatologist Dr. Bethanee Jean Schlosser at the American Academy of Dermatology’s recent annual meeting, adult-onset acne is becoming more common among women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.

A 2011 study that looked at photos of women from age 10 to 70 for signs of acne found the following:

• 45% of women aged 21-30 had acne
• 26% of women aged 31-40 had acne
• 12% of women aged 41-50 had acne

The Link Between Hormones & Acne in Women

Hormones contribute to some of the primary causes of acne. For instance, hormones can cause excess oil gland production, and they can cause shedded skin cells to become sticky and clog up in the hair follicle.

Male hormones, called androgens, are present in both men and women and can cause acne by overstimulating the oil glands and changing the development of skin cells around hair follicles.

Acne Treatments for Women

Treatments for acne in women should be specific to the type and severity of the acne, according to Dr. Schlosser. In addition, other conditions, such as pregnancy, rosacea, and age must also be considered, as some common topical acne treatments may not be compatible with these conditions.

One common acne treatment is topical retinoids, which, according to Dr. Schlosser, is the preferred treatment for the long-term prevention of acne.

Another possible treatment for women’s acne is certain oral contraceptives. The FDA has approved several oral contraceptives for this use, as they change the levels and activity of hormones that can bring on acne.

You may also be able to prevent acne by following some of these skin care tips:

• Use noncomedogenic and sensitive skin products.
• Use a mild cleanser, twice a day.
• Use a noncomedogenic moisturizer daily.
• Avoid using cleansers with scrubbing particles, which can irritate the skin.

And remember, no matter how tempting, don’t pick, squeeze, or pop acne! You can scar your skin. If you already have acne scars, there are treatments, such as Fraxel, to minimize the scarring.

Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition that has the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma. Caused by years of sun exposure, AK affects about 58 million Americans.

The website aims to raise awareness about the consequences and symptoms of actinic keratosis. The site includes photos of AK and explains how to check your own skin for AK and other signs of sun damage.

“Many people are aware of the connection between melanoma and moles, but many Americans who may be at risk for skin cancer are unaware of actinic keratoses, what they look like, how to detect them and their relationship to skin cancer,” says dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, spokesperson for the AAD. “In fact, nonmelanoma skin cancers make up the vast majority of skin cancers diagnosed each year.”

Symptoms of actinic keratosis include lesions that are small and red, brown, or skin-colored patches that usually appear on the face, neck, hands and scalp. The lesions may also:

• Have a rough texture
• Have red, irritated skin around them
• Itch, burn or sting

Treating Actinic Keratosis

There are several different treatments for AK. Your dermatologist may prescribe a topical cream or “freeze off” visible lesions with liquid nitrogen treatments.

Chemical peels are another treatment option, where the old skin with the AK lesions is peeled off and healthy skin replaces it.

Lasers, such as Fraxel Re:store, can also be used to remove actinic keratoses.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a special chemical solution that makes skin more sensitive to light. When the treated skin is exposed to light, it activates the solution and destroys the AK lesions.

If you have concerns about actinic keratosis or other skin conditions, contact Advancements in Dermatology.

Vitamin Packaging by colindunn, on Flickr

Could a supplement help reduce your risk of skin cancer? A new study finds vitamin A supplements may help prevent melanoma, reports WebMD.

A study analyzed the risk for melanoma among 69,635 participants. Those who took vitamin A supplements were about 40 percent less likely to develop melanoma, compared to those who did not take the supplements.

However, the researchers warned that it is too soon to recommend taking extra vitamin A to reduce the risk of melanoma. Vitamin A can be toxic in large doses; risks can include liver damage, hair loss and bone pain.

Vitamin A and Skin Cancer

The study, which appeared in Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that only vitamin A supplements lowered the risk for melanoma, not vitamin A taken in through diet or multivitamins. In addition, the effects were more visible in women than men and in skin that was regularly exposed to the sun.

“It was definitely linked with supplements, not diet,” said study researcher Maryam Asgari, MD, MPH.

“People who are concerned about melanoma should avoid sun exposure, practice sun protection, and get annual skin checks,” Asgari said.

Dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD, agreed. “It is not surprising to me that vitamin A may be protective against melanoma,” she said. “However, high doses of vitamin A can have serious side effects, including liver toxicity.

“This may be an option for patients at high risk for melanoma because of prior diagnosis or family history, but not for the general population,” she said.

Vitamin A and Anti-Aging

While the researchers are not currently recommending taking a vitamin A supplement for skin cancer prevention, vitamin A already has a prominent role in anti-aging creams.

Tretinoin, the acid form of vitamin A, is a cream or gel that is used to treat acne as well fine wrinkles, dark spots and rough skin.

Renova, a tretinoin cream, is available by prescription from Advancements in Dermatology.

The survey, from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, found that 42 percent of patients receive most of their information about cosmetic surgery from social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. It is a significant increase from 2010, when only 29 percent used social media as the primary way they learned about cosmetic surgery.

While almost half of patients (48 percent) still get information on cosmetic surgery mainly from their friends, this is down from 63 percent in 2010.

While social networking sites offers prospective patients a way to connect with other cosmetic surgery patients, consumers should be cautious and make sure they are getting their information from a reliable source.

Social Sites for Cosmetic Surgery Information

If you’re not sure where to start, try the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s Facebook page, which often links to stories about cosmetic surgery and AACS’s surgeons in the news, as does the AACS’s Twitter feed.

RealSelf is another popular cosmetic surgery social networking site where users can find patient reviews of various procedures, and patients can connect with each other. In addition, many surgeons are active on the site and often answer users’ questions.

Dr. Carney is on RealSelf is on RealSelf and has answered several questions on topics that include Fraxel and Juvederm. You can also follow Skin Speaks Spa  MD on Facebook, where you can find the latest specials and news of interest.

Take advantage of what social media has to offer about cosmetic surgery, but be sure to schedule a consultation with a surgeon before you make any decisions, as a discussion with a qualified physician is crucial before undergoing cosmetic surgery.