Prevention of Skin Cancer

 

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun. Also, protect children from an early age. Doctors suggest that people of all ages limit their time in the sun and avoid other sources of UV radiation: It is best to stay out of the midday sun (from mid-morning to late afternoon) whenever you can. You also should protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice. UV radiation can go through light clothing, windshields, windows, and clouds. Wear long sleeves and long pants of tightly woven fabrics, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses that absorb UV. Use sunscreen lotions. Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer, especially broad-spectrum sunscreen (to filter UVB and UVA rays) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. But you still need to avoid the sun and wear clothing to protect your skin. Stay away from sunlamps and tanning booths.

Source: http://www.cancer.gov

 

Steps to the Ultimate Skin Care

Here a few steps to Ultimate Skin Care.

Wash Cleanser: This natural cleanser gently foams away excess oils, environmental debris and make-up from your skin with agents derived from coconut oil. A specially selected combination of purifying herbal extracts and Vitamin E gives a fresh, clean, alive feeling to your skin, preparing it for nourishing, moisturizing, and ultimate protection.
Purpose:
The main purpose of this is Excellent soap replacement. Does not leave film that soap does. Adds moisture while cleaning. Works well against acne as it cleans deep into pores.

Moisture Lotion:
Biological activators and moisturizing protectors combine to provide the skin with internal and external supplements. Protects skin from harsh environment.
Purpose:
Excellent base for make-up. This can be used as an all-purpose body lotion. Helps remove ash. Eliminates itching and flaking caused by dry skin.

Cream Cleanser:
This gentle emollient cleanser, with vitamin E and five lipid soluble herbal extracts, quickly dissolves away make-up and other impurities from your skin, leaving it ready to tone and moisturize.
Purpose:
To thoroughly cleanse the skin without drying it out, removing make-up and impurities.

Organic Moisture Masque:
Finally! A masque gentle enough for even dry skin. Vitamin E oil, Avocado oil, and Wheat Germ oil combine with soothing herbal extracts to purify the skin as it lifts off undesirable old skin and debris, revealing the younger skin underneath. If you have dry skin but have been cautious about using a masque, this product is for you.
Purpose:
Works to even the skin tone, remove impurities, while removing dead skin cells.

Toner/Astringent:
This Toner/Astringent supplements the skin with the two major hydrating agents found in the skin (NAPCA and Hyaluronic acid), along with a super effective herbal extract blend specially formulated to help dry, dehydrated skin. It supplies the moisturizers that extra dry skin needs.
Purpose:
Removes any residue left from other products. To close pores after masque, tones and softens.

Scrub:
Tiny granules of polymer and a rich blend of emollient oils and gentle cleansers combine to cleanse and polish the skin without stripping away any of the natural oils. Your skin will be noticeably smoother after just one treatment of skin scrub.
Purpose:
To even the skin tone and take away black heads, white heads and remove oil.

 

Diagnosis of Skin Cancer

If you have a change on the skin, the doctor must find out whether it is due to cancer or to some other cause. Your doctor removes all or part of the area that does not look normal. The sample goes to a lab. A pathologist checks the sample under a microscope. This is a biopsy. A biopsy is the only sure way to diagnose skin cancer.

You may have the biopsy in a doctor's office or as an outpatient in a clinic or hospital. Where it is done depends on the size and place of the abnormal area on your skin. You probably will have local anesthesia.

There are four common types of skin biopsies:

1. Punch biopsy: The doctor uses a sharp, hollow tool to remove a circle of tissue from the abnormal area.
2. Incisional biopsy: The doctor uses a scalpel to remove part of the growth.
3. Excisional biopsy: The doctor uses a scalpel to remove the entire growth and some tissue around it.
4. Shave biopsy: The doctor uses a thin, sharp blade to shave off the abnormal growth.

You may want to ask your doctor these questions before having a biopsy: Which type of biopsy do you recommend for me? How will the biopsy be done? Will I have to go to the hospital? How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt? Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the biopsy? What will my scar look like? How soon will I know the results? Who will explain them to me?

 

Source: http://www.cancer.gov 

Causes of aging skin

 

Research shows that there are, in fact, two distinct types of aging. Aging caused by the genes we inherit is called intrinsic (internal) aging. The other type of aging is known as extrinsic (external) aging and is caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to the sun’s rays.

Intrinsic Aging
Intrinsic aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20s. Within the skin, collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. While these changes usually begin in our 20s, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. Some of the signs of intrinsic aging are:

• Fine wrinkles

• Thin and transparent skin

• Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin

• Dry skin that may itch

• Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin

• Graying hair that eventually turns white

• Hair loss

• Unwanted hair

Genes control how quickly the normal aging process unfolds. Some notice those first gray hairs in their 20s; others do not see graying until their 40s. People with Werner’s syndrome, a rare inherited condition that rapidly accelerates the normal aging process, usually appear elderly in their 30s. Their hair can gray and thin considerably in their teens. Cataracts may appear in their 20s. The average life expectancy for people with Werner’s syndrome is 46 years of age.

Extrinsic Aging
A number of extrinsic, or external, factors often act together with the normal aging process to prematurely age our skin. Most premature aging is caused by sun exposure. Other external factors that prematurely age our skin are repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking.

The Sun. Without protection from the sun’s rays, just a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause noticeable changes to the skin. Freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin), and skin cancer can all be traced to sun exposure.

“Photoaging” is the term dermatologists use to describe this type of aging caused by exposure to the sun’s rays. The amount of photoaging that develops depends on: 1) a person’s skin color and 2) their history of long-term or intense sun exposure. People with fair skin who have a history of sun exposure develop more signs of photoaging than those with dark skin. In the darkest skin, the signs of photoaging are usually limited to fine wrinkles and a mottled complexion.

Photoaging occurs over a period of years. With repeated exposure to the sun, the skin loses the ability to repair itself, and the damage accumulates. Scientific studies have shown that repeated ultraviolet (UV) exposure breaks down collagen and impairs the synthesis of new collagen. The sun also attacks our elastin. Sun-weakened skin ceases to spring back much earlier than skin protected from UV rays. Skin also becomes loose, wrinkled, and leathery much earlier with unprotected exposure to sunlight.

While it may seem that the signs of photoaging appear overnight, they actually lie invisible beneath the surface of the skin for years. UV photography enables us to see the damage accumulating beneath the surface of the skin years before the signs of photoaging appear. Most people are surprised by the amount of photoaging that the UV camera shows. To see actual patient photographs that show: 1) what is visible to the naked eye and 2) what damage lies beneath the surface, visit:


Facial Expressions. If you perform facial exercises to maintain a youthful-looking appearance, it is time to stop. Repetitive facial movements actually lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Each time we use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, which is why we see lines form with each facial expression. As skin ages and loses its elasticity, the skin stops springing back to its line-free state, and these grooves become permanently etched on the face as fine lines and wrinkles.

Gravity. Gravity constantly pulls on our bodies. Changes related to gravity become more pronounced as we age. In our 50s, when the skin’s elasticity declines dramatically, the effects of gravity become evident. Gravity causes the tip of the nose to droop, the ears to elongate, the eyelids to fall, jowls to form, and the upper lip to disappear while the lower lip becomes more pronounced.

Sleeping Positions. Resting your face on the pillow in the same way every night for years on end also leads to wrinkles. Called sleep lines, these wrinkles eventually become etched on the surface of the skin and no longer disappear when the head is not resting on the pillow. Women, who tend to sleep on their sides, are most likely to see these lines appear on their chin and cheeks. Men tend to notice these lines on the forehead since they usually sleep with the face pressed face down on the pillow. People who sleep on their backs do not develop these wrinkles since their skin does not lie crumpled against the pillow.

Smoking. Cigarette smoking causes biochemical changes in our bodies that accelerate aging. Research shows that a person who smokes 10 or more cigarettes a day for a minimum of 10 years is statistically more likely to develop deeply wrinkled, leathery skin than a nonsmoker. It also has been shown that people who smoke for a number of years tend to develop an unhealthy yellowish hue to their complexion. Additionally, a study conducted in 2002 showed that facial wrinkling, while not yet visible, can be seen under a microscope in smokers as young as 20.

These signs can be greatly diminished, and in some cases avoided, by stopping smoking. Even people who have smoked for many years, or smoked heavily at a younger age, show less facial wrinkling and improved skin tone when they quit smoking.

For Healthier, Younger-Looking Skin
Prevention. While you cannot stop or even slow down the intrinsic aging process, you can prevent signs of premature aging by protecting your skin from the sun, quitting smoking, and eliminating facial exercises.

Dermatologists recommend comprehensive sun protection to prevent premature aging caused by the sun. Comprehensive sun protection includes:

• Avoiding deliberate tanning, including use of indoor tanning devices.

• Staying out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

• Wearing protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves, when outdoors during the day.

Treatment. If you are bothered by visible signs of aging, a number of treatments are available. Injectable fillers and botulinum toxin are suitable for people with busy lifestyles who do not want the inconvenience of a long recovery. Radiofrequency is a procedure that offers an alternative to the traditional facelift. Dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, and some topical treatments can restore skin, giving it a smoother and refreshed appearance.

Scientific research in the field of anti-aging continues to give rise to new and promising treatment options. A dermatologist can help you sort through the numerous options, including the myriad of over-the-counter products. During a consultation, the dermatologist will examine your skin, discuss your expectations, and recommend suitable treatment options.

Common Skin Ailment...

Common Skin Ailment May Be Caused By Immune Response

Researchers funded in part by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases have uncovered clues related to the cause of rosacea, a common inflammatory skin condition that causes redness of the face, bumps, and visible blood vessels. Their discovery could trigger the development of novel therapies for prevention or treatment, offering new hope for individuals affected by the disease.

In the absence of solid evidence, rosacea has been believed to be caused by the bacteria responsible for causing acne. However, research conducted by Richard L. Gallo, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of California, San Diego, and the VA San Diego Healthcare System, along with an international team of investigators, has uncovered a possible flaw in the immune system that contributes to the disease. Their findings were reported in Nature Medicine.

Through skin biopsies, Gallo and his team found that people with rosacea had high levels of cathelicidins, peptides with antimicrobial and pro-inflammatory properties that protect the skin against infection. (Cathelicidins are secreted in an inactive form and undergo a cleaving process to take on their active form.) Investigators also discovered that levels of stratum corneum tryptic enzyme or SCTE — the enzyme responsible for cleaving the inactive cathelicidins into their active form — were also elevated in people with the disease.

In separate experiments, Gallo's team then injected mice with cathelicidins found in rosacea, added SCTE, and increased SCTE by turning off the gene that inhibits its activity. Each of these actions produced the inflammatory characteristics of rosacea in the skin of the mice. However, these responses were absent in mice with a deleted cathelicidin gene. Says Gallo, "Our findings help to show that antimicrobial peptides such as the cathelicidins, which are evolutionarily ancient elements of immune defense, play a critical role in inflammation."

Rosacea is a chronic ailment that affects around 14 million people in the United States. Along with redness and visible blood vessels, people with rosacea frequently have papules (pink bumps) and pustules (pink bumps with pus). Many people experience facial burning and swelling. The disease is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 60, and in those with fair skin.

Other support for this research came from the National Rosacea Society, the Veterans Administration and the Association for Preventive Medicine of Japan. 

Source: http://www.cancer.gov

 

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. It is not dangerous, but most types cause red, swollen and itchy skin. Factors that can cause eczema include other diseases, irritating substances, allergies and your genetic makeup. Eczema is not contagious.

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis. It is an allergic condition that makes your skin dry and itchy. It is most common in babies and children.

Eczema cannot be cured, but you can prevent some types of eczema by avoiding irritants, stress and the things you are allergic to.

Eczema is also called Dermatitis.

 

Eczema and detergents

 

The first and primary recommendation is that people suffering from eczema shouldn't use detergents of any kind unless absolutely necessary. Current medical thought is that people wash too much and that eczema sufferers should use cleansers only when water is not sufficient to remove dirt from skin.

Another point of view is that detergents are so ubiquitous in modern environments and so persistent in tissues and surfaces, safe soaps are necessary to remove them in order to eliminate the eczema in a percentage of cases. Although most recommendations use the terms "detergents" and "soaps" interchangeably, and tell eczema sufferers to avoid both, detergents and soaps are not the same and are not equally problematic to eczema sufferers. Detergents increase the permeability of skin membranes in a way that soaps and water alone do not. Sodium lauryl sulfate, the most common household detergent, has been shown to amplify the allergenicity of other substances ("increase antigen penetration").^[2]

The use of detergents in recent decades has increased dramatically, while the use of soaps began to decline when detergents were invented, and leveled off to a constant around the '60s. Complicating this picture is the recent development of mild plant-based detergents for the natural products sector.

Unfortunately there is no one agreed-upon best kind of cleanser for eczema sufferers. Different clinical tests, sponsored by different personal product companies, unsurprisingly tout various brands as the most skin friendly based on specific properties of various products and different underlying assumptions as to what really determines skin friendliness. The terms "hypoallergenic" and "doctor tested" are not regulated,^[3] and no research has been done showing that products labeled "hypoallergenic" are in fact less problematic than any others.

Dermatological recommendations in choosing a soap generally include:

• Avoid harsh detergents or drying soaps.
• Choose a soap that has an oil or fat base; a "superfatted" soap is best.
• Use an unscented soap.
• Patch test your soap choice, by using it only on a chosen area until you are sure of its results.
• Use a non-soap based cleanser.

How to use soap when one must

• Use soap sparingly
• Avoid using washcloths, sponges, or loofahs
• Use soap only on areas where it is necessary
• Soap up only at the very end of your bath
• Use a fragrance-free barrier type moisturizer such as vaseline or aquaphor before drying off
• Use care when selecting lotion, soap, or fragrance, avoiding suspected allergens. Ask your doctor for recommendations.
• Never rub your skin dry, or else your skin's oil/moisture will be on the towel and not your body