Jun 7
Are Sunbeds Healthy ?
icon1 Adrian Fletcher | icon2 Skin Cancer | icon4 06 7th, 2008| icon3No Comments »

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by Adrian Fletcher

The idea of a sun tan representing health or affluence is a recent trend. Before the 1950’s, people were very conscious of keeping their skin out of the sun. Indeed, someone that was heavily tanned may be thought of as some that worked outdoors in a poorly paid job and exposed to too much sun.

During the 1950’s, people became more prosperous. They had more time for leisure activities as opposed to working. These type of activities involved spending time at the beach or other outdoor activities. they also had time and money to spend on exotic vacations to warmer climates.

Pretty soon an all over tan could indicate affluence or a healthy lifestyle (which is not completely untrue). Looking tanned became desirable to the extent that people would go to the beach or spend time outdoors purely to get a sun tan.

People wanted to look suntanned all year round regardless of the time of year. Others wanted to look tanned before they went on vacation. With these attitudes prevalent, the development of the sunbed began.

And since the creation of the sunbed, it has proved to be very popular. It is even popular in places where the climate is sunny and people could get a natural tan.

But the question that most people that use sunbeds have and then choose to forget is are sunbeds healthy ?

The answer is very simple. Current research suggests that any kind of tanning, be it in the Sun or being exposed to ultra violet radiation in some other way will eventually lead to skin cancer. The level or duration of exposure to UV rays before a skin cancer develops will vary from person to person depending on their skin type and other genetic factors.

Many people that use sunbeds may be at pains to point out that the radiation that a sunbed uses is different to the radiation from the Sun. UVB radiation is responsible for burning the skin in the Sun. It has a different frequency to the radiation used in sunbeds. A sunbed uses UVA radiation, that was thought to not be as harmful to the skin. For instance, it does not cause the skin to burn. However, recent research suggests that this is not the case and any UV radiation is harmful to the skin.

The salient point to all this is that any form of tanning of the skin will lead to skin cancer at some point. Maybe you will be fortunate and never reach that point during your life but the aim of skin cancer prevention is to limit a persons exposure to the cause of skin cancer, ultra violet radiation. That is why people should always wear sunscreen when outdoors. They should try to cover their skin with clothing and wear a hat and sunglasses when out in the Sun.

Getting a weekly sunbed tan is like going out into the Sun without protection. This seems like a potentially hazardous thing to do to get an all over tan.

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Jun 6
by pooja aggarwal

Anti aging skin products and care is not just about serums, lotions, scrubs, and peels. People need to look after their overall health, which will have an affect on their appearance. Many of the factors that affect your skin include lifestyle and heredity and although you have no control over the hereditary part, you can make choices and take steps to slow down and in some cases reverse skin aging by using anti aging skin products. Some of the most common signs of aging include fine lines under the eyes or on the forehead, crows feet or wrinkles by the corners of the eyes, sagging, loose skin under the chin, along the jawbone, and deep lines by the mouth. As upsetting as this is, there are ways to reduce or reverse this using anti aging skin products.

Men and women alike are always seeking the perfect anti aging skin care product because they believe that it is possible to turn the clock back, hold onto their youth, and avoid aging without the help of plastic surgery or other extreme methods. Beauty is a multi million-dollar industry because people want an anti aging skin care product for their nails, skin, hair, and other areas, which eventually show the affects of aging and are willing to pay for this. Along with nail polish with added vitamins and minerals for healthier nails and conditioners and treatments for brittle, dry hair, there are many other anti aging skin care product, types available for healthier, more youthful skin.

A very popular anti aging skin care product that fights wrinkles and helps you have skin that is more youthful is a natural cream product made specifically for wrinkles. Usually the cream contains extracted plant ingredients and collagen, which many believe helps them capture their lost, younger looking skin. Many men and women believe an anti aging skin care product helps them retain body moisture, enhance their skins texture, and give them a more toned, contoured body by reducing their overall fat appearance. Even in todays health conscious society where people want to retain their youth for as long as possible, many people do not worry about their skin until they look into the mirror one day and see excessive wrinkles and dryness. Along with panic, they head out in search of an anti aging skin care product such as one with soy extract which helps rejuvenate a dry, tired face and reduce natural aging signs. Herbal creams are extremely popular because people believe that they are harmless and have no side effects but remember that people can have an allergic reaction to any product, whether natural or manmade. It is best to test the product somewhere inconspicuous for a short length of time to avoid any problems.

A popular choice of anti aging skin products is herbal creams, due partly to marketing that claims there are no serious side effects. When using any new anti aging skin products including herbal creams, always test the product first in case you are allergic to some of the ingredients. It is important to have a healthy, balanced diet and exercise, drink plenty of water, get enough rest, protect your skin, and avoid unhealthy lifestyle choices.

While there are many anti aging skin care products on the market, they do not all treat the same problems. So, be sure to read and compare labels the next time you go shopping for anti aging skin care products so that you are sure that you are buying a product that has the right ingredients to protect and improve your skin.

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Jun 6
How Is Skin Cancer Caused
icon1 Adrian Fletcher | icon2 Skin Cancer | icon4 06 6th, 2008| icon3No Comments »
by Adrian Fletcher

Like all cancers, skin cancer is caused when the cells are exposed to some external environmental condition. This causes the cells, or more specifically the genes in the cell to mutate and become known as a oncogene. An oncogene promotes tumor growth.

If these cells are not destroyed by the immune system they will develop into cancerous growths. You can be exposed to UV rays in many ways but the most common way is by exposure to the Sun.

However, some people can be exposed to sunlight more than others and never appear to develop skin cancers. It seems that some people are more sensitive to the ultraviolet radiation than others (although too much exposure to the sun will result in skin cancer for most people eventually). This is true and is based on the amount of melanin in the body. Melanin is the body’s natural defense against the sun. It turns the skin brown as a way prevent it from burning. This is the tan that many people cultivate.

People with pale skin, fair or red hair and light colored eyes have less melanin than people with darker complexions. They are more sensitive to the sun. Their skin will most likely burn than go grown in the sun. Sunburned skin is painful but it is also an indication that your skin has been exposed to too much UV rays. Prolonged exposure to the sun or constant sunburn will facilitate the development of skin cancer.

Even if you do not fit this genetic makeup, you are still susceptible to skin cancer if your family has a history of developing the disease.

The effects of skin cancer depend on the type and length of time that it has been developing. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of the disease. It is normally benign, in that it does not spread from the original source. It looks like a blemish on the skin that could be brown or red in color.

Squamous cell carcinoma is also normally found on the body that is directly exposed to sunlight. It does not always spread but is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma. If it does spread it will be to surrounding skin cells. This will often give you the impression that the initial blemish or lesion on the skin is getting bigger. This is a sure sign of squamous cell carcinoma.

Melanoma is the rarest but most serious form of skin cancer that can develop. Unlike the other two, it can occur anywhere on the body, including areas that may not get much exposure to sunlight. For instance, the feet may develop a melanoma. It normally looks like a brown or red mark but as it develops it may become a lump under the skin. It may also look like a mole on the surface of the skin that changes color and starts to get bigger.

A Melanoma can be malignant, meaning that they will continue to grow in a random fashion at an uncontrolled rate. This becomes a problem when the melanoma becomes invasive. This means it will interfere with surrounding tissues and organs to the extent that it destroys them or stops them functioning properly.

Depending on where the cancer spreads or metastasizes this can be extremely hard to treat and potentially life threatening.

Limiting your exposure to sunlight and other forms of ultraviolet radiation is the best preventative care you can take. Getting your skin checked out from time to time by your doctor is also a good idea. This is especially good advice if you notice any new or unusual moles or spots on your skin. Or if these lesions appear to have changed in any way.

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Jun 5
by pooja aggarwal

The daily lifestyle and health decisions people make often have a direct affect on aging of the skin. Premature aging of the skin occurs when you make unhealthy choices that cause you to look older than you are. Learning what is harmful and starting an anti aging of the skin care program can help slow down the aging of the skin process. Unprotected skin exposed to the sun not only increases the risk of skin cancer but increases aging of the skin, causing sagging, wrinkles, and a leathery, dry appearance. Use sunscreen all year round, including cloudy, dull days, to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays.

Both smoking and second hand smoke are extremely damaging and cause aging of the skin. Research shows that a persons exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases skin dryness, wrinkles, and aging of the skin. This is due in part to the vitamin C depletion, which occurs in the body when people smoke, causing things such as dry, rough, scaly skin and dry hair. Non-smokers usually do not get wrinkles as early as people that smoke do and often, smoking gives their skin a yellow hue.

Along with basic spa facial treatments that make a person feel and look wonderful, there are other aging of skin treatments available such as pedicures, manicures, and body massages. A body treatment and massage helps soften your body skin, exfoliate, and make you feel relaxed and younger. Everyone deserves a little time for him or her to not only fight aging of skin but also enjoy a day of pampering, which helps a persons outlook, skin, and body. Many spas combine services for their clients so some people may decide to have a facial while others prefer a facial and massage, and still others combine many services or go for the whole package. The day of your aging of skin treatment at the spa, relax, drink a lot of fluids and get ready to enjoy a relaxing, wonderful time.

Eating the proper, healthy foods is a natural way to help prevent premature aging of the skin in men and women. Fruits and vegetables are important not only for your skin but for overall health as they provide many of the necessary minerals and vitamins. Children, from an early age, should learn the importance of fruit and vegetables so it becomes a life long habit. Be sure to drink from eight to ten glasses of water daily because this slows down aging of the skin by keeping you hydrated internally.

Skincare Tips for Skin Aging Prevention is always use sunscreen when going outside and wear protective clothing. Reduce the amount of time spent outdoors from ten am until four pm because this is when the suns rays do the most damage. Wear makeup that contains a sunscreen and remember that sun damage accelerates skin aging.When it comes to skin aging care, it is best to exercise moderation because more is not always best. Cosmetic companies want consumers to believe that products such as moisturizers work better when heavily slathered on and that is not the case. It is better to have an anti skin aging program where you use a moisturizer twice daily but in moderation.

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May 20
by Adrian Fletcher

Skin cancer is an increasingly common disease that is thought to be caused by over exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This combined with certain genetic predispositions, like fair skin, can make a person particularly vulnerable to developing skin cancer. Most people get exposed to UV radiation from spending time in the Sun. As it is practically impossible to avoid being in the Sun, minimizing the amount of time spent in the Sun or limiting it’s impact on the skin is often advised. This article will cover some of the ways to protect yourself from the damaging affect of the Sun. It concentrates on how sunscreen can protect you from developing skin cancer.

Before covering how sunscreen works, it should be reiterated that sunscreen is not the only way to protect your skin from the sun. It should be used in conjunction with some of the ideas covered below.

The best way to avoid UV radiation over exposure is to avoid sunlight when it is at it’s strongest. Unsurprisingly, this is the period when it is at it’s highest point in the sky, around mid day. Twelve noon is the worst time and the few hours around this time are also bad. Stay out of the sun during these times. If this cannot be done then take precautions.

Wear protective clothing. Darker colored garments are better than lighter ones. Cover your arms with a long sleeve shirt. Cover your legs with long pants or socks.

Wear a hat with a wide brim. You could also use a sun umbrella if you don’t like hats but a hat is the best method of protecting the scalp and face.

Wear sunglasses that absorb UVA and UVB radiation, as they can damage the eyes. Not only can they cause melanoma developing but they can lead to cataracts and other diseases.

After you have done these things you should then consider wearing sunscreen. Cover the parts of your body that are not covered by clothing. Some advise to cover the arms and legs with sunscreen even if they are covered by clothings as you might roll up your sleeves and it doubles the protection.

Sunscreens come in two types. The more common type is a chemical sunscreen that absorbs UV rays. The other type is a physical sunscreen that reflects or blocks the UV rays (these are sometimes called sunblocks).

A way to determine the effectiveness of a sunscreen is to look at it’s Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The popular recommendation in this respect is to always go for an SPF of 30+. SPF pertains to the ability to protect the skin from UVB radiation that is thought to be the worst form of radiation for sun burn and skin cancer. However, it does not protect against UVA radiation, which researchers feel can be just as dangerous as UVB. Products that are known as Broad Spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVB and UVA rays.

Sunscreens that act as a sun block are particularly useful if you work outdoors or spend plenty of time in the Sun. They are a thick cream that provides a barrier to the sunlight. People often put them on sensitive parts of the body like the lips and nose.

Sunblock sunscreen will have either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in them (they are also sometimes referred to as zinc cream). If you don’t appreciate having a large band of zinc cream across your nose then an alternative is ultramicronized titanium or zinc sunscreens. They are transparent but do the same job of reflecting UV rays.

Another aspect of sunscreen is that it will only last for around 2 hours so you must always reapply it after this time limit. It may be even shorter if you are very active or are swimming. You should also apply it before you go into the Sun and not once you are in it for obvious reasons but people often don’t do this.

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May 16
by pooja aggarwal

If you are suffering from acne problems, you may be wondering where you can find the best acne skin care products. Can these products be found online or are the best acne skin care products only found in drugstores, doctors’ clinics or from exclusive dealers? There are actually quite a large number of acne skin care products in the market today, and finding the best acne skin care products that will work for you is all a matter of finding the one that suits you best.

The best acne skin care product that is good for you may not be as good for somebody else. What is good for Jack may not be good for Jane; therefore, finding the best acne skin care product and routine is a matter of finding what suits your particular skin type, acne situation and budget. Most skin care products that are geared towards acne sufferers can be found on the internet, and products that promise results in a week, a month or a few months are all dependent on how the users respond to the effects of the substances used in the products.

One way you can find the best possible acne product for yourself is to do a little research on the products you feel may benefit you the most. There are a lot of acne product makers that state that they are the best acne skin care manufacturers around and that they can prove this with the celebrity endorsements and customer testimonials that they have. While their claims may be true, you cannot be too sure whether your skin type or your particular acne problem is going to be solved with these products that they call the best acne skin care products ever to be made.

Last but not least, tip number three for proper skin care for acne prone individuals is to choose the right kind of makeup or cosmetics to use on your skin.

For men, it is important that you use a shaving cream that is skin friendly when you shave. Women who use cosmetics should try to get cosmetics that are hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic. You should also avoid oil-based cosmetics since oil does aggravate acne and pimple problems.

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May 16
by pooja aggarwal

If people think that the term acne skin care products refers to products that are used to get rid of acne, they are only half right. Acne skin care products can mean products for taking care of skin that may be acne prone, products that are made to prevent the skin from developing acne or products that are used to keep acne from coming back. Acne skin care products can also be products for the treatment of skin that has been damaged by acne, such as scars that are caused by careless touching or experimentation of medications on acne ravaged skin.

Approaching a skin doctor to find out whether or not a particularly popular acne product is going to work for you is probably a wise recourse since such a doctor will know what medicinal components can work for your particular type of skin, acne problem and age. A skin doctor has studied extensively about the human skin and he or she is well qualified to tell you whether or not an acne care treatment will work on you. There may be an acne care product skin doctors recommend online that may not work for you since there are certain cases that do need the personal attention of your local skin doctors. These special cases require the special care of a dermatologist, and they are usually those that are not just simple acne problems brought about by puberty or excess oil and dirt on a person’s skin.

You should treat your acne problems with a careful scrutiny of the products and procedures involved, and you should do proper research to find out what acne can do to your skin, what some acne treatments can do for you and what a lot of skin doctors consider the best acne care products you can use on your skin. With an acne care product skin doctors recommend, you can be fairly certain that your acne problems will soon be solved.

These are just examples of the kinds of acne skin care products you can expect to get or buy when you are faced with an acne problem. You may get professional help from someone like a dermatologist to help you determine whether you need all these products for your particular acne problem or whether you will be fine with only one or two of these products and product types.

These are just a few of the things you will have to take into account when choosing an acne care product, and you should listen to the advice of skin doctors about these to get the best possible results for your skin.

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May 16
An Acne Overview
icon1 pooja aggarwal | icon2 Skin Cancer | icon4 05 16th, 2008| icon3No Comments »
by pooja aggarwal

Many people struggle with how to get rid of acne. It is often a hassle and something that millions struggle with daily. How to get rid of acne is a two step process. You have to lay the foundation or clear skin through a good skin care regimen and then you have to treat already existing acne.

Defining Acne

Dirt and oil are the two biggest culprits that lead to acne. Freeing your skin from dirt and oil is essential in your fight to be acne free. Acne is caused by clogged pores. It can be visible on the skins surface as white heads, black heads or cysts. In order to be completely acne free a person has to make sure their skin is as free from dirt and oil as possible.This can be difficult because you skin actually produces oil to help keep it healthy. However, it is excess oil that is the problem and must be handled. Dirt is easier to keep from the skin since that is an external problem, not internal like oil.With these things in mind your road to acne free skin can be easier.

Baby Steps

Basically, pimples, whiteheads and other blemishes occur when the skins pores are clogged and oil and bacteria are trapped within the pores.The body sends white blood cells to the clogged pore resulting in inflammation.

Additional Advice

There are many treatments on the market and finding the right one to use will involve some trial and error. Whichever treatment that you find works for you, can be made more effective with these simple tips: gently wash your face with a mild cleanser, do not touch, pick, squeeze or otherwise play with the blemishes and, use cosmetics labeled noncomedogenic. Also, whichever treatment you choose needs to be used as directed and for enough time to determine if it works. If you do not see an improvement in about 8 weeks, it is time to look for a different solution.So, now that you know what really causes acne and how to get the most from your skin treatment you can look forward to clear beautiful skin.

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May 10
Treatment for Acne
icon1 pooja aggarwal | icon2 Skin Cancer | icon4 05 10th, 2008| icon3No Comments »
by pooja aggarwal

Should I see a Dermatologist for Acne Treatment

There are many types of acne treatments on the market. So many, in fact, that you might be wondering how to decide which acne treatment is the right one for you. Some common types of topical treatments include: alcohol based solutions, creams, foams, gels, lotions, and ointments. Some acne treatments are available over the counter and some are available by prescription.

I Know I Have Acne. So How Can a Dermatologist Help me?

First, a dermatologist can tell you what type of acne you have. This will be important in finding an effective acne treatment. Some of the different types of acne include:

Acne Vulgaris: this is the most common form of acne. It includes whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pastules. In severe acne vulgaris nodules and cysts are usually present. Acne Rosacea: although this is not technically a form of acne, it is often mistaken for acne. It is most common in people over the age of 30. It appears as a red rash on the face. While blackheads are not present, there may be bumps, pimples and other skin blemishes. Acne Conglobata: This is the most severe form of acne vulgaris. It can cause severe scarring and damage to the skin. It is most common in males between the ages of 18-30. Acne Fulminans: This is the sudden onset of acne conglobata. This type of acne also includes a fever and aching joints. Scarring can be so severe that it is disfiguring. Pyoderma Faciale: This type of acne is most common in women ages 20-40. It is a severe, often painful form of acne that occurs on the face.

Treatment Methods

Acne Surgery: This is a simple in office procedure to remove blackheads and whiteheads. Mircrodermabrasion: This removes the upper levels of skin to generate new, healthier skin Chemical Peels: This removes blackheads and whiteheads and allow new skin growth

Finally, there are a great many medications available to treat acne. A dermatologist may prescribe one of the following types of acne treatment:

Retin A: This prescription medication is derived from Vitamin A and applied topically. Retin A is highly effective and can be used for extended periods of time. However, it does thin the skin so be sure to use proper sun protection at all times.

Oral Antibiotics: Oral medication may be useful in clearing some types of acne by reducing the amount of bacteria in the skin.

A dermatologist may also be willing to provide intralesional corticosteroid therapy. This is used for one or two cysts. The cysts are injected with a cortisone solution and they will quickly disappear.

Dermatologist treatments are going to be the best solution to an acne problem. It can be hard to handle the situation yourself with over the counter treatments. Acne can be difficult t clear up on your own without having side effects from OTC medications that just make things worse. For treatments acne can not fight you should see your dermatologist.

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Apr 19
by Adrian Fletcher

Melanoma is the rarest but most dangerous of the three types of skin cancer. It is potentially life threatening because it will often spread to other parts of the body. This makes it hard to treat and it can damage or destroy vital organs leading to secondary complications. The key to surviving melanoma is prevention combined with early detection. In most cases, if the disease is detected early on it can be treated successfully. Part of the detection process is a melanoma biopsy. This is often done on a suspicious mole or mark on the skin. It gives more information about the extent to which the cancer has spread and possible ways to treat the cancer.

The most common forms of melanoma biopsy are excisional and incisional. An excisional will remove all the cancerous cells. An incisional biopsy will take a deep sample of the cells, leaving the rest of the cells on the skin.

Excisional biopsies are preferred as they remove all the potential cancerous growth. They will generally take a part of the skin surrounding the mark too. Incisional biopsies are normally performed when the growth is quite large and it would be impractical to take such a large part of the skin away. Or, the suspected cancer was in a delicate or visible location, like the face, and might leave an unsightly scar or wound.

Both of these processes can be done at your doctors surgery or at the skin cancer center. It will normally take around thirty minutes depending on the size and position of the suspicious growth. A local anesthetic is applied to the part of the skin where the biopsy will be performed..

The removed cells are sent to a pathologist who will examine them more closely. The pathologist will determine if the cells are malignant. The depth of the growth will also be established and this will give the doctor a better idea of how far the cancer has progressed and possible treatments.

A biopsy is the best way to determine whether an unusual mark on the skin is actually cancerous. It is only performed after a first examination of the mark by a skin specialist who suspects that it could be cancerous. The information returned from the biopsy can be used to formulate a treatment plan for the disease and an indication of the extent that it has progressed.

Early and conclusive detection of melanoma growths are vital to treating the disease effectively. If found early, the tissues can be cut out. If it has spread then aggressive cancer treatments may be required.

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