Study Rules Out UVA as Direct Cause of Melanoma

According to a recent study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure in early life is no longer considered a direct cause of melanoma. The study, which tested UVA and UVB exposure on fish, found that there was no connection between UVA exposure at a young age and melanoma development and that UVA is unlikely to have contributed to the rise in occurrences of melanoma over the past 30 years.

While the study disconfirms any direct link between UVA exposure and melanoma, UVA rays are by no means harmless. UVA is considered a carcinogen and can suppress the immune system as well as cause premature aging of the skin. The researchers also stated that it is possible that continued exposure to UVA could expedite the progression of cells that are
already pre-cancerous.

The study examined the effects of UVA and UVB light on melanoma-prone fish during the first 5-10 days of their life. While the fish exposed to the UVB light had a 43% frequency of melanoma, the control group had an 18.4% frequency and the fish exposed to UVA had only a 12.4% frequency.

In 1993, a crucial study linked UVA exposure to melanoma. Up until that point sunscreens only protected against UVB rays. This turned into a massive public health concern knowing that UVA makes up 90% of the ultraviolet spectrum. This study caused many people to believe that the high rate of melanoma over the past 30 years was linked to early UVA exposure prior to updates made to sunscreen.

The University of Texas researchers were unable to duplicate the results of the 1993 study performed using the mammalian model. In hindsight, there were numerous problems with the research and sample sizes previously use.  Using a larger sample size to obtain stronger conclusions, The University of Texas researchers did not have the same findings about the effect of UVA on melanoma using the mammalian model.

The revamped mammalian study found that UVA may encourage melanin free radicals that react with DNA to form oxidative damage that will indirectly lead to melanoma, however, UVB exposure was found to directly damage DNA. No direct link between UVA and melanoma was found.

While UVA exposure has been ruled out for directly causing melanoma, further research is still needed to understand what type of indirect damage it may cause. Future studies may prove that UVA and UVB work symbiotically to cause or increase chances of melanoma.  No matter what, I highly recommend to keep sun exposure to a minimum and always wear sunscreen!

Acupuncture for Your Health & Beauty

Acupuncture is common alternative treatment for common ailments and diseases such as migraines, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis. According to a recent article from NewBeauty Magazine, certified cosmetic acupuncturists are using the ancient treatment as an alternative to filler-packed needles.

Celebrities who are known for their holistic tendencies, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, are said to be fans of the minimally painful treatment. Some of the results can include reduction of wrinkles and discoloration over time.

While some spas have named the treatment an “acupuncture facelift” on their service menus, this is not condoned by the American Cosmetic Acupuncture Association (ACAA). The ACAA warns that this terminology give clients an unrealistic expectation of the actual results. While the AACA recommends extended acupuncture treatment in order to see desired results, clinical studies have already shown acupuncture to have positive effects on the skin.

Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago and has gained popularity in the U.S. over the past three decades. Besides it's cosmetic benefits, acupuncture is used to treat a large variety of medical problems including asthma, depression, sinusitis, fatigue and low energy. Acupuncture can also reduce pain, swelling and bruising after surgery also. Treatments are surprisingly comfortable an sometimes take just a few minutes. For your safety, I recommend that you seek a certified and experienced acupuncturist for your treatment.

To Your Health & Beauty,

Dr. J. Joseph Danyo

Saving Face: Hidden Dangers of Microdermabrasion

Skin resurfacing is one of the most sought after non-invasive skincare treatments. Skin resurfacing is done with lasers, chemical peels, and quite often microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is often considered a reliable way to treat acne, scarring, and uneven skin; however, the traditional process could be more harmful than they are helpful.

Traditionally, microdermabrasion helps to smooth the skin's top layers by surgical scraping or sanding using aluminum oxide crystals. During the procedure, the outermost layer of skin is removed with a rough wire brush and the dead skin cells and crystals are then vacuumed off. Once praised in the cosmetic industry, the earlier methods are now being criticized by medical professionals due to the negative effects of the aluminum oxide crystals.

 

An article by StyleList.com reports that traditional microdermabrasion treatments can have post-treatment reactions. The named reactions include intense redness, infections, streaking from pressure on the probe, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. When not executed by a trained professional or physician, crystals can scatter into the hair, lashes and ears, which can cause to corneal scratches and abrasions.

Never fear, for there are newer technologies available for microdermabrasion treatments. Most modern microdermabrasion treatments use diamond tips and other alternatives in place of aluminum oxide crystals. If you are concerned about the treatment, make sure to check with your physician about what type of microdermabrasion they use.

Even though microdermabrasion is considered a noninvasive procedure, it is imperative to have your treatment performed under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeon. Microdermabrasions in Wilmington, DE, can be performed by licensed aestheticians. More aggressive microdermabrasion treatments, however, should be performed by the plastic surgeon themself.

Male Vanity Shows in Cosmetic Procedures

There’s a growing trend in cosmetic treatments among men: sclerotherapy. The procedure, which has been around since the 1930s, is used to diminish the appearance of varicose and spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (usually saline) directly into the problematic veins. The solution virtually kills the affected veins, causing them to disintegrate over time.

According to a recent story by NewBeauty Magazine, sclerotherapy has seen an overwhelming boost in popularity among men. The number of men seeking the treatment over the past five years has risen over 200
percent! According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, more men are now increasingly opting to treat their unsightly leg veins instead of selecting the once-popular hair transplants.

This isn’t the first time there has been a boost in cosmetic treatments among men. Time Magazine reported that between 2001 and 2007 the number of men using Botox® nearly tripled. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), men currently make up 9% of plastic surgery patients, with Botox® being the most popular minimally invasive treatment.

Perhaps the growth in cosmetic surgery among men has to do with its growing prevalence in the media. Some even suggest that between the recession and competitive job market, men are seeking out cosmetic enhancements to maintain a competitive edge.

As with any cosmetic treatment, it is important to have sclerotherapy and Botox® injections performed under the supervision of a board-certified plastic surgeon.

The Terrors of Tanorexia

A recent study of 421 college kids suggests that tanning beds might be addictive. It’s true. NY-based researchers, Catherine Mosher and Sharon Danoff-Burg, conducted a study geared to identifying addictions to alcohol and marijuana among college students. In the study, they inserted some questions regarding tanning, to see if there was any correlation with that activity. To their surprise, 40% of the students appeared to have addictions to tanning. They admitted to the same obsessive desire to tan as they did to regular ingestion of alcohol and weed. You can see the details of their research in the Archives of Dermatology Journal.

The recently-approved Health Care Bill includes a 10% tanning tax, as a substitute for the previous proposed tax on plastic surgery enhancements, which was called the “Botax.”  Once the Botax was defeated, the 10% tax on tanning was substituted. This is not a bad idea, considering a recent CNN story that shows tanning bed users have*three times the risk for skin cancer as non-users.*

So why the addiction to tanning beds? Is it just about looking good?

Apparently not. It’s all about the feel-good chemicals released from the habit. Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, was quoted in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper that previous research suggests "feel-good" chemicals are released as a response to sunlight, and that this might clarify why tanning has become addictive for some people.

As a physician, I don’t regard this as a major study—after all, it’s only 421 college students, and there was no “control group,” which is a piece of every good study. Still, it focuses on the point that tanning can be bad for people from several angles. Here in our Delaware plastic surgery office, my staff and I see sun-damaged skin often. We use lasers to treat sun-damaged skin to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin to eliminate the roughness, red and brown spots.

Remember, the skin is your body’s largest organ. If you aren’t sure about the level of your skin’s damage from sun worshipping or using tanning beds, come to our office for a skin review. Our professionally trained medical
aesthetician will analyze your skin to reveal any problems now, before they become bigger problems later! Laser treatments have been shown to offer tremendous aid to sun-damaged skin.



To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Is Tanning Addictive?

A recent study of 421 college kids suggests that tanning beds might be addictive. It’s true. NY-based researchers, Catherine Mosher and Sharon Danoff-Burg, conducted a study geared to identifying addictions to alcohol and marijuana among college students. In the study, they inserted some questions regarding tanning, to see if there was any correlation with that activity. To their surprise, 40% of the students appeared to have addictions to tanning. They admitted to the same obsessive desire to tan as they did to regular ingestion of alcohol and weed. You can see the details of their research in the Archives of Dermatology Journal.

The recently-approved Health Care Bill includes a 10% tanning tax, as a substitute for the previous proposed tax on plastic surgery enhancements, which was called the “Botax.”  Once the Botax was defeated, the 10% tax on tanning was substituted. This is not a bad idea, considering a recent CNN story that shows tanning bed users have three times the risk for skin cancer as non-users.  

So why the addiction to tanning beds? Is it just about looking good? Apparently not. It’s all about the feel-good chemicals released from the habit. Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, was quoted in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper that previous research suggests "feel-good" chemicals are released as a response to sunlight, and that this might clarify why tanning has become addictive for some people.

As a physician, I don’t regard this as a major study—after all, it’s only 421 college students, and there was no “control group,” which is a piece of every good study. Still, it focuses on the point that tanning can be bad for people from several angles. Here in our Delaware plastic surgery office, my staff and I see sun-damaged skin often. We use lasers to treat sun-damaged skin to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin to eliminate the roughness, red and brown spots.   

Remember, the skin is your body’s largest organ. If you aren’t sure about the level of your skin’s damage from sun worshipping or using tanning beds, come to our office for a skin review. Our professionally trained medical aesthetician will analyze your skin to reveal any problems now, before they become bigger problems later! Laser treatments have been shown to offer tremendous aid to sun-damaged skin.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

New Injection for Veins Approved by the FDA

The FDA has approved a new treatment for spider and varicose veins—Asclera.

Although this product is not new in Europe or Canada, it was just approved here. It’s another injectable that can be used for spider veins. It has an excellent track record for safety elsewhere.

Polidocanol (that’s the generic name for Asclera) collapses the vein with the use of fluid. It is similar to other products previously used in sclerotherapy, but it does not leave open sores and discoloration.  Actually, we don’t find that to be a problem in our practice in any case, but it’s good to know there’s a new alternative.

Age and genetics are factors to the development of varicose veins, as well as sitting or standing too long on hard surfaces and wearing clothing that’s too tight. If you do a great deal fo standing, be sure to put your feet up when you get home, even if just for 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, the majority of those with varicose veins don’t treat them unless they become unsightly. This can be a mistake, as they can become painful and even create a blood clot.

If you’re bothered with veins, please come in and see us about them. We’ll do a detailed examination and see if we can help you eliminate them either with laser treatments or sclerotherapy. In addition to the cosmetic benefit, sclerotherapy may also remedy the uncomfortable symptoms associated with spider veins, including aching, burning, swelling and night cramps.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo