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Skin Care
A Hot Topic in Summer
By Linda Miller
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The sun is
not our friend.
Wear sunscreen; wear a hat; wear sunglasses.
We hear these again and again. Sometimes we even listen.
Now, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery is saying something that should really get our
attention.
This past year, about 30,000 skin cancer reconstruction
procedures were performed on women. What's more, these
procedures have increased at an alarming rate -- 50 percent
since 1997.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United
States, with more than 1 million cases diagnosed every
year, according to the academy.
So, ladies, it's time to listen up, cover up and protect
ourselves -- not only in summer but every day of the year.
Here's what the academy suggests:
Choose a sunscreen with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Shorter UVB rays cause sunburns and the development of
melanoma and other skin cancers, while UVA rays cause
permanent damage that leads to wrinkled, leathery skin.
Don't neglect your nose, which has one of the highest
incident rates when it comes to skin cancer, mostly due
to the fact that it is overlooked when applying sunscreen.
Don't forget ears, hairline and scalp, either.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat. A baseball cap may protect your
nose, but it leaves the face vulnerable.
Protect lips with a lip balm that contains at least SPF
15. Many lipsticks contain titanium dioxide and other
sun-blocking pigments, too, so reapply often.
If the sun has already left its mark on your skin with
deep lines, leathery texture and brown spots, don't give
up or, worse, continue to bask in the rays. |
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Saira's wallpaper
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First, get any moles that have
changed color or size checked by a doctor. Then, check
out your skin- rejuvenating options.
For mild sun damage, consider products containing peeling
agents such as retinol, glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy
acids. These are effective at removing dead cells and
promoting the growth of healthy cells.
Add a dose of vitamin C to your face. Vitamin C lotions
help to fade brown spots by suppressing the production
of the skin pigment melanin. For some, it may even boost
collagen levels, helping to soften fine lines.
Other options include chemical peels, microdermabrasion
and laser-resurfacing procedures, but these should be
discussed with a doctor.
The choice is ours. What will it be?
Sunscreen, which is inexpensive, pain-free and can be
applied in a few seconds, or chemical peels (ouch), microdermabrasion
(squirm), laser-resurfacing (double ouch) or ... a statistic |
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Cancer Buster
Just last year
the breakthrough drug Glivec looked so promising for
treating a rare form
of cancer called chronic myeloid leukemia that it received
U.S. government approval in a
record 2½ months.
Now it seems Glivec may be even more effective than
first thought. A study shows that after two years on
the drug, 95% of patients are still alive, with 40%
in complete remission.
Treatment isn’t cheap, and the pills may have to
be taken of Glivec. It’s being tested on
breast, stomach and other common cancers.
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