Lip Cancer Risks High: Public Awareness Strikingly Low
Study Finds Only 47% of Those Surveyed Use UV Lip Protection

According to a recent study, awareness of lip protection is alarmingly low in comparison to skin protection.  Of the 234 surveys collected from visitors to public beaches in Texas, only 47 percent of respondents said that they used ultra violet (UV) lip protection compared with 78 percent who said they used UV skin protection.  Richard Wagner, M.D., member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), says that lack of research and education on lip cancer is the reason why so many people are not more proactive about lip protection.  “We always hear about how we need to keep our skin covered from the sun, but there’s not a lot of messaging out there raising awareness about the risks of lip cancer.  And, people don’t realize that ultraviolet light can cause as much damage to the lips as it can to the skin without proper protection,” said Dr. Wagner.  The most common reasons cited for not using lip protection were: forgetting to bring or apply sunblock; lack of concern; bad taste; comfort issues; and altered food and drink flavor.  The study also revealed that awareness and concern about lip protection were slightly lower among adults under 30 years compared with older adults.  To protect lips from serious sun damage, Dr. Wagner and the ASDS recommend lips be protected at all times outdoors and in tanning beds by using lip balms or lipsticks that contain SPF 30 or higher.

Celebrity’s Filler “Secrets” Hide the Unhealthy Truth

For the appearance of a healthy, full, fresh face on a size zero or less body, many celebrities turn to cosmetic facial fillers to add volume to drawn and gaunt faces.  Celebrities who endure extreme diet and exercise to stay skinny, can see a once full, healthy face become sunken, hollowed and less attractive.  “Since the face is the first part of the body to reflect unhealthy eating habits and dieting, more celebrities are requesting fillers to ‘naturally’ plump up sunken facial features,” says Rhoda Narins, M.D., past president of the ASDS and dermatologic surgeon to several celebrity patients.  Dr. Narins explains that extreme weight loss thins the skin, while decreasing the amount of fatty tissue, making the face appear narrow, empty and aged.  She describes Sculptra, Radiesse and Artefill to be among the most popular fillers currently used by celebrities.  These fillers work several different ways, but each help accomplish a full, healthy look.  When injected into the skin these fillers can: mold to the skin to add natural looking volume; stimulate the body’s tissue growth to plump up cheeks and eliminate marionette and nasolabial lines that form around the mouth; and fill in “smile” lines which form around the mouth as we age.  New filler products and techniques offers these benefits to celebrities with minimal downtime. 

Golfers and Skin Cancer

For golf professional Mark Wilson, being out in the sun has been an everyday occurrence since he was a teenager.  Although Mark knew the importance of sun protection and used sunscreen regularly, what he didn’t know resulted in him getting skin cancer at age 39.  “I was driving in the car one day with my wife and she noticed a dark and oddly shaped freckle behind my right ear lobe,” said Mark.  “She suggested that I have it checked out immediately.  Less than one week later, I learned that it was cancerous and had to have it surgically removed.”  Mark’s biggest mistake: not covering all the areas of his body that were exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays.  Andrew Kaufman, M.D., member of the ASDS and Mark’s dermatologic surgeon says, “Using sunscreen is great, but if you’re not applying it in all the right places, you’re putting yourself at risk for developing skin cancer.” With no family history of skin cancer, Mark was shocked to learn about his condition.  Because of their prolonged exposure to the sun, it’s vital that golfers practice proper sun protection.  Dr. Kaufman and the ASDS suggest the following tips.  Stay protected: reapply sunscreen every two to three hours.  Choose a proper sunscreen: look for sunscreens that block both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays and have an SPF of at least 30.  Cover everything: apply sunscreen to every area of the body that may be exposed to the sun.  Perform monthly self-examinations and ask a dermatologic surgeon what to look for during self-examinations.

The Truth Behind Acne Breakouts

Stress, not washing your face, sweating – these are just a few common beliefs for acne breakouts.  But are these theories fact or fiction?  “There are so many misconceptions about acne that it becomes difficult to distinguish fact from fiction,” says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., member of the ASDS.  “Educating patients and dispelling myths are often the keys to preventing acne.”  Dr. Hirsch exposes the most common misconceptions associated with acne and sets the record straight.  Myth:  Popping pimples helps heal acne.  While “popping” a pimple may feel like a quick cure, it actually increases the chance of further infection.  Fact:  Eating greasy foods or chocolate cannot cause acne.  Research shows no direct link between eating greasy or sugary foods and breakouts.  However, some food allergies may trigger acne for certain people.  Therefore, avoiding such foods may help reduce pimples.  Myth:  Dirty skin causes acne.  The black stuff you see when you clean your skin with a cotton ball is actually the oil on your skin when it’s exposed to light and not dirt.  Fact:  Acne can be inherited.  Acne is genetic.  If there is a family history of acne, it can affect anyone.  Myth:  Stress causes acne.  Stress does not give you acne unless you are predisposed to it genetically but it can worsen existing acne for those prone to breakouts.