DERMATOLOGY
Dr. Anita Saluja
Protect Your Largest Organ: Don’t put off skin cancer screening
HOW MANY TIMES have you heard, “It’s time to take charge of your health,” from the healthcare pundits on every network and cable news channel? Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start, and don’t forget that your body’s largest organ also deserves some extra attention:
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One American dies of melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer, almost every hour.
Have your birthday suit checked. Don’t put off a skin cancer screening exam any longer. I can’t count the number of times I have found a spot that my patient just didn’t see or thought was nothing. I also can’t count the number of times I have been able to reassure someone that his or her skin was cancer-free. A recent survey showed that more than 90 percent of dermatologists have seen one or more patients in the past year with a skin cancer that has been overlooked or misdiagnosed. Plus, one American dies of melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer, almost every hour. It’s not worth procrastinating.
- Start a topical retinoid. It’s a consensus or as close to one as possible: most patients, even starting in their 20s, should be using a topical retinoid cream. Here’s why: Retinoids, derived from Vitamin A, are one of the most powerful and most studied agents for preventing and reversing signs of sun damaged and aging skin. They reduce wrinkles, improve discoloration, cut down on certain precancerous lesions, and speed skin renewal. Examples of prescriptions include Retin-A, Renova, and Tri-luma creams. Tretinoin cream by Obagi can be found at some physician offices. Retinoids are like clever multitaskers and who can’t help but appreciate that?
- Get sunscreen smart. These days, there are so many choices for sunscreen. Shopping for one can get incredibly confusing. In the drugstore, look for one that can shield you from aging UVA and burning UVB rays. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF85 does this and is lasting. Other key ingredients are zinc oxide, mexoryl, and titanium dioxide. Ask your dermatologist about the best protection options for your face.
Sit in front of the BLU-U light. No, this is not related to the old Kmart Blue Light Special. The BLU-U light, when used in a dermatologist’s office along with a topical product called Levulan, targets and destroys actinic keratoses (AKs) – otherwise known as “precancers” by dermatologists. Why treat AKs? They are often the first step in the development of squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Getting rid of AKs in early stages is good. The Levulan solution is rubbed on your skin and it incubates for one hour. Then, you sit in front of the BLU-U light for almost 17 minutes. Lastly, you stay out of any sunlight for 48 hours. The neat thing about the Levulan and BLU-U light procedure is that recovery is generally speedy and cosmetic response is excellent. Also, more insurance companies are covering it as an alternative to creams like Efudex and Carac.
Test drive the Clarisonic. I can’t think of a better dermatologist secret than the Clarisonic PRO Skin Care Brush. In just 60 seconds a day, the Clarisonic’s sonic action removes six times the makeup and increases absorption of topical products like vitamin C by over 60 percent. Skin is softer and smoother, pores look smaller, and dry skin patches and blemishes get better. Used in conjunction with the Clarisonic, prescriptions work better. The Clarisonic PRO helps in my treatment of common skin conditions like acne, rosacea, razor bumps, sensitive skin, and face dermatitis. Its versatility is simply exciting.- Overcome your Botox fear. I recently traveled to the legendary Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Florida. We all realize that drinking its water does not truly restore youth—but it is a fact that Botox truly makes one look youthful. That’s the reason that Botox continues to be the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure performed, with are over 3 million treatments yearly. Botox’s 20 year record of safety, especially in the hands of an experienced physician, and thousands of published reports are very impressive. On top of relaxing certain wrinkles on your face, a recent study showed that Botox, when injected into the brow area of depressed women, not only changed their facial expression, but also uplifted their moods. That’s the icing on the cake.
Dr. Anita Saluja is a board certified dermatologist practicing with MIMA in their Viera, Florida location since 2001. She completed medical school at the University of Michigan and trained in dermatology at Emory University. Her areas of interest include sun damaged skin, skin cancer, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Saluja can be contacted at 321-757-5141 or CLICK HERE.
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