FYI Cosmetics

Knowing what skin cancer looks like is the first step in both identifying and eliminating it.  Saying that individuals should be looking for any skin abnormalities is grossly generalizing skin cancer, mostly because our skin can change and develop at any time, and those changes don’t necessarily relate to cancer.  There are specific warning signs that all individuals should be aware of regarding the presence of skin cancer; anyone who experiences any of these signs should have their skin screened immediately.  Below are the most common warning signs pertaining to skin cancer.

• Translucent pearl-shaped growth
• Mole that has grown quickly and may bleed or itch
• Mole with any ABCDE feature:
  • A – Asymmetrical – most freckles and moles are near perfect circles.  Moles that are not symmetrical are commonly the beginnings of skin cancer.
  • B – Borders are irregular.
  • C – Color varies.
  • D – Diameter that is greater than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser). Melanoma’s are usually greater than 6mm but can be smaller when first diagnosed.
  • E – Evolution in size, shape, color or texture.  Sudden changes in moles that have always looked the same.
• Brown or black streaks underneath fingernails or toenails
• Sore that heals and reopens on a repeated basis
• A smooth, waxy lesion
• Cluster(s) of shiny or scaly lesions that are pink or red in color and are slow growing

There are three different types of skin cancer which include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.  Each type has different warning signs; therefore it is important to be familiar with all so that you can detect skin cancer as early as possible.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: basal cell carcinoma accounts for over 80% of skin cancer cases worldwide, making it the most common form that individuals experience.  This type of cancer most often appears in areas that are over exposed to the sun, including the face, ears, scalp, neck, chest, hands, back and legs.  Basal cell carcinoma can take several forms including: small translucent growths that may be slightly pigmented and may contain small blood vessels, open sores that repeatedly bleed and heal and small clusters of slow growing pink or red lesions that can be shiny and scaly.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer and accounts for about 16% of new skin cancer cases in the United States.  Warning signs for this type of cancer commonly appear in sun exposed areas such as the face, neck, ears, scalp, arms and hands, however it can appear anywhere on the body including the lips, the inside of the mouth and the genitals.  Warning signs for squamous cell carcinoma include crusted or scaly areas on the skin, sores that do not heal, red, scaly bumps or patches and wart-like growth on plaque.

Melanoma: Melanoma accounts for only about 4% of skin cancer cases and is the most serious form of skin cancer, only because of its ability to spread rapidly.  Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, however it is most commonly found on the buttocks, back, legs, scalp, neck and behind the ears.  Melanoma most often develops in pre-existing moles, causing it to rapidly change in size, texture and color.  20% to 40% of all melanoma cases begin in an atypical mole which is why it is important to be aware of the moles you have and keep an eye out for any changes.

Studies have shown that with early detection, over 95% of skin cancer cases are cured.  Regular skin screenings with your dermatologist will allow for early detection for all types of skin cancer.

Source: Freckle Removal

The GentleLASE Alexandrite laser by Candela is the gold standard for permanent hair reduction. While it has the ability to be used on all skin pigments, it reveals its best and safest work on the lighter skin colors. Combined with Candela’s patented dynamic cooling device, treatments are faster and more comfortable than ever before. Not only does this laser prove to be fast and effective for patients for hair reduction it will also successfully treat pigmented lesions such as sun spots, age spots, freckles, café-au-lait spots and melasma. In addition this 755nm wavelength laser can also assist in eliminating vascular lesions such as hemangiomas, venous lakes and blue facial veins as well as decrease wrinkles.

Candela lasers are the only lasers in the industry that have the benefit of the dynamic cooling device or DCD. The DCD sprays cryogen on to the skin milliseconds before the beam of light hits the skin. The rapid evaporative cooling ability of cryogen will maximize comfort and protect the epidermis as well as permit a quick recovery. Treatment disposables are decreased as the need for cooling gel and some costly topical anesthesia are eliminated by the use of the DCD.

The GentleLASE provides several spot sizes to be able to customize the laser hair removal treatment for efficiently. A typical hair removal treatment requires hair to be clipped or shaved down to the skin level. No lotions or gels should be on the area to be treated. Several treatment spot sizes are available to maximize the effectiveness of each pulse of the alexandrite laser. The laser targets the color within the hair follicle to destroy it as it leaves the surrounding delicate pores and structures of the skin intact. Because hair cycles through growth and dormant phases, the hair needs to be targeted in a growth cycle, when the pigment is at its darkest. Therefore a minimum of 3 treatments are needed to achieve desired results.

A major benefit of the Candela laser is that it provides the largest spot size in the laser industry for hair removal that can deliver fluences up to 100 joules/cm2. The spot sizes can target from 12-25 or more hairs in one laser pulse. The 18mm spot size for example can treat a full back in thirty minutes. The flexible pulse durations and adjustable epidermal cooling technology allow for maximum patient safety and comfort. In addition integrated computer controls within the unit assure consistent, reproducible results time after time. Because of the versatility of the GentleLase darker pigments can also be treated with extended pulse durations to increase skin tolerance.

Pigmentation issues can also be effectively treated with the GentleLase. Hyper-pigmented patches caused by the sun and do not have possible malignant potential can successfully be destroyed with often only one treatment. The brown or pigmented lesion can be found on the face, hands neck chest and sometimes legs. Generally treatments for these spots and areas are considered cosmetic in nature. The long pulse of the Alexandrite GentleLase makes for a fast safe and effective treatment. Typical treatments will cause the treated area to become red for a few hours to a few days, with minimal to no side effects after healing.

Freckles, whether on the face or body, are something that most individuals experience, at least to some degree. Genetics and heredity play a large role in the outward appearance of our skin, but sun exposure and other harsh daily elements can also cause the pigment of our skin to change. While freckles are generally harmless, more and more men and women are looking for ways to remove unwanted freckles. There are several skin rejuvenation techniques for freckle removal currently available that can help you to restore clear, blemish free skin with lasting results.

Freckles are easily identifiable on the skin because they are small, flat and round, usually uniform in color and appear darker than the surrounding skin pigment. Freckle formation is due to cells called melanocytes—they generate an increased amount of melanin in the skin. When an increased amount of melanin exists, it collects abnormally in specific areas of the skin which leads to the formation of freckles. Freckles, for the most part, begin their development around the age of two, and while some individuals are genetically predisposed to freckles (many redheads will have overly freckly skin) it is repeated sun exposure that most often initiates and enhances their appearance. Freckles are not cancerous in nature and it is not medically necessary to remove them, but men and women often choose to remove unwanted freckles purely for aesthetic reasons.

When figuring out how to remove your unwanted freckles, it is important to take into consideration that there are two distinct types of freckles. The first type are called ephelides, the second type are called solar lentigines. Ephelides are also known as simple freckles; these are the freckles individuals are genetically inclined to get and therefore are harder (but not impossible) to remove. Solar lentigines are also known as sunburn freckles and because they are caused by sun exposure, they are more superficial and therefore easier to remove. While freckles most often appear on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, arms and hands, they can be seen anywhere; and can be removed from anywhere.

There are several treatments currently available designed to help remove unwanted freckles. These include:

Bleaching Agents: Bleaching agents specifically designed for freckle removal are not intended to bleach the skin; instead they work to inhibit the production of melanin which stops freckles from forming on the face and body. However, because the bleach is used on the entire skin area (not just the freckles) it sometimes tends to lighten the skin so it is not the most effective method.

Chemical Peels: Chemical peels work on many different levels to rejuvenate the face by removing the outer layers of skin. By removing dead skin cells and rejuvenating the face, blemishes are lightened which allows the skin to take on a more uniform appearance.

Laser/IPL Treatments: Laser and light based treatments for freckle removal are the most advanced treatment methods for unwanted freckles. The laser light attracts to the melanin in the freckles; the light energy then transforms into heat which effectively fragments the melanin particles which are naturally re-absorbed and expelled by the body’s immune system. A series of laser treatments can drastically reduce the appearance of unwanted freckles.

If you find that freckles are starting to form on your face and body and are searching for ways to stop it, the best freckle removal technique will always be prevention; work hard to stop the freckles before they start. Freckle formation prevention is very simple, just wear sunscreen. By protecting your skin from sun exposure, you’ll surely slow down (or even stop all together) the formation of unwanted freckles. Wear SPF 30 or higher every single day, whether in direct sunlight or not, to help keep your skin clear and blemish free.

Whether you are interested in prevention or are interested in how to remove your unwanted freckles, consider all of your treatment alternatives so that you can find the freckle removal technique that works best for you.