Another chance to win with your expertise!

To educate people on the importance of sun protection, Jan Marini asks for you to share your top summer skin tips, with an opportunity to win FREE Jan Marini goodies!

Free products? Sign me up! See the invite below for more details, or visit the Jan Marini on fb to enter.

Are you the queen of Sun Protection? Share your tips & win

Dr. Neal Schultz, the creator and host of DermTV.com, has teamed up with Eucerin this week in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and will be sharing tips for easy and effective sun protection.

Dr. Schultz and Eucerin are looking to hear from your readers about their own sun care tips! Visitors can post their personal sun care regimens on Dr. Schultz's Facebook page with the chance to win prizes, such as a Lands End Beach Package, a $50 gift card to The Sunglasses Hut and some amazing Eucerin products! The winners will be announced this Friday, May 20th.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself

You've heard that May is Melanoma Awareness Month. But you may not know some troubling facts about melanoma: While the incidence of many common cancers is falling, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise at a rate faster than any of the seven most common cancers. In fact,1 in 55 people will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime. However, the survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early in an incredible 99%.

Renowned dermatologist Dr. Fredric Brandt explains, “Early detection is crucial when it comes to melanoma. Prevention is best, but being proactive about self-examination and dermatologist visits can literally be the difference between life and death.”

Dr. Brandt recommends the following self-examination techniques:

• Thoroughly inspect every inch of skin, using mirrors to help you get a clear view of tough-to-see places.
• Don’t overlook areas like lips, between fingers and toes, under nails, palms and soles of feet—these spots can be just as susceptible.
• Use a blow dryer to thoroughly inspect your scalp—skin that gets a lot of sun and can be tough to protect.
• Women should be sure to lift breasts to inspect the underside—you can still get melanoma on areas the sun doesn’t reach.
• Ask someone close to you to help you with your check—the more eyes, the better.
• Be sure to use the “ABCD” guide to assess freckles and moles: Be on the lookout for Asymmetry, uneven Borders, uneven Color or large Diameter.
• If you’re concerned about any discoloration or growth, don’t hesitate to see your dermatologist! It could be one of the best decisions of your life.
• Finally, prevention is the best cure—be sure to wear sunscreen every day, rain or shine. MyUV SPF 20 high protection face sunscreen provides superior protection against UVA/UVB rays while decreasing pigmentation caused by UV exposure to prevent photo-aging ($35 at www.drbrandskincare.com).

Monday, May 2 is Melanoma Monday

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month!

Who better to raise awareness than dermatologist and melanoma survivor Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi?

Dr. Tanzi, who diagnosed herself with early melanoma and basal cell carcinoma at 37, will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, May 2, 2011 to heighten awareness.

Get the facts on Skin Cancer from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Dr. Tanzi's Top 10 Summer Skin Safety Tips:

1. Get an annual full body screening from your dermatologist at least once a year.
2. Perform a self-skin exam every 1-2 months-- skin cancer detection is best done as team work between you and your dermatologist.
3. Avoid the sun during peak hours from 10 am-2 pm.
4. Liberally apply a broad-spectrum SPF that blocks both UVA and UVB rays every 3-4 hours when in direct sunlight.
5. ABSOLUTELY NO TANNING BEDS, EVER!!!
6. Look for SPF products that contain zinc and/or titanium because they offer good protection without irritation.
7. Try double duty powder sunscreens because they apply like pressed powder so your skin looks great and is adequately protected from the sun. The built-in brush makes application easy on the go.
8. Although you can't reverse sun damage from past sun abuse, it's important to continue proper sun protection strategies throughout a lifetime because the negative effects from the sun on the skin are cumulative.
9. If a mole has changed in size, shape, or color, it needs to be checked right away.
10. For all skin cancer questions, the best online resource is the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Save your Skin!

Protecting your skin from the sun is more serious than avoiding a sunburn.

Unprotected sun exposure can result in wrinkles, aging skin and in the worse case – skin cancer. It is so important to protect your skin correctly that the Food and Drug Administration has proposed new rules that would require sunscreen labels to indicate how well a given product protects users against UV-A.

In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness month in May, Cosmetic Dermatologist David J. Goldberg, MD, JD shares some tips on how to enjoy the sun, but to avoid damage from its dangerous rays:

1. Make sure sunscreen has both UVB and UVA protection. Not all do. The SPF is a measurement of UVB protection (SPF should be at least 15). SPF does not measure UVA protection. Both UVA and UVB cause skin cancer and wrinkles. The sunscreen must say "UVA protection provided."

2. The worst hours to be on the beach are between 11 am -3 pm.

3. Tee shirts do not protect from ultraviolet damage.

4. Windows (and sunglasses) do protect from UVB - they do not block UVA.

Dr. Goldberg is available for interviews regarding protecting skin from the sun and repairing sun damage.

Dr. Imber helps you fight Skin Cancer

Plastic Surgeon Dr. Gerald Imber (www.Drimber.com) is known for fighting the effects of aging through his revolutionary philosophy: prevention – maintenance – treatment.

To bring attention to Skin Cancer Awareness month in May, Dr. Imber shares some tips based on this philosophy that will help protect against skin cancer. From details about why the sun is damaging, what products are the best for protection, to treatments including Moh’s surgery, Dr. Imber share some advice.

PREVENTION

· Damaging sunlight involves two portions of the light spectrum: UVA and UVB.

UVB rays cause tanning and skin cancers in the superficial layer of the skin, and are prevalent in the mid day of the summer season. (10-4).

UVA rays are much more common, up to 50x more than UVB, and penetrate to the deep layer of the skin (dermis). They cause aging by denaturing collagen, and contribute to the development of skin cancers. UVA rays penetrate clothing and un-tinted glass. UVA and UVB are the best types of sunscreen. A combination of chemical ingredients as well as a sun block, or reflector of the sun’s rays is recommended. Do not believe claims of “waterproof or sport proof.” Sun protective clothing helps as well.

· Youth Corridor Soothe & Defend™ Moisturizer with SPF 30 UVA and UVB protection (www.youthcorridor.com) is a great daily use moisturizer and sunscreen. Many companies, like Neutrogena’s Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion, produce excellent titanium dioxide products for summer sun use.

· The most overlooked areas in need of protection are the nose, the neck and the back of the hands.

MAINTENANCE

· It is not known whether any treatment can protect against incipient skin cancer, but aging accelerated by sun exposure is manifested in brown spots (sunspot), wrinkles and laxity of skin caused by collagen loss. These can be significantly reversed by certain laser treatments and by the daily application of antioxidant serums such as Youth Corridor (www.youthcorridor.com) Boost Skin Serum with 10% Vitamin C, E and Melatonin.?

· It takes more than 25 years for skin cancer to develop. 80% of a lifetime of sun exposure occurs by age 18. Skin cancers typically develop after 50.??

· Concerning skin cancer signs include irregular skin areas, growing lesions, or moles, and changing dark spots.??

CORRECTION

· 80% of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma usually cured by simple surgical excision. 10% are squamous cell carcinomas which have the ability to spread and must be excised more aggressively. The remaining 10% are melanomas, which are potentially lethal, and must be treated surgically, and very aggressively. These are typically very dark, spreading pigment spots, though occasionally may present in other forms. ?

· Skin cancers of the face present the difficult problem of removing them completely without defect or deformity. In areas like the nose, cheek or near the eyes skin, cancers are often removed by a technique called Moh’s Surgery. It actually maps the area and insures that all the cancer has been removed. This often leaves the patient with a difficult to repair defect. I have specialized in repairing difficult defects for several Moh’s surgeons for many years and the results are often nothing short of miraculous. It is a rewarding application of all the skills of the plastic surgeon, and an important service to provide the community.

“Skin Cancer Takes Friends” FREE Skin Cancer Screenings

Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Announce

“Skin Cancer Takes Friends” FREE Skin Cancer Screenings

National Campaign during May’s Skin Cancer Awareness Teams Up with Actress, Kim Raver
to Help Encourage Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention

www.skincancertakesfriends.org

Cincinnati, May 1, 2009– In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May, Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) announce “Skin Cancer Takes Friends,” a nationwide free skin cancer screening program that encourages Americans to bring their friends to a participating dermatologic surgeon’s office for a free skin cancer screening. Together with Kim Raver, star of “Lipstick Jungle” and “24,” Olay and the ASDS are working to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and detection in the fight against skin cancer.

More than one million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. This is an astounding number given that the cause for the majority of cases is excessive sun exposure. While some people are more at risk than others, anyone, regardless of skin color or age, can develop skin cancer.

Actress Kim Raver has joined the fight against skin cancer based on her personal experiences with the disease. Raver is dedicated to helping spread the word about this worthwhile program, and about the importance of sun protection and regular screenings in the fight against skin cancer.

“Having lost someone to melanoma, I’ve seen first-hand how serious skin cancer can be. Early detection can truly save lives,” says the actress. “I’m so fortunate to have an opportunity to speak out about a cause for which I am truly passionate. I encourage everyone to schedule regular screenings and wear SPF 15 or higher every day.”

Someone dies of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, nearly every hour. Yet when detected and treated early, the five year survival rate is almost 100 percent. Women ages 20-29 are particularly vulnerable, with melanoma ranking as the second most common form of cancer in the age group. Often the symptoms of skin cancer are elusive to those who do not know what to look for. As the incidence of skin cancer continues to rise, Olay and the ASDS urge men and women to join the fight against this growing silent killer by sharing these shocking statistics with loved ones, conducting monthly self-screenings and scheduling a free screening with a dermatologic surgeon for themselves and a friend. Regular screenings combined with daily protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays are essential to avoid falling victim to melanoma.

“Too few Americans understand the importance of getting regular screenings from a dermatologic surgeon. A dermatologic surgeon can identify and treat the disease in its earliest stages, and potentially save lives,” says Robert Weiss, M.D., President of the ASDS. “During last year’s Skin Cancer Takes Friends program, more than 300 dermatologic surgeons in 200 cities across 45 states performed almost 10,000 free screenings. This year we are making it our goal to surpass 10,000 screenings. Everyone,

even those with no family history of skin cancer, is at risk for this disease and should have an annual screening.”

To find a dermatologic surgeon offering free screenings in your area, visit www.skincancertakesfriends.org, or www.asds.net.