“If you really can’t live without that sun-glistened look, then consider spray-on tans that provide color without the risk.” April/May 2015 57 LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK; RIGHT: COURTESY OF DR. RICK NOODLEMAN frozen off from the skin and destroyed. “Mohs” refers to an especially effective but specialized surgery technique for treating basal and squamous cell cancer, particularly on the face. Mohs surgeons are trained to examine excised tissues during surgery, thus eliminating guesswork and sparing normal tissue. Melanoma treatment is more complicated and may involve surgery, chemotherapy and radiation as well as drugs. Just in the past year there have been a number of promising advancedstage melanoma drugs released, according to local doctors. But nothing beats active prevention. “A common misconception is that sunscreen alone is enough to prevent melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers,” says Joe Gorelick of the California Skin Institute. “Unfortunately, we know that it is not that simple. Aggressive sun avoidance during peak exposure hours, sun-protective clothing and proper application and reapplication of a high SPF are all needed to minimize one’s risk.” SPF refers to the level of protection a sunscreen provides against sunburn caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration issued significant changes to how sunscreens are labeled, which included no longer allowing claims of SPF greater than 50, and not allowing lotions with an SPF less than 15 to be marketed as reducing the risk of skin cancer. The FDA also ruled that sun lotion couldn’t be labeled waterproof or sweat-proof. Experts advise using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above. “Once past 30 you do see diminishing returns,” says Stanford’s Dr. Justin Ko. “The FDA got rid of anything over 50 since that was a false sense of security.” Most important is to look for a sunscreen labeled “Broad Spectrum,” which means that it provides both UVA and UVB protection. And, according to Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s Dr. Susan Butler, when applying lotion, watch out for spots that are easy to miss such as the backs of your hands and behind your ears. Because burns can happen even on cloudy days, a great trick is to use an everyday moisturizer with built-in SPF. Kids should learn how to apply lotion at an early age, particularly if they eat lunch outside at school or are off to camp. If you’re constantly outside, reapply lotion every two hours or even more frequently if swimming. “Every time you’re in the sun, the meter is running,” remarks Age Defying Dermatology’s Dr. Rick Noodleman. But, he says, if you really can’t live without that sun-glistened look, then consider spray-on tans that provide color without the risk. — d r . r i c k n o o d l e m a n “Genetics tends to play more of a risk factor in melanoma; it’s a little more complex,” says Dr. Susan Butler, a Palo Alto Medical Foundation dermatologist with practices in Los Gatos and Mountain View. “For more common types of skin cancer such as basal and squamous cell, cumulative sun exposure is the most important.” Greene is a member of what Singhal calls the “pre-Sea and Ski” generation or baby boomers who grew up before sunscreen was commonly available and are now suffering as a result. “Saturdays, as kids, we’d go to the beach all day long,” Greene remarks. “I’d come home with a horrible sunburn. A few days later the peeling would start. Every week during the summer it was the same: beach, burn, peel and repeat. ” it’s risky inside, too Yet the expanding population of tanned older folks is not only to blame for the increased number of skin cancer cases. Other factors playing a role include atmospheric changes that have increased UV exposure and tem-
South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above