Acne Rosacea
Although rosacea can affect anyone, it typically affects adults with light skin and hair. Rosacea manifests as pimples, redness, and flushing. It can cause dry, burning skin and irritated eyes. There is no known cause of rosacea. Treatmemt for rosacea consists of avoiding trigger factors (i.e. sun, caffeine, spicy foods, stress, red wines, etc.), topical and oral medications, pulse light, or laser treatment.
Moles and Melanoma
Moles, also known as nevi (nevus), are benign pigmented growths that can be flesh color, pink, tan, brown, or black. They can be present at birth or develop later in life. Moles are usually harmless, however they can change and become atypia (dysplastic) or malignant (malignant melanoma). Malignant melanoma can also develop de novo (suddenly new). If there are any changes, especially if any of the following signs or symptoms appear, you should be examined by a professional immediately:
A - Asymmetry
B - Border (irregular, indistinct borders)
C - Color (variation in colors)
D - Diameter (increase in size; larger than 6 mm)
S - Symptoms (bleeds, itch, pain)
Melasma
Also known as chloasma or "mask of pregnancy" seen most often during pregnancy or with oral contraceptive use. Melasma is seen as light to dark brown spotches affecting the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose and chin. They are more common in women of darker skin types. The most common causes of melasma is estrogen and ultraviolet light. Heat may also play a role in melasma because many women develop melasma on the upper lip after hot wax has been used as a hair removal method. Treatment varies from topical prescription hydroquinone, chemical peels, and lasters. Sun protection with broad spectrum sunblock is a must.
Sun Protection
There are 3 main ultraviolet rays: UVC, UVA, and UVB. Most of the UVC is filtered out by the atmosphere. UVB causes most of our sunburns. UVA can penetrate through glass windows and causes most of the skin damage consisting of age spots, melasma, skin cancers. Sunscreens are chemicals (PABA, cinnamates, salicylates, oxybenzone, Parsol 1789, etc.). Sunblock are physical barriers (zinc oxide, titanium ozide) that gives you broader spectrum protection from UVB and UVA. Meroxyl (ecamsule) is a photosable UVA photoprotectant. Antihelios SX from LaRoche Posay is a combination of three sun filters (octocrylene, Parsol 1789, and Meroxyl) that provides UVB and UVA coverage.
Sun Smarts:
Apply a water resistant sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 with UVB and UVA coverage. Apply 15-20 minutes before sun exposure, even during the winter and on cloudy days. Reapply it every 2-3 hours, and after swimming or sweating.
Wear sun protective clothing (hats, pants, long-sleeved shirt)
Avoid outdoor activities between 10 AM – 2 PM. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
Be very careful of hyperpigmentation induced by UVA rays especially after chemical peels or laser treatments.
Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. Consider using a sunless self-tanning product.
Below is a list of links that you may find helpful:
American Academy of Dermatology
American Cancer Society
Skin Cancer Foundation
American Melanoma Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation
National Vitiligo Foundation
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
Vascular Birthmark Foundation
Herpes Resource Center
National Rosacea Foundation
National Eczema Association
Inflammatory Skin Disease Institute
Ichthyosis
Vitiligo Support International
International Pemphigus Foundation
Cutaneous Lymphoma
