Melanoma Rate Increasing In Young American Women

Melanoma is a type of cancer of the skin. It is a rare type of skin cancer, but an aggressive one. The NIH(National Institute of Health) recently published a study showing an increase in numbers of melanomas in young women in the United States. It is likely that this increase is related to increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight and artificial tanning rays).

Ultraviolet light is a mutagen. That means that it causes changes in the DNA that controls the growth of cells and transforms them into cancer cells. Melanin is a pigment in the skin which absorbs ultraviolet radiation and protects the tissues in and below the skin. Darker skinned persons have more melanin than fairer skinned people. melanin is contained in cells called melanocytes. When a melanocyte becomes cancerous, it is called a melanoma.

Other types of skin cancers are basal cell cancers and squamous cell cancers--squamous cell cancers are by far the most common, but much less lethal than melanomas. These types of cancers are most often seen in elderly persons, and as with melanoma, are a consequence of sun exposure.

Austrialians have the highest rate of skin cancers in the world. Australia has only 0.3% of the world's population, but has 6% of the lethal skin cancers. This is thought to be because of the large number of fair-skinned people living in tropical conditions.

In their study, investigators at the NIH found that the incidence of melanoma in young men in the United States increased from 4.7 to 7.7 cases per 100,000 persons between 1973 and 2004. In young women over the same time period, the incidence increased much more rapidly from 5.5 to 13.9 cases per 100,000. Probably because young women are much more likely to purposefully seek out exposure to sunlight or tanning beds.

The good news is that the number of deaths as a consequence of melanoma among young men and young women has decreased from 1981 onward. This is likely due to both an increased awareness about melanoma and changes in screening techniques.

In Australia, an interesting new technology called Solar scan has been recently developed. The key to Solar Scan is advanced computer software. A camera is pointed at a suspicious lesion and photograph is taken, stored, and analyzed by the software. Not only can Solar Scan make a quick diagnosis, it can collect images and compare data over a period of time allowing doctors to monitor suspicious lesions for change.

Staying out of the sun and/or tanning booths is the best way to protect yourself from skin cancer. If that is not possible, wearing sunproof clothing is the next best option. Suntan oils and lotions protect the skin by reflecting or absorbing ultraviolet rays, and are definitely adviseable if sun exposure is contemplated.

Signs and symptoms of melanoma include a new spot appearing on the skin, a spot that grows in size or changes color or shape. Itching and bleeding are also important symptoms. Any spot that is larger than 6 millimeters, or is irregular in color, or shape, should be evaluated by a physician. A Dermatologist is the type of doctor to consult for anyone worried about a spot, or simply wishing to have a thorough skin evaluation.

One more interesting fact about melanoma: it is the most common cancer to spread across the placenta in a pregnant woman.

Pigmentation

Pigmentation is particularly seen with minocycline and is enhanced if the patient is on amitriptyline. The pigmentation presents in three ways: firstly, in and around the acne scars as localized blue-black marks in areas of previous activity, and especially in scars; secondly, as diffuse pigmentation distant from the face and often on the lower legs; thirdly, as the 'muddy skin syndrome', which presents as a diffuse, dark-grey discolouration, suggesting an off-colour suntan over much of the body with less darkening of nonexposed areas..

The pigmentation is due to the interaction of the minocycline with iron in the dermal macrophage. These phenomena are also seen in the normal skin but in smaller numbers.26 There is also hyperpigmentation of the basal layer of the epidermis; electronmicroscopy shows an increase in melanosomes within the basal keratinocyte.

A third reason for the pigmentation is a quinone-like derivative formed by oxidation of minocycline..

The pigmentation is self-limiting and slowly improves within several months of discontinuing the treatment. Usually this pigmentation is not an indication to stop the minocycline therapy.

Saying Farewell To Age Spots With Different Treatments

"Liver" or age spots may be harmless but they tend to look like Cancerous growths. They can be raised or flat, small or large. They appear on arms, hands, shoulders, feet and just about anywhere touched by the sun. Those with fair skin are especially plagued by this unsightly skin damage. While preventing them may be next to impossible, given our body’s natural attraction to the sunshine, most of the pigment is at the base of the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin, so there are several treatments that can successfully reach the root of the problem.

UV rays, tanning beds and excess sunlight are generally the culprits behind the darker pigmentation, but as we age, the body produces extra melanin, which also contributes to the appearance of “liver” spots. There are other speculations. For example, pregnancy or certain kinds of birth control pills that create shifting hormone levels have been rumored to cause them too. Some researchers even believe that handling psoralens, such as parsnips, limes and parsley before going out in the sun increases your likelihood of getting age spots. Medicine culprits may include antibiotics like Tetracycline, diuretics (water pills) and antipsychotics, like Thorazine. But then again, in some cases it’s mostly hereditary.

Your “liver spots” may be cancerous melanoma if you notice certain distinctive abnormalities. Lentigo Maligna Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops from long-term sun exposure. This cancer begins with tan or brown lesions that slowly darken and enlarge. Additionally, they usually have irregular borders, uneven coloring and are slightly raised.

The first line of defense that many people choose to get rid of age spots is medication. Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Gels are the latest in age spot skin treatments and are referred to by many dermatologists as “THE age spot skin treatment.” The AHAs will remove dead skin cells and skin damage to produce rejuvenated layers in a matter of weeks. In the US, there are over 200 manufacturers of AHAs from which to choose.

Another popular option is laser therapy to combat spots and repair damaged skin by destroying excess melanocytes. Laser treatment requires several visits and may be expensive, but the results are effective, with “liver” spots usually disappearing within weeks. This is a rewarding option because the probability of scarring is very low. As far as skin solutions go, this may be expensive, although for more serious cases, it’s ideal.

Another skin treatment option to combat age spots is cryotherapy, also known as “freezing.” Liquid nitrogen will destroy the excess pigmentation, causing the skin to heal over the spots. In rare instances, scarring or discoloration may occur. Before laser therapy, this used to be the method of choice. The good news is that no matter which option you feel comfortable with, there are safe and effective skin treatment choices. Be sure to speak with your doctor before using anything.

End those fight with your wrinkles. You do not have to live with unsightly lines that age you beyond your years. You do not have to undergo expensive and painful cosmetic procedures to banish those lines for a while. Plus the procedures are not permanent. You will have to get them again in a few years. Instead of those options why not look into the new face creams and home treatments to banish the lines and those crow’s feet? They will not cost you as much and you can use them continuously. Check out your options by clicking here:

To learn more go to Cocoa Butter As Wrinkle Remover and at Deep Wrinkle Cream and at Wrinkle Cream Tests

Acne In Black Skin

Acne treatment for black skin and some different tips - black men and women find acne treatment for black skin rather difficult. Teenagers are by far the most affected by the disease which also affects women in their thirties. Acne is a skin problem which is common and consists of blackheads, whiteheads and also some big boil - like nodules or cysts.

In puberty acne occurs due to the changes in the hormone levels. - acne affects the hair follicles and also the oil secreting glands in the skin. With time and patience, acne will heal itself in most cases. It usually occurs on the face, arms and back, chest. Acne affects people of all skin colors. They have different types of spots, pustules, like whiteheads, blackheads and nodules.

The causes of acne are the same for people of different skin colors, but the impact of acne is altered according to the pigmentation of the skin. - melanin protects the skin from sunlight and also keeps the black skinned people appearing younger than the white skinned people. People from Africa, African, native Australians - Americans and other islands are darker than their Northern European friends due to the increased amount of the dark pigment melanin in the skin. With age, dark people show irregularly pigmented skin, which appear as dark patches on their skin. Acne in black skin. If an area of their skin gets inflamed, it can be irregularly pigmented. Though the treatment for acne is the same among black and white people, there are some exceptions.

Very dark skin is not as well moisturized as white skin, so it is preferable to seek the advice of a dermatologist before using products that have a drying effect on the skin. - some treatments may result in temporarily lightening of dark skin. The part where the skin was inflamed due to acne among black people usually are in danger of excessive skin darkening. However, a dermatologist may help in making the spots less apparent before they resolve. Severe inflammatory acne among black people may cause dark spots. Chemical peeling of acne scars may result in temporary lightening or darkening of the dark skin in the acne affected areas.

Acne treatments are as harmless on black skin as they would be on dark skin. - there are no acne treatments formulated for the use of only dark - skinned people. Home Treatments. People with black skin can apply a paste of cucumber, honey, lime, oats, tea tree oil, lemon, tomatoes, oats and turmeric, orange. Fruits and vegetables are effective for the cure of acne. They can wash it off after 15 - 30 minutes for the eradication of excess oil and the killing of bacteria causing acne.

Eat Your Way To Healthy Skin

Refined sugar causes your skin to age more quickly, leading to thinner drier skin that is more prone to wrinkles. The vitamins and minerals that promote healthy skin can be found in a variety of foods.

Refined sugars spike your insulin levels triggering an inflammatory reaction within the skin cells. Since refined sugar has been stripped of all the nutrients your body has to use its own stored minerals to digest it.

Skin creams can be very expensive and there is very little proof that they actually can back up what they promise. So the best cost effective defense to fight against free radical damage is a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals that will protect your skin over the long haul.

Natural fruits, vegetables that are a darker pigmentation contains a high level of antioxidants that help protect the body from toxic buildup. Protein is also essential to keep your skin looking young and youthful.

Protein helps build healthy cells that will make your skin more resilient

Great source of protein are:
Turkey
White meat chicken
Egg whites or Omega 3 enriched eggs

Omega 3 enriched eggs are produced by hens that are fed a special diet that contains ground flax seed. The eggs produced from these hens are higher in omega 3 fatty acids.

Dark Vegetables are:

Spinach

Broccoli

Dark green leafy lettuce

Kale

Dark fruits are:

Blackberries

Blueberries

Strawberries

Omega 3 sources are:

Flax seeds

Walnuts

Sardines

Fish oil pills are also a good source.

Aged angler overcomes 150-pounder

By Ed Zieralski

At 97, pardon Dr. David Jessop for bragging a bit about a recent catch.

Not only is Jessop still walking around at 97, but he's still catching big fish, too. That was Jessop this week, fishing with his buddy George Cowan, who is a youngster at 88, tussling with a black seabass he estimated to be well over 150 pounds.

“It looked like it was 6 feet long and 500 pounds by the time I got it up close enough to see it,” Jessop said. “But George said it was more like 150 pounds. I was pretty excited.”

Yeah, and why not? Jessop hooked the protected black seabass on a lightweight bass outfit, using an anchovy pinned to a small No. 1 hook.

“We were just outside the Mission Bay Jetty, and I threw over to try and land a sand bass or something like that,” Jessop said. “It took me over an hour to get it to the boat, and the only reason I did is because George did such a masterful job running the boat. I could have been spooled a couple times there.”

Jessop is already a member of the San Diego Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in the Hall of Champions, but his legend continues to grow. It's safe to say he may be the oldest angler ever to catch and release a 150-pound black seabass.

Oldest anglers: Did a little research after hearing of Jessop's catch. Found a story about Blanche Seccombe, 106, Montana's oldest angler. She participated in the 15th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day on Flathead Lake in Montana in July. Blanche, who lives in Bigfork, didn't catch any fish, but at 106, she's still getting around. Blanche's secret to longevity: “I eat bacon every morning,” she said. “Crisp bacon.”

Hall of Famer: If you get a chance, stop in Barnacle Bill's Bait and Tackle on 7292 Broadway in Lemon Grove to congratulate Bill Van Wulven on his nomination to the San Diego Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Because of the outrageous fee that Hall of Champions officials charge for events, Van Wulven will be inducted into the Hall at a ceremony Oct. 21 at the La Mesa Recreation Center. Call Van Wulven at (619) 461-1214 for information about the event and tickets.

Unusual sightings: Every once in a while I'll hear a wild story about an unusual critter being spotted in the backcountry. That's in addition to the usual suspects like mountain lions, wild pigs, Eurasian doves and such. The sightings all pack intrigue, but the one Jessop told me about recently really got my attention. Jessop said he and his traveling party were in the Pine Creek Wilderness area recently when they saw what they believe was a black jaguar. A melanistic, or black jaguar, is a result of melanism, an increased amount of black or nearly black pigmentation, melanin. It's the opposite of albinism. It's not the first time I've heard of such a sighting. I've talked to folks in Julian who swear they've seen jaguars or black panthers up that way, too. Farther east there are more and more reports of jaguar sightings, the spotted cat that once roamed the Southwest, but was extirpated.

Eastern lions: Spend a little time on the East Coast, which I do, and pretty soon you hear stories of big cats roaming the hillsides. In Northwest Pennsylvania, farmers and hunters talk of seeing mountain lions. Coyotes have become more and more prominent there and are having their way with deer herds. In Central New Jersey, the owner of an alpaca farm said there was a mountain lion sighting in his driveway. I told him his fence may not be high enough. Those cute critters look too much like a fuzzy deer.

Concerned About Age Spots?

Nearly half the marriageable population is divorced these days, with many middle-aged men and women moving into the populace in search of a mate again. Whether married or single, there's also increasing pressure to look youthful and attractive in order to get ahead in the workplace. Facelifts, collagen injections, and anti wrinkle creams may address certain aging symptoms, they do not deal with those brown "liver" or age spots on your arms or legs. Happily, there are some options for alleviating that as well.

UV rays, tanning beds and excess sunlight are generally the culprits behind the darker pigmentation, but as we age, the body produces extra melanin, which also contributes to the appearance of "liver" spots. There are other speculations. Shifting hormone levels from pregnancy or birth control pills have also been blamed for these spots. Some researchers even believe that handling psoralens, such as parsnips, limes and parsley before going out in the sun increases your likelihood of getting age spots. Medicine culprits may include antibiotics like Tetracycline, diuretics (water pills) and antipsychotics, like Thorazine. But then again, in some cases it's mostly hereditary.

Most dark spots are benign, but it is a good idea to ensure your spots are not some cancerous form before using any skin treatments. Consult a competent medical advisor. There is a certain risk they may be cancerous melanoma.This type of skin cancer, Lentigo Maligna Melanoma, generally develops as a result of long-term exposure to the sun. This cancer begins with tan or brown lesions that slowly darken and enlarge. In addition, these cancer generally have irregular borders, are slightly raised, and show uneven coloring.

Assuming you are not dealing with cancerous melanoma, there are many options for lightening and eliminating these spots. Reversa HQ and Neo Strata HQ are prescription bleaching creams containing Hydroquinone--a substance that can be quite harsh. Some patients try applying the creams every other day to strengthen their tolerance, while others opt to use mild steroids to ease the side effects over the next few months, while the age spots are fading.

We prefer Revitol Skin Brightener Cream which uses plant-based ingredients to reduce the appearance of dark spots including freckles and uneven pigmentation. Revitol keeps skin soft and moisturized; brightens the appearance of trouble spots safely. I always favor treatments that do not contain mercury or other harmful ingredients, particularly when I'm applying it to my skin. I don't know how long this deal will last, but as of this writing, they are offering Two Free bottles with your purchase.

Our favorite treatment for age spots, however, is Meladerm Pigment Reducing Complex. It gets rid of dark spot and reduces the appearance of skin discolorations and hyperpigmentation in just 2 weeks and is particularly effective for age spots, sun damage, melasma, acne scars, birthmarks and freckles. There is no risk in trying this product since it comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.

Another popular option is laser therapy to combat spots and repair damaged skin by destroying excess melanocytes. Laser treatment can be quite effective with age spots disappearing in a matter of weeks--results though require several office visits and can be quite expensive. This is a rewarding option because the probability of scarring is very low. As far as skin solutions go, this may be expensive, although for more serious cases, it's ideal.

While expensive and sometimes painful, a chemical peel can be used as well for persistence age spots. Impatient people won't appreciate this option, but it works very well over several treatments. The chemicals will cause your skin to peel like a sun burn, which sounds disgusting but will also rework your skin into a baby-bottom smooth finish. Chemical peels have also been used as a successful skin treatment for acne and eye wrinkles. But whenever you go out into the sun, be sure to apply sunscreen generously!

For more information and to find great deals on all skincare products, visit BestSkinCareProducts.info today.

Dealing With Common Types Of Skin Pigmentation Marks

Nowadays, people are very much concerned about the way they look. In fact, many are all too willing to go under the knife or go through various procedures that can put their lives and finances at risk just to attain good looks.

One of the things that many individuals spend a lot of money on is for the reduction of skin pigmentations marks, such as brown spots, freckles, melasma and other blemishes. If you are suffering from some type of skin pigmentation marks, then read on to have an idea on how to minimize, if not totally eradicate, such problems.

Do Not Over Scrub

The most common mistake people do when they see age spots and other blemishes is to scrub them very hard. They think that by scrubbing such marks with all their might, they would be able to magically make the marks disappear. The first thing you need to understand is that your skin is very sensitive. You ought to deal with your dermis gently and with utmost care. If not, scrubbing and rubbing could make your blemishes flare up even more, cause your skin to breakout, and your marks to be wounded or scratched.

The best thing to do if you have brown spots, other skin pigmentation marks and even pimples is to use a mild cleanser and wash your face once or twice a day. You may also want to look for a product that is right for your skin type.

Prevention Is Key

If you do not want to have ephelides -- more commonly known as freckles -- or liver spots and other unattractive skin pigmentation marks, you need to understand that preventing the development of such marks should be your number one priority. It would be best to start protecting your skin early on so that you do not have to deal with these problems in the first place.

What you need to do is to find a good sunscreen that will protect your face, ears, hands and body from both the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. There are many sun blocks available in the market but not all of them are useful against both types of ultraviolet rays so you need to be very careful in choosing protection.

Cover With Makeup

You must admit that it is not very easy to cover skin woes and blemishes. It usually takes weeks or months before a cream or a product will be able to drastically reduce the appearance of brown and age spots. Thus, what you can do in the meantime is to use makeup to cover your problematic areas.

Make sure that you use a foundation that is not too light or too dark. It is also better if you use a concealer to cover up very dark or visible marks. However, you must make sure that you do not overdo your makeup; you do not want to look like a Japanese doll. If you are not sure what foundation or concealer shade is perfect for you, do not be afraid to ask sales representatives of your makeup brand of choice.

Moisturize

Another important tip you need to remember is to moisturize. If you have liver spots on your hands, be sure to find a lotion or hand cream that will help make your skin lighter and softer. For your face, it is best to find a moisturizer that is made from all natural ingredients. One product that you might want to consider for your face and neck is Dermaxin, which also helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

For more information about Dermaxin, just visit http://www.dermaxin.com/.

Tanning Bed Lotion

pply a tanning bed lotion an hour before and immediately after every tanning session. Tanning bed lotions protect your skin and help to accelerate the tanning process.

Tanning bed lotions contain tyrosine, an amino acid that stimulates production of the skin pigment melanin. Tyrosine assists the UVB rays in stimulating melanin production. UVA rays oxidize the melanin, producing color.

Many tanning bed lotions contain Vitamin E. The anti-oxidant effects of Vitamin E, as well as those of tyrosine, work to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, especially on your face.

Copper, another common tanning bed lotion ingredient, works to reduce the visibility of scars and other minor blemishes. (Incidentally, copper also assists tyrosine in the production of important brain chemicals. This could help explain the mild euphoria experienced by regular tanners. Research into the possible anti-depressive applications of the tanning industry continues to this day.)

All tanning bed lotions have a moisturizing element, which magnifies the tanning effects of UVA rays, while counteracting the drying and peeling effects of UVB rays.

As if all this weren’t enough, many tanning bed lotions contain hempseed oil, aloe vera, or any of a number of other nutrients to guard your skin from the relentless ravages of the natural environment.

Different types of tanning bed lotions exist for different purposes. Some are formulated as “tan accelerators” that contain ingredients amplifying the effects of the tyrosine. Others are used mainly as an after-tan to replenish lost moisture.

Be sure to choose one that is suited to your skin tone. If you are light skinned or do not yet have a base tan, choose a Type I or II. For moderate skin tones, choose a Type II, III or IV. For darker skin tones, a Type IV or V should be OK.

Tanning bed lotions come in thousands of scents for your olfactory pleasure. Do you have a thing for cappuccino? Key lime pie? Chocolate? There’s a tanning bed lotion just for you. Your salon should have a full array of products for you to choose from. If you own your own tanning bed, ask your distributor whether they sell tanning bed lotion. Oftentimes they will pass their wholesale discounts on to you, as an incentive to purchase their equipment. For the best deals, however, scour the Internet.
About the Author
Tanning Beds provides detailed information about home, commercial, and wholesale tanning beds for sale, as well as tanning bed lotion and other products and accessories. For more information go to http://www.i-tanningbeds.com and/or visit its sister site at http://www.e-sunlesstanning.com for related information.