Toledo, OH
419-464-9422New Concepts in Skin Cancer Prevention
Many people are surprised to learn that there are more new cancers of skin cancer each year than all the combined cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and other internal cancers. The statistics are alarming and sobering. One person in the U.S. dies every 54 minutes from skin cancer, primarily melanoma, and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.
Why is Skin Cancer Prevention Important?
With skin cancer increasing at alarming rates each year, how can we prevent this from adversely affecting our lives and the well-being of our families? Prevention is the most effective form of treatment, so here is a summary of research-proven concepts and new findings in skin cancer prevention. These methods can be used by any patient to reduce their risk as well as improve the health and youthfulness of the skin.
Choosing the Correct Sunscreen
One of the most important things to focus on is choosing a sunscreen that is of medical-grade quality. Why? Because in a recent study, over 75 percent of over-the-counter sunscreens tested did not have the level of protection that was advertised. Medical-grade sunscreens are generally certified by an independent agency to be sure that the level of protection is accurate and consistent with the way it is labeled. More importantly, medical-grade sunscreen does not break down in sunlight which has been a significant problem with some sunscreens.
Antioxidants & Sunscreen
Recent studies have proven that the use of an effective antioxidant underneath a sunscreen can theoretically reduce the ultraviolet induced damages that may cause pre-cancerous and eventually cancerous cells. Antioxidants are naturally derived compounds that reduce free radicals, which are molecules that damage the cell wall, cell nucleus and lead to changes that may result in cancer. Since antioxidants are fragile and technically difficult to formulate it’s important to speak with a professional skin care expert to ensure you’re using an antioxidant that has been certified and tested.
Exfoliation is Important
Regular exfoliation of the skin removes the outermost layers, which contain the most pre-cancerous and aged cells. As we get older, the natural exfoliation that we enjoy in youth significantly diminishes meaning we tend to retain older and sun-damaged skin cells, which may lead to invasive skin cancers. It has been proven that regular exfoliation can decrease your risk of skin cancer. Exfoliation is as simple as getting an oscillating skin cleansing brush, such as the Clarisonic, along with natural fruit acids, facial cleanser containing alpha and beta-hydroxy acid and enzymes that are in many of the high-grade medical skin care companies’ products.
Deep Exfoliation is Key
Deeper exfoliation with a medical chemical peel or laser resurfacing may help prevent skin cancer. How is that possible? Studies at Indiana University show that in older patients who have higher cancer risk a laser or deep chemical peel increases the natural production of a protective protein called IGF-1, which can kill pre-cancerous cells naturally. IGF-1 levels are higher in younger adults, decreasing over time. So stimulation of the skin can restore normal IGF-1 levels, and give you a level of natural protection from Mother Nature. This has a huge benefit in preventing skin cancer, while simultaneously restoring youthful skin.
Finding a Skin Care Professional
Finding a skin care professional who can recommend a personalized medical skin care program for you is ideal for skin cancer prevention. Specifically, the regimen should involve Vitamin A derivatives such as retinoic acid or retinol. It has been shown that natural exfoliation can improve with the use of retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A but these are very powerful compounds and should be supervised by a medical professional. Regular exfoliation and stimulation of our skin not only reduces potential skin cancer risk, but restores youthful and attractive qualities to your complexion.
Advanced Concepts in Skin Protection
Traditional concepts of sun care and protection are changing. While it’s always important to wear sunscreen daily, it will not change pre-existing ultraviolet radiation damage which may lead to skin cancers. The above fundamental concepts are important to keep in mind if you would like to significantly lower your risk of skin cancer and maintain the youthful quality of your skin.
Finally, it’s important to see a licensed aesthetician or an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to have a proper skin evaluation. This helps them create an individualized skin care program that fully enhances your skin health and protects it from harmful sun rays.
Visit evolv Plastic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics today to receive your skin analysis by one of our licensed aestheticians.
Can We Win the War on Skin Cancer and Restore Healthy, Youthful Skin?
May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, so let’s look at the latest statistics on skin cancer in the USA.
- One person dies every 54 minutes from skin cancer (usually melanoma)
- An estimated 10,000 people in the US will die this year from skin cancer
- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime
- There are over 60 million Americans living with pre-cancerous skin disease
- It is estimated that more than 90% of skin cancer is preventable
These numbers are sobering and alarming, as is the increase incidence and rate of skin cancer, while many other cancers are decreasing in number.
It doesn’t have to be this way, particularly when the vast majority of skin cancer is preventable.
The good news, research, and technology in bioengineering have given us new opportunities and options in topical products, as well as services that can dramatically lower cancer risk and restore healthy, more youthful skin. But in most cases, it is not enough to use only sunscreen to lower skin cancer risk because of pre-existing ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure needs to be addressed in order to make a difference.
At evolv Plastic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics, we are passionate about using proven technology and products to prevent skin cancer, reduce pre-existing sun damage and pre-cancerous disease, and restore skin to optimal health and vitality.
“Evolv’s Top 10” suggestions for patients and anyone at risk:
- Be sure to select a proven or certified medical grade sunscreen; a recent study revealed that up to 75% of over-the-counter sunscreens (1,400 were tested) did not have the level of protection that was advertised. Some sunscreen actually broke down and became ineffective in sunlight.
- Sunscreen should be applied in all seasons, not just the summer months, due to UVA rays that are not affected by the time of year or seasons.
- The use of an effective topical antioxidant under your sunscreen may not only lower cancer risk but also reduce UV light-induced damage that can prematurely age the skin. Our favorite antioxidant is the Daily Power Defense by ZO® Skin Health.
- Exfoliating regularly, especially for patients over the age of 40, will not only improve skin quality and health but also reduces skin cancer risk by removing outer layer pre-cancerous cells, while simultaneously encouraging the production of new, undamaged cells to replace them. At evolv, we prefer the oscillating Clarisonic Brush with a ZO Skin Health facial cleanser.
- Please inform your family members, especially younger adults, that ALL tanning beds contain cancer-causing UV radiation. More than 420,000 causes of skin cancer in the US each year are linked to indoor tanning.
- For the many people with pre-existing pre-cancerous skin lesions, there are new and more effective treatment options that can significantly reduce cancer risk. Be sure to consult with a board-certified Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist with experience in advanced medical skin care.
- Deeper skin resurfacing with chemical peels or medical lasers cannot only rejuvenate younger, healthier skin, but reduces cancer risk as well. Research from the Indiana University Department of Dermatology reveals that deeper resurfacing also stimulates the production of natural cancer preventing proteins in the skin.
- Consult with an experienced skin care professional to learn more about the exciting new options for skin rejuvenation that offer the possibility of reduced aging and lowering your skin cancer risk.
- Educate yourself and your family about inherited risk for skin cancer based on family history and the level of skin pigmentation. Education is your best defense to protect yourself and your family.
- Finally, be sure to have your skin completely examined at least once a year, and even twice a year for high-risk individuals, by your physician or an experienced skin care professional. Prevention and early detection are your best protection in fighting skin cancer.
Options of Skin Protection & Restoration
For May, Skin Cancer Awareness Month, evolv is offering many options to protect and restore your skin. With the purchase of ZO’s Daily Power Defense, our most effective multiple antioxidant, a deluxe Mini-Radical Night Repair (our most stimulating retinol product) will be provided at no charge. Other options in products and services will be available to provide protection, lower cancer risk and premature aging, and ultimately, restoring healthy, youthful skin.
As we prepare for summer, we hope everyone will make an effort to learn more about these new and exciting options in skin cancer prevention and optimal skin health. And by doing so, we can win the war against skin cancer while improving the quality of life for all of our patients and families.
Dr. Frank Barone, MD, FACS
Can your sunscreen do THIS?
According to one leading consumer protection agency, 75% of sunscreens offer inadequate protection, make claims that are false and misleading, or cause accelerated aging. Some of the biggest brands are developing and selling sunscreens that, according to the Environmental Working Group, not only fail, but fail miserably. So how can you know you are safe from a sunburn? 
Here is how ZO Skin Health’s Sunscreens are different and can help protect your skin from sunburns: ZO sunscreens not only protect our precious skin cells, but in each of ZO’s 4 sunscreens they provide DNA repair and prevention of future oxidative stressors (which causes premature aging and damage to our DNA). We at Frank Barone MD and evolv Medical Aesthetics are proud of ZO’s meticulously developed sunscreens, and I want to fill you in on the top 5 reasons why!
- Exclusive to ZO, they are formulated with fractionated melanin which ZO Skin Health Sunscreen helps provides protection against HEV light. This natural fractionated melanin is absorbed into the skin and shields against HEV light.
- They are rich in powerful antioxidants that provide daily multi-defense protection which work to fight free radical damage caused by environmental aggressors as well as UVA and UVB.
- Exclusive 12-hour time release antioxidant complex which helps neutralize free radical damage, which leads to inflammation that can lead to pigmentation. So instead of antioxidants getting dumped into the skin all at once, they continuously provide nutrients all day while neutralizing free radicals and encouraging the repair of damaged DNA!
- Enriched with hydrating skin conditioners and lipid restorers, ZO’s sunscreens enhance the skins barrier function to combat and prevent dry, dehydrated skin due to prolonged environmental exposure while encouraging skin to look youthful, soft, and smooth.
- They provide anti-irritant and soothing benefits to help prevent skin redness and inflammation caused by sun exposure that can lead to new skin damage.
Let us help you choose which ZO sunscreen is just right for you!
Oclipse Sunscreen+Primer SPF 30, Oclipse-C SPF 50, Oclipse Sun Spray SPF 50 (for face and body) and Oclipse Smart Tone SPF 50.
In addition to your daily sunscreen it is recommended
that you also use ZO Daily Power Defense that can improve the cancer protection of sunscreens as well as reduce aging changes in the skin. This product contains enzymes that initiate and speed up the repair of DNA and contains antioxidants, hydrators, retinol for skin cell renewal and collagen production acting as a super booster to your sunscreen. Talk about preventative aging!
By Lindsay Cole, Licensed Aesthetician
Evolv’s Top 5 Tips for Healthy Summer Skin
- Choose a high-quality sunscreen to protect against new damage to the skin.
Radiation from the sun passes through the skin, creating DNA damage and free radical exposure which can cause skin cancers and a breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin; resulting in wrinkles premature aging changes. Do your research on sunscreens! Recent independent studies have shown that many of them are not as effective as stated on the package. Look for a medical grade product, or look for a sunscreen that has The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. These products have met specific criteria to receive the certification. All of the ZO and EltaMD sunscreens at evolv – including Jane Iredale makeup with SPF – are backed by the Skin Cancer foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. Learn more here: http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/seal-of-recommendation. - Use your sunscreen properly. All sunscreens should be reapplied every 2-3 hours,
especially during the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are at their peak. It is a good idea to reapply after swimming, even if your product says that it is “Water Resistant.” For best protection, apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to ears, exposed scalp or hair part, and don’t forget about lips!
Get a good lip balm with SPF, we like EltaMD’s UV Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 31 and Jane Iredale Lip Drink SPF 15. - Enjoy the summer weather but learn how to manage your exposure. As mentioned above, a good quality sunscreen with reapplication every 2-3 hours is important but also limiting your time in direct sunlight and wearing sun protective clothing and hats are excellent ways to keep your skin healthy and safe from the sun.
- If you have a professionally recommended skin care regimen, don’t stop during the summer. Have you ever heard the saying “one step forward and two steps back”? Stopping your skin care regimen in the summer can reverse some of the damage that you have spent time and money correcting. Remember that sun damage is cumulative and adds
up over time, so if you have a history of high sun exposure, SPF may not be enough to protect you against skin cancer. Using quality skin care products including antioxidants and retinols (vitamin A derivatives) in addition to sunscreen can keep your skin in top shape throughout the summer months, and all year-round. Applying an antioxidant product before your sunscreen is particularly effective in reducing fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Regular use of retinol in the evening, along with exfoliation of the top layers of skin with products or professional skin treatments will keep new, fresh and healthy skin visible and will also reduce damaged cells that can over time lead to skin cancer. Your skin care professional can educate you on how to use your products to optimize safety, results and skin health. - If you want color, choose sunless tanning products or services – don’t tan! When you get a tan from the sun or indoor tanning, the color change you see is the skin trying to protect itself from damage. Indoor tanning is even worse, concentrating UV light to deliberately produce that “golden tan,” which is really just visible damage to the skin. Sunless tanning products have come a long way, and can produce very natural results. Seek out a reputable spray tan professional for excellent results, and if you can’t go for spray tans as much as you’d like, ask them to recommend a home product you can use to keep up your tan without the damaging and premature aging that results from excessive sun exposure.
Dr. Barone takes the ZO Advanced Radical Night Repair home peel challenge!
Sunscreen (when formulated properly with quality ingredients) can protect you from DNA damage that can cause skin cancer, but it does not eradicate or repair damage from past sun exposure and burns. Dr. Barone will be demonstrating a “home peel” using ZO Skin Health by Zein Obagi, MD‘s Advanced Radical Night Repair and explains how this treatment can help by both exfoliating the outer layer of skin – removing damaged cells, and by stimulating the deeper layers of the skin to make new healthy cells.
The At-Home Stimulation Peel can be done over a period of 3, 5 or 8 days. We suggest you work with your evolv aesthetician if you are interested in this peel, as it may produce an aggressive response in the form of redness, peeling, itching and irritation. Dr. Barone did the 5-day version of the At-Home Peel Stimulation Peel.
New Options in Skin Cancer Prevention and Skin Health
This year in the US there will be nearly 6 million new cases of skin cancer. That is more than the combined incidence of all cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. One person dies of melanoma (the most deadly of all skin cancers) every 52 minutes in our country.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and all of us at evolv would like to educate and remind everyone of the alarming increase and dangers to our families and friends from this preventable disease that will impact one in five Americans over their lifetime.
As with any cancer, the best way to reduce risk is through awareness, prevention and early detection. The vast majority of skin cancers are related to sun exposure which is a form of radiation – that includes tanning beds! Why is the incidence of skin cancer increasing with the wide availability of sunscreen products? The answer involves not only inconsistent use and complacency, but also the wide inconsistencies between various sunscreens as well as their composition and stability. The function and quality of an effective sunscreen involves much more than the ‘SPF’ number on the bottle. Many people are surprised to learn that an independent analysis of more than 1400 over-the-counter sunscreens revealed that less than 25% of the sunscreens actually proved to have the level of protection advertised on the bottle!
For many adults with previous excessive exposure, sun avoidance and use of a sunscreen is not enough to reduce skin cancer risk. That is because effective sunscreen used may protect against future damage and cancer, but it does not reduce the risk acquired by previous sun exposure. The good news is that new science in skin health has provided us with products and techniques to remove pre-cancerous and damaged cells from the skin surface and to provide any patient at any age with healthier, more youthful skin and less cancer risk.
So for this season of spring and the skin cancer awareness month of May, we encourage everyone to learn about these exciting new options. Long-term individualized programs are available that can protect you and your families from this preventable cancer and offer you a lifetime of more youthful and healthy skin – something that is exciting at any age!
For more information on skin cancer and prevention, please visit the Skin Cancer Foundation website or make an appointment at evolv with Dr. Barone or one of our professional staff. For a list of interesting and surprising skin cancer facts, click here!
New Concepts in Skin Cancer Prevention
Many people are surprised to learn that there are more new cancers of skin cancer each year than all the combined cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and other internal cancers. The statistics are alarming and sobering. One person in the U.S. dies every 54 minutes from skin cancer, primarily melanoma, and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.
Why is Skin Cancer Prevention Important?
With skin cancer increasing at alarming rates each year, how can we prevent this from adversely affecting our lives and the well-being of our families? Prevention is the most effective form oftreatment, so here is a summary of research-proven concepts and new findings in skin cancerprevention. These methods can be used by any patient to reduce their risk as well as improve the health and youthfulness of the skin.
Choosing the Correct Sunscreen
One of the most important things to focus on is choosing a sunscreen that is of medical-grade quality. Why? Because in a recent study, over 75 percent of over-the-counter sunscreens tested did not have the level of protection that was advertised. Medical-grade sunscreens are generally certified by an independent agency to be sure that the level of protection is accurate and consistent with the way it is labeled. More importantly, medical-grade sunscreen does not break down in sunlight which has been a significant problem with some sunscreens.
Antioxidants & Sunscreen
Recent studies have proven that the use of an effective antioxidant underneath a sunscreen can theoretically reduce the ultraviolet induced damages that may cause pre-cancerous and eventually cancerous cells. Antioxidants are naturally derived compounds that reduce free radicals, which are molecules that damage the cell wall, cell nucleus and lead to changes that may result in cancer. Since antioxidants are fragile and technically difficult to formulate it’s important to speak with a professional skin care expert to ensure you’re using an antioxidant that has been certified and tested.
Exfoliation is Important
Regular exfoliation of the skin removes the outermost layers, which contain the most pre-cancerous and aged cells. As we get older, the natural exfoliation that we enjoy in youth significantly diminishes meaning we tend to retain older and sun-damaged skin cells, which may lead to invasive skin cancers. It has been proven that regular exfoliation can decrease your risk of skin cancer. Exfoliation is as simple as getting an oscillating skin cleansing brush, such as the Clarisonic, along with natural fruit acids, facial cleanser containing alpha and beta-hydroxy acid and enzymes that are in many of the high-grade medical skin care companies’ products.
Deep Exfoliation is Key
Deeper exfoliation with a medical chemical peel or laser resurfacing may help prevent skin cancer. How is that possible? Studies at Indiana University show that in older patients who have higher cancer risk a laser or deep chemical peel increases the natural production of a protective protein called IGF-1, which can kill pre-cancerous cells naturally. IGF-1 levels are higher in younger adults, decreasing over time. So stimulation of the skin can restore normal IGF-1 levels, and give you a level of natural protection from Mother Nature. This has a huge benefit in preventing skin cancer, while simultaneously restoring youthful skin.
Finding a Skin Care Professional
Finding a skin care professional who can recommend a personalized medical skin care program for you is ideal for skin cancer prevention. Specifically, the regimen should involve Vitamin A derivatives such as retinoic acid or retinol. It has been shown that natural exfoliation can improve with the use of retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A but these are very powerful compounds and should be supervised by a medical professional. Regular exfoliation and stimulation of our skin not only reduces potential skin cancer risk, but restores youthful and attractive qualities to your complexion.
Advanced Concepts in Skin Protection
Traditional concepts of sun care and protection are changing. While it’s always important to wear sunscreen daily, it will not change pre-existing ultraviolet radiation damage which may lead to skin cancers. The above fundamental concepts are important to keep in mind if you would like to significantly lower your risk of skin cancer and maintain the youthful quality of your skin.
Finally, it’s important to see a licensed aesthetician or an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to have a proper skin evaluation. This helps them create an individualized skin care program that fully enhances your skin health and protects it from harmful sun rays.
Visit evolv Plastic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics today to receive your skin analysis by one of our licensed aestheticians.
Can We Win the War on Skin Cancer and Restore Healthy, Youthful Skin?
May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, so let’s look at the latest statistics on skin cancer in the USA.
- One person dies every 54 minutes from skin cancer (usually melanoma)
- An estimated 10,000 people in the US will die this year from skin cancer
- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime
- There are over 60 million Americans living with pre-cancerous skin disease
- It is estimated that more than 90% of skin cancer is preventable
These numbers are sobering and alarming, as is the increase incidence and rate of skin cancer, while many other cancers are decreasing in number.
It doesn’t have to be this way, particularly when the vast majority of skin cancer is preventable.
The good news, research, and technology in bioengineering have given us new opportunities and options in topical products, as well as services that can dramatically lower cancer risk and restore healthy, more youthful skin. But in most cases, it is not enough to use only sunscreen to lower skin cancer risk because of pre-existing ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure needs to be addressed in order to make a difference.
At evolv Plastic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics, we are passionate about using proven technology and products to prevent skin cancer, reduce pre-existing sun damage and pre-cancerous disease, and restore skin to optimal health and vitality.
“Evolv’s Top 10” suggestions for patients and anyone at risk:
- Be sure to select a proven or certified medical grade sunscreen; a recent study revealed that up to 75% of over-the-counter sunscreens (1,400 were tested) did not have the level of protection that was advertised. Some sunscreen actually broke down and became ineffective in sunlight.
- Sunscreen should be applied in all seasons, not just the summer months, due to UVA rays that are not affected by the time of year or seasons.
- The use of an effective topical antioxidant under your sunscreen may not only lower cancer risk but also reduce UV light-induced damage that can prematurely age the skin.
- Exfoliating regularly, especially for patients over the age of 40, will not only improve skin quality and health but also reduces skin cancer risk by removing outer layer pre-cancerous cells, while simultaneously encouraging the production of new, undamaged cells to replace them. At evolv, we prefer the oscillating Clarisonic Brush with a ZO Skin Health facial cleanser.
- Please inform your family members, especially younger adults, that ALL tanning beds contain cancer-causing UV radiation. More than 420,000 causes of skin cancer in the US each year are linked to indoor tanning.
- For the many people with pre-existing pre-cancerous skin lesions, there are new and more effective treatment options that can significantly reduce cancer risk. Be sure to consult with a board-certified Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist with experience in advanced medical skin care.
- Deeper skin resurfacing with chemical peels or medical lasers cannot only rejuvenate younger, healthier skin, but reduces cancer risk as well. Research from the Indiana University Department of Dermatology reveals that deeper resurfacing also stimulates the production of natural cancer preventing proteins in the skin.
- Consult with an experienced skin care professional to learn more about the exciting new options for skin rejuvenation that offer the possibility of reduced aging and lowering your skin cancer risk.
- Educate yourself and your family about inherited risk for skin cancer based on family history and the level of skin pigmentation. Education is your best defense to protect yourself and your family.
- Finally, be sure to have your skin completely examined at least once a year, and even twice a year for high-risk individuals, by your physician or an experienced skin care professional. Prevention and early detection are your best protection in fighting skin cancer.
Options of Skin Protection & Restoration
For May, Skin Cancer Awareness Month, evolv is offering many options to protect and restore your skin. Other options in products and services will be available to provide protection, lower cancer risk and premature aging, and ultimately, restoring healthy, youthful skin.
As we prepare for summer, we hope everyone will make an effort to learn more about these new and exciting options in skin cancer prevention and optimal skin health. And by doing so, we can win the war against skin cancer while improving the quality of life for all of our patients and families.
Dr. Frank Barone, MD, FACS
Watch Patient Videos
