How Our Genes Affect the Aging Process

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Becky

genes and aging Researchers are now studying how our genes influence the way we age.

The science of genomics, the study of genes, may be the key to better skin care in the future, according to Dr. Zoe D. Draelos, a dermatologist at Duke University.

“There is ground-breaking research underway to determine the differences between old and young genes,” said Dr. Draelos. “The hope is that by understanding how to make old genes act younger and how to keep young genes from getting old, we can better advise our patients on caring for their skin.”

For instance, researchers have looked at how genes are expressed in older and younger skin and how our diet may affect our genes. Dr. Draelos said that these studies are working to determine how certain ingredients can produce changes in the skin over time.

Scientists are also studying aquaporins, the proteins in the cell membrane that regulate the flow of water, in order to understand how ingredients such as glycerin interact with them. Glycerin, which is a popular ingredient in skin care products because of its ability to moisturize the skin, is being researched for its potential to improve skin care products, according to Dr. Draelos.

“This next generation of genomic-based research is helping us determine not only what ingredients may work best for specific skin types, but how what we eat now and throughout our life can affect our skin as well,” said Dr. Draelos. “Science holds the key to helping us make better recommendations based on this newfound knowledge.”

As scientists work to improve skin care products, patients can also improve their skin with a number of non-surgical facial procedures, including chemical peels, lasers and injectables.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology

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Dr. Sadick Explains Hand Rejuvenation Basics

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Becky

hand rejuvenation Hand rejuvenation is a growing cosmetic surgery trend. Dr. Sadick recently spoke to the New York Times on some of the effective treatments being used today.

How Your Hands Age

As you age, your hands lose fat, volume and elasticity; because the skin is thinner and more translucent, you begin to see the underlying tendons and veins. Years of sun exposure cause brown spots to appear.

Luckily, cosmetic techniques can turn back the clock — even for your hands.

“The hands are a hot new area,” said Dr. Sadick. “Now that we have the face so well treated, we’re looking at the hands, neck and décolleté.”

Hand Rejuvenation Techniques

For lost volume, fillers, such as Radiesse, Juvederm or Perlane, can be injected under the skin on the hand to plump it up.

Intense pulsed light or CO2 laser resurfacing are options for removing sun spots.

Some of the other techniques that are being used for hand rejuvenation include:

* Lasers, such as Fraxel, to remove wrinkling or discoloration.
* Thermage or ReFirme to tighten the skin.
* Sclerotherapy to treat varicose veins.

However, Dr. Sadick did not recommend surgery on the hands. He said that surgical removal of excess skin is not an option for the hands since it causes scarring and doesn’t heal well. In addition, there’s a higher risk of complications.

Dr. Amy Wechsler said the most important thing to do is to apply sunscreen to your hands.

“Treat your hands like you treat your face. People wash their hands so much these days that they’re washing off their sunscreen,” she said. Her tip? Keep a small sample size of sunscreen in your handbag and reapply after washing.

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Do You Know the Symptoms of Actinic Keratosis?

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Becky

actinic keratosis symptoms Listen To Your Skin, a new website by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), educates patients on the precancerous skin condition actinic keratosis (AK).

Actinic keratosis, which is caused by years of sun exposure, has the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma. AK affects about 58 million Americans.

The website aims to raise awareness about the consequences and symptoms of actinic keratosis. The site includes photos of AK and explains how to check your own skin for AK and other signs of sun damage.

“Many people are aware of the connection between melanoma and moles, but many Americans who may be at risk for skin cancer are unaware of actinic keratoses, what they look like, how to detect them and their relationship to skin cancer,” says dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, spokesperson for the AAD. “In fact, nonmelanoma skin cancers make up the vast majority of skin cancers diagnosed each year.”

Symptoms of actinic keratosis include lesions that are small and red, brown, or skin-colored patches that usually appear on the face, neck, hands and scalp — but can be found on other areas of the skin as well. The lesions may also:

  • Have a rough texture
  • Have red, irritated skin around them
  • Itch, burn or sting

Treating Actinic Keratosis

There are several different treatments for AK. Your dermatologist may prescribe a topical cream or “freeze off” visible lesions with liquid nitrogen treatments.

Chemical peels are another treatment option. The old skin with the AK lesions is peeled off and healthy skin replaces it.

Lasers can also be used to remove actinic keratoses.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a special chemical solution that makes skin more sensitive to light. When the treated skin is exposed to light, it activates the solution and destroys the AK lesions.

If you have concerns about actinic keratosis or other skin conditions, contact Sadick Dermatology in New York City.

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Vitamin A Supplements May Decrease Risk of Melanoma

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Becky

Taking vitamin A supplements may reduce the risk of melanoma, according to a new study.

WebMD reported that the study analyzed the risk for melanoma among 69,635 participants. Those who took vitamin A supplements were about 40 percent less likely to develop melanoma, compared to those who did not take the supplements.

However, the researchers warned that it is too soon to recommend taking extra vitamin A to reduce the risk of melanoma. Vitamin A can be toxic in large doses; risks can include liver damage, hair loss and bone pain.

Vitamin A and Skin Cancer

The study, which appeared in Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that only vitamin A supplements lowered the risk for melanoma, not vitamin A taken in through diet or multivitamins. In addition, the effects were more visible in women than men and in skin that was regularly exposed to the sun.

“It was definitely linked with supplements, not diet,” said study researcher Maryam Asgari, MD, MPH.

“People who are concerned about melanoma should avoid sun exposure, practice sun protection, and get annual skin checks,” Asgari said.

Dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD, agreed. “It is not surprising to me that vitamin A may be protective against melanoma,” she said. “However, high doses of vitamin A can have serious side effects, including liver toxicity.

“This may be an option for patients at high risk for melanoma because of prior diagnosis or family history, but not for the general population,” she said.

Vitamin A and Anti-Aging

While the researchers are not currently recommending taking a vitamin A supplement for skin cancer prevention, vitamin A already has a prominent role in anti-aging creams.

Tretinoin, the acid form of vitamin A, is a cream or gel that is used to treat acne as well fine wrinkles, dark spots and rough skin.

Renova and Retin A are tretinoin creams available from Sadick Dermatology.

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More Patients Turning to Social Media for Cosmetic Surgery Information

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Becky

cosmetic surgery information More consumers are using social media sites to help make decisions about cosmetic surgery, according to a new survey.

The survey, from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, found that 42 percent of patients receive most of their information about cosmetic surgery from social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. It is a significant increase from 2010, when only 29 percent used social media as the primary way they learned about cosmetic surgery.

While almost half of patients (48 percent) still get information on cosmetic surgery mainly from their friends, this is down from 63 percent in 2010.

While social networking sites offers prospective patients a way to connect with other cosmetic surgery patients, consumers should be cautious and make sure they are getting their information from a reliable source.

Social Sites for Cosmetic Surgery Information

If you’re not sure where to start, try the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s Facebook page, which often links to stories about cosmetic surgery and AACS’s surgeons in the news, as does the AACS’s Twitter feed.

RealSelf is another popular cosmetic surgery social networking site where users can find patient reviews of various procedures, and patients can connect with each other. In addition, many surgeons are active on the site and often answer users’ questions.

Dr. Sadick is on RealSelf and has answered several questions on topics that include cellulite treatments and hair restoration. You can also follow Sadick Dermatology on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Take advantage of what social media has to offer about cosmetic surgery, but be sure to schedule a consultation with a surgeon before you make any decisions, as a discussion with a qualified physician is crucial before undergoing cosmetic surgery.

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