Fast forward 13 years. After a wide variety of life experiences; both good and bad– suddenly the “Sunscreen Song” has a million times more meaning. Suddenly the words actually make sense, on a very personal level.

During these last weeks of May; (which coincidentally is Melanoma Awareness Month) with college graduations taking place daily, summer’s brutal sun creeping ever closer, and Baz Luhrmann’s “Great Gatsby” spectacular, the “Sunscreen Song” seems especially relevant again.

Enjoy this classic:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….

You’re not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds. I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own…

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen…

Her eyes, purported to be violet in color, were certainly one of her most remarkable and enviable features, and as it turns out– naturally enhanced by a rare genetic mutation. Distichiasis, a condition where a person has a double rows of eyelashes, allowed Liz’s beautiful eyes to permanently framed by a thick fringe.

As reported by Slate.com:

Double rows of eyelashes are usually the result of a mutation at FOXC2, a gene that influences all kinds of tissue development in embryos. FOXC2 mutations are thought to be responsible for, among other things, lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome, a hereditary disease that can cause disorders of the lymphatic system in addition to double eyelashes.The eyelash mutation isn’t always as cosmetically enhancing as Taylor’s turned out to be–the extra eyelashes can sometimes grow inward and damage the cornea. And it turns out that 7 percent of people with lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome also suffer from congenital heart disease.

Although Liz fortunately avoided any of the complications associated with distichiasis, her diagnosis certainly factored into her childhood. From an old Washington Post review of J. Randy Taraborrelli’s Taylor biography Elizabeth:

The scene is straight out of the “X-Men” franchise. A beetle-browed physician calls a pair of young parents into his office and, in the gravest of cadences, informs them that their newly born daughter has — a mutation.”Well, that sounded just awful,” the girl’s mother later recalls, “a mutation. But, when he explained that her eyes had double rows of eyelashes, I thought, well, now, that doesn’t sound so terrible at all.”

And another excerpt via the Daily Mail:

Star of the film ["Lassie Come Home"] Roddy McDowall, then 13, recalled: ‘On her first day of filming, they took one look at her and said: “Get that girl off the set – she has too much eye make-up on, too much mascara.’So they rushed her off the set and started rubbing at her eyes with a moist cloth to take the mascara off.

‘Guess what? They learned that she had no mascara on. She has a double set of eyelashes.

Now, who has double eyelashes except a girl who was absolutely born to be on the big screen?”

In the scheme of mutations, a double row of eyelashes sounds like a wonderful one to have. Although only a miniscule percentage of people are born with this condition, modern science has allowed us options so that we can all look like fortunate freaks.

Latisse (the only FDA-approved eyelash growth enhancing serum) will not grow you an additional row of eyelashes, however it will force the lashes you do have to grow longer, thicker, darker, and faster. Applied once daily for 4-months, maximum results are often envy-inducing.

Elizabeth Taylor will always be remembered for her beauty, and despite the fact that she is no longer with us her desirable traits continue to set the bar for today’s beauty standards, and current trends show that her quintessentially feminine attributes will be sought after for years to come.

Right?

Absolutely wrong, actually. These may be the things we tell ourselves about the skin condition — but they’re just not true. This morning on TODAY, New York dermatologist Dr. Jeannie Downie busts eight commonly-believed myths about all things acne.

1. Acne is something that only happens to teenagers. Teens definitely do suffer from acne, but some people develop acne for the first time in their 20s or 30s. In fact, in Manhattan’s business districts, most patients treated for acne vulgaris are women between the ages of 20 and 45.

2. Acne occurs because your face is dirty. Many people feel like acne means their face is somehow unclean — but that’s just not true. The truth is, acne is a complex skin disorder that can’t be boiled down to simply “dirt.” It’s likely that the connection between the skin condition and dirt was made because blackheads are, well, black — but blackheads aren’t caused by dirt, either.

3. To relieve acne, scrub your face really hard. Remember, acne isn’t caused by dirt — so you can’t just wash it away. A cleanser with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicyclic acid and sulfur compounds will help clear the skin, but it won’t clear it any faster if you scrub harder. Scrubbing acne too hard can actually inflame blackheads, so be sure to be nice to your skin.

4. Popping your pimples makes everything better. Will you people please stop picking at your faces? Popping pimples spills inflammatory gunk into surrounding tissues, which can cause scarring.

5. Acne will go away on its own, so it doesn’t need to be treated. Sorry, this condition can’t be ignored. Doing nothing can even cause the condition to get worse. Mild, topical treatments — such as over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide — are best, and they’re especially effective if started early.

6. Tanning will help clear acne. Tanning does help hide acne, but the UV rays ultimately dry the skin, and can make the skin condition worse. And do we really need to remind you that tanning causes premature aging, not to mention skin cancer?

7. Acne is unrelated to what we eat. It’s not clear whether acne is caused by diet or genetics, but recent research links the skin condition to dairy. Ask your doctor if he or she recommends limiting dairy to help clear your skin.

8. Sweating helps get rid of acne. Some believe you can sweat out your acne, by going to a steam room or using hot towels. But in fact, some studies suggest that high temperatures and humidity can worsen the condition, so you might do best to keep it cool.

Content from MSN Today Show.

Vivid Entertainment may not be interested in Tanning Mom Patricia Krentcil’s porno pitch, but that won’t stop her from getting seductive on the beach for a photo shoot.

(Or at least trying to…)

The New Jersey native, who got into some hot water after allegedly allowing her 5-year-old daughter to use a tanning bed, is currently putting together a line of self-tanning lotion with skin guru Dana Ramos called “Real Tan Mom Healthy Glow”.

In correlation with her new venture, Krentcil has shot a series of photos in a tiny string bikini, and decided to take her top off at one point. Between getting down on all fours, posing in the ocean and attempting to cover her not-so-itty-bitty tatas, Tanning Mom gave us a whole lotta imagery we wish we could unsee.

Although the images taken at her bikini photoshoot were intended to be “sexy” and provocative (they definitely were not intended to be a national joke), they instead come across as a sad plea for attention from a woman desperately trying to extend her pathetic 15-minutes of shame. At the age of 44, all of Krentcil’s skin damage has only just begun to catch up with her, and even now she looks like a woman decades older than her true chronological age.

It is hard to decide whether or not to be envious of Krentcil’s self-assurance, or embarrassed for her lack of self-awareness. Regardless, you have to check out the rest of her pictures.

You’ve outgrown the squeaky voice and learned how to control your, uh, excitement, so…why does your face insist on maintaining a case of teenage acne? Those raging adolescent hormones might be long gone, but there are some surprising reasons your skin is still clinging to its junior high levels of imperfection. “About 4 million adult men in the U.S. have acne, so it’s a common problem I deal with daily,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City dermatologist and author of Skin Rules. We grilled the best experts to uncover five sneaky reasons you might be breaking out, so you can avoid them—and get clearer skin—for good.

1. Hats and Helmets

Did you know that only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful? Dove soap, committed to creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety, conducted a compelling social experiment that explores how women view their own beauty in contrast to what others see.

The results speak for themselves, and cause you to rethink your impression of yourself.

Your skin is made of about 21 square feet of sweating, breathing, and feeling cells that collectively protect you from infections, and water loss. Your skin regulates body temperature, excretes or absorbs elements when necessary, synthesizes Vitamin D, and is sensual. And these are only a few of its functions!

Let’s do a little skin lesson together. Your skin is made of three basic layers skin cells. Beginning with the surface these layers are:

• The epidermis, which provides waterproofing and serves as a barrier to infection
• The dermis, which serves as a location for the appendages of the skin
• The hypodermis, or subcutaneous adipose layer, which, although it isn’t really part of the skin, it attaches the skin to underlying bone, muscles, and supplies it with blood and nerves.

Your skin (and hair) color is made where the epidermis and the dermis meet by cells called melanocytes. These melanocytes produce melanin, or the color brown.

Much about your skin is determined by your genetic makeup. Skin color, texture, health, and thickness are all the result of your genetic donors. But, through skin trauma and abuse it is possible, and even common, to effectively change these characteristics. Take a tan for instance. Sun exposure causes skin inflammation. This inflammation excites your melanocytes which in turn causes them to make more melanin. The darker your skin is to begin with, the more melanocytes you were born with. The more melanocytes you have, the more melanin they will make when excited, and the darker you will become. (Also known as hyper-pigmentation.)

On the other hand, the fewer melanocytes you are born with, the lighter your skin color will be. Even with melanocyte stimulation you will not make much additional melanin because you simply don’t have enough melanocytes. Take all the melanocytes away through trauma or abuse and the skin will become colorless. (Commonly referred to as hypo-pigmentation.)

The effect of laser treatments on the skin is a bit similar to the effect of sun exposure. It too will excite your melanocytes. The darker your skin is to begin with, the darker you may possibly become. The more fair you are, the less likely you are to darken at all. (Those with fair skin typically turn pink from inflammatory insults due to the increase in blood flow to the affected areas.)

There are many products available both over the counter and prescription that “bleach” the skin. Bleaches, at best, are problematic. First of all, you have to wait to have your skin darken before you can treat it. Second, under even the most ideal conditions the application of your product will be uneven resulting in a blotchy end appearance. And third, bleaches can be extremely harsh on the skin leaving even the committed users to give up in discomfort frustration.

Rather than being reactive to this problem, I recommend serious pretreatment utilizing a prescription strength Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a medicine that suppresses your melanocytes so they’re unable to make more melanin, even if they are inflamed. It is applied topically to the face every morning and night to provide continuous melanocyte suppression. The need for pretreatment is determined by your natural skin color, the degree of aggressiveness of your intended treatment, and your provider’s expertise.

Depending on the above factors, my patients may be required to pretreat anywhere from two to eight weeks. It is important to note that hydroquinone has its own inherent potential risks so it should be used very judiciously. For this reason I do not pretreat fair Caucasian skin. However, all other skin colors really should be evaluated for hidden melanocyte content.

Remember I told you that your skin color is determined by your genes? Well, not all genes make themselves readily apparent. So make sure you tell your provider if you have genetics that include anything other than Caucasian genes. This is not about figuring out what ethnicity you really are…it’s about keeping your skin the color it is meant to be!

Botulinum toxin type A has gained accolades as a wrinkle fighter, but the use of this neuromodulator in dermatology represents a very small percentage of its use in the field of medicine. Now, researchers are gaining a better understanding of how botulinum toxin type A interacts with blood vessels and nerves, and are encouraged by its enormous potential for future breakthroughs in medicine, particularly in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.

Seeking an alternative to steroids

Dr. Gilbert explained that a quandary in dermatology is the widespread use of steroids in treating inflammatory skin diseases. Although topical and oral steroids boast a proven track record for curbing the bothersome inflammation of skin conditions, dermatologists are constantly looking for alternatives to balance the therapies’ side effects: Notably thinning and lightening of the skin and the development of new blood vessels.

Very little is known about the interaction between blood vessels and nerves in the skin, but dermatologists are optimistic that new research exploring how botulinum toxin type A can influence this interaction could lead to a new therapy for chronic inflammatory skin conditions.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects an estimated 7.5 million Americans and is the most prevalent autoimmune disease. One animal-model study conducted by Dr. Gilbert in collaboration with Nicole L. Ward, PhD, at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, found promising results using botulinum toxin type A to target psoriasis.¹ In this mouse-model psoriasis study, Drs. Gilbert and Ward showed that botulinum toxin injections improved the clinical appearance of psoriasis and decreased the presence of specific cells in the affected skin of the mouse, while also reducing the number of blood vessels and their adjacent nerves.

The decreased number of blood vessels within the affected skin of the treated mice illustrates the role of nerves and blood vessels in perpetuating the appearance of an inflammatory skin disease, such as psoriasis. It brings to light the role of blood vessel and nerve communication in psoriasis and the potential role of botulinum toxin in blocking this communication.

Eczema

Eczema is another chronic inflammatory skin condition marked by dry, itchy skin. Atopic dermatitis — the most common form of eczema — affects millions of people, including an estimated six to 10 percent of children.

Dr. Gilbert explained that the urge to itch is prevalent in inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, contact dermatitis, rosacea, and lichen simplex chronicus, and researchers are just beginning to understand disease development and progression of these conditions. Early research suggests that there could be a role for botulinum toxin in combating itch by better understanding the interaction of the vascular system in inflammatory skin conditions.

American Academy of Dermatology expert advice:

“While there are available therapies to treat eczema and psoriasis, in some cases there may be small areas where these therapies are not effective,” said Dr. Gilbert. “In these instances, botulinum toxin injections could hypothetically provide another treatment option and potentially allow patients to stop using topical steroids for a while.”

Other dermatologic uses

Botulinum toxin type A may be an option for treating other dermatologic conditions:

Burns

Injections of botulinum toxin could promote wound healing following a burn injury.

Rheumatic conditions

In rheumatology, botulinum toxin could help treat painful blood vessel conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease and scleroderma.

In instances where scleroderma affected the fingertips, injections of botulinum toxin has shown to almost immediately reduce pain.

On the horizon

The newest frontier that dermatologists are researching is the topical application of botulinum toxin. Dr. Gilbert noted that several companies are developing molecules of botulinum toxin in a topical gel preparation that can target inflammation of the nerves. For example, animal studies are testing the effectiveness of the topical application of botulinum toxin for nasal allergies.

American Academy of Dermatology expert advice:

“Based on current animal data and clinical case reports, dermatologists are hopeful that botulinum toxin could help countless patients who suffer from inflammatory skin conditions and other painful medical conditions,” said Dr. Gilbert. “Clinical studies are underway, and it is possible that FDA approval of the neurotoxin for these expanded indications could occur in the not-so-distant future.”

American Academy of Dermatology expert

Information provided by Erin Gilbert, MD, PhD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, N.Y.

References

¹Ward NL et al Botulinum neurotoxin A decreases infiltrating cutaneous lymphocytes and improves acanthosis in the KC-Tie2 mouse model. J Invest Dermatol. 2012 Jul;132(7):1927-30.

How many times have you said, or thought THAT when referring to your “need” to catch some rays? Lounging by the beach may be relaxing and calming, but sitting out unprotected puts your skin at risk for cancer and ugly aging qualities(wrinkles, spots, etc).

The truth? Yes, the vitamin D we receive from the sun IS good for us, but sometimes the negative side effects of obtaining this nutrient can outweigh the benefit. Strong bones, weight loss, lowered cancer and heart-disease risks are all benefits we want from our foods. With a recommended daily dosage of at LEAST 600 International Units (IU) daily (with many health professionals recommending 1000-2000IU), it’s interesting to take a look at some other alternatives to adding some good “D” to your body that don’t involve the sun.

1. Fortified Milk. Fortified milk, 1%, skim and soy milk all give over 100IU of Vitamin D per serving. Consider fortified yogurts, juices and cereals (that go along nicely with all that milk). Breakfast being an important meal of the day, look for labels marking the food as fortified for an extra Vitamin D boost.

2.Fatty fish. Think salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines. The canned variety works well as an easy way to incorporate Vitamin D into your diet. Canned fish not our fave? Sushi is even better, as raw fish usually has more vitamin D. (Don’t forget shellfish, every bit counts!)

3. Shiitake mushrooms. While these little fungi are known to be a wealth of nutrients, the dried variety contains four times the amount of Vitamin D as the fresh version. Add a small handful to your next stir fry to add vitamin D as well as decrease cholesterol (but cut down on the oil and soy sauce– don’t defeat the whole purpose!)

4. Eggs. Hooray for breakfast lovers! One whole egg adds 44IU of Vitamin D to your meal. Since eggs offer a good dose protein, they will also keep you fuller longer, and less likely to snack later.

5. Multivitamins. Sure– the easy way out. But don’t forget you still need to supplement your diet with real foods (ahem, such as the aforementioned above), as most multivitamins only contain about 400IU.

The excuse of  using the sun for Vitamin D is so last year– happy eating, and happy safe skin!

You would be wrong, researchers said Monday.

Melanoma tumors develop in the skin cells that make melanin, the brown pigment that protects skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. It is the least common type of skin cancer, but it can be the most dangerous. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 76,690 people will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, and that 9,480 people will die from it. (By contrast, the National Cancer Institute says there were more than 2 million new cases of other types of skin cancer last year, but fewer than 1,000 deaths.)

The biggest risk factor for melanoma is exposure to UV rays, either from sunlight or artificial sources such as tanning lamps. Patients who have been treated for melanoma should know this better than anyone.

And yet, 27.3% of melanoma survivors who answered the 2010 National Health Interview Survey said they never wore sunscreen. Never.

“That blew my mind,” Dr. Anees Chagpar of Yale University, who analyzed the data with colleagues, said in a statement describing the study.

In addition, 15.4% of former melanoma patients said they rarely or never stayed in the shade and 2.1% had been to a tanning salon in the previous year.

A certain amount of sun exposure is unavoidable, but steering clear of tanning beds is simple. Public health experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (among others) have emphasized the dangers of indoor tanning and challenged common myths, including that indoor tanning is safer than outdoor tanning (false) and that a tanning bed can provide a useful base tan that will reduce the risk of later sunburn (also false).

“More study is needed to understand why melanoma survivors practice, or do not practice, sun protection and to understand why they may continue to use tanning beds,” said Mary Tripp, a skin cancer prevention expert at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She noted that the survey may have had different results if it had focused on patients who had been treated in comprehensive cancer centers.

Overall, melanoma survivors were more likely than other survey participants to protect themselves from the sun by staying in the shade; wearing protective clothing such as hats, visors and long-sleeved shirts; and using sunscreen.

The findings were presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Assn. for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C.

By Karen Kaplan
April 8, 2013, 10:55 a.m.

With UVA and UVB protection of SPF-30, “Vivite’s Daily Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen” also offers the antioxidant benefits of Vitamin E, as well as glycolic acid for smoothing and resurfacing.

For some, a daily moisturizer is imperative, even in the sticky, warmer months of summer. Often times, piling on moisturizer and sunscreen together can be too greasy and filmy, never mind the added complication of sweating! Vivite offers moisturizer for the “flakes” without leaving that dreaded greasy residue. One or two pumps of product will cover your entire face, and within about 30 seconds the product “dries” leaving a smooth surface for makeup or whatever else you may choose to apply.

The glycolic acid component(12%) does mildly sting when you first apply, but this does not last and is easy to adjust to.

Protecting your skin against free radicals and environmental elements may not be on the top of everyone’s list, the addition of Viatmin E makes it an easy no-brainer. This added benefit seems to tie in well with the sun protecting qualities of the SPF-30. Why not protect your skin from sun damage while also protecting your skin from possible cancer causing pollutants? Plus, everything is applied to your skin in one easy step which makes this product perfect for those looking for an all-in-one daily cream.

Bottom line: if you already use or need a moisturizer, why not make it one with some extra benefits? The Vivite Daily Moisturizer is a great option for those of us who prefer a simpler beauty routine, which of course makes us feel like accomplished, sun-conscious, responsible SKINdividuals.

In order to help these newly single people make the transition as seamlessly and happily as possible, some doctors are offering “divorce” discounts on plastic surgery and other beauty treatments. They rationalize that this is a kindness on their behalf; a boost in the self-esteem department is just the thing needed to revitalize someone’s outlook on life.

On the other end there are those that argue a “divorce” discount is taking advantage of needy people when they are at their most vulnerable, and their appearance shouldn’t be the basis of their self-worth.

What are your thoughts?

 Dr. Oz weighs in on this trend and shares healthy ways to get revenge without going under the knife. 

With concerns about health risks associated with chemical sunscreens (remember that rumor about Gisele calling it “poison”?), it’s no surprise that people are creating “natural” alternatives. Kitchens and bathrooms become labs as ingredients like coconut oil, rosehip seed oil, shea butter, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (the last two are well-known physical UV ray blockers) are mixed up for sun protection.

But does DIY sunscreen really work? And how do you even measure its SPF levels? Before pulling on our goggles and gloves, we dialed up Dr. Justin Piasecki, a Seattle-based plastic surgeon and founder of the Skin Cancer Center, for his advice.

Do-it-yourself is great… but not for sunscreen.
“One of the explanations people use for DIY sunscreens is that they don’t want to pay 20 bucks for on-the-shelf products,” says Dr. Piasecki. “While I encourage the do-it-yourself mantra in many aspects of life, I would stop short here. Though there are actual UV-blocking ingredients that you can purchase online, there is a chemistry and art to making sure they are stable and safely mixed.”

Dr. Piasecki explains that FDA regulations are very rigorous largely in part to testing measure companies employ in order to advertise a product as sunscreen. “There are SPF, water-resistant and hypoallergenic variables that I wouldn’t recommend people tackling in order to save extra dollars. It’s worth paying for it when you know it’s been put through the ringer for production.”

Be wary of DIY sunscreen SPF value charts.
We spied on a few blogs charts that broke down how to achieve a certain SPF level when making your own sunscreen. (But we didn’t find any credentials that persuaded us these were legit.) Dr. Piasecki believes that there is no real good way to test SPF levels at home.

“It’s not simply throwing the ingredients into a bowl and stirring with a spoon. The appropriate measurements need to be present or the active ingredient will likely end up in a clump at the bottom of your mixture and you won’t have enough sunscreen to protect your skin,” says Dr. Piasecki. “You could even end up with a formula that is uneven and blotchy with some areas of the body getting enough protection and others not so much.”

When it comes to sun protection, you can’t go wrong with common sense.
Allergic reactions to chemicals found in traditional sunscreens have been used as an argument for not wearing it at all or going the DIY route. However, Dr. Piasecki warns that the risks of not wearing the appropriate sunscreen correctly, outweighs wearing it by far.

“In general any substance can irritate the skin. There are people out there who have an allergic reaction to cotton, nickel or gold. If you try a sunscreen and it irritates your skin, stop using it and pick a different brand,” says Dr. Piasecki.”In the past, a lot of the carrier chemicals and preservatives in store-bought sunscreens included PABA, or para-aminobenzoic acid, which was known to form rashes. But many of the do-it-yourself sunscreens have oils in them and their preparations can cause breakouts and bumps.”

Dr. Piasecki’s final words of advice: “When you’re outdoors doing the things you enjoy, it’s important to wear sunscreen. There is no scientific evidence that a particular band or type of sunscreen works better than others. But the best sunscreen is actually the one you’re going to put on.” (Preferably, one that’s SPF 30 or greater, has some water resistance and is easy to apply every two to three hours or after getting wet.)

Have you ever tried homemade sunscreen? Or would you rather stick to what’s on the shelf at the drugstore?

The Huffington Post  |  By Dana Oliver

Since your hair usually hides the occasional scalp zit, many people may not even notice that they have a problem. However, when normal activities like lying down, wearing a hat, and brushing /washing becomes painful, hair zits can go from a hidden, ignorable problem to a full-blown nuisance.

Scalp pimples form the same way “regular” pimples do, but are much more difficult to treat due to their location.  The usual topical acne treatments can spread to the surrounding hair follicles, and can cause unwanted breakage, damage, and color changes to the hair. Attempting to pop a hair zit is more problematic too as it can be difficult to get a good grasp on the specific problem area, and once squeezed– the surrounding hair follicles can hold onto the problem-causing bacteria and debris that need to be removed in order to eradicate the present pimples.

All pimples, no matter where they are on your body, are caused by a blockage in the pore. When your hair’s natural oils are combined with hair products (such as styling gels and hair-sprays, conditioners, etc.) your scalp can have the same pore clogging reactions that your face would have under the same conditions.  For most of us, forgoing the use of hair products is not an option, so what is a realistic remedy for those little hair pimples?

Dandruff shampoos and other medicated hair products that contain salicylic acid are great choices, as they will help exfoliate the skin on your scalp and leave fewer dead skin cells on your scalp to clog pores. (Shampoos like T-Sal by Neutrogena or Selsun Blue have salicylic acid in them and are available at drugstores.)  You can also find salicylic acid in toners, cleansers and creams. To use these acne-busting products on your scalp, dab a small amount onto pimples with a cotton swab to keep your chosen acne fighting products contained to the designated area.

Try your best to avoid unnecessary hair products and oils, as these contribute to additional build-up on the scalp and may clog pores.  Changing your pillowcase frequently can help, as will regular hair brushings/combings. (The brushing/combing action will also help exfoliate any dead skin cells trapped on the surface of the scalp.)

These changes should help contribute to a scalp complexion as clear as your face.

The findings, detailed in the Feb. 28 issue of the “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” may explain why despite the fact that everyone’s skin is crawling with zit bugs, only one in five people develops acne in their lifetime.

“We hope to apply our findings to develop new strategies that stop blemishes before they start,” said lead researcher Huiying Li of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Li added the findings would allow dermatologists to personalize acne treatment based on “each patient’s unique cocktail of skin bacteria.”

Though acne affects 80 percent of the population at some point in their lives, scientists have made little progress in new treatments, according to Li and colleagues. The current antibiotics out there don’t work on the most severe cases of acne, while other types of treatment have adverse side effects.

In the study, Li and colleagues used pore-cleansing strips to collect acne bacteria, called Propionibacterium acnes, from the noses of about 100 volunteers, half of whom were pimply and the others clear-skinned. P. acnes lurks deep in skin pores, sometimes irritating the body’s immune system to cause inflammation and the resulting red bumps that have been dubbed “pimples”.

From the nose samples, the researchers sequenced the genomes of 66 strains of P. acnes. They were interested in the genes unique to each variety that might distinguish clear skin from pimply.

“Two unique strains of P. acnes appeared in one out of five volunteers with acne, but rarely occurred in clear-skinned people,” said Dr. Noah Craft, a dermatologist and director of the Center for Immunotherapeutics Research at LA BioMed at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center.

Next came the surprise: a third strain that commonly showed up in volunteers with healthy skin but only rarely in those with pimples.

“We suspect that this strain contains a natural defense mechanism that enables it to recognize attackers and destroy them before they infect the bacterial cell,” Li said in a statement.

Zapping zits

The researchers think that increasing the body’s good strain of P. acnes, possibly in the form of a cream, may stop zits in their tracks.

“This P. acnes strain may protect the skin, much like yogurt’s live bacteria help defend the gut from harmful bugs,” Li said. “Our next step will be to investigate whether a probiotic cream can block bad bacteria from invading the skin and prevent pimples before they start.”

Other zit-zapping research has suggested benign viruses called bacteriophages that feed on bacteria and not human cells may do the trick. Scientists reported last year in the journal mBio they had found common, bacteriophages living on your skin could effectively kill P. acnes.

So those large pores you can’t stop staring at? There are fixes.  Fraxel laser treatments damage the pore’s natural shape, forcing new skin to grow from beneath the surface and therefore giving smoother texture and even skin tone.  A series of about 3 treatments is necessary to be makeup free and baby-bottom smooth.

2. Laser hair removal.  

Laser hair removal treatments should ideally be done in 6-week increments, as the growth cycle of the hair follicle requires consistent treatments.  However, the removal of unwanted hair saves considerable time shaving, plucking, or waxing, and prevents the ugly sight of ingrown hairs. Besides the areas usually treated,(legs, under-arms, chin, bikini) you can be creative.  That dark arm hair you Nair every week? Laser it off and reveal your creamy, hair-free skin for summer tank tops.

3.  Botox.  In as little as 15 minutes, you can be in and out of the office.  In about 2 weeks, the faint lines on your forehead will be gone and the texture of your skin will appear smoother.  Consider treating the “11′s” in between your brows before summer to decrease that inevitable squinting from the summer sun.

4. Juvederm. Remember those recent photos you hated? Was it uneven lips, sunken cheeks, or shadowing around the nose and mouth area? Hyaluronic acid fillers can easily remedy those undesired hollows or asymmetric lines in one office visit.

5.  Broadband Light [BBL]. For our final “makeover” suggestion, get rid of chest and arm freckles and sunspots in time to wear short sleeves and strapless dresses-just remember to wear your sunscreen! With about 3 treatments, your arms and chest(even backs if needed!)will be even and free of damaged dark spots.

Each of these treatments require little to no downtime and are tolerated well by most patients. Stop critiquing and start improving with these safe, no surgical solutions to improve your appearance while increasing self confidence and promoting all around health!

 So who’s powering this sudden growth in facial plastic surgery? Baby boomers.

 Every year, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons releases its statistics about the number of plastic surgeries performed the year before. It’s an accurate snapshot of the state of plastic surgery in the United States.

 2012 saw a record number of people undergoing cosmetic procedures, with more than 14.6 million procedures performed in total, an increase of 5% over the year before. The number of actual surgeries performed dropped 2%, but this was more than offset by a 6% rise in minimally invasive cosmetic treatments.

Breast augmentation remained the number one cosmetic surgery, a position it’s held since the FDA ended the silicone gel implant moratorium in 2006. However, in 2012, the number of women undergoing this procedure declined 7% from the year before, with just over 286,000 breast enhancements performed.

Buttocks augmentation was one of the fastest-growing procedures of the past decade, due in no small part to public fascination with the ample derrieres of celebs Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Kim Kardashian. The number of people undergoing buttock enhancement also declined in 2012, down 36% from the year before, to just under 3,800 procedures.

Our nation appears to be shifting its emphasis from the inflated busts and rounded behinds of Generation X and Y to the plumped cheeks and lifted necks of baby boomers. In other words, the Real Housewives are not only keeping up with the Kardashians, they’re surpassing them.

Injections of botulinum toxin were by far the number one cosmetic procedure in the country, with over 6.1 million procedures performed, up 8% from the year before. It’s only fitting that the company that produces Botox, the most popular form of botulinum toxin, purchased one of the top breast implant manufacturers back in 2005.

In 2012, the number of people undergoing injection of facial wrinkle-fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm increased 5% to nearly 2 million.

The current buzzword in plastic surgery is “laser.” Last year, nearly 2.2 million laser or IPL (Intense Pulse Light) treatments were performed, up 6%.

This recent popularity can be traced to two main causes.

Technological advances have propelled today’s lasers to achieve benefits previously impossible with older devices. In order to remove your wrinkles, the older generation of lasers would literally have to burn all the skin off your face. Today’s skin-tightening devices, such as the Thermage,  can give similar results with minimal pain and downtime.

Secondly, daytime talk shows have become an outlet for millions of viewers to learn about this new technology and request it from their plastic surgeons.

Record numbers of people are also going under the knife to remove the years.

Last year, face lifts were up 6%, eyelid lifts up 4% and cheek implants up 6%. Overall, this could be the beginning of an upcoming surge in facial anti-aging surgeries, as more and more people discover that the temporary benefits of injectables and minimally invasive procedures can hold off the years only so long.

I predict that the number of baby boomers undergoing face lifts and eyelid lifts will rise dramatically in the coming years as they realize that there is no real substitute for well-performed surgery.

Last year’s statistics showed plastic surgery continuing to grow at unprecedented rates. Boomers are not only getting into the act, they’re spearheading it. More and more of them appear to be heeding the words of comedian and plastic surgery enthusiast Joan Rivers: “Looking 50 is great … if you’re 60.”

Editor’s note: Dr. Anthony Youn is an assistant professor of surgery at the Oakland University/William Beaumont School of Medicine in Michigan. He is the author of “In Stitches,” a memoir about growing up Asian-American and becoming a doctor.

Fox News recently explored the inconsistent, child endangering  practices of tanning salons across the country:

Tanning facilities often given inconsistent or incorrect information about the risks associated with indoor tanning and may let kids as young as 10 or 12 tan, according to a new study from Missouri.

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has some guidelines on proper safety precautions for indoor tanning, those aren’t enforced by states if the state government doesn’t pass its own regulations, researchers explained.

Missouri is one of 17 states without any age or safety restrictions on indoor tanning – a trend that has become increasingly popular, and some say addictive, among young women.

“It’s not just, ‘I’m going to look good for the prom.’ It’s something that’s a very common practice among lots of kids, particularly Caucasian girls,” said Dr. Sophie J. Balk, an attending pediatrician at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in Bronx, New York.

“Teenagers in general, particularly the younger ones, may not understand the risk,” Balk, who co-wrote a commentary published with the new study, told Reuters Health.

“It is a cumulative effect,” said Dr. Brundha Balaraman, who led the new study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “The younger you start, the more damage you accrue.”

She and her colleagues made calls to hundreds of indoor tanning facilities in the state to inquire about teen tanning. In total, they talked to operators at 243 facilities, twice each.

Just under two-thirds of operators said their facility would allow kids as young as 10 or 12 to tan, sometimes without parental consent. Forty-three percent of them claimed there were no risks tied to indoor tanning, and 80 percent said tanning could prevent future sunburns, the research team wrote Monday in Pediatrics.

Single facilities often provided inconsistent information between two different calls, Balaraman and her colleagues found.

“We kind of had the sense that this was happening,” she told Reuters Health. “It was scary, because 43 percent said there was zero risk with tanning, which is just blatantly untrue.“

Tanning is known to increase a person’s chance of developing melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 76,690 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2013, and 9,480 will die from it.

The researchers said there is a need for more FDA regulation of underage tanning since getting laws passed in each individual state is slow and ineffective.

“I think a federal law would be most helpful, because it would just make the process a lot more efficient,” Balaraman said.

Tanning beds are currently classified in the same group of medical devices as Band-Aids and tongue depressors, she added, which means there’s not much regulation of manufacturers.

Tanning bed manufacturers are, however, required to add a label to the devices, warning against the dangers of burning, skin cancer and eye damage from UV exposure, according to an FDA spokesperson.

The spokesperson told Reuters Health in an email, “FDA is committed to providing consumers with an update as soon as possible on the agency’s next steps on tanning bed regulation. We consider the use of tanning lamps an important public health issue.”

The Administration will review public comments and scientific data “that will help us determine the appropriate level of regulatory oversight for tanning devices,” the spokesperson said.

Balk said many countries – including Australia, the UK and Portugal – have banned indoor tanning by young people.

“Governments around the world have taken action on behalf of our young people,” Balk said. “I think that our federal government should do the same.”

 Until now, Botox has been administered to the face through injections. Used primarily for “frown lines” and forehead creases, Botox works by paralyzing the muscles that create the appearance of wrinkles. Depending on the size of a patient’s face, it could easily take upwards of 20 injection sites in order to get the best results. Thanks the the development of Revance, people may now be able to enjoy the asethetic benefits of Botox without having to undergo ANY injections.

Revance is a topically applied version of Botox that is rubbed onto to the desired treatment areas. It only stays on the skin for a short while, and then is washed away to reveal rejuvenated skin underneath. Only applied by medical personnel, this isn’t just a new face cream claiming to prevent or get rid of wrinkles– this gel does indeed deliver Botulinum Toxin type A (BoNTA) into the skin, working especially well on removing crow’s feet and decreasing excessive sweating.

Not yet FDA approved, Revance has shown the most promise in areas like crows feet where the skin is thin and the Botulinum can most easily penetrate the skin to the muscle. (Studies will need to be done to evaluate the effectiveness of areas of thicker skin, like between the brows.)

Aside from allowing users to enjoy the cosmetic benefits of Botox without the formerly prerequisite injections, this begins a new chapter in medication ease. The technology that would allow medications to be delivered topically might change the way millions of people receive their daily regimens, and make yet another aspect of life a little easier.

BBL (our affectionate nickname for this type of Broad Band Light therapy), delivers a concentration of intense heat to the surface skin cells. The heat is then absorbed into pigment present on the skin’s surface, such as freckles or sun spots. These treated spots will darken over the course of the following days, until eventually they flake off to reveal smooth, even skin underneath.

The treatment is less than thirty minutes, and downtime is little to none, with the most common side effect being redness which dissipates within a few hours.

The results are permanent, however this treatment can only remove current sun damage, and does not prevent against future sun damage. Since additional sun exposure may mean more spots– always remember your sunscreen! (Always at least wear an SPF-30, and reapply every 2 hours while outside.)

Check out these before and afters for some inspiration.

“Hello, I am struggling to find an appropriate primer and foundation match. All the primers I have tried do not provide a smooth even surface for my foundation, or they pill on me. I use a beaded exfoliant 2-3xs weekly, argan oil at night for dry skin as well as pomegranate based moisturizer during the day as the argan oil is too heavy for day. I also have a lot of redness and dryness from rosacea and cystic acne.

Please help!”

-Laura*

What struck me as unfortunate was her description of her current skin care regimen, complete with her struggle with cystic acne. No mention of sunscreen, acne products, etc. Sigh. Laura– we got some work to do.

First things first, acne is a difficult skin challenge. However, abrasive exfoliators are NOT the answer! Exfoliators with beads or crystals only remove the surface skin cells, not the dead skin cells hiding in our pores (which is the true cause of problematic acne). Additionally, abrasive exfoliators create hundreds of micro-cuts all over the skin’s surface, causing further injury to already compromised skin. A chemical exfoliator such as glycolic or salicylic acid works better for removing dead skin cells on the surface as well as within the pore, and can actually help thwart any beginnings of a pimple.

It is good to flush out of the pores of Acne-prone skin, thereby removing all of the “skin debris” which is clogging the pore. Salicylic acid does a great job of flushing out pores, and when used in conjunction with glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide, your skin can enjoy the benefits of an aggressive acne treatment regimen. Without these components, nothing is being done to treat the cause of acne, or even some of the symptoms. The average exfoliator can only do so much, and depending on what it is made of– may even worsen acne prone skin.

Applying argan oil to ones faces is a horrible idea! Why add more oil to someone who is prone to excessive oil production? Oil based products also are more occlusive than oil free products, trapping dead skin cells and oil inside the pore, creating a pimple. A much better approach is to use the above mentioned regimen combined with an oil free moisturizer which will control dry flaky patches often found in combination skin types.

The fruit extracts found in many skin-care products (i.e. Pomegranate moisturizer) may smell nice, but those ingredients are quite possibly irritating to one’s skin. Again, when it comes to your skin care products– simple is better! An oil free moisturizer would be much more efficient for hydrating acne prone skin. If skin remains dry and flaky, ask your skincare provider about alternatives. (There are plenty of wonderful prescription grade skin-care products that are not available in drugstores or department stores, and your provider can offer guidance and educated recommendations.)

Lastly, sunscreen! Sunscreen for skin with acne is a must. Sun exposure causes a slight swelling of the skin, shutting pores and trapping what’s inside, causing pimples. *Laura also needs sunscreen for the rosacea she reported, which sun exposure can exasperate (as can the abrasive exfoliators) and can worsen any skin ruddiness.

Poor *Laura… it would be much easier for her to successfully use primer if she could get the rest of he skin issues under control. (In the meantime, she may also want to try mineral based makeups which provide coverage without pore clogging oils and irritating fragrances.)

Since this was a random Q & A entry that I stumbled upon, it is unlikely that we can actually share any useful advice with *Laura personally. In our attempts to help people feel better about their skin, this type of skin query actually makes me think that perhaps we should begin our own “Q & A” section?

A brief Google search of celebrity acne reveals that many are not alone in their feelings of less-than-acceptable bare-faced looks. Prior to hitting the red carpet, celebs undergo peels and masks, extractions and laser treatments weeks in advance as well as nutritional “cleansing” and “detox” for their body skimming gowns. Could it be true that many of these well known names are struggling with the most common skin challenge many of us face? Acne.

That’s right, those ugly, angry lesions are always “popping” up at the most inappropriate times. Since almost all of us have dealt with a difficult pimple at one time or another, I found it somewhat comforting to know that these stars also battle with the skin often and even with all of the resources at their disposal, they still sometimes lose the war on acne!

Check out the following candid photos, catching some of their acne in its, um, “finest” form on Katie Perry, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys, and Kelly Clarkson.

Now, with personal makeup artists and stylists I’m sure we’d all look a bit better, as witnessed on the gorgeous faces of Miley and Katie.

But, what if we could actually achieve the clear, even and smooth skin we all wished we had?

Well, start with the basics. If acne is caused by a mechanical malfunction in our pores, than what must we do about? First, we must remove surface skin cells that clog pores. This is best done by a glycolic wash which is a chemical exfoliator (no apricot scrub needed!).

Next, we need something to flush out the gunk that is stuck in the pore, and salicylic acid does the trick.

Finally, what to do with the actual “chunk” of skin cells that may still be stuck inside the pore? Benzoyl peroxide is the answer, as it works to break down the skin cells allowing the salicylic acid to flush out the pore.

Often times, simply being on the right home regimen for your acne makes all the difference. However, if more aggressive treatment is needed there are a number of devices ranging from Isolaz(Intensed Pulsed Light) to Fraxel(a true laser) to any one of the various light delivery systems. These treatments in conjunction with home products can get a hold of the current acne someone has and stop future acne from forming, while treating remaining scarring and hyper pigmentation.

If stars have all the treatments in the world available to them, why are they still struggling with acne? In the skincare world, some of these devices are relatively new (less than 10 years old) and therefore many providers have not yet added them into their practices. However, before and after pictures of patients who have received treatment are comparable to results previously obtained by only prescription medications. So, do some research, make an appointment, whatever you think you need to do…there are options available for those unwilling to go the prescription route.

Not your average chest hair, leg hair, etc…I’m talking about braid-able ear hair, one long, connecting eyebrow, or Hobbit-like hair growing from beneath their tee shirt and along extremities.

Women as a whole have been plagued for years with waxing, creams and lasers in an attempt to get rid of unwanted hair.  Smooth, hair-free legs and arms, lips and chins are clearly more desirable.
So why should men get off so easy? (OK, so this may come down to personal preference, but why not?!) Today’s laser hair removal treatments can completely remove the need for man-scaping. (Uh, facial, neck, back, and possibly chest hair, that is.)

In about 6-8 treatments, two eyebrows will appear instead of one, and ear hair be gone! Able to now nuzzle in hair-free confidence, a girlfriend will never again accidentally “tangle” thick neck hair again, or get jewelry snagged in chest hair!

The downside? Pain. Not excruciating though, and a couple of Advil prior to the procedure works wonders. (Depending on who you ask, a shot or two of Vodka beforehand also helps.)  The discomfort is short-lived and tolerable in exchange for a very attractive result.

The laser works in a stamping method, covering areas of skin coated by a layer of ultrasound gel.  The cooled gel coupled with the cooled laser tip minimizes the likelihood of burning as well as minimizing discomfort. The hair-removal technician can adjust settings for the best possible result, while remaining as safe as possible.

All things considering, permanent man-scaping seems like a no brainier– embarrassing body hair can be permanently eradicated.

Plus, this gives a whole new meaning to the male desired adjective of being “smooth”.

After undergoing elective cosmetic injections, many celebrities end up falling into all of the above categories. (Sorry Janice Dickinson.) But, is “over-done” the normal look for those that undergo cosmetic injections?

If Botox (the injectable often blamed for the non-human expression often worn by many celebrities) is so terrible, than why does it remain so popular?

In reality, Botox Cosmetic injections are not bad at all, and when used appropriately it’s actually pretty great.  Since the late 1800s clostridium botulinum, the bacteria Botox is derived from, was thought to have some therapeutic use. However,  it wasn’t until the 1980s that an ophthalmologist in San Francisco discovered he could used it to beneficially treat his patients.  When used correctly, Botox blocked the neurotransmitters which allowed for a decrease in muscle movements.  This discovery allowed him to treat patients with varying eye problems including strabismus, cross eyes, and blepharospasm, or uncontrolled blinking.  By this point, the toxin had gone through labs and testing for purification, as the same bacteria the substance is derived from causes botulism, a rare paralytic illness.  However, by 1994 botulinum was proven to be effective treatment for excessive sweating, which was its first non-muscular use.

Knowing all of the research and trials that had taken place, a husband and wife ophthalmologist and dermatologist team published a study using Botox cosmetically for erasing the frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in 1989. Following formal trials completed y the FDA, Botox was officially approved in 2002 for the treatment of glabellar frown lines.

In the hands of the right provider, Botox can be a natural looking aesthetic treatment; minimizing fine lines and wrinkles without the unwanted “frozen” look.  In fact, more and more younger patients are taking the “Botox challenge” and beginning regular Botox injections for prevention of permanently set-in lines.  Typically, patients receive their first injections to the glabeller area, the lines formed between the brows when frowning, and to the forehead for lines formed when lifting the eyebrows. A subtle decrease of these muscle’s movements can delay the onset of any wrinkles that want to form and settle in, making the investment of a minimal amount of Botox worth the cost.

While nothing injected is without risk, when used appropriately Botox is safe and effective in reducing undesired fine lines and wrinkles.  However, depending on your age and muscular strength, be prepared to spend between $150-$400. (This price range is also dependent on the desired areas to be treated.)

Check out these celebrities who admit to Botox, yet still retain a natural appearance:

Super-Model Linda Evangelista

Actress Lori Laughlin

Actress Courtney Cox