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Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Brought to you by Better Life Products
Dead Sea Mineral Rich Skin Care

We offer award winning products from Dead Sea Premier Cosmetics that are internationally recognized for their therapeutic and age defying benefits.

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Thursday, August 10, 2006

Botox® Injections: Are they Right for You? Are There Alternatives?

Brought to you by Better Life Products
We offer award winning products from Dead Sea Premier Cosmetics that are internationally recognized for their therapeutic and age defying benefits.

Visit us at www.cosmeticsdeadsea.com
Sign up today for free skin tips and articles at bhickey@aweber.com
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Botox® Injections: Are they Right for You? Are There Alternatives?

Over the past few years there has been enormous buzz in the dermatology community, as well as tremendous coverage in the lay media about Botox®, the intramuscularly injection for the treatment of brow wrinkles. The generic term for Botox® is actually Botulinum Toxin Type A. Botox® is a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria named botulinum. This bacterium is responsible for secreting botulin the neurotoxin that causes botulism - a form of food poisoning. For nearly four decades the medical community has been researching various botulinum toxins to determine their link to neurological disorders.

Due to Botox®’s neurotoxic effects it was first approved in 1989 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat involuntary muscle contractions. The newly marketed Botox® Cosmetic was approved by the FDA in 2002 for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people 18 to 65 years of age.

Although leading dermatologists agree that Botox® is the preferred treatment for moderate to severe frown lines between the brow, treatment with Botox® requires quite a commitment from the consumer, including time spent visiting the dermatologist’s office, potential risk of side effects, as well as the large cost associated with each treatment injection, costing upwards of $500. In addition, over time the potential for a person to gain resistance to Botox® may occur decreasing its anti-wrinkle effectiveness. Also, many consumers have indicated that a gradual, more natural wrinkle reducing effect would be more desirable to them compared to the instantaneous transformation achieved through Botox® injections, which many users complain renders their face expressionless.

Are Botox® injections right for you?

If you are willing to undergo routine painful injections, accompanied by the risk of side effects including hypersensitivity reactions, headache, respiratory infection, flu symptoms, nausea, dysphagia, blepharoptosis (drooping eyelids), convulsions, and fainting – just to name a few, and you are willing to invest the time and money required for doctor’s visits, perhaps Botox® Cosmetic is right for you. On the other hand if invasive, expensive, potentially risky injections are not your style - what other wrinkle treating alternatives are available to you?

Botox® Alternatives
The BIOX Series by Dead Sea Premier
(Shop at www.cosmeticsdeadsea.com)

Experience the revolutionary Anti-Aging BIOX Line by Dead Sea Premier. The Ultimate alternative to plastic surgery! Say good bye to the needle.

Our BIOX Line has been awarded as one of the most important innovations in skin care treatment. Developed by top dermatologists and skin care experts, the BIOX Line is THE ultimate skin care experience.

Our BIOX Line provides a non-invasive, superior alternative to surgical and invasive skincare procedures such as injections, chemical peels, and facial plastic surgeries. The results are immediate and stunning.

This revolutionary BIOX line is based on the best natural ingredients nature has to offer which are exclusive to the Dead Sea area. By employing cutting edge technologies and the latest research in skin care and cosmetic surgery, we are proud to launch the BIOX Line that removes wrinkles, eliminates fine lines, tightens the facial tissue, and achieves a long-term youthful and outstanding appearance.

For the first time ever, Dead Sea Premier introduces an anti-aging BIOX Line which is based on Clostridium Botulinum, AKA BOTOX®. BOTOX® is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause wrinkles and fine lines to appear over time. BOTOX® works by blocking the signals from the nerves to the tiny facial muscles that are responsible for facial expression lines and wrinkles.

Even though BOTOX® injections are fairly effective in the battle against aging, they require a doctor or a certified professional, are expensive, and have to be repeated over time to maintain that youthful appearance. The BIOX Line is something that you can apply in your own home at your own convenience.

Our BIOX Line is the perfect, non-invasive, and affordable anti-aging treatment that combines the unique therapeutic powers of the Dead Sea with cutting edge skincare research. The results are remarkable, stunning, and immediate. Wrinkles will diminish and fine lines will disappear. Within days you will retain your youth and beauty!

Our BIOX Line is comprised of three products:
· BIOX Thermal Beauty Mask
· BIOX Intensive Anti-Aging Serum
· BIOX Intensive Anti-Aging Complex

You can use each product separately, but better results are achieved when using the complete line.

Recommended Beauty Regimen:

Apply the BIOX Intensive Anti-Aging Serum twice daily and top it with the BIOX Intensive Anti-Aging Complex for best results.
Apply the BIOX Thermal Beauty Mask once or twice a week as desired.
BIOX Thermal Beauty Mask (3.4 oz)

Our exclusive thermal facial mask treatment features a distinct warming phase that results in an unforgettable experience and outstanding, immediate results. Fine lines will disappear and wrinkles will diminish within a few applications.

By employing a unique Dead Sea Mineral Complex and vitamins A, E & C which are known for their anti-aging properties, our Premier Thermal Beauty Mask opens the pores while absorbing dirt, oil, and toxins. Its unique heating action purifies and cleanses your skin while battling free radicals that cause the skin to age. Formulated to improve blood circulation within the cells and to target wrinkles, this mask supports healthy, renewed, and rejuvenated skin cells. Special active ingredients penetrate the heart of the skin cells to promote beautiful, long lasting appearance. The results are stunning! Radiant, clean, and beautiful looking skin. This mask consists of two parts: 1) Thermal Beauty Mask in a glass jar. 2) A red magnesium-based stimulating mineral bar (in a compartment in jar cap).

Application: 1) Gently massage the red oily mineral bar on a damp face. 2) Wash your face off but keep it wet (the mineral bar will absorb the oxygen from the water to your skin). 3) Slightly mix the mask using the spatula (enclosed). 4) Onto clean, WET skin, apply a generous layer of the mask to experience the immediate warming sensation. 5) Leave on for 2-3 minutes. 6) Rinse with warm water.
Recommended Use: 1-2 times a week.
As with all masks, avoid getting product into eyes. If you do, rinse thoroughly with water. If your skin appears or feels irritated during use, rinse the mask off with cool water and discontinue use. Keep away from heat.

BIOX Intensive Anti-Aging Serum (1.7 oz)

Biox Intensive Anti-Aging Serum generates a long lasting, anti-wrinkle effect. Ordinary day-to-day and/or emotional face movements mark the skin with lines of varying depth; these are expression lines. This BIOX Serum, which is enriched with Dead Sea minerals, offers a non-invasive cosmetic solution to reduce tension in our facial muscles and reduce the effects of time. It dramatically reduces wrinkles, prevents skin sagging, and adds tone and elasticity to the skin. This cutting edge BIOX serum provides an immediate, optimized lifting and anti-aging effect; the skin is left firmer, more radiant, and younger looking.

Application: Onto cleansed skin, apply twice daily in soft circular movements targeting the three zones of expression wrinkles until absorbed. You may apply makeup if desired. For better results, apply on top of the serum our BIOX Intensive Anti-Aging Cream.
Recommended Use: Twice daily

BIOX Intensive Anti-Aging Complex (2.04 oz)

BIOX Intensive Anti-Aging Complex is a non surgical and affordable alternative to cosmetic procedures and/or injections. This BIOX complex, which is enriched with Dead Sea minerals, offers a non-invasive cosmetic solution to reduce tension in our facial muscles and reduce the effects of time. It dramatically reduces wrinkles, prevents skin sagging, and adds tone and elasticity to the skin. This cutting edge BIOX complex provides an immediate, optimized lifting and anti-aging effect; the skin is left firmer, more radiant, and younger looking. This BIOX complex contains antioxidants that battle free radicals and slow down or even reverse the aging process. The BIOX complex contains vitamin E that helps in generating collagen that keeps the skin firm, young, and rejuvenated.

Application: Onto cleansed skin, apply twice daily in soft circular movements until absorbed. For better results, apply BIOX anti-aging complex on top of the BIOX anti-aging serum. Recommended Use: Twice daily
____________________________________________________________________ Better Life Products

We offer award winning products from Dead Sea Premier Cosmetics that are internationally recognized for their therapeutic and age defying benefits.

Visit us at www.cosmeticsdeadsea.com
Sign up today for free skin tips and articles at bhickey@aweber.com

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Acne

Brought to you by Better Life Products

We offer award winning products from Dead Sea Premier Cosmetics that are internationally recognized for their therapeutic and age defying benefits.

Visit us at http://www.cosmeticsdeadsea.com
Sign up today for free skin tips and articles at bhickey@aweber.com
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Acne

This information is not meant to replace your physician and is simply provided as a free educational service to our visitors. If you feel that you have a skin problem, please consult with your physician.

What is Acne?

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Nearly 17 million people in the United States have acne, making it the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring, permanent scarring, which can be upsetting to people who are affected by the disorder.

How Does Acne Develop?

Doctors describe acne as a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). Found over most of the body, PSUs consist of a sebaceous gland connected to a canal, called a follicle, that contains a fine hair (see "Normal Pilosebaceous Unit" diagram, below). These units are most numerous on the face, upper back, and chest. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the follicle, commonly called a pore. Cells called keratinocytes line the follicle.

The hair, sebum, and keratinocytes that fill the narrow follicle may produce a plug, which is an early sign of acne. The plug prevents sebum from reaching the surface of the skin through a pore. The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles. These bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes and attract white blood cells that cause inflammation. (Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of tissues to disease or injury and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.)
When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin--sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria--leading to lesions or pimples.
People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions, some of which are shown in the diagrams below. The basic acne lesion, called the comedo (KOM-e-do), is simply an enlarged and plugged hair follicle. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produces a white bump called a whitehead. A comedo that reaches the surface of the skin and opens up is called a blackhead because it looks black on the skin's surface. This black discoloration is not due to dirt. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a long time.
Other troublesome acne lesions can develop, including the following:
-Papules--inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the touch -Pustules (pimples)--papules topped by pus-filled lesions that may be red at the base -Nodules--large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin -Cysts--deep, painful, pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring.

What Causes Acne?

The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results from several related factors. One important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens (male sex hormones). These increase in both boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne.

Another factor is heredity or genetics. Researchers believe that the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. For example, studies have shown that many school-age boys with acne have a family history of the disorder. Certain drugs, including androgens and lithium, are known to cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together, producing a plug.

Factors That Can Make Acne Worse

Factors that can cause an acne flare include: -Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts -Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin -Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars -Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity -Squeezing or picking at blemishes -Hard scrubbing of the skin.

Myths About the Causes of Acne

There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but foods seem to have little effect on the development and course of acne in most people. Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt. Finally, stress does not cause acne.

Who Gets Acne?

People of all races and ages get acne. It is most common in adolescents and young adults. Nearly 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 develop the disorder. For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties; however, some people in their forties and fifties continue to have this skin problem.

How Is Acne Treated?

Acne is often treated by dermatologists (doctors who specialize in skin problems). These doctors treat all kinds of acne, particularly severe cases. Doctors who are general or family practitioners, pediatricians, or internists may treat patients with milder cases of acne.
The goals of treatment are to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Drug treatment is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne: abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production, bacteria, and inflammation. Depending on the extent of the person's acne, the doctor will recommend one of several over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or prescription medicines that are topical (applied to the skin) or systemic (taken by mouth). The doctor may suggest using more than one topical medicine or combining oral and topical medicines.
Treatment for Blackheads, Whiteheads, and Mild Inflammatory AcneDoctors usually recommend an OTC or prescription topical medication for people with mild signs of acne. Topical medicine is applied directly to the acne lesions or to the entire area of affected skin.
Benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur are the most common topical OTC medicines used to treat acne. Each works a little differently. Benzoyl peroxide is best at killing P. acnes and may reduce oil production. Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur help break down blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the oil glands. Topical OTC medications are available in many forms, such as gel, lotion, cream, soap, or pad.
In some patients, OTC acne medicines may cause side effects such as skin irritation, burning, or redness. Some people find that the side effects lessen or go away with continued use of the medicine. Severe or prolonged side effects should be reported to the doctor.
OTC topical medicines are somewhat effective in treating acne when used regularly. Patients must keep in mind that it can take 8 weeks or more before they notice their skin looks and feels better.

How Should People With Acne Care for Their Skin?

Clean Skin Gently Most doctors recommend that people with acne gently wash their skin with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the evening and after heavy exercise. Some people with acne may try to stop outbreaks and oil production by scrubbing their skin and using strong detergent soaps and rough scrub pads. However, scrubbing will not improve acne; in fact, it can make the problem worse. Patients should ask their doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use. Patients should wash their face from under the jaw to the hairline. It is important that patients thoroughly rinse their skin after washing it. Astringents are not recommended unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots. Doctors also recommend that patients regularly shampoo their hair. Those with oily hair may want to shampoo it every day.

Avoid Frequent Handling of the Skin

People who squeeze, pinch, or pick their blemishes risk developing scars or dark blotches. People should avoid rubbing and touching their skin lesions.

Shave Carefully

Men who shave and who have acne can test both electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. Men who use a safety razor should use a sharp blade and soften their beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Nicking blemishes can be avoided by shaving lightly and only when necessary.

Avoid Sunburn or Suntan

Many of the medicines used to treat acne can make a person more prone to sunburn. Sunburn that reddens the skin or suntan that darkens the skin may make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier. However, these benefits are only temporary, and there are known risks of excessive sun exposure, such as more rapid skin aging and a risk of developing skin cancer.

Choose Cosmetics Carefully

People being treated for acne often need to change some of the cosmetics they use. All cosmetics, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, and moisturizers, should be oil free. Patients may find it difficult to apply foundation evenly during the first few weeks of treatment because the skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide. Oily hair products may eventually spread over the forehead, causing closed comedones. Products that are labeled as noncomedogenic (do not promote the formation of closed pores) should be used; in some people, however, even these products may cause acne.

What Research Is Being Done on Acne?

Medical researchers are working on new drugs to treat acne, particularly topical antibiotics to replace some of those in current use. As with many other types of bacterial infections, doctors are finding that, over time, the bacteria that are associated with acne are becoming resistant to treatment with certain antibiotics. Research is also being conducted by industry on the potential side effects of isotretinoin and the long-term use of medicines used for treating acne. Scientists are working on other means of treating acne. For example, researchers are studying the biology of sebaceous cells and testing a laser in laboratory animals to treat acne by disrupting sebaceous glands. Scientists are also studying the treatment of androgenic disorders, including acne, in men by inhibiting an enzyme that changes testosterone to a more potent androgen.
____________________________________________________________________
Better Life Products

We offer award winning products from Dead Sea Premier Cosmetics that are internationally recognized for their therapeutic and age defying benefits.

Visit us at www.cosmeticsdeadsea.com

Sign up today for free skin tips and articles at bhickey@aweber.com

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Skin Tips - 4 Lessons

Brought to you by Better Life Products

We offer award winning products from Dead Sea Premier Cosmetics that are internationally recognized for their therapeutic and age defying benefits.

Visit us at www.cosmeticsdeadsea.com
Sign up today for free skin tips and articles at bhickey@aweber.com
_____________________________________________________________
Lesson 1: Sun Damage Is the #1 Cause of Aging

Your skin is a visible reminder of your age -- and any fine lines, crow's-feet, or discoloration that crops up as you age is directly related to sun exposure. It's hands-down the number one cause of aging, says dermatologist Marta Van Beek, MD, of the University of Iowa.

Quick Test: Want proof?
Dermatologist Carl Washington, MD, the co director of the Dermatological Surgical Unit at the Emory Clinic at Emory University, has an easy test. "I tell my patients to look at skin under their breast or under their armpit, and compare it to their face or shoulders. This unexposed skin is usually in great condition -- it shows that it really is the sun that is aging you," he says. "All of your skin is the same age. If it's altered by your diet or other environmental effects, that skin should be the same as the skin on your face or shoulders."

4 Easy-to-Damage "Hot Spots"

Take Note: Exposed skin on the face is easily the most at-risk area for sunburn, followed closely by the shoulders, hands, ears, and neck. If you want to maintain youthful, resilient, wrinkle-free skin, don't skimp! These areas need special daily attention from a bottle of sunscreen. And don't give up if you do see signs of age in these areas already -- instead, ramp up your skincare regimen starting now. "It's a misquote that all your major skin damage is already done by the time you reach age 18," said Van Beek. "People live much longer now, and taking care of your skin at any age is never a lost cause. Start today."

Quick Test: How can you tell if you're had too much sun?
Just press on the skin, says Marshall Brain, the founder of HowStuffWorks.com and author of "How Sunburn and Sun Tans Work." "The extra blood in the capillaries causes the redness," Brain says. "If you press on sunburned skin it will turn white and then return to red as the capillaries refill." If you see this happening, the damage is already done -- but you should still get out of the sun immediately. Avoid this in the future by becoming a sunscreen expert in

Lesson 2: Better Sunscreen Application

The line between a safe sun exposure and red, painful, sunburned skin is narrow, and Van Beek has seen hundreds of sun-frustrated patients over the years. "They'll constantly tell me, 'I always put on sunscreen, and then I still get burned.'" It's not surprising, she says. Hardly anyone puts on as much sunscreen as they actually need. In her experience, most people put on barely half as much. "Industry tests of sunscreen (which determine its sun-protection value) are done with much more than anyone puts on -- usually gobs and gobs more," says Van Beek.

Take Note: Sunscreen isn't a quick fix. You can still burn even while wearing it. "Sunscreens are filters, not blocks," notes the Photobiology Testing Facility at the University of Sydney in Australia, the self-proclaimed skin cancer capital of the world. (In Australia, 2 out of 3 people suffer some form of skin cancer during their lifetimes, according to the latest estimates.)

How Sunscreen Works:
Sunscreens block or absorb the ultraviolet light from the sun. UV rays reach your skin at a rate that depends on the sun protection factor (SPF) listed on the bottle. For example, a sunscreen labeled SPF 30 permits 1/30th of the sun burning energy to hit your skin, versus the time it would take to suffer minimal sunburn completely unprotected. Given enough time, enough sun burning energy can still penetrate through a sunscreen to burn your skin.
Protect Yourself Outdoors

Memorize these five steps to increase your sunscreen application smarts before moving on to Lesson 3.
1. Aim high, spread wide. Choose a sunscreen with the highest sun protection factor (SPF) you can find, and use at least a teaspoon-size amount for your face, and around an ounce (generally a palmful) to cover your whole body. "On average you'll get about half the SPF listed on the bottle," said Van Beek. For the best protection, spread the lotion from your ankles to your hairline.

2. Read the fine print. Most sunscreens advise applying 15-30 minutes before heading out into the sun, and reapplying every hour or two hours. Don't ignore these directions -- if you do, your protection level can drastically drop. Even long-lasting formulas labeled "water-proof" or "sweat-proof" can lose their protective coating on the skin after swimming or sweating.

3. Check the ingredients. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen (which offers both UVA and UVB protection), and look for ingredients such as avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. Hate the opacity of thick, white zinc oxide? Look for the newer formulations of micronized titanium dioxide, which offer the same protection levels without the ghostly sheen.

4. Double-check the expiration date. Plan to buy a new bottle of sunscreen each year (i.e., the sticky bottle stuffed into your glove compartment is probably way past its prime). Don't guess about the protection an old product might provide -- drop a few bucks on a new tube.

5. Repeat after the Aussies: "Slip, slap, slop." Skin cancer is such a big health problem in Australia that the government-backed skincare slogan "Slip, slap, slop" is a national mantra. Skin-savvy Australians say: "slip" on a shirt; "slop" on sunscreen, and "slap" on a hat. It's catchy (and the American Cancer Society has adopted it too). Plus, you can keep sun safety trendy. Try a wide-brim straw hat --the best have 2 or 3 inches all the way around -- and add polarized sunglasses (even designer shades have this protection now), and your sexy new sarong. And when you can, always grab a seat in the shade.

Lesson 3: Cancer Self-Screening

Self-screening for skin cancer should be a monthly task, according to the American Cancer Society. Take the opportunity to get to know every freckle, bump, and birthmark now, so you can identify any important changes later. And for the record, a normal mole is defined as an evenly colored black, brown, or tan spot on the skin, typically round or oval and flat or slightly raised. Most people have at least a few moles, and usually they're harmless.

Here's what to look for:
For Melanoma Skin Cancer
Know this: Melanoma is the skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes, or the cells that produce melanin (the chemical that darkens your skin in the sun). This type of cancer is curable if caught early, but can be more dangerous than non-melanoma skin cancer.

Protect Yourself: Recite your ABCs...and don't forget D and E

· A is for Asymmetry. Healthy moles are generally symmetrical in shape. Check carefully for any moles where one half doesn't match the other.

· B is for Border. Check to make sure the mole's edges aren't irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.

· C is for Color. In a potentially cancerous area, the color is lighter is some areas, and can include shades of brown or black, sometimes with red, white, or even blue patches.

· D is for Diameter. If a spot is larger than 6 millimeters across, close to the size of a pencil eraser, or is growing larger, have it professionally checked.

· E is for Evolution. Knowing your family's skin cancer history can help access your risk level. Make sure your doctor knows details about any family members with a history of any sort of skin cancer.

For Non-Melanoma (Basal or Squamous) Skin Cancer:
Know This: This type of cancer develops from any skin cell other than melanocytes -- hence the name. Most skin cancers are non-melanomas -- but an oddly shaped mole is typically not an indicator of the problem.

Protect Yourself: Memorize how to identify a potentially cancerous danger spot.

· Basal Carcinomas: Beware of flat, firm, pale areas of the skin, or raised shiny or waxy-looking areas that can bleed after minor injury. The skin could also have black, brown, or blue areas, or be slightly depressed in the center.

· Squamous Carcinomas: These can appear as a growing lump with a rough surface, or as a flat, red-tinted patch that grows slowly.

Lesson 4: Sunburn Myths

Chances are high your doctor or dermatologist has heard one of these bogus lines (and probably has a finger-shaking speech prepared on each). Spare yourself the lecture -- we asked Washington and Van Beek for the top sunburn myths they've heard from their patients. Brush up on your own sun-care knowledge with their expert advice.

The Myth: "I've got some Italian in me, so I'm naturally protected from the sun."

The Doctor Says: Sorry -- this assumption is completely false. "When I hear a line like this from my patients, I just say, 'I'm African-American and I can still get skin cancer,'" said Washington. "It is the case that the darker the skin, the better protected -- but no one is immune."

The Bottom Line: "No one is immune." The natural melanin in your body, the chemical responsible for your skin color, will only protect you to a point. Anyone, regardless of his or her natural skin protection, can damage his or her skin -- so everyone should make daily protection a habit.

The Myth: "Why should I worry? I only damaged my skin as a kid or in college."

The Doctor Says: Even if your days of bikini-clad beachside tanning sessions are long past and you haven't had a sunburn for years, wearing sunscreen daily and taking other protective measures can guarantee healthier skin and possibly a longer life. "Skin cancer is a cumulative effect," said Washington. "You can still benefit from staying skin-smart today."

The Bottom Line: Don't wait until skin damage scare forces you to take action to protect your skin -- upping your vigilance today will still help you in the future.

The Myth: "Its only skin -- its no big deal."

The Doctor Says: Your skin is the largest organ in your body (yes, it is an organ) and damaging it is a big deal. "When that same patient gets skin cancer on his face and then has to have it cut out, he's usually pretty freaked out," said Van Beek. Scars from removing moles or cancerous growths can be broad (consider having a 3- to 5-inch scar on your face!) depending on how deep the problem patch is.

The Bottom Line: Care for your skin seriously. The more times you damage it with sun exposure, the more chances you have to develop skin cancer.

The Myth: "I've heard I need to be out in the sun to make sure I'm getting enough vitamin D."

The Doctor Says: It is true that sun exposure provides a natural source of vitamin D -- but most people severely overestimate how much they need. "Usually just the exposure you get going to and from work is enough," said Washington. "Most Americans get enough vitamin D from fortified foods to not need it from the sun at all."

The Bottom Line: Fill your daily vitamin D quota through a healthy diet. If you're concerned, take a multivitamin that includes vitamin D.

The Myth: "Tans are healthy."

The Doctor Says: This is a classic myth, and it's absolutely false. There is no such thing as a "safe" tan. But it's a tough line to discredit, says Van Beek. "Tanning does release endorphins, which make you feel happy, and it can make you look thinner." But the payoff is short-lived, she says. And the consequences are fine wrinkling, blotchy skin, and a heightened risk of skin cancer.
The Bottom Line: If you crave a "healthy" glow from a tan, try a self-tanner or bronzing powder. The streaky orange self-tanners are a product of the past, so a "fake bake" looks more natural than ever. As for those feel-good endorphins released by basking in the sun, other activities like exercise, sex, laughter, and eating chocolate also release them -- so choose a safer, skin-friendly alternative.
________________________________________________________________________ Better Life Products

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