Great White Derm

What a fantastic dermatology conference in Canada!! This year, the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) chose Ottawa, the country's capital city, to host their annual meeting. I was invited to present my research on skin cancer to all of the Canadian dermatologists in attendance.

Although Canada is associated with cold winters and snowy mountains, they have he same troubles with skin cancer as we see here in the United States.

The research I presented showed skin cancer rates are increasing in Canada by about 6% a year! With Canadian dermatologists at the forefront of this skin cancer epidemic, the need for a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this disease is needed now!

I was also invited to talk to the Canadian Society of Dermatologic Surgery, a branch of the CDA, where i discussed the major advances in skin surgery seen over this year. I shared new and cuttig-edge approaches in treating everything from scars and keloids to melanoma cancer.

Thank you CDA and my international colleagues for a great time in Canada! It was also a pleasure to be in the nation's capitol for Canada Day! Now I have to make it back to the States in time to celebrate July 4th :)

Adam Mamelak, MD

Young Adults Still Getting Too Much Sun

With all of the information and even scare tactics to warn people that too much sun can cause skin cancer, half of individuals between the ages of 18 and 29 aren't listening! According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a survey of young people revealed 50.9% reported getting at least one sunburn in 1999. In 209, that figure 'dropped' to 50.1%!  Sunburns can directly increase one's risk for skin cancers including melanoma.

Spray Tanning: Good Or Bad?

Dermatologists often advocate self-tanners and spray tans as a healthy alternative to excessive sun exposure and commercial tanning beds. "Avoiding the harmful effects of UV radiation goes a long way," says Dr. Adam Mamelak, Mohs surgeon at Sanova Dermatology. "Spray-on tans can provide a bronzed look without the damage and risk of skin cancer that's associated with tanning." But new reports highlight the fact that the chemicals used in spray tans is for external use only. The concern, is you might inhale it. "For casual users, this is likely not a problem," explains Dr. Mamelak, "but more research is needed to determine the effects of spray tans if the agents are inhaled accidentally."

How Do You Spell R-E-V-E-N-G-E?

Bad breakup? Missed anniversary? More and more women are increasing using cosmetic procedures to show up their inattentive partners and exes. "It used to be a new hair cut, or some serious gym time," says Dr. Miriam Hanson at Sanova Dermatology. But more and more, patients are coming for a cosmetic pick-me-up while nursing their heartbreak. "Whether it's a chemical peel to revive their skin tone, or a little Botox to brighten their look, many patient feel a cosmetic procedure can help with the transition of feeling jilted to confident." But Dr. Hanson warns that 'Revenge Cosmetics' is not the answer for everybody. While it feels good to turn some heads, even the best looking people need to work on their relationship woes!

A Life Changer for BCNS

According to research published in the June 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the drug vismodegib (Erivedge), which was approved in January by the FDA for people with aggressive, large basal cell carcinoma, has now been tested and found to be highly effective in patients with basal cell nevus syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes literally hundreds of disfiguring skin cancers starting at a young age. In the study, investigators followed 41 patients with basal cell nevus syndrome and found that those taking vismodegib got an average of slightly more than two new cancers, while those not taking the drug developed 29. This could really be the greatest advance in therapy yet seen for this disease. This will no doubt be a lifechanger for these patients!

Childhood Neglect And Skin Cancer?

According to a new report in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry, early childhood abuse and neglect may raise the risk for recurring skin cancer later in life. Researchers propose that maltreatment by parents may actually trigger a lowered immune response that lasts a lifetime. This may make a person more susceptible to cancers that are often successfully fought off by the immune system, including the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.


The study demonstrated that of 91 people with a history of basal cell skin cancer, those who said they were mistreated by their mom or dad as kids were at a much greater risk for a second skin cancer when faced with a major stressful event. They also had a less intense immune reaction to their cancers. The work was funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

Do You Have Pre-Cancer?

Actinic keratoses are scaly or crusty growths caused by damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Also known as solar keratoses, these lesions typically appear on sun-exposed areas such as the face, bald scalp, lips, and the back of the hands. They are often elevated off the skin, rough in texture, and resemble warts.  Most become red, but some will be tan, pink, red, and/or flesh-toned. If left untreated, actinic keratoses can advance to squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer. Luckily, these lesions can be easily treated with topical creams, freezing sprays and certain light therapies. Speak to your dermatologist, and make sure your pre-cancers are treated before it's too late.

Global Skin Tones - The Changing World Of Skin Care

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that, by 2050, 49.5% of the U.S. population will have skin of color, replacing baby boomers as the critical growth demographic within the United States. People of mixed ethnic heritage have surpassed Hispanics as the fastest-growing demographic group. Many dermatologists are now trained to specifically address the needs of women and men of certain ethnic descents. Whether Middle Eastern, Hispanic, Asian or of African-American descent, skin care physicians are trained in the skin disorders unique to these groups. Corrective management of these skin types has to go beyond the norm - skin care professionals understand the skin’s mechanism as it relates to ethnic differences, as well as its reactivity to topically applied substances. Speak to your dermatologist about your unique skin-related challenge.

The Eyelid Tuck: Who Is A Good Candidate?

One of the most common age-related changes in our skin is the elasticity around the eyes. While we all develop some fine lines around our eyes as we age, for some, the skin around the eyes can start to sag more prominently. Sagging eyelid skin can disturb the natural contour of the upper eyelid, making one look more tired and older. In some cases, the sagging skin can actually impede eyesight. A simple surgical procedure called blepharoplasty can trim back the skin and give the patient a more youthful look, and in some cases, better vision. This procedure takes about 1 hour, and can be performed under local anesthetic. Speak to the physicians at Sanova Dermatology and find out if an eyelid tuck is right for you.

Psoriasis Associated With Sexual Dysfunction

Men with psoriasis are at an increased risk for sexual dysfunction according to a new medical study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The study examined 12,300 male patients with newly diagnosed psoriasis and compared them with 61,500 non-psoriasis controls from a national health insurance database. The risk appeared to be greater in elderly men compared with their younger counterparts.