Archives for July 2019

A Surfer’s Guide to Avoiding Skin Cancer 🏄

July 30, 2019 by WestDerm

We know the sun feels good when you’re out hanging 10, but all that UV exposure adds up. A new Surfline story, featuring our very own, and super rad, dermatologist-slash-surfer Dr. Chris Carlin in San Clemente, paints a grim picture:

According to a 2015 study, surfers are three times more likely than the general population to get melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. That’s daunting news if you love nothing more than riding barrels, but never fear. You can take steps to protect your skin while you’re out on the waves. See what Dr. Carlin recommends below:

+ Reapply sunscreen: It might be hard to remember when you are out on the water, but you should reapply sunscreen every two hours for consistent sun protection. Dr. Carlin recommends using a sunscreen stick, a format that typically adheres well to wet skin.

+ Use a broad spectrum formula: Only broad-spectrum sunscreens ward off both UVA and UVB rays, defending your skin against sunburn and long-term damage. Dr. Carlin suggests that surfers use an SPF 50 formula.

+ Join the dawn patrol: The sun is harshest midday, when it is straight overhead. Surf in the early morning or late afternoon to spare your skin–and ride better waves.

+ Research your surf destinations: Some popular surf spots, like Australia, offer little atmospheric protection from the sun. Read up on your surf spot before heading out so you can prepare.

For more of Dr. Carlin’s skin-saving wisdom, read the full story on Surfline. As always, if you have any questions about preventing skin cancer while surfing (or doing anything else outdoors), just make an appointment and we will talk you through it. Surf’s Up 🤙

Yours in good health,

Your Dermatology team

Toothpaste For Acne?

July 15, 2019 by WestDerm

Desperate times call for desperate measures and it’s safe to say many of us have put toothpaste on a pimple a time or two. While it may, at times, seem effective…it’s actually doing a lot more harm than good.

Let’s start with the reason why toothpaste may (sometimes) work on acne bumps: Many toothpaste formulas contain ingredients that help decrease bacteria and oils, and can shrink the appearance of acne lesions temporarily. And after-all, toothpaste is great for your teeth so it must be okay for your skin, right?

Wrong.

In an effort to clear your acne the right way things up, we enlisted Dr. Jacquelyn Levin to give us the low-down on this oft-practiced DIY trick.

“Many toothpaste formulas once contained a chemical called triclosan that could work to kill the bacteria that causes and worsens breakouts,” says Dr. Levin. However, she also notes that “products today no longer use triclosan in their toothpaste formulas and according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some testing suggests that triclosan could negatively affect thyroid hormones. So even if you do find a toothpaste that still contains this chemical, using it on pimples may not be worth the risk.”

Yikes.

Some other ingredients commonly found in toothpaste, such as baking soda, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide, are known to be drying, which could help temporarily reduce the appearance of your acne lesions. The menthol in toothpaste can even create a tingly feeling that may temporarily reduce pain and swelling. While that tingly sensation may make it seem like it’s working, who wants just a “temporary” solution?

Sodium lauryl sulfate is another ingredient often found in toothpaste and it can dry up oily skin and also decreases bacteria counts. It, however, “is also a very infamous irritant. So much so that most skin care and hair care formulas don’t use this ingredient anymore,” warns Dr. Levin.

Yikes, again.

So while there may be some rationale for using toothpaste on acne lesions, we recommend sticking with medical-grade and dermatologist-recommended products that are formulated for the sole purpose of treating acne. We also have a variety of laser treatments that work great to clear acne — and help prevent it, as well. Win-win!

Overall, while using toothpaste and other at-home remedies found on Pinterest are tempting, it is safer and healthier to visit a dermatologist instead.

If you have any questions or concerns, we are here for you and sincerely want to help clear your skin the right way.

Yours in good health,

Your Dermatology Team

A Par for the Course, but a Double Bogey for Skin Health ⛳

July 9, 2019 by WestDerm

Even if your golf game is strong, your skin health might be hitting every bunker. That’s because golf courses are open spaces, often without much shade cover, and that means a lot of direct sunlight. Courses with water features are even riskier for both your golf game and your skin health. The water features can act like a mirror, reflecting the sun’s rays back at you and intensifying your exposure. In the short term, those sun rays can cause a nasty sunburn, and in the long term, they can cause wrinkles and even skin cancer. So, how can you keep your skin from turning red when you’re on the greens? We rounded up a few tips to help you firm your grip (get it?) on sun safety.

🏌️‍♂️ Seek out shade: If you’re choosing between a golf course with lots of mature, shade-giving trees and one without any, let your skin health be the deciding factor and go for the shadier course. If you can tee off in a shady area or a sunny one, then choose the former. Who knows—maybe swinging the club from a different position will be just what you need to get a hole in one!

🏌️‍♂️ Cover up: The more you can cover your body with tightly woven clothes, the less harmful UV light will reach your skin. If you really want to improve your sun-safety score, find some athletic clothing with a UPF rating. (UPF is just like SPF, but for clothing.) The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a rating of 30 or above.

🏌️‍♂️ Wear a hat and sunglasses: These easy-to-find accessories help to block the harmful UV rays that hit your eyes and face.

🏌️‍♂️ Golf during off-peak hours: Instead of getting in the golf cart when the sun is high, go during the early morning or at dusk. Your risk of sunburn is lower when the sun is lower. As a bonus, it may be cheaper to play in the morning or twilight!

🏌️‍♂️ Pile on sunscreen: We hope you’re wearing sunscreen every day because it’s the easiest and simplest way to lower your cancer risk. When you’re on the golf course, opt for a waterproof formula that will withstand your sweat. This way, sunscreen won’t go in your eyes while the ball is going in the 18th hole.

If you’re headed to the greens this summer, we hope you top your all-time high score and top your skin with sunscreen. For any questions you may have about skin health or sun safety, just make an appointment and we’ll share our insight. Good luck out there!

Yours in good health,

Your West Dermatology Team