Skin and Cancer Associates - Hallandale Beach

Also known as actinic elastosis, solar elastosis is a skin condition caused by years of accumulated sun exposure. It literally means “damage to skin elasticity from sun exposure.” More commonly, we refer to this as “sun damage” or “photoaging.” Although not a medical concern itself, solar elastosis may be an indication that a patient is at a higher risk of skin cancer, due to his or her history of sun exposure. However, with a proper diagnosis and treatment, this condition can be improved.

What Is Solar Elastosis?

Solar elastosis is characterized by thick, yellowed skin that sometimes appears furrowed, creased, or bumpy. It is seen in people who have experienced long-term sun exposure over many years and is a type of photoaging. The sun’s UV rays break down the collagen and elastic fibers in your skin, causing the skin to lose its strength, flexibility and structural support. Because it is primarily caused by UV damage, solar elastosis is most commonly seen on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, and arms.

In some cases, this condition may also be caused by smoking, as tobacco can have similar negative effects on the skin as UV rays, damaging collagen and elastin fibers.

Is Solar Elastosis Preventable?

Yes, solar elastosis is easily prevented by practicing good sun protection habits. However, if you are already seeing signs of this condition or other signs of skin aging, then seeking the proper treatment will be your best option. While you can’t undo the sun damage that has already occurred, you can still adopt the right skincare regimen and healthy lifestyle habits to prevent future signs of sun damage and aging from showing up on your skin – it is never too late to start taking great care of your skin!

For more help choosing a sunscreen that is right for your skin, you can read this blog about sunscreen basics. My general advice is to try to find a physical sunscreen that you like. Learn more about sunscreen basics here. These products contain the minerals zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, rather than chemical ingredients. Therefore, physical sunscreens are generally better tolerated for most skin types, even those with sensitive skin.

Because those with solar elastosis may be at an increased risk for skin cancer, it is important to perform regular self-exams of your skin, as well as schedule annually or biannually checkups.

How Is Solar Elastosis Treated?

If you are seeing signs of solar elastosis on your skin, fractional laser treatments may be the most effective solution. CO2RE laser resurfacing effectively treats sun damage, uneven pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and other signs of aging skin. The VBeam vascular laser may also be used to address irregular pigmentation of the skin caused by the sun.

In addition to in-office treatments, following the proper skincare regimen for your skin type is crucial to getting and maintaining healthy skin. Anti-aging skincare ingredients such as retinoids, antioxidants, growth factors, heparan sulfate, and defensin can help to improve lines, wrinkles, and age spots as well.

In Summary

The sun is one of the largest contributors to aging skin. While prevention is ideal, conditions like solar elastosis can be treated with a combination of in-office laser treatments, the proper skincare regimen for your skin type, and sun protection habits like wearing SPF daily and avoiding deliberate tanning.

If you have more questions about what solar elastosis is or would like information on how it is diagnosed and treated, please contact us online or give our Miami office a call at 305-532-5552. You can also sign up for our newsletter by visiting www.derm.net, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

©2019 Metabeauty, Inc.

Early detection is crucial when it comes to treating melanoma and other skin cancers, but many people do not know what to look for. Use this guide to learn how to perform a self-exam at home and what signs to look for.

Steps to Perform a Self-Exam

For most people, scanning your skin for anything out of the ordinary about once a month is sufficient. However, if you are at a higher risk for skin cancer or have lots of moles, you may want to check your skin more frequently. When doing your self-exam, follow these basic steps:

1. Start with your face, including hard-to-see areas like the tips of your ears, your hairline, and lips.
2. Move onto your scalp. You will most likely need to use a handheld mirror, in addition to the one you’re standing in front of to be able to do this step. You may need to ask a spouse or other family member to help with this step. You can use a blow dryer on the “cool” setting to help blow your hair out of the way as you check. If you go to a hair salon- ask your stylist to look for any discolorations on your scalp.
3. Check your hands, wrists, and forearms. Be sure to check both the backs and palms of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your fingernails.
4. Use a full-length mirror to check the rest of your arms, not forgetting the back of your arms and underarms.
5. Check the rest of the front of your body in the mirror, including your neck, chest, abdomen, and legs.  
6. If you can hold a mirror in front of a full length mirror-  turn around and examine your back, buttocks, and the backs of your legs. Or- ask a spouse or friend to check your skin. If you get massages- ask your masseuse to tell you if they see any suspicious looking dark moles.  I have had several patients come in with skin cancers that were noticed by their massage therapists.
7. Examine your feet, both the tops and the soles, and checking between toes and under toenails.

What Are Early Signs of Skin Cancer?

When scanning your body for moles and other spots, you want to look for the “ABCDEs of melanoma.” These are:

• Asymmetry. Do both sides of the mole look alike, or are there differences from one side to the other?

• Borders that are irregular. Look for any non-uniform borders or those that are poorly defined.

• Color that is varied and non-uniform. Most normal moles are one solid color. Pre-cancers and cancers may be varied in color and can include shades of brown, black, white, red, or even blue.

• Diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser. While melanomas can be much smaller than this, this is the size that they typically are when diagnosed.

• Evolution or change. If you notice that a mole looks different every time you perform your self-exam for skin cancer, it may be a melanoma.

It is good practice to keep a mole map for these checks, where you fill in the spots where you have moles, especially those ones that you’d like to keep an eye on. This makes it easier to detect any changes or new spots.  I recommend taking photos or any moles and putting them in their own file on your phone for easy access. That way you can refer back to them if you are wondering if a mole has changed.

In Summary

Schedule a yearly check-up with your dermatologist once a year if you do not have any risk factors for skin cancer.  If your parents or siblings have had skin cancer, you should get checked at least every 6 months. In between visits,  perform these self-checks every month to detect any changes. If you notice any of the above ABCDEs, contact us to schedule an appointment. It is better to be on the safe side – even if the spot turns out to be nothing – than to take the chance of letting a possible melanoma go undiagnosed.

If you’d like to stay in-the-know about the latest skin care news and advice from Dr. Baumann, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

©2019 Metabeauty, Inc.

Argan oil has long been used for its beauty and health benefits, although there is still limited but promising research regarding its use for the skin. What we do know about pure argan oil is that it is an excellent source of many beneficial nutrients like vitamin E and omega fatty acids, making it a gentle, yet effective ingredient for many skin types, including sensitive skin and rosacea.

What Is Argan Oil?

Derived from the kernels of the Moroccan-native Argania spinosa tree, argan oil is believed to possess a number of qualities that make it a promising skin care ingredient. It is believed to help with acne, oily skin, dry skin, signs of aging, and wound healing.

Pure argan oil – dubbed “liquid gold” – has also historically been used as an ingestible ingredient as a treatment for heart disease, joint pain, and even infertility.

Learn more about Argan Oil

How Does Argan Oil Benefit Sensitive Skin?

Argan oil contains a variety of nutrients that are known to be beneficial to the skin, particularly when managing sensitive skin types like rosacea.

Omega fatty acids comprise the majority of this rare oil. Rich in both omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, argan oil possesses strong anti-inflammatory and moisturizing qualities – both of which are critical for managing rosacea. In particular, linoleic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid, helps to control inflammation. Omega-9 fatty acids like oleic acid are also known to help increase the permeability of other topical ingredients, making other skin treatments more effective.

Additionally, argan oil contains high concentrations of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E plays an important role in free radical protection, particularly those formed through sun damage. This powerful vitamin may also have anti-aging benefits, although other vitamin E formulations may not be well-tolerated by rosacea patients. Argan oil, on the other hand, is gentle on even sensitive skin types.

Where to Find Argan Oil

You can find argan oil both online or at your local drug store. Just make sure that it is 100% pure argan oil. You also need to make sure that it is packaged and stored properly, as argan oil is known to lose its effectiveness when stored at high temperatures.

Note that the Argania spinosa tree is very slow-growing and the process through which the oil is extracted from the kernels is very time-consuming. For these reasons, argan oil is still considered to be relatively rare, which makes it on the pricier side.

I personally like PAORR 100% Organic Moroccan Argan Oil, which you can buy online for under $30 through the STS store using a physician code.

Bottom Line

Preliminary research shows promising evidence that argan oil could be very beneficial for the skin and hair. Its high concentration of omega fatty acids and vitamin E could help to calm the skin and reduce redness caused by inflammation, as is the case with rosacea and other inflammatory skin problems like acne and eczema.

If you have specific questions about your skin care routine for managing rosacea, feel free to contact our team at Baumann Cosmetic online, or call our Miami office at 305-532-5552.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest rosacea research and treatment breakthroughs, plus sign up for our newsletter by emailing info@derm.net.  

©2019 Metabeauty, Inc.