April 2009

Q: I don’t like the age spots that are starting to appear on my face. What can I do about them? 

A: So-called “age spots” are actually "sun spots.” Patches of uneven pigmentation affect many people and occur because the body distributes either too much or too little melanin (the pigment that creates skin, eye, and hair color) to an area. Uneven pigmentation results in a mottled appearance and can occur at different life stages, regardless of ethnic background or skin color. 

Learn about the key steps that make up the monthly skin cancer self-exam.

Learn about the different types of skin cancer and precancerous skin conditions. Check your knowledge about recognizing these conditions with our interactive quiz.

Learn the ABCs of melanoma identification. Included are definitions, animations, and information on each of the key identifiers of melanoma. 

There are many different brands of soaps and cleansers on the market today designed for many purposes, from fighting acne-causing bacteria to providing moisture. With so many different types of soap available today, it is hard to imagine how we ever survived with plain old-fashioned soap that was not designed for a specific skin type or purpose. As with any innovation, soap has gone through many changes since its inception thousands of years ago to become as varied and beneficial as it is today.

A patient recently came in because – even though it was midwinter and her legs hadn’t seen sunlight for months – a mole on her left calf seemed to be changing, getting darker, maybe larger, too. She knew these changes were a warning sign for skin cancer.

I’m always happy when a patient takes a proactive stance like this. And I’m relieved that we’re all becoming more educated about and aware of how skin changes – particularly in moles – can be a signal to pay attention and see your doctor. Such changes, even subtle ones, can be a precursor to skin cancer.

When considering cosmetic procedures, your own personal well-being and safety need to be your main concern. Always make sure to work with only trained and certified professionals. Never forego quality!

The economic crisis seems to have hurt and helped consumers at the same time. Many companies are offering products and services at significant discounts to encourage consumer spending. But one thing hasn’t seemed to change. Even in rough financial times, many women are still interested in cosmetic services. Wanting to look and feel our best is natural, and, for many, the economy is not going to change that.

Genentech, Inc. has voluntarily withdrawn the psoriasis drug Raptiva® (efalizumab) from the US market. Raptiva is associated with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a rare and usually fatal disease of the central nervous system. There are no known interventions that can adequately treat PML.

The chief medical officer of Genentech, Hal Barron, MD, believes that Raptiva has helped many psoriasis sufferers, but the risk of PML outweighs the drug’s benefits. Approximately 46,000 patients worldwide have taken Raptiva for chronic plaque psoriasis. There have been 3 cases of diagnosed PML in patients receiving Raptiva. It is not known whether other unreported cases have occurred.