Pittwater Life November 2020 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
with Andrew Snow
Hair & Beauty
with Sue Carroll
Prevention better than cure:
ways to protect your skin
Summer’s here – it’s time to
get your beauty ‘glow’ on
Health & Wellbeing
Skin cancer occurs when
skin cells are damaged,
for example, by
overexposure to ultraviolet
(UV) radiation from the sun.
There are three main types
of skin cancer: Basal cell
carcinoma; Squamous cell
carcinoma; and Melanoma –
the most dangerous form of
skin cancer.
In Australia, the incidence
of skin cancer is one of
the highest in the world. It
accounts for around 80%
of all our newly diagnosed
cancers. Doctors tally
more than 1 million patient
consultations per year for skin
cancer.
Approximately two in every
three Australians will be
diagnosed with skin cancer
by the time they are 70. Nonmelanoma
skin cancer is
almost twice as common in
men and the risk increases as
you get older.
In 2018, a total of 2094
people died from skin cancer
in Australia – 1429 from
melanoma and 665 from nonmelanoma
skin cancers.
It is important to check your
skin regularly and check
with your doctor if you
notice any changes. Look
for:
■ Any crusty, non-healing
sores;
■ Small lumps that are red,
pale or pearly in colour; and
■ New spots, freckles or any
moles changing in colour,
thickness or shape over a
period of weeks to months.
The sooner a skin cancer
is identified and treated, the
better your chance of avoiding
surgery or, in the case of a
more serious cancer, potential
disfigurement or even death.
Your doctor may perform
a biopsy for any spots that
may look suspicious. In some
cases, your doctor may refer
you to a specialist such as a
dermatologist if necessary.
Skin cancers are almost
always removed. In more
advanced skin cancers, some
of the surrounding tissue may
also be removed to make sure
that all the cancerous cells
have been taken out.
Some skin cancers can
be treated with ointments
or radiation therapy. Skin
cancers can also be removed
with cryotherapy (using liquid
nitrogen to rapidly freeze
the cancer off), curettage
(scraping) or cautery
(burning).
For best protection, when
the UV level is 3 or above,
use a combination of sun
protection measures such as:
■ Wear sun protective
clothing that covers as
much skin as possible;
■ Apply a broad spectrum,
water resistant sunscreen
that is at least SPF30. Put it
on 20 minutes before you
go outdoors and every two
hours afterwards. Sunscreen
should never be used to
extend the time you spend
in the sun;
■ Wear a hat that protects
your face, head, neck
and ears;
■ Stay in the shade when
possible;
■ Wear sunglasses that meet
Australian standards; and
■ Be extra cautious in the
middle of the day when UV
levels are most intense.
Most non-melanoma skin
cancers do not pose a serious
risk to your health but a
cancer diagnosis can be a
shock. For more detailed
information about skin
cancer please phone Cancer
Council 13 11 20 or talk to
your preferred health care
professional.
Pittwater Pharmacy &
Compounding Chemist
at Mona Vale has operated
as a family-run business
since 1977. Open seven
days; drop in and meet
the highly qualified and
experienced team of Len,
Sam and Amy Papandrea
and Andrew Snow. Find
them at 1771 Pittwater Rd;
call 9999 3398.
62 NOVEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
Along with our great outdoor
lifestyle comes the
ravages of the Australian
sun and hyperpigmentation
in all its forms. With summer
knocking at our door, there is
still time to reduce last year’s
brown spots before adding to
those we will acquire this year.
There are three main types
of pigmentation: Epidermal,
where the pigmentation is close
to the surface of the skin and
is light brown; Dermal, where
the brown marks appear more
solid, is usually deep brown
and ashen grey; and a mixture,
where both levels are usually
dark brown.
There are many causes of
hyperpigmentation which may
include: PIH (post-inflammatory
hyperpigmentation; pregnancy
(melasma); birth control pills;
long-term sun exposure;
estrogen (HRT); razor bumps;
acne; severe sunburn; eczema;
chemical irritations; rashes;
abrasive scrubs; surgical
procedures; perfume sprayed
on sun-exposed skin; certain
prescription medications; picking;
insect bites; scratching;
Chicken Pox; and trauma to the
skin. They all lead to the same
outcome where we have ageing
brown marks on both our face
and body.
Melanocytes are cells in our
skin that produce melanin, or
pigment and these are located
deep within the skin. It would
be perfect if the colour or
pigment was produced evenly
across our skin but given the
stimulants mentioned above
aggravating our melanin, this is
not usually the case.
My philosophy for treating
hyperpigmentation focuses on
five main areas to help achieve
a luminous, radiant glow for
our skin. These are: Surface exfoliation;
suppressing melanocyte
activity; treatment; cellular
repair and protection; and
lightening and brightening.
With the assistance of
gauze, toning lotion and/or
The Local Voice Since 1991
surface exfoliation, skin cells
are sloughed off, revealing a
brighter complexion. Some of
the key ingredients in these
products are Retinaldehydes,
Mandelic Acid, Flower Acids
and AHAs and BHAs.
To reduce existing hyperpigmentation,
superior brightening
agents in skin care products
will include Daisy Flower
Extract, Kojic Acid, L-Arbutin,
Resveratrol and Niacinamide –
all of which assist in reducing
melanocyte activity. This in
turn will improve skin clarity
and even out the skin tone.
Treatments to help reduce
the appearance of hyperpigmentation
may include progressive,
mid-depth and deep
peels; Intense Pulsed Light (IPL),
Fractional Laser, Skin Classic
Dyathermy, Nano Fractional
Laser and Tixel, or a combination
of these procedures.
When our skin is under attack
from any of the causes of
hyperpigmentation, cellular
breakdown occurs and cellular
repair is needed. This can be in
the form of internal nutritional
food and supplements (including
the antioxidants Vitamins
A, B and C) and external product
application (which include
ingredients such as reparative
stem cells like Gardenia, Swiss
Apple, Edelweiss, Vitamin C
and B). By incorporating a natural
physical sunscreen – zinc
and titanium dioxide – to our
everyday skincare regime, the
skin has a natural shield of protection
against future attacks. It
is important to note regular 3-4
hourly application of sunscreen
is required; and even then we
can still obtain a tan.
To assist with lightening and
brightening our complexion,
the skin may benefit from the
infusion of Vitamin C, Mandelic
and Phytic Acids, and Plantain
Leaf extract. In-clinic skincare
treatments are like the ‘boot
camp’ for the infusion process –
and it does not mean you have
to suffer to be glowing. The
treatments are performed regularly
and provide radiant skin
and you leaving more relaxed –
a great prescription for healthy,
radiant skin.
We live in “a sunburnt country”,
so we need to be vigilant
year-round with our skin/sun
protection. A healthy diet for
internal support and sun protection
(sunglasses, sunscreen,
sun hat, long sleeves) and
skincare supporting cellular
repair and melanin suppression
will all assist with the necessary
external support. The result will
allow us to ‘get our glow on’.
Sue Carroll is at the forefront
of the beauty, wellness
and para-medical profession
with 35 years’ experience on
Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
She leads an experienced,
professional team who are
passionate about results for
men and women.
info@skininspiration.com.au
www.skininspiration.com.au
NOVEMBER 2020 63
Health Hair & Wellbeing Beauty