The Cosmetic Surgery Blog

The quest for the perfect tan can result in hyperpigmentation, premature aging, and ultimately, skin cancer. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is responsible for nearly 8,000 deaths each year in the U.S. alone. In an effort to look tan without exposure to UV rays, many people have turned to self-tanning lotions. These lotions produce the look of a suntan by dyeing the skin, but they do not produce the protective qualities of a real tan.

The journal Nature recently published the findings of a study which may hold the key to creating a tanning cream which creates a real tan, not just a skin dye, by stimulating the production of melanin. The cream would not only produce a beautiful tan, but would help in preventing skin cancer.

The key ingredient is forskolin, a substance derived from the root of the coleus forskohlii plant, found in India. More research, probably several years worth, will be necessary before the cream will be available to the public, but the discovery has conquered an aspect of skin cancer research which until now seemed unsolvable.

For more information on skin conditions and treatments, contact The Cosmetic Surgery Directory by clicking here.

Skin resurfacing options include ablative treatments, non-ablative treatments, or something that lies in between.

Ablative treatments entirely remove the outer layer of skin. Recovery is significant, although not as serious as a facelift or other major surgery, but the results can be just as dramatic. Ablative procedures can remove fine lines, deep discoloration, pre-cancerous cells, and some scars.

Non-ablative treatment does not injure the outer layers of skin and therefore does not require recovery time. There is no significant scabbing and peeling. Discoloration and visible veins are removed from the outer layers of the skin and collagen production is stimulated.

Fraxel resurfacing combines the two effects by reaching deep, but only in tiny areas, leaving surrounding tissues undamaged. The results are more dramatic than with non-ablative procedures, but healing is sped up by leaving unharmed cells surrounding the affected ones.

For more information on skin resurfacing, you can contact laser skin treatment expert Paul M. Friedman, M.D. of Houston, Texas by clicking here.