Thu Feb 4, 2.00 am ET

Joshua Fox, M.D., medical director at Advanced Dermatology and founder of the New Age Skin Research Foundation, a non-profit health organization, conducted a study on 2,252 respondents. It consisted of a 24-question survey to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards sun exposure, tanning and sunscreen usage.

New Hyde Park, NY (PRWEB) February 4, 2010 — The American Cancer Society reports that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. With more than one million cases diagnosed annually, the incidences of skin cancers out number the combined incidences of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer in the United States.

Doctors Joshua Fox, MD and Rao Saladi, MD, of the New Age Skin Research Foundation, a non-profit health organization aiming to provide expert educational resources to the public and physicians, concluded that the most recent research on attitudes about sun protection and the behavior related to the proper use of sunscreen was unfortunately from studies focused primarily in Australia.

In order to gain an understanding of local points of view, the doctors conducted their own study and presented their findings in March of 2009, at the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) 67th Annual Meeting, held in San Francisco, California. These same findings were published in the March 2009 issue of The American Academy of Dermatology.

The study was conducted throughout Connecticut, New York and New Jersey and included 2,252 respondents. The study consisted of a 24-question survey. The survey was designed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards sun exposure, tanning and sunscreen usage. Demographic data on each subject’s age, sex, race, education and skin type were also collected. Surveys were conducted throughout the Tri-State area in four types of locations: public beaches (34.6% of respondents), public areas such as malls and parks (33.3% of respondents), at colleges (24.6% of respondents), and in dermatology offices (7.5% of respondents).

Dr. Fox and Dr. Saladi concluded that, “While many individuals are admittedly aware of the value of sunscreen as protection against the dangers of skin damage and skin cancer, they lack knowledge about the proper use of sunscreen.”

“One surprising finding”, said Dr. Fox, “was that while respondents in the beachgoer category had the highest instance of sunscreen usage, 42% using it regularly; the same group was among the highest percentage to use tanning salons.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, frequent tanners using new high-pressure sunlamps may receive as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose compared to the dose they receive from sun exposure. And, research indicates that people who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop Squamous Cell Carcinoma which kills about 2.5 billion people each year, and are 1.5 times more likely to develop Basal Cell Carcinoma. Doctors Fox and Saladi discovered that, regardless of the survey category, between 10% and 15% of respondents used tanning beds.

Other results from the survey showed that respondents from the public area category were split almost equally into thirds; one third used sunscreen regularly, one third used it occasionally, and one third reported non-use. Of the college campus respondents 38.9% of respondents reported almost daily use, while 39.23% said they never used sunscreen.

The dermatology office category respondents reported the highest daily usage of sunscreen at 56.90 percent. “We believe that it is because this group of respondents is likely to have had some experience with or concern about skin damage or cancer,” said Dr. Fox.

Dr. Saladi added, “it is also likely that as a result of their dermatology visits, this group would have had the highest degree of education and reinforcement regarding the proper use of sunscreen from their dermatologist and staff. Dr. Fox and I both believe that improving education and reinforcement can increase awareness and improve behavior, regardless of the geographic area.”

Education on the proper use of sunscreen should include how to select the right products, the proper application and reapplication of sunscreen, and the frequency and amount of its use.

Roslyn, New York, January 2010 - Advanced Dermatology and Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, a leading medical practice with offices in Long Island, Queens and Manhattan, announced that it has assumed a dermatology practice in Ridgewood, New Jersey under the name Advanced Dermatology of New Jersey, PC.
 
“We are thrilled to expand our practice into New Jersey and look forward to working with Dr. Applebaum-Farkas and her excellent team of dermatologists, laser surgeons, cosmetic specialists and aesthetician, formerly known as Comprehensive Dermatology Center”, commented Dr. Joshua Fox, Medical Director of Advanced Dermatology. “We are pleased to build on the successes of their superior team of dermatologists and to offer the Ridgewood and neighboring communities the latest in dermatologic services” he added.
 
The New Jersey office will offer a comprehensive array of dermatological services including Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery, cosmetic and plastic surgery and treatment of a variety of general dermatology conditions including psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, acne, skin cancer, skin allergy testing rules and more.  Advanced Dermatology has over forty lasers with which to treat a variety of cosmetic and medical conditions.  In fact, Advanced Dermatology is one of the few practices in the country to offer a laser and cosmetic fellowship, attesting to their excellence in the field.
 
Advanced Dermatology of New Jersey will offer experienced dermatologist including Dr. Paige Applebaum-Farkas, a well-respected clinician, Gregory Pistone, MD, a Temple University-trained dermatologist with over thirty years of experience specializing in hair restoration, Dr. Hirshel Kahn, an excellent clinician,  Dr. Diana Leu, specializing in complete body exams, Dr. Maya Thosani, new to the practice and specializing in skin cancers, and Dr. Joshua L. Fox, Medical Director, specializing in skin cancers, difficult of unusual dermatologic cases and lasers in dermatology.
 
Advanced Dermatology of New Jersey, PC will be located at 1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, 201-493-1717.
 
About Dr. Fox:  Joshua L. Fox, M.D., F.A.A.D., earned his medical degree from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He completed an internship at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, followed by a three-year dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine. A Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Fox is a leading authority in the field of dermatology, with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery and laser procedures. He is the founder and director of Advanced Dermatology, P.C. of New York and New Jersey and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery and is a spokesman for both the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery.  www.GetMeGreatSkin.com . Dr. Fox is also the founder of The New Age Research Foundation, a national non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of people with skin conditions. www.NewAgeSkin.org.
 
About Advanced Dermatology and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery:  A premier medical practice with seven locations throughout Long Island, Queens, Manhattan and New Jersey, the center provides the widest range of medical, laser and cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery services in the New York Metropolitan area.

Conquering Oily Skin
by Eva Chen January 04, 2010

A new study from Germany found that oily skin is both “emotionally and socially disruptive.” Well, duh! I could’ve told you that from experience with oily skin as a teen! Here, some tips from Joshua Fox, MD, a dermatologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology.

“Oily skin can usually be managed by adding just a few simple steps to one’s daily skincare regimen. The good news is that despite popular opinion, diet has little, if anything, to do with whether or not you have oily skin. In oily skin, the sebaceous glands, located deep within the skin, produce too much oil, especially on the face, neck, chest, head and back. While some oil is needed for the health of your skin and hair, too much oil can make skin and hair look greasy and dirty; it makes pores look large, and promotes pimples, blackheads and other blemishes. Oil production can be stimulated by hormones, so anything that causes hormones to fluctuate can cause skin to become more oily. Humidity, hot weather, sun, exercise and other environmental conditions, and even some cosmetics, can make things worse. My recommendations:

Use only water-based or oil-free cosmetics

Use only products designed for oily skin.

Consider using different cleansers during the summer and winter. Hot, humid weather requires a heavier cleanser, while cool dry air calls for a moisturizing product.

Consider prescription and non prescription astringents, face washes, masks and other degreasing agents which can help.

Use a glycolic or salicylic acid product with a light oil-free moisturizer containing a sunscreen.”

This Winter, Don’t Forget Sunscreen
Though you might not think about SPF in winter months, sun protection is important year round.

You may be thinking more about moisturizing your skin this season.

The CDC has also found over 100 million Americans experience some degree of sunburn annually, either by not properly applying sunscreen or not using it at all.

But even though the sandals and bathing suit are packed away, sunscreen should stay well in reach. In fact, it is always the season for sunscreen, even though most of our skin is under layers of clothes in the winter months.

And even though we know better, studies show we often overlook taking simple steps when in the sun: using protective clothing, applying sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure. The New Age Skin Research Foundation conducted a study and found many melanoma patients were aware of the sun’s effects and dangers, but few took these protective steps–until after they were diagnosed with skin cancer.

Sunscreen Facts and Myths
The consequences of ignoring the dangers of the sun can be dire. More than 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 132,000 new cases of melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Melanoma is responsible for more than 8,500 skin cancer deaths annually; this number has been on the rise over the past decade in large part due to unprotected sun exposure, the AAD says.

Surprisingly, the motivating factor for putting on sunscreen isn’t these humbling statistics, however. When counseling his patients, Joshua Fox, MD, plays up the effects of the sun on skin aging as opposed to the cancer risk. People are more concerned with wrinkles and sunspots, says Dr. Fox, a New York dermatologist, founder and medical director of Advanced Dermatology, PC and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery.

“If you’re under 40, you probably don’t know anyone who has skin cancer and it’s nothing you can relate to,” explains Dr. Fox, who is also the president of The New Age Skin Research Foundation. “But you do see people with wrinkled skin.”

Interestingly, sunscreen isn’t the only precaution you should be taking to protect yourself.

“A lot of people think just putting sunscreen on is just like Superman changing into his cape-they think they will be totally immune to the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light,” says dermatologist Clay Cockerell, MD, clinical professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; and former president of the AAD. “Sunscreen does block a significant part of UV rays, but not 100 percent.

During the winter, remember to put sunscreen on all exposed areas, even if you are just going out to play in the snow or ski. You may be wearing a scarf, gloves and a snowsuit, but your exposed face is still subjected to UV rays. Even though there is less direct sunlight in the winter, there is still a chance to get burned-especially since snow reflects light.

Another recent myth about sunscreen is that if you wear it, you will block out the beneficial vitamin D you obtain from the sunlight. This is false, according to Dr. Cockerell. Between five and 10 minutes in the sun a few times a week will give you all the vitamin D you need, Dr. Cockerell contends. You can always take vitamin D supplements or add foods containing vitamin D to your diet as well. “We have an epidemic of skin cancer on our hands, not of vitamin D-related rickets,” he adds.

Finding Your SPF
At the least, consumers should wear an SPF of 15. Those with fair skin should wear an SPF of 30 or higher, Dr. Cockerell says. New sunscreens on the market even go as high as an SPF of 85 or 90. “If you’re compulsive, have sensitive skin or have had skin cancer, those are good for you,” Dr. Cockerell tells ADVANCE.

People can be allergic to types of sunscreen, including those made of organic compounds. Instead of forgoing sunscreen all together, they can try sunscreens made of inorganic compounds, such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide.

Dr. Fox suggests putting your sunscreen right next to your toothbrush so you remember to put it on every morning when you brush your teeth. Check as well for moisturizers with sunscreen included, especially if you are concerned with wrinkles. These steps can help you look good, as well as stay healthy-no matter the motivation.

Amanda Koehler is an associate editor at ADVANCE.