| To prevent skin cancer: FDA pushes
for more-informed daily sunscreen use. Even the most dedicated daily sunscreen users may not be using the right kind of product, and many are not using enough of what they do use, says the Food and Drug Administration. Three types of products are involved: Sunscreen. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. It should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. People with fair skin should use SPF 30. Antioxidant cream. Face cream containing antioxidants helps to prevent the sun's rays from causing free-radical damage, which can accelerate aging and wrinkles. Some sunscreens also have antioxidants. Makeup. Cosmetics with SPF act as an extra shield against the sun, especially when their SPF comes from a natural sunscreen like zinc oxide. Dermatologists quoted in The Wall Street Journal suggest applying makeup before sunscreen. * FDA guidelines say any product with an SPF of 14 or lower and products without broad spectrum status must carry a message saying they are effective only against sunburn, not to prevent skin cancer. * The terms "sunblock," "waterproof," and "sweat proof" can no longer be used, though it will take some time to clear these products from store shelves. All sunscreens must warn users to reapply every two hours. Dermatologists at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York say sunscreen should be applied every day, but not nearly enough people now do it. * To correctly apply sunscreen in the morning, start with one ounce, the amount equal to one shot glass. Measure and apply it to all parts of the body that will be exposed to daylight. More than 2 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Melanoma, the most dangerous form, is rising in most age groups. It increased eightfold in women ages 18 to 29 from 1970 to 2009. |
By Colleen McCleery, MD, OB/GYN—Exuberan® by Virtua Menopause is a mixed bag of little surprises. While most women look forward to saying goodbye to tampons and pads, far fewer are excited to now experience hot flashes and night sweats. And it’s probably fair to say that weight gain is the least popular and often least expected “side effect” of this hormonal shift. Considering many women struggle with their weight on a good day, it’s not surprising that this is the number one complaint from patients who are going through this transition. The biology of menopause During the late 40s to mid-50s, a hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) increases and no longer performs its job to regulate the ovaries. During this increase in FSH, other hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone decrease. A decrease in testosterone can lead to weight gain and decreased energy. And, not surprisingly, estrogen loss has far-reaching effects beyond hot flashes. It contribut...
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