Category: Our Blog

I am still often surprised when patients come into our clinic and admit that they don’t wear sunscreen. Certainly I can understand that patients who are a little older may not be in practice of applying sunscreen daily or properly due in fact to being raised to believe that the sun is good for us. For those people, I say we may have been under that impression when we were young, but the world has changed and with the sun stronger now and the depletion of the ozone layer, you would have to be in complete darkness not to have heard that excessive sun exposure can be fatal.

For younger patients, there is no excuse. To think a little colour is worth risking your life for, I say that is what bronzer is for. Be safe, be smart. But there is another group that has me worried the most. Those with darker skin feel that since they don’t burn, they are not at risk. If you fall into this category, be sure to read on. This may save your life.
 
Although people of colour have a lower risk of developing skin cancer than Caucasians, skin cancer is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage in people of colour, thus making it more difficult to treat and the prognosis much worse.
 
A study “Skin cancer and photo protection in people of colour: A review and recommendations for physicians and the public,” published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, provides recommendations for the prevention and early detection of skin cancer in people of colour based on a comprehensive review of available data.
 
The 5-year survival rate for Blacks and Latinos diagnosed with melanoma is lower than Caucasians, likely due to the fact that it is often more advanced when diagnosed. For example, the 5-year survival rate for Black Americans is 73% compared to 91% in Caucasians. This study was done in the USA, and therefore we don’t have the statistics for Canada. However, we can assume the numbers would be similar.
 
Tips for Patients
 
Many people of colour mistakenly believe that they are not at risk, but skin cancer is colour blind. Skin cancer can look and develop differently in individuals with skin of colour than it does in individuals with lighter skin. In fact, when skin cancer is diagnosed in people of colour, it is often found in areas of the skin that are not typically exposed to the sun. Specifically, the bottom of the foot is where 30% to 40% of melanomas are diagnosed in people of colour (e.g. music superstar Bob Marley, who died of his melanoma, had it on his foot). Nearly 8% of melanomas in Asian Americans occur in the mouth. Squamous cell carcinoma — the most commonly diagnosed skin cancer in Blacks — often develops on the buttocks, hip, legs and feet.
 
It is recommended that patients with skin of colour should be advised to check their skin monthly and make an appointment with their dermatologist if anything suspicious is noted.  It is also recommended that patients:
 
• Pay special attention to the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, the fingernails, toenails, mouth, groin and buttocks.
 
• Look for any spots or lesions that are changing, itching, or bleeding or any ulcers or wounds that will not heal.
 
Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays has been identified as a risk factor for skin cancer in people of colour. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most commonly diagnosed skin in cancer in Asian Americans and Latinos, is most frequently found on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the head and neck. Skin of colour patients also should be reminded to:
 
• Seek shade whenever possible.
 
• Wear sun-protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat (baseball cap doesn’t protect your ears and nose) and sunglasses.
 
• Avoid tanning beds.
 
• Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30 to all exposed areas of the skin before going outdoors. When outdoors, reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours, and after swimming or sweating or towelling.
 
• Take a vitamin D supplement because they are at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially individuals with darker skin.
 
While I may have the palest of pale skin, and moles quite visible, the fact that I have such contrast makes it easier to detect if something looks off. Because I burn easily, I wear sun protection every day of the year, even in winter. I have taken most of my risks away. Education and observation are key and action based on those may save your life.
 
~ Sheri Roselle, Medical Esthetician at Toronto Dermatology Centre

Dr. Benjamin Barankin recently published an article on melasma, a very common and frustrating skin condition. Check out this article here!

Dr. Barankin quoted in Glow magazine on how to take care of the skin area around the eyes. Click here to read the article!

Different fillers and wrinkle relaxers “have different properties based on the size of the molecules and the manufacturing process,” and only a trained physician can accurately determine the right product and inject it correctly…

Dr. Barankin publishes case on Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Check it out here!

Let’s face it we are all getting older. But how many of us look in the mirror and don’t see the young person that we feel inside?  Being young at heart is definitely the way to live our lives. But what if the outside doesn’t match? Can we do anything about it? Can we stop or reverse the damage we have done to our face, our hands, and our décolleté? As a medical esthetician in the beauty field for almost 30 years, I can say with absolute certainty that the answer is yes. And we can do it without scalpels, without surgery and with little to no downtime.

The number one cause of premature aging on the skin is from photodamage (sun!). Damage from UVA rays from the sun is more damaging to the skin than smoking, drinking or poor dietary habits. The proper use of sunscreens throughout your life will be your best way to preserve your skin. But let’s say the damage has already been done. That is where we come in. With the help of lasers, chemical peels and medical grade home care, we can decrease lines and wrinkles, add volume and tighten sagging skin, and reduce brown spots. We can eliminate red lesions, broken blood vessels and make the skin smoother and softer. Sometimes a little bit of Botox or dermal wrinkle fillers is all that is needed.

The broadband light (BBL) device is our go-to machine when people come to seek help with flat brown spots (“lentigo”) or red vessels (“telangiectasia”). The machine works like a magnet to remove brown spots. Imagine the pigmented lesions are the south end of a magnet and the broadband light is the north end. By tuning it for the appropriate skin tones, we can effectively lift the browns right out of the skin. There is no downtime and make up can even be applied right after the treatment. The number of treatments depends on how many and how large the lesions are, but generally 3-6 treatments will give great clearance.

When treating for broken blood vessels, we use a different filter, and this time the heat from the laser will coagulate the vessels and they will simply metabolize through your system. In essence, they will simply just go away. The broadband light is the best machine for treating rosacea, and again there is no downtime, and its incredibly safe in experienced and trained hands.

Actinic Keratoses are generally red, scaly lesions on the forehead, scalp, back of the hands or other areas that have been overexposed to the sun. These lesions are “pre-cancerous” and are best diagnosed by a dermatologist. Once diagnosed, Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) can be used to get rid of the actinic keratosis involving a topical medicine activated by the broadband light device. This treatment is often covered by health benefits, as it is a medical concern. Not only does this treatment clear up nicely these lesions, but also other sun damage spots including flat brown lentigos, and burst blood vessels called telangiectasia often disappear, often with the added bonus of a bit of skin tightening and an overall glow to the skin.

Because the energy from the broadband light stimulates collagen, the skin will feel softer and smoother as the treatments progress. In fact there have been papers published recently that state that doing even two full face treatments a year will greatly slow down the aging process!

Another treatment for aging skin comes in the form of chemical peels. At our clinic we carry a multitude of medical-grade peels ranging from single acid peels such as glycolic for fine lines and TCA for more textural problems, to mixed acid peels that treat several issues all at one time. One of my favourite peels contains retinol, which is not only anti-aging, but has the ability to repair skin as well. With no heat or discomfort, and very little to no actual peeling, it is an absolute dream peel to do on those who can’t afford the downtime associated with some of our more aggressive peels.

Our patients come in all sizes, all skin types and all ages. Consultations are complimentary, and, I believe, the best starting point to get you going in the right direction. We take all of your concerns into consideration before creating a solution that is made just for you. Whether your restrictions may be time, financial or intolerances to certain products, we have an incredible selection of choices that will work for your lifestyle.

~ Sheri Roselle, Medical Esthetician at Toronto Dermatology Centre