About 20 states currently have some law aimed at limiting minors' use of indoor tanning.  The laws allow young people to use tanning parlors provided they have parental consent, even just a note from a parent in some cases. Only California had a stricter laws, banning children 14 and under from using tanning facilities.

Dr. Stuart Kaplan believes that tanning salons are businesses that expose teenagers to carcinogens and increase their risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.  Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and has been found to increase in people with a  history of childhood sunburns.   

The Indoor Tanning Association estimates that 30 million Americans use tanning salons.  The organization argues that indoor tanning, when done properly, can improve health.   

Dr. Kaplan disagrees.  Cases of melanoma of the skin have been increasing for decades.  People who start tanning when they are young, or those who receive many sunburns have a higher risk of malignant melanoma.  The good news is that melanoma is almost always curable if diagnosed early.   Tanning salons are often used by young women and girls, and as many as one in three girls use indoor tanning salons.  Many researches believe the rates are even higher for female college students. 

In another study from October 2008, researchers found that one-third of health officials in states with indoor tanning laws said they did not inspect tanning salons, while another third of the states inspected tanning salons less than once a year.   

This study is the work of Dr Allan Conney and researchers of Rutger University's Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research. They exposed specially bred albino mice to UV radiation twice a week for 20 weeks to examine the development of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas, or non-melanoma skin cancers. Then a portion of the mice were treated with over-the-counter moisturizers, such as Eucerin, Dermabase, Dermovan and Vanicream.

What they found was that mice treated with the moisturizers had increased tumors, and larger tumors, which developed at a faster rate than mice that were not treated with moisturizers. After further research, they concluded that Mineral Oil and Sodium Lauryl Suphate may have caused the increase in skin cancer tumors.

However, these studies were performed on mice only. Drugs that have caused a certain reaction in animals do not always have similar effects in humans. Further, more research must be done to verify these results and its effect on human skin.

To help prevent skin cancer in the first place, always remember to practice good sun protection, like wearing a wide-brim hat and long sleeves, and using sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, and look for products containing physical sunscreens, such as Titanium Dioxide.

Note: No kaplanMD Skincare Product or kaplanMD LIP 20 lip treatment contains either mineral oil or sodium lauryl sulphate.

Dr. Stuart Kaplan has been in private practice in Beverly Hills for over 22 years, and also serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Medical Center for over 20 years.

kaplanMD Skincare Products Day Cream SPF 15  About Dr. Kaplan   LIP 20 Anti-Aging LIP Treatment

Time-Release Microsphere Technology is the use of programmed microspheres composed of marine collagen to encapsulate active ingredients. These microspheres penetrate the skin�??s outer layers and enable the transport of ingredients deep into the skin. Only kaplanMD Skincare incorporates this patented Microsphere Technology to transport an exclusive Phytogenic Triactive Complex, and other essential anti-aging ingredients, deep within the skin. Utilizing the best ingredients for all three types of skin aging, at their highest concentrations, kaplanMD has incorporated the most sophisticated new delivery technology to ensure your skin receives the maximum benefit from each ingredient.

HOW IT WORKS
As you apply kaplanMD skincare products onto your skin, the rubbing motion activates enzymes in "programmed" marine collagen microspheres. This causes a controlled time-release of active ingredients, as the product penetrates through the outer layers of your skin. This means every ingredient in the kaplanMD skincare line is delivered exactly where you need it most, and delivered slowly so the benefits are maintained throughout the day. The result is radiant, beautiful skin.

kaplanMD Science  Skincare Products

Keeping skin looking fresh requires a good skincare regimen. To keep pores clean and skin smooth, I recommend using a facial scrub 2 - 3 times a week. Look for exfoliants that contain very fine abrasive particles, such as date seed poweder or jojoba esters. I also recommend using a clay-based mask a few times a week to tighten pores and firm skin, but not on the same day you exfoliate. Doing both on the same day may cause overdrying.

And, like anything, preparation is key:

Before applying make-up, wash your face with a facial cleanser that fits your skin type.

Next, apply an astringent or toner with a cotton pad. A good toner will help refine pores while gently exfoliating dull skin.This helps prepare your skin for moisturizer.  Again, you need to use a toner that matches your skin type, but I suggest not using one that contains alcohol because it can be too harsh or overdrying.

Next, follow with a moisturizer with a minimum SPF 15. No matter how oily your skin is, you need to use some type of moisturizer to balance the dryness or harshness of the toner. You need moisturizer to balance your skin's oil production and SPF to protect your face from UV damage, which is the #1 factor in causing premature ageing (i.e. wrinkles, age spots, skin cancer, etc).

Moisturizer can also be considered a protective make-up base, so even though your make-up gets caked up in hot weather, you can be assured there is a 'protective' layer between your pores and the gunk. Acne sufferers should be aware that some thick creams can cause acne to flare.

LASTLY, try to wash off the caked-up makeup as soon as possible. Use a separate make-up remover, or a cleanser that can remove make-up.

Skincare Products  Skin Philosophy

1.    Cuticles are on our nails for a reason. They act as a protective barrier to keep dirt and bacteria from collecting under the skin at the base of your nail.  Do not have them cut off or pushed back too far, or you risk a very painful infection called paronychia.        I see this happening often, even after expensive manicures. See your dermatologist for a prescription ointment and antibiotics.

2.    Pimples should not be treated like bubble wrap.    Do not pop them, even if they are blinking and screaming, "squeeze me!"  When you squeeze a pimple, you push stuff out the top, but also push more stuff deeper inside the skin.  This causes more inflammation, which leads to more pimples. By squeezing and picking, you also create a scab that takes 2 weeks to heal, instead of the three days it would have taken, had you not picked.

3.    Avoid drinking fruity beverages outdoors.  If the peels or juices of lemons, limes, and some other citrus fruits come in contact with your skin while you are out in the sun (think lime margaritas) you can get a blistering sunburn in those areas.  These fruits contain compounds called psoralens that dramatically increase your sensitivity to the sun. Affected patients don't realize the cause, and think they have developed brown age spots, or even worse, herpes.  So take precautions when enjoying your citrus beverages outdoors.

kaplanMD Skincare  New Lip Treatments  Make Online Appointment

Environmental Factors

Our external environment, such as the wind, sun exposure, air conditioning, dry heat, and decreased humidity causes chapped skin and dryness. While we can�??t change the weather, here�??s what you can do to help prevent winter itch:

1. Do not over-scrub or over-exfoliate during the

winter months with harsh soaps that contain large abrasive particles or acids. Overwashing removes the outer lipid layer, causing our skin to not hold onto moisture.

2. Don�??t lick your lips. It increases moisture evaporation and causes your lips
    dry out and chap faster than normal.

3. Following a shower, gently pat dry with a soft towel. While skin is still
    moist, apply moisturizer to your entire body. This allows for better moisture
    penetration and retention.

4. It�??s important to understand that foaming products do not clean better, but
    work to cover large surface areas. Cleansing Lotions are far better for dry
    skin because of the added moisturizing ingredients and direct contact with
    the skin.

5. Reapply moisturizer throughout the day. Your body warns you when your skin
    is thirsty by becoming dry and itchy. If you suffer from very dry skin, it
    would be helpful to use a humidifier in the house.

6. People sometimes confuse dry skin with irritated skin. Sometimes, one leads
    to the other so you can have a combination of symptoms, which need
    multiple angles of treatment. It is best to visit your dermatologist in this
    situation. 

Biological Factors

Dry skin is due to the level of moisture content in our skin. You have probably
noticed that your skin gets dry and scaly more frequently the older you get. The
reason for this is, as we get older, our skin thins and loses hyaluronic acid,
which keeps skin thick and helps in water retention. For example, a thick
sponge always holds more water than a thinner sponge.

Our skin also loses its ability to make our outer protective lipid layer, and loses
its elasticity. This causes our skin to become brittle and crack more easily. As
a result, our skin becomes more sensitive. You may have noticed that certain
moisturizers and fragrances that you�??ve used in the past have suddenly become
very irritating.

Popular belief will lead you to believe dry skin can be regulated by drinking 8
glasses of water a day. This is not the case. Like everything, prevention is key
to controlling dry skin. In addition to the 6 recommendations above, look for
skincare products that contain high concentrations of potent anti-aging
ingredients that not only moisturize, but help build up skin thickness.

Skincare product ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid, soy, peptides
and marine collagen. To help soothe irritated dry skin, look for products that
contain oatmeal, aloe vera and chamomile.

 Skincare Products  Benefits of Soy in Skincare   About Dr. Kaplan  TV Interviews

For the best results, the right product needs to be matched for each individual patient.  Successful outcomes also depend on you choosing an experienced doctor with excellent injection techniques. Before suggesting tips on things to consider before making your appointment, here is a brief overview of the most popular, and newest, fillers available:

Injectable Fillers

Radiesse �?? a calcium based injectable filler, which is considered the longest lasting (may last a year or more). Works especially well in the nasolabial folds, the lines that run diagonally from the outer corners of the mouth to the nose. 

>>>Cost:  $1,000 per 1.3 cc syringe. Most times, only one syringe needed, but for deeper creases, and depending on the outcome you desire, you may need more than 1 syringe.

Sculptra - made from poly-lactic acid, which is a dissolvable material, similar to what dissolvable sutures are made from.  This material is best used to increase the volume of depressed areas, such as cheeks that are sunken in.   It can also be used to fill in any hollows on the face.  It is actually FDA-approved for HIV lipo-atrophy

>>>Cost: $1000 per bottle, and a bottle can usually fill in the entire face.  More than one treatment is usually required, and is done one month apart.

Hyaluronic Acids �?? brand names include Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra, and Juvederm Ultra Plus.  While acting as a filler, these agents also bind to water to keep skin molecules plump. The filler itself is soft and pliable, giving you a smoother, more natural result. No pretreatment or allergy testing is necessary. Restylane works best for medium wrinkles and lasts about six months. Juvederm Ultra can be used for fine lines, while Juvederm Ultra Plus works better for medium-to-deep wrinkles and folds, and can last up to nine months. Juvederm Ultra Plus is also an excellent, long-lasting filler for the lips.

>>>Cost: $500 - $600 for each syringe.

Collagen �?? brand names include Zyderm and Zyplast. Because collagen is obtained from the skin of cows, and a small percentage of the population is allergic to bovine collagen, you must have an allergy test done first. Zyderm is best for superficial wrinkles. Zyplast is better for deeper wrinkles, furrows, deep scars and lips. It lasts three to six months.

>>>Cost: Collagen injections cost about $250 to $550 depending on the size of the syringe. The allergy test costs an additional $75.

Additional considerations before going in for your cosmetic injections

1)    Inquire about the doctor�??s skill and experience with the particular filler.

2)    Different fillers have different benefits and risks, and depend largely on a
       person�??s facial features as well as personal preference.  Your doctor should
       evaluate your needs and recommend the best filler for you.

3)    Remember, what looks great on your friend, may not always be the best
       fit for you.

4)    Different fillers come in different sizes. For example, Radiesse comes in a
       1.3 cc syringe, while Juvederm comes in a 0.8 cc syringe. Your cost will be
       based on how many syringes you need to achieve your desired result. Keep
       in mind you may need more than 1 syringe.

                                                                * * * * *

Based on my personal experience, the perfect lip is the one that "wows" the patient and makes them happy with the procedure. Everyone is unique, and a reputable, capable doctor will approach each face individually to give the best possible cosmetic result.

For more information, or to make an online appointment with Dr. Stuart Kaplan, please visit www.SkinDoc.net.

Comparison of Fillers, Lip Treatments 

Acne rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease that affects about 14 million Americans between the age of 30 and 60 and is more common in women than in men. It is more likely to affect fair skinned people of European or Celtic descent. Rosacea is characterized by facial redness (erythema), bumps and pimples (papulopustules), and spider veins (telangiectasia). The condition is chronic and gets worse over time. It is cyclical and flares up for weeks and months and then subsides.

Triggers for rosacea usually involve anything that causes the face to become flushed, such as demanding exercise, sunburn, stress, anxiety, and sudden changes in temperature like moving from a cold to a hot environment. Other triggers arise from food and drink that cause flushing, such as alcohol, hot caffeine drinks (tea, coffee), and certain spicy foods. Rosacea can even be triggered by blushing with embarrassment.

However, a new study reveals that people with rosacea have high levels of an anti-microbial peptide called cathelicidin in their skin. This peptide produces certain proteins, which are not found in people who do not have rosacea. Another important contributor is an enzyme called stratum corneum tryptic enzyme, or SCTE.

Basically, the over-production of these two inflammatory proteins leads to high levels of a third protein that causes rosacea symptoms.

While there is no cure for rosacea, there are numerous treatment options available to control it. Many patients have had success with antibiotics, which work to inhibit the enzymes. But the best success rate has come from patients who undergo laser treatment. The new Sciton laser is equipped with precision frequencies to better target, penetrate, and erase the broken blood vessels found commonly on the cheeks and nose of rosacea patients.

For more information, visit SkinDoc.net

First of all, it is important to know that the concentration of Pea Extract, as well as what part of the Pea Plant was used (i.e. Pea, Roots, Stem), yields a different effect on the skin. The majority of skincare products on the market today that contain Pea Extract, or pisum sativum extract, generally use a very low percentage to act as an added all-natural emollient. This provides a nice botanical moisturizer to the product. However, a new, highly advanced patented process puts the use as a moisturizer to shame.

The pisum sativum extract found in the kaplanMD Perfecting Serum (its patented brand name is Extraliss) is derived from the pea plant's roots and embryonic stem. What is derived from these parts is a type of protein, or extensin protein. The exciting thing about extensin protein is that it is plant-based, but has a similar composition to collagen. And collagen (one of the 3 main components of our skin and regulated by Estrogen) is responsible for giving our skin its strength and structure. In the course of skin aging, the polypeptide chains of collagen polymerize, or bind together. The result is "cross linking", which causes wrinkling of the skin as well as reduction in skin elasticity. So basically, as our skin ages, it loses collagen, which results in thinning skin, wrinkling, loss of elasticity and firmness. As a result, 'replacing' this collagen, is an ideal anti-aging solution.

The Pea Extract contained in the kaplanMD Perfecting Serum formula does not act purely as an emollient, as in most other skincare products, but the extensin proteins form an extremely flexible, film-like layer on top of the skin. This increases skin elasticity and firmness, while improving skin texture, smoothness and moisture. Combined with kaplanMD's Phytogenic Triactive Complex (of Soy, Grapeseed and Black Cohosh), which has been clinically proven to mimic the positive effects of estrogen on the skin, as well as balance the effect of hormonal imbalances on the skin, it helps to both preserve the collagen in the skin AND stimulate the growth of new collagen, making the kaplanMD Perfecting Serum the ideal anti-aging solution.

Organic Skin Care Products Beverly Hills