Posts by Robert S. Bader, M.D., Dermatologist
CONSUMING ALCOHOL INCREASES RISK OF SKIN CANCER: MAYBE
A recent study has shown a positive association of increased alcohol consumption with the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer. The study was small, so larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results. Here is yet another possible reason to limit or eliminate alcohol consumption. Red wine has some other health benefits that, according to…
Read MoreERECTILE DYSFUNCTION TREATMENTS LEAD TO INCREASED RISK OF MELANOMA AND BASAL CELL CARCINOMA.
The use of PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) are common for those with erectile dysfunction. More and more research has shown an increased risk of some types of skin cancer for those taking these medications. Interestingly, there have been no studies showing an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma. For this reason, those with a history…
Read MoreIPHONE CASE CAUSES SKIN BURNS AND IRRITATION
MixBin Electronics sparkly, glitter iPhone cases, sold by Amazon and others, “are giving consumers skin irritation and burns as a result of liquid and glitter seeping from the cases, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.” Over 250,000 cases have since been recalled. These cases contain liquid and glitter that moves around in the liquid.…
Read MorePRP: IS IT WORTH ALL THE HYPE?
Celebreties are raving about it, doctors are promoting it for many things, but is it really worth the hype? In short, PRP is not FDA approved for anu Dermatologic or Cosmetic indication. There are several small studies that concluded that there is benefit when treating androgenic alopecia. That being said, larger, well-designed studies are needed.…
Read MoreVITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS FOR SENIORS
What are “Silver” or “Platinum” vitamins? Do I need them? What is the difference? As one ages, we do not need different vitamins or nutrients, although we may need to ingest different amounts of them to compensate for changes in absorption or the body’s ability to make certain vitamins. As we get older, our skin…
Read MoreDIET & ACNE: WHAT TO AVOID
For decades, we have told patients that there were no studies to support that drinking soda made acne worse, although if that was their experience then they should not consume soda. Over the recent years, more and more evidence has emerged showing that diet can affect acne. The first study showed that drinking non-organic milk…
Read MoreSCAR TREATMENTS USING “LASERS”
It’s funny today. No matter what the condition, everyone thinks that a “laser” is available and is best. In most cases, this is not so, but in many cases, laser treatments are available. There are many different types and causes of scars: traumatic, post-surgical, and acne scars to name a few. Well, there is not…
Read MoreMELANOMA: LYMPH NODE DISSECTION
Are we doing more harm than good? This has been a question that we have asked for decades regarding the treatment of malignant melanoma. Over the recent decades, margins of normal skin that are removed when treating melanoma have gotten smaller. Recently, the benefit of lymph node dissection to treat involved lymph nodes has come…
Read MoreCHOOSE THE BEST MOHS’ SURGEON
According to a recent study, there is great variation from one Mohs’ surgeon to another when having Mohs’ surgery. In this study, they found that the mean number of stages per case was 1.47 (range, 1.09-4.11). The variation in range is huge!!! Thirty-five percent of surgeons were persistent outliers (performed more stages than the mean) in all three…
Read MoreAPPROXIMATELY ONE THIRD OF SUNSCREENS PROVIDE LESS THAN HALF OF THE SPF CLAIMED
Medscape (5/19, Doheny) reported, “About a third of sunscreens tested by experts…provide less than half the SPF protection claimed on the label,” according to Consumer Reports’ annual sunscreen report. According to the article, the Food and Drug Administration does not routinely test sunscreen products’ SPF. Dr. Bader recommends sunscreens that have a high concentration of zinc…
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