Tanning beds actually more dangerous than tanning under the sun

(San Diego) – Despite warnings about the health dangers of tanning beds, nearly 30 million people in the United States still visit tanning salons every year. Nearly three-quarters of them are Caucasian women ages 16 to 49 years old, with over two million between 16 and 19 years old. Revenues have increased five times since 1992 to about $5 billion annually.

With warmer weather ahead and spring break vacations in warmer climates coming up for many people, there’s still a mistaken belief that getting “a base tan” in a tanning salon is a good idea to prevent sunburn.

Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman, Medical Director of Goldman Butterwick Keel Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, says this is a myth perpetuated by the tanning salon industry, and that under NO circumstances should anyone purposely expose themselves to artificial tanning due to risks of cancer and premature aging.

“The number one greatest threat to your skin and your appearance is damage from UV rays,” says Goldman. “I can offer you the most advanced cosmetic treatments and skin products available, but they are all worthless if you don’t protect yourself from sun damage with sunscreen and by staying out of the sun and away from tanning salons.

“Tanning beds are dangerous. They are proven to cause cancer. But don’t take my word for it. Both the American Academy of Dermatology and American Medical Association agree with me. The Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration also advise people to avoid tanning salons. The CDC reports that tanning beds can also cause serious eye problems including infections and retinal damage.”

Dr. Goldman says the tanning industry will do or say anything to trick consumers because tanning is big business and the industry is fighting hard against regulation or an outright ban. “They’ll try to convince you tanning beds expose you only to “safe” UVA rays, or than you need the Vitamin D to be healthy. Consumers need to be smart and see this for what it is. It’s just like the tobacco industry talking abut “safer” cigarettes years ago. We now know there is no such thing,” said Dr. Goldman.

Dr. Goldman says if he can’t convince you for health reasons, consider your appearance. “Nothing ages a person more than damage from the sun.  Even a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause “liver spots,” freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, wrinkles, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, and worst of all, skin cancer. I’ve seen women in their 20s already showing these signs of aging because they insisted on tanning.”

If you like the bronzed appearance of a tan, look into self-tanners or spend your time getting a safe and beautiful spray-on tan applied by a professional. “Self-tanners are better than ever,” says Dr. Goldman. “The market for them has gotten competitive because people are smarter about staying out of the sun. They improve every year and it can be impossible to tell a good artificial tan from a real one.”

Dr. Goldman has one word of advice about artificial tans: don’t forget to sunscreen. “Artificial tans give you no protection from the sun at all. You need to remember this and apply lots of sunscreen or you’ll suffer a sunburn.”

The World Health Organization has called for teens to be banned from indoor tanning due to the heightened risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.  If you are exposed to tanning beds before age 35, your risk of melanoma increases 75 percent.  Using a tanning bed more than 10 times a year increases your risk a whopping 800 percent. The Food and Drug Administration estimates that 38,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2010, and 7,300 of them will die from it.

Contact Goldman Butterwick Keel Cosmetic Laser Dermatology to learn more about safe tanning treatments or to get a skin cancer checkup at 858-657-1002 or visit www.gbkderm.com

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Consumer alert: choose vein treatments with caution to avoid disfiguring results

(San Diego) – Warmer weather means getting into gorgeous summer skirts and shorts… except if you’re one of thousands of women who have unsightly varicose or spider veins ruining your look.

There’s no reason to let leg veins force you to cover up. The proper treatment of leg veins is safe and effective. But too many women are lured by unrealistic promises of miracle treatments with lasers or “new” injectible formulas that not only won’t work, but could make your veins even worse – and cause lasting damage.

Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman, Medical Director of Goldman Butterwick Keel Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, says he spends far too much time working with patients to correct substandard treatments they’ve already received that either didn’t work, or caused disfiguring brown stains or even permanent scars.

“It breaks my heart to see patients who have already spent thousands of dollars on vein treatments get ripped off or worse yet hurt by unscrupulous people who claimed they could deliver some sort of miraculous results,” said Goldman. “It’s completely unnecessary. Now that it’s the season when people are seeking treatment for leg veins, my goal is to educate patients and help them make good decisions about safe treatments from highly trained professionals.”

Goldman literally wrote the book on vein treatments, known as “sclerotherapy.” His textbook Sclerotherapy: Treatment of Varicose and Telangiectatic Leg Veins now in its fourth edition is considered the gold standard for medical practitioners. Dr. Goldman is a volunteer clinical professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and lectures students on sclerotherapy. He offers this advice for patients who are thinking about vein treatments.

“Be sure you’re getting treatment from an expert, not someone who attended a weekend seminar and set up shop a few months ago,” said Goldman. “Don’t be shy about asking tough questions and requesting credentials and references. Ethical physicians are eager to share their qualifications.”

Next, be sure your physician uses only FDA approved solutions on your veins. “Some physicians use cheaper mixed formulas with non-approved compounds,” said Goldman. “You won’t save money in the long run because these solutions don’t work as well as the FDA-approved solutions. You’ll end up needing additional treatment that costs way more, and you risk damaging your legs.”

Finally, don’t buy into the hype about laser treatments for leg veins. “I have 32 lasers in my practice, and I hold patents on several types of lasers,” said Goldman. “I’ve tried them all and they simply do not work as well as nearly painless injections. In the wrong hands, using lasers on leg veins can be dangerous and are much more painful. I have dozens of photos of patients showing terrible scarring from inept laser treatments. It’s upsetting to me because it just didn’t need to happen.”

The good news is that proper treatment by an expert physician can produce excellent results for most patients. “When it’s done right, vein treatments are safe and effective. It shouldn’t take more than one to two 10-15 minute treatments when you trust your legs to the right person,” advised Goldman.

Goldman says it takes time for vein treatments to take full effect. “Don’t wait until a week before spring break, the company picnic, your honeymoon or dream vacation to schedule your vein treatment and expect your legs to be ready for shorts. It takes several weeks for your legs to heal and look their best.”

Contact Goldman Butterwick Keel Cosmetic Laser Dermatology to learn more about safe vein treatments at 858-657.1002 or visit  www.gbkderm.com

About Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman
Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman is a double board certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon who is renowned for his pioneering research of multiple laser techniques and skin rejuvenation. Dr. Goldman is a Volunteer Clinical Professor of Dermatology/Medicine for University of California, San Diego, and has written 18 medical textbooks on cosmetic and laser surgery, several of which are considered definitive medical texts in their respective fields, as well as over 300 peer-reviewed medical publications. Dr. Goldman has been featured on The Today Show, 20/20, The Discovery Health Channel, Wealth TV,  E!, Extra, and The Swan, and in top publications including The Wall Street Journal, TIME, New York Times, Prevention, Elle, O Magazine, Self, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, Glamour, InStyle, More and Good Housekeeping.

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