Stem Cells, The Future of Facial Rejuvenation, The Latest Antioxidant, Sun Protection News, Melanoma, and More Update

There is great promise that the way we treat aging skin and hair loss may be revolutionized with the medical advances that will be seen with stem cell therapy.

But even now there is a growing shift that the way of the future in aesthetic medicine is away from invasive surgical procedures and synthetic foreign fillers and toward the body’s own ability to change the aging of the skin.

Certainly glycolic acid therapies continue to be the old ‘work horse’, continuing to hold an important place in our armamentarium in slowing the loss of collagen and elastic tissue. Tazorac/tretinoin and other vitamin and topical derivatives and regimens continue to hold an important place in skin rejuvenation and even slowing appearing of premalignant and malignant changes on the skin. Newer agents such as growth factor supplementation as with TNS Recovery Complex serve yet another newer aspect in maintenance of skin health.

In this age of growing skin care marketing, it is important separate the ‘hype’ and non-monitored or non-controlled claims, and claims that are backed by strong science and study. The newest agent that we are watching as studies enfold is the next-generation antioxidant idebenone, or ‘prevage’. It purportedly latches onto and neutralizes free radicals, thereby decreasing the number of sun-damaged skin cells. It also interferes with the production of collagen-degrading enzymes, so skin looks less wrinkled, and decreases the inflammation triggered by free radicals, which may cause skin to ‘age’. The claim is that this translates into significant improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improvement in skin tone, dryness, and roughness, with virtually no irritation. We are closely assessing this new encouraging product at this time, and will keep you updated.

More basic and simple steps in skin rejuvenation include strong sun protection from the ravages of the sun. Realize that chemical sunblocks are never 100 % effective, and are unlikely to be fully effective beyond 90 to 120 minutes, without reapplication. Furthermore, it is likely that the restrictions may be made in the future for claims in SPF status over SPF 30. For instance, sunblocks listed as ‘SPF 60’ or ‘SPF 100’ are claims that are unlikely to be accurate.

Note as well that windows on airplanes are typically UVB- not UVA-protective. This may explain why pilots have an increased incidence of melanoma.

New studies suggest that some patients with melanoma have specific predisposing familial mutations. This may be helpful in many ways. One is that surveillance for those families can be assured. Also, in families with melanoma, there is an apparent association between melanoma and pancreatic cancer, as well. Note that most patients with melanoma do not fall into this category of familial mutation.