Skin Care:
Strategies to Protect Against Skin Cancer
Primarily skin care pertains to limiting the UV damage to the skin and also preventing the skin from DNA damage.
Nicotinamide (vitamin B3)’s role in preventing skin cancers
Nicotinamide has been shown to reduce non-melanoma skin cancers by 23% and reduce pre-cancerous sun spots (Actinic Keratoses) by 13% as demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial performed in Australia snd published in the New England Journal of Medicine. We recommend all out high risk skin cancer patients to take an oral dose of 500mg twice a day and also using extra topical Nicotinamide serums on frequently sun exposed areas for extra protection against UV-induced immunosuppression.
Sunscreens (Shielding your skin from damaging UV rays)
Sunscreens provide UV protection by using physical barriers such as Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide which act as reflectors, as well as by chemical barriers which absorbs UV rays, converts UV rays into heat and release them from the body. The active ingredients often found are avobenzone, octinoxate,Octylcrylenand oxybenzone.
Skin lightening agents (for brown spots, freckles, hyperpigmentation and Melasma)
We use skin lightening creams of various mix either as a standalone treatment or as an adjunct treatment with lasers to treat pigmentary disturbances. Common agents used topically either as standalone cream or as a mix include Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Phytic acid, Arbutin, Bearberry extracts, Nicotinamide, Liquorice, Alpha hydroxy acids, Ascorbic acids, Tretinoin to list a few. These topical agents work on different parts of the pigment production pathway.
These are different parts of the Melanin production pathway that skin lightening creams work on:
1) Inhibition of Tyrosinase activity (Enzyme that makes pigment)
2) Inhibiting the expression or activation of Tyrosinase
3) Scavenging the Intermediate Products of Melanin Synthesis
4) Stopping transfer of Melanosomes to Keratinocytes
5) Direct destruction of Melanin
6) Destroying Melanocytes
As pigmentary disturbances are complex with different diagnoses due to different causal factors, successful treatment needs professional assessment by doctors with advanced training in the area who can give you a proper treatment plan before deciding on treatments by topical agents or in combination with laser treatments and prescribed medications.
To see one of our doctors regarding your skin problem, please call and make an appointment on 02-99042211.
