Patient Shares Experience With Mohs Surgery

A patient gives a quick testimonial about her experience of undergoing Mohs Skin Cancer surgery. "Wear your sunblock", she says.

Dr. Mejia is passionate about educating everyone on protecting your skin to prevent skin cancer and alleviating the fear of the surgery. Dr. Mejia, a dermatologist in Jupiter, FL is passionate about educating everyone on protecting your skin to prevent skin cancer and alleviating the fear of the surgery. He also specializes in Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery. 
 
Additionally, he is a Board Certified Dermatologic Surgeon and a member of the American Board Of Dermatology and fellow of American Society for Mohs Surgery.

Skin Cancer & Indoor Tanning

The Indoor Tanning Association and the Federal Trade Commission have recently come to an agreement regarding claims from the Indoor Tanning Association. Many of those claims said they were endorsed by the government. However as dermatologist, we know that indoor tanning and chronic exposure to UV  increases the risk of skin cancer and melanomas, which are a deadly form of skin cancer.

Consequently, new guidelines settled between the Federal Trade Commission and the Indoor Tanning Association now require warning signs that indicate exposure to Ultraviolet Light Radiation may increase the likelihood of skin cancer. Continue reading “Skin Cancer & Indoor Tanning”

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Actual Procedure


Watch as a patient undergoes the actual procedure of Photodynamic Therapy, or PDT. After the pre-treatment as explained in our previous post, the patient is now under the Blue Light. Goggles are necessary to protect the eyes. Levulon, the solution in the pre-treatment is now being absorbed by the pre-cancerous cells. Dr. Mejia, a skin cancer specialist and surgeon oversees all the procedures.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Pretreatment


Sarah, our Physician Assistant, discusses the pre-treatment for PDT or Photodynamic Therapy. She explains how the solution of levulon is absorbed into the skin. PDT treats cancerous spots and prevents precancer before it turns to skin cancer. The solution is put on the patient for an hour and a half during which time the solution soaks to the skin. Later during the blue light therapy, the patients skin reacts to the blue light. PDT is a preventative treatment. It treats precancer spots and prevents turning from basal cell carcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma.

Sunblock Recommendations

Blue Lizard s a physical sun block with the active ingredients zinc oxide & titanium oxide. These two ingredients will give you the best protection from both UVA & UVB rays. Dr. Mejia recommends Blue Lizard Sunblock for children and those who are out boating, fishing, surfing, or participating in any other outdoor activities.

Sport UV Defense SPF 45 by Skinceuticals is a waterproof and sweatproof lightweight sunblock. With zinc oxide as an active ingredient, this sunblock will give you ideal protection from the sun. Dr. Mejia recommends Sport UV Defense for active lifestyles and vigorous outdoor activities.

TIZO-3SPF 40 is an elegant daily defense for the face that provides superb photo protection and is also water resistant. Dr. Mejia recommends TIZO-3 for all women. The elegant silky texture doesn’t leave the skin heavy or greasy and is perfect under all makeup. TIZO-3 leaves your skin smooth and soft with a beautiful matte finish.

Active UV Defense SPF 15. Everyone needs protection from the sun, even if you are commuting from your car to the office or carpooling the kids. Dr. Mejia recommends Active UV Defense for day to day activities with minimal sun exposure.

Obaji-C Sunguard SPF 30  is an ultrasheer z-cote for ideal sun protection. Dr. Mejia recommends Obagi-C Sunguard for teens and young adults. With a combination of Vitamin C antioxidant and zinc oxide Obagi-C Sungauard helps prevent premature aging and fight free radical damage.

Understanding The Sun’s Rays

The sun emits both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays contribute to premature aging, collagen and elastin degradation and increase the chance of skin cancers. UVB rays cause your skin to get a sun burn. Naturally, when picking out a “good” sunblock, you would think to pick a higher SPF number to get better protection.

SPF only blocks UVB (burning rays) so although your skin is not burning, you are still at an increased risk for developing skin cancers and photodamage. An ideal sunblock is one with the active ingredients of zinc oxide and titanium oxide with an SPF of at least 30. These are called physical blocks. These two active ingredients protect against both types of damaging rays.

Listed below is a chart on the most common ingredients in sunblocks and how they protect your skin.

Sunblock chart

Tanning Beds Dangers

A recent article and video on NewsWest9 about the dangers of tanning beds is a cause for concern.

Tanning beds provide high concentrations of UVA dosage. Consequently patients are receiving deeper penetrating rays that increases the risks for melanoma. In addition to increasing the skin cancer risks, the deeper penetrating rays are associated with damage to collagen and elastin.

This results in premature aging with wrinkles and dry lackluster skin. Any man or woman desiring to maintain a beautiful healthy skin complexion long term should limit the amount of intense UVA rays in tanning beds. UVA rays are best protected utilizing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sublocks with provide better protection of UV rays.

Types of Skin Cancer

What is Skin Cancer? 

Cancer develops when DNA, the molecule found in cells that encodes genetic information, becomes damaged and the body cannot repair the damage. These damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. When this occurs in the skin, skin cancer develops. As the damaged cells multiply, they form a tumor. Since skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layers of skin, a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages.

Types of Skin Cancer 

Three types of skin cancer account for nearly 100% of all diagnosed cases. Each of these three cancers begins in a different type of cell within the skin, and each cancer is named for the type of cell in which it begins. Skin cancers are divided into one of two classes – nonmelanoma skin cancers and melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Continue reading “Types of Skin Cancer”