Tanning Beds: Once you know the facts, there’s not much of a heated debate…

As I stood waiting in the tanning salon to do my pre-vacation spray tan, I overheard the conversation between the employee in the salon and a teenage girl. “…You only get healthy rays in the tanning bed, so you’re fine,” she said. This got me thinking: Are there any “healthy” rays in a tanning bed? How could it be that radiation from UVA rays (the rays that tanning beds mainly use) could be healthy?

It turns out that UVB rays used to take the rap for causing cancer (think: UV-“Burning”). But now research proves that both UVA and UVB cause cancer. In fact, UVA is specifically linked to Melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer). Even the cast from the popular MTV show Jersey Shore announced this week that they are switching to spray tanning after hearing the facts in a recent intervention from The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Senior Vice President, Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff. If they’re switching to spray, why shouldn’t you? Here are a few more reasons:

Risk: Risk of Melanoma increases for tanners to a whopping 75%, especially when you tan before the age of 35. According to the study that discovered this, the type of tanning bed used can affect the risk (Super, Ultra, Mega, etc) some tanners in the study were 4.44 times as likely as non-tanners to develop melanoma!

Expense: Beginning this month, indoor tanners will pay an additional 10% tax every time they tan.

More Risk: Chances of squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that can start out with a flaky, fish scale-like appearance) increase by 2 ½ times when you use a tanning bed!

Carcinogens: Tanning beds used to be classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. If that didn’t sound bad enough, they have been changed to the HIGHEST cancer risk category: “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Even More Risk: Tanners are 1 ½ more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma (the most common form of skin cancer)

Addiction?: According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, the idea that indoor tanning is addictive is not new. Even though the new term, “tanorexia” was recently coined for the condition, studies that date back through 2006 have shown that we’ve known that UV radiation can have a druglike effect, and even cause withdrawal symptoms.

Avoiding Indoor Tanning is easy with the right Self Tanner! Try Cantera Spa’s Gradual Glo Self Tanner (9 ounces, $28) or add some temporary gleam with the easy-to-apply Glo Body Bronzer ($33)!

Avon Walk For Breast Cancer 2010!

The Pretty in Pink Ladies conquered their third annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this the weekend of June 5th and 6th in Chicago. The Ladies included DuPage Medical Group (DMG) employees from Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology, and the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery. Not only did they walk the length of the marathon on Saturday, June 5th, but they continued to walk 13.1 miles further on Sunday.

The walk began in a crowded Soldier Field and finished in Warren Park on day one of the two-day walk. The Ladies walked through Chicago landmarks such as the lake shore, Lincoln Wood, Lincoln Park, Sauganash, and the Village of Skokie. This adventure was experienced in the presence of friends and families that came together for a common goal. The prevention and cure of breast cancer grew a little closer to discovery this weekend when the Pretty in Pink Ladies raised aver $14,000! The dedication and teamwork of these ladies was exemplified by their team total.

The fundraising hurdle was easily overcome with the help of these corporate sponsors. Special thanks to DMG, The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery, The Northstar Group, Inc., The Suburban Woman, ReSound and Leonblu. The Ladies also held specific fundraisers within the DMG community. The Bake Sales in Glen Ellyn were a complete success! Other fundraisers that contributed to our success were “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, a raffle of White Sox and Cubs tickets hosted at Highland Oaks Administrative Offices, a Silent Auction, and Jeans Days.  Each individual member also made an extraordinary effort to reach the $14,000 mark. The personal and joint fundraising of the team shows how determined the Pretty in Pink Ladies, and their corporate sponsors, are to finding a cure!

The money and advancements that resulted from the Avon Walk will save many lives in the near future, and the effort of the Pretty in Pink Ladies helped to make this possible.  Although, this was only the third walk for the Pretty in Pink Ladies, Chicago has hosted eighth walks total!   The eighth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer raised more than $7.7 million to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. The Avon Walk Chicago, the fourth of nine Avon Walks this year, attracted more than 3,400 participants from 45 states, Washington, D.C., and Denmark, including 307 breast cancer survivors, who joined together to raise lifesaving funds and awareness for breast cancer.  

During the Closing Ceremony, Carol Kurzig, president of the Avon Foundation for Women, announced a total of more than $2.35 million in grants to eight local organizations, ensuring the funds raised immediately benefit the community. More grants are slated to be awarded throughout the year to breast cancer programs nationwide.
The new Chicago-area grants include:

Stroger Hospital received $150,000 to support the Breast Cancer High Risk Screening Program, which will provide more than 400 underserved women access to genetic counseling services. Genetic Counselor Christina Seelaus accepted the award.

Mercy Hospital received $150,000 to continue support of a patient navigation program and the purchase of new ultra sound equipment. Connie Murphy accepted the award.

Sinai Health System received $250,000 to support Patient Navigation services reaching underserved populations in Chicago’s west side neighborhoods of North Lawndale and South Lawndale. Epidemiologist Kristi Allgood accepted the grant

Northwestern University received $150,000 to support research to determine if two biomarkers accurately predict which women are at high risk to develop breast cancer. Dr. Seema Kahn, professor of surgery, accepted the award.

Washington University Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center received $300,000 for research to determine if hereditary changes to DNA increase the risk of developing early onset breast cancer in young women. Postdoctoral Fellow Missy Fish accepted the award.

University of Illinois-Chicago received $300,000 to support research to determine if breast cancer risk can be predicted based on a new series of biomarkers they have identified. Postdoctoral Fellow Szilard Asztalos accepted the award.

Rush University Medical Center received $300,000 to support research to study a new protein named Runx2, to determine if it promotes cancer-related changes in healthy breast tissue. Assistant professor Jitesh Pratap accepted the award.

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, the Avon Walk medical sponsor this weekend and the home of the Avon Foundation Breast Care Center of Excellence and the Avon Breast Cancer Research Laboratories, received $750,000. The new grant will support access to breast care for low income women at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Erie Family Health Center, as well as support new research to better understand the effect that naturally occurring pregnancy-related changes have on the development of breast cancer. Kara Kennedy, clinical coordinator, accepted the grant.

Finally! A Tretinoin cream for sensitive and dry skin.

Tretinoin (Retin-A), has a reputation for being too harsh on patient’s skin. Not anymore! Refissa is a great new product that delivers a .05% Tretinoin in a fragrance free, emollient based cream, therefore causing less irritation. It’s the perfect product for patients who have dry, sensitive skin and those with more maturing skin.

Tretinoin is a prescription strength form of Vitamin A. It works deep at the cellular level of the skin to increase your collagen production which the body starts to lose with age. By increasing your collagen production, you’ll see the fine lines start to soften. Tretinoin also fights intrinsic (continual) aging by improving blood supply to the skin which in turn increases the turnover of dead cells.

The FDA has approved Refissa for the reduction of fine facial lines, irregular pigmentation and rough skin. To see maximum benefits it’s best to use for a minimum of 24 weeks.

Refissa is easy to use. You would just use a pearl sized amount nightly along with your usual routine. Using Tretinoin can make you photo sensitive, so you must use sunscreen daily to ensure maximum results. In a clinical trial, 71% of women saw improvement in fine lines/wrinkles and 83% saw improvement in irregular pigmentation.

~What to expect month by month~

• Months 0-1: As Refissa takes effect, your skin may produce some redness & some mild flaking. This usually tapers off within a couple of months.
• Months 1-2: Skin will feel and look smoother and will have a softer texture.
• Months 3-4: Irregular pigmentation should start to lighten, while fine facial lines start to soften.
• Months 5-6: You’ll continue to see and feel your skin texture and skin
  tone improve.
• Months 6+: To continue to see results, keep using your Refissa nightly.

Skin care consultations with either of our Aestheticians, Izzie Flynn or Elizabeth Weiler are always complimentary.

Call to book yours today at (630) 348-3000.

Plastic Surgeons Do It Better ...

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is composed of the most highly trained, board-certified physicians specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. By completing at least six years of surgical training with at least three years specifically in plastic surgery, Dr. Joseph Daw and Dr. Steven Sigalove are both members of this prestigious group.

The ASPS requires each physician to operate in a certified surgical facility, each of which must pass meticulous testing of their equipment and staffing. Their mission is to promote high standards of training to advance the quality of care to plastic surgery patients.

Dr. Daw and Dr. Sigalove carry this same set of standards into the field of injectibles performed at the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery (IAS). Botox and fillers such as Juvederm and Radiesse are an innovative treatment option for patients who are looking to rejuvenate their appearance without surgery. The makers of these products are allowed to dispense it to any physician. It requires great skill, training and a careful eye to use these products properly. Plastic surgeons have a great depth of knowledge regarding facial muscles, tissue and nerves.

At the IAS, our physicians insist on being the only ones to administer Botox and injectible fillers. Through their extensive training, artistry and quality of care, Dr. Daw and Dr. Sigalove’s technique gives our patients a soft and refreshed look. When choosing to have injections, it is important to explain to your plastic surgeon what results you expect. They will also make recommendations and do their best to work within your budget.

Due to the skill level of our physicians and the tremendous volume of patients that have been successfully treated with injectible products, we are able to offer significant benefits to our patients. The manufacturers of Botox, Juvederm, and Radiesse recognize the standing of our physicians and therefore exclusively offer unique rewards for our patients; whether it be rebates, buy one get one free offers, or other promotions to help make looking beautiful more affordable.

Vaser LipoSelection® – Look and Feel Confident!

Many patients are looking for a proven and trusted liposuction method that safely and effectively removes unwanted fat. In fact, liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed today. Hundreds of thousands of people choose to have liposuction each year.

Drs. Joseph Daw and Dr. Steven Sigalove, physicians at the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery, are proud to offer Vaser LipoSelection®. This has been proven to be a safer, less painful alternative to traditional liposuction. What distinguishes the LipoSelection® procedure is its ability to differentiate targeted fat from other important tissues. Only the LipoSelection® procedure uses the VASER System to liquefy fat and then remove it form the body. This promotes smooth results and rapid healing, typically with low to minimal pain. Please contact our office today at 630-348-3000 for information on VASER Liposelection®.

See VASER ad in the September issue of marie clare…on newsstands now!