Don’t be Deceived by High SPF Numbers

When shopping for sunscreen, many people assume that the higher the SPF number (e.g., 100) the greater the protection. In truth you do get more protection, but not as much as you might think. An SPF of 15 provides about 93% protection. An SPF of 30 provides 97% protection. These numbers don’t leave much room for improvement.

While an SPF of 100 sounds impressive, it’s not offering significantly more protection than an SPF of 30. In fact, if the FDA has its way, manufacturers may no longer be able to sell sunscreens with SPF numbers of 50+.

Check out this recent article in the Los Angeles Times on the SPF numbering issue.

Save your money. Buy a sunscreen of SPF 30, and apply liberally every two hours, and you should be fine.

Research Shows Botox May Reduce Both Wrinkles and Emotional Expressions

People often joke about how unemotional or cold people can look after having one too many Botox injections. But, a recent study indicates that Botox injections may do more than reduce wrinkles by immobilizing the muscles behind our expressions. Noting the affect of facial expressions on emotions, the researchers theorize that the injections may also affect the level of emotions a person expresses.

This hypothesis does have some basis. It’s been often thought that facial expressions can affect how a person feels. That's why some people tell others having a bout of the blues to fake a smile to change their mood. Also, a common tip among people who work on phones (e.g., tech support workers, customer support, or sales people) is to smile, even though the person on the other end doesn’t see them, because it affects the tone and energy expressed in their voice.

If additional studies replicate the same results, you can just add “reduced emotional response” to the list of Botox’s side effects.

Click here to read the actual study.

Davis, J.I., A. Senghas, F. Brandt, and K.N. Ochsner. 2010. The Effects of BOTOX Injections on Emotional Experience. Emotion Vol. 10, No. 3, 433-440.

Melanoma linked to Indoor Tanning

If you’re a habitual tanning bed user, you may want to break that habit now. A recent study done by the University of Minnesota'sSchool of Public Health and Masonic Cancer Center has found conclusive evidence linking the frequent use of indoor tanning with the development of melanoma.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes - the cells that produce pigment. According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.

Where as prior research results found only weak correlations between indoor tanning and melanoma, the methodology used in this study – according to the researchers - appears to leave little room for debate.

Frequent indoor tanners may want to put there money elsewhere. The cost of the time in a tanning booth to get that perfect golden tan may be hire than they think.

Sunscreens and Cancer Risks

Sunscreens are supposed to help reduce the risk of skin cancer, not cause it. Right? Well, there's new data indicating that this may not be the case, that retinyl palmitate - a form of vitamin A commonly used in sunscreens - might actually cause cancer.

A Times article reports that recent studies have found a possible correlation between retinyl palmitate and the development of tumors in rats exposed to the chemical.

As alarming as this may seem, remember that these are early studies – done on rats. Much more research needs to be done – and on human skin – before any real conclusions can be made.

Nevertheless, if you’d like to avoid sunscreens using retinyl palmitate, check out the Environment Working Group’s sunscreen guide for a list of alternatives.

Do not toss your sunscreen. Aside from wearing a hat, a long sleeve shirt and pants, sunscreens are the best known tool to help reduce skin cancer risk.

Be Careful at the Makeup Counter

For those of you who get carried away when you hit the makeup counters at the mall, you may want to be a bit careful when using the available testers. An LA Times article reports that if you don't take the proper precautions, you can wind up catching something nasty such as staph, strep, even E. coli.

Introducing Fayces Skin Care Buzz!

Welcome to Fayces Skin Care Buzz! Fayces Skin Cares new blog. It's devoted to providing our clients and the general consumer with the latest buzz in skin care news and research. Our goal, as always, is to inform and educate. Enjoy!