Thursday, November 24, 2011
Black Friday Specials at HollywoodTansAtlanta.com salons
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Increase in Deadly Melanoma Not Due to Sun Exposure | Foodconsumer.org
Story at-a-glance
- The rising rates of melanoma documented over the last three decades are not due to sun exposure as often stated; researchers instead believe they are due to an increase in diagnoses of non-cancerous lesions classified, misleadingly, as “stage 1 melanoma”
- Exposure to sunlight, particularly UVB, is protective against melanoma -- or rather, the vitamin D your body produces in response to UVB radiation is protective
- Optimizing your vitamin D levels through proper sun exposure or use of a safe tanning bed can reduce your risk of skin cancer and as many as 16 different types of cancer
- The sun is your best source of vitamin D because when you expose your skin to sunshine, your skin synthesizes vitamin D3 sulfate. This form of vitamin D is water-soluble and can travel freely in your bloodstream, unlike oral vitamin D3 supplements
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
SprayTanNow.com expanding | Hollywood Tans of Toco Hills open Airbrush Studio
Hollywood Tans of Toco Hills will continue to feature their amazing no-appointment Mystic Tans. Mystic Tans are fast, taking less than 1 minute, and hassle-free, with no appointments to book. Airbrush appointments are available for customers who want the added attention from a qualified technician and the extra detail a technician can provide. And unlike other salons, Hollywood Tans charges no upgrade fees for pre and post applications. Many area salons charge upwards of $75 for an airbrush when you factor in pH balance sprays and post conditioning moisturizers. Hollywood Tans charges just $45, and everything is included!
For more information on spray tan services by HollywoodTansAtlanta.com area salons, visit http://www.spraytannow.com/ or call 866-970-TANS (8267). Hollywood Tans of Toco Hills has been servicing customers in the Toco Hills, Decatur and Emory areas since 2003 and is located at 3015 North Druid Hills Road in the Publix anchored Toco Hills Promenade Shopping Center. Appointments can be booked directly at the salon in Toco Hills by calling 404-636-TANS (8267) or at the Midtown Atlanta salon by calling 404-249-7377.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Private MD Labs: Vitamin D may be key to avoiding illnesses this flu season
Flu season is just about upon the U.S., and this means that many people will soon start coming down with infections. However, a vitamin D test may help individuals prepare for the season and understand if they need to do more to boost their immune system.
A 2005 study published in the FASEB Journal showed that vitamin D plays a crucial role in the production of certain types of white blood cells that are need for fighting off infections. A deficiency of the nutrient may leave individuals short on these important molecules.
This is why vitamin D testing is so important. It can give individuals a sense of how well their immune system is functioning. Low levels of the nutrient may indicate a susceptibility to infections. Higher levels could mean individuals are less likely to come down with a cold or the flu.
Now is the time to start thinking about one's vitamin D status. Waiting until cold and flu season has already begun may be too late. The body may not have had enough time to start producing the immune cells that ward off infections.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Looking Fit: Sun-Avoidant Caucasians Lack Vit D
http://www.lookingfit.com/news/2011/11/sun-avoidant-caucasians-lack-vit-d.aspx
Light-skinned people who avoid the sun are twice as likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency as those who do not, according to a study of nearly 6,000 people by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Surprisingly, the use of sunscreen did not significantly affect blood levels of vitamin D, perhaps because users were applying too little or too infrequently, the researchers speculate.
The study adds to a growing debate about how to balance the dangers of sun exposure with the need for appropriate levels of vitamin D to prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis and rickets.
"It's not as simple as telling everyone to wear sunscreen," says dermatologist Eleni Linos, MD PhD. "We may instead need to begin tailoring our recommendations to the skin tones and lifestyles of individual patients. It's clearly a very complex issue."
Linos, who is now an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco, was a Stanford resident when the research was conducted. She is the first author of the research, which will be published online Nov. 4 in Cancer Causes and Control. Assistant professor of dermatology Jean Tang, MD, PhD, is the senior author.
Vitamin D is produced by the skin in response to exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight; too little of the vitamin causes bone weakening and rickets and possibly contributes to many other chronic diseases including cancer. Small amounts of vitamin D can also be acquired by drinking fortified milk, eating fortified breakfast cereals or eating fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, as well as from over-the-counter dietary supplements. Although it's not clear exactly how many people may be deficient in the vitamin, experts believe about 30 percent to 40 percent of the United States population may be affected.
Linos and Tang analyzed population-base data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2003 to 2006. The survey included questions about sun-protective behavior, inquiring whether respondents frequently wore long sleeves, hats and sunscreen, and whether they sought out shade on sunny days. It also included each respondent's race, as well as their blood levels of a form of vitamin D called 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
The researchers found that Caucasians who avoided the sun with clothing or stayed in the shade had blood levels of vitamin D that were about 3.5 and 2.2 nanograms per milliliter lower than those who did not report such behavior. In contrast, the association between sun avoidance and reductions in vitamin D levels in Hispanic or African-American survey-takers was not statistically significant. "This may be explained by the inherent pigmentation in darker skin, which acts as natural sun protection," Linos shares. (The researchers did not analyze Asians as a separate group.)
The researchers considered any respondent with blood levels of 20 nanograms per milliliter or below to be vitamin D deficient because lower levels have been associated with adverse health outcomes. They found that although about 40 percent of all survey participants were vitamin D deficient, the prevalence increased to 53 and 56 percent among those who wore long sleeves and stayed in the shade. Whites who wore long sleeves and stayed in the shade were twice as likely to be deficient in the vitamin as those who did not (odds ratios of 2.16 and 2.11, respectively).
Race affects vitamin D production because of differences in skin pigmentation. Highly pigmented skin protects against ultraviolet rays, but also leads to lower overall baseline levels of vitamin D in the blood and frequent vitamin D deficiency. In the current study, African-Americans who rarely took sun-protective measures had an average vitamin D blood level of about 14.5 nanograms per milliliter. Hispanics who didn't avoid the sun had an average level of about 19.7 and sun-loving Caucasians, about 26.4. In contrast, those who frequently stayed in the shade had average levels of 14, 19.2 and 22.8 nanograms per milliliter, respectively.
"This confirms that the issue of vitamin D supplementation is increasingly important," says Linos. She cautioned, however, against wholesale use of dietary supplements before more data has been generated; currently there are two large, randomized clinical trials testing the health effects of relatively high doses of vitamin D.
The real surprise came when Linos found that the reported use of sunscreen did not significantly affect vitamin D levels. Because sunscreens block the ultraviolet rays that trigger the vitamin's production, it seems that regular usage should lower vitamin D in the blood.
"This finding was both interesting and surprising," Linos muses. The apparent contradiction is likely due to sunscreen users not using the protection effectively. "People are probably not applying it often or thickly enough," she suggests. "Often, people use sunscreen when they anticipate getting a lot of sun exposure, unlike others who spend time in the shade in order to avoid the sun."
Other Stanford researchers involved in the study include undergraduate Elizabeth Keiser; clinical professor of dermatology and chief of dermatology at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Matthew Kanzler, MD; clinical assistant professor of health research and policy Kristin Sainani, PhD; and former undergraduate student Wayne Lee. The research was supported by a Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award and the National Institutes of Health.
Light-skinned people who avoid the sun are twice as likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency as those who do not, according to a study of nearly 6,000 people by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Surprisingly, the use of sunscreen did not significantly affect blood levels of vitamin D, perhaps because users were applying too little or too infrequently, the researchers speculate.
The study adds to a growing debate about how to balance the dangers of sun exposure with the need for appropriate levels of vitamin D to prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis and rickets.
"It's not as simple as telling everyone to wear sunscreen," says dermatologist Eleni Linos, MD PhD. "We may instead need to begin tailoring our recommendations to the skin tones and lifestyles of individual patients. It's clearly a very complex issue."
Linos, who is now an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco, was a Stanford resident when the research was conducted. She is the first author of the research, which will be published online Nov. 4 in Cancer Causes and Control. Assistant professor of dermatology Jean Tang, MD, PhD, is the senior author.
Vitamin D is produced by the skin in response to exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight; too little of the vitamin causes bone weakening and rickets and possibly contributes to many other chronic diseases including cancer. Small amounts of vitamin D can also be acquired by drinking fortified milk, eating fortified breakfast cereals or eating fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, as well as from over-the-counter dietary supplements. Although it's not clear exactly how many people may be deficient in the vitamin, experts believe about 30 percent to 40 percent of the United States population may be affected.
Linos and Tang analyzed population-base data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2003 to 2006. The survey included questions about sun-protective behavior, inquiring whether respondents frequently wore long sleeves, hats and sunscreen, and whether they sought out shade on sunny days. It also included each respondent's race, as well as their blood levels of a form of vitamin D called 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
The researchers found that Caucasians who avoided the sun with clothing or stayed in the shade had blood levels of vitamin D that were about 3.5 and 2.2 nanograms per milliliter lower than those who did not report such behavior. In contrast, the association between sun avoidance and reductions in vitamin D levels in Hispanic or African-American survey-takers was not statistically significant. "This may be explained by the inherent pigmentation in darker skin, which acts as natural sun protection," Linos shares. (The researchers did not analyze Asians as a separate group.)
The researchers considered any respondent with blood levels of 20 nanograms per milliliter or below to be vitamin D deficient because lower levels have been associated with adverse health outcomes. They found that although about 40 percent of all survey participants were vitamin D deficient, the prevalence increased to 53 and 56 percent among those who wore long sleeves and stayed in the shade. Whites who wore long sleeves and stayed in the shade were twice as likely to be deficient in the vitamin as those who did not (odds ratios of 2.16 and 2.11, respectively).
Race affects vitamin D production because of differences in skin pigmentation. Highly pigmented skin protects against ultraviolet rays, but also leads to lower overall baseline levels of vitamin D in the blood and frequent vitamin D deficiency. In the current study, African-Americans who rarely took sun-protective measures had an average vitamin D blood level of about 14.5 nanograms per milliliter. Hispanics who didn't avoid the sun had an average level of about 19.7 and sun-loving Caucasians, about 26.4. In contrast, those who frequently stayed in the shade had average levels of 14, 19.2 and 22.8 nanograms per milliliter, respectively.
"This confirms that the issue of vitamin D supplementation is increasingly important," says Linos. She cautioned, however, against wholesale use of dietary supplements before more data has been generated; currently there are two large, randomized clinical trials testing the health effects of relatively high doses of vitamin D.
The real surprise came when Linos found that the reported use of sunscreen did not significantly affect vitamin D levels. Because sunscreens block the ultraviolet rays that trigger the vitamin's production, it seems that regular usage should lower vitamin D in the blood.
"This finding was both interesting and surprising," Linos muses. The apparent contradiction is likely due to sunscreen users not using the protection effectively. "People are probably not applying it often or thickly enough," she suggests. "Often, people use sunscreen when they anticipate getting a lot of sun exposure, unlike others who spend time in the shade in order to avoid the sun."
Other Stanford researchers involved in the study include undergraduate Elizabeth Keiser; clinical professor of dermatology and chief of dermatology at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Matthew Kanzler, MD; clinical assistant professor of health research and policy Kristin Sainani, PhD; and former undergraduate student Wayne Lee. The research was supported by a Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award and the National Institutes of Health.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Hollywood Tans once again voted Atlanta's Best Tanning Salon by INsite Magazine voters
"As the largest chain of professional tanning salons, memberships at Hollywood Tans can be used at any of their 250+ locations nationwide. No appointments are necessary, and with an average of 15 booths at each location, you can be in and out on your schedule. Their vertical tanning system gives customers the most comfortable, sanitary way to achieve their perfect shade."
We couldn't agree more!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Study: UV Health Benefits Outweigh Risks
http://www.lookingfit.com/news/2011/10/study-uv-health-benefits-outweigh-risks.aspx
In a review article covering 30 years of studies published in the journal "Public Health Nutrition" (September 2011), noted Norwegian researcher Johan Moan concluded that the overall health benefits of an improved vitamin D status may be more important than the possibility of increased cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) risk resulting from controlled UV exposure. Dr. Johan Moan conducts his research at the Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Professor Moan, a member of The Royal Norwegian Academy of Science, and his colleagues reviewed data published between 1981 and 2011 that addressed the relative risk of CMM associated with sunbed use, vitamin D and UV effects on human health.
In their review, the researchers said, “Sun exposure is commonly supposed to be the main cause of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in most populations. However, the matter is disputed.” Dr. Moan also concluded, “ It can be estimated that increased sun exposure to the Norwegian population might at worst result in 200–300 more CMM deaths per year, but it would elevate the vitamin D status by about 25 nmol/l and might result in 4,000 fewer internal cancers and about 3,000 fewer cancer deaths overall.”
Professor Moan further states: “Our own findings that sun exposure, probably via vitamin D generation, seems to protect against melanomas on shielded body sites, were recently strongly supported by the findings of Dixon et al indicating that calcitriol protects against UV-induced skin carcinogenesis.” Professor Moan added, "Due to the fear of skin cancer, health authorities warn against the use of tanning beds, but this statement, along with recommended Vitamin D levels, should be re-evaluated."
John Overstreet, executive director of the Indoor Tanning Association says, “This supports what many vitamin D researchers have said for years, that vitamin D generated by ultraviolet light, either from the sun or a sunbed, can be part of supporting good health. This benefit is important and should be considered against any possible risks. We, of course, tell people that moderation is the key and always avoid over exposure or sunburns.
“While people who live in Norway are typically very fair-skinned and are at greater risk of developing skin cancer, I think it is fair to say that Dr. Moan’s findings apply to the U.S. population as well.
“This type of research also provides additional information about the health benefits and risks of vitamin D and ultraviolet light and should help inform the public policy debate in both the regulatory and legislative arenas,” Overstreet adds.
To see the Moan review article, visit this link on the ITA website: Vitamin D Sun Sunbeds and Health.pdf.
In a review article covering 30 years of studies published in the journal "Public Health Nutrition" (September 2011), noted Norwegian researcher Johan Moan concluded that the overall health benefits of an improved vitamin D status may be more important than the possibility of increased cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) risk resulting from controlled UV exposure. Dr. Johan Moan conducts his research at the Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Professor Moan, a member of The Royal Norwegian Academy of Science, and his colleagues reviewed data published between 1981 and 2011 that addressed the relative risk of CMM associated with sunbed use, vitamin D and UV effects on human health.
In their review, the researchers said, “Sun exposure is commonly supposed to be the main cause of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in most populations. However, the matter is disputed.” Dr. Moan also concluded, “ It can be estimated that increased sun exposure to the Norwegian population might at worst result in 200–300 more CMM deaths per year, but it would elevate the vitamin D status by about 25 nmol/l and might result in 4,000 fewer internal cancers and about 3,000 fewer cancer deaths overall.”
Professor Moan further states: “Our own findings that sun exposure, probably via vitamin D generation, seems to protect against melanomas on shielded body sites, were recently strongly supported by the findings of Dixon et al indicating that calcitriol protects against UV-induced skin carcinogenesis.” Professor Moan added, "Due to the fear of skin cancer, health authorities warn against the use of tanning beds, but this statement, along with recommended Vitamin D levels, should be re-evaluated."
John Overstreet, executive director of the Indoor Tanning Association says, “This supports what many vitamin D researchers have said for years, that vitamin D generated by ultraviolet light, either from the sun or a sunbed, can be part of supporting good health. This benefit is important and should be considered against any possible risks. We, of course, tell people that moderation is the key and always avoid over exposure or sunburns.
“While people who live in Norway are typically very fair-skinned and are at greater risk of developing skin cancer, I think it is fair to say that Dr. Moan’s findings apply to the U.S. population as well.
“This type of research also provides additional information about the health benefits and risks of vitamin D and ultraviolet light and should help inform the public policy debate in both the regulatory and legislative arenas,” Overstreet adds.
To see the Moan review article, visit this link on the ITA website: Vitamin D Sun Sunbeds and Health.pdf.
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