Teams of researchers in the UK and Austria have now shown that repeated computer imaging of skin lesions over time accurately and effectively identifies skin cancers before they are recognized by other clinical procedures.
Using sequential dermoscopy (where skin is repeatedly imaged over time) provides significant assistance in tracking so called “featureless melanomas”, that is, melanomas which are malignant, but don’t look to be malignant.
By tracking the computer images of moles over time, scientists can detect these melanomas much earlier than other methods.
By diagnosing melanoma at the early stages, sequential dermoscopy increases the likelihood of melanoma being found early enough to be cured.
In fact, in this study, more than 62% of the melanomas detected did not appear to be malignant, when they, in fact, were.
This technique can also be used to confirm that suspicious skin lesions are not cancerous, by tracking their appearance over time. If they look the same under imaging, doctors can rule out melanoma with greater certainty.
This represents a huge leap forward in the early treatment of malignant skin cancers.
Learn more about suncare for your skin
Filed under The Latest Skin Care News by 
Under-eye circles, those dark or blackish circles you see under your eyes can be caused by many different factors, including heredity, sun exposure, allergies, lack of sleep, medications, poor nutrition, age, and hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menstruation.
Heredity and sun exposure can both lead to darkening of the skin under the eyes. Allergies may be another factor, as would any other skin or respiratory condition that would lead you to rub or wipe your eyes.
Rubbing or wiping your eyes will increase blood flow to the eye area. Since the skin around the eyes is very thin, increased blood flow will show up as dark circles under your eyes.
Certain medications can cause dark circles, most often those which result in blood vessel dilation. The hormonal shifts associated with pregnancy and menstruation may also change the color and texture of the skin under the eye.
While all these factors can play a role in the development of dark circles under your eyes, the two most common culprits are lack of adequate nutrition and lack of enough sleep.
If you have dark circles under your eyes, consider adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet, as people with diets low in vitamins C and E (antioxidants), low in lutein, beta carotene, and zinc are likely to have dark circles.
Get enough sleep, and sleep with your head slightly elevated. Getting enough sleep will always help you look and feel better; sleeping with your head slightly elevated will keep the skin around the eye draining properly.
No matter what your reason for undereye circles, remember there are steps you can take to effectively combat them.
And if all else fails? Invest in a good quality concealer cream, and dot it on the inside corners of your eyes, and blend in gently. This one trick, alone, makes me look like I’ve slept a hundred hours.
Filed under General Skin Care Information by
For people with diabetes, living a regular life becomes very difficult, in some ways. Diabetics have to monitor what they eat and need to check their glucose levels regularly. Diabetes can wreak havoc on the skin, in several different ways.
Diabetes can lead to dark patches of colored skin, and can lead to skin disfigurement on the legs. It also can increase the number of fungal infections the person experiences.
Treating the fungal infections can lead to liver failure over time, resulting in another disease: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which has widespread effects on the skin and mucous membranes.
In short, diabetes brings with it a whole host of skin problems.
But there is some good news, especially for diabetics who love coffee.
A new study has found strong evidence that drinking caffeinated coffee reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 60%, even for those who are at high risk for the disease.
Even people who used to drink coffee, but quit were less likely to develop diabetes than those who never drank it. This may mean that [tag-ice]coffee[/tag-ice] has some kind of long-lasting, preventative effect, even when it’s not being actively consumed.
Several other studies have suggested the same finding, and researchers are now focused on finding what compounds in coffee are actually responsible for decreasing [tag-ice]diabetes[/tag-ice] risk. Once these are isolated, this may pave a new pathway in the treatment and prevention of diabetes.
