And it certainly is all very valid sold evidence backed advice.

Yet did you know that there are two specific vitamins that can give you significant protection from getting sun burnt and subsequent skin cancers? Yes, vitamins!

So, firstly let’s talk about niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3.

In 2015 a research group in Sydney found that taking niacinamide daily in a dose of 500-1000 mg resulted in 13% fewer precancerous sun spots appearing, and a 23% lower risk to develop a non-melanoma (that is, basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer).

Food sources of niacinamide include salmon, tuna, chicken, turkey, anchovies, and pork. It is also available as an inexpensive over-the-counter vitamin supplement.

Secondly, let’s discuss retinol and vitamin A.

Retinoid compounds, including retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid, are collectively referred to as vitamin A. Several studies from the USA between 2011 and 2019 have confirmed that retinoids, in particular retinol, may lead to at least a 17% lower risk of squamous cell cancer. Higher vitamin A intake largely from fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk of SCC, and there are available over-the-counter supplements as well. The advised dose is around 10000 IU (one to two tablets depending on manufacturer) per day.

Lastly a quick word about sunscreen.

Not far away, in Nambour, two very powerful studies conducted by cancer epidemiologist Professor  Adele Green showed that daily sunscreen could lower the occurrence of squamous cell cancer by 60%, and the risk of melanoma by 50%. Powerful protection indeed.

So, slop on that sunscreen, and take your A & B3!

Microneedling works by creating a series of hundreds of microscopic channels into the dermis to stimulate the skin’s natural production of new collagen and elastin, helping skin to look and feel healthier. 30 minutes is all it takes for microneedling to create 3 million microchannels – this allows your body to regenerate fresh, new glowing skin.

Microneedling has been clinically shown to be effective for all skin types. To truly reach your skincare goals you can pair up this treatment with cosmeceutical creams. It is a win-win situation for people looking to improve the texture of their skin.

Microneedling is the best investment for treating anything from acne scarring to neck wrinkles! For the best results consult a doctor using a TGA approved microneedling device such as SkinPen® used at DermaSurg.

The good news is that almost all skin cancers, including melanoma, are curable if detected early.
Right now most of us are wanting to cover up and enter a season of hibernation. Unfortunately, skin cancers are not seasonal, and sometimes can grow quite rapidly while our attention is focused elsewhere.

So here are a few great reasons to consider getting your skin cancer check done while it is still cooler outside:
1. Your less tanned skin is easier to examine.
2. You are still exposed to the sun and may still develop skin damage.
3. Skin cancers may take months or even years to develop.
4. The earlier a skin cancer is discovered, the more treatment options are available.
5. It is easier to get an appointment in the cooler months.

Love the skin you’re in!

Phototherapy (light therapy) is a great option to consider for sun damage and to combat age changes.
Phototherapy uses nonthermal, non-invasive light to achieve a range of therapeutic outcomes. Modern advances have introduced light-emitting diodes (LED), which has led to clinical application for a variety of medical and cosmetic uses.

Phototherapy enhances and accelerates wound healing, decreases scar formation in surgical wounds, has demonstrated clinical benefit in the treatment of psoriasis and is an effective treatment in acne and rosacea. It is also a highly effective method to improve the cosmetic appearance of mild to severe sun-damaged, oily, blemished, and aged skin on all areas of the body.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines phototherapy with a photosensitizer agent to be an effective
treatment for actinic keratosis, precancerous skin damage, and superficial skin cancers (both basal cell and squamous cell variants).

DermaSurg uses MediLUX LED phototherapy technology. This incorporates five different treatment wavelengths (blue, green, yellow, red and infrared) for a wide range of treatment objectives.

By using these injections to decrease the facial muscle actions responsible for lines and creases, the skin appears smoother and firmer. This decrease in muscle movement also prevents new lines from forming, provided patients receive ongoing treatments.

The injections work by blocking the nerve impulse signals between facial muscles and their relevant nerves. By softening the appearance of eye and forehead lines, anti-wrinkle injections can reverse a tired, stressed or anxious look, giving you a more relaxed, younger appearance.

Anti-wrinkle injections can also be used to lift and reshape the outer eyebrow and reduce the muscle bands in the neck. They are used to lift the jawline, rejuvenate the jaw,  and reduce teeth grinding.

If anti-wrinkle treatment injections are used to treat shallow lines, then these often disappear completely after a few treatments.

Anti-wrinkle injections are not just for those who already have lines and wrinkles. Indeed, by starting treatment early on, anti-wrinkle injections can delay and even prevent lines from setting in. Patients who receive ongoing treatments can maintain a more youthful appearance over the long term.

Treatment involves giving a series of localised injections directly into the muscles beneath the wrinkles. Each injection stings for a few seconds and in rare cases, some bruising and swelling will occur.

At DermaSurg Skin Clinic we decided to introduce Xeomin^® which is the most purified form of Botulinum toxin type A with the fewest reported adverse effects. So pure in fact, that even a celebrity like Gwyneth Paltrow chooses it!

Ask our skin experts about how anti-wrinkle injections may help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

1. Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer by 23 – 30% *
2. Regular sunscreen use reduces your risk to develop a melanoma, especially when used every day **
3. A 10-year study in Queensland found that sunscreen is safe to use daily, and does not cause harmful conditions ***

*Starr P. (2015). Oral Nicotinamide Prevents Common Skin Cancers in High-Risk Patients, Reduces Costs. American health & drug benefits, 8(Spec Issue), 13-4.

**Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM. Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29(3):257-263.

***Green AC, Williams GM. Point: sunscreen use is a safe and effective approach to skin cancer prevention. Cancer Epidem Biomar Prev 2007; 16(10):1921-1922.