Hello My Friend,

Have you ever heard of the term connector?  Malcolm Gladwell, in his bestselling book Tipping Point, used this term.  In his book he described how some people know quite a few other people.   It seems we are each potentially closer to many others in the world than we might realize.

After learning about this, I started looking at some of the connections we have had through the people in our practice and it was fascinating to think about the connections.  We had a retired Indiana Hall of Fame announcer share how his start in broadcasting involved time working under the famous Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp. We had a woman who met Hilary Clinton after her grandson married the child of her former college roommate, a sports telegrapher who was working in the Notre Dame press box at a game where Bob Hope and Jim Nabors were present, and we even had one gentleman at a business meeting in Boston who was able to eat dinner with a Mr. Key who was the grandson of a famous song writer who happened to be Frances Scott Key who wrote the Star Spangled Banner. We also had a gentleman who went on a date with a ‘Bond Girl’ from the old James Bond movie series that featured the old time James Bond played by actor Roger Moore. 

It has been fun to explore and think about some of the connections we have within our dermatology family. And more importantly, it reminds me how we are each tied together in so many ways, often more than we realize. In understanding how closely we are related, it would seem we could see we are meant to work together and make our world a better place together.

May you and your loved ones find a world willing to work with you for causes greater than any one of us can accomplish alone.  

Enthusiastically,

Roger Moore, MD

How Can Dr. Moore Improve My SMILE :)

Interestingly the realm of cosmetic dermatology has been one of the pioneers in enhancing smiles.  This can be done in several ways depending on what is desired.

One of the most dramatic methods to improve the smile is to change the downward turning corners of the mouth most get as aging sets in.  This down turn in the corners of the mouth can actually make others see us as grumpy, sour or unhappy when in reality we are not.  To get others to see us for who we are Dr. Moore can inject a filler substance into the skin near the corners of the mouth.   This can reduce the shadow in this area and give a more relaxed and neutral or positive appearance.   This technique is often described as the method of turning a frown upside down.

Botulinum toxin protein can also be injected into the muscles around the mouth or some which pull down on the corners of the mouth.   This can also help relax the corners allowing the lips to give a more happy appearance.

The long term application of topical retinoids in a cream such as Retin A can improve the wrinkles and roughness of the skin around the mouth.  This improvement can yield a healthier smile.  

Laser therapy with our top of the line and advanced system form Sciton can also improve texture, color, wrinkles and lines of the skin giving a more youthful appearance.    This may be combined with some of the items listed to get more significant improvement.

Dr. Moore can find the right method to improve your smile so others around you see you as the wonderful and positive person you are.   

How does ‘Slow Sun’ cause damage?

‘Slow Sun’ or ‘Incidental Sun’ is the sun we get without even knowing it.   

When we get in and out of our car going to and from work we often do not realize we might be getting sun exposure.  Unfortunately, the small segments of exposure to harmful UV rays we get intermittently throughout our life actually add up.  It has been estimated up to 85% of the cumulative sun exposure comes from this ‘Incidental Sun.’  

What does chronic sun exposure do to the skin?

It can lead to signs of sun damage.  This includes roughness in texture, brown or red spot development and wrinkles most often.   These features are often felt to be signs of aging.   It is not as noticeable at first, but something does occur with continued exposure.  This something is the development of precancerous lesions termed ACTINIC KERATOSIS.  These are usually rough and scaling growths on the sun exposed part of the body.   In addition, high lifetime UV exposure can lead to an increased risk of BASAL CELL CARCINOMA and SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA.  So each day we get some exposure we are increasing your risk of skin cancer.

Be aware of your cumulative sun exposure, even that from childhood.  All sun exposure plays a role in the development of skin cancer and precancerous lesions. Don’t forget to wear your sunscreen and cover up!

What could excessive sun exposure potentially do to my skin?

• Increase signs of aging
  • Wrinkles
  • Leathery appearance
  • Pigment Changes
  • Age Spots
  • Loss of Elasticity
  • Broken blood vessels
  • Freckles
• Greatly increase your chances of getting skin cancer
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma- the most common form of skin cancer found in the outer most layer of the skin
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma- the second most common form of skin cancer that can cause disfigurement
  • Melanoma- the most serious form of skin cancer that is potentially fatal

Yes, you read that right. Exposing your skin to the sun without protection can cause you to look older, damage your skin and even potentially cause death. Skin cancer is a serious problem that most people overlook. Protecting your skin from the sun by taking the proper precautions, such as wearing sunscreen, can make you happier and healthier. Wearing your sunscreen can save your life! 

This month is a special month dedicated to remind us just how important it is that we protect our skin from the sun. The aim of this month is to raise awareness of the most deadly form of skin cancer. The entire month of May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and it is important to understand that everyone, despite age, race or skin type is at risk for skin cancer. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans will have skin cancer at some point in their life. Skin cancer is common and it could happen to you. However, there are ways to prevent skin cancer and reduce your risk. Here are 5 different ways you can protect your skin from developing skin cancer:

1. Wear Sunscreen-

This is perhaps the most important of all the ways to prevent skin cancer. You should be wearing sunscreen 365 days a year! The sun beats down on us each and every day, even if we don't see it. You should be sure to apply sunscreen whenever you go out. When selecting your daily sunscreen, be sure to get an SPF of at least 30 and make sure it contains at least one of these ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or parsol 1789 (avobenzone). Also, it is important to apply enough sunscreen when you go out. If you are going out for an extended period of time, you should be applying 2 tablespoons of sunscreen every 2 hours.

2. Avoid Sun-

If you forget your sunscreen, you will want to avoid the sun as much as possible. Wearing a hat and long sleeves and long pants will also help to reduce your sun exposure. It is important to know that the sun is hottest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so you should seek shade whenever possible, especially between those hours.

3. Check your skin monthly-

Skin cancer is treated most easily when it is caught early. If you set aside time every month to check your skin, you will know if something suspicious shows up. Checking your skin monthly allows you to catching anything unusual early and then get in to see your dermatologist as soon as possible. When checking your own skin, don't forget to look in hard to see places like your scalp, back, bottoms of your feet and between your toes. You may ask someone who cares about you to help you in this process to ensure that every inch is checked.

4. Know what to look for-

When you check your skin it is important that you know the signs of skin cancer. The most important thing to remember is that if you have a new or changing mole or lesion, you should have it checked. If something is new and changes or if something just won’t go away, then you should go in to have it checked. The following diagram contains the ABCDE's of melanoma:

A- Asymmetrical Shape: Melanoma lesions are often irregular, or not symmetrical, in shape. Benign moles are usually symmetrical.

B- Border Irregularity: Typically, non-cancerous moles have smooth, even borders. Melanoma lesions usually have irregular borders that are difficult to define.

C- Color: The presence of more than one color (blue, black, brown, tan, etc.) or the uneven distribution of color can sometimes be a warning sign of melanoma. Benign moles are usually a single shade of brown or tan.

D- Diameter: Melanoma lesions are often greater than 6 millimeters in diameter (approximately the size of a pencil eraser).

E- Evolution: The evolution of your mole(s) has become the most important factor to consider when it comes to diagnosing a melanoma. Knowing what is normal for YOU could save your life. If a mole has gone through recent changes in color and/or size, bring it to the attention of a dermatologist immediately.

5. Annual Full-Body Skin Exam-

Last but certainly not least, it is essential to have your skin checked by a skin professional at least once a year. Your dermatologist knows what to look for. In fact, Dr. Moore is a skin cancer expert. He will look you over head to toe to ensure that nothing is suspicious. If he does find something suspicious, he will most likely perform a procedure known as a biopsy to test the site to make sure it does not contain skin cancer. If he does find skin cancer, you can rest easy knowing you are in good hands. Here at DermacenterMD, we offer to most comprehensive and state of the art treatments for skin cancer.

If you or someone you know is concerned about skin cancer, do not hesitate to call our office and set up your skin cancer screening exam. It could save your life, or the life of someone you love!