Archive for October, 2011
Hairdressers Could Be First To Detect Signs of Skin Cancer
A regular trip to your fab hairdresser could save your life! According to a recently published study in the Archives of Dermatology, hair professionals play a significant role in the early detection of skin cancer. Hair dressers have a unique view of your head, neck and scalp where 6% of melanoma are found. Of that 6%, 10% of deaths in the U.S. occur from those types of melanomas (from 1973-2003). In the study many hair professionals say they do examine their clients head, neck and scalp. The study was a survey completed by 203 hair dressers from a chain of 17 salons in the greater Houston, TX area. The study was conducted to “determine the factors related to the observation of suspicious lesions on the scalp, neck and face.”
Melanoma of the head and neck is particularly lethal. For early-stage melanoma of the head or neck, the five-year survival rate is about 83 percent, compared with just over 92 percent for early-stage melanoma found on other areas of the body, the researchers said.
What the study found:
- 49% were very or extremely interested in participating in a skin cancer education program.
- 37% looked at 50% or more of their clients scalps.
- 28% or more looked at necks.
- 15% or more looked at their clients faces for suspicious lesions.
They study concluded that hair dressers are looking or do notice suspicious lesions. The results prove that hair dressers would be receptive to skin cancer education and that further investigation into the role of hair professionals in skin cancer prevention and detection campaigns is needed.
“Hairdressers and barbers can potentially play a key role in detection of early melanoma if they are trained on how to look at the skin for atypical moles and lesions while they are taking care of their customer’s hair,” said Alan C. Geller, a senior lecturer in Society, Human Development and Health at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston
Dr. Shasa Hu, an assistant professor in the department of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, agreed that hairdressers and barbers can play a significant role in detecting skin cancer early.
“There is a need for public education on skin cancer,” Hu said. “This is a great way to expand education about skin cancer.”
“We don’t want hairdressers diagnosing skin cancer; we want hairdressers to pay attention to their customer’s scalp and behind the ears and neck, basically areas that customers cannot access easily, and point out any suspicious lesions so that customers can go to a physician,” Hu said.
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2011 AAP National Conference and Exhibition
For the first time UV Skinz attended the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition held in Boston, Massachusetts. The weekend of October 15th over 8,000 pediatricians from across the country came together at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to share, discuss and learn the latest trends and recommendations for children’s health. It was a huge success! The UV Skinz Team was able to meet with many pediatricians and attendees over the course of the weekend. They were able to pass out information about uv-protective clothing, spread the word about sun safety and the UV Skinz mission to “get kids covered.”
Here are some pictures of the UV Skinz booth. Rhonda Sparks (Founder and Owner of UV Skinz is pictured on the left.) 
UV Skinz Set To Attend The 2011 AAP Conference and Exhibition
Rhonda Sparks and the UV Skinz team will be attending the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition for the first time on October 15 through the 18th. The conference will held in Boston, Massachusetts and is titled Energized. The AAP conference is a “forum where all pediatric professionals meet for updates , review of pediatric practice, research and advocacy. Attendees will learn the “latest best practices in pediatrics through faculty speakers representing 8 of the top 10 ranked children’s hospitals in the U.S” along with over 200 organizations (ranging from Universities, medical institutions, public health offices and government agencies).
There will also be a time for attendees to visit exhibits that showcase the latest pediatric resources and innovations on the exhibit floor. UV Skinz will be representing uv-protective wear at booth #1355! If you are in the area–stop by!
Rhonda felt it was important for UV Skinz to be representing safe sun protection at this national conference. Rhonda Sparks started UV Skinz to raise awareness about Melanoma after the disease claimed her late husbands life. Knowing that her children would be at risk she began UV Skinz to “get kids covered”, so that enjoying outdoors can be fun and worry-free. UV Skinz has always been committed to creating high-quality uv-protective clothing for the whole family at affordable prices. All day uv protection that doesn’t wash off is Children who have one or more blistering sun burns are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer/melanoma in adulthood. Under application or misuse of sunscreen increases the chances of sunburn. UV Skinz uv-protective swim shirts block 98% of the sun’s uv rays and the uv protection doesn’t wash off . Childhood sunburns can increase the risk of melanoma in adulthood, but children can also be diagnosed with melanoma during childhood.
Here are some facts about Pediatric melanoma:
- Pediatric melanoma accounts for 3% of childhood cancers
- It is 7 times more common between the ages of 10-20 yrs old than birth to 10 yrs old
- 90% of pediatric melanoma occurs in girls aged 10-19
- White females are more likely to be at risk more than boys, and minorities
- Good news! 94% of children with melanoma survived at least 5 years after diagnosis
How can you protect your child? Tips to stay sun-safe!:
- Avoid the sun during the peak hours of the day, between 10am-4pm (stay in the shade)
- Dress your child in clothing that covers the body, including hats with wide brims
- Apply sunscreen even on cloudy days
- Have your child wear sunglasses
- Keep in mind that some medication can increase a person’s sensitivity to uv rays. If your child is on medication take the proper precautions to avoid over exposure to uv radiation.
UV Skinz has always been committed to creating high-quality uv-protective clothing for the whole family so that everyone could enjoy the outdoors worry-free!
