We look forward to supporting the Senator Charles Fuschillo, Jr and the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign (CCMAC) by volunteering to help in their free skin cancer screening.  No appointments are required.  The screening will take place from noon to 3:30pm on July 21 at Tanner Park.  If you would like more information, please call (516) 882-0630.

Dr. Amy Slear discusses in Newsday Article March 1, 2011 various options when treating acne.

Dr. Jeffrey Ellis appeared tonight on LI Talks, News 12 with Lea Tyrrell to discuss and debate safety of indoor tanning with Joseph Levy, the executive director of International Smart Tan Network – a lobby for the indoor tanning association.  The discussion was prompted by the American Academy of Pediatrics recent position statement to ban minors from tanning.

The International Smart Tan Network would like you to believe that developing a tan is an intelligent way to minimize risk of sunburn.  It is NOT.  The Indoor Tanning Association has been cited by the FTC for making false claims related to the safety of tanning.  A tan gives you an SPF of 3 while causing DNA damage.  Tanning intensity and time regulation are poorly enforced by facility staff with 95% of tanners exceeding time limits and 83% of tanning booths producing more UVB than standards allow.

Here are the facts:

1. The World Health Organization categorizes tanning beds as a carcinogen
2. The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes tanning beds as a carcinogen to humans
3. The American Medical Association, American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recognize the dangers associated with tanning beds, and have position statements to limit access to younger children
4. The risk of melanoma is increased by 75% when exposure to tanning beds occurs before the age of 30 (Lancet Oncology 2009)
5. In the population based Skin Health Study, researchers found that people who used tanning beds often were 2.5-3x more likely to develop melanoma thana person who never tanned indoors
6. The Australian Melanoma Family Study identified 76% of the melanoma in patients between the ages of 18-39 were attributed to tanning bed use

The tanning industry is a big one, with a powerful lobby.  In 2007, domestic sales were in excess of $5 billion.  They use marketing tactics simlar to the tobacco industry where they try to mitigate health concerns, appeal to a sense of social acceptance, emphasize the “relaxing” component of going tanning, and target specific population segments who are most vulnerable (ie: prom specials).

At this time, 32 states have legislation to regulate tanning, but more is needed on a federal level.  In Brazil, tanning beds sale and use is banned.  In France, Germany, Austria & the UK it is banned for individuals under 18 years old.  In New York, current legislation does not allow anyone under 14 years of age to use tanning beds, but adolescents age 14-17 can use one if they have parental consent.  Tanning beds have a wide variability of radiation output, operator knowledge, and degree to which operators comply with state and federal guidelines.  Some studies suggest that 95% of patrons going to tanning salons were not following the exposure guidelines.

Regarding Vitamin D… did you know that Vitamin D is generated from UVB light, and most tanning beds use predominantly UVA light (because UVB increases the risk of a burn).  UVA does not help to generate Vitamin D, but does increase the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, wrinkles, etc.  Here is more information from the American Academy of Dermatology on Vitamin D.

Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, Dermatologist in Plainview Long Island discusses scars and treatment options in Newsday Article, February 8, 2011.

Scars form in different ways and develop from different causes.  Acne, burns, surgery, trauma or even tattoos and body piercings can result in scars.  Some scars are depressed (ie:  acne scars) while others are raised (ie: keloids).  There are many options available for our patients with scarring, and we offer some unique and specialized techniques to help improve your scar.  For example, we find micro needling to be a cost effective and helpful treatment option for depressed acne scars.  For keloids on the ears, we utilize radio- surgery to meticulously remove scar tissue.  More information about that procedure can be found here.

If you have a scar, or think you are developing one please schedule an appointment with us so that we can help you to heal in the best way possible.

Dr. Jeffrey Ellis was recently quoted in an article discussing bed bugs & lice – reviewing why there back, and how to stop them.  One very safe and effective way to treat head lice has been mentioned previously on our blog, and can be found here.

The full article can be found at newsday.com

All are welcome to attend Family Wellness Day, on Sunday September 26, 2010 from 11am-4pm.  There will be activities, speakers, health tips, and giveaways.  Topics include yoga, nutrition, pediatrics, cpr, breastfeeding, car safety, pharmacy, lamaze, dental health, child develpment, parenting support, children’s skin health, and more.

The event is being hosted at Happy & Healthy Pediatrics, and the program looks like it will be outstanding!  We are excited to participate in the event, and Dr. Amy Slear will be speaking at 2:30pm on Sun Safety and Winter Care for Our Children’s Skin.  A complete schedule of events can be found here. For more information, please call: (516) 216-5910

Congratulations to Meghan Taylor ’11 and her classmates at Sacred Heart Academy for their outstanding work in promoting sun safety at school!  The sales were a great success – and all involved are now much more aware of the importance of sun safety and the risks of UV damage.  In just a few weeks, Meghan and her classmates raised $430 by selling our Sun Smart Skin Safe UV Color Changing Bracelets!  Bravo!  You have made it to our Sun Safety Honor Roll!

The full $430 raised will be donated to the Melanoma Research Foundation which is committed to research, education and advocacy in our national battle to find more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for Melanoma.

Bracelets can be purchased any time in our office or on-line at SunSmartSkinSafe.com

Belaray Dermatology is currently working with several local schools to help increase knowledge of UV risks and how to be Sun Smart – Skin Safe.  If you have interest in working together to educate our students on sun safety and fundraise for skin cancer research, please call our office (516) 822-7546.  We provide the bracelets at no cost and donate 100% of the money raised to skin cancer research.

Dr. Jeffrey Ellis was featured in the New Standard Winter 2010 employee publication of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

The full article on Mohs Surgery, a specialized technique for the treatment of skin cancer, can be read above.

At Belaray Dermatology, we know all about warts.  We treat them wherever they grow – from head to toe – and everywhere in between.  Warts are caused by a common virus, called Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

This virus can affect almost any skin but most frequently are found on the hands, feet, and genitals.

We are committed to helping treat warts, and offer a wide variety of treatment options to fit the specific needs of our patients.  We are honored to be recognized for our ongoing efforts by the website WarOnWarts.com as one of the best dermatologists in the New York area to visit for wart treatment.  Thank you!