Winter 2008/2009

Dear Patient:
Now that the seasons are changing and winter is upon us, it is more important than ever to protect your skin while outdoors.  In winter, reflective surfaces such as snow can cause the same type of sunburn as one would get in the summer and caution should be taken by applying sunscreen often.  Ears, lips and cheeks are especially vulnerable and there are various products on the market that can be useful in the winter sun.  Please see below for other hints on protecting your skin during the upcoming months. 

If you have a subject you would like covered in future editions, please drop us a note by mail or email at liskin.mail@gmail.com, and we will try to focus on it in upcoming issues.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Marcia Hollander
Practice Manager

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM THE SUN:

... Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.  Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days and more often after swimming or sweating.

...Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever possible.

...Seek shade when appropriate remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.

...Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chances of sunburn.

...Protect children from sun exposure by applying sunscreen often during your day out in the sun.

...Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements.  Don’t seek the sun.

... Avoid tanning beds.  Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds causes skin cancer and wrinkling.  If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen when outdoors.

...Get regular checkups.  If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist.  Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

RESEARCH STUDY ANNOUNCEMENT:

Do you have skin cancer?

Have you noticed a red or pink shiny scaly patch or spot on your skin?

Is it itchy sometimes?

If your answer is "YES" you may have a form of skin cancer called SUPERFICIAL BASAL CELL CARCINOMA.

Long Island Skin Cancer & Dermatologic Surgery is conducting a research study for adults, 18 yrs. old or older, who have superficial basal cell carcinoma.

Call 631-864-6647 to see if you qualify to be in this study.

ABOUT OUR PHYSICIANS

• At the 2008 annual meeting of the American College of Mohs Surgery in Vancouver, British Columbia, Dr. Daniel Siegel was awarded the distinguished service award for his ongoing efforts over the past decade working for the betterment of the specialty and our patients in his role as Practice Expense Advisory committee member and Resource Based Relative Value Update committee member.  The American Medical Association run and congressionally mandated bodies are tasked with the job of refining Medicare reimbursement on a continuing basis.

  Dr. Siegel has been practicing Mohs micrographic surgery in Suffolk County since 1990 and currently holds an academic appointment as Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Director of Procedural Dermatology Fellowship Program at the State University of New York at Downstate Medical Center.  He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology.

  This past May he was awarded "Top Doctor" status on Long Island from a national consumer guide prepared by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

• Dr. Darren Mollick served as guest lecturer this past September for the Dermatology Unit of the clinical medicine program for physician assistant students within the State University of New York at Stony Brook.  His discussion on “Neoplasms of the Skin” was well received and was followed by a brisk session of questions.

• In the May 2008 Shape Magazine issue, Dr. Anthony Wong explains why seeing a Mohs surgeon is important if a skin cancer is discovered.  The article contains a wealth of information on protecting your skin and what to do if you suspect a suspicious lesion.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PATIENTS:
As always, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for referring your friends and family to us.  It is our goal to help you get well as soon as possible and we appreciate the response and attention you have given us.