However, this idea is not advisable because any dose of UVA that your skin receives, far from protecting or preparing it, reinforces the path to melanoma or carcinoma. Tanning, far from being a sign of health, is a sign of skin suffering. The skin, when exposed to the sun, feels attacked and therefore becomes pigmented. There is no such thing as a healthy tan.

UVA rays have a high oxidative power, penetrating deep into the dermis, which in the long term has repercussions on the development of cancer. As for the damage they can cause, it makes no difference whether these rays come from the sun or from a machine that produces them.

Since 2009, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) belonging to the WHO considers UV lamps (as well as solar radiation) a group 1 carcinogen. Belonging to this group means that their involvement in the development of a particular type of cancer (in this case, skin cancer) is clearly established scientifically and therefore the WHO advises against their contact with the skin.

But what do we know so far about the influence of UVA rays on skin cancer? Here is what science has shown about the different types of skin cancer.

UVA radiation and melanoma

It has been statistically proven that there is a higher risk of developing melanoma in those people with previous use of UVA lamps. Although the more sessions, the higher the risk, it has been shown that there is a significant increase in the probability of developing melanoma from 10 sessions in a lifetime. Researchers calculated that for each extra session per year, the risk increases by 1.8%.

In addition, in a paper recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, it was observed that people who have taken UVA rays are more likely to develop more than one melanoma (in some cases, up to 4) in a lifetime.

UVA radiation and non-melanoma skin cancer

Although there are fewer studies focusing on these cancers (squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma) and their relationship to UV light, the available evidence supports that there is an increased risk in both cases. Cases of non-melanoma skin cancer attributable to UVA rays are considered to be comparable to those of lung cancer caused by tobacco.

In conclusion…

The scientific publications available so far establish that there is a clear relationship between the use of UVA rays/sunbeds and the appearance of the most frequent types of skin cancer. Spain prohibits their use in children under 18 years of age, but despite all the evidence I have shared with you, they are still available for the rest of the population.

I hope, with this article, I have contributed to make you think twice before using a tanning salon next time.

Have you ever used sunbeds?

The post Sunbeds cause skin cancer first appeared on Dra. LOREA BAGAZGOITIA.

Keep in mind that the technical name for moles is melanocytic nevus. Melanocytic nevi, in turn, can be divided into different types based on their characteristics.

The fact is that most moles are brown in color. They can be dark brown, light brown, or have different shades. Not everything that is brown is a mole (for example, you can read about seborrheic keratosis here) and not all moles are brown.

There are nevi of different colors that are still “moles” even though their appearance may confuse us. We will discuss them below:

WHITE

For example, halonevus: these are moles, typically brown, which have a white border that gradually reduces in size until they disappear and become completely white. You can read more about them in the post “Halo nevus: disappearing moles”.

FLESH COLOR

Intradermal nevi are an example. This type of mole is flesh-colored or light brown, in most cases. I told you about them in the article, “Is it a mole or a wart?”

GREY/BLUE

This color is typical of the so-called blue nevi. This is because they are located deeper in the skin than other moles. Due to an optical effect called Tyndall, the brown color of the melanin is seen with this tone. Here you can see pictures of blue nevi.

BLACK

Some “normal” moles with no name of their own, especially in people with dark complexions, can be really dark in tone. For some reason, deep brown or black moles tend to be of more concern, and the reality is that there is no reason for this.

If the color, although dark, is homogeneous, this does not have to mean anything bad. There is a type of nevus called Reed’s nevus that characteristically tends to be darker than normal.

PINK OR RED

Some intradermal nevi, for example, may have a certain pinkish hue. Spitz’s nevus, a type of mole that usually appears in children, can have all kinds of colors, but it is very characteristic for it to be reddish. You can see pictures of Spitz nevus here.

And what if the color changes?

If a mole is one color and remains stable for months or years, there is probably nothing wrong with it. It has its characteristics and that’s all there is to it.

However, if you notice a change in the color of a mole, be sure to see a dermatologist. Sometimes a change in color can be a clue to a melanoma. Remember the ABCDE rule, where C is for color changes.

And you, do you have any moles other than the typical brown ones?

The post Are moles always brown? first appeared on Dra. LOREA BAGAZGOITIA.

However, around this age and beyond, some of you will notice the appearance of new brown spots that are sometimes raised, rough, and may be itchy. If you notice such a spot or bump, chances are it is a seborrheic keratosis. Although it never hurts to consult a dermatologist to confirm this…

What are seborrheic keratoses?

These are tumors (keeping in mind that the word “tumor” in medicine means nothing more than “lump”) that originate from the most superficial layers of the skin (epidermis) and are benign. They are usually brown in color, although some are very dark, almost black, and others are almost skin-colored. They are usually lumpy and their surface is rough; it is not uncommon for them to occasionally peel off or even break off a small piece. They are often confused with warts, but although they look similar, they are not exactly the same.
They may itch or bleed after a slight rubbing.

More pictures of seborrhoeic keratosis

Why do they appear?

We can consider seborrheic keratoses as part of skin aging. It is thought that the amount of sun we get throughout our lives influences their appearance, but this is not entirely clear because they also appear, although less frequently, in areas that are not exposed to the sun. Some people are more susceptible to their appearance than others, so there is probably some genetic predisposition.

Is there any risk?

Seborrheic keratoses are by definition benign and are unlikely to progress to skin cancer. Even if they grow, they remain benign.

How are they diagnosed?

The most common is that with a simple examination, using a dermatoscope, we can differentiate a seborrheic keratosis from other types of patches. In this sense, the most important thing is to distinguish it from a melanoma, which, as you know, is one of the most aggressive skin cancers. In rare cases, in order to make this distinction, we need to perform a biopsy of the lesion to confirm that it is a seborrheic keratosis.

How can they be treated?

Seborrheic keratoses can be treated with cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen), laser (usually CO2 laser) or they can be removed. Occasionally, a lighter or darker spot may remain in the area of the seborrheic keratosis after removal.

In conclusion…

Seborrheic keratoses are completely benign and pose no risk. However, it is always important to differentiate them from moles or even melanoma, and it is advisable to see a dermatologist for this. If they are not aesthetically pleasing, they can be easily removed with treatments such as cryotherapy.

The post Rough, brown spots on the body first appeared on Dra. LOREA BAGAZGOITIA.

In my experience as a dermatologist, these are spots that tend to cause some discomfort. They can appear suddenly and last a long time, or they can stay for a long time. These lines can be caused by many things. Among them, the most feared is melanoma, which is rare in the nail, but with serious consequences. This is why it is important to consult a dermatologist (either in person or as an online dermatologist) when a spot appears on the nail.

Why do spots appear on the nail?

The appearance of brown spots on the nail can have several causes, most of which are not serious. In some cases, the stains may have a linear appearance that remains over time. Below is a list of the most common causes of discoloration:

• Racial pigmentation: People with brown or black skin may naturally have more pigmented lines on their nails. They are often seen on more than one fingernail and toenail. They can appear at any age, even in children. There is no health risk.
• Punctures: Sometimes we see irregular spots that may be more reddish or black in color after a blow or repeated minor trauma (such as wearing a tight shoe). They usually appear abruptly, sometimes with pain, and disappear as the nail grows. They are usually small bruises (which turn brown) under the nails. Sometimes they can be an increase in pigmentation.
• Medications: Some medications can cause increased pigmentation of the nails. The change usually occurs some time after starting the medication and usually appears on more than one nail.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, some nails may become more pigmented or brown lines may appear.
• Some skin conditions: psoriasis, fungal infections, warts, or other less common tumors may cause brown lines to appear on some nails.
• Some general diseases and syndromes: some endocrinological diseases, among others, can be accompanied by linear spots on the nails. Peutz-Jeghers and Laugier-Hunziker syndromes present these spots on the nails, usually accompanied by spots on the lips. A doctor can help diagnose all of these conditions, which usually have symptoms other than nail spots.
• Moles or melanoma: These brown lines can be the expression of a mole or a melanoma located in the nail matrix. Most often it is a mole (nevus), which is a benign spot. However, especially in adults, it is important to make sure that it is not a melanoma, which has a much worse prognosis.

Warning signs of a spot on the nail

Of all the possibilities mentioned in the previous section, the one that should undoubtedly make us more alert is that the spot in question is due to a nail melanoma. This is rare. It accounts for less than 3% of melanomas in fair-skinned people, although its frequency is higher in darker-skinned people, where it can account for up to 30% of melanomas. The prognosis of melanoma of the nail is poor, so it is very important to consult a dermatologist when in doubt. It is important to take into account some details that can be particularly alarming:

• Being an adult: Children are much less at risk. In them, the line is most likely due to a mole or melanocytic nevus.
• Line width greater than 4 mm.
• Different shades of brown in the line.
• Changes in color or size over time.
• Observation that the skin surrounding the nail is also pigmented (this is called Hutchison’s sign, which you can see in this photo).
• Changes in the nail itself, with breakage, ulceration, or irregularity of the nail.
• A family history of melanoma.

Importance of seeing a dermatologist

ou may be familiar with a case that went viral on Facebook some time ago. It was about a girl who was diagnosed with melanoma of the nail. She insisted on the need to consult a dermatologist in case of any nail lesion. She hoped that her experience could help others…so let’s take note!

Consulting a dermatologist online is fast, convenient and useful. It can provide reassurance and guidance if you don’t have access to a dermatologist in person. However, in the specific case of a nail stain, if you have the option, I advise you to do it in person (I work as a dermatologist in Madrid, if you find it useful, you can find me here). This way the professional will be able to evaluate your spot with dermatoscopy.

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