H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S
DR. FITZ TIPS: SKIN SINS & SMARTS
SUMMER IS YOUR SKIN’S WORST
enemy. As a doctor, I see all kinds
of skin sins. The worst, of course,
is ignoring a mole, or failing to prevent
skin cancer by not using sunscreen.
Beauty is skin deep, and so is health.
Here’s my advice:
Skin Sin: Bronzed Beauty, Beware
The Ides of Summer
Yes, you get vitamin D from the sun
and that’s good. But spend too much
time in the sun, unprotected by a hat or
sunscreen, and you increase your risk
of getting melanoma. Get your moles
checked annually and call your doctor
if you detect any changes.
The most dangerous form of skin cancer
growths develop when unrepaired
DNA damage to skin cells (most often
caused by ultraviolet radiation from
sunshine or tanning beds) triggers
mutations (genetic defects) that lead the
skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. These
tumors originate in the pigment-producing melanocytes, in the
basal layer of the epidermis.
Melanomas often resemble moles and some melanomas
develop from moles. The majority of melanomas are black or
brown but they can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue,
or white. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV
exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those
who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Melanoma
kills an estimated 9,940 people in the US annually!
If melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost
always curable. However, if melanoma is not caught in time,
the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body
where it can become hard to treat and even cause death. It is the
leading type of skin cancer causing death.
The American Cancer Society estimates that at present, more
than 135,000 new cases of melanoma in the US, are diagnosed
in a year. In 2015, an estimated 73,870 of these will be invasive
melanomas, with about 42,670 in males and 31,200 in women.
Dr. Joseph Fitzgerald
Medical Director/Creator PureLife Medi-Spa
Skin Smarts: Age Is Just A Number When You Use PRP
Treatments
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a minimally invasive
cosmetic procedure developed on the proven premise that the
body often is its own best healer.
The procedure involves a practitioner drawing 12mL of blood
from a patient, then centrifuging the blood sample to separate
the plasma containing the platelets and the stem cells. Then the
skin surface is micro-needled, making it ready to receive the
plasma (liquid gold) and all of its benefits. Some deep needling
of the plasma into the tissues is also performed.
This procedure helps to jumpstart
your body’s healing mechanisms to
stimulate skin recovery. There’s virtually
no chance that your body will reject or
react negatively to the injection because
it immediately recognizes the substance
as its own cells.
Clinical studies have documented that
PRP stimulates new collagen growth
and can soften, or even eliminate the
visible effects of sun damage and aging
in your skin. Wrinkles are diminished,
scarring is minimized, hollows are
plumped and skin texture is smoothed.
Most patients see an immediate
improvement in the appearance of the
skin. The natural healing process takes
time and the results appear gradually
over a four to six week period.
The entire PRP procedure, including
preparation, collection and separation
of platelets, micro-needling and deep
injection is done in under two hours.
Patient down time is minimal (24-72
PHOTO: B. LIVELY IMAGES
hours). For best results, PRP facials are administered in a
series of three treatments scheduled anywhere from two to four
weeks apart, and require minimal maintenance (one to two
treatments per year).
Skin Smarts: Thirsty Skin Equals Unhealthy Body
My colleagues agree that drinking water at a certain time
maximizes its effectiveness on the body, especially in the summer
heat. Here are some recommendations:
2 glasses of water after waking up helps activate internal
organs.
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal helps digestion.
1 glass of water before taking a bath helps lower blood
pressure.
1 glass of water 30 minutes before going to bed helps
avoid stroke or heart attack and can help prevent night time leg
cramps.
Keeping your skin plump depends on more than just sipping
water. As we age, collagen depletes and wrinkles form.
At PureLife Medi-Spa we specialize in restoring youthful skin
with the use of PRP, dermal fillers, wrinkle releasers, laser
treatments and medical grade cosmeceuticals.
PureLife Medi-Spa Wellness & SkinCare
12442 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo FL
727.595.3400
www.PureLifeMediSpa.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. G. Joseph Fitzgerald is the Owner/Medical
Director of PureLife Medi-Spa and has been practicing family practice
medicine at FitzTropics, in Largo/Belleair, for 20 years this July. He is
on the Largo Medical Center staff and Director of Oak Manor Nursing
Home and Wright’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Fitz Tropics Family Care
12464 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo FL
727.596.5446
www.fitztropicsfamilycare.com
78 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE JULY/AUGUST 2015