Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 68,000 new cases are reported each year.

Recent studies have revealed a direct link between the ultraviolet light exposure in tanning beds and the increase in skin cancers in women 15-39 year of age. This has led to many states requiring written parental permission for a minor before they can use a tanning facility. The fact that these beds are “inside” does not make them any more safe than baking outside in the bright July sunlight! Besides, there are many self-tanning cosmetic products on the market that provide a safe alternative to direct sunlight and tanning beds–check them out!

A few facts of interest about melanoma:
1. occurs more often in older adults
2. occurs more often in Caucasians
3. occurs more often in people with lighter skin tones, light eyes, freckles, and/or red hair

Should you notice any unusual moles or lesions, you should monitor them for changes in color and/or shape, and watch for irregular borders. If any of these occur, call your doctor or your dermatologist right away.

Many patients complain about the extra flabby skin of their upper arms and wonder what can be done about it. Treatment often involves use of liposuction alone or liposuction with removal of the extra, stretched-out skin. The medical term for this surgical procedure is brachioplasty. If a small to medium amount of fat is present, liposuction alone may work to make the underarm look firm and contoured again–especially if skin tone is good. However, if the problem is mostly one of excess stretched-out skin–like what happens when a person loses a large amount of weight quickly–a brachioplasty may be the better answer. In fact, patients who have lost a good deal of weight either naturally or after a gastric bypass may be left with what can be called an “empty skin envelope” and as well as little skin tone. A common term for this is also “batwings” and it is in these patients that a brachioplasty may be most effective. When the problem is moderate to severe, It may be worth considering this surgical option because the significant improvement in upper arm contour may outweigh the considerable scarring involved with the procedure. It becomes a matter of priorities to the patient–possible visable scars weighed against the improvement in upper arm contour–and, as always, a consultation with an experienced and (equally important) a board-certified plastic surgeon for evaluation is invaluable.