Your Skin in Your 60s

It entirely possible to have beautiful skin throughout your life! As you move into your sixties, you have to deal with skin issues that started in earlier decades plus new problems that can crop up. Skin issues you may encounter as you move into your sixties: Dryness. Your skin has a hard time retaining moisture and natural oil production slows down. Dullness. Cell turnover continues to slow — a process that started in your forties. Dark spots. Between the lack of oil, the loss of collagen and elastin, and the dryness, dark spots can really start to stand out. Bone … Continue reading

Celebrities and Skin Cancer

Being a self-professed “tanaholic” (blame it on the fact that I was born and raised in Hawaii) I often worry that my days of basting (with baby oil) and baking as a teen might come back to haunt me. These days every time I notice an irregular mole or a raised freckle I speed dial my dermatologist. It doesn’t matter that now (years later) as a mother I am extremely vigilant about protecting my skin (and my family’s), the damage is done. All I can do now is hope and pray that I didn’t sustain irreparable damage. And I know … Continue reading

Two Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanomas and nonmelanomas. Melanoma is a cancer of the melanin cells — the skin cells that give your skin a tan or brown color. Melanin also helps protect your skin from the sun. Melanoma is diagnosed on a scale of I to IV. The early stages — stage I and stage II — are usually localized. Removing the cancer often cures the patient completely. The five year survival rate for a stage I or stage II melanoma is 99 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. Advanced melanomas — stage III and stage … Continue reading

Skin Cancer and Your Diet

I’m at high risk for contracting skin cancer. It’s a fact I live with everyday. Consequently, I am always on the lookout for new information regarding skin cancer. Like most of you I realize the single best way to protect your skin (and prevent cancer) is to avoid sunburn. I adhere to all of my doctor’s warnings… I wear a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses. I find a shady spot when I am at outdoor events and I slather on the sunscreen even if I am only going to be out in the sun for a little while. Now I’m … Continue reading

New Hope For Needlephobics

I am deathly afraid of shots. The mere sight of a needle (regardless of whether is meant for me or not) sends shivers down my spine. When my daughter was getting immunized and I had to help hold her 2-year-old body on the examining table, the nurse commented that I shook more than my child did. My phobia only worsened when I underwent sinus surgery. The doctor used my arm as a pincushion as he searched for a vein to put the IV in. It was horrible. I was poked with the needle more than a half dozen times before … Continue reading

Farrah Vs. Cancer—Round Two

There are two things about hearing that Farrah Fawcett’s cancer had returned that really set me off and both involve the press (more accurately, the tabloid press). Before I proceed with my rant, for those of you who don’t normally follow celebrities’ health concerns, former “Charlie’s Angels” star Farrah Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer in September 2006. After undergoing both chemotherapy and surgery she was declared cancer-free three months ago. But, sadly, just a few days ago she learned that the cancer had returned. According to Fawcett’s close friend, the actress got the news after a routine three-month checkup … Continue reading

New Hope For Those With Skin Cancer

In previous blogs I noted that I am at high risk for skin cancer. I grew up in Hawaii long before “UVA,” “UVB,” and “SPF” were regularly used in conversations about sun exposure. Instead, the only thing I applied to my skin prior to venturing out in the hot Hawaiian sun was baby oil. As a result, I’ve suffered many serious burns and have had to visit the dermatologist on several occasions. Who knew my efforts to achieve a “healthy” golden glow would lead to my current situation of diligently conducting self-skin examinations on a daily basis? I know way … Continue reading

Top 10 Celebrity News Items for the Week of December 11, 2006

The celebrity news you may have missed! 10. Romijn and O’Connell Set the Date Rebecca Romijn (once married to actor John Stamos) and Jerry O’Connell (once engaged to Giuliana DePandi), dating since 2004, have finally set their wedding date for January 6, 2007. Look for your invitation in the mail – LOL! 9. K-Fed Threatens Expose on Britney Oh honestly, if the reports are true that Kevin Federline is threatening to write a tell-all book about Britney, who DIDN’T see this one coming? Sure Britney had a prenup, but probably nothing in writing to stop Kevin from writing an expose … Continue reading

The Fitness Blog: Week in Review – Sept 23-29

Fitness Blog’s: The Week in Review Sept 23-29 It’s been a terrifically busy week here in the Fitness blog and you’d think after 10 months of talking about fitness, I’d be tired of it, but I’m far from that date. We’re winding September down and we’re heading into October. Be sure to check out the September End of the Month Fitness Goal Check today and be back here tomorrow to start our run on October fitness. We’re going to talk a lot about Women’s Fitness in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In the meanwhile, here’s a review … Continue reading

Does Your Kid Fake Bake?

Hi.  My name is Michele and I am a tanaholic. I’ve suffered with tanorexia for decades, thanks in large part to being born and raised in Hawaii. Thirty plus years and countless sunburns later I can only hope that my daughter doesn’t end up suffering from the same condition. Living in northern Wisconsin she has a good chance of escaping the same fate as her mother.  Then again, she could end up just like me if she gets hooked on reality television beauty shows. According to a new study, college students who watch reality beauty shows are at least twice … Continue reading