BellaSugar

Got (Lots of) Moles? You Might Age Better, Then

Jaime Richards — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:00:58 PST

If you have lots of moles, here's a spot of good news from the UK. A recent study conducted by researchers at Kings College London found that people with a higher percentage of moles actually age better. It seems that not only do moles create a more youthful appearance, but those with a larger percentage of moles (the average person has around 30 to 40) appear to be less apt to experience signs of aging skin, like wrinkles and age spots.

While the reason is unknown, scientists think it might have something to do with the way DNA strands are made up within one's genetic coding. It's also believed that the multiple-moled are blessed with some sort of natural exfoliation system within the skin.

But the bad news is that people with a greater amount of moles are more likely to get skin cancer - and other types of cancer. So while you layer up on the sunscreen, make no bones about it: the study also found that people with a greater amount of moles have better bone density. Whee.

How to Fake a Beauty Mark

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:00:00 PDT

Has any other celebrity been copied as much as the illustrious Marilyn Monroe? Countless women have drawn inspiration from her signature style of bouncy blond waves, red lipstick, and darkly-lined eyes, but it's her distinctive mole that gave Marilyn that extra special touch. Look for a slideshow dedicated to Marilyn's celebrity emulators to come, but in the meantime, I've put together a few tips on how you can get a beauty mark that's uniquely you. Whether you're looking to accentuate a pre-existing mole, looking to do something unexpected, or getting your mole on for a costume party, get my tutorial when you read more.

Monday's Leftovers: Pinto Bean Molé Chili

YumSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:50:19 PDT

For dinner tonight, I'm continuing yesterday's veggie streak, making a molé-flavored chili that's so complex, no one will even realize it's a meatless Monday. I'll start with onions and garlic, add in a ground mixture with chiles, cumin, cinnamon, and other seasonings, and then stir in a bounty of leftover yellow squash, kale, tomatoes, and chocolate for an extra-roasted taste. Unlike most molé dishes, I'll be able to serve it in under an hour. To make this your next homestyle meal, read more

How the Alphabet Can Prevent Skin Cancer

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:00:00 PDT

Most of the more than one million cases of skin cancer that are diagnosed in the US each year are considered sun-related, and of those, almost 11,000 people will die each year. That's a lot of deaths that could be prevented if people just took care of their skin by wearing sunscreen and doing skin self-exams. Check yourself for suspicious-looking moles, and if you find something odd, make an appointment immediately with a dermatologist.

If you're not sure what you should be looking for - this is where your knowledge of the alphabet comes into play - follow the A,B,C,D,E rule. To learn the rule, just

A for asymmetry: A mole that, when divided in half, doesn't look the same on both sides.

B for border: A mole with edges that are blurry or jagged.

C for color: Changes in the color of a mole, including darkening, spread of color, loss of color, or the appearance of multiple colors such as blue, red, white, pink, purple or gray.

D for diameter: A mole larger than 1/4 inch in diameter.

E for elevation: A mole that is raised above the skin and has an uneven surface.

Check your skin often and look for these changes in your moles. Also be on the lookout for oozing, bleeding, itchiness, tenderness, or a mole that grows quickly. If detected early enough, the mole can be tested and removed if it's cancerous.

To protect yourself from future sun damage, remember to apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside, reapply it every two hours to prevent sunburn, and keep your skin protected at all times.

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To Mole or Not To Mole? That Is the Question

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:10:21 PDT

One of my good friends recently got braces to correct a slight gap in his front teeth. When I saw the braces the first thing I asked was, "Why would you do that?" From my perspective, I've always found his flawed smile an endearing and signature part of his character (similar to how I feel about Lauren Hutton's or Madonna's tooth-gap).

It goes without saying that I feel similarly about Sarah Jessica Parker's chin mole, which she just had removed for cosmetic and not medical reasons. I'm all for freedom of choice, but if she were a friend of mine, I'd have told her to rock that mole indefinitely. Where do you stand on the issue? Are small flaws beautiful or would you "fix" them too?

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If You Think a Mole Might Be Cancerous . . .

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:00 PDT

If you took my advice and checked your skin for any discolored, oddly shaped, or unusually large moles and found something questionable, don't panic just yet. Only a doctor can determine if it's skin cancer. Follow these steps:

Make an appointment with a dermatologist ASAP.
At your appointment, have the doctor check that specific mole and other moles that worry you. The doctor may ask if you want a full-body examination, and I'd go for it since it can't hurt to have a professional take a thorough once-over of your skin.
If the mole looks fine, the doctor will ask you to keep an eye on it. If they aren't sure, they'll recommend a skin test called a biopsy. The doctor will numb the area, and then slice off the mole (it sounds worse than it really is). Then the sample will be tested, and unfortunately you'll have to wait to hear back about the results. Just so you know, the biopsy may leave a scar, but it's better than cancer.

To find out the next step

When the doctor calls you back, you'll either receive good news (no cancer), or not so good news (cancerous). If it's the latter, you'll have to make another appointment to have the mole removed. The doctor will numb the area again, cut out the root of the mole and give you a few stitches. After the area has a chance to heal, you or the doctor must remove the stitches, which may also leave a scar.

I know this doesn't sound like a party, but think of the alternative. It's great that we are so aware now of all the damage UV rays have on our skin, but for all the times when we didn't protect ourselves, it's great that dermatologists have the power to detect skin cancer at an early stage.

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4 Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Lately we have become so hyper-sensitive about sun exposure and the damaging effects it has on our health. Wearing sunscreen and using self-tanners can all help to prevent possible future outbreaks of skin cancer, but what about the sun exposure we've already had?

Unfortunately, there was probably a time when we weren't so careful. Previous sun exposure might cause skin cancer, so it's important for you (or a close friend) to check your skin. Look carefully at moles and beauty marks to see if they have any of these symptoms:

Fit's Tips: If you have any doubts about a specific mole, make an appointment with a dermatologist. They may perform a biopsy where they remove a portion of it and check for cancer. Since skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., it's better to be safe, so if they do find cancer cells or are unsure, they'll remove the entire mole. To protect yourself from future sun damage, check out these tips.

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Holy Moley! Beauty Marks Keep You Younger

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 06:00:01 PDT

Woo hoo! Cindy Crawford and the rest of the mole people have something big to celebrate. A new study reports some great news for those of us who have plentiful moles (or beauty marks, if you prefer):

Scientists claim that those with lots of moles are years younger biologically than those with mark-free skin. ... They may retain their youthful looks for longer and could be at lower risk of a host of age-related diseases such as heart disease or osteoporosis.

Could this be the reason Cindy looks amazing at 41? As someone who also has a beauty mark on her face, I'm hoping the answer is yes! Do you have moles? Have they affected the way you feel about your appearance?
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Melanoma Risk Factors: What You Need to Know

Jaime Richards — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:00:07 PDT

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, and unfortunately, it's a disease that's on the rise. However, melanoma, which can be described as the uncontrolled spread of pigment-producing cells, can be easily cured when detected early enough.

It's National Skin Cancer Awareness month, so for more tips on prevention, stay tuned. But first, discover more about this type of cancer and who has a greater risk for developing it, when you keep reading.

What to Expect When You're Getting a Skin Cancer Screening

Allure — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:25:00 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

Nonmelanoma skin cancers may be slowly decreasing, but melanoma is on the rise - and it's the most common cancer for my age group (25- to 29-year-olds). Since this is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, I asked dermatologist Jeannette Graf, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, to demystify this important annual appointment. "Patients fear the unknown, or they cancel their appointment because they've been on vacation and they feel guilty about their tan. But before they know it, six months have gone by." Graf says there's nothing to fear. The appointment will be quick and painless - at least this time. Learn what really happens at a screening when you read more.