"I'll be in and out of the car all day - not laying out at the beach." "We'll only be outside for a few minutes." "I don't burn - I just tan."

These were the excuses I regularly heard every time I harangued my roommate about wearing sunscreen. "Unnecessary!" she would declare - until we worked on a story together about a young woman in her 20s struggling to survive after a diagnosis of melanoma. It was the wakeup call she needed.

According to the CDC, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. In 2008, nearly 9,000 individuals lost their lives to skin cancer and nearly 60,000 people in this country were newly diagnosed with melanomas of the skin - the most in the nation's history.

Statistics like these have doctors worried. "Yes, my staff and I have proven to have remarkable success in treating skin cancer," says Dr. Bernard Raskin of Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care, "but we'd rather help our community focus on how to prevent skin cancer in the first place." The doctor advises to wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors, to avoid exposure during the sunniest time of day (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), to wear a cover up when poolside and - most importantly - to protect your exposed skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA
and UVB rays.

But when we're busy (and not headed to the beach), it's easy to forget that last one. Advanced Dermatology has the answer: invite the community to drop in anytime for free access to a variety of top-shelf sunblocks. "Our intention towards this free sunscreen application offer is simple: We want to see less incidences of skin cancer in the SCV. We've worked and lived in this community for over 30 years; our patients are our neighbors and friends. If we can help prevent one person from developing skin cancer, this free service will be more than worth the expense and effort," says David Raskin, chief executive officer of Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care.

Through August, stop in and take one of the Elta MD lines of sunscreen for a spin. Each variety (daily sunscreen; oil-control; moisturizing; water-resistant sports) contains zinc, the ultimate protector from the sun's damaging rays. Common sense rules apply, of course (users must remain fully clothed and will be asked to provide a few details for tracking purposes).
Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care 254-3686 www.creatingbeauty.com

Drop In Anytime for a
FREE MAGAZINE ($10 Value!)The world's most unique beauty magazine is also one of the most coveted; NewBeauty Magazine's $10 cover price doesn't prevent issues from selling out quickly each season. Grab the newest page turner for free by popping into Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care. There's no purchase necessary!

Hope for those
with Skin Cancer
Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care has built a glowing reputation on their innovative treatments for skin cancer. Offering cryosurgery, electrosurgery, topical therapy and Mohs Micrographic Surgery, the medical office's staff of board-certified physicians provide both hope and healing - and are considered the experts not only on treatment, but scar prevention. Dr. Bernard Raskin founded Mohs Micrographic Surgery Center of America and has performed Mohs micrographic surgery for over 20 years on patients with skin cancer. Mohs surgery, also known as microscopically-controlled surgery, is a common procedure used to treat certain skin cancers and to prevent the recurrence of that cancer. This precise method of treating skin cancers allows them to surgically remove the skin cancer and immediately examine the tissue to identify any remaining cancerous tissue. Mohs surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and requires only local anesthetic. In addition to having a higher success rate, Mohs is also recognized for its precision, making it the most aesthetic choice for skin cancer treatment.

NEW LOCATION!
Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Care's New Location is Conveniently Located at 28212 Kelly Johnson Parkway, Suite 245, in Valencia.