Caffeine makes you skin cancer-free?

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology recently published a study that believes caffeine intake may be linked to a decrease in skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) contests this study, stating there is "no definitive link between the two"---yet.

"While this is an interesting concept that has been explored before, it will take years of extensive testing to determine whether this will be a worthwhile prevention method," said Dr. Albert Lefkovits, a spokesman for the SCF.

According to Lefkovits, the study does not address how much caffeine intake is needed to prevent skin cancer, and there are many people who drink large amounts of coffee and still get skin cancer. The only way to avoid it is the old-fashioned way---protective measures and yearly skin examinations by your dermatologist.

Click here for the SCF's official statement. Read More

NYU, here I come!

I've kept this a little under wraps, but I wanted to be the first to tell you all: I got into NYU's graduate program for Nutrition and Dietetics! Yes, I am going back to school. I never thought I would be saying this, but I'm excited to return to the classroom, meet new friends, learn new material, and late night cram. Okay, maybe I'm not thrilled about the cramming part and it certainly won't be late night because I've learned I need to be in bed by 10:30 PM.

How did I come to apply to this program? I've always been interested in helping others live a healthier lifestyle, and it first started with Carasol. After encountering my own health problems and immersing myself in the world of food and health, I realized that nutrition was one of my callings (Carasol and photography being the others), and I wanted to help others feel as good as I do through diet and lifestyle changes. I did a search for graduate programs and found one in my area at NYU. I applied on February 1 and heard back this past Thursday, March 19. The acceptance came in a SMALL envelope, and my heart dropped for a second before I noticed that the envelope was rather plump. I ripped the envelope open, and looked for one word and there it was: congratulations. It was a great feeling to get an acceptance letter and it brought back those warm, fuzzy feelings I got during high school school whenever I received a college acceptance. Hard work really does pay off and I can't wait for classes to start in the fall. Read More

Say it ain't so, Coco!

Two of my previous posts were dedicated to decrying the tan as a harmful and worthless trend. It's no secret that I am passionately against tanning, and most of my posts usually hint at this point of view. Continuing on my anti-tan campaign, I've decided to recount a short tale of Coco Chanel, crediting with bringing the suntan craze to world in 1923.

According to the legend, on a voyage from Paris to Cannes aboard the yacht the Duke of Wellington, Coco accidently fell asleep on the deck of the ship. She acquired a sunburn, which developed into a tan, and after returning to Paris, flaunted her new look at the fashion shows. The world quickly took notice and women in Paris and beyond began adopting a new skin color. Coco, so highly regarded for her pioneering skills and staying power in the world of fashion, had inadvertently started a craze, which was encouraged by the looser clothing styles of the time. Gone were the days that pale skin was revered in the West. Tanned skin replaced this standard and became the ultimate symbol of leisure and wealth, with novels like F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night illustrating the upper class embrace of the trend.

While many still perceive the tan as attractive and desirable, there is a growing number of people that realize tanned skin is not worth the momentary gratification. There are some undeniable health benefits to limited sun exposure, namely the production of vitamin D, but this is no license to sit out and bake for hours. So, here's to smart sun exposure, natural skin color and staying cancer-free! Read More

Embrace Your Outer Pale, Oscar Edition

A couple of weeks ago, I posted an entry that discussed the Death of Tanned Skin in the fashion world. Go With Your Own Glow, the Skin Cancer Foundation's new public awareness campaign, and Simon Doonan, creative director at Barney's, partnered together and chose 5 standout celebrities who strutted down the red carpet looking lovely with their untanned skin:

1) Freida Pinto
2) Kate Winslet
3) Amy Adams
4) Teraji Henson
5) Anne Hathaway

These ladies are commendable for promoting healthy, glowing skin and showing the world that natural skin color is attractive and Oscar-worthy. As Doonan says, "[tanned] skin is very 80s porno star," and while beauty standards are always evolving, let's hope the tanned skin ideal is never revived.

Click HERE for pictures of the 5 red carpet (untanned) beauties. Read More