Skin cancer

• Reflective confocal microscopy, or RCM, will provide high resolution imaging of the epidermis, to a depth of 200 microns, for cellular level visualization of skin cancer lesions.
• Brandt noted, "Mohs micrographic surgery has been the gold standard of care for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) for more than 50 years.
• "SkinCure Oncology," Brandt continued, "is helping dermatologists nationwide implement the GentleCure Experience – an advanced, noninvasive treatment for NMSC.
• The new devices will feature technology for which SkinCure Oncology was recently awarded U.S. patent coverage.

• DALLAS, Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallas Dermatology Partners proudly recognizes all five partners for being peer-selected among D Magazine's best dermatologists in Dallas for 2023.
• The final list is selected by their peers, who are other practicing physicians in Dallas, and represents the most "esteemed, exceptionally skilled, and compassionate" Dallas doctors.
• Meet the Dallas Dermatology Partners included on this year's roster.
• Dr. Melissa Costner holds the distinction among Dallas Dermatology Partners as the doctor with the longest record— 19 years — of being named among the area's "Best Doctors" list.

• "Unresectable or metastatic melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer that can be fatal," said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).
• Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early, resulting in metastatic disease.
• Treatment for unresectable or metastatic melanoma may include immunotherapy using PD-1 inhibitors, which are antibodies targeting certain proteins in the body to help the immune system fight off cancer cells.
• Those patients whose melanoma has progressed with these therapies have a high unmet medical need.

• A collarium sunbed emits both UV radiation and a mix of visible wavelength colours to produce a pink or red light.
• Like an old-school sunbed, the user lies in it for ten to 20 minute sessions to quickly develop a tan.

Why were sunbeds banned?

• Commercial sunbeds have been illegal across Australia since 2016 (except for in the Northern Territory) under state-based radiation safety laws.
• Their dangers were highlighted by young Australians including Clare Oliver who developed melanoma after using sunbeds.
• Research shows people who have used sunbeds at least once have a 41% increased risk of developing melanoma, while ten or more sunbed sessions led to a 100% increased risk.

How are collarium sunbeds supposed to be different?

• Australian sellers of collarium sunbeds imply they are safe, but their machine descriptions note the use of UV radiation, particularly UVA.
• UVA is one part of the spectrum of UV radiation.
• Evidence shows all types of sunbeds increase the risk of melanoma, including those that use only UVA.

Collagen claims

• One particularly odd claim about collarium sunbeds is that they stimulate collagen.
• Collagen is the main supportive tissue in our skin.

• The reactive oxygen species generated by UVA light damage existing collagen structures and kick off a molecular chain of events that downgrades collagen-producing enzymes and increases collagen-destroying enzymes.
• Over time, a build-up of degraded collagen fragments in the skin promotes even more destruction.

What about phototherapy?

• The anti-collagen effects of UVA can also be used to treat thickened scars and keloids.
• Side-effects of UV phototherapy include tanning, itchiness, dryness, cold sore virus reactivation and, notably, premature skin ageing.

So what happens now?

• It looks like many collariums are just sunbeds rebranded with red light.
• Queensland Health is currently investigating whether these salons are breaching the state’s Radiation Safety Act, and operators could face large fines.

Katie Lee receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council. Anne Cust receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Medical Research Future Fund.