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Dr. Jeffrey Ellis on LI Talks, News 12 with Lea Tyrrell

  • By belaray
  • •
  • 02 Mar, 2011
Dr. Jeffrey Ellis appeared tonight on LI Talks, News 12 with Lea Tyrrell to discuss and debate safety of indoor tanning with Joseph Levy, the executive director of International Smart Tan Network – a lobby for the indoor tanning association.  The discussion was prompted by the American Academy of Pediatrics recent position statement to ban […]
Dr. Jeffrey Ellis appeared tonight on LI Talks, News 12 with Lea Tyrrell to discuss and debate safety of indoor tanning with Joseph Levy, the executive director of International Smart Tan Network – a lobby for the indoor tanning association.  The discussion was prompted by the American Academy of Pediatrics recent position statement to ban minors from tanning.
The International Smart Tan Network would like you to believe that developing a tan is an intelligent way to minimize risk of sunburn.  It is NOT .  The Indoor Tanning Association has been cited by the FTC for making false claims related to the safety of tanning.  A tan gives you an SPF of 3 while causing DNA damage.  Tanning intensity and time regulation are poorly enforced by facility staff with 95% of tanners exceeding time limits and 83% of tanning booths producing more UVB than standards allow.
Here are the facts:
  1. The World Health Organization categorizes tanning beds as a carcinogen
  2. The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes tanning beds as a carcinogen to humans
  3. The American Medical Association, American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recognize the dangers associated with tanning beds, and have position statements to limit access to younger children
  4. The risk of melanoma is increased by 75% when exposure to tanning beds occurs before the age of 30 (Lancet Oncology 2009)
  5. In the population based Skin Health Study, researchers found that people who used tanning beds often were 2.5-3x more likely to develop melanoma thana person who never tanned indoors
  6. The Australian Melanoma Family Study identified 76% of the melanoma in patients between the ages of 18-39 were attributed to tanning bed use
At this time, 32 states have legislation to regulate tanning, but more is needed on a federal level.  In Brazil, tanning beds sale and use is banned.  In France, Germany, Austria & the UK it is banned for individuals under 18 years old.  In New York, current legislation does not allow anyone under 14 years of age to use tanning beds, but adolescents age 14-17 can use one if they have parental consent.  Tanning beds have a wide variability of radiation output, operator knowledge, and degree to which operators comply with state and federal guidelines.  Some studies suggest that 95% of patrons going to tanning salons were not following the exposure guidelines.
Regarding Vitamin D… did you know that Vitamin D is generated from UVB light, and most tanning beds use predominantly UVA light (because UVB increases the risk of a burn).  UVA does not help to generate Vitamin D, but does increase the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, wrinkles, etc.  Here is more information from the American Academy of Dermatology on Vitamin D.

Learn About Mohs Surgery

By belaray • 04 May, 2016
Here is a helpful video where you can learn more about Mohs skin cancer surgery.

Sunscreen Tips For Summer

By belaray • 05 May, 2015
Sunscreen Made Simple Choosing the right sunscreen can be quite difficult with all the choices out there. We use sunscreen to block ultraviolet light from damaging the skin. There are two categories of UV light — UVA and UVB. UVA is responsible for aging the skin, while UVB are the rays that burn the skin. […]

Mosquito Bites? Some Tips On prevention

By belaray • 07 Sep, 2014
It seems like the mosquito’s were hungry this year… at least whenever I was outside.  So I started doing some research about how to prevent mosquito bites, and reduce the number of insects in the yard.  If you have tried to research this yourself, you will find lots of discussion related to bats and bat […]

Whats in Your Makeup – Newsday Health

By belaray • 29 Apr, 2014
Dr. Jeffrey Ellis interviewed in Newsday - Whats In Your Makeup

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By belaray • 20 Nov, 2013
Dr. Jeffrey Ellis interviewed for Anton News on Sun Safety and Sunscreen

Psoriasis Narrow Band UVB Phototherapy Available in Hicksville NY

By belaray • 31 Oct, 2011
There are many treatments available for patients with psoriasis.  One option that we offer our patients with psoriasis affecting a significant portion of their skin is phototherapy.  What Is Phototherapy? Present in natural sunlight, UVB light is an effective treatment for psoriasis. The UV energy penetrates the skin and helps the psoriasis to clear. In our […]

Skin Cancer – On The Eyelid

By belaray • 26 Sep, 2011
Treating eyelid cancer often requires coordinated care between a Mohs surgeon and an ophtlamic plastic and reconstructive specialist.  Working side by side, Drs. Jeffrey Ellis & Rachel Ellis specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction of eyelid skin cancers.

Wantagh Park Skin Cancer Screening A Great Success!

By belaray • 01 Sep, 2011
Photo from left to right: Assemblyman Dave McDonough, R-Merrick, CCMAC co-founder and Executive Director Colette Coyne, Dr. Steve McClain,  Eli McClain, Dr. Amy Slear, Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, & State Sen. Charles Fuschillo, R- Merrick State Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo,, R-Merrick, and the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign (CCMAC) partnered to  sponsor a free skin cancer […]

Tanner Park Skin Cancer Screening A Success

By belaray • 24 Jul, 2011
We wanted to thank CCMAC and New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. for putting together the wonderful skin cancer screening event at Tanner Park this past week.  In total, 151 visitors received a free skin cancer screening.  1 out of every 3 were referred to a dermatologist for a suspicious lesion; 4 of which […]

NY State Lifeguard Skin Cancer Screening 2011

By belaray • 01 Jun, 2011
Lifeguards are always watching after us – but this weekend a group of Long Island Dermatologists had an opportunity to help look after them.  The NY State Lifeguards were certifying for the season at Nassau Community College, and physicians including Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, Erin Schoor, Peter O’Neill, Pam Basuk, Peter Reisfeld, and Steve Mc Clain […]
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