(HealthNewsDigest.com) July, 2007 - While most Americans are keenly aware of the potentially deadly health consequences of cigarette smoking on the heart and lungs, many smokers don't realize the effects that smoking can have on the health of their skin. "The skin is the largest organ in the human body," explains Joshua Fox, MD, founder of Advanced Dermatology. "Although we can do many things to care for our skin on the surface, like all of the body's organs, the health of our skin is largely influenced by what goes into our bodies as well," Dr. Fox notes. He adds that, over the past decade, researchers have uncovered at least five key ways in which cigarette smoking can harm the skin, from aging it prematurely to increasing the risk of a dangerous skin cancer. Five dangers smoking poses to skin health: 1, Smoking causes wrinkles, not only because of the exaggerated facial motions of inhaling and exhaling and of the special facial contortion required - pursing of the lips to hold a cigarette in your mouth, but also because cigarette smoking constricts the outermost blood vessels that feed oxygen and nutrients to skin cells.

FDA Give Clearance For Sciton's Laser-Assisted Lipolysis and ...

Sciton recently revealed that the company has obtained clearance from the FDA for its laser-assisted lipolysis as well as its BBL� broadband-pulsed light wrinkle treatment. This skin treatment combination is part of the ProLipo� laser system that focuses on utilizing laser technology to target fatty tissues, which leave the skin flabby and creased. By using the ProLipo module, doctors can provide a less evasive technique to reduce the appearance of fatty deposits in the treated sections of the body. The module is intended for use in combination with other therapy created by Sciton to create the best result of firm, smooth and tighter skin appearance. The treatments given through the ProLipo � module require only a local anesthesia and less recovery time than conventional lipolysis treatments.

Scar Formation

Scars form as part of the natural healing process when the skin is cut (as in surgery) or injured. There are four main kinds of scars. Atrophic scars are indentations or depressions that form in the skin, like acne scars. They can vary in size, shape and depth. Hypertrophic scars are thick, red, raised scars that form within the boundaries of a break in the skin. Keloid scars are similar to hypertrophic scars. They are red or dark-colored, thick and raised and may also be itchy. But unlike hypertrophic scars, keloid scars are more aggressive in growth. The scars continue to grow in size and may extend well beyond the border of the skin injury. Contracture scars form after a loss of a large area of skin (like from a burn). As the scar forms, it pulls on the edges of the wound, causing the overlying area to tighten.