“Skin Care Pearls” with Dr. Ellen Frankel

“Protect your birthday suit…use sunblock daily!”

“Skin Care Pearls” with Dr. Ellen Frankel

By Dr. Ellen Frankel

We welcome Dr. Ellen Frankel as a new contributing writer to RINewsToday.com.  For the rest of the summer, Dr. Frankel will share with us, weekly, her skin care safety tips and information on this time for heightened awareness of the sun, and skin cancer. Then we’ll move into concerns outside of the summer months.

Here are today’s sun safety tips. Some of these things we know, but we forget, or ignore – sometimes vanity gets in the way of our common sense, or we’re rushed, or think our skin tone can’t be impacted by the sun.

1.    Tanning can be addictive. Remember the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation: sunburn, freckles and skin cancer

2.    Avoid combination products that contain sunblock and bug spray. Sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours if you are sweating or enjoying water sports—insect repellent should not be reapplied, especially on children. Purchase two separate products.

3.   Women, choose your makeup wisely. Products may promise sun protection, but unless applied to the entire face, neck and ears, there is not full UV protection. Check labels to be sure there is an SPF listed on the cosmetic label.  My advice: apply sunscreen first, then follow with your makeup.

4.   Look for UPF in clothing— this is gaining popularity. Remember a dry white tee shirt offers minimal protection (UPF8), but, when wet, has a UPF of only 3. UPF clothing is available as bathing suits, hats, shirts, beach cover-ups and sunglasses.

Send this to a family member or friend – print it and post it at work.  Remember, too, if you are in a care giving role and responsible for children, the elderly or others, it’s up to you – be the adult – be the smartest ray of sunshine in the room – and protect others from some of the sun’s more negative outcomes.

About Ellen H. Frankel, MD

After finishing medical school at New York Medical College, I completed my internship in Internal Medicine at New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center. Next was a dermatology residency at University of Miami School of Medicine (Miami, Florida) where I was chief resident.

After completion of training, I moved to Providence, Rhode Island and did a pediatric residency at Rhode Island Hospital. I have been in private practice in Cranston, Rhode Island since 1987, and was chief of dermatology at St. Joseph’s Hospital from 1995-2008. I am now chief of dermatology at Kent Hospital.

I also work on clinical research studies for various pharmaceutical companies in the area of acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis 2 days a week, at Clinical Partners, in Johnston, RI.

I have given numerous lectures over the years to various medical groups (both in state and out), public skin awareness screenings at local hospitals and senior centers, and classrooms to teach youngsters about the damages of the sun. My practice is composed of a wide range of patients, and I have a special interest in pediatric and cosmetic dermatology. My office staff and I make a special effort to put children at ease in the office, as evidenced by the separate pediatric examining room and waiting room furniture with toys and books designed to make them feel comfortable. My medical practice offers general skin care and treatments of various illnesses. Cosmetic and medical procedures are offered in our Rejuvaderm MediaSpa office. Call us at (401) 944-SKIN (7546) to set up an appointment in our Medispa office or call us at (401) 943-0761 for our RISkinDoc office.

All of my attention is focused on good patient care, be it the child or the young at heart. I give each patient plenty of time for a thorough analysis of their problems.