Latest news with #Banwell
Vogue Arabia
21-06-2025
- Health
- Vogue Arabia
What You Need to Know About the Rise in Skin Cancer
"The back is one very notable example because obviously, we can't see what's going on," says Khan. "The other is between the toes, the scalp, behind the ears, under the breasts, the genital area, and the buttocks." Banwell echoes this, particularly for those with darker skin tones. "Those with darker skin tones should look out for darker spots that bleed, grow, appear darker or lighter, or change in any way," he says. "Even though those with fairer skin are more prone, it does not mean that those with darker skin tones won't be affected." Old misconceptions, new dangers "One of the biggest misconceptions is that sunbeds are a 'safer' way to get a 'base tan'. This is not the case whatsoever," says Banwell. "We know that skin cancer is caused by exposure to the Solar Constant — i.e. the combination of ultraviolet radiation (UV-A and UV-B), infrared (IR) and visible light from the sun. Intense exposure via sunbed use also dramatically increases the risk of skin cancer formation (between 30–70%), and thus avoidance of sunbeds is mandatory." Another common myth? That sunscreen isn't necessary in winter or cloudy weather. "You should be wearing sunscreen throughout the year," Banwell insists. And age isn't a get-out clause. "Skin cancer can affect those at any age," he adds. "Repeated sun exposure without protection can really increase your risk." How often should you check your skin? "I think the golden rule," says Khan, "is that anything that is present for two months or more, whether it's just a reddish lesion which doesn't heal, or whether it's a pigmented lesion which is undergoing any change, these are the things that people need to be aware of.' For those with a personal or family history, vigilance is essential. "We need to have our moles checked or check ourselves at least once a month," Khan says. "Dermatologist visits can be every three to six months, and we can use mole mapping to establish whether lesions are changing," Khan adds. Genetic mutations like CDKN2A may also require screening, he notes, adding that "Once one has had a family history or a melanoma oneself, this is no longer about just prevention. It is a medical necessity." What's new in detection and treatment? Artificial intelligence is already transforming early diagnosis. "It has evaluated many thousands of lesions and can now detect melanoma and other cancers with almost the same accuracy as a dermatologist," says Khan. Tools like MoleScope and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM) allow virtual biopsies and high-resolution skin imaging. "This is a real breakthrough," he adds.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is blepharoplasty? The eyelid surgery Kerry Katona and Jodie Marsh have both tried
Take a scroll through TikTok right now, and you'll find an abundance of tips and tricks for naturally lifting hooded eyes, from tightlining with white eyeliner to applying concealer with strategic swipes. But lately, a more extreme method for achieving a wider, more refreshed eye look has gained traction in the beauty canon. Blepharoplasty, or 'eyelid surgery', has gained popularity as a way of reducing the appearance of naturally drooping eyelids, with an increasing number of people flocking to the procedure in search of a more awake and youthful look. Several celebrities have openly talked about undergoing the operation in recent years, including Kerry Katona, Amanda Bynes and Mario Falcone. This week, former glamour model Jodie Marsh also shared her experience with blepharoplasty on social media, posting video updates from her hospital bed. The 45-year-old TV personality expressed her excitement about the procedure, telling her followers she had wanted to undergo the transformation "for years" before finally mustering the courage to go ahead with it. As eyelid surgery continues to rise in popularity, you might be wondering what the procedure involves, and, more importantly, whether it's safe. We spoke with a leading cosmetic surgeon to hear more about blepharoplasty, its potential risks, and why this 'eyelid lifts' are such a hot topic at the moment. An eyelid lift is just what is says on the label: a cosmetic procedure designed to remove excess skin and tissue from around the eyelids to achieve a more youthful appearance. Plastic surgeon Dr Paul Banwell says: "Blepharoplasty is a type of surgery that repairs droopy eyelids by removing excess skin, muscle and fat. "As you age, your eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess fat may gather above and below your eyelids, causing sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids and bags under your eyes." Besides contributing to the ageing effect, Banwell adds that excess eyelid skin can reduce your vision and cause problems with your peripheral vision, so some people seek out the blepharoplasty to correct niggling eyesight issues. "The surgery itself is a long-term change, and typically lasts around 10 to 15 years," he adds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jodie Marsh (@jodiemarshtv) "Every eyelid is unique, so each surgery will be different," says Banwell. "Blepharoplasty surgery is quite complex as the eyelids are one of the most delicate areas of the face." Typically, a surgeon will make small incisions along the natural creases of the eyelids, which helps to reduce any scarring post-op. For the upper eyelids, Banwell explains that both excess skin and fat are usually trimmed away by the surgeon to minimise creasing and sagging. Work to the lower eyelids can similarly see excess skin removed, as well as fat repositioned. Blepharoplasty surgery is typically performed under local anaesthetic, so patients aren't awake for the procedure, and it usually takes around one to two hours to complete. The overall effect, says Banwell, is a "more youthful appearance" that leaves you looking "less tired and more alert.' As the tissue around the eyes is so delicate, swelling and bruising after surgery is common. That said, there's pretty minimal downtime involved in blepharoplasty surgery. "Generally, it takes patients around ten to fourteen days to recover," notes Banwell. While a good deal of the swelling will usually subside within the first week, residual puffiness can remain for weeks or months afterwards. Like buccal fat removal and nose contouring, blepharoplasty surgery offers a quick-fix solution to a common beauty concern that many people want to address: how to reduce the signs of ageing. "Ageing skin around the eyes can result in eyelid 'heaviness' and a constantly exhausted appearance,|" says Banwell. "For this reason, upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery is one of the most commonly sought cosmetic procedures right now. "There are multiple reasons why ageing occurs in the eyelids," he explains. "Firstly, the skin sags due to loss of elastin, which is an essential protein for maintaining skin elasticity. This causes the appearance of excess skin, which is known as 'dermatochalasis'. In severe cases, the field of vision can be partially obscured by excess overhanging skin. "Secondly, the underlying major eyelid muscle (also known as the 'orbicularis oculi') which encircles the eye, becomes weak and bulky which also contributes to the appearance of eyelid heaviness." Finally, age can make our eye bags more pronounced. "The forward prolapse of orbital fat, which over time cannot be held back by the weakening orbital septum, can contribute to the severity of this issue," notes Banwell. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jodie Marsh (@jodiemarshtv) "Like any surgery, blepharoplasty surgery comes with risk, such as infection, scarring, anaesthesia-related issues, an issue with eyelid function or a change in vision," warns Banwell. As with any invasive procedure, it's important to do your research beforehand, and chat with a qualified surgeon to understand the ins and outs before going ahead — especially when it comes to treatments and surgeries that could permanently alter your appearance. Read more about cosmetic surgery: How cosmetic surgery can affect your mental health, as Katie Price issues warning (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) What to do if cosmetic surgery goes wrong and where to get help (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) Behind the rise of 'preventative Botox' and how it's changing young women (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
