Toronto (ECN) - Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – A chemotherapy cream can not only treat cancer, but can also help reduce signs of aging.
According to a recent study, Fluorouracil, a chemotherapy cream used to treat cancerous skin lesions; improved dark spots, wrinkles and shadows.
Twenty-one people with sun damaged skin and has been diagnosed with actinic keratoses were the participants in this study. They applied Fluorouracil cream twice a day for a length of two weeks. At the end of the two weeks the cream had shown to not only improve the cancer, but also improved the signs of ageing on the participants.
The study was done at the University of Michigan Medical School and led by a scientist, Dr. Dana Sachs.
Sachs stated that they are expecting many patients to want the Fluorouracil to use for cosmetic purposes since it is cheaper compared to ablative laser resurfacing. Also the patients that have actinic keratoses will also desire the treatment since there is an added bonus of gaining a youthful appearance with treating the condition.
Even though the study showed great results of the treatment in the participants, some may not find it as suitable for them, because of the side affects it can have on some patients. These side affects includes scabbing, oozing and redness that can last for weeks. This situation puts patients in a distressing situation of not even wanting the treatment.
The best way to avoid the signs of ageing and cancerous lesions is to avoid an overabundance of sun.
If you are in the sun make sure to put on a high SPF of sun screen.
