(August 15, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Common skin moisturizers enhance the growth of non-melanoma skin tumors when applied to mouse skin following exposure to UV radiation, according to research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Here is some information regarding screening patients for skin cancer:

•    There is no evidence for or against skin cancer screening of the general population at average risk of developing skin cancer.

•    Routine total body skin exams by primary care providers is currently not recommended for those at average or low risk for skin cancer.

•    Routine counseling on skin self-examination is also not currently recommended for individuals at average or low risk for skin cancer.

Researchers out of Rutgers University in New Jersey exposed hairless mice to UV radiation in order to mimic sun exposure. They then applied four different brands of common moisturizers to some of the mice.

The mice treated with any of the four moisturizers had an increased rate of tumor formation and developed more non-melanoma skin tumors than those who were not moisturized. Repeating the experiment using a moisturizer in which the ingredients most likely to be responsible for this tumorigenesis resulted in no change in tumor growth.

While mouse and human skin are quite different, this research does suggest that common ingredients in moisturizers should be more closely investigated for their potential to stimulate skin tumor growth.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.