Topical Caffeine Might Help Fight Skin Cancer

Posted by kdawson on Saturday March 8, 2008 @08:12AM from the pour-it-on-your-head dept.

seattle-pk notes a story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about the apparent protective effects of caffeine against skin cancer. "For some years, studies have hinted at the possibility that caffeine can reduce the risk of some cancers. Now, new work by scientists at the University of Washington and Rutgers University may have unlocked the biochemical secrets behind caffeine's cancer-fighting ability. Studies at Rutgers (PDF) have shown that caffeine applied to the skin reverses ultraviolet-induced damage and reduces skin cancer."

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New fad: coffee tan. by Garridan · 2008-03-08 11:21 · Score: 2, Insightful

Granted, I live in Seattle, so I might be biased -- this sounds like a great alternative to tanning. You go in, get some coffee sprayed on... it turns your skin a nice healthy brownish, and reduces damage from previous tans / burns. The color of coffee stained skin is *much* better than the fake orange stuff. (though... I would miss the sight of preppy girls that look like oompa loompas -- that never ceases to amuse me)