NEW YORK - Kyan Douglas, grooming guru of Bravo TV Network's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and Sheldon R. Pinnell, M.D., who has made significant strides in researching new technologies to prevent skin cancer, will be the keynote speakers at New York's 2004 Spa & Resort and Medical Spa Expo and Conference.

The event will be held April 18 - 19 at Pier 94, which is located west of 12th Avenue along the West Side Highway at 54th Street. Produced by Reed Exhibitions, the world's largest organizer of business-to-business events, the conference and expo is one of America's largest gatherings of professionals in the spa and resort and medical spa fields.

According to Reed Exhibitions' Vice President and Show Director Greg Topalian, "We are thrilled to have such well-known experts in their respective fields as Kyan Douglas and Dr. Sheldon R. Pinnell as our guest speakers."

Kicking off the two-day event at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, April 18, Kyan will discuss "A Stressful Eyeful: Can Spas Turn Down The Steam In A Pressure Cooker World?" One of the popular stars of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, where five gay men known as the 'Fab Five' set out to make over the world - one straight guy at a time - Kyan will reveal his personal thoughts about how the spa industry can help men and women cope with mounting pressures in their lives. A certified cosmetologist and specialist in men's skin care, Kyan has extensive experience in the spa, retail and hair industries.

Dr. Pinnell plans to discuss "What Your Mother Never Knew About Sun Damage: New Methods for Preventing Photo Aging In Skin," at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 19. His address will focus on how photo damage occurs, why sunscreens are inadequate, and how topical antioxidants can help protect against skin cancer.
"New methods to protect skin from photo damage from sun exposure are necessary if we are to conquer skin cancer and photo aging," said Dr. Pinnell. "Sunscreens are useful; but their protection is not ideal because of inadequate use, incomplete spectral protection and toxicity.

Dr. Pinnell is the J. Lamar Callaway Professor Emeritus of Dermatology at Duke University Medical Center, where he also served as Chief of Dermatology for fifteen years. The doctor, who is an expert in the field of dermatology, antioxidants, collagen chemistry and sun protection, received his medical degree at Yale University, conducted his medical internship and residency at the University of Minnesota Hospital and completed his dermatology residency at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital.

For more information about the New York and Miami events, readers should click on www.spaandresortexpo.com or www.medispaexpo.com. For information about becoming an exhibitor, readers can call Jim Fama, Group Sales Director, at (203) 840-5563, or send him an email at: jfama@reedexpo.com.