MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

While there have been other sound referrals (notably the old Irwin Lubowe and M. Ross' Skin Health and Beauty of last year) Dr. Sternberg's--he's a Professor and Chairman of the Division of Dermatology at U.C.L.A.'s School of Medicine--is just about spotless. It is also the most extensive (and highly interesting) book to appear for the general reader with useful question and answer sections appended to the major areas under discussion. Opening with a whole chapter on the sun (""the single most devastating factor"" in aging the skin and causing cancer), Dr. Sternberg discusses cosmetics (any cream will do), care of the skin, nails and hair (also baldness), pigmentation, plastic surgery, and general factors which may have deleterious effects (whether during puberty or pregnancy, whether bugs and bites or the pill) to the more serious systemic diseases. There are all kinds of fascinating incidentals--hair cannot turn gray overnight and tattoos can be removed--and it is an excellent overview ""as the crowfoot flies.