Posted on August 16, 2011 under acne, Skin Care General | 
Here are 10 ways to prevent or treat acne:
- Desire habitual lifestyle changes, not just results
- Sleep on a brand new towel or cloth each night
- Wash face twice daily
- Avoid touching your face
- Rotate between benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid over the counter
- Exercise, specifically cardio
- Seek professional treatment early
- Avoid fat and grease in food, makeup, and other hygiene products
- Exfoliate
- Use paper towels to dry your face Read more of this article »
Posted on April 6, 2009 under acne, Skin Care General, Summer Skin Care, sun damage, sun protection, Uncategorized |
Full of Fresh Starts, Skin Too Can Blossom as New Scar Treatment Proves Promising for Surgical and Other Stubborn Skin Scars
Today there are more options available to address the obtrusive appearance of some scars.
Scars can be one of the most unsettling problems following an already distressing trauma or surgery. The reparative result of a wound to the skin, a scar is a natural part of the healing process though can vary based on a person’s age and the location of the wound.
For years, Mederma (Merz Pharmaceuticals) has been the mainstay of over-the-counter treatment available in drugstores. Mederma’s ingredients include onion extract, an anti-infective, purified water, PEG-4, xanthum gum, methylparaben and sorbic acid. And recently allantoin has been added to stimulate healthy tissue growth. An even newer version of Mederma contains SPF 30. This added protection can prevent discoloration of scars subjected to the sun.
The newer formation containing allantoin was recently studied for effectiveness. Superficial and mid-dermal wounds (non surgical incisions) were created and allowed to heal for two weeks. Those wounds treated with Mederma gel had an improved appearance and were not as red as those left untreated. A 2006 study involving 24 patients with surgical wounds compared the onion extract gel of Mederma with Aquaphor (petrolatum-based product) and found no difference between the products.
Dermatix Ultra Advanced Scar Treatment is another new product available to treat scars. According to the company, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the silicone gel has been shown to flatten, smoothen and soften scars. It is designed to decrease abnormal scarring and reduce the risk of hypertrophic (enlarged and thickened) scars. Dermatix Ultra can be purchased from a physician.
Other Scar Reducing Procedures
Scars can also be surgically revised, either to reduce the width or change the direction in order to decrease the appearance of the scar. Other less invasive procedure to reduce the appearance of some scars include Dermabrasion, which uses a sanding technique to remove the rough top layer of the skin. And fillers such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, which is used in also treating connective tissue disorders, can be injected.
Laser resurfacing and pulsed dye lasers can also be used depending upon the characteristics of the scars.
Today there are more options available to address the obtrusive appearance of some scars. Though, one should have realistic expectations. Gels and surgical interventions are still limited in the results they can achieve and may not eliminate the scar completely. A physician can advise on the use of multiple modalities to reduce the appearance and symptoms of scars more effectively.
Tags: Dermatix, Dermatix Ultra Advanced Scar Treatment, methylparaben, PEG-4, scar treatment, scars, skin care, sorbic acid, SPF 30, surgery, xanthum gum
Posted on January 12, 2009 under AHA, BHA, Glycolic and Wrinkle Reduction, Mature Skin, Skin Care General |
Learn How to Effectively Use Alpha and Beta-Hydroxy Acids
AHA’s like glycolic acid work on the upper layer of the skin called the stratum corneum
Alpha- and Beta-hydroxy (AHA, BHA) acids are commonly seen in many creams sold over the counter and in the doctor’s office. They work to improve the moisture content and the appearance of fine wrinkles of the skin. AHA’s like glycolic acid work on the upper layer of the skin called the stratum corneum, in order to dissolve the “cement” that holds the dead skin cells together. This helps to eliminate dead skin cells and allow new skin cells to come to the surface. New cells not only look better, but also hold moisturizers better. BHA’s do the same but are absorbed by the oil glands as well to help oily skin.
Many people have sensitive skin and are unable to tolerate the AHA and BHA products. It can cause redness, irritation and flaky skin.
To minimize the side effects of AHA and BHA-hydroxy products try the following tips:
- Use hypoallergenic products.
- Start slowly, two to three times a week. And, if tolerated, gradually increase the number of applications.
- Use on dry skin, as wet skin allows the substance to penetrate deeper and has, as a result, a higher risk of irritation.
- Use a low-pH facial cleanser.
- Protect skin daily with a nonirritating sunscreen.
Posted on December 29, 2008 under Skin Cancer, Skin Care General, sun protection |
What’s all the Hype with Vitamin D and Sun Exposure?
A simple blood test can be performed to detect the levels of vitamin D in the blood. Even an apparently healthy athlete can have a blood test that reveals a deficiency in vitamin D.
Aside from the psychological benefits it is believed many derive from sunlight, the Vitamin D also produced by sun exposure is today seen as a critical vitamin for bone and muscle health. It is also considered a deterrent to many other harmful diseases plaguing today’s society.
A deficiency in Vitamin D can cause Rickets in children and has been associated with diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers and arthritis in adults as well.
While dietary requirements for Vitamin D has traditionally been 200 IU for children and adults, 400 IU for adults over the age of 50 and 800 IU for elderly adults, some physicians believe that doses of even 800 IU are not enough to prevent fractures associated with osteopenia. Some doctors are now recommending 1000 IU per day of Vitamin D3 supplementation for those patients who are avoiding or protecting themselves from the harmful rays of the sun – or those living in regions with long seasons of diminished sunlight.
Societies today are receiving less natural sun exposure than generations past – as a result of sun –related health concerns and changing work and school environments with less outdoor exposure.
The new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all children receive 400 IU of vitamin D every day, either through their diet or vitamin supplements. These guidelines come in response to the increasing reports of rickets in infants and children in the United States. It is important to note that 400 IU of vitamin D is seen in the vitamin supplements of most children.
Vitamin D derived from the diet is found in such things as orange juice, milk and other dairy products, as well as oily fish and cod liver oil. Vitamin D is also produced in the skin after approximately five minutes of sun exposure. Additional exposure does not increase production of vitamin D.
Ultraviolet light B (UVB) converts 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to pre-vitamin D3 in the skin, which is then converted to vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is transported to the kidneys and liver and becomes biologically active.
For years dermatologists have recommended the avoidance of excessive sun exposure at peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), along with the use of sun protective clothing. In contrast, some endocrinologists have recommended exposure to this UV radiation so that people ensure that they achieve the adequate Vitamin D levels in the body.
So, what are readers of such conflicting information to think? Too much sun causes skin cancer, too little sun causes a deficiency in vitamin D…
Too little vitamin D can cause rickets or osteoporosis. There are approximately 10-12 million Americans with osteoporosis. What is the best thing to do? All individual factors should be considered.
Who is at risk for developing a Vitamin D deficiency?
- Breast fed infants may require supplementation after the first few days of life, as mother’s milk does not contain enough vitamin D.
- Children who consume less than one quart of milk a day require supplementation.
- Other children at risk for vitamin D deficiency and in need of supplementation include African American children. The darker skin of an African American child interferes with ultraviolet light penetration and vitamin D production. African American children and adults alike, as well as other cultures with particularly dark skin, require six times more UVB to produce vitamin D.
- Obesity suppresses the production of vitamin D, as vitamin D is kept in adipose tissue.
- Skin of the elderly is also vulnerable as it is thin and does not have enough vitamin D precursor – establishing a deficient environment.
A simple blood test can be performed to detect the levels of vitamin D in the blood. Even an apparently healthy athlete can have a blood test that reveals a deficiency in vitamin D.
Parents should ensure that children are eating a healthy diet with vitamin D-rich foods and achieve a healthy balance in diet, sun exposure and supplementation – assuring healthy vitamin D levels.
As with any new recommendation, it is best to discuss the issues of vitamin D, sun exposure, blood tests and supplementations with a qualified physician.
Tags: 7 -dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), arthritis, breast-fed infants and vitamin D, cancer, diabetes, elderly and vitamin D, healthy vitamin D levels, hypertension, kidney and liver health, obesity and vitamin D deficiency, pre-vitamin D3, rickets, sun exposure, sun light benefits, Ultraviolet light B (UVB), Vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D supplements, vitamin D-rich foods, vitamin D3
