Posted on March 30, 2011 under Uncategorized | 
A recent study at Harvard University found that people with a family history of melanoma are twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, suggesting a genetic link. Initially, they found that patients taking levodopa, a drug for Parkinson’s disease, were more suseptible to melanoma, and thought that the risk was associated with the medication itself. However, they then discovered that people with melanoma were at higher risk for developing Parkinson’s.
The cause of this association is still unclear, and a genetic link has yet to be discovered. If you or a family member have Parkinson’s disease, remember to get a yearly skin screening from your doctor, as well as self examinations.
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 March 3, 2009 under Uncategorized |
Adult Diseases, Not the Only Problems Facing Children Unable to Maintain a Healthy Weight
And now dermatologists are reporting increased cases of a skin condition known as acanthosis nigricans (AN) in their obese pediatric patients.
The growing problem of childhood obesity has received a tremendous amount of attention over the past few years, as the early onset of diabetes and diseases once only diagnosed in adults are seen by pediatricians at an alarming rate.
Aside from diabetes mellitus, overweight children are also prone to such problems as hypertension and joint pain.
And now dermatologists are reporting increased cases of a skin condition known as acanthosis nigricans (AN) in their obese pediatric patients.
While the exact cause of AN is still being studied, it is believed to be the result of a hormonal stimulation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor by insulin, or tumor necrosis alpha. It is most commonly seen with elevated fasting insulin concentrations and abnormal glucose tolerance (insulin resistance) similar to that which is seen in obesity.
AN appears as a velvety, tan-colored and thickened wart-like patch. It is usually seen around the neck and skin folds such as the underarms, groin area and breasts.
A recent study in the Journal of Pediatric Dermatology evaluated over 600 children, aged seven to 17 years and found that 32 percent of the children were overweight, 62 percent watched an average of four hours of television a day, and 41 percent had a family history of diabetes mellitus. Of those overweight children identified in the study, 19 percent suffered from AN.
Physicians of every specialty underscore the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in both adults and children. But, the full extent of the damaging affects of some of the diseases diagnosed in adults will actually be realized in the lifetime of an obese child diagnosed with the same condition. The outcome has the potential to be far more dramatic for an obese child.
Creating a healthy lifestyle that includes the right balance of nutrition and exercise will help today’s child – from the inside out – ensuring longevity and quality of life.
Posted on January 20, 2009 under Uncategorized |
Food Choices Affect Health and Well Being … Inside and Out
For those starting a weight loss and exercise plan, certain healthy food choices that have the added benefit of improving skin as well
As resolutions in the new year have individuals reassessing their diet and exercise plan, we thought it would be a good time to introduce certain healthy food choices that have the added benefit of improving skin as well.
Soy
While soy is commonly used as a substitute for milk, popularized by soymilk in a morning cup of Starbuck’s latte, ISoy has soybean trupsin inhibitor (STI), which can lighten the skin. STI prevents melanin uptake in the skin. Studies are finding that the larger proteins in soy offer a moisturizing effect, while the smaller proteins such as soybean trypsin inhibitor and Bowman-Birk inhibitor may work to inhibit skin pigmentation.
And fermented soy found in tofu and roasted soy nuts has phytoestrogens like genistein and diadzein (a natural alternative to estrogen replacement). When in the form of vitamin supplements, not only does it improve the symptoms of menopause, but it also improves the collagen in the skin.
Mangosteen
The mangosteen, also known as the “Queen of Fruit,” is a red fruit that is juiced and sold as an oral liquid supplement. It is high in antioxidants (polyphenols, xanthones within the rind). The drink has been applied to the skin and reports indicate that the appearance of the skin is improved as a result. Today, many moisturizing creams are adding mangosteen – claiming its antioxidant properties.
Green Tea
Green tea contains polyphenols such as epicatechin and epigallocatechin, both of which are antioxidants. These antioxidants attack the “free radicals” in the body that are responsible for aging and creating environments conducive to disease. In fact, health studies conducted with both humans and animals have found the catechins of green tea to reduce atherosclerotic plaques and carcinogenesis. It is believed that as part of a healthy diet and exercise routine, they have the potential to reduce the risk of four of the major health problems: stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes.
The green tea catechins have also shown to possess antibiotic properties. And again with exercise, they have proven to decrease the oxidative stress contributing to the aging process.
