Author: The Hair Doc

Understanding The Sun’s Rays

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The sun emits both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays contribute to premature aging, collagen and elastin degradation and increase the chance of skin cancers. UVB rays cause your skin to get a sun burn. Naturally, when picking out a “good” sunblock, you would think to pick a higher SPF number to get better protection.

SPF only blocks UVB (burning rays) so although your skin is not burning, you are still at an increased risk for developing skin cancers and photodamage. An ideal sunblock is one with the active ingredients of zinc oxide and titanium oxide with an SPF of at least 30. These are called physical blocks. These two active ingredients protect against both types of damaging rays.

Listed below is a chart on the most common ingredients in sunblocks and how they protect your skin.

Sunblock chart

Sculptra Approved by FDA For Cosmetic Use

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Sculptra just got approved yesterday by the FDA for cosmetic use. Click here for the press release. It is not a filler like Restalyne. it is a poly-lactic acid which is absorbed in the tissue. The treatment is usually a three step process, one time per month.

Sculptra is a facial injectable for wrinkles and nasolabial folds. It promotes collagen growth and the effects could last up to two years. Sculptra is only available through Board Certified Dermatologists.

Tanning Beds Dangers

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A recent article and video on NewsWest9 about the dangers of tanning beds is a cause for concern.

Tanning beds provide high concentrations of UVA dosage. Consequently patients are receiving deeper penetrating rays that increases the risks for melanoma. In addition to increasing the skin cancer risks, the deeper penetrating rays are associated with damage to collagen and elastin.

This results in premature aging with wrinkles and dry lackluster skin. Any man or woman desiring to maintain a beautiful healthy skin complexion long term should limit the amount of intense UVA rays in tanning beds. UVA rays are best protected utilizing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sublocks with provide better protection of UV rays.

Acne Over The Counter Products

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Used to treat mild, moderate and severe acne, the effectiveness of over-the-counter medications lies in the product’s active ingredient(s). Not all active ingredients work the same way. The active ingredient benzoyl peroxide reduces P. acnes(bacteria); whereas, salicylic acid helps correct abnormal skin shedding. For lesions to clear, the product(s) must be effective against the factor(s) causing the acne. The following describes common active ingredients used in over-the-counter acne medications sold in the United States. Check with your dermatologist or pharmacist before combining acne products.

Alcohol and acetone Found together in some over-the-counter medications used to treat acne, acetone works as a degreasing agent and alcohol has mild antimicrobial properties. When used alone, acetone tends to have no effect. Continue reading “Acne Over The Counter Products” →

Physical Procedures for Treating Acne

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A Dermatologist will occasionally use procedures to help clear acne. These methods, which are described below, should be performed by a dermatologist or other health care practitioner. Trying these at home can lead to infection, worsening of the acne and scarring.

Chemical PeelsLight chemical peels of glycolic acid and other chemical agents are used by dermatologists to loosen blackheads and decrease acne papules.

Comedo ExtractionSometimes removing comedones proves beneficial. To extract whiteheads and blackheads, dermatologists use a sterile pen-sized device. This procedure should only be performed by a dermatologist or other medical professional. Patients’ attempts to extract comedones and drain cysts by squeezing or picking, can lead to worsening of the acne, scarring and infection. Tissue injured by squeezing or picking can become infected by staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria. Continue reading “Physical Procedures for Treating Acne” →

7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Acne Treatment

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Good skin care plays an important role in treating acne. Following these skin care guidelines—unless your dermatologist instructs otherwise—can help improve treatment results:

Do NOT pop, squeeze or pick at acne.

This can make acne worse by spreading inflammation. With medical treatment, removing lesions is rarely necessary; however, when comedo removal is needed, it should be performed by an experienced healthcare professional.

Gently wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser and pat dry.Acne is not caused by poor hygiene, and vigorous washing and scrubbing will not clear your skin. In fact, all that scrubbing can irritate your skin and make acne worse. The way to clear acne is with appropriate acne products and good skin care.

Continue reading “7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Acne Treatment” →

What Is Molluscum Contagiosum?

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Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin disease caused by a virus which affects the top layers of the skin. The name molluscum contagiosum implies that the virus develops growths that are easily spread by skin contact. Similar to warts, this virus belongs to the poxvirus family and enters the skin through small breaks of hair follicles. It does not affect any internal organs.

What do mollusum look like?
Molluscum are usually small flesh-colored or pink dome-shaped growths that often become red or inflamed. They may appear shiny and have a small indentation in the center. Because they can spread by skin-to-skin contact, molluscum are usually found in areas of skin that touch each other such as the folds in the arm or the groin. They are also found in clusters on the chest, abdomen, and buttocks and can involve the face and eyelids.

In people with immune system diseases, the molluscum may be very large in size and number, especially on the face. To confirm the diagnosis of molluscum, a dermatologist might scrape some cells from the growth and look at them under a microscope. Continue reading “What Is Molluscum Contagiosum?” →

All About Warts Treatments

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What are warts?

Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin. Viruses that cause warts are called human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts are usually skin-colored and feel rough to the touch, but they can be dark, flat and smooth. The appearance of a wart depends on where it is growing.

How many kinds of warts are there?

There are several different kinds of warts including:

Common warts
Foot (Plantar) warts
Flat warts
Common warts
Continue reading “All About Warts Treatments” →

Habits for Healthy Skin

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Body Mole Map Developed by American Academy of Dermatologist
Body Mole Map Developed by American Academy of Dermatologist
3 Habits Parents Should Encourage for a Lifetime of Healthier Skin
Practices that we learn early in life, such as brushing our teeth twice a day and washing our hands before eating, often become lifelong habits. To help children have a lifetime of healthier skin, dermatologist recommend that parents encourage the following habits at an early age:

1. Practice Sun Protection
Protecting a child’s skin from overexposure to the sun can significantly reduce the child’s lifetime risk of skin cancer. Some studies suggest that sun protection in children may even reduce the number of moles that develop. Fewer moles can reduce the lifetime risk of developing melanoma, a potentially deadly skin cancer. Continue reading “Habits for Healthy Skin” →