Even They Have It

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Acne isn't something that people can escape, even the celebrities. We like to think that they are, and always will be, "picture perfect" but truth is they aren't. Click on this link to read about how Julianne Hough battled acne in an article found in People magazine describing her struggle to feel confident in her own skin. If this beautiful star that so many look up to can overcome her struggle, certainly you can too. We'd love to hear your thoughts about the article and how we can help you deal with any skin problems you may have and their influence on your self image.

Should I scrub my face clean?

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Do not scrub your skin clean. While scrubbing away oil and grime may seem like a good idea, scrubbing actually irritates acne-prone skin. Irritating the skin generally leads to breakouts.  

When washing the skin, use lukewarm (not hot) water and gently apply a mild cleanser with your fingertips. Washcloths and puffs tend to be too abrasive. Limiting washing to twice a day can help reduce irritation and dryness.

I'm Getting Old!

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Signs of the natural aging process of the skin.

Intrinsic aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20s. Within the skin, collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. While these changes usually begin in our 20s, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. The signs of intrinsic aging are:

·    Fine wrinkles

·    Thin and transparent skin

·    Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck

·    Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin

·    Dry skin that may itch

·    Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin

·    Graying hair that eventually turns white

·    Hair loss

·    Unwanted hair

·    Nail plate thins, the half moons disappear, and ridges develops

Rosacea

Image by kristiewells via FlickrRosacea is a common skin disease that frequently begins as a tendency to flush or blush easily. As rosacea progresses, people often develop persistent redness in the center of the face. This redness may gradually spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin. Even the ears, chest, and back can be affected. 

WHAT ROSACEA LOOKS LIKE
Tiny blood vessels, which many call spider veins, can develop. Some people see small red bumps. Usually appearing in crops, some of the red bumps may contain pus. Dermatologists call the pus-filled bumps pustules. If the bumps do not contain pus, they are called papules. These pustules and papules resemble acne, so people often refer to rosacea as adult acne. Unlike with acne, blackheads do not develop. Rosacea also can cause the affected skin to swell.

In more advanced cases, a condition called rhinophyma may develop. Caused by enlarged oil glands in the skin, rhinophyma makes the nose larger and the cheeks puffy. Thick bumps may develop on the lower half of the nose and nearby cheeks. Most people do not develop rhinophyma; those who do tend to be men.

Rosacea also can affect the eyes. About 50 percent of people with rosacea have eye involvement, also called ocular rosacea. This often causes dryness, burning, and grittiness of the eyes. Left untreated, ocular rosacea can lead to serious eye complications.

SIGNS OF ROSACEA
Early rosacea can be difficult to recognize. When rosacea first develops, the redness tends to come and go. Many people may consider this nothing more than flushing that lasts longer than normal. The visible blood vessels can be seen as an inevitable sign of aging. If papules and pustules appear, these can be mistaken for adult acne.

When the skin returns to its normal color and other signs such as pimples and visible blood vessels appear, it is best to see a dermatologist. Left untreated, rosacea can worsen and become more difficult to treat.

Self-diagnosis and at-home treatment are not recommended. Some over-the-counter treatments can worsen rosacea. 

THOSE AT RISK
Although fair-skinned adults between the ages of 30 and 50 may be at greater risk, people of all races and ethnic groups can develop rosacea. It affects men and women of any age, and even children.

Because rosacea can be associated with menopause, women are affected more often than men. As women approach menopause, they may notice an extreme sensitivity to cosmetics and skin-care products. These can be symptoms of rosacea. Both men and women may notice that a particularly embarrassing or tense moment triggers flushing that lasts longer than in other people.

If you experience any of these, it is important to see a dermatologist. Rosacea tends to be a chronic (last for years) and progressive condition that rarely reverses itself. 

TREATMENT
To effectively manage rosacea, dermatologists usually recommend a combination of treatments tailored to the individual patient. This approach can stop rosacea from progressing and sometimes reverses rosacea.

Many rosacea treatments are applied directly to the affected skin. Creams, lotions, foams, washes, gels, and pads that contain a topical antibiotic, azelaic acid, metronidazole, sulfacetamide, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids may be prescribed. These topicals are effective, but improvement can take time. A slight improvement may be seen in the first three to four weeks. Greater improvement usually takes about two months.

Faster results may be seen with oral antibiotics. A dermatologist may prescribe an oral antibiotic to treat the papules and pustules.

Cortisone creams may be prescribed to reduce redness, but with improper use cortisone can cause thinning of the skin. It is therefore important to follow your physician's directions and it is best to use these creams only under the direction of a dermatologist.

Persistent redness may be treated with a small electric needle (electrodessication) or laser surgery. Laser surgery can also reduce the background skin redness as well as the papules and pustules. Cosmetics also may be helpful. Green-tinted makeup may mask the redness.

For best results from a prescribed treatment plan, be sure to carefully follow the dermatologist's instructions. 

TREATMENT FOR RHINOPHYMA
Surgery is the most effective treatment for rhinophyma. The excess tissue can be carefully removed with a scalpel, laser, or electrosurgery. Dermabrasion, a surgical method that smoothes the top layer of the skin, will help improve the look of the scar tissue.

TIPS FOR ROSACEA PATIENTS
Many everyday things can cause rosacea to flare. Anything that causes a flare-up is called a trigger. To help patients decrease flare-ups, dermatologists often recommend the following:

• Practice good sun protection. Sun exposure seems to be the most common trigger. Seek shade when possible, limit exposure to sunlight, wear protective clothing, and use nonirritating broad-spectrum (offers protection from UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
• Avoid certain foods and drinks. Spicy foods, hot drinks, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages are common rosacea triggers. Although alcohol can worsen rosacea, the condition can be just as severe in someone who does not drink alcohol. Rosacea has been unfairly linked to alcoholism.
• Protect your skin from extreme hot and cold temperatures. These can exacerbate rosacea. Exercise in a cool environment. Do not overheat. Protect your face from cold and wind with a nonirritating scarf or ski mask.
• Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, or massaging the face.
• Avoid cosmetics and skin care products that contain alcohol or other irritating substances. Use hair sprays properly, avoiding contact with facial skin.
• Keep your skin care routine simple. Fewer products are better.
• Note flushing episodes. The above are common triggers, but what causes rosacea to flare in one person may not trigger it in another. By writing down what foods, products, activities, medications, and other things cause your rosacea to flare, you will learn your triggers.

This information comes from the American Academy of Dermatology website and should be attributed as such (www.aad.org)

Tanning Beds; Risky Acne Treatment

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Trying to clear your acne by getting a tan may not be as safe as you think. The latest research shows that people who use tanning beds and sunlamps before 35 years of age increase their risk of getting melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, by 75%. Yes, that is 75%. Melanoma is even showing up in teenagers. 

Safer, effective acne treatment exists. Today, it is possible to successfully treat virtually every case of acne. For most people with mild acne, good skin care and acne products available 

without a prescription can lead to clearer skin. Stubborn acne may require a dermatologist’s help.

How To Cope With The Effects Of Acne

Image via WikipediaHow To Cope With The Effects Of Acne

As we are all aware of, there are emotional effects caused by acne. More than those obvious red bumps on your face, some of the effects of acne are not healed by a cream or acne solution, we’re talking about the emotional scars left by acne.

According to studies, acne is very common when one is in their teenage years. For teenagers experiencing the pains of acne, it is very difficult to face the social impacts of acne. There are marks of shame, depression and even self-pity. As a parent of a teenager who faces this problem, you could be one of the greatest helps. What could you do? You could do a lot.

Remind your child that acne is temporary.

As a parent or guardian, you need to be there and give the encouragement your child needs. You will probably see the times when they are down due to the way people criticize or tease. Let them know that it will not last for long and that with time it will pass. Always explain the importance of moving on despite the negative reactions from others, for their words are not that important at all.

Bring your teen to a good dermatologist

Do not wait for your teen’s acne problem to get worse or become a serious problem before you go and see a dermatologist. The earlier the better, this may be cliché but very true for this matter. You need to find a dermatologist who deserves your trust. Be with your teen as you have visits to the dermatologist. Also, help your teen follow the reminders and instructions of the dermatologist.

Guide your child to do the right things

There are some things or acts that may worsen acne. See to it that you remind your teen that those are not the right things to do and it could just worsen the effects. Explain the cause and effect of acne problems and be sure to answer questions that your teen has.

Boost your teen’s self-confidence

Self-confidence plunges down when all those mocks and teases arise. The effect to your teen is real. Be there to boost the esteem he or she has inside. Be generous with praises but do not use them just to flatter. Tell your teen about how wonderful their talent is, or how they’ve done a great job at something. Find things to praise, this praise can be a real boost to his/her morale.

You are the parent, and you can help your teen feel better by helping them understand that this is just a stage and will surely come to an end. Be there and support your child like no one else can.

Skin Care & Anti-Aging

Image by justj0000lie via FlickrSkin Care & Anti-Aging
              
The most unwanted signs of aging don’t spare anyone; they take a grip with every passing day as soon as the days of youth are gone. With age the skin looses its charm, the skin starts sagging, fine wrinkles starts appearing and finally these mere signs turn into the horrible effects of aging.

The greatest fear for many is in losing their youth and looking old. They try to evade this natural phenomena and retain their youth by actually trying to prevent the signs of aging. The reality is that the signs of aging are sure to appear even after trying a variety of things, like anti-aging solutions, but what one can do to delay them is take proper care of the skin.

People are ready to spend any amount of money to keep themselves looking young and keep all the signs of aging at bay. Analyzing the huge interest among the multitude, thousand of companies have plunged into this market by making numerous such anti-aging creams which satisfy the much obsessed people with their skin and the new surfacing lines of aging. These companies have been making a fortune because of their huge turnover. Many of the products, promising to remove the signs of aging completely, make false claims and result in nothing but are sheer waste of money.

The consumer must be more careful in using products for removing signs on aging, because sometimes these products can make them look older than what they actually are.

The signs of aging initially affect the facial skin; the skin of forehead which is basically vertical, gradually with increasing age becomes loose and horizontal lines starts appearing on the forehead. The eyebrows lower down and give the eye a very older look. The eyelids also become bulgy and look bad. Wrinkles in a huge number appear near the eye which is called ‘crow’s feet’. all

These adverse effects of aging make the skin loose in its firmness and thus look old. The area near the neck starts sagging because the neck atrophies with growing skin. This results in the occurrence of double chin and horizontal lines on the neck. The muscles of the cheek also lose their firmness and fine lines appear on them. Soon the effects of age are seen everywhere.

So is the answer to just smear any old cream on your face? I think not!

The best way of keeping the signs of aging at bay is to consult with a professional. Someone who has been trained to understand skin care and the effects of aging, someone who can help give your skin that rejuvenated look.  Whether its facial exercises, skin products or treatments, you want professional advice because let’s face it, you only get one face.