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Three Hacks for Dull Skin
It’s that time of year again when your skin starts drying out as the summer humidity wanes. You might be reaching for the moisturizer – which is a great, yet basic, option, But before you have to relegate your skincare to an easy but only partially effective fix like an over-the-counter moisturizer, consider these three hacks to get your glow on and keep it going.
Hair Loss Treatments for Men Compared
Approximately 50% percent of men over 40 in the United States suffer from androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. While this is no reflection on a man’s virility, many men are concerned about what that means and do not want to let natural aging and genetics take their course without some pushback. Androgenic alopecia ultimately revolves around the excess production of DHT or dihydrotestosterone, a byproduct of testosterone production on the scalp. DHT is problematic because it can eventually shrink and destroy the hair follicle, leading to permanent hair loss. Typical male pattern baldness will leave hair unaffected on the side and back but with progressive loss of hair on the front, crown, and top of the scalp.
If caught early, patients have several options for slowing hair loss, but before we continue, it is worth noting that our modern modern-day lives are stressful, which can also lead to hair loss. Anything from physical stress like rapid weight loss or overexercising to emotional stress can cause the resting hair phase (telogen) to extend and the growth phase (anagen) to decrease. This is usually reversible with lifestyle change and proper self-care. As such, today, we will only discuss hair loss options for androgenic or genetic alopecia.
How We Minimize Skin Discoloration After Laser Treatments
As laser facial and body treatments grow in popularity and accessibility, your dermatologist will discuss the risk of unwanted side effects following therapy. While some side effects, such as pain, swelling, and redness, are temporary, the discoloration some people experience following laser treatments can be longer-lasting without preventative care or additional treatment. This is why it is critical to minimize the risk of skin discoloration as much as possible.
Let’s discuss what causes the skin to discolor in the first place. After laser treatment, inflammation is our body’s natural mechanism that spearheads healing. The healing following laser treatments is part of why the laser is useful. However, there is a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH when inflammation occurs for any reason. PIH can arise from many conditions – like acne, eczema, or injury. And laser treatment is exactly that – a controlled injury to the skin at exact depths and locations. Continue reading
What Is “Skin Tightening” and How Do You Achieve It
Skin tightening is often high on the list for anyone feeling the pull of gravity, resulting in unwanted drooping skin. This sagging process is natural and happens as we age; years of UV exposure can also contribute to skin appearing laxer than it used to be. The main reason for this change is that collagen, the support mechanism that gives our skin its firm, supple texture, begins degrading and breaking down after the 30th decade of life. We lose some collagen, and other parts of the skin’s matrix, like elastin and extracellular matrix fibers, each year thereafter.
So, what are some of the best tried and true skin-tightening approaches? How can you achieve firm, supple skin even into your later years when a good deal of collagen has already been lost? Fortunately, there are many options for skin tightening. No matter your budget or age, there is likely a way for you to tighten that skin!
Acne Scar Removal: What You Need to Know
It is estimated that up to 80% of people have experienced acne at some point. You might have scars if you suffered from acne as a teenager or even as an adult. While mild comedonal acne typically doesn’t leave behind any noticeable reminders, inflammatory and cystic acne can. Scars resulting from inflamed skin on the face, neck, and back can last a lifetime, long after the acne has cleared. The skin on our faces is thinner and more delicate than on other body parts, making it more prone to scar development. You might be wondering if there is any way to prevent or treat scars – and fortunately, the answer is YES to both!
Of course, it’s better to avoid scarring in the first place, so let’s start with some of the basics of scar formation. As the old saying goes – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
IPL Versus LED Red Light Therapy for Facial Skin
Many skin rejuvenation products are available in today’s aesthetic dermatology market. You may have heard of light therapy, photo facials, phototherapy, or IPL as just some examples. Also known as photobiomodulation, light-based tissue therapies come in various forms and indications and have unique benefits and risks. However, if you were reading this article, you have decided to take care of your facial skin. By choosing a qualified and experienced provider able to offer various options, you have given yourself the best chance of a successful and safe procedure.
If you quickly search for Red Light Therapies, you will likely be overwhelmed with options and products—choosing between the various red and infrared light and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapies might be tricky without understanding the key differences.
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen With So Many Options
If you’ve shopped the sunscreen aisle recently, you probably noticed that there are A LOT of options. This can be overwhelming, to say the least. Fortunately, with a little extra effort and a few pro pointers, you can be sure to find the right sunscreen for any activity as we look toward spring and summer weather.
Why are there so many options? And with spring, is daily sunscreen necessary yet?
There are a few reasons for all the different sunscreens you see on the shelf, which are more complex than just marketing and product design. With new FDA regulations, rates of skin cancer on the rise, and a trend toward sun protection for anti-aging, it’s a dynamic marketplace that deserves extra attention.
Laser Hair Removal and Different Skin Types (The Fitzpatrick Scale)
If you’re considering removing unwanted hair, getting the most accurate information about today’s technologies is important. Using the wrong approach could mean you don’t get the desired results – but what’s even worse than spending money on a procedure that doesn’t work? Having unwanted or even permanent damage to your skin because of the process. To avoid this, we will dive into different technologies for laser hair removal and hopefully help you determine which will be most effective for your skin type.
Laser hair removal has a long and varied history – it was first discovered in the 1960s inadvertently while researching the development of ruby lasers. Later came the Nd: YAG laser, although initially, this was not permanent and only offered a reduction of hair. Finally, in the 1990s, a more permanent and effective solution was proposed and eventually gained FDA approval using an Alexandrite laser.
Let’s Talk About All Things Sun Damage
If the sun’s rays can damage furniture over time, then our skin is certainly not immune. Sun damage to our skin is primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation (or UV) light. UV light comprises UVA (slightly longer) and UVB (slightly shorter). Different types of UV light can cause unique sun damage and are critical to our skin’s health and appearance. More extended UVA sunlight (320-400nm) has been shown to cause premature skin aging, likely due to penetration deep into the tissue. UVB is slightly shorter (290-320nm) and is often associated with sunburns and cell DNA damage. UV radiation can cause unwanted skin effects, including photodamage, wrinkles, and skin cancer.¹
There are several ways that sun damage can occur from UV light; likewise, several approaches prevent and manage the harsh effects the sun can inflict on our skin. Sun damage occurs through oxidative damage, which can be partially reversed with antioxidants in some skin care products. Another mechanism is melanogenesis, where pigment is produced by cells to protect themselves. Melanin can accumulate and cause unsightly pigmentary issues in the skin, which are difficult to treat and may require chemical peels and laser therapy. Malignant skin cancers and benign neoplasms occur when skin cells’ DNA mutate from UV radiation. Some forms of skin cancer are not caused by UV damage, but the vast majority are caused by excessive sun exposure. Other forms of sun damage can include dryness, reduced firmness, dullness, increased sagging, and wrinkles.
Hormonal & Cystic Acne – Understanding the Differences
It’s a dreaded word – acne. And treating it appropriately is very important. We mustn’t think about acne as simply pimples. Pimples are the manifestation of an underlying condition, while acne is a condition in and of itself. It’s also essential to distinguish the spot here and there from a full-on acne breakout. Most of us can deal with the occasional spot with a bit of makeup or a commercially available pimple treatment. On the other hand, acne is far more challenging to control, and the potential for scarring is real.
Let’s talk about acne breakouts, what type of acne it could be, and how we, as dermatologists, treat it to ensure the best cosmetic and medical results.
Severe acne primarily comes in two forms: hormonal acne and cystic acne.