Peel Your Skin Problems Away

Sadly, the world that we live in today is no longer as clean and undefiled as it used to be. Recent technological advancements have done considerable damage to our environment. The air that we breathe in and the water that we drink and bathe in isn't as pure as it used to be. Out of all our body organs, it is the skin that takes the worst beating from all these unfortunate changes. But thanks to recent medical breakthroughs, we now have treatments available to combat the harsh odds that the elements have dealt us.



The harsh wind and sunlight, coupled with neglect, can cause premature skin aging and leave unsightly lines and blemishes. While topical drugs can address some problems, it is still not enough to keep the face from looking dry and rough. A more aggressive yet gentle form of treatment is needed to prevent the face from further damage.



Chemical peeling is now being regarded as the best option to give the skin a second lease at life. Chemical peels work by removing the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. Peeling off the epidermis dramatically improves skin texture, smoothing out wrinkles, erasing spots caused by photo-aging and balancing the skin's color.



The chemical applied to the skin varies, depending on the extent of skin damage. Light to medium chemical peels are advisable for people who have age spots and pigment abnormalities or those suffering from the early stages of photo-aging. Cosmetic surgeons normally use either alpha-hydroxy (glycolic, lactic or fruit acids) or trichloroacetic (TCA) acids for the said procedure. Phenol peels, on the other hand, are recommended for severely damaged skin.



TCA vs. AHA



While both TCA and AHA can be used to treat light to moderately damaged skin, the former proves to be more effective in providing definite results. Dr. Mitchell E. Blum, a recognized cosmetic surgeon who has been practicing for more than 25 years, provides a deeper, more thorough peel, as opposed to AHA, which may require several applications before results can be achieved. He also states that a TCA skin peel mimics the results of a Phenol peel, in that it penetrates the deeper layers of the skin, but provides a shorter recovery period. TCA peel is also quite affordable, and medical grade kits for home use can be found online.



However, Dr. Blum advises the use of tretinoin (preferably Retin-A), glycolic acid and other bleaching agents at least four to six weeks prior to undergoing the procedure to prepare the skin for the chemical peel. This is because tretinoin stimulates the skin to heal faster while glycolic acid enhances the effect of the tretinoin.



The Procedure



The procedure is fairly quick, consuming a maximum of one hour. TCA is applied onto the face, focusing specifically on troubled portions of the skin. Because of the burning sensation that the TCA will generate, surgeons normally advise their patients to drink painkillers or sedatives to relieve the discomfort. Ice can also be applied to the skin to relieve the pain.



After The Procedure



Patients are advised to wash their face daily with gentle soap and water, followed by the application of an oil-based or steroid ointment. The skin will appear red for the first few days but will eventually flake within four to seven days. To achieve maximum effect, patients are advised to use sunblock to avoid recurring skin problems.

Are You Constantly Frustrated by Your Dry Skin?

Dry skin is a frustration many people share. No matter how many moisturizers some people try, they just cannot seem to shift it! Mainly a problem in winter, dry skin lacks the moisture which it needs to stay soft and supple. So what can you do when your skin feels like it constantly needs a drink?



The Cause of Dry Skin



Dry skin can be caused by many different factors. Even drying your skin with a towel, and generally bathing can cause it to lose some of its much needed moisture. Also, you may be surprised to find that your daily moisturizer could also be causing your skin to dry up.



Generally, dry skin is cause by a low level of sebum and it is often prone to sensitivity. If you do have dry skin you will notice that it feels tight after you have washed it. The wind and extreme temperatures can also contribute to drying out the skin, and it also causes the skin to look dull.



In some cases, dry skin could even be genetic and poor diet is often also a cause for bad skin, especially if you have deficiencies in Vitamins A and B. In some cases, it is not uncommon for dry skin to be a symptom of another health problem such as eczema or psoriasis, so sometimes it is better to get a doctors opinion. Other medical problems which dry skin could be a symptom of include an under active thyroid, diabetes, and certain drugs could also participate in the problem.



Treatments Available and Care You Should Take



You may not realize that washing the face with tap water can often leave the skin too dry. This is due to the deposits in the water. Hot water is also a definite no no as that really does sap out all of the moisture from the skin. So what are you supposed to do? Well, warm water is OK, and when you do wash your hands or expose them to tap water, you should always moisturize afterwards. This helps to keep them in tip top condition and the moisturizer keeps the skin protected. A good way to give moisture to the skin after bathing is to spray mineral water over the skin with a plant sprayer, and then lightly pat it dry. Other factors which may help include:



Gentle Cleansing



Gentle cleansing is always a good thing. Stimulation and massage of the skin really helps to encourage the production of oil within the body. Making sure you cleanse gently with a non-harsh cleanser is an essential part of looking after the skin. Avoid soap at all costs as it is one of the worst culprits that dry out the skin. Neutral PH products are the best to go for as they are the most gentle.



Moisturize Regularly



With dry skin it is absolutely essential that you moisturize regularly. There are plenty of moisturizers developed especially for dry skin so you should not have a problem finding one to suit you. The Moisturizer helps to lock in moisture and it acts as a protective layer both overnight, and throughout the day. If your skin is particularly dry, you may think about using oil instead which is a lot more moisturizing than a cream moisturizer.



Apply Baby Oil After a Bath or Shower



If you apply baby oil after a bath or shower, your skin will really thank you for it. The oil acts as a protective layer, just as a moisturizer does, and it really will lock in the moisture. You may find it a bit sticky and greasy at first, but your skin will love it!



Overall, as much as dry skin can be a pain, luckily there are plenty of products out there which can help. If you consult your doctor they may also recommend that you change your contraceptive pill as some can be used to treat skin problems too. Always remember to moisturize and always make sure that you cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser. If you follow these steps you should notice that your skin clears up within a couple of months.

Top Five Acne Remedies

Many people are concerned about products to remove acne, yet perhaps the more important factor to consider is prevention. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, here are five of the basic but most important ways in order to treat and prevent acne build up.



1. Cleaning



Washing away the outside layer of the skin with natural oils is not really helpful preventing or curing acne, or pimple for other people, for it develops under the skin. Although it's a belief the people develop acne due to the fact that they don't cleanse their skin thoroughly. For everyone's information, washing the skin too much can cause irritation and produces more whiteheads and blackheads that turn into pimples after being infected. Gentle washing is only needed. Use mild soaps or cleanser, an example is Cetaphil or acne bars. Another good sample is Neutrogena product that washes acne.



2. Exfoliating



It is also important to exfoliate; this helps remove the dead skin cells, to maintain a healthy and glowing skin. A mild cleanser will help exfoliate the face after washing. Scrubbing will also help exfoliate the face, which can be done once or twice a week. This procedure will aid in reducing dead layers skin cells that clog the pores, reason why more pimples or acne.



3. Keeping the skin Clear



- Make sure that all cosmetics such as powder, lotion, blush on, foundation, and even sunscreen are oil free

- Complex 15 is oil free moisturizer that helps avoid dry skin

- Get in the habit of using oil-free lotions

- Get rid of hair chemicals such as gels or hair cream

- Always watch for labels with the term non-comedogenic, which means they don't cause pores to be clogged



4. Proven Chemicals



Benzoyl Peroxide



This eliminates the bacteria that worsens acne and it also unplugs oil secretions and helps pimples or acne to heal. This can be found in many over-the-counter acne treatments. Start traditionalistically with a five percent moisturizer once everyday like after washing the face before going to bed. After a week, make it twice everyday if there are no other medications being taken or used. If the acne is not yet healed after four to six weeks, try a ten per cent mixture. This can be bought over-the-counter, however, there is a need to seek for a doctor's prescription. Just be sure to request for a real form: the pharmacist can be asked which can be bought over-the-counter or which needs prescription.



Antibiotics



These are available only if there's a doctor's recommendation. Antibiotics are very helpful aid for pimples or acne that is already swelling and red and usually have pus, or for if it not those not anymore being treated with medications as expected. These antibiotics eliminate the bacteria, which develop to whiteheads. Make it a point to follow the doctor's recommended dosage and always take the antibiotic pills with enough amount of water. Some of these bacteria killing medicines may also increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, for this use sunscreen when going out to prevent any sunburn.



Accutane



Accutane are antibiotics that are available only under a doctor's order and recommendation. Accutane is a very optimized pill that is intended for those with deep scars, or pimples that can no longer be treated by other medications or antibiotics. Blood test is taken every now and then when using Accutane as medication, as this can affect the levels blood cell and blood count. For women, the physician, possibly an obstetrician-gynecologist may require the intake of birth control pills prior to prescribing the Accutane. Extra caution is really taken into consideration, as it can be very harmful to to pregnant women. However, until this time some physicians are not prescribing Accutane.



5. Treatment Information



The Treatment can take some time which often takes six to eight weeks for the pimple to heal after there will be another start of treatment. Some medications can cause acne to get even bigger or redder before it gets well, there are times when these could have pus too. If the acne still has not welled after several medications with other drugs, the doctor may suggest that the patient take an oral medicine. Doctors recommend this retinoid as a last treatment, due to its serious effects and it is also very expensive. Sometimes women are asked to take birth control pills as to help them control acne especially in women who mood swings even before their menstruations start.

How To Protect Yourself Against Photodermatitis In The Summer

Summer brings lovely, warm sunshine and plenty of laughter, but it can also bring with it many skin problems. Photodermatitis is unfortunately one of them, and it occurs due to the ultraviolet light caused by the suns rays. But just what exactly is it and can it be harmful?



Photodermatitis and its Symptoms

Photodermatitis is a condition which occurs when the skin has an abnormal reaction to the suns ultraviolet light. There are two types of the condition, either acute Photodermatitis, or Chronic Photodermatitis. Basically UV rays are classified by their wavelength and Photodermatitis is a higher risk when the wavelength is higher.



It is possible for some chemicals to trigger Photodermatitis in the skin, as there are over 115 different chemical agents and drugs that we expose ourselves to every day. Allergies can also trigger the condition, as can a direct toxic effect from a substance. It is thought that some immune related disorders can sometimes be to blame for the condition, such as nutrition deficiencies and systemic lumps.



The symptoms of the condition vary from person to person but they usually include itchy blisters, bumps or raised areas of the skin. You may also notice some lesions which look similar to Eczema and Hyperpigmentation also often occurs too. In some cases you may experience some pain, redness and you could end up with flu like symptoms such as fever and nausea.



Your skin type could affect your chances of developing the condition and usually people with either fair skin, red and blonde hair, or people with green or blue eyes, are more at risk of it. In summer if you spend longer than thirty minutes in the sun you are also at risk and it also depends upon the time you are in the sun. Generally the suns UV levels are higher in the late morning and early afternoon, so it is always better to avoid the sun at those times whenever possible.



Prevention and Treatment for Photodermatitis



If you do not already have Photodermatitis, there is a chance you can prevent it from occurring. This includes staying out of the sun during its peak periods in the late morning and early afternoon, covering up wherever possible and wearing sunscreen, and double check that any medicine you are currently taking, is not a potential risk by talking with your health care provider.



If you do have the condition there are ways you can treat it. If you have blisters or sores that are weeping, you should apply a cool, wet dressing to them. It is possible that in some cases, the doctor may suggest phototherapy in order to control the condition.



This is another common rash which is caused by the sweat which the sun produces. Otherwise known as Malaria, it occurs when the sweat ducts become blocked or there is too much perspiration. They tend to break open and this allows the sweat to leak just under the skin which is what causes the rash to occur.



If you find that your condition is particularly sensitive, you may be offered various drug therapies. Azathioprine is often prescribed in order to suppress the immune system and some Glucocorticoids are also sometimes used to control some eruptions of the skin. If your skin cannot be treated using phototherapy, your doctor may also prescribe drugs such as Beta Carotene, Hydroxychloroquine, Thalidomide or Nicotinamide.



Bear in mind however that the use of Thalidomide does often cause problems including birth defects, and it should never be taken by women who are pregnant or by women who wish to become pregnant.


Your doctor may also suggest that you change your eating habits as eating certain foods can reduce the risk of the condition, and they can help to control eat. Fatty acids are a good example and also extra protein.



Overall treatment will depend upon each different case of the condition. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. It is always better to consult your doctor if you feel you may have this condition, in order for them to give you the proper treatment.