Bar Soaps Are A No-No
Have you ever wondered why people don’t just use bar soap to wash their face? After all, soap is meant… [more]
UV Index – Am I Going to Burn Today
Point to the Index: The UV Index The National Weather Service (NWS) and the Environmental Protection… [more]
Birthmarks – How to Tell Your Twins Apart
Birthmarks are persistent areas of discolored skin that are generally visible from birth. While many… [more]
Your Skin’s Health
Examining Eczema
The term eczema is very broad and actually can mean a handful of different skin conditions that causes the skin to get red and irritated, to various intensities. The most common cause of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The term “atopic” means when a person is sensitive to allergens such as pollens, molds, dust, pet dander, [...]
Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer found throughout the body, bust mostly on areas that have had sun exposure such as your back, legs, arms and face. It is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the skin cells (melanocytes). Melanocytes are found on the lower part of the epidermis. Melanomas [...]
Treating Acne With Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a technique that, once applied to the skin, causes it to blister and peel off. The new skin is smoother and the lesions caused by scars and acne are gone. Chemical peels can be performed on the face, neck and hands. It can be performed in a doctor’s office or as [...]
Skin Care
Mommy, It Itches!! Kids and Skin
The most common skin problems in children are things we already recognize: bug bites, scrapes, and bruises. However, eczema and infections are also up there with the rest. Here is a quick summary of what each condition is and how to treat them: Bug bites: Children are more likely to get bigger reactions to bug [...]
SPF – Sun Protection Factor
SPF: The 3 Letters We See Everywhere What does SPF mean for our skin? We’ve seen it written virtually everywhere— on lotions, sunscreens, chap sticks, and even clothes. The textbook definition of SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor, is the degree to which a sunscreen protects the skin from the direct ultraviolet rays of [...]
Sunburn – Your Mom Was Right. Put on Sunscreen.
Sunburn is a burn to the skin after overexposure of ultraviolet radiation. Symptoms can include, redness, pain, itching, peeling skin, rash, nausea, fever, and syncope. In severe cases, blistering can appear. Extreme sunburns can be extremely painful and may possibly require hospital care. If you were born before the 1980s, you probably remember the old [...]
Taking Care of Your Skin
Get On the Pill? A Different Way to Combat Acne
Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptive pills, are typically considered when acne does not respond to the other prescription treatments. Currently there are three estrogen-progestin birth control pills that are approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to effectively treat acne in women: Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate (Ortho Tri-Cyclen) Ethinyl estradiol and [...]
What You Should Know About Botox
Just like the names Kleenex and Q-Tip, somehow Botox has become an infamous brand name to the average American consumer. What makes it so appealing to us? Perhaps, it is the inner celebrity star in us that becomes attracted to the idea of Botox—the idea of paying money to look young and fabulous. Take a [...]
Accutane: Strong Yet Effective
Accutane, a brand name medication, is a very strong treatment for acne. Its pharmaceutical name is Isotretioin, and is guaranteed to clear up acne within 4 to 5 months. However, it is very potent medication with serious side effects and must be prescribed safely by a doctor. Accutane treats the most severe cases of acne [...]
Stages of Melanoma
Stages of Melanoma The following stages are used for melanoma: Stage 0: In stage 0, the melanoma cells are found only in the outer layer of skin cells and have not invaded deeper tissues. Stage I: Melanoma in stage I is thin: The tumor is no more than 1 millimeter (1/25 inch) thick. The outer [...]
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