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Take a Sip: Why Green Tea is Good For The Skin

August 8, 2010 By N.Trinh Leave a Comment
green-tea

Drinking Green Tea Benefits Skin

Have you ever heard of the advantages of green tea? Plenty of antioxidants, correct? Well, you might not know that green tea has powerful positive effects when it comes to skin. In fact, many skin care products today use active ingredients found in green tea itself. Keep reading to find out various benefits of green tea for your skin.

Benefit #1:

Green tea has antioxidants that fight damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can be found in UV radiation from sunlight, which causes skin aging.

Benefit #2:

Green tea may help prevent cancer—skin cancer. A 2003 study by the American Chemical Society argues that drinking green tea will help prevent cancer cells such as the harmful enzyme junk-2.

Benefit #3

Green tea rejuvenates skin cells. No it won’t stop aging, but it will increase elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Benefit #4

Green tea fights inflammation. If you have sensitive skin and often get red, then drinking green tea may help soothe and calm your skin.

Benefit #5

Green tea helps acne! Yes, you heard it right. Green tea has ingredients that fight bacteria and decrease hormone activity. These are the two leading causes of acne buildup.

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Products, Skin Health, Treatment Tagged With: green tea benefits

Clobetasol: A Topical Medication

August 6, 2010 By N.Trinh Leave a Comment
Clobetasol-Propionate-Gentamicin-Miconazole-Ni

Clobetasol is a topical cream medication that treats itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation and discomfort of various skin disorders. This medication is most commonly used to treat eczema, dermatitis, allergies, and rashes. It is a very strong and potent form of corticosteroid.

It comes in the form of cream for use on skin and lotion for use on scalp. Clobetasol is used once or twice a day. It is used exactly as directed by the prescription label. Do not use more or less of it.

Like most topical medications, make sure to clean the infected area thoroughly before gently rubbing the medication in until most of it disappears. Wash your hands immediately after applying the medication. Clobetasol can cause harmful effects if it is absorbed into your body.

Other side effects include itching, burning, or irritation on the area treated. Brand names of Clobetasol include Cormax, Clobevate, Embeline, Olux, and Temovate.

Filed Under: Products, Treatment Tagged With: clobetasol, dermatitis, Eczema, topical medication

Elidel: Topical Medication

August 5, 2010 By N.Trinh Leave a Comment
using_elidel

Elidel, whose generic name is pimecrolimnus, is an immunosuppressant that works by decreasing the body’s immune system. This topical medication is used to slow down the growth of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. Elidel is only used to treat patients who cannot use other medications for eczema.

How Should You Use Elidel?

This medication is for skin use only, and has to follow dermatologist-prescribed instructions. It is not meant for large doses or long-term use. You should stop using the medicine once your symptoms have cleared up. Remember for wash your hands before and after using Elidel. Apply the cream to clean, dry skin and rub in gently. Do not cover the treated area with a bandage. Do not bathe, shower, or swim right after applying Elidel.

Side effects are mild and include: burning, stinging, tingling, or soreness. There can also be signs of swollen hair follicles, acne, upset stomach, muscle pain, headache or runny nose. More serious side effects might also occur such as fever, chills, body aches, and swollen glands. In this case, you must get emergency medical help immediately.

When using Elidel, it is best to avoid other skin products that haven’t been approved by your dermatologist. Also avoid sunlight, sun lamps, tanning beds and phototheraphy treatments. If you plan to be outdoors, please wear appropriate clothing to protect your treated area.

Filed Under: Products, Treatment Tagged With: Eczema, Elidel, pimecrolimnus

Bactroban: The Alternative to Neosporin

August 3, 2010 By N.Trinh Leave a Comment
BACTROBAN

Bactroban is a brand name medication for mupirocin, an antibiotic that treats skin infections caused by bacteria. It is not effective against fungal and viral infections.

Bactroban comes in ointment form and is applied to the infected area. It is usually applied 3 times a day for 1 to 2 weeks. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Make sure to wash the affected skin area first before applying bactroban. Gently appy a small amount to the infection and cover the area with a bandage or gauze. Do not apply bactroban to your eyes, mouth, nose or burns.

Side effects to Bactroban only include burning, stinging, pain, itching or rash. Before using Bactroban, please find out from your doctor if you are allergic to mupirocin or any other drugs. Also notify your doctor if you are taking other medications or are pregnant.

If you miss a dose for whatever reasons, apply the missed does as soon as you remember it. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dose schedule. Do not apply a double dose at once.

You can purchase Bactroban at any convenience store, drug store, or supermarket.

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Products, Treatment Tagged With: antibiotic, bactroban, mupirocin

Get On the Pill? A Different Way to Combat Acne

July 25, 2010 By N.Trinh Leave a Comment
popular-birth-control

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 norethindrone (Estrostep)

Ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone (Yaz)

Birth control pills work for acne by reducing the amount of sebum, the oily substance that makes your skin cells build up in hair follicles. Because the pill will only target the sebum, which is only one cause of acne, it is best to use other treatments alongside the pill to treat acne more effectively. You might have to wait several months to see noticeable result with birth control and your skin might get worse before getting better.

Using birth control to treat acne is generally safe and effective; however, they are not for everyone. Side effects include:

  • Headaches
  • Change in menstrual flow
  • Potential fetal problems, if taken when pregnant
  • Breast tenderness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Depression

Ladies, talk to your doctor about whether birth control is suitable for you since there are a lot to choose from. Also, you might want to reconsider a different acne treatment if you have a health history of cardiovascular disease, breast or liver cancer, or blood clots.

Filed Under: Products, Skin Health, Treatment, acne Tagged With: birth control pill, contraceptive

Treating Acne With Antibiotics

July 25, 2010 By N.Trinh Leave a Comment
Doxycycline_capsules

You might wonder, how do antibiotics work to treat acne? The most important function of an antibiotic is to decrease the number of bacteria in the follicles. They also reduce irritating chemicals as well as the concentration of free fatty acids in the sebum. Here is a list of the most commonly used antibiotics.

  • Tetracycline: the most widely prescribed antibiotic for acne. IT is the least expensive and has few side effects. It must be taken on an empty stomach either half an hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal and should not interact with antacids or milk. Common side effects include sun sensitivity, skin pigmentation, gastrointestinal irritation, and teeth staining. It has been prove to show 25% improvement on acne in 1 month.
  • Erythromycin: the antibiotic is also very commonly used and has several advantages over tetracycline. It is an anti-inflammatory property that helps reduce redness and can be taken with food. Side effects include upset stomach and nausea but is not harmful for pregnant women.
  • Minocycline: a tetracycline derivative that is especially useful for pustular type acne. This is best taken on an empty stomach and should not be used if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, skin pigmentation, and teeth discoloration.
  • Doxycycline: this is a good alternative for those who cannot take erythromycin or tetracycline. It should be taken with food or else could cause severe nausea. Other side effects include: sun and light sensitivity as well as indigestion and diarrhea. You should not take this drug during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
  • Clindamycin: a semi-synthetic antibiotic topical treatment that destroys P Acnes, which is acne-causing bacteria. It is normally used to treat serious bacterial infections. Side effects include dryness and irritation. When using this treatment, it is very important to follow careful instructions so that the bacteria do not develop resistance.

Filed Under: Products, Skin Health, Treatment, acne Tagged With: Clindamycin, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Minocycline, Tetracycline

Do It Yourself: Over-The-Counter Topical Treatments For Acne

July 25, 2010 By N.Trinh Leave a Comment
benzoyl_peroxide_wash

There are many different ways to go about treating acne. Looking at over-the-counter products is a great first step for easy and mild treatment of acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide: an over-the-counter (OTC) agent that comes in cream, gel, and wash form. It kills P. acnes, helps remove excess oils and dead skin cells that clog pore. It’s available in strengths varying from 2.5 to 10 percent. It may take up to 4-6 weeks to see the full effects of this medication. Commonly used brand names include: Clearasil, Oxy-10, Fostex, Persa-Gel

Salicylic Acid: This treatment slows the shedding of cells inside hair follicles, preventing pores from clogging it. It also breaks down whiteheads and blackheads. This OTC product comes in strengths 0.5 to 2 percent most commonly seen in pad applicator forms. Commonly used brand names include: Stri-dex, Clearasil Clearstick, Oxy Night Watch, BenzaClin, Retin-A

Sulfur: This OTC removes dead skin cells that clog pores and helps remove excess oil. It comes in various washes, soaps, and creams and generally peels and dries the skin. Some side effects include an unpleasant odor, skin discoloring, and redness. Sulfur is often combined with other ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or resorcinol. Commonly used brand names include: Clearasil Adult Care

Resorcinol: this OTC product is used to treat acne, eczema and psoriasis among other skin conditions. It’s generally combined with other acne medications and rarely stands alone. Resorcinol helps break down hard, rough skin that causes black and whiteheads. Resorcinol can cause skin irritation, redness and peeling because of its harsh nature. Commonly used brand names include: Clearsil Adult Care, DiebetAid Anti-Itch

Filed Under: Products, Skin Health, Treatment, acne Tagged With: benzoyl peroxide, over the counter acne products, resorcinol, salicylic acid, sulfuric acid

Accutane: Strong Yet Effective

July 20, 2010 By N.Trinh Leave a Comment
accutane2

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 that has not responded to other treatments. It is in a class of medications called retinoids and works by slowling down the production of certain natural substances that cause pimples to form.

There are special precautions you should know about before considering taking Accutane, such as:

  • Know your allergies and consult your doctor to see if these allergies will conflict with this medication
  • Tell your doctor all medications you have been taking, past and present
  • Tell your doctor if you have had depression, mental illness, diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis, anorexia, heart or liver disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Plan to avoid long exposure to sunlight
  • Be aware that Accutane may cause changes in your behavior and mentality
  • Be conscious when playing sports or physical activity because Accutane may cause bone weakening.

Common side effects to Accutane include:

  • red, cracked, and sore lips
  • dry skin, eyes, mouth, or nose
  • nosebleeds
  • changes in skin color
  • peeling skin, especially on the palms and soles
  • changes in the nails
  • slowed healing of cuts or sores
  • bleeding or swollen gums
  • hair loss or unwanted hair growth
  • sweating
  • flushing
  • voice changes
  • tiredness
  • cold symptoms

If you experience more serious side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, etc., please contact your doctor immediately.

Accutane is a very costly medication for acne treatment, but fortunately is covered by most insurance companies. Generally, a co-pay for a month’s supply of Accutane is around $30-50. Without insurance, it would be around $400-500.

Once again, Accutane is not an over-the-counter acne medication and cannot be taken lightly. Please consult your doctor for more information on this treatment and whether it is right for you.

Filed Under: Products, Treatment, acne Tagged With: accutane, Isotretioin

4 Basic Steps to Skin Care

June 29, 2010 By MedicalCare.Org Health Editors Leave a Comment

Step 1: Cleansing

It’s pretty simple. Find a good face wash that your skin responds well to. Remember to read the fine print on these products to see if it’s suitable for your skin type. You do not need to spend $50 on an expensive “quality” wash. Your local drug or convenience store should have a bunch of decently priced cleansers. A quick tip is to use a cream-based cleanser if you have dry skin and a clear cleanser if you have oily skin.

Wash your face with cleanser just once a day, either at night or in the morning. You don’t want to be overcleansing your skin. The simple steps are: wash first with warm water to loosen dirt and soften pores, apply a dime-sized amount of facewash, and then rinse with water again. Never wash your face with hot or cold water for they can cause broken capillaries.

Step 2: Exfoliate

What the heck is exfoliating? It’s the removal of the oldest dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, and is used to help maintain healthy skin. Beach sand is still an excellent (and free!) exfoliant. But when you’re too busy to hit the beach, over-the-counter scrubs are the next best thing. Make sure you get a gentle scrub with tiny grains because big grains can tear skin and cause more damage than you’d think.

Step 3: Moisturize

Everyone, women AND men need to moisturize for it is the secret to smooth, ravishing skin. You might ask, what’s the point of moisturizing? Well, you seal moisture into your skin. How much and how often you moisturize depends on your skin type. You have to be careful not to over moisturize because it can clog pores.

Step 4: Sunscreen!

The average American does not wear sunscreen every day. People believe that sunscreen is only necessary for a day at the beach. This is definitely not true. Sunscreen is the most important part of your skin care routine. Sunscreen can help prevent wrinkles and freckles, amongst other types of skin damage. The trick here is to purchase two moisturizers: a daytime moisturizer with an SPF and a night moisturizer. This is important because moisturizers shouldn’t be used 24/7—it will cause skin aggravation.

Filed Under: Consumer Education, Moisturizers, Products, Skin Care, Sunscreens Tagged With: basic skin care, cleansing, exfoliation, moistureizers, sunscreen

Benzaclin Carekit Rebate

April 19, 2010 By MedicalCare.Org Health Editors Leave a Comment
benzaclin

How to save on your next 4 prescriptions for the BenzaClin® carekit
Download Rebate Certificate

Insured Patients
Pay no more than $20 on each of your next 4 prescriptions for the BenzaClin® carekit.*

Cash-Paying Patients
Save up to $25 on each of your next 4 prescriptions for the BenzaClin® carekit.*

  1. Fill your prescription for BenzaClin®.
  2. Print and complete the Rebate Certificate.
  3. Read the rebate Terms & Conditions on the Rebate Certificate and sign in the place provided.
  4. Mail in the Rebate Certificate.

Mail the certificate along with your original pharmacy receipt for BenzaClin® with the product name and purchase price circled to:

The BenzaClin® Rebate Program
P.O. Box 12032, Dept. BZC10
Trenton, NJ 08650-2032

Pharmacy Receipt for Benzaclin Rebate/Coupon

Note: The pharmacy receipt comes with your prescription and differs from the register receipt in that it identifies the product purchased.

Filed Under: Products, Skin Care, Skin Health, Treatment, acne Tagged With: acne treatment, antibiotics, benzaclin, coupon, rebate