October 2010 Blog Archive

From the summer sun to the autumn wind, your skin can suffer as the seasons change. Check out these tips to keep your skin healthy this fall:



1. Keep skin hydrated



Fall weather can lead to dryness, so moisturizers and serums are important to keeping your skin soft and supple.



2. Oily skin needs moisture, too



In some cases, dryness can actually contribute to acne or oiliness. This is because the skin starts to procduce more oil to compensate for a lack of moisture.



3. Don't stop using sunscreen



Even when it's chilly, the suns rays can still damage your skin, leading to age spots, freckles, and even skin cancer. Try a moisturizer that has some SPF built-in, and keep you skin safe year-round.



4. Go in for a professional treatment



Microdermabrasion, frational resurfacing or a chemical peel can do wonders for your skin's health. There are a variety of treatments available to lift off dead skin cells and target the signs of aging, leaving you with a healthy glow.

The FDA has approved a painless, non-invasive laser treatment called i-Lipo Ultra, manufactured by Zone Life, for the reduction of the appearance of cellulite and help slim specific body areas.



i-Lipo Ultra can be used in a variety of body areas that often support stubborn pockets of fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, stomach, buttocks, and chin.



During treatment with i-Lipo Ultra, low-level laser light is directed to targeted areas through four pads placed directly on the skin of the problem area for 10 to 20 minutes. The light is absorbed into individual adipose cells, temporarily opening cell wall pores to release fat. This fatty tissue is then processed by the body's natural lymphatic system, where it's broken down and released when the patient exercises. 



Because of this connection to physical activity, a 20- to 30-minute session of cardiovascular-related exercise is recommended after each treatment. 8 to 10 treatments over four weeks are recommended for the best results--less time than is needed for other non-invasive fat removal systems like Zerona.



With any cosmetic fat removal system, establishing a healthy weight, diet, and exercise program are vital to achieving good results. i-Lipo Ultra, as well as other non-invasive fat removal systems like CoolSculpting and Zerona, are designed to target areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise in otherwise healthy individuals.



If you think i-Lipo Ultra might be right for you, contact a provider in your area to learn more.

If you're vigilant about sun protection to help prevent skin cancer--good for you! But a new study shows that avoiding the sun may result in an unhealthy side effect; a deficiency in vitamin D.



Researchers found that vitamin D deficiency is more and more common among those with a genetic predisposition to sun-related skin cancers known as basal cell nevus syndrome.



The study showed that those with basal cell nevus syndrome were three times more likely to have low vitamin D levels than individuals who did not have basal cell nevus syndrome.



“Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disease, fractures, cancer, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality,” writes researcher Jean Y. Tang, MD, PhD of Stanford University, and colleagues in the Archives of Dermatology. “There is increasing concern that sun protection, recommended by dermatologists to prevent further UV damage in populations susceptible to skin cancer, may result in abnormally low levels of [vitamin D], which may have subsequent detrimental effects on health.”





Reducing Sun Exposure



Often, individuals with basal cell nevus syndrome will develop some cancerous skin lesions in their 20s or 30s.



As a result, of this diagnosis, they are advised to take steps to reduce their sun exposure and skin cancer risk by using sunscreen and avoiding the sun during the heat of the day--good advice, but it may leave people with less vitamin D than they need, which can have negative affects on health.



While sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, it is also found in fortified milk, butter, eggs, fish liver oils, and supplements, so patients can still get the vitamins they need without risking sun damage. Researchers say it's not surprising to find high levels of vitamin D deficiency in people at risk for skin cancer, but the extent of the issue was suprising. The researchers recommend that more studies are done to determine the ideal amount of vitamin D supplementation needed for preventing deficiency in people in the general population, who may not have basal cell nevus syndrome but routinely use sunscreen and other methods of sun protection.



To learn more about skin cancer and other skin conditions, click here.

Did you know that an estimated 10% of the general world population is affected by eczema (also known as Atopic Dermatitis or AD)? Eczema appears to be on the rise globally, which means that it's important to learn about this skin condition.



Eczema refers to several different conditions where the skin is red, irritated and can sometimes cause small bumps or blisters to form. Eczema is a chronic, intensely itchy inflammation of the skin. The most common type of eczema, known as atopic dermatitis, often appears first in early childhood. This type of eczema is known as atopic eczema as well as atopic dermatitis.


The causes of eczema are unknown, but a genetic link to the disease has been established. There are also a variety of triggers and versions of Eczema--sometimes symptoms seem to be caused by allergic reaction, other cases can be triggered by exposure to an irritant, like chafing, cold, wind, excessive dryness, etc.



There is no known cure for eczema, but there are a variety of treatment options available to help alleviate the symptoms of eczema and reduce the frequency of flare-ups. Treatment options include topical coricosteroids, oral medications like antibiotics and antihistamines, specially-formulated eczema cleansers, and the non-steriod cream Elidel.



Talk to your skin care provider to learn more about eczema, and help raise awareness about this common, yet treatable, skin condition.

Have you checked out SkinCareGuide.com? DermaNetwork's sister-site focuses on a wide variety of skin conditions, and also supplies information on treatment options. From common skin conditions like Acne and Age Spots, to ailments like Psoriasis and Vitiligo --SkinCareGuide is a fantastic resource that will provide you basic information about skin conditions that affect your life.



Each skin condition featured on the site is accompanied by a host of articles relevent to the topic. Fresh, up-to-date content and articles are constantly being published to give you current information. Popular titles include "Causes of Rosacea" , "Risk Factors for Developing Sun Spots", and "The Fastest Ways to Treat Facial Scarring". New articles are featured every day! Check out the Article section to learn more.



If the articles don't answer all your questions, click over to the Ask-A-Specialist section here. SkinCareGuide.com's own network of skin experts are waiting to provide professional answers to your skin questions. This interactive resource allows you to get specific answers delivered right to your email inbox.

Explore SkinCareGuide.com today!