healthy skin

mom puts sunscreen on a young girl's nose

The 85%: Acne and Other Skin Diseases

Dermatology treats the largest organ of the human body: the skin. The skin serves, first and foremost, as the body's first line of defense against injury and disease. However, the skin has skin diseases of its own that require special medical attention. Some skin conditions, of course, are milder than others. Arguably the most well known skin condition, acne, is relatively mild in that it doesn't cause serious harm (with a few exceptions). On the other hand, melanoma, a form of skin cancer, can be terminal if not treated early on. It's important for everyone to know about the conditions and diseases that can befall the skin.

There are quite of few skin conditions to be aware of. Here are three you should definitely be familiar with:

Acne: Acne is one of the most common skin conditions out there. Nearly 85% of people have acne at least once in their lifetimes. Currently, up to 50 million Americans have acne. Acne causes mild to severe irritation in the skin, and tends to be present in oily areas. Acne scars are the result of people scratching and picking the skin, something you should avoid. There are many acne treatments available, both over-the-counter and prescription-level.

Seborrheic Keratoses: Seborrheic Keratoses (KS) is a common skin growth that cause small to medium sized brown lesions. Although unsightly, they are benign and tend to affect people during old age.

Melanoma: Melanoma is a form of skin cancer characterized by the uncontrollable growth of pigment cells. Unless treated in its early stages, it can spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body and can result in death.

If you notice any of these conditions, you should see a dermatologist doctor immediately. Dermatologist doctors provide the best skin care treatments available. For more information, feel free to leave a comment or question at the bottom.

by Bishara Gattas

Three Ways You Can Help Your Dermatologist Improve Your Skin

Did you know that acne affects an estimated 40 million to 50 million Americans? Or that an estimated one in every five Americans will develop skin cancer over the course of their lives, causing more than 2 million people to be diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States every year? Because of the prevalence of these and other skin conditions, it is extremely important that the average person visits a local dermatologist regularly to stay healthy, comfortable and confident in their appearance.

However, even after you have read all of the online dermatologist reviews and consulted with the best rated dermatologists in your area, there is still a chance that your skin might not see results. This is because the best skin care regimen is a collaboration between the doctor and the patient, which relies on communication and effort to succeed. Read on to learn how you can change your habits to help your acne treatment products and other skin care methods succeed.

Too Many Products Might Only Make Your Skin Worse
If you're like many people, you probably try product after product at the first sign of a breakout. However, combining all of these different solutions without giving your skin time to acclimate to one of them will often only cause redness, flakiness, itchiness, irritation and inflammation. Instead, if you're buying something over-the-counter, find a product with positive dermatologist reviews and try it for a few weeks while taking good care of your skin to see if it has an effect. Meanwhile, if you are using a medication your dermatologist recommended, try to wait at least 3 months before requesting something new, unless you notice a serious reaction.

Oil Isn't Always the Enemy
Many magazines, books and even doctors portray oil as the culprit behind breakouts and other skin conditions. However, our bodies produce oil naturally to protect the skin and keep it supple. For this reason, removing it with harsh solutions will only make the body over-produce the substance. Instead, the goal should be to regulate oil production with moisturizers and cleansers to keep the skin clean but still supple. Ask your dermatologist what products they recommend for basic skin care.

Your Mental Health Plays a Powerful Role
A number of patients with acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions notice that their skin gets worse when they are under a great deal of stress. They aren't wrong: studies show that our emotions can have a significant impact on our health, especially over time. For this reason, it is important that patients seeking help with their skin make healthy choices, take care of their bodies and work to establish a positive state of mind if they want to see long-term results in their skin.

Are you looking for a dermatologist who will work with you to change your skin for the better? Read local dermatologist reviews and schedule consultations with the best rated doctors in your area today!

by Bishara Gattas

Hair loss infographic declaring that men have a 50% chance of losing their hair by their 50th birthday for natural reasons

Five Skin Problems People With Cancer May Experience

In recent years, millions of people have been able to take advantage of new treatments for cancer, such as targeted therapy drugs, which block tumor cell formation. While older chemotherapy procedures killed every cell that divided, this new targeted method allows oncologists to attack specific mutations. This is not only more effective, but significantly reduces the number of negative side effects the average patient experiences, including infections and drops in blood cell counts. However, some of these targeted therapies are aimed at molecules that fuel both cancer cell growth and the normal development of skin, hair and nails, causing a variety of skin problems instead. If you are undergoing targeted treatment for cancer, talk to your dermatologist if you notice any of the following symptoms.

Severe Rashes
Rashes are one of the most common side effects of targeted therapy, and typically appear on the face and upper body. Patients usually report itchiness, flaky skin, sunburn-like sensations and more, which can sometimes be severe enough to cause significant discomfort. However, in some cases, this rash might actually be a Candida infection, or yeast infection, which can spread to the lungs, liver and skin if the patient has a weakened immune system. If you notice red, itchy patches on your skin, speak to your dermatologist immediately.

Rough, Scaly Cancerous Growths
There are over 3.5 million non-melanoma skin cancers diagnosed in more than two million Americans every year. However, cancer patients sometimes find that they develop unusual skin growths which can become new cancerous growths. As a result, cancer patients should schedule regular appointments at a dermatologist clinic to ensure that they do not need treatment for skin cancer as well.

Changes to the Hair and Eyelashes
Men have a 50% chance of losing their hair by their 50th birthday for entirely natural reasons. However, targeted therapy drugs can also cause hair loss across the scalp and body, graying, increased growth and curling of the eyelashes and eyebrows and increased facial hair growth. Because dermatologists also treat conditions of the nails and scalp, including hair loss, they can be an important resource during this stressful time.

Strange Wounds
Some cancers (especially breast, head and neck cancers) spread to the skin and cause ulcerating wounds, or injuries that don't heal. This is an uncommon symptom, but these wounds must be carefully monitored and treated by a dermatologist specialist.

Dark, Brittle nails
As previously mentioned, dermatologists also treat conditions of the nail and scalp. This can be extremely helpful, as many cancer patients develop inflammation and fissures around their finger and toenails. While this redness and soreness can often be treated with over-the-counter treatments used to strengthen nails, they should be carefully monitored by a doctor.

Have you noticed any of these symptoms while undergoing targeted therapy for cancer? If so, contact a local dermatologist in your area today to discuss your symptoms and prevent further health problems.

by Bishara Gattas

Four Basic Steps for Clear, Healthy Skin

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, with nearly 85% of people developing the disorder at some point during their lives. In the United States alone, an estimated 40 million to 50 million Americans have acne. A significant number of these people are likely teenagers, as 40% of adolescents will report having acne or acne scarring by their mid-teens due to hormonal changes in their bodies. However, millions of people who experience acne into their twenties and beyond for a variety of reasons, including stress and poor skin care. For this reason, many people will turn to a dermatologist for acne treatment products and methods that will help them achieve beautiful, healthy skin. But before you search out the best acne dermatologist in your area, it may be beneficial to try a number of basic steps that can often help clear acne and other basic skin problems.

  1. Wash the Affected Area Twice a Day, and Again After Sweating-- Acne is often caused by dirty, blocked pores. Making a habit of washing your skin when you wake up and before you go to sleep is an easy way to ensure that your skin is relatively clean throughout the day. Likewise, washing after you sweat helps prevent pores from becoming clogged. However, be careful not to wash too often; this can actually irritate your skin and create further problems.
  2. Make Sure You're Cleansing Properly-- Just as you shouldn't wash your face too often, washing the wrong way can cause additional problems as well. Dermatologists recommend applying a gentle, non-abrasive product with your fingers; a washcloth or sponge may be too abrasive. Avoid irritating products, and avoid scrubbing your skin, as these can make your acne worse. When you're done, rinse with lukewarm water.
  3. Avoid Your Body's Natural Oils-- Acne on your face, neck and shoulders may be caused by contact with greasy hair, so wash your hair regularly as well. Touching your face and other areas that are prone to acne can also spread oil and cause flare-ups, so try to keep your hands away from your skin as much as possible.
  4. Let Your Skin Heal-- Picking or popping your acne can lengthen the healing process, and in some cases, causing lasting scars that the best acne dermatologists will be unable to treat fully. While it may be tempting, leaving your acne alone unless you're cleaning it is often the best way to get clear skin.

If you follow these steps for several weeks, you are likely to see a change in the condition of your skin. However, if your acne is extremely uncomfortable or painful, has caused scarring, or does not respond to the basic steps listed above, it is time to visit a dermatologist clinic. These clinics have access to a variety of targeted acne products and procedures, such as laser acne treatments. However, it is important to remember that the best acne dermatologists treat every patient as an individual case, responding to their individual needs and concerns and assigning a unique skin care regimen. As common as acne is, this is exactly what most patients need to achieve the beautiful, healthy skin they want.

by Bishara Gattas

Harnessing the Power of Green Tea Antioxidants

These days, you can't walk into a store without encountering products of all kinds that contain green tea- including many skin care products. Some products claim the tea in skin products can help ward off skin cancer and signs of aging. While the amounts of green tea in these products vary, with indeterminate results, one thing the experts agree upon is that green tea is good for you.

Like black tea and oolong tea, green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea, however, is not fermented before steaming and drying so its leaves remain fresh.

Of all the antioxidants known, the components of green tea are some of the most potent. Antioxidants counteract the effects of free radicals- byproducts of the body that can cause damage to cells and tissues. Antioxidants bind to the free radicals, deactivating them before they can cause harm.

Green, black, and oolong teas, contain large quantities of polyphenols. Polyphenols, which are a class of bioflavinoids, have been shown to have antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

Most of the polyphenols in green tea are catechins. Catechins, which are antioxidants by nature, have also been shown to function as anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. One of the major catechins in green tea has been shown to be the most effective agent against skin inflammation and cancerous changes in the skin.

Matcha green tea, a powdered green tea, is 10x higher in antioxidants than green or black tea. Because matcha is actually ground up whole leaves, you get dietary fiber and chlorophyll which does not come out in brewed teas.

Try this simple iced latte recipe to enjoy the benefits of adding green tea to your diet.

Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte Recipe

  • 1 tsp matcha green tea powder (available at most health food stores)
  • 1 1/4 cup milk (or alternative milk product like almond, coconut, hemp or rice milk)
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • Natural sweetener of your choice (Stevia, honey, agave, or organic maple syrup)

Mix a ¼ cup of warm water with the green tea powder to create a thick paste. Add the natural sweetener and matcha paste to the milk. Mix well and serve over ice. Enjoy!

by Bishara Gattas