Monday, April 25, 2011

If your skin is Sensitive

Using too many products with harsh ingredients will cause your skin to become inflamed. Test Glycolic, Vitamin C and Vitamin A products before using them all over your face. Once inflammation occurs (characterized as dry, flaky, scaly skin on your nose, cheeks, chin or scalp), any products you use, including heavy creams, will irritate your skin even more.  A solution is to try products with calming ingredients like green tea, chamomile and zinc.  

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If you have Normal Skin Tip

Just because you don’t have to deal with daily skin crises, acne or irritations doesn’t mean you should neglect your skin.  By not moisturizing and exfoliating you aren’t taking the essential steps to retain youthfulness of their face.  To maintain healthy skin, use products with sunscreen, retinol and antioxidants daily.

 

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If you have Oily Skin

Stop over-drying your skin with alcohol-infused tones, peels & exfoliators.  It strips away naturally occurring oils causing even more sebum production. When getting products, choose alcohol-free serum & gel-based formulas.  Avoid anything with petroleum & mineral oil which can clog pores. 

 

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If you have Dry/Aging Skin Tip

Don’t wait until you’re 40 to make your first wrinkle-reducing purchase.  Women should start using anti-aging products as early as possible – in their early 20’s.


Skin Care Tip a daily soy-milk compress works wonders for dry or aging skin because it has hydrating benefits.  Drench gauze pads in soy milk & apply them to your face for 20 minutes. 

 

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

SKIN CANCER SCREENINGS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

by Lisa Benest M.D.

 

More than two million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States annually, and over 100,000 cases of melanoma, outnumbering all other cancers combined.  One in five Americans will develop a skin cancer at some point, yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer.

There is no reason to delay a clinical exam for skin cancer. Annual screening is ideal because finding a growth in its early stages can mean the difference between life and death. Most melanomas can be seen by the naked eye.  Usually there is a long period of time when the tumor grows beneath the top layer of skin but does not penetrate the deeper layers. This slow growth means the cancer may be cured if it is found before it spreads deeper. Mortality rates are directly related to the depth of the cancer. The 5-year survival rate if melanoma is caught before spreading to a lymph node is 98%.  If all skin cancers were found and treated early on, the disease would be nearly 100% curable.

Melanoma is increasing fastest in females between ages 15-29, the most common location being on the torso.  This is felt to be due to high-risk tanning behavior.  In addition, exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning lamps has been linked to both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. For young women, using tanning beds for the first time before age 35 increases melanoma risk by as much as 75%.

How often should someone check for abnormalities?
Do self-exams for suspicious moles and spots. Recruit a partner for those hard-to-see spots. If you notice anything changing, growing or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist.

Who is at risk?
It’s misleading to think that only a certain demographic should be screened. Exams are a necessary routine no matter your age or your ethnicity. It is the No. 1 cancer in adults aged 25-29.

 

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