The Rudolph Effect: How to Avoid a Raw Red Nose

Unless you're guiding Santa's sleigh this Christmas Eve, having a red nose at this time of year is probably not ideal. It can be unsightly and painful to boot. But it doesn't have to be that way! Here's the skinny on raw, sore noses.

Maybe you recently spent a weekend skiing on the slopes, or maybe you’ve come down with some sort of cold/allergy/flu combination. Regardless, you’re probably experiencing one common side effect: a raw, red, extremely sore nose. No need to worry! Here are some quick tips to help give your nose some TLC.

• Don’t use hot water on your nose, as this will only further dry out your skin. Instead, use lukewarm or cool water when washing your face to avoid more irritation.
• Don’t use irritating soaps or other chemicals on your nose. These will just add to the irritation.
• Don’t unnecessarily touch or rub your nose. This also will make your sore nose worse.
• Do use a gentle lotion, like shea butter or a natural balm, to help seal the broken skin and introduce healthy nutrients back into the skin.
• If you must touch your nose during this painful time, use a soft, clean tissue, and gently blot your nose if need be. If possible, choose tissues that have lotion in them and are labeled for “sore noses.”
• Refer back to my winter skin care blog post. Moisture is the biggest factor when discussing winter skin. Cold temperatures, heaters and overly hot showers rob skin of valuable moisture during the winter. To combat these issues, drink plenty of water, use a heavier moisturizer than you use during the summer and use warm, rather than hot, water when showering or bathing.

Hopefully, with the help of these tips, you can pull through this last bit of winter without looking like Rudolph. Do you have more questions regarding your red and raw nose? Leave them in the comments below, and I’ll try to help you out!

Dealing with Dark Circles

Dark circles are a cosmetic concern for many people. Age, fatigue and stress often contribute to this issue. Although these factors can influence their formation, it is important to pinpoint the specific causes for the dark coloration so it can be properly resolved.

It’s also important to note that the skin under your eyes is thinner than anywhere else on your body. For this reason the dark-colored blood vessels under the skin are naturally more exposed in this area. 

Causes

Typical causes for dark circles include eczema, physical or emotional stress, nasal congestion, sun exposure and thinning skin with loss of collagen and fat.

Physical and Emotional Stress

Physical and emotional stress, including associated behaviors like smoking and chronic alcohol consumption, can disrupt your vitamin balance and cause dehydration. Vitamin imbalance and dehydration can accelerate the aging process, causing the skin to thin and lose fat and collagen around the eyes. This exposes the dark blood vessels under the skin’s surface, causing dark circles to appear very pronounced.

Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion can create dark circles by dilating veins under your eyes, causing the skin to appear darker.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure increases your body’s melanin production, which can lead to darker pigmentation.

Genetics

Dark circles can be hereditary, meaning they can be attributed to particular family genes. Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid your genes, but there are ways to help remedy the problem.

DIY Solutions

If you are concerned about dark circles under your eyes, try the below treatments. Many times, these remedies help reduce or remove that unwanted discoloration without a visit to a doctor.

Cold Compresses

Hold chilled peas or ice cubes wrapped in a towel under your eyes to dilate blood vessels.

Extra Sleep or Pillows

Lack of sleep can give your skin a pale appearance. Make sure you’re getting your eight hours! And don’t forget how you sleep. Lifting your head when you sleep can stop your blood vessels from pooling with too much blood, which causes dilated vessels.

Sunglasses and Sunscreen

Protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV rays, which increase melanin production, can prevent long-term skin darkening under your eyes.

Saline Washes or Sprays

These can help relieve nasal congestion that sometimes causes dark circles.

Cosmetic Creams

Some people see relief after using serums that contain certain root extracts, such as Brazilian Suma.

Medical Solutions

It is best to follow the directions above to see how your skin responds to certain treatments. If those treatments prove futile, your medical professional can recommend a more effective treatment. Options a medical professional can prescribe include prescription creams, laser therapy, chemical peels, injectable fillers and surgery.

Prescription Creams

Retinoic acid, commonly called tretinoin, is a topical treatment that helps lighten dark or discolored skin. Other prescription creams include Tri-Luma, Eladopaque, Alustra and Glyquin XM.

Laser Therapy

Lasers send rays of light under the skin to be absorbed by the blood vessels. The light absorption brightens the skin, as well as reduces fine lines and wrinkles. 

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can remove the top layers of skin that have been permanently altered to a darker color as a result of sun damage. Removing the older skin reveals fresh, lighter skin.

Injectable Fillers

If the space under your eyes appears hollow or sunken, certain derma-fillers can be injected to eliminate the shadows that form dark circles. Fillers also separate your dark blood vessels from the skin by placing a padded layer in between. This can diminish the dark color of the blood vessels.

Surgery

A belpharoplasty procedure can remove bags around eyes that cast dark shadows, creating the appearance of dark circles. Surgery is always the most extreme option to treat a problem, so I recommend a detailed discussion with your medical provider before looking into this option.

Dark circles are not harmful to your health, but they can be unpleasant and difficult to hide or cover up. If you see little to no results with DIY remedies at home, I encourage you to seek the counsel of your medical professional. If you have any other questions about dark circles or other skin care topics, please call 901-759-2322 or visit our website. 

Ultherapy: The Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Solution

Ultrasound is a versatile tool in medicine. It can help diagnose cardiovascular disease, track the progress of child development and aid in the injury healing process for physical therapy. Recently, it has been proven to stimulate collagen production, allowing it to serve as a treatment for fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck. It has been labeled Ultherapy^®, and this FDA-approved skin rejuvenation treatment is showing up in many dermatology offices, including ADSCA, as a treatment for fine lines and wrinkles.

What is it?

Ultherapy does not provide the same drastic results as a surgical procedure, but it also carries a much lower risk to the patient. It is a non-invasive procedure that requires no preparation prior to the treatment and little or no downtime to recover from it afterward.

This link provides a visual representation of the treatment’s effects underneath the skin.

How does it work?

Essentially, the ultrasonic waves delivered by the device stimulate your body to naturally produce collagen, the proteins that form the web of fibrous tissue that give the skin a firm appearance. The collagen production takes place over time, showing increasing improvement throughout the following year. You are likely to see the greatest results after three months.

Who is it for?

People who have seen a mild or moderate decrease in their skin laxity (firmness) are candidates for this procedure. The procedure is recommended for use on the brow, face and neck.

What are the risks?

The most common side effects of the treatment are facial redness and tenderness in the treated areas. There is a small potential for post-procedural side effects. I always recommend consulting your health care provider before participating in any health procedure, even one as simple as Ultherapy.  

For more information on Ultherapy at ADSCA, visit our laser skin rejuvenation page here. Ready to book? Call 901-759-2322 to schedule an appointment today.

The Rash Under The Ring

No, you’re not allergic to marriage. That rash under your wedding band — or any ring — is simply your skin’s reaction to an irritant. It happens when you wear a ring all the time, such as a wedding band.

There are two common reasons for ring rash:

1. Some people develop an allergic reaction to the nickel in the band. Even if your band is made of gold, almost all rings have a small amount of metal alloys, like nickel, to help them maintain their sturdy structure during normal wear.
2. Your skin could be irritated from washing your hands without taking your ring off. Soap particles can get trapped between the band and your skin, causing irritation. This is often called “detergent burn.” Additionally, harsh soaps can strip the natural oils from your skin, leaving it raw and irritated. This can be compounded by dry skin in colder months when there isn’t as much moisture in the air. Those with a history of sensitive skin, eczema, allergies or atopic dermatitis are more prone to this reaction.

Luckily, you can take some measures to help combat this skin irritation:

• If you don’t feel like removing your ring every time you wash your hands, you can invest in a lotion that contains ceramides, which are lubricants that moisturize and protect the skin. If you apply the lotion to your hands after washing, it can help alleviate detergent burn.
• If you are concerned that you are allergic to nickel, painting the inside of your ring with clear nail polish can create a protective barrier between the band and your skin. But don’t worry, the polish won’t damage your precious metal!

If these remedies don’t work at home, we encourage you to seek out a doctor’s opinion. For more information about ADSCA and our services, click here to visit our website.

Thinking After Inking - The Skinny on Tattoo Removal

Tattoos are a very popular form of self-expression. Often, people get tattoos as a reminder of someone special, an achievement in life, their heritage or simply as a form of individual expression. Don’t worry – I’m not here to tell you that tattoos are unsafe. In fact, they are generally very safe if done by a professional. But what if you change your mind after the fact?

Thankfully, tattoos can be removed. However, it‘s not a quick trip to the doctor’s office, and your skin won’t look the same as it did before. It takes time, money, discomfort and a lot of Neosporin. Even then, your tattoo is not guaranteed to fade away. After going through the tattoo removal process, it is important to consider taking further steps to help with the scarring.

What is laser tattoo removal?

The most popular and effective method for removing tattoos is with laser tattoo removal. Most doctors use a quality-switched (or Q-switched) laser that uses light and energy to create high-power pulsing, which goes into the skin and breaks up the ink into smaller particles. The body can then dissipate the particles. The procedure is not guaranteed, but it is the best available option for removing a tattoo.

Are there any other procedures to consider?

Before laser removal was a common practice, doctors performed dermabrasion, salabrasion, surgery and cryosurgery to get rid of unwanted body art. None of these procedures are recommended today, and all of them are unpleasant, potentially skin-damaging processes. If you’re trying to remove a tattoo, I’d avoid any of these older methods.

Additionally, there are lots of over-the-counter fading creams available online that are inexpensive when compared to laser treatments. The sales pitch is quite tempting, but the FDA does not recommend this at-home DIY treatment, as the creams are likely to cause skin reactions from chemical irritants in the products that are used to erode the skin.

Are some tattoos are easier to remove than others?

Yes. It is easier to remove tattoos from parts of the body that have more circulation. For example, tattoos in distal extremity regions (where there is little body fat) such as hands and ankles, are more difficult to remove. Tattoos in the proximal extremity regions, such as upper arms and torso, are easier to remove.

A larger contrast between skin and ink helps speed up the removal process. Darker colored tattoos like black and grey are the easiest to treat, while colors like red, green and purple can be a bit more challenging. For example, black tattoos on fair skin are the easiest to treat. Just like how sunlight is attracted to darker pigments, lasers can pick up darker ink colors more easily. 

How long will it take?

Generally, tattoo removal can require anywhere from four to 12 sessions. The number of sessions required depends on how old the tattoo is and the size, placement, depth and color of the tattoo.

Patients will need to wait about a month between each session to give the body a chance to absorb the ink. Expect the entire process to take from about six months to a year and a half, not including the healing of the scar.

Are there complications?

It’s possible. Tattoos are meant to be permanent. Although it’s less abrasive than older procedures, even the state-of the-art laser technology we have today can be painful and may not result in complete removal. As with all laser treatments, laser tattoo removal may cause allergic reactions for some people. Additionally, tattoo composition fluctuates and the pigment may not respond as expected to the treatment.

How much will tattoo removal cost?

Treatment sessions do add up, and can be costly. Each session can cost $350 or more.

Is it possible to prevent or treat scars?

Pre-and post-laser care is critical for all laser treatments, including tattoo removal. Immediately following treatment, the skin may resemble a healing burn for a couple of days. The newly bare skin should be treated like a burn, too, frequently applying Neosporin and keeping the skin bandaged.

As with many of my blog posts, I mention that the sun is a major contributor to skin problems. A good SPF is even more important for vulnerable skin and should be applied daily around the treated area to avoid discoloration and infection.

Please refer to my recent blog post here for more information on the best ways to help with scarring. 

Have any questions about getting or removing a tattoo? Leave them in the comments and I’ll address them there! 

Long Lashes for a Long Time - The Beauty of Eyelash Extensions

Eyelash extensions are a quick, effective way to get the length all those mascara brands promise. Celebrities like Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and Michelle Obama have donned them recently. Although they look expensive, eyelash extensions aren’t a rare and pricey cosmetic benefit. They are becoming a common service offered by medical aestheticians and doctors as a low-risk and cost-effective way to achieve lengthy lashes.

What are they?

Similar to regular hair extensions, eyelash extensions are synthetic hairs that are glued to your existing eyelashes. 

How are they applied?

The synthetic hairs are applied individually to your existing eyelashes using a special adhesive paste. The process can take from an hour to two hours depending upon how many extensions you are having added to your lashes. They usually are packaged as a half set or full set. We recommend starting with a half set and moving up to a full set if you decide you would like more. 

What’s the upkeep?

Lash extensions last through the growth cycle of your natural lashes. Typically, that time period is six to eight weeks. It varies for each person.

When you start to see length that you are unhappy with, set up a fill-in appointment. After the first several times, you can be proactive with fill-in sessions by setting up a standing appointment.

What are the risks?

Your eyes are closed during the procedure, so you should not fear getting anything in your eyes. However, there is potential for the glue to irritate your skin. Ask to see the ingredients of the glue if you are worried or if you know of a specific allergen that could affect you.

Tips for healthy, natural eyelashes

Because eyelash extensions are applied to your natural lashes, the results will partly be based upon the look of your natural lashes. Keep your expectations reasonable based upon the thickness, length and quantity of your natural lashes. Below are some tips for increasing the health of your natural lashes.

Avoid pulling your lashes or rubbing your eyes.

This might seem obvious, but many people do this, perhaps without realizing it. Your eyelashes are liable to easily break under the force of your fingers. Be mindful of this when using a lash curler as well.

Remove mascara at night.

Mascara can make lashes stiff and easier to break when pressed against a pillow or when rubbed by sleepy hands. Remember to avoid rubbing your eyes!

Condition your lashes.

Applying a lubricating substance around your eyes that is safe, like Vaseline or Aquaphor, helps to condition lashes and keeps them from being dry and brittle. Also, there are conditioning products specific to eyelashes that are available for this reason.

Eyelash extensions are an effective way to get a fuller, more dramatic set of lashes with minimal risk. Also, due to the nature of the procedure, you are able to provide feedback during the application process to help achieve the results you are looking for.

ADSCA offers eyelash extensions as part of our medi spa services. If you are interested in more information about the process or scheduling an appointment, click here or call 901-759-2322. 

Back Off, Blackheads

Photo © 2013 UrbaneWomenMag, Flickr

The word blackhead can conjure up images of awkward pre-teens with oily faces just entering their first year of puberty. Although puberty is a common time for blackheads to appear due to increased skin oil production, they can show up on the face, neck, back or any other area at any age. Read further to learn more about this unwelcome skin issue and what you can do to treat it.

Definition

As mammals, we have hair all over our body. Blackheads are hair follicles clogged with sebum (oil and keratin) and skin cells. They are similar to whiteheads, except their color comes from their exposure to oxygen. Open pores or follicles that contain this buildup can turn dark or appear yellow when the accumulation of oil and skin cell material come in contact with oxygen, just as an apple or banana browns when it has been cut open.

Location

People most commonly find blackheads on their face, especially in the T-zone. The T-zone is the skin area across the forehead and down the nose and chin. This is an area of skin that typically produces more oil than others. Although the T-zone is the most common area for blackheads, they can be found on the back, ears and shoulders as well.

Treatment

Don’t “Pop” A Blackhead!

It might be tempting to squeeze the skin around the blackhead to push the buildup out, but this is not a good idea for several reasons. Your hands have bacteria on them. When you press them against your face, you are increasing your chance of clogging other pores by spreading the bacteria from your hands to your face. Also, squeezing the clogged pore can spread the bacteria from the affected pore to others around it. Similar to the bacteria on your hands, the bacteria from the original clogged pore can cause other clogged pores to develop. Lastly, by squeezing the clogged pore, you actually risk squeezing pus buildup into the blood source for the follicle. This can carry bacteria to other parts of the body.  For all these reasons listed, you should not attempt to squeeze the blackhead out of the pore.

Do

If you don’t already have a daily skin care routine, get one! Once you have that, incorporate a cleanser or exfoliant that contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help loosen the dead skin cells and unclog blackheads. These products are available over the counter at any drug store. Brands like Neutrogena, Cetaphil and Cerave are popular selections for this type of product.

Also, try a facial to treat existing blackheads and to prevent others from forming. A facial is a cosmetic treatment that cleans, exfoliates and takes preventive measures to protect the skin from issues like blackheads. Products used during a facial help clear the skin of dead cells and unclog pores by gentle or deep exfoliation (depending upon products and methods used). Typically wet heat, like a warm, wet towel, is used during the process to help open pores so they can be cleansed. Also, toners used on the skin toward the end of a facial help shrink pores so it is more difficult for bacteria to enter them.

Facials can be performed at home, but we recommend having a medical aesthetician or doctor perform this service. These professionals have been trained and certified to diagnose and treat skin issues with the appropriate products. There is little risk of harming your skin by practicing facials at home, but they are likely to be more effective when someone with knowledge and access to the most advanced skin care products is performing them.

ADSCA’s medi spa offers facial services, all of which can be customized to your needs. We offer a deep pore facial that targets skin problems like blackheads and whiteheads with a multi-layered exfoliation of the skin. For more information about deep-pore facials and other medi spa services visit our website, read our medi spa blog post or contact ADSCA at 901-759-2322.