Tips for protecting children during school hours.

            Most parents do not realize that during a typical day children are receiving a significant amount of sun exposure throughout the day. The Skin Cancer Foundation offers the following recommendations for keeping children sun-safe during the school year. 

 UV rays are most intense from 10 AM to 4 PM, and this is when students are usually outside for recess, physical education class and after-school programs. Check with the school to see if there are adequate places for students to seek shade during outdoor activities.

Whenever possible send kids to school in densely woven and bright- or dark-colored fabrics, which offer the best defense. The more skin you cover, the better.

Parents should apply a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher to their children’s skin every morning, at least 30 minutes before they go outside.

For more information and the complete article visit SkinCancer Foundation

Tattoos: How to care for tattooed skin

Eye Shadows/ Dark Circles

99% are due to the skin below the eye not having enough support, therein producing a valley or depression.This yields a shadow. NO CREAM HELPS THIS- unless it has a makeup concealer in it to hide the defect.It has NOTHING to do with color or vessels. Over 50 % of people have this condition. Test this tonight by moving the nearby skin to " fill in" the valley and see the improvement immediately! . Surgery is not an answer: Restylane filler is. It is essentially painless due to a prior application of a strong topical anesthetic cream; bruising is generally absent or minimal. It is also the most cost effective procedure in cosmetic medicine, since in this area of the face it typically lasts 18-36 months ( unlike moveable areas around the mouth ). Look for our You-Tube video in Oct, 2014 under " Dark Eye Shadows "

Understanding Teen Acne

Are over-the-counter acne products not cutting it? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, virtually anyone’s acne, no matter how severe, can be treated.

Exactly what causes acne? Acne develops when cells and natural oils block tiny hair follicles in the skin. Bacteria work their way into the plugged up follicles and start multiplying. When the body’s immune cells move in to attack the bacteria, the results of the battle are the classic symptoms of acne -- swelling, redness, and pimples. Acne medications help by interrupting this process in different ways. Some over-the-counter and prescription acne creams help by unplugging the follicles. Others, such as antibiotics, kill the bacteria that move into the follicles.

For mild to severe acne, a doctor might recommend prescription treatments that are "topical," which means they go on your skin. Topical treatments for teenage acne come in different forms, including creams, lotions, gels and pads. Some teen girls have acne that’s linked to hormones called androgens. To treat this sort of acne, a doctor might recommend birth control pills or spironolactone.

For best results take the acne treatment as prescribed. It's important to stick to the doctor’s acne treatment. Stop using other acne treatments. If a doctor has prescribed an acne treatment, don't also use other treatments or home remedies. They’re unlikely to help and they could even make the acne worse.

Stick with it. Acne treatment won’t work immediately. It can take six to eight weeks before you see some benefit. It may take as long as six months to clear the skin altogether.
Do your part. Follow the doctor’s skin care advice, particularly when it comes to cleansing and using moisturizer.
Work with a doctor. If treatment isn’t working, don't give up. It may take some time to hit on the right approach. Schedule an appointment with a doctor to discuss other options. Remember: With the right treatment, almost every case of acne can be cured.

http://www.momlogic.com/2008/09/acne_kills_teen_selfesteem.php

Childhood Skin Problems

Wondering about that rash, welt, or bump on your child's skin? Sickness, allergies, and heat or cold are often behind kids' skin changes. Most aren't a big deal and are easy to treat only requiring mild medication and time. It is fairly easy to spot some of these skin problems.

warts

Warts: A virus causes painless skin growths. Warts can spread easily from person to person. They also spread by touching an object used by a person with the virus. They're most often found on fingers and hands.  If covered with a band aid some warts will go away.

heat rash

Heat Rash: Heat rash looks like small red or pink pimples. You usually see it on the head, neck, and shoulders of babies. It can happen to any child in very hot weather. Dress your child with only one more layer than you are wearing because dressing a child to warmly may lead to heat rash as well. 

 

Eczema

Eczema: Eczema is a chronic itchy skin condition. Atopic usually starts within the first five years of life, most often in the first six months. Watch for a raised rash with dry skin and intense itching. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Some children outgrow it or have milder cases as they get older.

If you have further question or believe your child may have one of these or any other issues contact your dermatologist.

Original article found on WebMD

20 year-olds not shying away from cosmetic procedure

In 2013 ASDS Survey of Dermatological Procedure showed an increase in twenty-something year-old use of wrinkle-relaxing procedure and soft-tissue filler.

 

With cosmetic treatment being such a predominant method of aging in the media this generation has come to think of it as the societal norm. They understand that lifestyle routines play a part in how we age and these cosmetic treatments are not a solution to aging but a preventative measure. For them there is nothing wrong with getting older but if there are ways to avoid it a little longer there is no harm in using them.

Among the most common procedures for twenty-something’s is Botox for smooth skin and relax wrinkles. Juverderm is also used to soften facial creases and fuller lips.

Dermatologists do warn that these procedures are not meant for individuals to drastically change their look. There needs to be balance between chasing age and enhancing the features we have. 

- People in their 20s are looking ahead.

How To Treat Sunburn