Acne & Light Therapy

P. acnes bacteria produce high amounts of porphyrins. When porphyrins are exposed to specific wavelengths of blue light, they produce a singlet oxygen molecule which destroys P. acnes bacteria. Red light reduces inflammation by down-regulating interleukin, a pro-inflammatory cytokine.

If you have acne LED (light emitting diode) light therapy can put you on the road to healthier skin.

Hyperpigmentation

By definition, hyperpigmentation is a dark spot or patch caused by too much pigment in the skin.

Although not pretty, hyperpigmentation is a harmless condition caused by overactive skin cells called melanocytes, which stimulate melanin production.  Melanin is what gives the skin color.

The sun, hormones, certain illnesses and medications all can contribute to the overproduction of melanocytes and the resulting hyperpigmentation.

Sun Spots
Sun goddesses and gods, beware. Aside from putting yourself at risk for sunburn and skin cancer, exposure to UV rays plays a significant role in developing hyperpigmentation. When sun hits the skin, it stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin to absorb the ultraviolet rays and protect the skin from overexposure. As the level of melanin increases, skin begins to darken or tan. But when melanocytes overdo it and trigger too much melanin, the result is hyperpigmentation. New spots can pop up and/or existing ones can darken.

Your first defense from sun spots: Limit sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and use a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.

Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
The skin sometimes darkens after an injury, such as a cut, burn, scrape, or pimple. This type of hyperpigmentation can occur with any skin type. Sunscreen can help prevent postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and keep the area from darkening further. If the discoloration really bothers you, ask your skin care professional about a skin lightener, chemical peel or microdermabrasion to fade the darkened spot.

Melasma
This condition primarily impacts women. The actual cause of melasma is unknown, but experts believe the condition is hereditary. Sometimes called the mask of pregnancy, melasma causes brown or grayish-brown patches to appear on the cheeks, nose, and forehead. The culprit is hormones, which fluctuate wildly during pregnancy. Other melasma-triggering factors include birth control pills, hormone therapy, certain medications or cosmetics, and the sun. Melasma usually fades on its own, either after delivery or once you stop taking hormones or birth control pills. But if discolored skin does not lighten, ask your about skin care professional treating the area with chemical peels, microdermabrasion.

Hyperpigmentation due to illness Skin discoloration can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition such as Addison’s disease, a rare endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones. Or it can be a result of interaction between ultraviolet light and certain medications. Some known medications that can cause skin pigmentation include antimalarial medications, antiseizure medications, and minocycline. If you have concerns about any skin changes, consult your internist or dermatologist. Remember, better safe than sorry.

In Acne Treatments - Patience Is The Missing Ingredient

After all the effort in addressing your acne, it may be 6-weeks or more before you see results. And, you may need to try more than one treatment to get the results you're looking for.

Unfortunately, there is no true cure for acne. And, different treatments will work better than others on different people. That's why there are so many products and solutions  on the market — not one is a perfect solution in all cases.

The good news is that, by working with a skin care professional for facials, peels and product as well as a dermatologist, you have a partner who can monitor your skin and help you get — and keep — breakouts under control.

Steps to Solve Adult Acne

Be Gentle In Your Cleansing.
Harsh cleansing will have no effect on the basic causes like overactive oil glands. In fact, it can increase the inflammation. Over-cleansing can also increase inflammation by overdrying the skin.

No Squeezing or Picking
Keep a hands-off approach and resist squeezing any blemishes. Bacteria can be introduced creating more inflammation and possible scarring. Instead schedule regular facials with a skin care professional who does extractions.

Use Targeted Topicals.
A skin care professional or dermatologist can suggest an acne treatment plan that includes a benzoyl peroxide wash for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and two topicals, an antibiotic like clindamycin (from the dermatologist) and a retinoid gel or cream (I suggest retinols because, although derived from the same base they replenish vital moisture-binding components and provide superior antioxidant action). Both retinoids and retinols are designed to unclog pores, releasing trapped oils, and encourage cell turnover.

Products containing salicylic acid are also effective in uncloging pores.

Remember that with all of the methods you are exfoliating exposing more sensitive new skin that must be protected by sun screen.

Consider in-office procedures.
Chemical Peels can help treat acne. Usually a series of monthly treatments is needed, followed by occasional follow-ups.

Another option is an LED blue light treatment — also known as Photo Rejuventation (LED light-emitting diodes) where a special light is shined on skin after a topical medication has been applied.

Adult Acne - Adult Treatments

For the occasional pimple using products, with ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, may be enough.

If the breakout is more serious, a dermatologist can help identify the type of acne you have. A proper diagnosis is important because blackheads and whiteheads are treated more simply and differently than the pustules and cysts which can lead to permanent scarring.

A good skin care professional can also be a resource in helping to keep the skin clear and clean. Additionally, a well trained esthetician can help you understand what various medications and products can do as well as explaining how to use them. There are simple details like:

• rinsing off a benzoyl peroxide face wash fully to avoid it staining clothes and your towels, 
• and using just a pea sized amount of a retinoid (I prefer retinols) to avoid over-dyring the skin.

Adult Acne

You thought that acne breakouts only occurred with teenagers. Here you are, an adult, with acne breakouts.

Adult breakouts are frustrating. The good news is that there are many treatments for adult acne.

Why Adult Acne Happens
Adult acne is more common than you think and can be caused by:

• Hormones, 
• Medications, 
• Stress, 
• or Cosmetics to name a few.

In some people the acne comes and goes, and in others it’s continuous.

Causes
Acne is the result of three things going on within the skin:

• Oil glands producing too much oil, 
• Acne-related bacteria, called Propionibacterium acnes or pAcnes, within hair follicles (where the oils are released), 
• and both of those clumping with dead skin cells to block the follicles. Pustules and cysts indicate inflammation.

Acne is not an infection, but an inflammation. A response to irritation.

All About Sugar

Sugar. The ubiquitous sweet substance has positive associations for most of us. Birthday cake, lemonade in the summer, chocolate on Valentine's Day - these are just a few of the many sugar-related traditions that bring up happy memories. But what's the real story?

When you eat, food molecules are broken down into a simple sugar called glucose, which fuels your cells and gives your body energy. But most of the time when we talk about sugar we are referring to added sugar. This is sugar that is added to foods and drinks as a preservative or to provide flavor. These types of sugars - such as sucrose (white table sugar) and high fructose corn syrup (a processed combination of sugars and corn syrup) - are derived from various plants, especially sugar cane and sugar beet. They increase your blood glucose immediately, give you a quick boost of energy, and then cause you to crash.

Consuming a lot of these sugars also contributes to extra calories in your diet and can set the stage for a variety of health problems. Consider that in 1700, the average person ate about four pounds of sugar per year, while today it is estimated that half of all Americans eat one-half pound of sugar per day.

Too much sugar can lead to: Tooth decay. Sugar allows bacteria to grow in your mouth, which causes cavities. Poor diet. If you are filling up on sugary foods and drinks, you are likely missing out on important nourishment from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Weight gain. One of the biggest precursors to obesity is sugar overload, especially from sodas. Cardiovascular issues.

Sugar increases your blood fat levels, which can lead to heart disease. If you have a sugar craving, have a piece of fruit. The natural sugar in fruit (fructose) is combined with good nutrients and fiber, so it doesn't have these negative effects in the body. Limit daily sugar intake to 40 grams at most. Be careful with sugar substitutes, too. Try natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, and agave.

Moderation is key This article is courtesy of Fullerton Cardiovasculae

Inside-out Wellness

Nutrients make up some of the basic elements of the skin.

Water makes up 50 - 70% of the body's total weight. It is essential for all life. Consuming 8 full (8 oz) glasses of water each day is essential for replacing body water lost and flushing the system of waste.

Alcohol is energy dense having more calories than either carbohydrates or proteins. It is also nutrient poor and dehydrating to the body and the skin.

Carbohydrates are the main fuel for the body, brain and central nervous system providing quick energy. Carbohydrates should make up 50 - 60% of a healthy individual's diet.

• Simple carbohydrates are sugars which exist in fruit (fructose), milk (lactose) and refined sugars.
• Complex carbohydrates are a higher quality option because they are nutrient dense. Complex carbohydrtes include whole grain breads, cereals, and vegetables.

To achieve an adequate intake of high quality carbohydrates, consider adding color to your plate.

On the Centers For Disease Control website you can calculate how many fruits and vegetables you need each day.  

Healthy Skin and Anti-aging

Focusing on anti-aging and helpin the skin maintain a youthful appearance often seems to be all-consuming. However, the truth is that the fundamental role of the skin is not necessarily for beauty purposes, but rather to be the interface between the dry air environment and the water-based human body.

The skin is the primary source of protection and keeping it healthy also makes it beautiful.

Every day our skin is bombarded by all kinds of environmental insults that damage it. We do not even realize these insults are occurring. So strategies to reverse visible skin conditions, aging and diseases need to address the foundational issue of repairing this damage - which is quite complicated.

Environmental insults that cause skin damage:
Chemicals in skin care from products and prescription medications

• propylene glycol
• sodium lauryl sulfate
• retinoic acid
• formaldehyde
• quaternium-15
• lactic acid

Environmental insults

• radiation: UVA, UVB and X-ray
• repeated exposure to very dry and very humid climate conditions
• extreme heat or cold
• electrical current
• heavy metals. Particularly, iron, nickel, chromium and cobalt
• severe emotional and/or physical stress
• lipid loweringand chemotherapeutic medicines and nutrients
• high testosterone or low estrogen
• neonatal skin
• elderly (80+)

Blemishes - Why They Happen

An important part of preventing blemishes is understanding why they happen.

A blemish is an inflammatory lesion of the sebaceous land. These are the glands situated at the root of the hair follicle in the dermis. As the ducts of these glands become plugged with the waxy oil (sebum) comedones (blackheads) and whiteheads (milia) form. They are frequently infected with bacteria, causing welts, deeper lumps and pimples.

There are three main factors that contribute to a formation of a blemish:

1. Sebum. this oily substance lubricates the surface of the skin and helps prevent external dehydration. When an overabundance of sebum is produced it fills the sebaceous duct. this extra sebum serves as nutrients for bacteria, which creates an environment for clogged pores (blackheads).
2. Bacteria. Causes infection and inflammation .
3. Enclosure. Is a thickening of the sebaceous duct wall preventing sebum from being wicked away creating a closed environment.

To prevent breakouts:

• Maintain a daily home skin care regimen.
• Use professional grade skin care products recommended by your esthetician. 
• Get regular facials.

Fats in the Skin

Lipids are fats within the skin. Lipids give cells the ability to carry out numerous functions.

Fats within the skin make up the cell membrane, encasing water within the cell.

The skin is the body's largest organ and and indicator of health. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods and multifunctional skin care treatments adds the finishing touches to a complete health and wellness strategy.s, proper balance of carbohydrate diet contains a pro

• Ceramides are a major structural component of the skin's outer structure providing a barrier system to inhibit water movement outside the extracellular matrix.
• Phospholipids are a class of lipids that make up a major component of cell membranes. Lecithin is a type of phospholipid. Nuts, soy and eggs contain lecithin.

While looking at ways to improve your health and appearance consider what you're eating, what you're applying topically and the internal and external results produced in the body.

Moderation and balance should determine the approach to diet, exercise, work and play.

A healthy diet contains the proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

The skin is the body's largest organ and a big indicator of health. If you're not healthy, your skin won't look healthy.

Incorporating nutrient-dense foods as well as a good skin care regimen provides a complete health and wellness strategy. 

Incorporating

Dietary Fats and the Skin

Fats are the body's most efficient energy reservoir, supplying 9 calories per gram. Dietary fats are called lipids.

The body stores dietary fat as adipose tissue. Stored fat is an energy reserve within the body which:

• cushions vial organs, 
• provides insulation 
• supports nerve conduction and tissue structure.

Fat also plays a critical role in the absorption and transport of fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids.

Fat is an essential macronutrient that should comprise 25 to 30% of a well balanced diet.

Monounsaturated fats have great nutritional value. Foods rich in monounsaturated fats include:

• Avocados
• nuts
• fish
• olive, sesame and canola oils.

Peptides and the Skin

Peptides are short strings of amino acids combined in a specific sequence. they exist naturally within the body. Peptides can be applied topically to nourish and strengthen the skin.

The role that peptides play within the body is becoming imperative.

The best skin care regimen of optimal health and beauty requires a double-pronged approach.

• A diet containing 10 to 15% protein and topically applied peptide-based skin treatments.

The Skin and Protein

Protein contributes to the structure of major organs particularly the largest - the skin.

Collagen is the most abundant form of protein within the skin. In addition to collagen, protein makes up elastin, laminin and fibronectin.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein that enable collagen's full range of functions:

• Collagen gives structural support as the most abundant form of protein in the skin.
• Elastin gives elasticity to the skin.
• Laminin is the second most abundant in the skin. It supports and anchors the epidermis to the dermis.
• Fibronectin facilitates wound healing.

There are approximately 20 amino acids. Amino acids make up proteins, but not all can be manufactured by the body. Essential amino acids are the variations of amino acids that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through a diet containing animal products. Seafood, poultry, dairy products, and red meats are examples of foods that supply essential amino acids. although grains and legumes do not contain all the amino acids, they can be combined to provide complete protein sources.

Moderation is key. Each food group should be proportionately included in a healthful diet.

Benefits and Uses of Protein

Proteins support many of the body's critical functions. Proteins are a key component in muscle tissue, skin, tendons, organs and bones. Proteins affect our thinking and emotions.

Proteins should be consumed with fats and carbohydrates to meet energy requirements to support critical body functions. Diets with too much protein and not enough fats and carbohydrates force the body to burn protein taking it away from the protein available to serve the body.

Pick Your Sunscreen

There are 2 main types of sunscreens:

• physical (mineral or inorganic)
• chemical (organic)

Physical screens such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide work by deflecting UV rays. Chemical screens work by absorbing the UV rays instead of the skin doing so.

In the past, physical screens were heavy and had a tendency to "white" you out. This problem has somewhat been solved with micronized nanoparticles. It is recommended that using a sunscreen that contain 3% avobenzone for UVA protection and avoid products with oxybenzone.

Regular Sunscreen Use & Cancer

U.S. government studies confirm that regular sunscreen use reduces the risk for squamous cell cancer which is treatable and comprises 16% of skin cancers. New federal rules on sunscreen that take effect in December 2012 will allow sunscreen manufacturers to claim that their products lower the risk of skin cancer. However, they will not allow them to claim their products do so alone.

To effectively protect the skin from sun damage and cancers:

•  Diligently use a quality sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection and refresh every 2-hours when exposed to the sun.
• Cover up
• Seek shade

Use Sunscreen With Other Preventions

The U.S foood and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) findings agree that sunscreen usage is only part of a balanced sun protection that includes covering up and seeking shade.

Skin Care Tips

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Don't wear tight clothes. Things tight around the body (including belts) can cause irritation and don’t allow skin to breathe. Keep clothing clean including scarves and hats.

Remove makeup. This is an always. Over the day makeup collects oils and bacteria. The skin repairs itself at night.

Throw away makeup older than 6-months from date of purchase. Sorry, it's a perishable product that does degrade over time.

Keep hair clean. Minimize getting hair products on the skin which can cause irritation and inflammation.

Protect by using a good sunscreen. Zinc oxide, the physical block ingredient in quality sunscreens, is used as part of acne treatments. It' healing & non-inflammatory

Protect from the sun. Over exposure to sun can cause the body to produce extra sebum, which may worsen acne and inflammation.

Read article about lack of sunscreen here.

Skin Care Tips

Wash with mild cleanser & warm water no more than 2x/day. Gently massage skin with circular motions. Don’t scrub. Over-washing can cause irritation, inflammation and dehydration. 

Don't squeeze. Pimples are caused by sebum, dirt and bacteria in a pore festering. Squeezing pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. Treat pimple with topical products from a reputable Esthetician and get regular facials with extractions from an Esthetician.

Don't touch with your hands or objects like telephones (do you know where your cellphone has been?). Touching the face can spread bacteria and other organisms causing inflammation and irritation.

Clean glasses (including sunglasses) often to keep oil and bacteria from clogging and infecting pores. This is especially true for those of you who put your sunglasses in your hair.

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