Skinmatters Blog (All Posts)

Kermit the Frog used to sing, “It’s not easy being green.”
My, how things have changed since then! Today, companies and products are scrambling to reposition themselves as “green.” It’s certainly trendy, but how much of it is just marketing? Stand at any drug store cosmetics wall and you'll see the color green on fresh new packaging, along with words like Natural, Pure, Organic, Mineral. But what do new color schemes and claims really mean? What's different about so-called “green” or “organic” or “natural” cosmetics?

Q: What causes hives?

Hives is a common skin eruption caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to something a person has been exposed to. It may be caused by foods, such as tomatoes, seafood, or artificial sweeteners, or any number of other things. Penicillin is the most common cause of hives. Physicians are not often able to determine the cause of hives unless it is obvious to the patient.

November is healthy skin month. This is a good reminder that, even though we’re exposed to less sun now, it is still a great time to protect the appearance of and marvel at the uniqueness of our body’s largest organ. I’ve always admired the visual beauty of different skin tones. But understanding the science and purpose behind the various shades of our human tapestry expands my appreciation even more. This month, in a blog called Skin Tones, I share some insights on why we all have ”skin of color.”

Eczema and atopic dermatitis are medical terms, sometimes used interchangeably, that describe irritation and inflammation of the skin. Eczema is characterized by symptoms including redness, swelling, itching, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, or oozing of the skin. Atopic dermatitis is a recurring condition in which people have eczematous changes in their skin associated with itching and dry skin. Often, patients with atopic dermatitis have a personal or family history of asthma and/or seasonal allergies.

As the globe shrinks via mobile technologies that allow people from many different cultures to interact instantaneously, the nuances of “ethnic diversity” become ever more apparent. Certainly, as we erase geographic borders, dermatologists are treating a much wider range of skin types. A loose terminology is developing in response to the changing patient mix.

It happens on a regular basis. I walk into the room and I see a miserable-looking patient who went somewhere they shouldn’t have for a laser treatment and paid the price. The person who wanted to look better now has burns, scars, and deep embarrassment. The lesson here is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I can tell what my 3-year-old daughter has been snacking on because it’s visible all over her precious face. Would you be surprised to learn that the telltale signs of what you have been eating – or avoiding – are equally noticeable just by looking at your face? It’s true. Dermatologists explain that our skin is a window into our overall health and can show clues of what’s going on under the surface.

As the sun wanes and beach vacations end, it’s time to evaluate summertime skin damage. Of course you used sunscreen diligently and faithfully wore your wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, but if you enjoyed a lot of time outdoors this summer, you might see evidence of damage anyway.

Many of my patients, particularly women aged 20 to 50, are concerned about the same thing – a “mask” of mottled skin on the tops of the cheeks and temples. This common (and benign) condition is called melasma, a Greek derivation meaning “dark pigmentation of the skin.” Melasma can happen to anybody, but it is more common among darker-skinned people and those who tan easily.

The success of injectable cosmetic Botox® in erasing furrowed brows, crow’s feet, and wrinkled lip lines has prompted growing interest in other subcutaneous therapies to achieve new kinds of cosmetic results.