Skin Disorders – What is Psoriasis?
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Admin On November 22, 2007
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Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects the life cycle of skin cells. It is caused by faulty signals in the immune system and cannot be passed through direct personal contact. It normally takes new cells about a month to shift from the lowest skin layer (where they’re produced) to the outermost layer (where they die and flake off). With psoriasis, the entire life cycle takes only days.
As a result, cells build up rapidly, forming thick silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches that are sometimes painful. It affects about one out of every 50 adults.
Psoriasis is a chronic (lifelong) condition because there is currently no cure. People often experience flare-ups and remissions throughout their life.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
Psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin frequently itches, and it may crack and bleed. In severe cases, the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night, and the
Click here to continue readingFacts About Cellulite
ByAdmin On November 22, 2007
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These days more and more women are looking for ways to reduce or eliminate cellulite. Cellulite is embarrassing and unattractive. While cellulite cannot be avoided for some people, it is possible to control. It takes a lot of discipline though, as requires a willingness to implement dietary and lifestyle changes.
Cellulite is a lumpy substance that looks like cottage cheese on the surface. It is usually found on the thighs, abdomen and buttocks. Cellulite is a collection of fat that pushes against the connective tissue beneath a person’s skin. This in turn causes the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker and look lumpy. Contrary to the belief of others, cellulite is not a medical condition.
You can try to check if you have cellulite by pinching the skin around your upper thigh. If it looks a bit lumpy or has the appearance of ‘orange peel’, you probably have it. And if you
Click here to continue readingNatural Ingredients vs Synthetic Ingredients
ByAdmin On November 22, 2007
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Selecting your skin care products is as important as having the knowledge about your individual skin type. With all the different choices and products available, it is so easy to get confused! Discussions continue to go on about whether it is better to use products with natural or synthetic ingredients. With each side producing their own findings that seem to support their claim, the poor consumer is stuck in the middle, trying to figure out who is right.
When it comes to skin care products, is natural better?
This is a difficult question that is subject to much debate. Millions of dollars are being spent in research by product manufacturers and there seems to be no end in sight.
To be able to get your hard-earned dollars, marketing departments are thinking out of the box and relentlessly trying to figure out strategies that will help convince the consumer that their product is the best
Click here to continue readingTreatment of Eczema
ByAdmin On November 13, 2007
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Infection is the most serious risk associated with eczema. Because eczema is so itchy, it is common for those affected to scratch the area until the top layer of skin has been broken. Our skin protects us externally through the dermis and if this is damaged, bacteria can easily make its way and cause an infection.
It is recommended to keep fingernails short to minimize the damage of continuous scratching. When children have eczema, it is also recommended to use mittens to decrease the damage caused by scratching.
Types of Treatment for Eczema:
Treatment will depend on the type of eczema that was diagnosed. Here are the common treatments.
- Medication – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly known as NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, naproxen and others are often prescribed to reduce the inflammation. Corticosteroids, which are drugs that imitate the hormones produced by adrenal glands, are also given for inflammation. Benzocaine is also given for inflammation, but it is
Types of Eczema
ByAdmin On November 13, 2007
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Here are the most common types of eczema.
Atopic eczema – This is the most common form of eczema and is closely linked with asthma and hay fever. It can affect both children and adults, usually running in families. One of the most common symptoms of atopic eczema is its itchiness (or pruritis), which can be almost intolerable. Other symptoms include overall dryness of the skin, redness and inflammation. Constant scratching can also cause the skin to split, leaving it prone to infection. Atopic eczema commonly appears during infancy. It then acts up and subsides regularly throughout life.
Adult Seborrheic Eczema – Seborrheic eczema is frequently misdiagnosed as dry skin. In fact, seborrheic eczema is not at all linked with dry skin. Research signifies that it is related to genetics; however the exact relation has not yet been established. Seborrheic eczema characteristically affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40. It is usually
Click here to continue readingSkin Disorders – What is Eczema?
ByAdmin On November 13, 2007
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Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups. It affects the epidermis and it can affect any individual, regardless of genetics, racial background or age. It is commonly described as persistent, painful and itchy. The severity of the disease can vary.
In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. This can cause eczema to look unpleasant, but it is not contagious.
What Causes Eczema?
There are several and various causes of eczema. It is also dependent on the particular type of eczema that a person has. For instance, atopic eczema is said to be hereditary, being linked genetically. It has been observed that people with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the environment which are harmless to others. Associated atopic conditions include asthma and hay
Click here to continue readingHow To Get Optimum Sun Protection
ByAdmin On November 8, 2007
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When it comes to sun protection, it is important to follow each product’s instructions. Remember that not all products are created equally. Make sure that you choose a product with the maximum SPF (sun protection factor) for your skin type. Keep in mind though, that even the best product will not work if you don’t use it every time you go outdoors.
Keep in mind that there are still harmful UV rays even when the sun is not shining. This is a common misconception and as a result, people get damaged skin. The sun’s rays can reflect off various surfaces including snow, grass and cement. To be able to provide your skin with optimal protection, make it a habit to apply sun screen whenever you go outdoors.
Sun Protection – Lips, Hair and Eyes
Sun protection does not refer to our skin alone. It is common for consumers to read the labels of
Click here to continue readingThe Basics of Sun Protection
ByAdmin On November 8, 2007
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Sun protection is important for everyone. It’s no longer applicable only for the women on the beach. Sun protection is necessary for children, teens and adults, whether male or female. Remember that the sun’s damaging rays also affects your risk for developing skin cancer.
Recently, people have realized that sunshine has its own pros and cons. Yes, sunshine is a great mood enhancer and it also helps our body produce vitamin D. But too much exposure can also lead to sunburn. If you continue prolonged exposure to the sun, you will most likely get wrinkling and you might develop skin cancer.
When Do You Need Sun Protection?
Doctors, especially dermatologists, will tell you that you need sun protection all the time. They are right. But, let’s be realistic, we normally don’t use sun protection all the time. When are the most critical times when we should be using sun protection? Just remember that
Click here to continue readingSkin Types – Things To Know About Dry Skin
ByAdmin On November 8, 2007
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People with dry skin usually do not need to worry about blemishes, except of course for some that occur because of hormonal changes and stress. Although blemishes are not a problem, dry skin typically looks dull and scaly. One of the major disadvantages of dry skin is that fine lines and wrinkles are sometimes accentuated!
What are the major factors affecting dry skin?
Age and environment. We all know that we can’t control time, and unfortunately, as we age, sebaceous glands inside the dermis layer slow down their production of sebum. What is sebum? It’s our body’s natural moisturizer. As we grow older, our skin’s ability to retain moisture also diminishes. This is due to the breakdown of the intracellular matrix, the collagen and elastin layers. These help hold skin tissue together and when this breaks apart, it is harder for our skin to hold moisture. Because moisture escapes, our skin becomes
Click here to continue readingSkin Types – Dealing With Oily Skin
ByAdmin On November 8, 2007
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Having oily skin is definitely a challenge. As we naturally develop oil, it helps keep our skin moist and soft. Oil is produced by the sebaceous glands which can be found in the dermis (middle layer). Unfortunately for some people, oil production in their sebaceous glands is excessive, leading to oily skin.
Do I Have Oily Skin?
Do I have oily skin? This is a common question especially for teens going through puberty when hormones are raging and they experience acne. So it is normal for teen-agers to have oily skin and have breakouts. But if you are already past the teen years, there are other ways to find out if you have oily skin. It isn’t that hard to detect whether you have oily skin.
Start by looking in the mirror. Do you see a shine or gloss on your skin? Pay special attention to the ‘T-Zone.’ Where is the T-Zone? It’s
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