Category: Skin Care

Many people find a great skincare product, incorporate it into their skincare routine, and never want to try other products or treatments. But even as you cling to your favorite skincare product for dear life, you could be damaging your skin instead of repairing it. Your skincare routine should not look the same in the summer as it does in the winter. Your skin has different needs during this time. Here are some of the best ways to care for your skin as temps get colder.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

We can’t stress this enough. The winter months are very drying to your skin. As temperatures drop, the humidity in the air also usually decreases significantly, taking away some of your skin’s natural moisture. You also spend more time indoors, and indoor air run through a furnace or other heating system is also very dry air. The end result is that your skin becomes dry and prone to injury or rapid aging. For best results, moisturize right out of the shower or just after washing your face.

Continue reading “How to Best Care for Your Skin This Winter” →

Having a chronic itch can be really infuriating. As the itch gets worse, it becomes distracting, keeping you from your work or making it difficult to follow a conversation. If the itching is severe enough, you might have to clip your nails to stubs to prevent scratching open your skin. Chronic itch is a very real problem, not just a minor annoyance, and it should be addressed by your dermatologist.

There are four primary causes of chronic itch: stress, allergies, side effects, and skin conditions.

Stress related itch

The biggest problem with diagnosing stress related itch is that it can’t really be measured or detected. If the patient is under significant emotional, mental, or physical stress on a daily basis, this diagnosis might be determined after all others have been ruled out. The best treatment is reducing your stress level anyway that you can.

Continue reading “Chronic Itch: Stress, Allergies, or Side Effect? Getting an Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment” →

Do you have sensitive skin? What does it really mean? The term “sensitive skin” is thrown around a lot, especially on hygiene products and cosmetics. Most people will tell you that having sensitive skin means that you are more likely to have inflammatory skin when exposed to various compounds that are normally harmless. 

If you have allergies, that definition is going to sound very familiar. Here is what you need to know about your “sensitive skin” diagnosis.

Sensitive skin is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

If you have sensitive skin, it is usually a symptom of at least mild allergies. It can also be a symptom of certain inflammatory diseases such as fibromyalgia. If you have had sensitive skin your entire life, it probably has more to do with allergens than a new condition, but you should allow your doctor to explore all of the options.

Continue reading “Sensitive Skin: What Does This Really Mean?” →

It can be frustrating to constantly feel like your skin is crawling, itching, or burning. It can also be confusing, especially if you don’t develop much of a rash or any redness at all. That pain can feel like it is coming out of nowhere, and it could be a result of any number of chemicals in your everyday life. 

Some people just have sensitive skin, although this isn’t really a diagnosis. Having sensitive skin just means that you are more prone to developing a reaction to everyday chemicals and compounds that you come into contact with, but it could also mean that you have undiagnosed skin allergies that are recurring simply because they are unidentified.

Continue reading “Sensitive Skin or Skin Allergies? How Allergy Testing Gives You Answers” →

You know you need to take care of your skin. Not only will it improve your overall health, a good skincare routine can help prevent or slow the signs of aging. Although most people know that good skincare requires sunscreen and daily cleansing, some patients may not be aware of the right way to take care of their skin. Here are some answers to common questions.

What should your skincare regimen include?

At the least, your skincare regimen should include a cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen. What type of cleanser you should use depends on your skin type and problem areas. A light moisturizer is usually sufficient for most women. Sunscreen should be at least SPF 50 to reduce the risk of skin cancer and sun damage.

Continue reading “Your Skincare Routine: Getting Answers to Do It Right” →

Summer is here. And even though people are social distancing, it’s a beautiful time to be outdoors. Whether you’re hanging out in your own yard, swimming in your backyard pool, or hitting the beach, you are going to be in the sun’s harsh rays for hours.

Most people are well aware of the need for high SPF sunscreen. But how often do you think about protecting your scalp from the sun? Your scalp is just like the rest of the skin on your body. It can become damaged by the sun even if it does not actually burn and become irritated, and your scalp is more sensitive than the rest of your skin because it almost never sees the light of day.

Continue reading “Tips for Protecting Your Scalp” →

You don’t have to contact your doctor every time you notice a mild rash. A rash can occur anytime that the skin is irritated, not just during an allergic reaction or as a result of a skin condition. It is important to know when to see a doctor and when you can stay at home.

Some rashes are a result of coming into contact with a skin irritant, such as harsh cleaners or bleach. These rashes usually go away on their own within a day or two. They are also usually more patchy and not as thick or scaly as other rashes.

On the other hand, if your rash doesn’t start improving in a short amount of time, you should contact us for an appointment. You could be having an allergic reaction to a new household product, or you may have come into contact with another allergen while outside your home. Without allergy testing and treatment, the rash will not improve.

Continue reading “When to Contact Us About a Rash” →

Many things change in your body when you are pregnant, and your skin is no different. You will notice your skin going through a number of changes throughout the course of your pregnancy. Here are the changes you can expect and how to treat them.

Stretch Marks

Every pregnant woman’s fear about their body is that they will gain weight and get stretch marks. Both of these things are almost inevitable. Almost 90 percent of pregnant women develop at least a few stretch marks. You can try to avoid stretch marks by applying a lotion that contains vitamin E and alpha-hydroxy acids to your abdomen and breasts daily.

Continue reading “What You Need to Know About Your Skin During Pregnancy” →

Just about everyone has dry skin in the winter and spring. The winter is very dry, and the heat in your home or place of employment can dry the air out even further. Once winter is over, it is easier to get your skin’s moisturization under control. Here are a few springtime tips for alleviating the dry skin you got in winter.

Showering Habits

Taking long hot showers may be soothing, but they are also very bad for your skin. Try taking shorter warm showers instead so that your skin doesn’t dry out as much. You should also be using a mild unscented soap or a soap-free cleanser that will be more likely to leave moisture in the skin. Only use soap when needed, as soap is not necessary on the whole body every day. Another tip is to not dry off completely after showering so that the moisture can be absorbed by the skin.

Continue reading “What You Can Do to Alleviate Dry Skin” →