Keratosis Pilaris AKA Chicken Skin

Skin Care Tip of the Day: Keratosis Pilaris aka "Chicken Skin"

50% of women suffer from KP and it can be embarrassing and frustrating for anyone who has it. Simple exfoliation isn't enough to calm the bumps and often make them worse. Today we will examine some treatments and products that will help you control and conquer your KP.

Keratosis Pilaris appears on the back and outer sides of the arm , and can also occur on the thighs, hands, tops of legs, sides, and buttocks. When the body produces too much keratin (a type of hard protein), it gets entrapped in the hair follicle and causes the pore to become clogged, resulting in unsightly bumps. Keeping your skin hydrated and exfoliated is key.

In Office Treatment

1. Chemical Peels will greatly reduce the appearance and bumpy texture of KP. A series of 4-6 chemical peels one week apart is recommended. Chemical peels for KP range from $60-$80 and are preformed by our medical aesthetician.

Home Care:

1. Glycolic exfoliates and lotions.

2. Applying lotion immediately after a shower, and no more then 3 minutes after a shower.

3. Using a chemical exfoliate body wash.

I recommend using VI DERM

™ EXFOLIATING BODY LOTION WITH 15% GLYCOLIC ACID & RETINOL $40 in office &
VI DERM™ BODY WASH WITH 15% GLYCOLIC ACID & AZELAIC ACID $30 in office.

For questions or to get more information contact Allie at 951-672-4200.

Embarrassing Peach Fuzz

Skin Care Tip of the Day: Embarrassing Peach Fuzz

Many of you have been asking what you can do about blonde fuzzy hair on your face, so I wanted to share some popular treatments and discuss the risks vs benefits of each treatment.

So what exactly is vellus hair and why do we have it?
Vellus hair is short, fine hair that develops on most of a person's body from his/her childhood. It is most noticeable on women and children, because they do not have terminal hair (dark thick hair ) to cover the vellus hair. Vellus in Latin means "fleece" or "wool". The reason we have vellus hair is pretty simple. Vellus hair provides both thermal insulation and cooling for the body. This insulation regulates body temperature.

Now that you know a little bit about vellus hair, you are probably wondering what you can do to remove it from your face. Here are some of the most popular options available to treat the appearance of vellus hair.

1. Dermaplaning by a licensed aesthetician. Dermaplaning involves the removal of the top layer of the epidermis and vellus hair with a surgical blade. It does not hurt and it is a great form of exfoliation. The only risks involved are the chance of nicks and skin sensitivity. The hair grows back in 3-4 weeks and the price varies from $60-$120 depending on the area. We offer dermaplaning for $75.

2. Depilatory Creams can be used to remove vellus hair by dissolving keratin (the hard protein) in the hair, making it easy to wipe off with a wash cloth. Depilatory creams are an inexpensive way to remove vellus hair, but they should be used with caution. Due to the harsh chemicals contained in the hair removal creams, there is a significant risk of skin sensitivity, redness, and chemical burns. You should not use depilatories if you are going to be exposed to the sun for any length of time. Sun protection must be worn, and failure to due so could result in permanent scarring and hyperpigmentation (brown spots).

3. Waxing is another way to remove vellus hair and the results will last much longer because you are removing the hair from the root. If you have oily or acneic skin, you should avoid waxing your face because the trauma to the sebaceous glands will result in breakouts. Facial waxing ranges in price from $30-$80.

4. Threading is similar to waxing in that it removes hair from the root, and if you have acne it can cause breakouts when preformed over the entire face. Threading is a process in which a thread is used to remove hair by wrapping around a few small strands of hair and pulling the hair from the root. Facial threading can be quite uncomfortable depending on your pain tolerance, but is relatively inexpensive and is usually around $30-$50.

Before you have any vellus hair removal, it is recommended that you patch test any hair removal creams before using them, and that you speak with a licensed aesthetician about the best hair removal treatment for your skin type. Call 951-672-4200 to speak with our aesthetican for more information.

Painful Acne Breakouts

Skin Care Tip of the Day: Painful Acne Breakouts

We all get them from time to time, those painful breakouts that are too deep to get to and too painful to touch. But few people know how to best treat them. Here are a few OTC tips to help tame those breakouts that seem to take on a life of their own.

1. Benzoyl Peroxide- Available OTC at any pharmacy in 5% or 10%, benzoyl peroxide works by producing benzoic acid and oxygen which helps to kill P.acne bacteria and promote cell turn over. Apply up to 3 times a day as needed to spots. Do not use on entire face and avoid sun exposure.
For long term acne treatment, stop by for SkinMedica Acne Treatment Lotion, which can be applied to entire face.

2. Sulfur- Available in 10% at our office for $20, sulfur works by drying out painful breakouts and reducing inflammation. In ancient times sulfur was used to treat many common skin challenges such as rosacea, dermatitis, and warts. Reactions to sulfur are rare but skin sensitivity is normal when treatment first begins.

3. Salicylic Acid- Derived from willow tree bark, salicylic acid is one of the most common treatments for acne because it causes the cells of the epidermis to shed more readily. This process allows clogged pores to open and bacteria to neutralize. It is available in many skin care products OTC, however to ensure that you have the right percent of "active" ingredients, its best to consult your aesthetician, to make sure the products you are using are actually going to work for you.

If you are short on time and need those breakouts zapped, stop by to have them spot treated for only $20 and they should be gone or dramatically decreased within 24 hours!

4. Glycolic Acid- Glycolic acid works by dissolving the inter-cellular glue that holds your dead skin cells together, causing exfoliation and increasing cell turn over. Glycolic acid is great for exfoliating stubborn pores that are clogged with dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells. It is available in many skin care products and the main ingredient in Vivite products available in office.

Stay tuned for daily skin care tips and special deals for fans of our page. Feel free to share with family and friends!

Melanoma Awareness

May is Melanoma Awareness Month

Know the ABCDE's of Melanoma 

A- Asymmetry

If you draw a line through the mole on the right, the two sides do not match.

B- Border

The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.

C- Color

Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. A melanoma may also become red, blue or some other color.

D- Diameter 

Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of the eraser on your pencil (1/4 inch or 6 mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.

E- Evolving

Any change — in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting — points to danger.

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