Yes, you can wear makeup, but you鈥檒l want to choose it carefully. Some cosmetics can cause acne. When this happens, you develop a type of acne called acne cosmetica. Even women who would not otherwise have acne can develop acne cosmetica from wearing makeup.

How to figure out if makeup could be causing your acne

If you have acne cosmetica, you鈥檒l likely have many tiny bumps on your face. These bumps usually appear on the cheeks, chin, or forehead. Many women develop whiteheads that rise above their skin slightly. You may also notice some pimples.

If you have tiny breakouts around your lips, your lipstick or lip balm could be the culprit.

Acne cosmetica can take time to appear. It can take anywhere from a few days to 6 months for blemishes to appear.

This delay can make it difficult to see a connection between acne and the makeup causing it. As you see new blemishes, you may treat the acne and then cover it with acne-causing makeup. Continuing to use the makeup leads to a never-ending cycle of breakouts.

This never-ending cycle can feel frustrating. Many women start to believe that nothing will clear their acne.

How to clear acne cosmetica

Even when makeup causes your acne, you can still wear makeup and see clearer skin. You鈥檒l have to use different makeup though.

Here鈥檚 what dermatologists recommend to see clearer skin:

1. Choose your makeup carefully. You鈥檒l want to immediately stop using all of the makeup that鈥檚 causing your breakouts. Of course, it can be hard to tell what鈥檚 causing your acne.

The best strategy is look at all of your makeup, hair care products, and skin care products. Yes, some hair and skin care products can also cause acne cosmetica.

You only want to use makeup and hair and skin care products that include one of the following terms on its packaging:

• Oil-free
• Won鈥檛 clog pores
• Non-comedogenic

1. Wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser 鈥� and after you finish any activity that makes you sweat. Dermatologists recommend that you wash your face when you wake up and before you go to bed.
   
   
   
   Before using your cleanser, look for the words 鈥渙il-free鈥�, 鈥渨on鈥檛 clog pores,鈥� or 鈥渘on-comedogenic鈥� on the packaging. If you don鈥檛 see any of these terms, look for a cleanser that contains one of these descriptions.

1. Use your fingertips to gently wash and rinse your face. You want to gently apply your cleanser with your fingertips and gently rinse it off with lukewarm water. Don鈥檛 scrub 鈥� even to remove makeup.
   
   
   
   If you find that you still have makeup on your skin after washing your face, gently remove it with an oil-free makeup remover.
   
   
   
   After using a makeup remover, rinse it off.

1. Apply makeup gently. Your touch should be feather light. You want to avoid irritating your skin. Makeup brushes can help you apply everything gently.

1. Clean your makeup brushes every week and make sure you鈥檙e the only one who uses them. While acne isn鈥檛 contagious, acne-causing bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil from other people鈥檚 skin can stick to your makeup, makeup brushes, and applicators. When you use shared makeup and tools, those acne-causing culprits can spread to your skin, leading to new breakouts.
   
   
   
   When you share makeup, brushes, or applicators, you can also get contagious diseases, such as pink eye or cold sores.

1. Treat your acne. Acne cosmetica will often clear when you stop using the makeup and hair and skin care products that clog your pores.
   
   
   
   If anything else is causing your acne, however, you鈥檒l still see acne. That鈥檚 why dermatologists recommend that you treat your acne with products that contain one or more of the following ingredients:

• Benzoyl peroxide (fights acne-causing bacteria)
• Salicylic acid (helps unclog pores)
• Adapalene (helps unclog pores)

You can buy these acne treatments without a prescription.



It can take 4 to 8 weeks to see some improvement.

When to seek a dermatologist鈥檚 help

Acne cosmetica tends to clear once you stop using what鈥檚 causing it. Finding the cause, however, can be difficult. So many products can lead to acne cosmetica, including foundation, blush, and concealer. Some hair and skin care products can also cause it.

To complicate matters, more than acne cosmetica could be causing your acne.

A dermatologist can help you sort it out, so you can see clearer skin.

Images: Getty Images

References

Baumann L. 鈥淐osmetics and skin care in dermatology.鈥� In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatrick鈥檚 Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:2360.

Fulton JE, Acne Rx: What acne really is and how to eliminate its devastating effects! Self-published; 2001.

Harper JC. 鈥淎cne: The basics.鈥� Paper written by dermatologist Julie C. Harper, MD to help her patients get the best results from their acne treatment. May 2003.

Singh S, Mann BK, et al. 鈥淎cne cosmetica revisited: a case-control study shows a dose-dependent inverse association between overall cosmetic use and post-adolescent acne.鈥� Dermatology. 2013;226(4):337-41.

The post I have acne! Is it okay to wear makeup? appeared first on 六九色堂.

Do you continue to see acne along your lower face, jawline, and neck despite trying all sorts of acne treatments? Have you taken an antibiotic to treat your acne and been disappointed with the results? Are you struggling to clear acne on your chest or back as well?

Women who answer yes to any of these questions may want to consider hormonal therapy for acne.

What exactly is hormonal therapy for acne?

Any medication that acts on our hormones is called hormonal therapy. Two hormonal therapies that can effectively clear acne in women are:

• Oral contraceptive pills (better known as birth control pills or 鈥渢he pill鈥�)
• Spironolactone (spy-ren-no-lac-tone)

How well does hormonal therapy work, and is it safe?

The pill: Many studies have looked at how well oral contraceptive pills fight acne. The pill has been found effective at treating blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and acne nodules and cysts.

In fact, the pill has proven so effective that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some oral contraceptives for treating acne.

The pill is generally considered safe for women. Some women, however, should not take it. Your dermatologist can tell you whether the pill may be a safe and effective treatment option for you.

Spironolactone: Doctors prescribe this medication to treat high blood pressure. It鈥檚 also prescribed for people who are retaining too much fluid.

Dermatologists have been prescribing it for many years to treat acne and excess hair growth in women. When other acne treatments don鈥檛 work, it can effectively treat deep-seated, tender acne on the lower face, jawline, or neck.

Spironolactone is not prescribed to treat acne in men due to side effects. Men have developed breasts while taking this medication to treat acne.

Spironolactone is generally considered safe for healthy women.

Taking both spironolactone and the pill can increase effectiveness. This combination has another advantage. It鈥檚 essential to use birth control while taking spironolactone. If you get pregnant while taking spironolactone, your baby can have serious birth defects.

Spironolactone may also be prescribed without the pill. If you鈥檙e 35 years of age or older, the pill may not be an option for you and only spironolactone may be prescribed. Taking spironolactone without the pill is also recommended when you have a medical condition that makes it unsafe to take the pill, such as having had a blood clot or stroke.

A word of caution: If you can get pregnant, you鈥檒l need to use birth control while taking spironolactone.

When taken alone, spironolactone can be quite effective. In looking at the medical records of 85 women who took spironolactone, researchers found that 1/3 of the women had complete clearing and 1/3 had noticeably less acne. Only 7% saw no improvement.

Studies have also shown spironolactone to be effective. Improvement ranges from a 50% to 100% reduction in acne.

Before taking spironolactone, it鈥檚 important to know that this medication is a diuretic, so you鈥檒l find yourself urinating more often. If this could be a problem, let your dermatologist know.

Taking spironolactone? Too much potassium can be dangerous. Skip the coconut water and supplements that contain potassium.

What鈥檚 involved in taking hormonal therapy for acne?

These medications must be prescribed by a doctor. Each is a pill that you would take daily.

If you鈥檙e wondering whether hormonal therapy could help clear your acne, you may want to make an appointment to see a dermatologist. After examining your acne and gathering the necessary information about your health, this doctor can tell you if hormonal therapy may be an option.

Before you see a dermatologist, it helps to prepare for your appointment. You鈥檒l want to be able to tell your dermatologist the following:

• Medical conditions you have (or had), including high blood pressure, heart disease, blood clots, migraines, or cancer
• Medications you take
• Supplements and other natural products you take
• Surgeries you鈥檝e had
• Medical conditions of close blood relatives, including cancer, kidney disease, or heart disease

If the pill is an option for you, you will have your blood pressure taken to rule out high blood pressure. You don鈥檛 need a Pap smear or pelvic exam before a dermatologist can prescribe the pill to treat acne.

Before your dermatologist prescribes spironolactone, you will need some blood tests.

If you begin hormonal therapy, you will need to keep follow-up visits with your dermatologist. Spironolactone requires that you gradually increase the dose, so you鈥檒l need to see your dermatologist every 4 to 6 weeks when you start taking it.

How long does it take to see results?

How long do most patients take hormonal treatments?

When hormonal therapy helps to clear acne, a patient may stay on it for a long time. You will often stop other acne treatments like an antibiotic and medication that you apply to your skin. Hormonal therapy can be used alone to prevent new breakouts.

Taking hormonal therapy long term appears to be safe.

Taking spironolactone to keep your skin clear? Studies show taking it at the same time every day can give you the best results.

What are the possible side effects?

To reduce the risk of a woman developing serious side effects, dermatologists carefully screen their patients before prescribing hormonal therapy. Possible side effects include the following:

The pill: Taking the pill increases the risk of:

• Blood clots
• Heart attack
• High blood pressure

While these side effects may not seem worth the risk, most women who are healthy do not have side effects. In fact, the risk of developing blood clots is greater during pregnancy and just after having a baby than when taking the pill.

It鈥檚 also important to know that there is less risk of serious side effects today than in past. Today, the pill contains less estrogen.

Some women taking the pill develop , dark patches on their face. Protecting your face from the sun can help prevent these patches.

Breakthrough bleeding is another possible side effect. You can often prevent this by taking the pill at the same time each day.

Taking the pill? Stay active, drink lots of water, and don鈥檛 smoke. This reduces the risk of blood clots.

Spironolactone: When taking spironolactone without a birth control pill, the most common side effects are:

• Painful periods and cramping
• Irregular periods
• Breast tenderness
• Breast enlargement

These side effects may be decreased when women also take the pill.

Other possible side effects of taking spironolactone include fatigue, headache, and dizziness. These rarely cause a woman to stop taking the medication.

You may also see a warning about breast cancer in the information that comes with the medication. This warning was included after researchers gave animals very high doses of spironolactone. Some of the animals developed breast cancer.

The possibility that this medication increases a woman鈥檚 risk of getting breast cancer is still controversial.

We really don鈥檛 have evidence that shows taking spironolactone increases the risk of getting breast cancer. In one study, 1,475 patients prescribed spironolactone were followed for 3 to 7 years. During that time, 9 cases of breast cancer were reported. If none of these patients had taken spironolactone, it is expected that about 8 of them would have developed breast cancer during that time. Other studies have shown similar results.

What helps get the best results?

When taking hormonal therapy for acne, it鈥檚 helps to:

• Give the medication time to work
• Take the medication at the same time every day
• Use everything on your acne treatment plan
• Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist
• Contact your dermatologist鈥檚 office right away if you experience signs of a serious side effect, such as cramping in your leg or arm

Hormonal therapy is an option for many women with stubborn acne, but it鈥檚 not always the only option. A dermatologist can tell you what can help clear your stubborn acne.

Images: Getty Images

References

Carol, R. 鈥淗ormonal therapies serve as key adjunct acne treatment.鈥� Dermatol World. 2012 May (Acne suppl). 2-6.

Ebede TL, Arch EL, et al. 鈥淗ormonal treatment of acne in women.鈥� J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2009; 2(12): 16鈥�22.

Harper JC. 鈥淯se of oral contraceptives for management of acne vulgaris. Practical considerations in real world practice.鈥� Dermatol Clin. 2016;34(2):159-65.

Kim GK, Del Rosso JQ. 鈥淥ral spironolactone in post-teenage female patients with acne vulgaris: Practical considerations for the clinician based on current data and clinical experience.鈥� J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(3):37-50.

Plovanich M; Weng QY, et al. 鈥淟ow usefulness of potassium monitoring among healthy young women taking spironolactone for acne.鈥� JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(9):941-4.

Reynolds RVS. 鈥楬ormonal treatment for acne.鈥� Presented during the forum: Acne guidelines: Translating evidence into practice. 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology; 2017 March 3-7. Orlando, FL.

Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL et al. 鈥淕uidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74:945-73.

The post Stubborn acne? Hormonal therapy may help appeared first on 六九色堂.

It鈥檚 said that every story has two sides. This is certainly true when it comes to vitamins, herbs, and other natural treatments for skin cancer.

When shopping for natural skin cancer remedies, you鈥檒l often see claims that these products can cure you. The following patient experiences, pulled from medical journals, illustrate how harmful these claims can be.

Black salve experiences

A 53-year-old man noticed a small growth on his chest that was slowly turning black. He looked online for an 鈥渉erbal cure鈥� and discovered black salve. After applying the black salve for 10 days, he saw that just a bit of the growth remained.

Six months later, the growth started to grow, so he began applying the black salve again. In 6 weeks鈥� time, the growth had doubled in size. It looked like an open sore and was oozing pus. This prompted him to visit an emergency room. He was diagnosed with melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer.

If this man had seen a dermatologist when he first noticed the small growth, he could have received treatment then. Found early, melanoma is highly treatable. Once it advances as it did in this man, melanoma can be life-threatening. Treatment becomes difficult.

Black salve can also damage the skin, as this next patient experience illustrates. A 42-year-old man who had colon cancer felt a lump in his belly. To help him, his mother searched online for cancer salves. She bought black salve and yellow salve. Sellers of black salve claim that it can draw out skin cancer. Yellow salve is sold to help the skin heal after it鈥檚 treated with black salve.

After applying the black salve for 8 days, the man developed a hole where the lump had been. His feces were leaking out of the hole. He was hospitalized and put on intravenous (IV) feeding in the hopes that the hole would heal. Fortunately, it did.

Other people have had their skin damaged by black salve. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reports of a man who had a growth on his nose. His dermatologist suspected it was a melanoma and recommended a skin biopsy. He refused, opting to treat it with black salve instead.

To get the growth to disappear, the man used black salve for many months. Not only did the growth disappear, but so did the side of his nose that he was treating.

No proof black salve can cure cancer

If you search online for black salve, you鈥檒l find claims that it can draw out cancer. This is misleading. It鈥檚 never been proven to work.

Governments around the world are warning their citizens of this fact. In Australia, people are advised not to purchase black or red salves to treat cancer. An online alert says the Australian government is 鈥渘ot aware of any credible, scientific evidence which shows that any black or red salve preparation is effective in treating cancer.鈥�

In the United States, our government does the same. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes black salve on its list of .

Natural products can cause side effects during skin cancer treatment

Black salve isn鈥檛 the only natural treatment that concerns dermatologists. Vitamins, herbal remedies, and other all-natural products can interact with cancer treatment. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and St. John鈥檚 wort are especially worrisome. If a patient takes one of these while on chemotherapy or receiving radiation treatments, serious side effects can occur.

In Germany, many people take mistletoe to strengthen their immune system. If you have melanoma, your doctor will advise you to avoid it. German studies have found that mistletoe may cause melanoma to spread more quickly.

Dermatologists also worry when patients take vitamins and other supplements during clinical trials. Patients agree to take only the medicine being studied. Surveys, however, indicate that patients often supplement with natural products. They use these products to help strengthen their body during cancer treatment.

This is understandable. The problem is that vitamins, herbs, and other natural products can interact with cancer treatments. In a clinical trial, there is no way to know whether the drug or the interaction between the drug and an all-natural product caused a serious side effect. This could prevent potentially helpful treatments from becoming approved.

Researchers study natural therapies for skin cancer treatment

To improve cancer treatment, dermatologists continue to study new therapies and ways to improve existing ones. Their research includes looking at complementary and alternative treatments.

If you鈥檙e considering a natural treatment for skin cancer

Dermatologists understand that people want to do everything they can to beat cancer. Dermatologists want that too.

To help their patients get the most from treatment for skin cancer, they recommend the following:

• See your dermatologist for a diagnosis. Effective treatment begins with knowing what you have.

• Tell your dermatologist about concerns you have regarding a biopsy or treatment. Many concerns are based on misinformation. If you still have concerns, ask if another option may be possible.

• Research recommendations made by friends and family. They want to help but often lack the medical training needed to give you sound advice. When it comes to skin cancer treatment, your dermatologist and websites like this one (it鈥檚 reviewed by dermatologists) are your best sources.

• Tell your dermatologist if you are taking a vitamin, mineral supplement, herbal remedy, or any other product to help treat your cancer. Many natural products can cause serious side effects when taken during cancer treatment.

• Question claims. If a product or therapy seems too good to be true, that鈥檚 usually a sign that it is.

Now that you know the other side of the story, you can make decisions that protect your health.

Images

Using laptop: Thinkstock



Nose treated with black salve: Image used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: J Am Acad Dermatol 2011;65(5);e154-55.

References

American Academy of Dermatology, 鈥�.鈥� News release issued 5/11/2016. Last accessed March 30, 2017.

Australian Government, Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration. 鈥�.鈥� Alert issued: 3/19/2012. Last accessed March 30, 2017.

Cienki JJ, Zaret L. 鈥淎n Internet misadventure: bloodroot salve toxicity.鈥� J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(10):1125-7.

Eastman KL, McFarland LV, et al. 鈥淟etters: 鈥淏uyer beware: A black salve caution.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(5);e154-55.

Huebner J, Mohr P, et al. 鈥淯se of complementary medicine in metastatic melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab within a clinical trial.鈥� J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2016;14(5):508-13.

Loquai C, Dechent D, et al. 鈥淩isk of interactions between complementary and alternative medicine and medication for comorbidities in patients with melanoma.鈥� Med Oncol. 2016;33(5):52.

Loquai C, Dechent D, et al. 鈥淯se of complementary and alternative medicine: A multicenter cross-sectional study in 1,089 melanoma patients.鈥� Eur J Cancer. 2017;71:70-79.

Loquai C, Schmidtmann I, et al. 鈥淚nteractions from complementary and alternative medicine in patients with melanoma.鈥� Melanoma Res. 2017 Mar 1.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). . Page Last Updated:10/20/2016. Last accessed March 30, 2017.

The post Natural treatments for skin cancer not as safe as you think appeared first on 六九色堂.

A cosmeceutical is a unique type of skin care product. Many diverse products fit into this category. Cosmeceuticals include:

• Anti-aging products that can reduce wrinkles, smooth rough skin and brighten skin tone
• Creams and lotions that can lighten skin
• Sunscreen

What all these products have in common is the ability to change your skin in order to improve its appearance. These changes are subtle and may take months for you to see. While, cosmeceuticals don鈥檛 product the results you鈥檇 get from a cosmetic procedure like injectable fillers, many patients like the results. They also like that they can apply a skin care product at home and see a change 鈥� without downtime and office visits.

ARE COSMECEUTICALS FDA-APPROVED?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies all skin care products as either a cosmetic or a drug. Cosmetics do not need FDA approval, but drugs do. Some cosmeceuticals, like sunscreens, are drugs. Also, if your dermatologist writes a prescription for a therapy or treatment, that product has undergone FDA testing. The FDA does not review and approval over-the-counter cosmeceuticals, outside of sunscreens.

WHAT MAKES A COSMECEUTICAL EFFECTIVE?

Cosmeceuticals contain ingredients that can change your skin鈥檚 cells. The ingredient could be a vitamin or plant extract. Many products contain more than one of these ingredients. Common ingredients found in cosmeceuticals are:

Retinoids

The word 鈥渞etinoid鈥� is a general term. In skin care products, you鈥檒l often find it listed as retinol or retinyl palmitate. If you need a stronger retinoid, your dermatologist may write a prescription for a topical medicine that contains retinoic acid.

Retinoids can stimulate our skin to make more collagen. They also can:

• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Diminish dark or light spots
• Reduce oiliness
• Unclog pores, treating acne
• Give skin healthier, more youthful appearance

Best time to use: Before bed.

Dermatologists鈥� tips: When you start using a retinoid, apply a pea size amount every other night for several weeks. This helps reduce skin irritation. If your skin is very sensitive, mix the retinoid with a moisturizer. Your dermatologist can tell you how much moisturizer to add.

Retinoids should not be used if you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant.

Vitamin C

Retinoids and vitamin C are both antioxidants. Antioxidants are important because they help prevent damage to our skin cells. Vitamin C also stimulates our skin to make more collagen. The more collagen our skin contains, the fewer lines and less sagging we see.

When added to skin care products, vitamin C (sometimes listed as L-ascorbic acid) may:

• Soften fine lines and wrinkles
• Lighten skin
• Reduce signs of sun damage on skin

Best time to use: Apply in the morning before you apply sunscreen.

Dermatologists鈥� tip: You should not use vitamin C if you have sensitive skin or rosacea.

Peptides and Stem Cell Extracts

Peptides are small proteins stimulate your skin. Stem cell extracts are newer molecules which can promote turnover of aging skin cells.

Both of these ingredients can help your skin to make collagen, elastin, and other substances more plentiful in younger skin. This can:

• Reduce wrinkles and fine lines
• Thicken skin, which can slightly diminish sagging
• Firm skin
• Improve skin strength

Best time to use: Before bed

Dermatologists鈥� tip: Peptides and stem cell extracts do not irritate the skin. Patients with sensitive skin can use them.

Hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are naturally occurring acids that can safely remove dead cells on the surface our skin. The AHAs used in skin care products include glycolic acid (from sugarcane), lactic acid (from milk), and malic acid (from apples).

You鈥檒l find AHAs in many skin care products including moisturizers and at-home peels. AHAs can:

• Even out blotchy skin
• Reduce rough texture and dryness
• Diminish fine lines and wrinkles

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) can remove dead skin cells and calm the skin. Salicyclic acid is a common BHA. It makes an effective acne treatment because it removes dead skin cells that cause blackheads and whiteheads. Best time to use: Varies, use as directed.

Dermatologists鈥� tip: Hydroxy acids remove the upper layer of skin. To protect your skin, apply sunscreen every day.

Allergic contact dermatitis

HOW CAN I TELL IF A COSMECEUTICAL WILL WORK?

Ask your dermatologist. An office visit can save you time and money. Dermatologists can recommend skin care products that have strong science behind them. Dermatologists know which products have proven to be safe and effective in human studies.

ARE THERE RISKS TO USING COSMECEUTICALS?

Probably your greatest risk is that the product will not work as expected. The claims made about some cosmeceuticals can be greatly exaggerated. You鈥檒l see this because the FDA only approves drugs and not cosmetics.

Other risks of using cosmeceuticals include developing irritated skin or a skin allergy. Asking your dermatologist for product recommendations helps reduce these risks. Your dermatologist can help you select products that are right for your skin type and will provide you with the desired results.

Some products sold as cosmeceuticals contain toxic substances like mercury or lead. To protect yourself, avoid buying products from unknown companies and foreign websites.

WHAT ARE DERMATOLOGISTS鈥� TOP TIPS FOR USING COSMECEUTICALS?

• Start with one or two cosmeceuticals. Using many products at the same time tends to irritate the skin.
  
  You won鈥檛 be able to tell what works or which products may be irritating. Sunscreen should be one of the first cosmeceuticals you use.
• Wear sunscreen every day: Dermatologists agree that sunscreen is the most effective cosmeceutical you can buy. You鈥檒l want to use a sunscreen that offers:
  • SPF 30 or higher
  • Broad-spectrum protection
  • Water-resistance

A sunscreen that offers the above reduces your risk of developing premature skin aging and skin cancer. By applying daily, your body can repair some of the damage that the sun has done to your skin. Everyone has some sun damage.

• Look for the following on the package: A toll-free telephone number allows you to call if you have questions after using the product. You also want to find the words 鈥渉ypoallergenic鈥� (low risk of skin allergy), 鈥渘oncomedogenic鈥� (unlikely to clog pores), and 鈥渘onacnegenic鈥� (unlikely to cause acne).
• Select skin lighteners carefully: Many cosmeceuticals can lighten dark spots and unwanted pigment on the skin. When looking for products, make sure you see one of these ingredients on the label: glycolic acid, hydroquinone, kojic acid, L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), licorice extracts, N-acetylglucosamine, niacinamide (vitamin B3), or soy.
  
  You want to buy a skin lightener from a U.S. company. Skin lighteners made elsewhere may contain mercury. To get the best results, dermatologists recommend using sunscreen every day. The sun darkens skin. For maximum protection, apply sunscreen that contains both of these ingredients 鈥� titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
• Apply products to clean skin and in this order. In the morning, first gently wash your skin and pat it dry. Then apply your products in this order: 1) cosmeceutical, 2) sunscreen or moisturizer with sunscreen, and 3) makeup.
  
  Before bed, you want to gently cleanse and dry your face. Then apply your cosmeceutical.
  
  Nighttime cleansing is essential. It removes makeup and skin care products. Product build-up can clog pores and cause acne.
• Store it properly: Always store your products as directed on the package.
• Check the expiration date: Expired products may not work.
• Read and follow directions: This gives you the best results.

YOUR DERMATOLOGIST IS YOUR BEST RESOURCE

Cosmeceuticals give us another way to improve the appearance of our skin. Some can reduce signs of aging. Others help control acne. It can be difficult to know which products can help your skin look its best. Your dermatologist can help.

A board-certified dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating the medical, surgical, and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair and nails. To learn more or to find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org or call toll free (888) 462-DERM (3376).

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology.鈥�

Copyright 漏 by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology Association.



Images used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides



American Academy of Dermatology P.O. Box 1968, Des Plaines, Illinois 60017鈥�

AAD Public Information Center: 888.462.DERM (3376) AAD

Member Resource Center: 866.503.SKIN (7546) Outside the

United States: 847.240.1280

Web:

Email:

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Lupus is an autoimmune disease, a condition in which your body鈥檚 immune system attacks healthy cells. Lupus can affect many organs in your body, including your skin. The skin is affected in approximately two-thirds of people who have lupus.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) flare

WHAT IS LUPUS?

There are many types of lupus, and each type affects different parts of the body in different ways.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

is the most common form of lupus. It may be mild or severe, and it can affect many parts of the body. People with this type of lupus experience chronic inflammation, especially of the kidneys, joints and skin.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE)

only affects the skin, although some people who have CLE also develop SLE. There are multiple forms of CLE that affect the skin differently:

• Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) causes dark red, scaly and sometimes thickened patches, most often on the face, scalp and in the ears. The patches may develop a rim of skin that is darker than your natural skin tone. These patches also may form inside the mouth or nose, or around the eyelids. Patches can remain on the skin for a long time. As the skin heals, scars can
• Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) causes red, ring-shaped patches that have scaly edges, which usually form on the arms, shoulders, neck and trunk. This type of lupus can be mistaken for
• Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE) causes areas of red skin that look like a sunburn or blushing, especially on the arms, legs and When the rash spreads across the nose and cheeks, it can take the shape of a butterfly and is thus known as a 鈥渂utterfly rash.鈥� If you have SLE, acute cutaneous lupus can develop when your lupus flares.

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus

is a lupus-like disease that is caused by certain prescription drugs. The symptoms are similar to those of SLE and usually improve a few months after stopping the medication that caused the condition. If you believe you are experiencing this condition, talk to your doctor; do not stop any medication without talking to your doctor first.

Neonatal lupus

is a rare disorder that affects the skin of newborns. Although it usually improves on its own, infants with this condition

should be closely monitored by physicians, as they may develop a serious heart condition.

Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

(ACLE) flare

HOW ELSE CAN LUPUS AFFECT THE SKIN?

Sometimes lupus damages the blood vessels, and this damage is visible on the skin. A condition known as Raynaud鈥檚 phenomenon occurs in some people who have lupus. Raynaud鈥檚 phenomenon restricts blood flow, resulting in the tips of the fingers or toes turning white or blue in response to cold or stress. Some people also experience numbness, tingling or pain when they are cold or stressed.

Other signs that appear on the skin when lupus involves the blood vessels include:

• A blue or purplish lace-like pattern on the skin, usually on the
• Reddish-purple spots or bumps, especially on the lower
• Deep lumps and sores, especially on the lower

CAN LUPUS AFFECT MY HAIR?

SLE may be associated with hair thinning, which usually improves when the lupus is treated.

A severe lupus flare can also result in fragile hair that breaks easily. This broken hair is called 鈥渓upus hair.鈥�

Some people who have discoid lupus, a form of CLE, can experience hair loss when the rash forms on the scalp. If the scalp scars as the rash clears, the hair loss can be permanent. Early treatment of the rash can prevent permanent hair loss.

HOW DOES A DERMATOLOGIST TREAT SKIN AFFECTED BY LUPUS?

When lupus affects the skin or scalp, you should see a board-certified dermatologist for treatment. Treating the skin can

help prevent problems such as scars and permanent hair loss.

To diagnose lupus, your dermatologist may perform a skin biopsy. The dermatologist will remove a small piece of the skin so that it can be examined under a microscope. Removing the skin is a simple procedure, which your dermatologist can perform during an office visit.

Your dermatologist may also ask you about the medicines that you take, since some medicines can cause drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Make sure your dermatologist has a list of all the medicines you take.

Treatments for skin affected by lupus may include:

Corticosteroids

This type of medicine, which is applied topically, taken orally or injected in the skin, can reduce redness and swelling. Corticosteroids can also calm an overactive immune system, which causes lupus. While this type of medication is usually safe when used as directed, most patients only use a corticosteroid for a short time or occasionally to prevent the side effects associated with long-term use. If you have a patch of skin that is very thick, your dermatologist may inject a corticosteroid directly into the patch.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) lesions

Topical immunomodulators

This type of medicine, which is applied to the skin, can provide treatment without the side effects associated with corticosteroids. Medications in this category include tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream.

Systemic medicine

This type of medication, which works throughout the body, can help calm an overactive immune system, which causes lupus. Medicines in this category include mycophenolate mofetil, prednisone, thalidomide, methotrexate and azathioprine, as well as antimalarial drugs and retinoids.

When rashes and sores from lupus clear, they can leave dark or light spots on your skin, or even scars. If you experience this and it bothers you, talk with a board-certified dermatologist, who can provide appropriate treatment.

HOW CAN I REDUCE LUPUS FLARE-UPS?

What causes your lupus to flare depends on many factors, including the type of lupus you have. The following tips can help you avoid serious side effects from lupus and can reduce your need for treatment.

• If you smoke, quit. Smoking not only makes lupus worse, it can also reduce the effectiveness of lupus treatment. Additionally, in patients with SLE, smoking can increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, a type of nonmelanoma skin
• Protect your skin from ultraviolet light. In some cases, UV exposure can trigger systemic symptoms, such as joint pain, weakness, fatigue, headaches, fever or even organ

If you have lupus, you should stay out of indoor tanning beds and protect your skin from the sun by:

• seeking shade, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun鈥檚 rays are the
• wearing protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed
• applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher at least 15 minutes before going outside. Research shows that applying a sunscreen every day can reduce lupus flare-ups.

• Replace fluorescent, compact fluorescent and halogen light bulbs. These light bulbs emit some UV light. If you are light-sensitive, this UV light can cause a flare or itchy skin. Replacing these bulbs with incandescent bulbs can

If you cannot replace the bulbs, a UV light filter may help. Some people say this filter reduces the skin flares and itching that occurs when they spend hours under fluorescent lights 鈥� at work, for example.

If you cannot replace bulbs or get a UV filter, you may want to wear sunscreen and sun-protective clothing

while indoors.

• Before taking a medicine, ask the doctor prescribing it whether it can cause sun sensitivity. Some medicines, such as the antibiotic tetracycline, make your skin more sensitive to If this is a risk for a medicine you鈥檝e been prescribed, ask if there is another treatment option.
• If you see anything on your skin that is changing in size, shape or color, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist. These can be signs of skin cancer. Some types of skin diseases associated with lupus increase your risk of developing skin cancer. When detected early, skin cancer is highly

• Before trying an herb, vitamin or other alternative treatment, talk with your dermatologist. Some of these may interact with medicine you use to treat lupus on your skin, causing unwanted side
• Connect with others who have lupus. You can find others who have lupus through local support groups or through social media sites, such as Facebook and

A board-certified dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of skin, hair and nail conditions. To learn more about lupus or to find a dermatologist in your area, visit aad. org/lupus, or call toll-free (888) 462-DERM (3376).

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Copyright 漏 by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Images used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides

American Academy of Dermatology

P.O. Box 1968, Des Plaines, Illinois 60017

AAD Public Information Center: 888.462.DERM (3376) AAD Member Resource Center: 866.503.SKIN (7546) Outside the United States: 847.240.1280

Web:

Email:

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Your dermatologist has recommended a biopsy to help diagnose your skin disease. This tip sheet will provide you with information about what to expect before, during and after your procedure.

Review this information and follow any personalized directions from your dermatologist.

WHAT IS A BIOPSY?

To diagnose some skin diseases, a dermatologist performs a skin biopsy. This simple procedure uses local anesthesia and is the best way to diagnose certain diseases, especially skin cancer. Your dermatologist can perform a biopsy during an office visit.

To perform a biopsy, your dermatologist will remove either the entire skin growth or part of it. The removed skin will be sent to a lab where it will be examined under a microscope.

There are different types of skin biopsies:

• SHAVE BIOPSY
  • Your dermatologist will use a scalpel or other medical instrument to shave or cut a piece of the suspicious
  • How deep your dermatologist must shave depends on the size of the growth and the part of the body being biopsied.
  • This type of biopsy does cause minimal bleeding. Direct pressure, a topical medicine, or electrocautery (a procedure that uses heat to seal a blood vessel) may be used to stop the
• PUNCH BIOPSY OR EXCISIONAL BIOPSY
  • This procedure involves cutting into the skin (often to the top layer of the fat) in order to get a deeper sample of the suspicious
  • You may need stitches to close the

BEFORE YOUR BIOPSY

Your dermatologist may ask you questions about:

• Your health
• Any medications you are taking, especially blood-thinning medicines like aspirin or warfarin, or immune system suppression medicines such as diabetes medications or medications used after an organ
• Any previous skin infections
• Any previous bleeding issues after other medical procedures

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR BIOPSY

• A skin biopsy is a relatively quick procedure, including the preparation time, dressing the wound and instructions for at-home
• Your dermatologist will inject local anesthesia to numb the skin where the procedure will take place. This can make the procedure almost
• Once your skin is numb, your dermatologist will begin the
  • Your dermatologist will send the removed skin – either the entire skin growth or part of it 鈥� to a lab where it will be examined under a
• A dressing or adhesive bandage will be placed on the skin to protect the wound and prevent
  • The biopsied skin may bleed after you leave the dermatologist鈥檚 office. If this occurs, apply direct pressure to the wound for 10 to 20 minutes. If bleeding continues, contact your dermatologist, especially if you

are taking blood-thinning medicine.

CARING FOR YOUR SKIN AFTER A BIOPSY

• You may feel sore at the area of the biopsy for a few days. After most biopsies, patients do not need any pain
  • If you experience some discomfort, place an icepack over the dressing for 5-10 minutes and repeat as needed. You can also take acetaminophen. If these options do not relieve the discomfort, please contact your dermatologist for additional
• Follow your dermatologist鈥檚 recommendation of when to change the original
• Wash your hands before changing the
• Always keep the wound clean. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water to keep out
• To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound
  • Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or
  • Do not use any topical antibiotic creams unless instructed by your dermatologist. Many topical antibiotic creams can cause allergic reactions. As long as the wound is cleaned daily, it is not necessary to use

an anti-bacterial ointment.

• After cleaning the wound and applying petroleum jelly, cover your skin with an adhesive
• Change your bandage daily to keep the wound clean while it heals. If you have skin that is sensitive to

adhesives, try a non-adhesive gauze pad with paper tape.

• If you have severe pain, redness, oozing from the wound or begin to run a fever, contact your dermatologist

as these could be signs of an infection.

• If your injury requires stitches, follow your dermatologist鈥檚 advice on how to care for the wound and when

to get the stitches removed. This may help minimize the appearance of a scar.

• After the wound has healed, apply sunscreen on the skin. Sun protection may help reduce red or brown discoloration and help the scar fade faster. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Copyright 漏 by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Images used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides

American Academy of Dermatology

P.O. Box 1968, Des Plaines, Illinois 60017

AAD Public Information Center: 888.462.DERM (3376)

AAD Member Resource Center: 866.503.SKIN (7546)

Outside the United States: 847.240.1280

Web:

Email:

The post Skin Biopsy: Patient Care Tips appeared first on 六九色堂.

If age spots, wrinkly skin, or other signs of aging bother you, you can have more youthful-looking hands. Thanks to advances in dermatology, it鈥檚 possible to diminish these signs of aging safely and with little or no downtime.

Age spots

Many adults develop age spots on their hands. These spots tend to gradually increase in size with age and time spent in the sun.

Treatment

You have options. A board-certified dermatologist can effectively lighten or remove age spots on your hands with:

• Cryotherapy (freezing)
• Laser therapy
• Chemical peeling
• Microdermabrasion
• Skin-lightening creams and lotions

The creams and lotions take the longest to deliver results, but they cost less.

Rough, scaly patches (AKs)

If you have fair skin and spent quite a bit of time in the sun without sun protection, you may notice rough patches on your skin. Rough patches frequently develop on our hands because the hands get lots of sun.

These rough patches may be actinic keratoses (AKs), which are precancerous growths. AKs usually develop in fair-skinned people who are 40 years of age or older.

AKs can develop earlier if you used tanning beds or live in a state that gets lots of sunshine, such as Florida or California.

Treatment

To find out how dermatologists diagnose and treat AKs, go to:

Do you feel a rough patch on your hand or elsewhere on your skin? If so, see a dermatologist to find out if it鈥檚 an AK. Some AKs turn into skin cancer.

Loss of youthful fullness

When hands lose their youthful fullness, skin becomes lax and starts to develop a crepe-paper-like texture. With less fullness, the veins in your hands also become more noticeable.

Treatment

To restore lost fullness, your dermatologist can inject:

• A filler
• Fat from another part of your body

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one filler, calcium hydroxylapatite (hi-drox-e-lap-ah-tight), to treat the hands. With this filler, you鈥檒l see more fullness immediately. The results last 6 months to 1 year.

Other fillers are also used to restore youthful fullness to the hands. Sometimes a person鈥檚 own fat may be the most effective option.

A board-certified dermatologist who has experience rejuvenating hands with fillers (or fat) can tell you what will work best for you.

Visible veins

While a filler or fat transfer can restore youthful fullness, some veins are just too big to hide with a filler or fat transfer.

If a large vein bothers you, a dermatologist can treat it safely.

Treatment

Laser treatment is often the go-to treatment today. During this procedure, your dermatologist inserts a laser fiber into the vein and then fires the laser. This destroys the vein, which will gradually disappear.

Sclerotherapy (sclare-oh-ther-a-pee) may be another option. During this procedure, your dermatologist injects a substance into the vein to destroy it. This causes the vein to disappear slowly.

Wrinkly skin (looks like crepe paper)

Applying sunscreen to your hands every day can prevent wrinkly skin on your hands. If you haven鈥檛 been doing this and now have wrinkly skin, treatment can help.

Treatment

Your dermatologist may recommend one or more of the following:

• Lotion containing a retinol or glycolic acid (apply before bedtime)
• Light chemical peel, every 1 to 3 months
• Laser treatment

When treating wrinkling, the lotion and light chemical peel are often used together.

If laser treatment is an option, it can also help diminish age spots.

Loose skin

As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin, substances that keep our skin firm and plump.

Treatment

Radiofrequency, a procedure that sends heat deep into the skin, can tighten loose skin. Most people need only one treatment on their hands.

A filler or laser treatment can also tighten loose skin.

Roughness

As we age our skin holds less water, so our skin becomes drier. This can cause your skin to feel rough.

Treatment

To smooth rough skin on your hands, your dermatologist can apply a mild chemical peel.

To maintain the results you get from treatment, it helps to apply a moisturizer every day. Your dermatologist can recommend an effective moisturizer.

Brittle nails

About 20% of us have brittle nails. You鈥檙e more likely to have brittle nails if you are a woman over 60, but anyone can develop this condition.

If you have brittle nails, you鈥檒l likely see lines running lengthwise on your nails (ridges), as shown in this picture. You may also notice that your nails peel or break easily.

Treatment

To treat brittle nails successfully, you must stop doing everything that could be causing your brittle nails. Spending lots of time with wet hands or using harsh chemicals without wearing protective gloves can cause brittle nails.

Your dermatologist can help you figure out what鈥檚 causing your brittle nails.

After you stop doing what鈥檚 causing your brittle nails, you鈥檒l want to rehydrate your nails, cuticles, and the surrounding skin. Your dermatologist will recommend a moisturizer, such as urea cream or mineral oil.

Most people apply the moisturizer before bedtime. After moisturizing, you may need to wear a light cotton glove. This helps your skin and nails absorb the moisturizer. You鈥檒l wear this while you sleep.

For many patients, the above helps diminish brittle nails. Some patients need more help, such as using a special nail enamel. Your dermatologist can tell you what can help treat your brittle nails.

Making your results from hand rejuvenation last

While you cannot stop aging, there are things you can do to make your results last longer. Here鈥檚 what dermatologists recommend:

To protect your hands from the sun, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to your hands every day before going outdoors.

1. Protect your hands from the sun. This is essential if you want to maintain the results you see after treatment.
   
   
   
   Many dermatologists also recommend wearing a thin, sun-protective glove while driving.
2. Wear gloves while cleaning and gardening. Hot water, detergents, and yard work can dry your skin, which can age your hands.

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Applying a lotion or cream after washing your hands and bathing helps to trap water in your skin, which can plump up your skin.

1. Keep appointments for maintenance treatments. If your dermatologist treated you in the office, getting follow-up treatments as recommended can help you maintain your results. For example, if you had a filler, you may need another injection in 8 to 12 months.

Why see a dermatologist

Your results depend largely on the skill and experience of the person performing your treatment, so it鈥檚 important to see a board-certified dermatologist. These doctors have the expertise and training necessary to perform these treatments safely. They can also tell you whether a treatment will deliver the results you seek, given the condition of your skin, your age, and your health.

Images

1,2,9: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

• J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54:S262-71.
• J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:S2-9.
• J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57:31-6.

4: Image used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

3,5,6,7,8,10: Getty Images

References

American Academy of Dermatology, 鈥淒ermatologists have firm grip on new treatments for the aging hand.鈥� News release issued August 4, 2011. Last accessed November 10, 2017.

Ortonne, JP, Pandya AG, et al. 鈥淭reatment of solar lentigines.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol 2006;54:S262-71.

Rosen T, Lebwohl MG. 鈥淧revalence and awareness of actinic keratosis: Barriers and opportunities.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol 2013;68:S2-9.

Sadick N. 鈥淎rm and hand rejuvenation.鈥� In: Hirsh R, Cohen JL, et al. Aesthetic rejuvenation. McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2009:162-72.

Simonacci F, Bertozzi N, et al. 鈥淧rocedure, applications, and outcomes of autologous fat grafting.鈥� Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2017;27;20:49-60.

Stern DK, Diamantis S, et al. 鈥淲ater content and other aspects of brittle versus normal fingernails.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol 2007;57:31-6.

The post What can make my hands look younger? appeared first on 六九色堂.

Acne can cause your skin to feel oily and greasy, so a moisturizer may be the last thing you鈥檇 think of trying. A moisturizer, however, may be just what you need if you鈥檙e using one of the following acne treatments:

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Salicylic acid
• Adapalene, tazarotene, or tretinoin
• Isotretinoin (prescription treatment for severe acne)

These treatments tend to dry and irritate the skin. Using a moisturizer every day can help your skin tolerate these medications.

A moisturizer can also be helpful any time your skin feels dry, such as during the winter.

When your skin becomes dry, your body makes more oil. The extra oil can clog your pores, which may lead to more breakouts. The right moisturizer can prevent your skin from becoming dry and irritated.

What type of moisturizer should someone with acne-prone skin use?

To prevent a moisturizer from causing breakouts, look for one of these descriptions on the container:

• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Won鈥檛 clog pores

When you see one of these descriptions, it means that the moisturizer is unlikely to cause acne.

When should someone with acne use moisturizer?

You want to apply moisturizer when your skin feels dry. Dermatologists recommend using it every day when your skin feels dry.

Applying it after you wash helps to trap much-needed water in your skin.

When should you see results?

In studies, most patients see less acne between 4 and 8 weeks after beginning to use an acne friendly moisturizer.

All of the patients in these studies were following an acne treatment plan that required them to use acne medication, cleanser, and moisturizer. Dermatologists choose their medication, cleanser, and moisturizer.

Still skeptical?

If using a moisturizer still seems as though it would worsen rather than help clear your acne, you may want to speak with a dermatologist. During an office visit, a dermatologist can tell you what can help clear your acne and create a treatment plan for you.

Your treatment plan may very well include a moisturizer.

Images: Getty Images

References

Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, et al. 鈥淢oisturizers for acne: What are their constituents?鈥� J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(5):36-44.

Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, et al. 鈥淎 double-blinded, randomized, vehicle-controlled study to access skin tolerability and efficacy of an anti-inflammatory moisturizer in treatment of acne with 0.1% adapalene gel.鈥� J Dermatolog Treat. 2016;27(2):140-5.

Colombo MA, Cirigliano M, et al. 鈥淧oster P141: Evaluation program of the effectiveness and safety of a topical gel with clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5% and moisturizers in papular pustular acne in a general population.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(2):AB23. 100% sponsored by Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.

Dall’oglio F, Tedeschi A, et al. 鈥淐osmetics for acne: indications and recommendations for an evidence-based approach.鈥� G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2015;150(1):1-11.

Friedman A. 鈥�?鈥� Cutis. [published online May 2017].

Isoda K, Seki T, et al. 鈥淓fficacy of the combined use of a facial cleanser and moisturizers for the care of mild acne patients with sensitive skin.鈥� J Dermatol. 2015;42(2):181-8.

Jordan L, Baldwin HE. 鈥淪tratum corneum abnormalities and disease-affected skin: Strategies for successful outcomes in inflammatory acne.鈥� J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(10):1170-3.

The post Could a moisturizer help clear your acne? appeared first on 六九色堂.

If you have acne that just won鈥檛 go away, you may want to take a closer look at your skin. It鈥檚 possible that you don鈥檛 have acne. Other skin conditions can look a lot like acne.

Stubborn acne can also be a sign of something serious going on inside your body. To see clearer skin, you鈥檒l need to get that serious condition under control first.

You鈥檒l find pictures along with descriptions of such skin conditions below. If your acne resembles any of these pictures, seeing a dermatologist can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Acne sending a warning sign

Acanthosis nigricans

Clues you have more than acne: Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have acne. They usually have other signs of a hormone problem like hair loss on their head, noticeable hair growth on their face, or an area of skin that starts to darken and sometimes thicken. PCOS can also cause irregular periods, sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.

Treatable: Yes. Women who suspect they may have PCOS should see their dermatologist or primary care doctor immediately.

If you鈥檙e diagnosed with PCOS, you should also be under the care of a doctor who can treat the cysts in your ovaries. You may also need to see other doctors to get treatment for conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

A dermatologist can treat your acne, hair loss, and noticeable hair growth. The darkening skin usually goes away when the disease causing it is treated. The medical name for this darkening skin is acanthosis nigricans.

Additional related resource

5 skin conditions that can look like acne

Rosacea

Clues you鈥檙e not dealing with acne: The acne-like breakouts usually appear where you have redness on your face. The redness may come and go or be permanent. The skin on your face tends to be very sensitive. It may sting or burn. Your eyes may feel gritty.

Treatable: Yes. Treatment can clear the acne-like breakouts and help your skin feel better. Rosacea cannot be cured, so you may need ongoing treatment.

Additional related resource

Keratosis pilaris

Clues you鈥檙e not dealing with acne: Unlike pimples, these bumps feel rough and usually appear on dry skin. You鈥檒l usually see them on your upper arms and on the front of your thighs. You may notice that family members also have these bumps.

Treatable: These bumps are harmless, so you don鈥檛 need to treat them. If the itch, dryness, or appearance bothers you, treatment can help.

Additional related resource

Hidradenitis suppurativa

Clues you鈥檙e not dealing with acne: You have pimple-like bumps or deep acne-like cysts in places where skin touches skin, such as the underarm, groin, buttocks, or upper thighs. Women can also get these underneath their breasts.

Treatable: Yes. Treatment is important because it can prevent HS from worsening. If HS worsens, the acne-like eruptions can grow deep into the skin and become painful. They can rupture, leaking bloodstained pus onto your clothing. This fluid often has a foul odor.

As the deep bumps heal, scars can form. With repeat outbreaks, the skin often begins to look spongy as tunnel-like tracts form deep in the skin.

Additional related resource

Perioral dermatitis

Clues you鈥檙e not dealing with acne: You have a breakout that looks like many small pimples, but it develops only around the mouth. Sometimes, the breakout develops only around the eyes (periorbital dermatitis) or nose (perinasal dermatitis) instead of the mouth. The skin may burn or itch.

Treatable: Yes. Dermatologists recommend treatment. Without it, the breakout may last for months or years.

Chloracne

Clues you鈥檙e not dealing with acne: Chloracne is very rare. If it develops, you鈥檒l likely see blackheads. These can form on the temples, cheekbones, and elsewhere on the body. You may see whiteheads, nodules, or straw-colored cysts on the face and elsewhere. Patches of gray-colored skin are common. Some people have blisters. Most people with chloracne feel very sick.

The signs and symptoms usually develop 2 to 4 weeks after you鈥檝e come into contact with toxic chemicals found in insecticides, herbicides, or wood preservatives. Agent Orange was a known cause of chloracne during the Vietnam War.

Treatable: The skin will clear when you stop coming into contact with the chemical that caused the chloracne. The clearing usually happens within 6 months to 3 years.

The skin can also be treated with antibiotics, isotretinoin (a medicine used to treat severe acne), and procedures that dermatologists use to treat other skin conditions.

Dermatologist can help you see clearer skin

If your stubborn acne looks like any of these conditions, seeing a dermatologist can be helpful. A dermatologist can tell you whether it鈥檚 stubborn acne or another condition. Your dermatologist can also create a treatment plan for you, whether you have one of these skin conditions that looks like acne or stubborn acne.

Yes, even stubborn acne can be treated successfully. Thanks to advances in acne treatment, virtually everyone can see clearer skin.

Images 1, 4, 5, and 7: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

• (J Am Acad Dermatol 2007;56:S100-2.)
• (J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;62:637-45.)
• (J Am Acad Dermatol 2015;73:672-90.)
• (J Am Acad Dermatol 2016;74:143-70.)

Images 2, 3, 6: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

References

Alikhan A, Lynch PJ, et al. “Hidradenitis suppurativa: A comprehensive review.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2009;60(4):539-61.

Chamlin SL and Lawley LP. 鈥淧erioral dermatitis.鈥� In: Fitzpatrick鈥檚 Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 709-12.

Crawford GH, Crawford GH, et al. 鈥淩osacea: I. Etiology, pathogenesis, and subtype classification.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51(3):327-41.

Nedorost ST. 鈥淢edical Pearl: The evaluation of perioral dermatitis: Use of an extended patch test series.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(5 Suppl):S100-2.

Patterson AT, Kaffenberger BH, et al. 鈥淪kin diseases associated with Agent Orange and other organochlorine exposures.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74:143-70.

Schmitt JV, Lima BZ. 鈥淜eratosis pilaris and prevalence of acne vulgaris: a cross-sectional study.鈥� An Bras Dermatol. 2014 Jan-Feb; 89(1):91鈥�5.

Sood A and Taylor JS, 鈥淥ccupational noneczematous skin disease due to biologic, physical, and chemical agents.鈥� In: Fitzpatrick鈥檚 Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 702.

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Are you receiving targeted therapy to treat skin cancer 鈥� or any other cancer? If so, dermatologists recommend that you pay close attention to your skin.

Skin reactions are the most common side effect of targeted therapy.

What is targeted therapy, exactly?

When cancer spreads and becomes life threatening, drugs known as targeted therapies may be an option for some patients. Targeted therapy can stop cancer from growing and spreading 鈥� at least for a while.

Oncologists (cancer doctors) prescribe target therapy to treat some skin cancers. It may be prescribed to treat melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, when it spreads. Targeted therapy can also treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most-common skin cancer. It may be prescribed when BCC has spread and surgery or radiation treatments can no longer treat it.

Some patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), a rare type of skin cancer, also receive targeted therapy.

Targeted therapy can give cancer patients remissions that last for months 鈥� and sometimes years.

Skin reactions best caught early

Paying close attention to your skin will help you notice the first signs of a skin reaction.

Even if the reaction seems mild, it鈥檚 important to tell your dermatologist or oncologist about it. When caught early, most reactions can be managed.

Looking closely at your skin will also help you find a possible new skin cancer early. Although targeted therapies can treat advanced skin cancer, some can cause more skin cancers. Caught early, most skin cancers can be successfully treated.

Early treatment of a skin reaction can also help prevent a worsening reaction. If the skin reaction becomes too severe, a patient may have to stop targeted therapy.

What to look for when receiving targeted therapy for skin cancer

To give you an idea of what you may see, here鈥檚 a list of common skin reactions from the targeted therapies approved to treat skin cancer.

Dabrafenib (Tafinlar^庐) or vemurafenib (Zelboraf^庐) 鈥� Prescribed to treat advanced melanoma, the most common skin (and hair) reactions from these drugs are:

• Rash
• Warts or wart-like growths
• Small, rough-feeling bumps, especially on your arms or thighs
• Sun sensitivity (burn within minutes of being in the sun)
• Blisters and thickening skin on the palms and soles, which can be painful
• Swelling and pain beneath the skin
• Hair loss

More serious skin reactions are:

• A new skin cancer
• New and changing moles, which can become melanoma

Trametinib (Mekinist^庐) 鈥� This may be prescribed to treat advanced melanoma. Common skin (and hair) reactions that occur while taking trametinib include:

• Rashes, including a measles-like eruption on your skin
• Itchy skin
• Tender, painful, or burning skin
• Extremely dry skin
• Infection around a fingernail or toenail
• Loss of hair color

Ipilimumab (Yervoy^庐), nivolumab (Opdivo^庐), or pembrolizumab (Keytruda^庐) 鈥� Patients with advanced melanoma may be prescribed one of these targeted therapies, which can cause the following skin reactions:

• Rash (skin may itch, blister, or develop sores that bleed)
• Extremely dry skin
• Mouth sores
• Itchy skin
• Blisters, crusts, or redness on the skin
• Thick, scaly skin
• Vitiligo (loss of skin color)

Vitiligo on hands: Loss of skin color (vitiligo) while on a targeted therapy usually means treatment is working and you鈥檒l have a good outcome.

Vismodegib (Erivedge^庐) 鈥� Prescribed to treat advanced basal cell carcinoma, some patients experience the following side effects:

• Hair loss
• Food and beverages taste different
• Skin cancer

Skin care may reduce risk of developing a skin reaction

The right skin care can reduce your risk of developing some skin reactions. If a skin reaction develops, good skin care may lessen your discomfort. That鈥檚 why dermatologists recommend the following skin care for patients on a targeted therapy:

1. Keep your skin care gentle and simple. Targeted therapy can make your skin especially sensitive.
   
   When bathing and washing your hands, the following can help reduce irritated skin:

• Wash with a fragrance-free cleanser made for sensitive skin, and avoid soaps and other skin care products with fragrance.

• Use warm water. Hot water can irritate your skin, so you鈥檒l want to avoid hot tubs, hot baths, and steamy showers.

• Moisturize after washing. Using a fragrance-free moisturizing cream can help reduce dry, irritated skin. For best results, applying the moisturizer within 5 minutes of getting out of the bath or shower or washing your hands.

To keep your skin care gentle, dermatologists also recommend that you:

• Avoid acne products, which can irritate your skin.
• Apply moisturizer (creamy and fragrance-free) throughout the day when your skin feels dry.

2. Avoid the sun. Just a few minutes in the sun can cause a serious burn while you鈥檙e on some targeted therapies. You can protect your skin when outdoors 鈥� even for a short time 鈥� by wearing:

• Long sleeves and pants
• A wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen (broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistant)

You want to apply the sunscreen to all skin that clothing won鈥檛 cover, such as your face, neck, ears, and hands. A separate lip balm with SPF 30 or higher and water resistance is best for your lips. You鈥檒l want to apply sunscreen and lip balm thoroughly to give yourself good protection.

3. When taking vermurafenib, use UV-light blocking window films. Even sun coming in a window can cause a problem. You鈥檒l want to apply these films to the windows on your car, home, and office.

3. If you develop peeling skin on your hands or feet, take precautions. This side effect can make walking difficult. Wearing comfortable shoes with a wide toe box can reduce the pressure and friction on your feet. When you have peeling on your hands, wearing padded gloves can help reduce discomfort.

3. At the first sign of a skin reaction, contact your doctor. Caught early, many of these reactions can be treated so that they don鈥檛 cause a serious problem.

A dermatologist can help you manage skin reactions

Because skin reactions are so common, some patients see a dermatologist before starting targeted therapy. It can be helpful to have a thorough skin exam and get skin care tips beforehand.

If you develop a skin reaction, it鈥檚 helpful to have a skin expert to contact for a diagnosis and treatment.

Images

Image of skin reaction: Used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;72(2):221-36.

Image of vitiligo: Thinkstock

References

Collins LK, Chapman MS, et al. 鈥淐utaneous adverse effects of the immune checkpoint inhibitors.鈥� Curr Probl Cancer. 2016 Dec 14. [Epub ahead of print].

Macdonald JB, Macdonald B, et al. 鈥淐utaneous adverse effects of targeted therapies: Part I: Inhibitors of the cellular membrane. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;72(2):203-18.

Macdonald JB, Macdonald B, et al. 鈥淐utaneous adverse effects of targeted therapies: Part II: Inhibitors of intracellular molecular signaling pathways.鈥� J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Feb;72(2):221-36.

Patterson S, 鈥淐utaneous reactions to targeted therapy.鈥� Presented during focus session: Update on cutaneous reactions to targeted and immune cancer therapies. 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology; 2017 March 3-7. Orlando, FL.

Sibaud, V, Meyer N. et al. 鈥淒ermatologic complications of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint antibodies.鈥� Curr Opin Oncol. 2016;28(4):254-63.

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