• Achilles tendonitis
• Elbow tendonitis
• Knee pain
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Plantar fasciitis
• Hair loss

PRP injections are thought to work by stimulating the body’s healing process. When the platelets in your blood are activated, they release growth factors that help to repair damaged tissue. PRP therapy can also help to reduce inflammation and pain.

There are a few reasons why people are turning to PRP therapy for hair loss. First, it is a non-surgical option that can be performed in an outpatient setting. Second, PRP therapy is less expensive than other hair loss treatments, such as hair transplants. Third, there is little to no down time associated with PRP therapy, which means that people can return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure. Finally, PRP therapy has been shown to be effective in treating both male and female pattern baldness.

What Is PRP Therapy?

PRP therapy is a type of treatment that uses the patient’s own blood plasma to promote healing. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains platelets, which are essential for clotting and wound healing. When injected into an injured area, PRP can help to speed up the healing process by increasing the number of platelets at the site of injury.

What Does PRP Do?

PRP therapy is most commonly used to treat injuries to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. It can also be used to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis and joint pain. PRP therapy is a relatively new treatment, and more research is needed to determine its long-term effectiveness. However, many people who have received PRP therapy report positive results, including reduced pain and improved function. If you are considering PRP therapy for an injury or condition, be sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

PRP Meaning

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Platelets are a type of blood cell that helps with clotting. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood that contains cells, including red and white blood cells, and platelets. PRP is made by taking a sample of your blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other blood cells.

PRP therapy is also a treatment for hair loss that uses your own blood to stimulate hair growth. PRP therapy for hair loss is a three-step medical treatment in which a patient’s blood is drawn, processed, and then injected into the scalp. PRP therapy works by using the patient’s own blood to stimulate hair growth. A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient and then placed in a centrifuge, which separates the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma, which contains a high concentration of platelets, is then injected into the scalp. Platelets, which are a type of blood cell, contain growth factors that can promote healing and regeneration. When these platelets are injected into the scalp, they release their growth factors, which then signal the cells in the area to start growing new hair.

What Is PRP Injection

PRP treatment requires an injection in order to deliver the platelets directly to the area of concern. The injected platelets then release growth factors that promote healing and tissue regeneration. PRP injections are usually done in an outpatient setting, which means that you can go home the same day. The injection itself is relatively quick and only takes a few minutes.

Platelets

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that help prevent bleeding. They’re also known as thrombocytes. Your body needs platelets and clotting factors, which are proteins in your blood, to stop bleeding. When you cut yourself, for example, platelets and clotting factors work together to form a plug (clot) at the site of your injury. Your bone marrow makes platelets. They’re stored in your spleen and released into your bloodstream when you need them. Platelets live for about 10 days. Then they’re removed from your body by the liver and bone marrow.

Healing And Growth Factors

When a blood vessel is injured, platelets are activated and stick to the injury site. They release chemicals that attract more platelets and white blood cells to the area and cause the blood to clot. Platelets also release growth factors that promote healing and tissue regeneration. Growth factors are proteins that stimulate cell growth and differentiation. They play an important role in wound healing and tissue repair. Platelets are an important part of the body’s healing process, but they are not the only cells involved. White blood cells, fibroblasts, and other cells also play a role in wound healing.

What Is Cell Differentiation?

Cell differentiation is the process by which a cell becomes specialized to perform a specific function. Differentiation occurs when a cell’s genetic program is turned on or off, causing the cell to express certain proteins. These proteins then cause the cell to change its structure and function. Differentiation is an important part of development, as it helps ensure that each cell in the body is doing its job. Without differentiation, cells would be unable to develop into the specialized tissues and organs that make up the human body.

One of the benefits of PRP is that it is a minimally invasive treatment option. PRP injections can be performed in a doctor’s office with little to no downtime. Additionally, PRP is a natural treatment option that uses the patient’s own blood, so there is no risk of allergic reaction or rejection.

Do PRP Injections Work?

There is some evidence to suggest that PRP injections may be effective in treating certain conditions, such as tendinitis, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. Additionally, PRP injections are not without risks, and potential side effects include pain, swelling, and infection. PRP injections help patients by increasing blood flow to the injury site, which helps to speed up the healing process. Additionally, PRP injections provide anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help to reduce swelling and discomfort at the injection site. Finally, PRP injections can also help to regenerate new tissue and promote the healing of damaged tissue. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of PRP injections with their doctor before undergoing treatment.

Is PRP Good For Knees?

PRP injections can work for knee osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the cartilage in the knee joint to break down. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee. Osteoarthritis is a common condition, and it often affects people as they get older. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are treatments that can help to relieve the symptoms. Injections of PRP have been shown to be in the knee joint, as well as improve joint function. PRP therapy is a relatively new treatment option, but it shows promise for patients with knee osteoarthritis who are looking for an alternative to traditional treatments like corticosteroid injections or surgery.

PRP Injections For Rotator Cuff

It is not certain if PRP injections should not be used by clinicians for present rotator cuff treatment techniques, according to current standards. Despite the fact that basic science research suggests that PRP injections are effective for tendon injuries, clinical trials and meta-analyses have produced mixed results. The effectiveness of PRP supplementation for various orthopedic clinical problems, including rotator cuff repair, was investigated in a. Six trials were included in their review, which looked at the utility of PRP for minor, moderate, and total rotator cuff injuries. The authors discovered that when PRP was added to surgical repair, there was no significant difference in Constant-Murley and L’Insalata functional scores one year following surgery.

PRP Injections Epicondylitis 

Epicondylitis is classified into two types: lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow).

• Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition that causes pain on the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm. This can lead to inflammation, irritation, and microtears in the tendons.
• Golfer’s elbow is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons and muscles of the forearm. It is a type of tendinitis, which is an inflammation of the tendons. The condition is also known as medial epicondylitis or “inner elbow” Tendinitis. Golfer’s elbow is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm. It is a common injury among golfers, but can also occur in other athletes who use their arms for repetitive motions, such as tennis players, baseball players, and weightlifters.

There is currently limited high-quality evidence on the utility of PRP for golfers elbow; however, multiple meta-analyses on the topic of lateral epicondylitis have been undertaken. For lateral epicondylitis, compared the use of PRP supplementation to either autologous whole blood or dry needling. In comparison to the control group, PRP provided no meaningful functional improvement at three months.

Can PRP Regrow Hair?

PRP injections were found to be beneficial in in a published study. Twenty-five males with hair loss participated in the study. For a total of three sessions, the males received three PRP injections every month. There were substantial changes in hair growth and density six months after the research. PRP therapy is currently considered experimental, and additional study is required to prove its efficacy. The findings of this little study, however, are encouraging.

The use of PRP treatment in women with female pattern hair loss was investigated in another study. The women in the research experienced a substantial after four treatments. Other types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata, may benefit from PRP therapy. This is a disorder that results in bald patches on the scalp. PRP therapy was reported to enhance hair growth in persons with this disease in a short trial.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP ) Treatment

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment is a new, cutting-edge therapy that uses the patient’s own blood to help speed up the healing process. PRP contains a high concentration of platelets, which are essential for clotting and healing. When injected into an injured area, PRP can help the body heal itself by stimulating the growth of new tissue and blood vessels. PRP has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of injuries, including tendinitis, ligament damage, and muscle strains. It is also being used to treat arthritis and other degenerative diseases. PRP treatments are usually done on an outpatient basis, and the results can be seen within a few weeks.

PRP Recovery

Most people report feeling back to their normal selves within a few days of their PRP treatment, although it may take up to a week or two for the full effects of the therapy to be seen. Some bruising and swelling is common after the procedure, but this typically subsides within a few days. Any discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.

How Does PRP Work For Skin Rejuvenation?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentration of platelets and other growth factors that can be injected into areas of the skin to promote healing and rejuvenation. PRP has been shown to be, including wrinkles, scars, and dark circles under the eyes. While PRP is generally considered safe, there is a risk of side effects, such as bruising, swelling, and pain at the injection site. Talk to your doctor before considering PRP for skin rejuvenation to see if it’s right for you.

PRP is thought to work for skin rejuvenation because it can promote the growth of new collagen and skin cells. Collagen is a protein that helps keep the skin looking firm and plump. as we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin. PRP treatment can help to reverse this process by stimulating the growth of new collagen. PRP is also said to be effective in treating dark circles under the eyes. This is because PRP treatment can increase blood flow and reduce inflammation in the area. The increased blood flow can help to improve the appearance of dark circles by making the skin look brighter and more refreshed. PRP is usually injected into the skin using a fine needle. A numbing cream or local anesthesia may be used to help minimize any discomfort. After the injection, you may notice some redness and swelling, but this should subside within a few days. You may also see some bruising, but this is usually temporary and will resolve on its own.

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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’s 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’s 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’ll 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’s 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’t 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’re 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’ll 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’s causing your brittle nails.

After you stop doing what’s causing your brittle nails, you’ll 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’ll 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’s 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’s 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, “Dermatologists have firm grip on new treatments for the aging hand.” News release issued August 4, 2011. Last accessed November 10, 2017.

Ortonne, JP, Pandya AG, et al. “Treatment of solar lentigines.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2006;54:S262-71.

Rosen T, Lebwohl MG. “Prevalence and awareness of actinic keratosis: Barriers and opportunities.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2013;68:S2-9.

Sadick N. “Arm and hand rejuvenation.” In: Hirsh R, Cohen JL, et al. Aesthetic rejuvenation. McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2009:162-72.

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

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

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When you look in the mirror, do you feel that your skin would look more attractive if you could shrink those large pores? There’s actually a lot you can do to make pores less noticeable. Much of this, you can do on your own.

Here’s what dermatologists recommend.

Use only non-comedogenic skin care products and makeup

The word “non-comedogenic” means the product won’t clog your pores. When pores clog, they expand, which can make your pores look more noticeable.

To avoid clogged pores, look for one of the following terms on everything you apply to your face:

• Non-comedogenic
• Oil free
• Won’t clog pores

If you don’t see one of these terms, don’t use the product.

Cleanse your face twice a day

Clogged pores or an oily complexion can make pores look larger. Cleansing twice daily can unclog pores, prevent clogged pores, and reduce oiliness. When cleansing your face, you’ll want to:

• Use warm water. Hot water can irritate your skin, causing pores to look larger.
• Gently wash your face. Scrubbing can irritate your skin, causing inflammation. When skin is inflamed, pores tend to be more noticeable.
• Find a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser. Again, you want to do everything you can to stop irritating your skin and stop clogging your pores.

Use retinol

If you have oily skin, mild acne, or your skin appears less firm than it once was, pores can look larger. Using a skin care product with retinol or retinyl palmitate may help. For best results, apply the product before going to bed.

Some people find that this type of skin care product irritates their skin. You can prevent this by washing your face and then waiting 30 minutes to apply the product.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t use a product containing retinol or retinyl palmitate.

Treat acne

Acne clogs your pores, which can make your pores more noticeable.

Using a cleanser with salicylic acid may help. Studies show salicylic acid can unclog pores. Some cleansers containing salicylic acid are gentle enough to use every day.

If the salicylic acid dries or irritates your skin, try alternating cleansers. Use a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser when you wake up and the salicylic acid cleanser before bed.

Many people who have acne need more than salicylic acne to control their acne. You’ll find more information about how to treat acne at:

Protect your face with sunscreen every day

The more sun damaged your skin, the less firmness it has. When skin starts to lose its firmness, pores look more noticeable.

Applying a broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher helps prevent sun-damaged skin. To protect your skin, apply sunscreen every day — even when it’s raining or cold outside. Every time the sun’s rays hit our skin, they can damage our skin. This damage builds up over time.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating may make pores less noticeable. To get the results you want, you need to exfoliate safely to avoid damaging your skin. You can find out how to do this by watching:

If exfoliating your skin makes you uncomfortable or you aren’t sure this is right for you, a board-certified dermatologist can help. By seeing a dermatologist, you can find out whether exfoliating may help make your pores less noticeable. A dermatologist may also be able to exfoliate your skin during an office visit.

Be gentle with your skin

Scrubbing your face won’t make it any cleaner, but scrubbing can irritate your skin, which can make your pores look larger.

Picking at, squeezing, or digging into your pores can also irritate your skin, making pores look more noticeable.

For these reasons, you want to be very gentle with your skin. Never scrub, rub, pick at, or squeeze the skin on your face.

Treat sagging skin

As we age, our skin loses its firmness and starts to sag. Pores look larger when skin sags.

A board-certified dermatologist can examine your skin and tell you what can tighten your skin. Many procedures can be done in a dermatologist’s office and require no downtime. You can find out about the many options for giving your skin a lift at:

Image: Getty Images

References

Kunin A. “Enlarged pores and blackheads.” In: The DERMAdoctor skinstruction manual. Simon & Schuster. United States of America, 2005:105-10.

Leffell DJ. Total skin: The definitive guide to whole skin care for life. Hyperion, United States of America, 2000:40,61-2.

Tanaka Y. “Long-term nasal and peri-oral tightening by a single factional noninuslated microneedle radiofrequency treatment.” J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(2):45-51.

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Menopause, which officially begins one year after your last period, can bring with it some noticeable changes to your skin and hair. As hormone levels plummet, your skin can become dry, slack, and thin. You may notice more hair on your face and less on your scalp.

With the right care, you can lessen these effects. Here’s what dermatologists recommend.

Age spots and other signs of sun-damaged skin

If you’ve spent ample time in the sun without sun protection, you’ll likely see the effects now. Age spots and larger areas of darker skin can appear on your face, hands, neck, arms, or chest.

Skin cancer and pre-cancerous skin growths also become more common.

What you can do: To protect your skin, you want to:

• Apply sunscreen every day before going outdoors. To give your skin the protection it needs, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it to all skin that clothing won’t cover.
  
  
  
  This can help fade age spots, prevent new spots from forming, and reduce your risk of getting skin cancer.

• Make an appointment to see a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening: Your risk of getting skin cancer increases with age. As your risk rises, skin cancer screenings become so important. The earlier you find skin cancer and pre-cancerous growths, the more treatable they are.

• Start skin self-exams: During your dermatology appointment, ask your dermatologist how often you should examine your own skin. You’ll find everything you need to know to examine your skin at:
  
  
  
  

• Ask your dermatologist to recommend treatment for age spots: Before you buy any treatment for age spots, see your dermatologist for a skin exam.
  
  
  
  Skin cancer sometimes looks like an age spot or other dark spot on your skin. If you use your age-spot treatment on a skin cancer, you may fade the spot and delay treatment. Delaying treatment for skin cancer gives the cancer time to possibly grow and spread. This can make the cancer more difficult to treat.
  
  
  
  After examining your skin, your dermatologist can recommend an age-spot treatment that’s suitable for your skin.

In menopause, your risk of skin cancer rises, making skin-self exams and dermatology check-ups even more important.

Bruise easily

As estrogen levels fall, skin becomes thinner. Thin skin bruises more easily.

What you can do: You may be able reduce thinning skin. Here’s how:

• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. While this cannot thicken your skin, it can prevent further thinning. You want to apply sunscreen to your face, hands, neck, and any other area that clothing won’t cover. And you want to do this every day — even in winter.

• Consult with a dermatologist about treatment options. A dermatologist will be honest about what may work for you. For some women, a retinoid cream can help. Laser treatment may be another option.

Dry skin

In menopause, skin loses some ability to hold water, so skin can get quite dry. This can be especially noticeable when the air is dry.

What you can do: The following can help combat dry skin:

• Wash with a mild cleanser instead of soap. For mature skin, soap can be too drying. And you definitely want to skip the deodorant bars.

• Apply moisturizer after bathing and throughout the day when your skin feels dry. A moisturizer with hyaluronic acid or glycerin can be especially helpful.

• See your dermatologist if your skin still feels dry. Exfoliation or microdermabrasion may help, but you want to see your dermatologist before trying one of these. At menopause, skin becomes thinner and trying one of these at home may cause more harm than good.

Facial hair

As levels of female hormones fall, you can see unwanted hair under your chin and along your jawline or above your lip.

What you can do: Waxing may be an option. If your skin becomes too thin for waxing, your skin can tear and bleed. To remove unwanted hair, you’ll want to:

• See your dermatologist. A board-certified dermatologist can tell you what you can use to remove unwanted hair. Options include laser hair removal and a prescription hair-reduction cream.

• Have a board-certified dermatologist perform laser hair removal if that’s an option: In skilled hands, this treatment may seem easy. Your risk of side effects increases dramatically when the person performing your laser treatment lacks medical training and in-depth knowledge of the skin.
  
  
  
  
  
  

After examining your skin, a board-certified dermatologist can tell you what can help lessen the changes.

Hair loss on your head

At menopause, many women notice thinning hair on their head. The first sign may be a widening part. Some women find that their hairline starts to recede.

What you can do: When it comes to hair loss, the earlier you start treating it the better your results. Because many things can cause hair loss, you’ll want to:

• See a board-certified dermatologist at the first sign of a problem. Treatment for hair loss depends on the cause. If your hair loss is due to menopause, your dermatologist may recommend minoxidil, laser treatment, or both.
  
  
  
  If you have already lost a considerable amount of hair, a hair transplant may be an option.
  
  
  
  

Jowls, slack skin, and wrinkles

In menopause, skin quickly loses collagen. Studies show that women’s skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first 5 years of menopause. After that, the decline is more gradual. Women lose about 2% of their collagen ever year for the next 20 years.

If you use only one anti-aging product, make it broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it daily.

As collagen diminishes, our skin loses it firmness and begins to sag. Jowls appear. Permanent lines run from the tip of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Wrinkles that used to appear only with a smile or frown become visible all the time.

Later, the tip of the nose dips. You may see pouches under your eyes.

Large pores also are due to lack of skin firmness.

What you can do: If sagging skin or wrinkles bother you:

• Protect your skin from the sun. This can reduce visible wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles.
  
  
  
  You’ll find other ways to treat wrinkles at:
  
  
  
  

• Consider using a skin care product that contains retinol or peptides. These ingredients can increase collagen in your skin.

Pimples and other types of acne

As levels of female hormones drop before and during menopause, some women develop teenage-like acne.

What you can do: Because a woman’s skin is thinner and drier, treatments for teenage acne are often too harsh. Dermatologists recommend that you:

• Wash acne-prone skin with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. This helps unclog pores.
• Avoid acne products that dry your skin. Drying your skin can worsen acne.
• Make a dermatology appointment if you cannot get acne under control. A hormonal treatment may be necessary.
  
  
  
  

Rashes and easily irritated skin

Around 50, the pH level of our skin changes. With this change, skin becomes more sensitive, and women are more likely to develop rashes and easily irritated skin.

If you have an existing skin condition, such as eczema or rosacea, this could worsen.

What you can do: If you notice any of these changes, you should:

• Use a fragrance-free moisturizer. This can reduce irritation.
• See a board-certified dermatologist if the rash lasts or a skin condition worsens. As skin becomes drier and more easily irritated, you may need a dermatologist’s help.

Wounds heal more slowly

Hormones play an important role in healing our skin. When hormones levels fall, skin takes longer to heal.

What you can do:

• Realize that your skin will heal. It may take longer now.
• See a board-certified dermatologist if an infection or other skin problem occurs. When skin takes longer to heal, you have a greater risk of getting an infection or other skin problem.

What changes will you make?

Now that you know what to expect, you also know there’s a lot you can do to diminish these changes. If all this seems overwhelming, a board-certified dermatologist can create an effective treatment plan that delivers noticeable results.

Images: Getty Images

References

Hall G and Phillips TJ. “Estrogen and skin: The effects of estrogen, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy on the skin.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2005;53:555-68.

Kunin A. “Menopause and your skin: There is something you can do.” In: Kunin A. DERMAdoctor: Skinstruction manual. Simon & Schuster, United States of America, 2005:339-45.

Neder L and Sebastião Freitas de M. “Topical estradiol does not interfere with the expression of the metalloproteinase-1 enzyme in photo exposed skin cells.” An. Bras. Dermatol. 2012;87:70-5.

White GM and Cox NH “Disorders of hair.” In: White GM and Cox NH. Diseases of the skin: A color atlas and text (second edition) Mosby Elsevier, China, 2006:588-9.

Yaar M, Gilchrest BA. “Aging of skin.” In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:967-8.

Zaulyanov-Scanlan L. “Hormones and aging skin.” In: Baumann, L. Cosmetic Dermatology. (second edition) McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2009:29-31.

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A skin lightener can fade — or even clear — dark spots and patches on your skin, but some come with serious health risks.

If your skin lightener contains mercury, it could be damaging your kidneys without you knowing it. Mercury can also injure your nerves, leading to permanent numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or around your mouth.

If your children snuggle up against you, the mercury could harm their developing brains.

Your husband can also develop serious health problems if your skin-lightening product contains mercury. He could develop mercury poisoning, which can cause irritability, shyness, and tremors. Mercury poisoning can also lead to problems with eyesight, hearing, or both.

If you use a skin care product that contains mercury, your children and husband can also develop serious health problems.

Are there any warning signs that you’re putting mercury on your skin?

Sometimes. Your skin may feel rough and dry where your applied the skin lightener. Your skin may itch. You may feel tired, weak, or have muscle pains. Some people have a metallic taste in their mouths.

If you’re using a mercury-laden skin lightener, the product may cause skin rashes, scars, discolored skin, anxiety, or depression.

Can you tell if a skin lightener contains mercury before you use it?

Sometimes it’s possible — but not always. Here are 3 things you can do.

1. Look at the list of ingredients. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a product contains mercury if you see one of more of these ingredients:

• Calomel
• Cinnabaris
• Hydrargyri oxydum rubrum
• Quicksilver

If you see the word “mercury” or “mercuric” on the list of ingredients that also means the product contains mercury. For example, you might see mercuric amidochloride, mercury oxide, or mercury salts.

2. Check for a warning that tells you to keep the product away from silver, gold, rubber, aluminum, and jewelry. Mercury can damage these.

2. Peek at the color if you can. A product that contains a lot of mercury is often gray or cream colored. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that a product can be gray or cream-colored without containing mercury.

Because many countries have laws that prohibit mercury in skin care products, it’s possible that you won’t find any of these clues.

Do skin lighteners sold in the United States contain mercury?

Studies show that you can easily buy a mercury-laden skin lightener in the United States. In one study, scientists in the United States set out to buy every skin-lightening product they could find.

Before using a product to fade age spots, get a full-body skin exam. If a skin cancer fades, it can take longer to find — and may spread.

The scientists bought products online from countries around the world. They also scoured the shelves of U.S. stores, looking for skin lighteners. They found skin lighteners at beauty supply shops, department stores, ethnic groceries, and other retailers located within four of the largest US. metro areas — New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix.

Anything that promised to lighten the skin — from creams to soaps — they bought. After their shopping spree, they had 549 different products. They tested each for mercury.

Nearly 12% of the skin lighteners contained mercury. About half of these products came from U.S. stores.

Why do some skin lighteners contain mercury?

While mercury can be harmful to your health, it also can effectively remove dark spots and lighten your skin tone. Mercury is also an inexpensive skin-lightening ingredient.

How can I find a safe skin lightener?

To protect your health and get the results you seek, the AAD recommends seeing a board-certified dermatologist. The advantages of seeing a dermatologist include:

1. Learning what can lighten your skin. A skin lightener cannot always get rid of patches of darker skin. For example, if you have that sits deep in your skin, you may need a chemical peel or laser treatment.
   
   
   
   After examining your skin and learning about what you want to do, a dermatologist can tell you what may help.

1. Making sure you get a trustworthy skin-lightening product. A dermatologist can recommend a product that will lighten your skin or fade dark spots without using mercury.
   
   
   
   This will also help you avoid other harmful ingredients. Some skin lighteners that you can buy contain strong steroids. If you use this product for several weeks or months, you can damage your skin.

1. Finding skin cancer. A dermatologist should check your skin for signs of skin cancer before you start using a skin lightener. Sometimes, skin cancer looks like an age spot or dark patch on your skin.

1. Getting a treatment plan that can help fade dark spots and prevent them from returning. Most dark spots and patches are caused by sunlight. If you treat your skin and continue to go outdoors without sun protection, you’ll have to treat your skin all the time to fade the dark spots and patches.
   
   
   
   A dermatologist can show you how to protect your skin from the sun so that you do not develop more dark spots and patches. This can save you money.
   
   
   
   A dermatologist will also try to recommend products within your budget.

Why put your health at risk? Make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist and see what’s possible.

Images

Images 1, 2: Getty Images

Image 3: Property of the American Academy of Dermatology

References

Hamann CR, Boonchai W, et al. “Spectrometric analysis of mercury content in 549 skin-lightening products: Is mercury toxicity a hidden global health hazard?” J Am Acad Dermatol 2014;70:281-7.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “s.” Updated July 26, 2016. Last accessed November 10, 2017.

World Health Organization. “.” 2011.

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What exactly is a stretch mark?

A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear.

Not everyone develops these narrow bands on their skin. Fluctuating hormone levels seem to play a role. You may also have a higher risk if people in your family get stretch marks.

If you develop stretch marks, you’re most likely to do so during these times:

• Growth spurts that happen in puberty
• Pregnancy
• Rapid weight loss or gain
• Weight training when you have rapid muscle growth

Applying a corticosteroid to your skin for a long time can also cause stretch marks. If you have Cushing’s disease or Marfan syndrome, you may see stretch marks.

When stretch marks first appear, they tend to be red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown, depending on your skin color. Early stretch marks may feel slightly raised and can be itchy.

In time, the color fades and the narrow bands sink beneath your skin. If you run your finger over a mature stretch mark, you often feel a slight depression.

What can get rid of stretch marks?

Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent, but treatment may make them less noticeable. Treatment can also help alleviate the itch.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before treating stretch marks. Some products contain ingredients, such as retinol, that can harm your baby.

It’s important to understand that no single treatment works for everyone — and many products don’t seem to work at all. Here’s what researchers have discovered about the many treatments for stretch marks.

Stretch mark creams, lotions, and gels: Researchers have studied many of the creams, lotions, and gels sold to treat stretch marks. While no one product seems to help all of the time — and some don’t seem to help at all — researchers have discovered some helpful hacks.

If you want to try one of these creams, lotions, or gels to fade stretch marks, be sure to:

• Use the product on early stretch marks.
  
  Treatment seems to have little effect on mature stretch marks.

• Massage the product into your stretch marks.
  
  Taking time to massage the product gently into your skin may make it more effective.

• Apply the product every day for weeks.
  
  If you see results, they take weeks to appear.

Home remedies: In studies, popular home remedies have not worked. Researchers found that none of the stretch marks faded when people massaged almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, or vitamin E into their stretch marks.

Tanning cannot get rid of stretch marks. When you tan, stretch marks become more noticeable because they don’t tan.

Self-tanner: While tanning can make stretch marks more noticeable, a self-tanner can camouflage stretch marks — both early and mature ones. A self-tanner cannot get of rid of stretch marks.

Prescription medicine you apply to your skin: In studies, two ingredients seem to offer some relief:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Tretinoin

In two large studies, applying hyaluronic acid to early stretch marks made the stretch marks less noticeable.

Tretinoin is a retinoid, which may also make early stretch marks less noticeable. In one study, people who applied this prescription cream every night for 24 weeks had less noticeable stretch marks. Those who didn’t apply the cream saw their early stretch marks grow. Other studies have found similar results.

Retinol, another type of retinoid, may also help fade early stretch marks.

Procedures that dermatologists perform: Dermatologists use the following procedures to make stretch marks less noticeable, but none of these can get rid of stretch marks:

• Chemical peel
• Laser therapy
• Microdermabrasion
• Radiofrequency
• Ultrasound

To give you the best results, your dermatologist may use more than one procedure. For example, your dermatologist may treat you with radiofrequency and a pulse dye laser.

With all procedures, side effects are possible. In the skilled hands of a board-certified dermatologist, side effects tend to be minor and temporary. It’s common to have some redness and swelling after a procedure. The redness and swelling tend to disappear in a few hours or days.

A dermatologist can tell you if any of these treatments would be suitable for you, given your health, age, and how long you’ve had the stretch marks.

Can anything prevent stretch marks?

Short answer: Maybe.

Researchers have discovered that many remedies said to prevent stretch marks don’t actually work. In studies, neither almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, nor vitamin E prevented stretch marks.

Other ingredients may work. Researchers have found that products containing centella or hyaluronic acid may help prevent stretch marks. Centella is an herb, and our skin naturally contains hyaluronic acid.

When to seek a dermatologist’s expertise

Stretch mark treatments that you can buy at a store or online can be expensive. If you find yourself spending a lot of time and money without getting any results, seeing a board-certified dermatologist can be helpful.

The in-office procedures have proven more effective than the creams, lotions, and gels. Dermatologists can also tell you about any new product or procedure that may help.

Images

Image 1 used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Image 2 and 3: Getty Images

References

Hague A and Bayat A. “Therapeutic targets in the management of striae distensae: A systematic review.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(3):559-68.

Stier MF and Hirsch RJ. “Rejuvenation of scars and striae.” In: Hirsch RJ, et al. Aesthetic rejuvenation. McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2009:224-9.

Ud‐Din S, McGeorge D, et al. “Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016; 30(2): 211–22.

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When shopping for sunscreen, your choices can feel overwhelming. You’ll find lotions, sprays, gels, and creams. With so many different SPFs, it can be hard to tell which one you need.

To make it easier to buy sunscreen, the American Academy of Dermatology is sharing a simple two-step process. Here’s what you can do to find a sunscreen that’s right for you.

Step 1: Look for the 3 essentials

To protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, you want to use a sunscreen that offers all of the following:

• SPF 30 (or higher)
• Broad-spectrum protection (UVA/UVB)
• Water resistance

Not every sunscreen offers all 3. When it does, you’ll see the above words listed on the container. On some products, you may see the words “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB.”

It’s really important to use a sunscreen that offers the 3 essentials. Studies show that daily use can reduce your risk of:

• Skin cancer, including melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer
• Precancerous skin growths that can turn into skin cancer
• Signs of premature skin aging like age spots, wrinkles, and leathery skin
• Sunburn
• Melasma
• Dark spots on your skin that can appear when acne, psoriasis, or another condition clears

Step 2: Consider your skin type, skin conditions, and other needs

By limiting your sunscreen choices to ones that contain the 3 essentials, you’ll still have quite a few options. To find a sunscreen that’s right for you, you’ll want to consider your skin’s unique needs and where you want to apply the sunscreen.

The following list can help you narrow your options so that you can find a sunscreen that’s right for you.

Acne-prone skin: Look for the words “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores”.

Allergy-prone skin: Avoid sunscreen that contains fragrance, PABA, parabens, or oxybenzone (benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3, diosybenzone, mexenone, sulisobenzone, or sulisobenzone sodium).

Around your eyes: To prevent sunscreen from dripping into your eyes, use a sunscreen stick around your eyes. Make sure the stick has an SPF 30 (or higher), broad-spectrum protection, and water resistance.

Children: Use a sunscreen made for children. Most contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Dry skin: Look for “moisturizing” or “dry skin” on the label.

Lips: Lip balm with SPF 30+ and broad-spectrum protection.

Oily skin: Look for the words “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores.”

Olive to darkly colored skin: Use sunscreen with a tint to prevent a white reside from forming on your skin.

Rosacea: Use a sunscreen that contains only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Many sunscreens for children contain only these 2 ingredients.

Sensitive skin: Use a sunscreen with the words “sensitive skin” on the label. Avoid products with fragrance, parabens, or oxybenzone (benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3, diosybenzone, mexenone, sulisobenzone, or sulisobenzone sodium).

Skin stings or burns when you apply sunscreen: Use a sunscreen that contains only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Many sunscreens for children use only these 2 ingredients. Avoid sunscreen with fragrance.

References

Cestari T and Kesha Buster K. “Photoprotection in specific populations: Children and people of color.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2017;76:S110-21.

Lim HW, Arellano-Mendoza MI, et al. M “Current challenges in photoprotection.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2017;76:S91-9.

Maymone MBC, Neamah HH, et al. “Sun-protective behaviors in patients with cutaneous hyperpigmentation: A cross-sectional study.” J Am Acad Dermatol. In press, corrected proof, published online: February 15, 2017.

Sambandan DR and Ratner D. “Sunscreens: An overview and update.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2011;64:748-58.

Young AR, Claveau J, et al. “Ultraviolet radiation and the skin: Photobiology and sunscreen photoprotection.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2017;76:S100-9.

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