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Cleansers 101

Cleansing the skin is the first step in your beauty regimen. A good cleanser should wash away dirt and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Here are a few steps to follow to perfect your cleansing routine:

  • Remove make up first. Cleansers have a hard time removing stubborn sunscreen and makeup and won’t wash away all of your makeup and impurities.
  • Use lukewarm or room temperature water. Hot and cold water can lead to redness and irritation.
  • Use a gentle cleanser. Apply a dime-size amount of cleanser to a damp washcloth or your fingers.
  • Use an exfoliating cleanser 2-3 times a week to help with cell renewal.
  • Pat dry your face rather than rub. Rubbing can also irritate the skin.
  • Follow up with a moisturizer.
  • Always end with sunscreen, even if your moisturizer has SPF.

We carry cleansers that have been carefully selected for our patients. Here are a few of our best-selling cleansing products:

iSClinical Cleansing Complex – This lightweight cleansing gel is powerful, yet gentle enough for hypersensitive skin. Cleansing complex thoroughly cleanses the surface and pores of the skin without stripping essential natural oils, leaving skin soft and smooth.

Benefits:

  • Deep-cleanses skin and pores without drying
  • Excellent for blemish-prone skin
  • Gives the appearance of smaller pores
  • Smooths and softens
  • Excellent for shaving
  • Paraben-free

ZO Gentle Cleanser – this gentle cleanser is for all skin types and designed to remove impurities and leave the skin feeling refreshed, clean and hydrated.

Benefits:

  • Helps remove makeup
  • Deep cleans skin to remove oil and impurities
  • Helps promote hydration and leaves the skin feeling refreshed

A great exfoliating cleanser is:

ZO Exfoliating Polish – This exfoliating cleanser uses magnesium crystals to exfoliate dead skin cells and create a clear, smooth and even toned complexion.

Benefits:

  • Magnesium crystals provide exfoliation benefits
  • Instantly polishes skin to restore smoother texture and healthy glow
  • Removes dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores

These products are available at our office locations. To purchase products or to schedule a skin care consultation to see which products are best for your skin, please visit our website to schedule an appointment.

5 Tips for Avoiding Warmer Weather Skin Issues

You heard it first from Punxsutawney Phil: spring is arriving soon. Spring brings new life, new blooms and gorgeous weather. But if you struggle with your skin, you may want to take a few extra precautions as we usher in warmer weather. Here are five skin problems you need to know about and avoid:

Acne Breakouts

Acne breakouts are very common as the weather changes, due not only to the heat, but to the changes you make in your lifestyle as well. The spring brings a whole new skin care routine, focusing much less on moisturizing and more on oil control. If you are prone to suffering from breakouts during seasonal changes, here are a few simple tips to get you ready.

Start by exfoliating your skin more regularly. Your skin becomes rougher in the winter, so it is time to shed your tough skin and allow yourself to get some of that spring sun. That being said, it is also time to bring back the sunscreen into your daily routine. You should wear sunscreen each day, no matter the season, but it is vitally important to wear it during months when the UV rays are harsher. Finally, make sure you are using an oil-free moisturizer, as it will help combat sweat and lessen the appearance of oily, greasy skin.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a rash, usually red and itchy, caused by contact with an irritating substance or by having an allergic reaction. The most common form of contact dermatitis is caused by poison ivy. If you are allergic to other plants, spring can be a difficult time of year because new plants are blooming. You can treat the itchy, redness of contact dermatitis by applying cold, cloth compresses to the affected area or by applying an itch-soothing cream. If the rash has appeared on the face or genitals and is unbearable or doesn’t go away within three weeks, it is important to contact a doctor or dermatologist. Untreated rashes cause infection, pain and even blisters. A dermatologist can better assess your rash to prescribe topical, oral antibiotics or a heavy duty anti-itch cream, among other treatment options.

Insect Bites

While spring brings gorgeous fresh blooms, it also brings with it bugs— and lots of them. The worst offender? Mosquitoes. These blood sucking pests are the biggest annoyances of the warm spring and summer months. So, how do you combat these unwanted visitors? First, guard against mosquito bites in the first place. Using citronella candles is a great way to ward off mosquitoes, as they can’t stand the smoke. Second, spray insect repellent on any exposed skin while outdoors, especially during nighttime. If you are wearing jeans or pants, it is easy to think you are fully protected. However, mosquitoes can be ruthless, and you may end up with bites right on your sock line. Be sure to always spray your ankles.

If these pests do end up finding their way to your skin, treatment is rarely serious. Usually, you can visit your local drugstore and pick up an anti-itch cream like Benadryl. On the chance that you do have a serious reaction to a bite, like a headache or fever, contact your doctor or dermatologist immediately. This may be indicative that the mosquito was carrying a harmful disease or you are allergic to the bug.

Grass and Pollen Allergies

If you suffer from allergies, then spring can be one of the hardest seasons of the year. As spring arrives, all types of pollens are released and new growth blooms from the ground. While this looks absolutely beautiful, it can cause a string of awful allergic reactions. Most commonly, allergy sufferers cite grass and pollen as the worst instigators. Grass and pollen, when coming in contact with skin, causes itchy rashes or hives.

Eczema

Spring can be a difficult time for those who suffer from eczema. Eczema is triggered by a number of things, including irritants, sweat, stress and allergies. Sweat and allergies begins to resurface at the beginning of spring and causes hardship for those with eczema. If you have this skin condition, sweat causes a sensation called “prickly heat,” which then can result in an eczema flare coupled with a heat rash. To treat this, put a cold compress on the affected area and find some shade or air conditioning to help your body cool down. Allergies are also a source for eczema flares that last quite some time, as pollens and other irritants are in the air for an entire season. Talk to your dermatologist about to see if there is a better way to protect your skin from these irritants.

Spring is a gorgeous time of year and a welcome break from the cold, dryness of the winter. If you suffer from skin conditions, especially those that become worse with the changing seasons, it is time to visit your dermatologist. The experienced dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group have treated hundreds of skin conditions and are ready to help you today. Give us a call at (865) 690-9467 or visit our website to book your appointment.

Clean Up Your Routine

It’s finally March – which means spring cleaning season is around the corner. Don’t forget to #CleanUpYourRoutine this year while doing your spring cleaning. During March and April, you’ll see more from us on how to spring clean your skincare products, how to build a skincare routine, skincare for every age and our featured skincare products.

Check back frequently for more in-depth coverage and tips on how to #CleanUpYourRoutine. Make sure to follow us on social media for up-to-date content, contests and giveaways!

Fight The Itch!

Throughout March and April, we’ll be discussing how to #FightTheItch and conquer your seasonal skin conditions.

Spring is fast approaching, which means the days are starting to get longer again and flowers are starting to bloom. It also means that itchy, red patches on our skin can appear out of nowhere. Additionally, that first sunny day of the year can turn into a mean sunburn. Learn how to protect yourself from these topics and more in our #FightTheItch initiative.

Check back frequently for more in-depth coverage on spring skin conditions and tips, and follow us on social media for up-to-date content, contests and giveaways!

Meet the Injector – Brittany Conrad, RN, LE

Brittany Conrad, RN, LE is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Aesthetician. During her time in Aesthetics school, Brittany learned about cosmetic injectable techniques, including Botox and dermal fillers.

  • What should I expect from my injector?

The patient should expect a calm relaxing environment, first time patients can be a little nervous at thought of getting injected. As a provider it is my job to make sure they are thoroughly informed and comfortable with what will happen during the procedure before we begin.

  • What is your favorite area to inject?

I like to inject Botox in the upper face and doing what is known as a chemical brow lift on patients. It’s truly remarkable to see the before and after when a patient comes in for a follow up.

  • What is the most popular area you treat?

It would once again be the upper face area with Botox and typically a patient will come in wanting their glabella (in between the eye brows) and forehead lines diminished since they tend to be over expressive with those muscles a lot.

Brittany Conrad, RN, LE is currently accepting cosmetic patients at our Sevierville and Knoxville locations. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please call 865.690.9467.

Lip Exfoliation 101

Winter has come and so have dry, chapped lips. Combat these lips by treating your lips right and exfoliating. The skin that makes up the lips is very thin, thinner and more delicate than other skin on the body. Because of this, moisture evaporates more quickly and dries the skin out, leaving the lips rough and blistered. Additionally, lips don’t have sebaceous glands which help keep the skin hydrated. Since the skin has no means of natural exfoliation, the skin continues to build up and crack, especially during the winter when there is already little moisture in the air.

To help this, use a soft toothbrush and lip scrub mixture to exfoliate the dead skin off once a week. Follow the exfoliation with a rich lip balm that contains SPF 30 or greater to hydrate the lips back up. Make sure to not exfoliate too hard and leave the lips red and raw. Exfoliating and moisturizing will help the lips from dryness, swelling, burning and bleeding.

Sources:
https://www.vogue.com.au/beauty/skin/how-to-properly-exfoliate-your-lips/news-story/8fda5c0c756db858d2df52f4b59cc7e7
https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-exfoliate-lips
https://www.nivea.com.au/skin-care-tips/face-care/exfoliation/how-to-exfoliate-lips
https://stylecaster.com/beauty/how-often-to-exfoliate-your-lips/

Winter Skin Protection

Winter outdoor activities are a great way to make the most of the cold months. Learn how to take the proper precautions and keep your skin healthy this winter.

Layer up

Winter weather can change constantly throughout the day. Wear breathable layers for regulating body temperature. Don’t forget to protect your hands with gloves and a hat and scarf. Consider wearing a ski mask, which will cover up most of your face. Bring an extra pair of socks in case your pair gets wet.

Hydrate and Moisturize

Don’t skimp out on sunscreen and moisturizer this winter. Re-apply sunscreen SPF 30 or greater every two hours, especially if skiing or snowboarding is on the agenda. Make sure to also use a lip balm with sunscreen to protect your lips. Another important place skiers and snowboarders tend to forget to apply sunscreen is their nose.

Be Sun-Savvy

Remember, you can still get sunburn in the winter! Snow acts as a mirror and reflects the sun’s rays, so you are exposed to them twice. Additionally, Higher elevations lead to stronger UV radiation. Wear goggles or sunglasses that help protect against UVA/UVB rays but also the wind. More often than not, that ‘windburn’ is really sunburn.

Sources:
https://aadermatology.com/how-to-protect-your-skin-this-winter/
https://deteroutdoor.com/blog/skin-care-tips-skiers/
https://www.healthyessentials.com/beauty-solutions/winter-sports-skin-protection-tips

Dermal Fillers In Men

The use of dermal fillers is a great, non-invasive alternative to surgical facelifts and improves the appearance of the skin. The use of fillers in men has increased due to awareness of non-invasive procedures. While dermal fillers have increased in popularity amongst the male community, male patients are still concerned about feminization. The approach to male aesthetics is different from females. Dermal filler treatments are tailored to the natural male structure and beauty.

Men and women are structurally different. Men naturally have thicker skin and larger bones. Men’s foreheads are larger overall, and their eyebrows are flatter than women’s. Their cheeks are flatter and have more of an angle rather than women’s cheeks which are rounder and fuller. There is more volume loss in men’s lower lips verses their upper lip, which is more common in women.  Another common treatment area is the jawline. Men want a wider and well-defined jaw while women tend to have narrower, v shape jaws. Other common areas for men’s dermal fillers include cheeks, around the eyes and temples, and nasolabial folds. It is important to find a skilled injector that listens to individual needs and has training in all dermal fillers.

At Knoxville Dermatology Dermatology, our skilled injectors are knowledgeable and extensively trained in all dermal fillers. To schedule your consultation to see how dermal fillers can benefit you, please visit our website.

Hyaluronic Acid: What’s the Big Deal?

Hyaluronic Acid (HA, as you might see on your skincare labels) is an ingredient everyone is buzzing about – but what is it? Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule found in the body used to retain moisture – leaving the skin plump, healthy and hydrated. While the body is able to produce HA, it is an added benefit when applied topically. One gram of Hyaluronic acid is equal to six litres of water. That’s super-hydration for the skin! HA also has the ability to regulate moisture within the skin cells to make sure the cells aren’t ‘drowning’ and leaves the skin smooth and soft. Hyaluronic acid can be found in the form of serums, supplements, and topical injections. Many dermal fillers are Hyaluronic Acid-based.

In addition to the hydrating benefits, Hyaluronic acid helps fine lines, wrinkles and a gives a radiant glow.  Properly hydrated skin is plump and diminishes the look of fine lines. Hyaluronic acid is safe for all skin types, even acne-prone and sensitive skin. When injected, HA can help with osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease due to normal use of the joints. Add the hydrator as the last step in your beauty regimen, right before your moisturizer.

At Knoxville Dermatology Group, we have beauty experts who can help assist and get you on a proper skin care regimen. To schedule a beauty consultation, please visit our website.

Sources:
https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/skin/a35378/what-is-hyaluronic-acid-and-how-does-it-work/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583886/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hyaluronic-acid-benefits#section3

Lip Fillers 101

Lip fillers are a great, non-surgical procedure to enhance your natural look. Since 2000, lip injections have shown staggering growth and increased popularity. Over time, the lips and lines around the mouth thin and lose their shape. Juvéderm® is a popular dermal filler brand that help add volume and are hyaluronic acid based. Read more below about the common lip fillers from the Juvéderm® families.

Juvéderm

Juvéderm has two popular options for lip fillers: Juvéderm® Ultra XC, and Juvéderm® Volbella XC. Both are FDA approved for lip augmentation. Juvéderm® Ultra XC adds more fullness and plumps thin lips. It also helps with smoothness, softness and overall structure of the lips and mouth.

However, Juvéderm® Volbella XC is a soft, smooth gel injectable which adds subtle volume to the lips and smooths vertical lip lines. Additionally, Juvéderm® Volbella XC helps add fullness to already great lip-structure and smooths and improves texture of the overall lips. Both Juvéderm® Ultra XC and Juvéderm® Volbella XC have been shown to last up to a year with optimal treatment.

Results are seen more instantly with both Juvéderm® Ultra XC and Juvéderm® Volbella XC, but full effects can be seen within a few days after treatment. Similar to Restylane® Silk, Patients can swell at first due to the lidocaine but the swelling subsides within a few days

Safety

Juvéderm® Ultra XC was FDA approved in 2011 as a dermal filler, and became FDA approved for the lip augmentation in 2015 for patients over 21. Juvéderm® Volbella XC gained FDA approval in 2016 for use in the lips for lip augmentation and for correction of perioral lines in adults over the age of 21. Patients should talk to their provider if they have a history of allergies to lidocaine or hyaluronic acid, bleeding disorders or anaphylaxis. ­ Both Juvéderm® Ultra XC and Juvéderm® Volbella XC are only available through a licensed provider. Like Restylane®, there are minor side effects to Juvéderm® lip injections, which include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Tenderness
  • Itchiness
  • Dryness

More serious side effects are rare, but include:

  • Skin color changes (hyperpigmentation)
  • Infection

You may be at increased risk of side effects if you are a smoker, have a bleeding disorder or have any inflammatory skin conditions. Make sure to talk to your provider and discuss any medications that could increase the chance of infection. Patients who are breast feeding, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant should also talk to their provider as the safety has not been studied. For more information, read the full patient safety information for Juvéderm Ultra XC and Juvéderm Volbella XC.

We offer Juvéderm® family dermal fillers. To schedule your appointment and see which dermal fillers are right for you, please visit our website or call us at 865.342.5823 (Knoxville) or 865.868.4683 (Sevierville).

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/restylane-vs-juvederm-lips#overview

https://www.restylaneusa.com/restylane-silk

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/galderma-launches-restylane-silk–first-and-only-fda-approved-filler-indicated-for-lip-enhancement-and-treatment-of-perioral-lines-300027638.html

https://www.juvederm.com/juvederm-ultra-xc

https://www.allergan.com/news/news/thomson-reuters/juv-derm-volbella-xc-approved-by-u-s-fda-for-use-i