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The 4-1-1 on Moisturizers

Winter is nearly over, which means the change in seasons can leave the skin feeling dry and cracked. Adding a daily moisturizer to your skin care routine is the perfect way to combat this. Moisturizers will leave your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Their effects are proven to fight off skin problems like blemishes and wrinkles. There are a lot of different moisturizers out on the market. A safe rule of thumb is to look for moisturizers with glycerin, ceramides and lactic acid. You should also use different creams for different parts of the body – such as eye creams, face creams, and neck creams. All of these moisturizers are necessary because your skin has different needs for different areas.

Below are a few fan favorites here at Anne Arundel Dermatology:

iSClinical Youth Eye Complex

iSClinical Youth Eye Complex is a breakthrough formula that utilizes advanced technologies to combat the visual signs of aging. This formula is clinically proven to target visual areas of concern. Powerful peptides, key growth factors, and potent antioxidants help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and visibly brighten the under-eye area to keep skin smooth, hydrated and protected all day long.

Benefits

  • Provides penetrating hydration
  • Soothes and brightens the appearance of the under-eye area
  • Reduces the appearance of periorbital fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing the appearance of firmness and elasticity

ZO Intense Eye Cream

ZO Intense Eye Cream is a targeted retinol eye moisturizer that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.  In addition, this moisturizer improves overall complexion and texture.

Benefits

  • Helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Optical light diffusers reflect light to minimize imperfections
  • Protects against free radical damage

Colorscience Total Eye™ 3-In-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35

Treat your eyes to Total Eye™ 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35. It visibly improves the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. In addition, it protects the delicate eye area against photoaging with 100% SPF 35 mineral sunscreen.

Benefits

  • Contains Broad Spectrum (UVA/UVB) SPF 35
  • Brightens the eye area and corrects imperfections to reduce dark circles and puffiness
  • Helps restore skin health with hydration that provides support for sagging skin to enhance the upper eye area

iSClinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion

This intensive, rejuvenating moisturizer is formulated with pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, peptides, and powerful antioxidants. Reparative Moisture Emulsion helps keep your skin looking and feeling healthy, smooth and protected.

Benefits

  • Helps protect skin from environmental aggressors with Extremozyme® technology
  • Paraben-free & great for all skin types (including oily and sensitive skin)
  • Smooths and hydrates the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

ZO Recovery Crème

ZO Recovery Crème is a retinol crème.  This crème helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while ceramides support hydration and a smoother skin surface.

Benefits

  • Complements skin’s own natural recovery process
  • Calms and soothes irritated skin
  • Helps restore hydration and nourishment to severely dry, dehydrated skin

Colorscience Pep Up™ Collagen Renewal Face & Neck Treatment

Pep Up™ combines a powerful blend of ingredients to help support your skin’s own healthy collagen production. It also defends against visible signs of aging. This treatment will enhance skin texture and tone, diminish the appearance of wrinkles, and provide you with a healthy, rejuvenated look.

Benefits

  • Oil-free, Non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic
  • Promotes healthy collagen and elastin production
  • Provides deep hydration + advanced antioxidant support

Colorscience Lip Shine SPF 35

Sun protection, a touch of gloss, and just the right natural color. Colorescience® Lip Shine dresses your smile for every occasion.

Benefits

  • Available in tinted or clear shades
  • Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen
  • Water resistant (40 minutes)

 

Moisturizers are available at our office locations (not all moisturizers are available at all 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 request an appointment.

Clean Up Your Routine And Win!

#CleanUpYourRoutine this March with our Spring-Cleaning Botox Promotion! For every $250 you spend on products, you will receive an entry to win FREE Botox for one (1) year!*

Visit our either of our  MediSpa locations to purchase products. Not sure which products to add to your regimen? Schedule a skincare consultation with one of trained clinicians.

* Offer valid for 25 units of Botox free every four (4) months for one (1) year. The offer is valid with Anne Arundel Dermatology providers only. Offer valid through 3/29/2019. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers or specials. Some exclusions may apply. Winner must redeem services at location of raffle entry where applicable.

Hives versus Rashes: Know the Difference


Spring offers a chance for our skin to breathe and renew itself. With your skin exposed, effects of airborne and contact irritants in the form of hives or rashes will occur if you have overly sensitive skin. These irritants come in the form of pollens, substances you are allergic to or semi-poisonous plants like poison ivy. It is important to note the difference between hives and rashes, as they mean different things for your body and are treated in different ways. Read on to explore the differences in hives and rashes and how to distinguish between the two skin irritations.

Hives

Spot the Difference

Medically known as urticaria, hives are red, raised and itchy patches of skin.  Hives can be found on the neck, chest and any other areas exposed to the trigger irritant. Cases of acute hives can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. However, some suffer from chronic hives which may last on and off for months or years. Hives are also connected to angioedema, which is the swelling of the deeper layers of the skin.

Know the Cause

Hives are typically triggered by irritants or allergens that come into contact with the skin, however it is difficult to determine the origin of a case of hives. Certain drugs, foods and bugs that you are allergic to may also cause a reaction. Even temperature, sunlight and exercise will help determine whether or not you will develop hives.

Treating Hives

When experiencing acute hives, apply cool, wet compresses to the area to relieve some of the heat. To avoid flair-ups, keep indoor temperatures low and use a gentle detergent. If you suffer from chronic hives, talk to your dermatologist about the number of treatments he or she can prescribe. Most commonly, treatment includes antihistamines or corticosteroids, which help calm the itch and soothe  the affected areas.

Rashes

Spot the Difference

The most common type of rash is eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. This is a condition that causes your skin to become itchy and red.  An eczema flare-up is different from a hives rash in that eczema flare-ups have fluid in their bumps and crust over when you try to scratch them. Symptoms also include dryness of skin, itchiness at night, red or brownish patches and scaly, cracked skin. Eczema is a chronic condition, unlike hives, and appears periodically.

Know the Cause

A rash is not a diagnosis of a condition, but a symptom of something more concerning. Eczema, poison ivy and athlete’s foot are all conditions that affect the skin’s ability to protect itself. This also decreases the skin’s effectiveness to retaining moisture, thus causing cracked, dry patches. In your skin’s lessened ability to protect itself, it becomes more vulnerable to environmental factors like changes in weather and exposure to allergens.

Treating Rashes

There are many ways to treat a rash. The simplest way is to use gentle products and make sure your skin is clean. Rinse exposed skin, change clothes and moisturize after a few hours outdoors. Eczema rashes often flair-up in the outdoors, as allergens, pollens and warmer temperatures are harsh on vulnerable skin. It is imperative to understand your triggers and the best ways to avoid them. You should make regular trips to your dermatologist to monitor the health of your skin – a dermatologist recommends more effective treatment options made specifically for you and can prescribe medications like antihistamines or soothing creams.

It is important to know what is ailing your skin to get the help you need. Whether it’s a rash or hives or you just don’t know where to start, visit the dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group today. The experienced staff can get you the help you need in no time.

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