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3 Must-Have Products for Protecting Sun-Kissed Skin

Know your ABC’s this Summer and get your annual skin check

Are you ready to embrace your sun-kissed skin this summer? The sun’s UV rays are damaging to the skin, so it’s important to protect the body’s largest organ before stepping out to the beach. Although sun-kissed skin gives us the appearance we desire, many don’t realize the impact it has on our skin’s health. In fact, in a study by the American Academy of Dermatology, 60 percent of men and 54 percent of women think that tan skin means healthy skin. However, when the sun darkens your pigment, it’s actually damaging healthy cells in the process. To achieve the sun-kissed look we all want, be sure to use these three must-have products to keep your skin healthy.

Sunscreen

We know you’re using sunscreen when you lie out to tan but are you using the one that’s right for your skin? One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point, so it’s important to choose a product that will be the healthiest and safest for you.

To make sure your skin is being protected against both UVA and UVB rays, the sunscreen you use must be broad-spectrum, water-resistant and have an SPF of at least 30. Use your product on your body as you spend time outside, even if you don’t think you’re receiving UV rays. Even on cloudy or rainy days, 40 percent of the sun’s UV rays still reach the earth’s surface.

For the best protection and natural aging, we recommend working a facial sun protectant into your morning routine. By adding this step, that takes just a few seconds, your skin will thank you down the line. It’s necessary to choose a different product for your face than the body. Facial sunscreens are formulated with antioxidants to keep your pores clear and skin moisturized, all while protecting it from harmful UV rays.

Lip Protectant

Pucker up! Use a lip protectant to keep your lips hydrated and kissable this summer. Nearly 70 percent of people who use sunscreen while at the beach will forget to apply some protection to their lips. What’s the fuss? Our lips do not have melanin or sebaceous glands in them, meaning they are more susceptible to sun damage and dehydration.

One of the easiest ways to keep our lips hydrated is by drinking water. However, without exfoliation, the skin on our lips will promote dry skin and cause them to crack. Use a lip scrub and soft toothbrush to exfoliate the dead skin cells. Follow the exfoliation with a lip balm containing an SPF of at least 30 to provide back up protection and hydration. Refrain from exfoliating too often or too forcefully because this will leave the lips red and raw.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation is a common practice at the end of winter, to shed the skin of any and all dead cells that accumulated throughout the cold season. However, it’s also important to exfoliate the skin as we start to soak up the sun in the warmer months. Exfoliation increases blood circulation, which is the main factor in achieving healthy, glowing skin.

It’s recommended to exfoliate twice a week with a body scrub that contains grainy particles, usually of sugar or salt. By exfoliating dead or dying skin cells before tanning, you’re allowing the healthiest cells to receive sun. Doing this will help your tan last longer and remain even.

The dermatologists and medical professionals at Knoxville Dermatology Group have years of experience of providing safe sun tips, recommending products and checking for signs of skin cancer.

3 Easy Tips for Beautiful Spring-Ready Skin

3 Easy Tips for Beautiful Spring-Ready Skin

 

The fresh green of spring is symbolic of nature, growth, freshness, and fertility. Winter can have a drying effect on the skin, so spring offers a renewed opportunity to get your skin, spring-ready and back in top condition. From exfoliation to properly caring for your skin in the spring sun, here are a few tips that will lead to dew-kissed, glowing skin.

Exfoliation

Shedding winter layers also applies to the skin. Prepare your skin to look and feel its best by sloughing off the dead, clogged skin cells that have accumulated throughout the winter. Exfoliation aids in boosting the circulation of the skin. This circulation stimulates the skin and produces new skin cells, which gives the skin that radiant, beaming look.

A physical exfoliant is a body scrub or product that contains grainy particles, usually sugar or salt, providing the scrubbing feeling when used. A chemical exfoliator is the milder of the two and recommended for sensitive skin. Consult with your dermatologist to determine which is the best type for you and your skin. A dermatologist is uniquely qualified to craft a personalized skin care regimen that will yield the best possible results.

Exfoliation is one of the oldest beauty practices and has been embraced by many cultures with their own unique traditions. The Chinese would rub ground pearls across their skin to rid it of dead cells with hopes of developing an illuminating glow. A traditional Scandinavian method involved vigorously scrubbing naked bodies with cedar branches in the snow before finding refuge in hot saunas.

Although those traditional methods served their purpose at the time, less expensive (and less-rustic) practices are now the norm. Here are some things to keep in mind when exfoliating:

  • Consider your skin type. Everyone’s skin is different; thus, everyone must consider the products and methods that will be safest and the most beneficial for their specific skin type. Those with sensitive skin may want to use a soft washcloth and mild chemical exfoliator; while those with oily, thicker skin, should consider a stronger, mechanical product.
  • Review the products you already use. Certain products or medications in your daily routine may cause your skin to be more sensitive and prone to peeling. Research what you already use and consult with your dermatologist about any over-the-counter products you are using.
  • Be gentle. Gently apply products to your skin using small, circular motions for about 30 seconds, before rinsing with lukewarm water. Avoid any open wounds, sunburns, bug bites or acne breakouts as it could lead to scaring.
  • Moisturize: Exfoliation has a drying effect on the skin, so be sure to immediately apply a moisturizing product to keep the skin hydrated and nourished.

Interested in more in-depth tips, specific to your skin care needs? Click to request a complimentary skin care analysis

Hydration

It is imperative to stay hydrated for overall health reasons, but especially for your skin. After exfoliation, take extra steps to keep your skin hydrated so it will stay supple and smooth. Moisturize when you get out of the shower and before bed. Swap the heavier, moisturizing cream you’ve been using all winter for a lighter, hydrating product to create spring-ready skin.

Don’t forget to drink water. The more water you drink, the more your skin will love you and reward you with a youthful, brighter glow. As the temperatures rise, you’ll likely be sweating and spending more time in the sun. The amount of water you are supposed to drink in a day depends on your overall weight and daily physical activity, but a few extra cups a day will help as you adjust to the heat.

Sun Protection

Did we mention the sun? As the layers fall off with the warming weather, you’ll naturally want to expose more skin. It is imperative to wear sunscreen every day to best protect the skin. At the end of winter, your skin will be at its palest and most vulnerable state. This is when your skin will burn the easiest resulting in the most damage. Applying a product with at least an SPF of 30 will reintroduce your skin to the UV rays and absorb them at a healthy rate.

By making this part of your daily routine you’ll be thankful in the long run. Your spring-ready skin will age the healthiest it can, without sun damage or spots, and your risk for skin cancer will be drastically reduced.

Want to learn more about how you can get your skin ready for spring? The staff at Anne Arundel Dermatology have years of experience in recommending medical grade skin care products that deliver the best results. Visit us online or make an appointment today by giving us a call at (443) 351-3376.

Pros and Cons of Exfoliation

Exfoliation

It is important to stay educated on the right and wrong ways to use skin products. Exfoliation is a common practice to wipe your face of dead skin cells and keep a youthful glow. However, exfoliation also has a few cons. Here are a few of each:

Pros

Exfoliation can strip the skin of dead skin cells. This speeds up skin renewal and unclogs pores, which helps prevent blackheads and breakouts.

Cells entering the top layer after exfoliation bring moisture and a natural glow.

Exfoliating skin before shaving will remove dead skin cells that can clog your razor blade, resulting in a smoother shave.

Leftover dirt and makeup and result in an uneven skin tone. Exfoliating can help clean and smooth out skin color.

Skin care products such as acne medicine can penetrate deeper on a clean surface.

Cons

Over-exfoliation may have the opposite effect of beautifying your skin. This can come from either exfoliating too often or scrubbing too hard. This can remove too much skin, causing dryness or irritation.

Exfoliating creams should be kept away from children. Exfoliation on a child’s skin may disrupt the skin growth and has little effect on a child’s face.

Exfoliation beads are not biodegradable. Beads end up in the water supply and are eaten by marine animals. Use biodegradable products instead.

Do research before deciding what type of exfoliation you should use. Exfoliation has many benefits as long as it’s treated with care. Everyone’s skin is different, so contact your dermatologist to find the appropriate way to help keep your skin healthy.

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Exfoliation Tips for Brighter, Healthier Skin

Skincare in your 20s

After reading about hydration in our previous post, we’re actively taking steps for healthy, resilient skin. Adding a weekly exfoliation into your routine helps your skin maintain that radiant glow.

Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells. This helps skin absorb moisture and nutrients easier, and this cell turnover keeps skin looking fresh. But that natural process slows down as you age. The accumulation of dry, dead skin cells can cause skin to develop lines and wrinkles. Acne-prone skin tends to shed more skin cells, but without exfoliation they tend to cling to skin and clog pores. Exfoliation encourages this natural process of rejuvenation.

There are several methods of exfoliation. You can seek professional methods like a microdermabrasion or chemical peels, all of which are available at our MediSpa. You can also do tamer forms of exfoliation from the comfort of your home. At-home exfoliation scrubs shouldn’t be abrasive on your skin. To avoid this, watch out for natural, grainy scrubs. Everyone’s skin type is different, so do a little fun research to determine which techniques will work best for you. We’re happy to provide you with some helpful resources and information, so call one of our certified dermatologists to discuss the best skincare and exfoliation methods for your skin.

 

How to Get Luscious Lips

red lips

Dry, cracked lips are never a good look, and it’s an uncomfortable predicament. They hurt and bleed and spoil the fun of the bold lipstick colors you love. So how can you prevent or treat them?

Your lips only have a thin layer of skin to serve as a barrier. There are no oil or sweat glands to react to any dryness they feel. So all the salty snacks, carbonated drinks and weather elements directly impact the integrity of your lips’ anatomy. Speaking of salty snacks and soda, your diet can compromise your lips’ appearance. Acidic foods can absorb all the moisture that otherwise would help plump your lips. Drinking the recommended amount of water and maintaining a diet rich in vitamins and high water content helps balance out the acidic foods you consume.

If you’re currently experiencing chapped lips, try exfoliating and applying a rich balm right before bed. This, along with drinking water and eating a vitamin-rich diet, will help you have soft, healthy and luscious lips throughout the season.

If you have any questions about your lips or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Turn Back the Skincare Clock with Glycolic Acid

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It’s so easy to look back at the mistakes we’ve made and see how we could have avoided them. While preventative steps are always our first recommendation, there’s still hope for some of the skin damage that resulted from that summer you lived on a boat. Certain cosmetic treatments like chemical peels use glycolic or salicylic acid and can help erase the evidence of your past skin blunders.

Glycolic acid, part of a group of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that are found in foods, is derived from sugar cane. When applied to skin, products with glycolic acid help moisturize and remove dead skin cells. It has been shown to help firm, smooth, and improve the appearance of acne scars and aging skin. When compared to other chemical exfoliations, glycolic acid is the best choice for treating fine lines. Other benefits include increasing the natural moisturizers in your skin and improving your skin’s water barrier properties.

Your skin needs exfoliation in its routine, and glycolic acid is a great method! You can incorporate it into your nightly ritual or splurge on a chemical peel at the MediSpa. But before you take the plunge, be sure to consult one of our certified dermatologists to determine the best skincare method for your needs. Call us today at (865) 690-9467 and schedule an appointment.

Why You Should Exfoliate

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As the summer comes to a close, you don’t want your summer glow to fade away. Keep the glow and give your skin a chance to breath by adding exfoliation to your weekly routine.

Exfoliation is a great way to renew and maintain healthy skin. Dead skin cells build up and may result in excess oil and clogged pores. This can cause your skin to look dull, rough and dry. Exfoliation helps improve the look of blemished skin, unclog pores and diminish the appearance of breakout scars. It also soothes dry skin by opening up pores, allowing moisturizing products to penetrate more deeply.

At  MediSpa, our professionals have a variety of exfoliation methods to dissolve and remove dead skin cells. Exfoliation techniques  depend on your skin type and complexion, and our experts can advise  which product is best for you. With the addition of exfoliation in your skincare routine, your summer glow can continue well into the fall!

If you have any questions about exfoliation or you notice any changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Exfoliation – A Skincare Routine Must


While you’re out soaking in the last bit of summer, your skin may be struggling to soak up moisture. Exfoliation is a great way to prepare your skin to maintain moisture for the changing seasons.

Dead skin plagues us all, but as you age, your skin’s ability to regenerate slows down and old skin build up increases. This may result in excess oil and clogged pores, leaving skin dull, rough and dry. Removing your dead skin cells helps improve blemished skin, clogged pores and the appearance of breakout scars. Exfoliation also helps dry skin by opening up pores, allowing moisturizing products to penetrate more deeply.

Professionals have various methods of exfoliation to dissolve and remove cells. Fortunately, you can do the same thing in the comfort of your own home. When shopping for exfoliation scrubs, avoid natural, grainy scrubs as they may be more abrasive on your skin. Overall, exfoliation techniques depend on your skin and complexion, so be sure to seek advice from one of our dermatologists when deciding which product is best for you.

If you have any questions about exfoliation or you notice any changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Milia: Not Such a Small Problem

Milia is a skin condition characterized by deep seeded, small white bumps. The most common types, primary and secondary milia, are keratin filled cysts that are essentially harmless. It forms when skin cells become trapped rather than exfoliate naturally. The trapped cells become walled off into tiny cysts that appear like white beads below the surface of the skin.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, milia can occur on the skin or even on mucous membranes such as the inner surface of the cheek or the vermillion border of the lips.

Often the result of a problem that has affected the skin’s surface, these are some of the most common reasons:

  • Heavy Skin Care & Hair Care Products– These clog pores and prevent the sloughing of dead epidermal skin cells. Be cautious when choosing make-up removers not labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic as they often cause milia around the eyes.  Also pay attention to ingredients in certain lipsticks, lip balms and similar products. They can cause milia around the mouth.
  • Cumulative Sun Damage– A thick layer of skin develops as a result of prolonged history of sun exposure. Thus, skin cells have a difficult time finding their way out of the glands.
  • Porphyria Cutanea Tard– This blistering skin disease is unusual, but milia are often a symptom.
  • Oil producing glands in the skin that have not fully developed; this is common among infants.
  • Genetics

Currently, there are no topical or systemic drugs that are proven effective against milia. However, your dermatologist can treat them surgically, without local anesthetic. Furthermore, there are few measures you can take to prevent milia:

  • Exfoliation– A gentle exfoliation scrub keeps the epidermis thin and smooth which helps milia prone skin.
  • Microdermabrasion/Glycolic Acid Peels– Removes unwanted surface debris and cleanses the pores. Glycolic Acid aids cell turnover as well.
  • Limit Sun Exposure– Be mindful of sun exposure and wear a non-clogging sunscreen with SPF.
  • Vitamin A– Exfoliates skin and thins the epidermis.

Knoxville Dermatology Group wants you to better understand your skin whether it is afflicted with a condition or not. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!

Would you like to learn more about the treatments and products available to get your skin in better shape? A member of our team here at Knoxville Dermatology Group can help! Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.