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Rosacea: a Blushing Matter

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With a few more weeks of winter and the recent freeze over, Knoxville can expect to see the flushed faces of people rushing back indoors. But if that flush doesn’t go away even after you regain feeling in your face, you may be experiencing rosacea.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by a constant “blush” on your nose and cheeks. The redness can also extend to your forehead, chin and even your ears and chest. What many people do not realize is that rosacea is more than redness. Some people experience visible blood vessels, swelling or acne-like breakouts, thickening of the skin or irritated, swollen eyes. Although rosacea is long-lasting, it can come and go in flares.

Saying rosacea is common is an understatement. More than 14 million people in the U.S. live with this condition, most of which are women. Also, those of Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry have a higher likelihood. Although it is more common to see the “blush” in those with fair skin, people of all ethnicities can get rosacea.

If you are currently experiencing the symptoms of rosacea, call and schedule an appointment with one of our certified dermatologists. They can determine the best treatment options for your skin.

If you have any questions about rosacea 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.

Your Diet Affects Your Skin

Eating-for-a-healthy-skin Do you notice a change in your skin after eating a greasy cheese burger or a bar of chocolate? Your body may react to these foods causing break outs. If your skin is already prone to breakouts, these, and other foods may further aggravate the condition. There are several foods to stay away from in order to achieve beautiful, glowing skin:

  • High concentrations of salt
  • Milk
  • High-Glycemic foods such as white breads, pastas or cakes
  • Sugar
  • Alcohol

These foods are prone to cause unwanted break outs. But don’t be discouraged because not all food is bad for your skin. There are many options that are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants that will leave your skin looking more radiant.

To see if your diet is affecting your skin, schedule an appointment with one of our certified dermatologists today! And if you need some good ideas for a skin-friendly menu, we can give you some insight on that too.

If you have any questions about acne 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.

The Aftermath of a Sleeping in Makeup

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A night out with the girls or just a long day at work can result in a no-fuss b-line to the bed – no changing or cleansing, just a quick crash into recovery. Under normal circumstances, it’s easy to follow a skincare routine. But crazy schedules and late nights can tempt us to skip the very things that we know we should do – and cleansing the skin is often at the top of that list. So what does occasionally sleeping in your makeup cost your skin?

Your pores collect dirt and oil from the environment and your skin’s normal oil production, along with the foundation, blush, etc. you apply on your face. So when you forget to wash your face at night, your skin doesn’t get a chance to breathe and renew itself. Leaving makeup on your skin all day and night can premature your skin – both in appearance and performance.

Your skin may produce more oil than normal to try to get rid of the dirt. The leftover makeup can increase the look of lines and wrinkles and make you look tired or even splotchy. Eyelashes become dry and brittle, causing them to fall out more frequently. Your eyes may become puffy and red from the excess oil around them. Overall, day-old makeup is just not a good look.

Cleansing wipes are a simple and great alternative to the full nightly skin treatment. Before purchasing any, please consult with your dermatologist about the products best suited for your skin. With an easy alternative cleansing routine, no one has to know you were out late the night before!

Resolve to Have Great Skin in 2015

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With every January 1, we strive to stick to our resolutions – be they mighty or small. And this New Year, we want to encourage you to make a resolution to achieve your best skin ever.

This is the year we will remember to wash our face, no matter how late the night or how tired we are. Sunscreen will always be applied before even thinking about walking outside. We will remain well-moisturized by drinking the daily recommended amount of water and using appropriate moisturizers, depending on the season. Our antioxidant game will be fierce by incorporating it into a healthy diet and lifestyle.

We will schedule and commit to our annual skin exam and perform monthly skin checks to stay aware of any changes. If our skin becomes irritated or infected, we will immediately call our certified dermatologist at Knoxville Dermatology instead of self-diagnosing or googling about it. And we will take at least five minutes a day to take a deep breath, relax and re-focus. So here’s to a happy and glowing 2015!

Streaks Be Gone

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The last thing you want after you get a spray tan is streaks galore. So, what’s the best way to get that even tan you’re looking for? Your Knoxville Dermatology team can help you get the best looking faux tan that will boost your confidence and have your friends thinking you just returned from the shore.

First things first, when selecting your self-tanning products, pick a high quality lotion or tanner. This will reduce the likelihood of inconsistent coloring. Go for brands you recognize and read the labels. Once you’ve got your lotion, it’s time to tan!

Exfoliate before application to remove any dead skin cells. This helps prevent blotching and uneven coloration. It also opens up your pores, allowing for better saturation. Grab your application mitts and lather on evenly. Once you’ve applied the lotion, wait at least 6 to 8 hours for your tan to fully develop before you shower, bathe, swim or sweat. Then once a week, exfoliate again so your “tan” fades evenly. These simple, easy steps will keep you streak-free and give you a tan worth showing off any time of year!

If you have any questions about what self-tanner to use or 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.

Tanning Facts – Bed, Bottle or Sun (Part 3)

It’s hard not to associate summer with sunshine and tanning. We all covet that “healthy glow”, but what measures are we willing to take to get it? To make things easier for the tan-lovers out there, your Knoxville Dermatology team put together the facts about bottle, bed and sun tanning. In this entry, we’ll talk about outdoor tanning or sun tanning.

Sun:

We’ve mentioned the differences between UVA and UVB rays before, but let’s go a little more in depth. UVB rays affect your outer most layer of your epidermis (the upper layer of skin) and cause the painful sunburns we all know and love. UVA rays go deeper into the lower layers of your epidermis. They trigger cells called melanocytes to produce melanin, the pigment that causes tanning.

UVA rays may make you tan, but they can also cause serious damage because they penetrate deeper into the skin. UVA rays can go all the way through the skin’s protective epidermis to the dermis, where blood vessels and nerves are found. Because of this, UVA rays may damage your immune system. This makes it harder to fight off diseases and can lead to illnesses like melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Exposure to UVB rays also increases your risk of getting two other types of skin cancer: basal and squamous cell carcinoma.

Cancer isn’t the only problem associated with UV exposure. UV damage is a major proponent of premature skin aging like sunspots, wrinkles and decreases skin elasticity. It can also cause cataracts over time.

The easiest way to avoid all of the consequences of UV damage is prevention. The sun’s peak time is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so be particularly cautious when outdoors in that time period. Wearing sunscreen on your face, neck and arms every day will help prevent premature aging. Also, you should perform annual skin checks at least once a month to make note of any changes in your skin. You can contact one of our certified dermatologists if you have any questions at 865-690-9467.

Tanning Facts – Bottle, Bed or Sun (Part 1)

It’s hard not to associate summer with sunshine and tanning. We all covet that “healthy glow”, but what measures are we willing to take to get it? To make things easier for the tan-lovers out there, your Knoxville Dermatology team put together the facts about bottle, bed and sun tanning. In this entry, we’ll talk about a tan in a bottle or sunless tanning.

Bottle:

Coppertone® started the wave of sunless tanning options in 1960 with their QT® or Quick Tanning lotion. We’ve seen several versions of the pour-on tan ranging in colors as unnatural as orange to a subtle golden honey color. Now the sunless tanning options extend into tanning accelerators and pills.

The most effect alternative to sunbathing is self-tanning lotions that contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. This colorless sugar interacts with your dead skin cells to change their color. This color change lasts about five to seven days.

While the topical sunless tanning lotions are considered safe alternatives to sunbathing, the FDA hasn’t approved the use of DHA for application to areas near your eyes, mouth or nose so be sure to avoid these areas. Bronzers, whether in powder or moisturizer-form, allow you to add color to those areas while still being safe for your skin. Spray tans are harder to monitor but protect your eyes with tanning goggles and hold your breath while the spray is being applied.

Tanning accelerators and tanning pills have yet to receive scientific data to support the claim of aiding melanin formation so it’s best to play it safe with these sunless tanning options.

Regardless of what sunless product you use, it is important to apply sunscreen daily. Even if the product contains a sunscreen, it won’t be of much help since they lose their efficacy within hours of application.

For more information on sunless tanners, call us at 865-690-9467. If you want help with your self-tanning lotions, click here for tips on application and maintenance.

Sunburn Relief

Having a tan is perceived as a healthy glow but it’s really a mask for an angry sunburn. Truthfully, sunburns and tanning cause more harm than good. So the best defense is prevention with sunscreen and a healthy diet filled with antioxidants. But if your skin does get overexposed to sunlight, a few home remedies can help ease the pain while your body repairs itself. Here are some of our suggestions:

  • Take a cool bath with a few big scoops of baking soda to soothe your burn. Soak for about 15 to 20 minutes and no more, as long baths can irritate dry skin. Resist the urge to towel-dry so you don’t wipe off any of the baking soda. Another option is to add ½ to 1 cup of oatmeal to your cool bath.
  • Moisturize immediately after a bath or shower. You can even put lotion in the refrigerator for more cooling relief.
  • Apply aloe vera to your skin five to six times a day for several days to sooth the sting and ease the redness of your sunburn. Or apply a cool compress multiple times a day, rewetting the cloth throughout the day.
  • Drink up! Your skin is fried and dehydrated. Drink plenty of water to help your burns heal better.

If you have any questions about sunburns 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.

 

 

Feel Good and Look Good Long-Term

There’s no denying the powerful effect of a dose of Vitamin D via the sun’s rays. That ray of sunshine gives us a boost of confidence for the summer, but the love affair isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Over exposure to the sun can lead to premature wrinkles and age spots, pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions and elastosis.

Elastosis is the destruction of the elastic and collagen tissue that causes the lines and wrinkles, as well as the thickening and yellowing of skin. Along with smoking, this disorder is caused by years of sun exposure. All of these things make us look older but who says we can’t stop the effects now?

We can start by applying products with SPF 30 every day before we step outside, even if we are just going to work. If you plan to spend more than two hours outside, bring sunscreen with you and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or excessive sweating. Wearing hats and staying in the shade are other ways to avoid over exposure. Discontinue smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. Exfoliate at least once a week and follow up with a moisturizer that fits your skin’s needs (whether you have oily, dry or combination skin) and an appropriate retinoid to boost collagen production. If you already see signs of elastosis, schedule an appointment with one of our certified dermatologists to determine the best skincare routine and/or measures for your skin.

If you have any questions about elastosis 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.