In This Skin

For many, this upcoming holiday weekend involves fun in the sun. However, for those who suffer from acne, the sun can end up doing more damage to your skin. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications for acne warn against sun exposure.

Reporters on the examiner.com warns that “many acne sufferers falsely believe that sun exposure can be beneficial for their condition. This misconception is not entirely based on myth -- minimal amounts of sun exposure may initially improve the appearance of acne. However, this exposure over time can actually make acne worse by increasing oil production, damaging follicular walls and clogging pores, resulting in exacerbations that may not surface for several weeks after sun exposure.”

So if you are going to be having fun in the sun this weekend, be careful! Remember to take extra care of your skin to prevent further damage.

Childhood candy licorice may have beneficial factors for protecting against skin cancer. The National Cancer Institute in the US has noted that licorice extract may aid in healing UV damaged skin. Licorice extracts are currently used in many sun protection and sunscreens; it is known to dramatically improve sunburned skin.

The UK Daily Mail said, “Similar research at Hamdard University, New Delhi, revealed that licorice helped skin cells recover after being damaged by UV light.’When we applied glycyrrhizin topically, there was an increase in enzymes that help restore cells to their optimal function after being damaged,' explains Dr Sahar Rahman. “

For those of you prepping and bronzing for bikini season, take caution this summer and use products like the licorice extracts to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

Eczema issues generally spark at a young age, for those of you with children
who are constantly scratching their arms and legs trying giving them a
diluted bleach bath. Dermatologists are saying that diluted bleach baths may
bring relief to eczema. Some dermatologists say they have been recommending
such treatments for years, but this is still the industries first proper
study and experiment related to bleach baths.

USA Today said of the bleach treatment, "Eczema patients often develop
colonies of the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, on their skin as a result
of the itching and scratching caused by the disease, she says. The bacteria
can exacerbate symptoms of the disease, so when eliminated by the bleach,
patients usually feel some relief. Patients were told to use about a
half-cup of bleach for a full standard tub and to soak for five to 10
minutes twice a week. After a month, researchers saw "a significant
decrease" in the severity of the symptoms of the group using the bleach."

Dermatologists are researchers say it is imperative that you discuss eczema
treatments with your physician, especially those related to bleach as it may
be harmful to have non-diluted bleach or not-properly diluted bleach in
contact with your skin. For now many are happy that at-home remedies may
exist for alleviating the discomfort of eczema.

Millions of women all over the world have one thing in common – cellulite. The dreaded bumps in the skin near your backside and thighs have long plagued women. It’s no wonder that women have spent thousands trying to find a cure, but unfortunately a set treatment still doesn’t exist. Unfortunately for women, cellulite generally only strikes females, as we have connective tissues and estrogen that causes this issue.

The New York Times said in an article about cellulite, “The market for cellulite-reduction devices in the United States was more than $47 million in 2008, said Amy Krohn, a spokeswoman for the Millennium Research Group. It is projected to grow to $62 million by 2013. But no treatment has emerged as the gold standard. “Most studies show a 25 to 50 percent improvement after multiple treatments,” Dr. Wanner said. “Some patients have even less improvement, and the effects may go away over time so patients may require additional treatments.”

Just last year dermatologists had said there was a huge increase in the number of anti-cellulite creams on the market. However, none of which were seen to have had consistently positive results.

For those of you beach bumming, lake loving water aficionado’s new reports have come out saying living near the coast may increase chances of developing skin cancer. The reports which have come out of Australia show evidence that coastal dwellers have a 41 per cent increase in melanoma rates. This is due in part to being exposed to the sun more often than inner city residents.

The Sydney Morning Herald said, “University of Adelaide melanoma specialist Brendon Coventry said the results indicated that people who lived near the coast or the Murray were more exposed to the sun over their lifetime. He said the coastal effect might also be explained by greater physical activity outdoors.”

Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates, much of which is credited to the lack of ozone layer and extremely vicious UV Rays. Aussies like many American’s are sunshine loving, outdoorsy people, but unlike the US most Australians are very good about sun protection, sunscreen and awareness.

Wrinkle removing wonder Botox is being tested to treat acne as well. A Chicago based plastic surgeon has been examining the benefits of Botox for skin and acne health alongside injecting patients who seek out anti-aging treatments. The procedure is still fairly rare and is highly difficult according to the physician who has implemented it into his practice.

Medical News Today reported on this procedure, “The muscle paralyzer has to be injected directly into a layer of skin just 1/25th of an inch thick. If it's injected too deeply it can alter the patient's facial expressions. The plastic surgeon believes Botox works by blocking the chemical acetylcholine in the skin's dermis. Acetylcholine is known to increase the skin's sebum production. In addition, the treatment literally paralyzes the tiny erector pili muscles that surround the skin's pores and cause them to expand.”

The Journal of Drugs and Dermatology will be publishing the study with hopes of making more headway and research on the subject. Non cosmetic use of Botox injections is slowly making its way into the dermatology field, however dermatologists and surgeons have yet to fully deploy such tactics as they are waiting on FDA approval for most.

Extreme cases of sweating can drastically hinder one’s lifestyle. Of course a case of sweats during exercise, hot days and perhaps some spicy food is completely normal, but in some people sweating is a socially and physically debilitating ailment. Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for overactive sweating, which can affect the underarms, hands and feet. If you’re sweating the small stuff then consider Botox.

USA Today said in a report, “In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved Botox for excess underarm sweating. The toxins affect the nerves that trigger sweating and work for four to eight months at a time, Pariser says. Doctors also use Botox for hands and other areas. But costs are high — typically $700 to $1,500 for both underarms and more for hands, Pariser says — and, while insurers often pay, not all doctors accept insurance for the treatments.”

Botox is currently being administered and researched for a number of treatments other than simply cosmetic enhancements and wrinkle-removal. A number of researchers are also taking initiative to learn about Botox injections for more serious medical ailments.

Yet again Botox injections are being researched and used for non-cosmetic treatment. From alleviating the pain of migraines to back spasms and sweating, Botox is making headway in the medical field. Now researchers are saying Botox pricks may be utilized for treating bladder problems. Allergen, the creators of Botox are starting to cash in on the lucrative benefits of Botox, by increasing research funding and trying to get approval by the FDA.

News 24 in New York said of the Botox perks, “British researchers, who studied 34 patients with overactive bladders, found that Botox improved their symptoms and quality of life for up to six months. The Botox treatment was delivered via a thin, flexible tube called a cystoscope. Each patient received 20 injections through the bladder wall to various sites on the bladder muscles. After one month all of the Botox patients reported greater improvements than the people in the placebo group. Many of the benefits were still present 24 weeks after treatment.”

Dermatologists are researchers are optimistic about using Botox to treat overactive bladders. Especially since using Botox dramatically improved lifestyle for those experimented on. The prospect is hopeful and researchers are hoping to further experiment and get FDA approval.

Skin cancer ages are getting younger while rates are increasing. Dermatologists are saying that the patients they are treating for skin cancer are getting younger by the year; the startled fact is alarming many about the dangers of too much fun in the sun. The medical community is also worried about the fact that nearly 30% of the American population admits to regularly not using sunscreen while outdoors.

An article in the St. Lois Post Dispatch said, “The American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons reports that melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the second most common cancer in women ages 20 to 29 and is increasing among all people under 30. The doctors say the cause is people spending too much time in the sun without taking precautions, as well as the use of tanning beds.”

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers nationwide; however it is one of the most preventable if you take care of your skin properly. This involves reapplication of sunscreen on a daily basis, especially when outdoors, avoiding tanning beds, limiting direct sun to your face by wearing a hat and avoiding getting sun burned. Younger demographics getting skin cancer more commonly is concerning because it means the children and parents aren’t following sun-safety precautions.

A recent study has emerged onto the dermatology market about a radioactive skin patch that has the ability to successfully treat basal cell carcinoma (the most common type of skin cancer). Basal cell carcinoma is not necessarily fatal; however for treatment it generally requires surgery for removal of the cancer cells. This patch has potential to revolutionize skin cancer treatment methods. Figures show that roughly 1 million new cases of skin cancer emerge each year in the United States, and of those cases a vast majority have a surgical procedure done to decrease the chances of the cancer spreading.

Science Daily reported on the research, “The skin patch, which delivers the radioactive phosphorus-32, is nontoxic and could be an excellent alternative to surgery or radiotherapy in cases where carrying out these treatments is difficult.”It's exciting to think that this patch can deliver treatment on an outpatient basis with little risk of the scarring or other complications that surgery or radiotherapy present. This study opens a new dimension not only for treating skin malignancies, but also for nuclear medicine therapy in general."

The surgical removal procedure called radiotherapy requires a few days of hospitalization, costs, post-op recovery and frequent visits to a radiotherapist for check-ups. This is why dermatologists and oncologists are so thrilled at the prospect of a patch to alleviate much of the surgical hassles.