Is Your Diet Affecting Your Skin?

Your diet is helping slim your waistline and keep you staying healthy, but if you’re not careful, you could be depriving your body of essential vitamins and antioxidants that keep your skin glowing. Read on to see if your diet passes the test!

Mediterranean Diet
This diet emphasizes fish, leafy greens, olive oil, fruit and red wine, all of which are heart-healthy options that may also protect against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Eating fish helps skin keep its elasticity, while leafy greens such as spinach and olive oil protect against UV damage.

Doctor’s Orders: Red wine contains an antioxidant that your skin loves, but drinking too much can leave your skin dry.

Vegetarian/Vegan Diet
Fresh produce and whole grains contain an abundance of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals that are known to cause aging. Plant-based protein sources such as beans not only contain pimple-fighting zinc but also decrease inflammation that causes redness and premature wrinkles.

Doctor’s Orders: This diet is typically low in fat, but including ground flaxseeds and olive and safflower oils helps your skin stay hydrated.

High Protein, Low Carb Diet
Minimizing your intake of bread and pasta can decrease the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn may reduce breakouts. Whole grains, fresh produce and lean meats provide you with antioxidants and collagen-building protein.

Doctor’s Orders: It’s important to limit your intake of red meat because animal fat can increase free radicals that age your skin.

Low Fat Diet
Vegetable oils contain linoleic acid, which strengthens the skin barrier that keeps moisture in and irritants out.

Doctor’s Orders: Cutting back on animal fat keeps free radicals in check, but your skin needs fat because it helps absorb antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins as well as strengthen your skin cells. Focus on unsaturated fats such as olive oil, nuts and foods rich in omega-3.

High Carb Diet
Carbohydrates that act like fiber keep you feeling full, which help you resist snacks with high fat and sugar counts that produce oil and clog pores.

Doctor’s Orders: Be sure you are getting enough lean protein and fresh produce that arm your skin with antioxidants and skin-strengthening fats.

The 411 on Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a very popular cosmetic facial service due to the quick procedure is quick and little to no downtime. At Greenville Dermatology we offer two types, glycolic and TCA peels.

Glycolic peels involve applying alpha- and beta-hydroxy peeling agents in tailored concentrations for two to five minutes. The chemicals slough away dead skin cells and penetrate the upper layers of the dermis to smooth away fine lines, improve complexion and dry out an acne flare-up.

These peels also strengthen the effectiveness of other skincare products because the peel eliminates a layer of skin allowing the product to penetrate deeper.

The only effects patients will experience from a glycolic peel are mild redness or irritation.

Another type of chemical peel that is available at our practice is a TCA peel. TCA, which stands for trichloroacetic acid, is a deeper peel that reduces fine lines, smoothes skin’s texture and improves effects of sun damage.

TCA is often used in higher concentrations instead of laser resurfacing to diminish acne scarring, soften wrinkles and remove the surface layer of dead skin cells to reveal radiant skin.

In low concentrations, TCA peels require no downtime. The higher concentration peels may require one to two weeks of downtime to allow the skin to heal.

Chemical peels are a great way to improve complexion and give your skin back that healthy glow, but it is important to remember the increased risk of sun damage. After a chemical peel, using sun protection when you step outside is essential.

For more information about chemical peels or other cosmetic procedures, or to schedule an appointment, call (864) 242-5872. You’re just a phone call away from radiant, youthful skin!

Your Kids & Sun Exposure

Did you know that just a few serious sunburns could greatly increse your children's risk of developing skin cancer when they're older?

Kids love playing outdoors, but the extra sun exposure is harmful to their skin. It's important that children cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!

Be sure to put sunscreen on ears, noses, lips and the tops of feet, and take sunscreen with you to reapply throughout the day, especially after swimming or exercise.

It only takes 15 minutes for unprotected skin to be damaged by sun exposure. Pink sunburn and tan skin both indicate sun damage to your skin.

Infants are even more affected by the sun and should avoid sun exposure at all costs.

If your teen is going to the tanning bed, talk to them! The AAD, the World Health Organization and others fully support legislation that prohibits minors from accessing tanning salons or other artificial tanning devices.

The best thing you can do for your children is educate them about the dangers of sun exposure! Sun protection practices wane around the age of 9 or 10, so talk with your kids about the importance of protecting their skin.

For questions or to schedule an appointment to discuss sun exposure, call (864) 242-5872.

AAD publishes latest Psoriasis guidelines

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recently published its newest edition of Psoriasis guidelines that examines the use of a variety of treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients.

The guidelines stress the importance of treatment plans that are tailored to the individual patient because there are many factors that can affect treatment, from the severity of the disease to the overall health of the patient.

Nearly 7 million Americans have psoriasis, a chronic skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches of skin that itch and sometimes bleed. Psoriasis is widely known for affecting the skin and joints, however new research suggests that psoriasis patients are at an increased risk of developing serious medical conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, lymphoma and obesity.

The newest guidelines emphasize to dermatologists the importance of regular health screenings and continual monitoring of their psoriasis patients, and also discuss the key role that patients play in improving their outcomes.

The AAD encourages patients to not deviate from their treatment plans and keep their dermatologists informed of any concerns. Additionally, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients should avoid common triggers such as increased stress, smoking and consuming alcohol.

If patients notice changes in their condition or experience signs of associated medical conditions, they should consult their dermatologist immediately.

Call (864) 242-5872 today should you have any concerns or would like to schedule an appointment.

To access the guidelines, click here.

Probiotics- The Super Bacteria!

Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to alleviate digestion problems such as irregularity, diarrhea, IBS and lactose intolerance. However, probiotics don’t just provide benefits internally. Dermatologists are learning the incredible benefits that probiotics offer your skin.

One main cause of acne is an overgrowth of bacteria on the skin’s surface. Probiotics taken orally help treat acne-prone skin by regulating bacteria in the stomach. They can also be applied topically to protect against harmful bacteria and restore skin’s protective barrier and normal bacterial flora to help prevent breakouts.

Not only do probiotics help combat acne but they also improve eczema by creating good bacteria that release oxygen so skin breathes easier, blood flows and skin balance is restored.

These powerful bacterial microorganisms even aid in the fight against premature aging. Sun, smoke and pollutants all speed up aging by destroying the skin’s protective barrier and increasing skin’s elasticity that eventually causes wrinkles. Probiotics work to balance skin’s moisture, boost cell function and regenerate skin cells so skin becomes softer and smoother.

Taken daily, probiotics will boost the effectiveness of the skin products you already use. Other daily supplements typically take weeks or even months to show results.

Probiotics are a great addition to your daily routine that will have you feeling and looking better, inside and out!

Didn’t get the gift you really wanted on Valentine’s Day?

My gift to you is longer, more beautiful lashes!

Right now we are offering buy one, get one free LATISSE® kits. This is a terrific opportunity to try the product everyone is talking about!

LATISSE® is one of the most requested products in my office, and the first and only FDA-Approved lash growth treatment used for the purpose of eyelash enhancement. With LATISSE®, my patients can expect to see longer, fuller and darker lashes in as little as four weeks. It is an excellent alternative to false eyelashes and leaves patients with natural looking and feeling results.

LATISSE® uses the active ingredient bimatoprost, which works with the eyelashes you already have to make them longer and fuller. The product is a topical solution you apply once a day to the base of your lashes.

The potential of LATISSE® was discovered accidentally as a side effect from a glaucoma medicine called Lumigan. Patients who used this medication developed longer and thicker eyelashes.

Years of research followed and LATISSE® was created by the pharmaceutical company, Allergan. Allergan performed studies and made changes to ensure that LATISSE® was safe and effective for general public use.

There has been a growing interest in the product since it was introduced in early 2009, and with this interest has come misconceptions. Many patients are concerned about using LATISSE® because they are afraid that it will change the color of their eyes. As earlier stated, the medication that is used in LATISSE® was originally created as a glaucoma medication. In extremely rare instances, there was a change in eye color when the glaucoma medication was applied directly to the cornea. However, in the clinical trials there were no patients that reported this side effect. At Greenville Dermatology, my patients have never experienced a change in eye color.

As with any prescription treatment, you should consult a doctor to determine if LATISSE® is right for you. Call Greenville Dermatology (864-242-5872) to make an appointment and find out how you can benefit from LATISSE®. You’ll be batting those lashes with confidence in no time!

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Week 16

Radiant Winter Skin

That's right, it doesn’t have to be a bleak midwinter for your skin!

We have had more snow this winter than we’ve seen in over twenty years and your skin is starting to show it. If you’re experiencing the typical winter dry skin, I have some advice that will help ease the irritation and itch.

You have heard that drinking eight glasses of water a day is key to keeping your body healthy and hydrated, but it is a common myth that drinking a lot of water will help hydrate dry skin.

Instead of guzzling gallons of water, there are a few things that will help and not leave you feeling bloated! For example, hot water tends to dry out skin, so when showering and especially washing your face, turn the faucet until the water is lukewarm. When finished, apply moisturizing lotion while your skin is still slightly damp so your skin will absorb it more quickly.

Not only hot water but also hot air will dry out your skin. If you have to have the heat on (and who doesn’t in this cold weather?) turn on a humidifier to keep moisture in the air.

Postpone the facial peel until the weather warms up. While exfoliation keeps your skin glowing, masks and peels draw moisture out of your face.

I have access to a wide array of gentle cleansers, masks and moisturizers that will keep your skin looking radiant even in the blistery, winter months. Call (864) 242-5872 today to schedule an appointment!