Hats off to Greenville Dermatology’s hats

Did you know Greenville Dermatology sells stylish and functional hats that boast an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+?

Greenville Dermatology is proud to sell protective hats from the popular brands Scala and Wallaroo.

Both brands are committed to providing the best sun protection possible while offering a variety of styles to suit your taste. From fedoras to fishing hats, from visors to bucket hats, Scala and Wallaroo are guaranteed to have a hat for you.

In addition to the plethora of sizes, shapes and colors, Scala and Wallaroo hats offer generous brims for optimal coverage and high quality wicking fabrics that keep you cool.

The hats are tested and rated to block 97.5% of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The UPF demonstrates how well the fabric protects your skin from UV rays.

Hats range from as low as $11 to $42, allowing you to have the protection you need, no matter your budget.

However, it’s important to remember that hats only protect what they cover. Wearing sunscreen is critical to protect the rest of your body!

Call Greenville Dermatology at (864) 242-5872 to get your hat today and protect your head from harmful UV rays!

Sun Protection Tips for Working Outdoors

On average, outdoor workers receive five to 10 times more sun exposure each year than indoor workers. For those who work outdoors more than indoors, you are at a greater risk for skin cancer.

According to SunSmart, there are five simple steps that will protect your skin and reduce your risk.

Seek shade! Limit your sun exposure by working in the shade, indoors, or when UV levels are lower, such as in the early morning or late afternoon.
Slip on sun protective work clothing.
Slap on a sun protective hat, such as a Scala or Wallaroo hat sold at Greenville Dermatology.
Slide on sunglasses, preferably ones with ultraviolet protection factor.
Slop on SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen. It’s crucial to use sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, meaning it protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

Following these small but important points will keep your skin safe and diminish your risk of skin cancer and prevent you from being another skin cancer statistic.

For more information on sun protection and to schedule a comprehensive skin cancer screening, call Greenville Dermatology at (864) 242-5872.

Save Our Skin!

Did you know that more people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year than all other types of cancer combined? The truly disturbing fact is that skin cancer is the most preventable type of cancer.

Through education, early detection and protection, the number of skin cancer diagnoses in the future can diminish drastically. In fact, 99% of people today survive skin cancer with early detection.

The sun does not discriminate, nor are you only at risk when you have a bathing suit on. We commonly make the mistake of only applying sunscreen when we go to the beach or pool and wear a swimsuit, but no matter the color of your skin or where you are, you are at risk for sun damage.

I strongly encourage my patients to apply sunscreen as part of their morning routine. The product line I stand behind and offer at my office is Anthelios. A product of La Roche-Posay, Anthelios has an advanced formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays while still feeling light and non-greasy on your skin.

La Roche-Posay and Anthelios didn’t stop at making trusted sunscreens. They also started a campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of being unprotected in the sun. Save our Skin, or SOS, is making strides to educate people, young and old, about skin cancer and how to lower your risk.

Join the cause by signing up and La Roche-Posay will donate to organizations such as The Skin Cancer Foundation. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll receive a gift certificate for Anthelios products just for signing up.

To learn more about SOS and to join the cause, visit www.sossaveourskin.com.
Call (864) 242-5872 to make your appointment today for a full body examination or to speak with me about Anthelios.

Stressing Stress Relief

More than ever before, life is stressing us out!

You may be familiar with the common effects of stress such as poor sleep or insomnia, headaches and even heart attacks, but from a dermatological aspect, stress can greatly affect your skin, hair and nails, too.

It’s normal to lose hair as part of its life cycle, but stress can significantly increase hair loss. You can lose up to ½ to ¾ of your hair, which may not fall out until three months after the stressful event. It takes a while to affect your hair, but will take an additional six to nine months to grow back!

Stress also can affect your skin by aggravating pre-existing conditions such as psoriasis, acne and rosacea. It also dehydrates your skin, which lowers the skin’s ability to repair itself.

When you’re tense, cortisol levels in your body shoot up, causing an increase in oil production and possible acne flare-ups. Worse yet, higher cortisol levels have been shown to advance the growth of harmful melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

To help fight against stress-causing acne, I prescribe to my patients topical treatment that they can apply to troubled spots to help decrease flare-ups and speed up recovery. I find that when patients feel more in control about handling stress, their stress levels actually decrease.

Brittle, broken nails are another result of stress. Stress not only weakens nail beds but also may form habits such as rubbing or biting nails, which also damage or destroy your beautiful digits.

To lower your stress, figure out what is the source of your stress so you are better equipped to handle it the next time.

You can also decrease the negative effects of stress when you exercise more, lower the temperature on your showers or baths, use detergent-free soaps and sunscreen, and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

For more information or for treatment options to help lower the side effects of stress, call (864) 242-5872 today.

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.