Category: Skin Care

This week, we are taking a look at sun safety for kids as they prepare to go back to school. As the weather starts to cool, and kids prepare to go back to school, it is import to remember that sun safety is never out of season. In late summer and early fall, the sun’s rays are still extremely strong during the peak hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and remembering to keep up your sun safety routine should be at the top of your back-to-school checklist.  On a cloudy fall day you are getting as much exposure to UVA rays as you would on a hot and sunny summer day. The best approach is the same as for any sunny day: if your kids will be outside for a long time, put on the sunscreen and follow the same sun safety rules you would in the summer. The sun produces invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause damage to your child’s skin. Sunburn and even a suntan are types of skin damage caused by the sun. The risk of developing skin cancer will be substantially reduced for children who learn to protect their skin from the sun at an early age, according to the nonprofit organization Sun Safety for Kids.

What can I do as a parent to protect my kids from the sun?

1. Encourage them to seek shade during recess and other time outdoors whenever possible.
2. Apply sunscreen of at least an SPF of 30 or higher in the morning. Pack sunscreen with older kids and remind them to apply it before going outside. Remind them not forget the ears, lips, noses and tops of feet. Teach kids how to reapply sunscreen if they are old enough.
3. Provide your kids with a protective lip balm with an SPF 30 or higher and encourage them to reapply it throughout the day if they are old enough. Lips receive more sun exposure than any other part of the body.
4. Dress kids in protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants, darker colors and clothing with UV protection when possible. Many clothing manufacturers now offer stylish UPF-clothes that offer all-day protection without the need to reapply.
5. Encourage kids to wear a wide-brimmed hat. While baseball caps are very popular with kids and do a great job of protecting the scalp, they don’t protect the cheeks, ears and neck. If they select a baseball hat, be sure you also thoroughly cover the face, ears and neck with sunscreen.
6. Send UV-protecting sunglasses with your kids and ask them to wear them when they are outdoors. Sunglasses protect your child’s eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts and increased risk of ocular melanoma later in life.
7. Be a strong sun safety role model and follow sun safety tips. Show your kids that you and other members of your family are serious about sun protection.
8. Get involved! Throughout the country more school systems are acknowledging their role in protecting children from harmful ultraviolet radiation.  Speak up at parent-teacher conferences to encourage teachers and administration to help protect kids while they’re at school.  Vote for sun-protecting sails, shades and shelters on playgrounds.

In honor of Psoriasis Awareness Month, we’re devoting August to raising awareness about psoriatic disease and its effects on the more than 7.5 million people living with this condition. This week, we are taking a look at how drinking alcohol can affect your psoriasis. Heavy drinking has been linked to both an increase in the risk and the severity of psoriasis, particularly in men. Having psoriasis can be very stressful and drinking alcohol to relieve this stress can be very tempting, however, having more than one or two drinks in a day may very likely cause your psoriasis to become more severe and spread to larger areas on your skin. Researchers believe that heavy alcohol consumption affects psoriasis by:

• Lessening compliance with taking medications
• Slowing down or stopping the effects of medications
• Lowering your immune function, which can increase your risk of skin infection
• Increasing inflammation in your body which triggers psoriasis flare-ups
• Causing dehydration in the body and drying out the skin

Findings of a Recent Study In a large US study about the correlation between drinking alcohol and psoriasis, a connection was found for women drinking who drank more than 2.3 drinks per week with new onset of psoriasis. Women who drank more than five beers per week experienced an increase in the severity of their psoriasis. For men who drank an excessive amount of alcohol (about 4-5 drinks per day, according to this study), they were at an increased risk for the development and severity of psoriasis. Go Easy for the Sake of Your Skin According to Dr. Donnelly, a dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Carmel, Indiana, “For many people, identifying the source of stressors can really make a difference for managing their psoriasis.  Sometimes a change in employment, loss of a loved one or stressors at school and home can drive people to seek relaxation with alcohol, and often even a slight increase in alcohol consumption can trigger flares for psoriasis sufferers.  What starts as an extra drink after dinner can easily escalate to two or three, which may trigger psoriasis to really flare.  Once patients take stock of what is stressing them out, it’s often easier to identify what triggers them to have a drink, and they can then work towards finding healthier alternatives to relax.” So what amount of drinks is safe to have for psoriasis suffers? Your best bet is to use common sense and limit drinks to no more than 2 at a time, no more than two times per week. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it is taking moisture out of skin that is already predisposed to being dry and flaky. If you are going to drink, be sure to drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated. In addition, follow these psoriasis and alcohol tips:

• Do not drink alcohol while taking certain medications to treat psoriasis. Alcohol can be very dangerous for patients taking mexotrexate. Consult your Forefront Dermatologist if you have questions about the medication you are taking and whether it is safe to drink alcohol.
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as meditation, counseling, healthy diet and exercise.
• Try keeping a journal of your daily food and alcohol intake to determine if you can find a pattern between things you are eating and drinking and your flare-ups.
• If you have children, be sure they are aware of the increased risk of developing psoriasis if they smoke or drink heavily—smokers with a family history of psoriasis increase their risk of getting it themselves as much as nine times.

Living with Psoriasis: How Can You Feel Better? If you or a family member is living with psoriasis, there are many things that you can do to feel better. Find the Forefront physician nearest you to learn about treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help prevent flare-ups and eliminate psoriatic disease symptoms in many cases.

In honor of UV Safety Awareness Month, we’re devoting the entire month of July to shedding light on ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This week, we’re clearing up some common misconceptions about UV radiation.   If you’re like me, you spend three quarters of your life impatiently waiting for summer. I would gladly take sweltering heat and sweaty armpits for three months of fun in the sun. Unfortunately, I also have a complexion that, on my tannest days, can be described as “translucent.” So, unless I want that “fun in the sun” to become “red and wishing I was dead” or “swell-a-noma until I developed melanoma,” I have to be smart about my sun exposure and the harmful affects of UV radiation. So, in an effort to help you enjoy the sun smarter, we’re finding the facts behind some popular UV myths.   MYTH: Building a base tan can prevent future burns. Researchers have found that a base tan affords practically no protection against UV damage – those who tanned easily or had an olive complexion received protection equivalent to an SPF 3 sunblock. In fact, for those who are already susceptible to UV damage, it increases their risk for skin cancer.   MYTH: Using a higher SPF sunscreen means you have to apply it less often. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is an imperfect measurement a sunscreens ability to prevent UVB damage. Let’s look at an SPF of 15, for instance, will block out approximately 93 percent of UVB rays. If it takes you 20 minutes to burn without sunscreen, an SPF of 15 will increase that by a factor of 15 – so it will take you 300 minutes to burn. There are a few problems with this, though. First, an SPF of 50 will block about 98 percent of UVB rays – so the benefits of a higher SPF sunscreen are negligible. Second, while that SPF 15 sunblock may, in theory, afford you 300 burn-free minutes of sunshine, most sunscreens must be reapplied every 120 minutes (2 hours); sweating, contact with clothing or swimming will cause it to rub off. Finally, because so many people simply do not know what SPF really measures, they tend to assume they’re protected – so they neglect reapplication and spend longer periods of time in direct sunlight.   Myth: Sun exposure is the best way to get Vitamin D. You don’t need to increase your risk of sun cancer to prevent Vitamin D deficiency. You can get most of the required amount of Vitamin D directly from your diet – fortified milk, cheeses and yogurt, fortified cereal, and oily fish like salmon and tuna are good sources. The rest can be obtained with the small amounts of sun exposure that you get going about your daily life. Individuals who are chronically ill, debilitated, elderly, dark skinned or who religiously keep their skin covered while outdoors may need to take Vitamin D supplements, but those are readily available, safe and effective.   People who tan easily don’t have to worry about getting skin cancer. If you have darker skin or tend to tan easily, you may be less susceptible to UV damage than most, but you’re not completely immune to developing skin cancer. Regular self-examinations coupled with a yearly physical with your dermatologist can catch skin cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages – and may very well save your life. For tips on how to perform a self-exam and what you should be looking for, check out our post from Melanoma Awareness Month.   You only have to worry about sun damage in the summer. “Winter or summer, it doesn’t matter. Same rays. Same damage,” says Dr. Peter Katz of the Forefront Dermatology clinics in Appleton and New London, Wis. “UVA rays are especially sneaky. While you won’t get a sunburn from exposure to UVA rays like you do with UVB rays, they penetrate deeper into your skin, where they do a whole lot of harm. They damage collagen, which contributes to signs of aging. They cause sun damage in the form of discoloration, freckles, and liver spots. And, most importantly, they can cause cancer.’   Look, I wouldn’t give up my sun-worshipping ways for anything. But I do so while keeping the immediate and long-term dangers of UV exposure in the back of my mind. Will I have to deal with skin cancer at some point in my life? Considering one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetimes and, genetically, I tick off all the major risk factors. Yeah. Probably. But with the knowledge, guidance and support of my dermatologist, I can live a long, healthy life without having to live out my days in a deep, dark cave. Totally worth it. To learn more about the dangers of UV exposure, talk to the skin care experts at Forefront Dermatology. To find the Forefront physician nearest you, visit the Locations page today.

In honor of UV Safety Awareness Month, we’re devoting the entire month of July to shedding light on ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This week, we’re taking a look at the types of people who are most at risk for the adverse effects of UV exposure.   For most living organisms, your relationship with the sun is, well, complicated. Literally everything you need to survive depends on its energy – the food you eat, the air you breathe, even the atmosphere that protects you from the endless vacuum of space. Meanwhile said energy (ultraviolet radiation, in particular) is actively trying to destroy you by corrupting your very DNA in the form of skin cancer. It’s an evolutionary opera featuring some high-drama thermodynamics. But life is incredibly resilient. Over millennia, some populations have adapted physiologically to the harmful and helpful effects of UV radiation in their environments, while others must rely on technological and behavioral adaptations to stay healthy and skin cancer-free.  Who drew the evolutionary short straw? Generally speaking, those who burn most easily are most at risk for developing skin cancer and experiencing the long-term effects of UV exposure. This includes:

• Fair-skinned individuals; particularly those with freckles
• Those with light-colored hair (blond, red, light brown)
• Those with light (blue or green) eyes

UV damage increases over time. In addition, the effects of UV exposure are cumulative, meaning your risk for developing UV-related skin cancers increases over time – so middle-aged and older individuals are most at risk. In fact, it’s estimated that a quarter or more of cells in the skin of middle-aged people have suffered sun-induced DNA damage. Medication may increase your UV sensitivity. Many common medications are affected by UV rays, causing a photoallergic or phototoxic reaction; among these are antibiotics (tetracycline, sulfas, and quinolones), diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide) and NSAIDS (naproxen). This increased sensitivity to sunlight can significantly increase your risk for burning, rashes and other unpleasant skin conditions. Knowing you’re at risk for increased UV damage is the first step to protecting yourself. According to the Centers for Disease Control, although the number of melanoma diagnoses has risen almost 2 percent each year since 2000, only 70 percent of adults and 60 percent of young adults reported regularly using sun protection. “Sun protection is really just a matter of applying some commonsense,” says Dr. Kristine Hess, dermatologist at the Forefront Dermatology clinic in Marion, Ind. “The very best way to protect your skin from the sun is avoidance of midday sun. If that’s not possible, opt for more clothing coverage, find a shady spot and apply sunblock (apply liberally and reapply often). And of course, don’t use tanning beds. Ever. There are plenty of self-tanning products that can give that bronze color you so desire – without the risks of skin cancer and looking like an old crone way before your time.”   There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the sunshine, but skin cancer is no day in the park. With routine skin exams and the expert guidance of your Forefront dermatologist, managing your UV damage is more convenient than ever. To find the Forefront physician nearest you, visit the Locations page today.

In honor of UV Safety Awareness Month, we’re devoting the entire month of July to shedding light on ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This week, we’re diving into what UV radiation is and how it damages your skin.   When you hear the term radiation, you may picture any number of creature feature-worthy damaged and disfigured forms. While, yes, some types of radiation may be dangerous, you’re actually absorbing radiation all the time. The sun, the great glowing orb in the sky makes you warm and gives you a reason to look cool wearing shades, is constantly bombarding the you with radiation in the form of visible and non-visible light. Among the non-visible light is ultraviolet (UV) radiation.   UV Radiation? That’s Bad, Right? Yes and no. Not only does sunlight exposure have a bunch of positive psychological effects, it’s a vital component in the production of Vitamin D – which, among other benefits, is essential to calcium production and bone health. But overexposure to UV radiation can also be incredibly harmful. The effects of UV exposure are cumulative. So over time, it can cause premature aging and even skin cancer. In addition, different types of UV rays affect the body (and planet) in different ways.

• UVA Rays are linked to long-term cosmetic skin damage (fine lines and wrinkles), but can also damage DNA, which increases the risk for certain skin cancers. Large amounts of UVA radiation can also be found in tanning beds.

• UVB Rays help chemical compounds in the skin manufacture Vitamin D. However, it also causes direct damage to your skin’s DNA. Not only is it responsible for your golden tan, it’s also the cause of most skin cancers.
• UVC Rays interact with oxygen to create ozone – which, in turn, blocks most UVB rays and any remaining UVC rays from getting through our atmosphere.

  Summer or Winter, Cloudy or Clear, Know When You’re Exposed. According to the American Cancer Society, the amount of UV radiation you’re exposed to depends on a whole bunch of factors, such as:

• Time of day:UV rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.

• Season of the year: You can get sunburn any time of the year, but UV rays are stronger in spring and summer.
• Distance from the equator (latitude): UV exposure increases the closer you get to the equator.
• Altitude: More UV rays reach the ground at higher elevations.
• Reflection off surfaces: UV rays can bounce off surfaces like water, sand, snow, pavement, or grass, increasing exposure.

“But… What about the clouds?” Cloud coverage is never a sure-fire way to reduce UV exposure. While some clouds do prevent UV rays from reaching you/the ground, others reflect this radiation, increasing exposure.   Soooo… I Can’t Win? As with most things in life, moderation is key. They best way to save your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation is to know when you’re most at risk and protect your skin accordingly. “For most people, the small amounts of sun exposure that we get during the course of an average day [walking to and from your car, for instance] is enough to supply the levels of Vitamin D needed to stay healthy,” says Dr. Kristine Hess, dermatologist at the Forefront Dermatology clinic in Marion, Ind. “To protect yourself from the most harmful effects of UV exposure while getting enough UV to maintain adequate Vitamin D levels, stay indoors during the midday hours, use physical protection like broad-brimmed hats, long sleeves and long pants, seek shade when available and don’t forget the sunblock.”   Look. Humans have lived the affects of UV radiation for millions of years. It’s part of living on this pale blue dot. But knowing the dangers of and protecting yourself against UV damage is just good policy – particularly if you want to live a longer, healthier life. The good news is, there are people who can help you manage the cosmetic and long-term effects of UV damage: the skin care experts at Forefront Dermatology. To find the Forefront physician nearest you, visit the Locations page today.

Acne Awareness Month Whether you call them zits, blemishes or carbuncles; acne by any name makes it difficult to put your best face forward. Basically, it’s an inflammatory skin condition that affects your skin’s oil glands. Your pores (little bitty holes in your skin) connect to your oil glands via follicle canals. Acne causes these glands to overproduce oil (sebum) that eventually cause these canals get gunked up with oil, dead skin cells, hair and bacteria – causing inflammation in the form of a pimple. In honor of June being Acne Awareness Month, we’re breaking out some hard truths related to your breakouts.   Acne Doesn’t Care If You’re 14 or 40 Though it’s most commonly associated with adolescents going through hormonal changes associated with puberty, acne can occur at any age. “Acne can really affect anyone,” says Dr. J. Mark Jackson, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Louisville and board-certified dermatologist operating out of the Forefront Louisville clinic. “Though it’s seen more often in teenagers. Increased hormonal production at adolescence creates increased oil production. And, of course, increased oil production leads to those red bumps and pustules more commonly called zits.”   What Goes Inside Affects Your Outside – When you eat well, you’re healthier overall. While greasy foods and chocolate are often associated with breakouts, it’s their effect on your diet that eventually affects your skin. “While diet is a fundamental part of your overall health, it may also trigger acne breakouts,” says Dr. Jackson. “I have many patients who have identified dietary triggers that cause flare-ups – and there are many who don’t notice any correlation. Every person is different, so every person’s skin reacts to diet in different ways.”   Your Skin is Not Immune to Stress – From heart problems to depression, studies have shown that stress affects your body in many often life-threatening ways. Your skin is no different. Stress hormones can cause acne breakouts and flare-ups.   Washing May Be the Solution and the Problem – Acne is caused by an increased oil production in your skin that clogs pores and allows bacteria to flourish. While washing helps remove excess oils, over-washing can dry out your skin, triggering glands to produce even more oil. “While face washing may not necessarily cause acne, many people are surprised to learn that it can actually make the problem worse,” says Dr. Jackson. “While removing the oils that clog pores may seem like the logical solution to acne, stripping your skin of all of its oils causes your glands to produce even more oil – thus more acne.”   To Pop or Not To Pop, That Is the Question – It’s incredibly tempting (and incredibly gratifying) to pop a pimple, but it may actually make acne worse by releasing bacteria and oil to the surrounding skin – not to mention the potential for infection, inflammation or scarring.   Although acne may sound complex and a little scary, it’s actually the most common skin condition – affecting some 80 percent of all people between the ages of 11 and 30. If you’re looking to break out of your acne breakout cycle, see one of the skin care experts at Forefront Dermatology. To start on your path to clearer skin, visit the Locations page today.

What Makes Men’s Skin So Unique? Whether psychology or physiology, scientists have long been interested in the differences between men and women. Dermatology is no different. There are significant, if not subtle differences in the skin of men and women that extend beyond the ability of the former to grow all manner or luxurious and lumberjack-worthy facial hair; differences that affect the diagnosis, treatment, and prevalence of skin conditions. So, in honor of Father’s Day, we’re taking a look at the good, bad and fascinating things that make men’s skin so unique.  

Thick-Skinned – Literally! Androgens, hormones like testosterone what are responsible for the development and maintenance of male characteristics, also affect the thickness and texture of skin. In fact, the statum corneum (outermost layer) of a man’s skin is around 25 percent thicker than that of a woman. Hormones also affect the rate at which skin thins with aging – men’s skin thins gradually over time, while women will experience most skin thinning in the years after menopause.

Youth is Skin Deep In addition to thicker skin, men have a higher collagen density (collagen to skin thickness ratio) than women, which some researchers believe is why women appear to age faster than men. Due to intrinsic factors, like the genetically-programmed aging process, a woman’s skin will appear up to 15 years older than a man’s of the same age. However, damage indirectly caused by social factors and gender norms – such as a disproportionate number of men in outdoor labor and construction work where daily UV exposure are the highest – essentially cancels out these natural benefits. “For men putting together an anti-aging skin care regimen,” says Dr. Giacomo Maggiolino, board-certified dermatologist at Forefront’s Grafton, Sheboygan Falls and Pleasant Prairie clinics. “Focus on preventing and protecting against further UV damage in the morning with an antioxidant serum (such as Vitamin C) followed by a facial SPF 30 sunscreen – I use a moisturizing sunscreen every morning in place of an aftershave. At night, use creams that repair and restore with a retinoid (such as an over the counter retinol or the stronger, prescription-strength, tretinoin) and/or creams that contain proteins/collagen growth factors.”

Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Unfortunately, UV damages does more than cause fine lines and wrinkles. Over time, it can be deadly. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, from ages 15-39, men are 55 percent more likely to die of melanoma than women in the same age group and one in 33 men (as opposed to one in 52 women) will develop melanoma in their lifetimes. “Ultimately, we don’t know for certain why men have such disproportionately high melanoma rate, but limiting UV exposure definitely helps,” says Dr. Maggiolino. “Seek the shade. Wear a hat and a shirt when in the sun. Choose a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30 – and reapply every 90 minutes when in direct sunlight. And see your dermatologist yearly for a full body skin screening. Melanoma is deadly, and catching it early can save your life.”   When it comes down to it, men and women’s skin need the same things: protection, hydration and attention. With the skin care experts at Forefront Dermatology by your side, you can look forward to beautiful, healthy skin – regardless of your sex. To find the Forefront physician nearest you, visit the Locations page today.