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Radiant Skin Tips for the Holidays

While the holidays can be a very joyous time of spending time with family and friends, they can also be a time of stress and overindulgence. If you are finding yourself overextended this holiday season or if you have too many commitments that are taking you away from your standard healthy eating and exercise routine, coming up with a plan ahead time to keep yourself healthy over the holidays is a great way to keep yourself looking and feeling well.

  1. Avoid Simple Sugars and Too Many Carbs, Even Over the Holidays
    Your body metabolizes simple carbs like the starch found in mashed potatoes and deserts by converting them to glucose. Once they’ve been converted, they stick to wrinkle-fighting proteins like collagen and damage them. Extra sugar and carbs in your diet also diminish collagen and elastin, the proteins that keeps skin soft, supple, and springy.
  2. Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking
    Drinking alcohol, especially in large amounts, can cause can cause existing skin conditions, such as psoriasis, acne, and rosacea, to flare up. Drinking alcohol can also dry out the body and the skin, which can cause your skin to look flaky, dry, and dull. Skip the champagne and drink water or other festive beverages instead.The inhalation of more than 7,000 chemicals produced by burning cigarettes can also cause damage to your skin in many ways. Smoking decreases the oxygen in the blood, constricts the blood vessels, and will lead to visible signs of premature ageing, such as wrinkles, discoloration, red capillaries, and dullness. Smoking also weakens the immune system, and this can lead to an increased risk for psoriasis and other auto-immune disorders.”
  3. Moisturize
    Select a creamy cleanser to provide additional moisture to your face and use a richer, creamier face lotion that will keep the skin hydrated. Use mildly hydrating toners to finalize the cleansing process, balance your skin’s tone, and lock in moisture. This will provide a great base for your make-up to ensure that your products go on smoothly and offer essential coverage of fine lines, dark spots and other summer sun damage.
  4. Select a Foundation with More Coverage and Repair for Uneven Skin Tone
    Look for a foundation that provides ample coverage for uneven skin tone, dark spots, and fine lines that is at least one or two shades lighter than your current skin tone. It should also offer repair elements such as evening and brightening skin tone and minimizing and treating the appearance of fine lines to gradually repair the impact of damage while providing a base for your holiday make-up to make you look radiant.
  5. Avoid Stress and Get Exercise
    The holidays can be a stressful time for many. Stress has been proven to increase breakouts, so try to find natural ways to decrease stress and exercise to get your blood flowing. Exercise can help you reduce stress, just be sure to thoroughly shower and cleanse skin after exercising and sweating.
  6. Take Time to Rejuvenate Your Skin
    If the drier weather is leaving your skin looking dull or with visible concerns, such as fine lines and dark spots, there are many spa and cosmetic treatment options that can reverse this damage and improve the look of wrinkles and uneven skin tone.

Your Local Skin Experts at Forefront Dermatology are here to Help
If you have concerns about the health or appearance of your skin, schedule a visit with your local Forefront board-certified dermatologist or esthetician to discuss how we can help.

Enjoy the Cold Weather Safely and Protect Your Skin

Winter often sneaks up on us, with its blustery cold, snow and wind, but for many of us, being outdoors is a necessity or even an enjoyable pastime. If you are planning a winter ski trip, other outdoor sports, work outdoors, or spend a lot of time outside in the winter for any reason, it is important to keep yourself and your family prepared by taking certain measures to plan ahead and stay safe. Even short periods of time outdoors in very cold temperatures or extreme snow and wind can be dangerous.

Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them:

Dress Appropriately for the Temperature and Conditions
Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.

Sunscreen Is Important in All Seasons
No, sunscreen isn’t just for summertime. Winter sun can still damage your skin, and it also reflects off the surface of snow. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they’re exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you are staying outside for a long time.

Watch for Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite
According to Erik C. Alexander, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, “recognizing the early warning signs of frostbite and hypothermia are key to being able to treat them safely and successfully. Signs of frostbite are pale, red, grey or blistered skin on the fingers, ears, nose, and toes sometimes associated with numbness or pain. It can often be difficult to recognize until the areas are warmed back up. If you think you have frostbite get indoors and put the affected area in warm (not hot) water. Signs of hypothermia are shivering, slurred speech, and unusual clumsiness. If you think you have hypothermia call 9-1-1 immediately.”

Protect Your Hands
The skin on your hands is more susceptible to drying, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.

Your Local Skin Experts at Forefront Dermatology are here to Help
Establishing a relationship with a board-certified dermatologist is an important step you should take to keep your skin healthy, especially if you suffer from an itchy, painful, or irritating skin condition. If you or a family member have a skin concern or would like to schedule a consult, find the Forefront dermatologist nearest you to schedule an appointment or to learn more.

Preventing Dry Skin in Winter Weather

In honor of National Healthy Skin Month, we’re devoting November to raising awareness about the skin, your body’s largest organ, and how to keep it vibrant and healthy. This week, we will discuss how you can avoid dry skin this winter.

As the season shifts towards winter, the temperature starts to drop and the humidity begins to fall. The cool, dry air accelerates water loss from the skin, which can leave skin looking rough, dry, and dull. Here are some tips to counter skin dehydration and keep your skin looking radiant and feeling fresh.

Cleanse and Moisturize

To prepare your skin for winter, you will need to modify your daily skin care regimen. Select a mild, hydrating cleanser for the face and a gentle, hydrating body wash. According to Christian Millett, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, “It is important to avoid long, hot showers, which can lead to even further dehydration of the skin. Instead, use lukewarm water and limit showers to 10 minutes and only once a day.” After washing, pat your skin dry and then apply a moisturizer, making sure to reapply throughout the day.  Use a thick, cream-based moisturizer for the body in order to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated. For the face, use a facial moisturizer that will protect and hydrate without clogging the pores. Using a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air can also help to reduce water loss from the skin.

Continue to Use Sunscreen

Even though the solar radiation is less intense in the winter, it is still important to protect your skin from the damaging UV rays of the sun. This is especially true during the peak daylight hours from 10 AM to 4 PM. Daily use of a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 can help prevent sun damage and keep the skin looking youthful and vibrant. Just remember to reapply every couple of hours if you’re going to be outside.

Hands and Lips

Hands and lips in particular can become very dry and cracked during the winter, as the lack of oil glands in these areas can make them difficult to keep moisturized. Avoid frequent hand washing and instead use an alcohol-free hand sanitizer. When you do wash, moisturize immediately after with a thick hand cream to minimize cracking and keep your skin soft. When going outside, wear gloves with a cotton liner. Cotton gloves can also be worn overnight after moisturizing to help increase absorption of your moisturizer. For the lips, use a thick ointment or protective balm with SPF, and reapply it throughout the day.

Exfoliate
Dehydrated skin can show signs of dryness, including flaking, scaling, and cracking. Dead skin cells can prevent moisturizer from absorbing completely, so use a mild exfoliator once or twice a week to prevent buildup.

Avoid using harsh peels, toners, and astringents which can remove oil from the skin. Instead of foaming scrubs, use hydrating scrubs to gently remove old skin cells without stripping the skin of its moisture.

Your Local Skin Experts at Forefront Dermatology are here to Help
Establishing a relationship with a board-certified dermatologist is an important step you should take to keep your skin healthy. If you or a family member have a skin concern or would like to schedule a consult, find the Forefront dermatologist nearest you to schedule an appointment or to learn more.

Healthy Food Choices for Healthy Skin

In honor of National Healthy Skin Month, we’re devoting November to raising awareness about the skin, your body’s largest organ, and how to keep it vibrant and healthy. This week, we will cover which food choices to make in order to benefit your skin.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to give thanks and enjoy the company of family and friends. However, the tradition usually includes a bountiful feast of unhealthy foods that are packed full of calories. As a result, making healthy choices during this holiday can be difficult, but doing so can help give you the type of glowing skin that not only makes you look better, but can also boost your confidence and self-esteem as well. So this year, make a change from the traditional Thanksgiving menu and help keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

Food Don’ts

  1. Avoid excess sugar and other carbs. Your body metabolizes simple carbohydrates like those found in mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie by converting them to glucose. After conversion, they can adhere to proteins like collagen and impair their function. Extra sugar in your diet can also damage elastin, the protein that keeps skin flexible and resilient.
  2. Dairy can be a problem. This is especially true for those who are prone to acne. Dairy products contain hormones related to testosterone that may stimulate oil glands in the skin, leading to clogged pores and pimples. Rather than adding dairy milk to your coffee or bowl of cereal, use a non-dairy milk, like unsweetened almond milk, instead. According to Christian Millett, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, “I have recommended to a number of my acne patients that they try a dairy-free diet, and many have reported a reduction in the severity of their breakouts. Eliminating dairy for a few weeks to see how your skin responds can be a helpful step in trying to manage breakouts.”
  3. Don’t overindulge on alcohol. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can trigger a flare of a number of underlying skin conditions, such as psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. It can also dehydrate the skin, causing it to look flaky, dry, and dull. Limit yourself to one or two glasses of red wine (which contains the antioxidant resveratrol), drink plenty of water, and leave the extra calories behind.

Food Do’s

  1. Include healthy fats in your diet. Olive oil contains Vitamin E, which can help to reduce signs of aging. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil can benefit you from the inside (when consumed as part of your diet) and out (when applied topically to your skin).
  2. Load up on leafy greens. Foods such as kale and spinach contain Vitamin A, which is essential for keeping skin smooth and wrinkle-free.
  3. Enjoy some soy. The isoflavones in soy can help stop collagen breakdown, which leads to sagging skin and wrinkles. Adding soy to your diet can result in skin with fewer fine lines and improved elasticity.
  4. Try some kiwi. This fruit is packed with vitamin C, which stimulates collagen synthesis, keeping skin taught and free of fine lines. Vitamin C also fights free radicals that can damage cells, resulting in skin that is less dry and with less noticeable wrinkles.
  5. Consume more carotenoids. People who eat greater amounts of carotenoid-containing fruits and vegetables, like carrots and pumpkin, have more yellow tones in their skin, which gives their complexion a healthy, natural glow.

Your Local Skin Experts at Forefront Dermatology are Here to Help
Establishing a relationship with a board-certified dermatologist is an important step you should take to keep your skin healthy. If you or a family member have a skin concern or would like to schedule a consult, find the Forefront dermatologist nearest you to schedule an appointment or to learn more.

Lifestyle Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy

In honor of National Healthy Skin Month, we’re devoting November to raising awareness about the skin, your body’s largest organ, and how to keep it vibrant and healthy. This week, we will discuss healthy lifestyle tips to help keep your skin looking its best.

According to Christian Millett, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, “While you can’t change some things about your skin, such as your skin type or certain hereditary skin conditions, there are many lifestyle choices you can make to keep your skin healthy. The appearance of your skin can be a strong indicator of your overall health, so use the following tips to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.”

    1. Protect Your Skin from the Sun
      Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, regardless of the season. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. If you are taking a ski trip or ice skating outdoors, be aware that the snow can reflect the sun’s rays, so it is especially important to use and reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
    2. Avoid Stress and Get Exercise
      Stress has been proven to increase acne breakouts as well as worsen eczema and other skin conditions, so try to find ways to reduce it, such as yoga and meditation. Exercise can help you both reduce stress, as well as increase blood flow to your skin. Make sure to thoroughly shower and cleanse the skin after exercising and sweating.
    3. Eat Healthy
      Eating certain foods and avoiding others can significantly improve your skin. Foods that have been linked to skin problems are those high in sugar, dairy products, and those containing unhealthy (trans) fats. Instead, add healthy foods to your diet, such as those rich in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon) and healthy greens (kale), which can help keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
    4. Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking
    5. Drinking alcohol in large amounts can cause a flare of a number skin conditions, such as psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. Drinking alcohol can also dehydrate the skin, which can cause it to look flaky, dry, and dull. Drinking plenty of water and limiting alcohol consumption to 1-2 drinks can help you avoid these issues.Inhalation of the many chemicals produced by smoking cigarettes can also cause damage to your skin in a number of ways. Smoking decreases the oxygen in the blood, constricts the blood vessels, and can lead to visible signs of premature ageing, such as wrinkles and discoloration.
    6. Get Plenty of Sleep
      Being sleep-deprived causes the body to release stress hormones, which can exacerbate a number of skin problems. Avoid this by regularly getting a full night sleep (7 to 8 hours). This will also optimize the secretion of human growth hormone, which promotes cell turnover and collagen production, keeping the skin glowing and looking fresh.
    7. Take Time to Rejuvenate Your Skin
      If the winter air and seasonal stress of the holidays are leaving your skin looking dull and aged, there are cosmetic treatment options that can address these issues and more. Injections such as Botox and fillers like Resytlane or Juvederm can significantly improve lines and wrinkles. Other procedures such as laser or IPL treatments, chemical peels, and micro-needling can reduce redness, fade discolorations, and even improve the appearance of scars.

Regular use of a prescription topical retinoid can help unclog pores, reduce fine lines, lighten discolorations, and improve skin texture. While these creams can initially cause dryness, flaking, and redness, starting off gradually with every second or third night application can help your skin adjust.

Your Local Skin Experts at Forefront Dermatology are Here to Help
Establishing a relationship with a board-certified dermatologist is an important step you should take to keep your skin healthy, especially if you suffer from an itchy, painful, or irritating skin condition. If you or a family member have a skin concern or would like to schedule a consult, find the Forefront dermatologist nearest you to schedule an appointment or to learn more.

Healthy Skincare Tips for Every Skin Type

In honor of National Healthy Skin Month, we’re devoting November to raising awareness about the skin, your body’s largest organ, and how to keep it vibrant and healthy. This week, we will discuss how to care for the skin, no matter what type of skin you have.

Know Your Skin Type

The first step in developing a skin care routine is to determine your skin type — dry, oily, combination, normal, or sensitive. Based on that, you can tailor your regimen to meet your specific needs.

According to Christian Millett, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, “Knowing your skin type will allow you to choose the right cleansers, moisturizers, and other products to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. When it comes to skin care products, one size does not fit all.”

Dry Skin
Dry skin can appear flaky, scaly, or rough; it looks dull and has a tendency to become cracked and inflamed. If you have dry skin, limit yourself to short showers and only once a day. Wash with a gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain alcohol or fragrance. After washing, pat your skin dry and then apply a moisturizer, making sure to reapply throughout the day. Choose a thick, cream-based moisturizer that contains emollient ingredients. Use a gentle exfoliator once a week to remove buildup of dead skin cells.

Oily Skin
Oily skin is shiny and greasy, often with enlarged pores; it can be prone to pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Oily skin should be washed twice daily with a salicylic acid cleanser to help keep pores unclogged; however, the skin should not be scrubbed. After cleansing, apply an oil-free moisturizer. Look for products that say “non-comedogenic,” meaning they won’t clog pores.

Combination Skin
Combination skin is dry in some spots, such as the cheeks, and oily in others, like the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). Combination skin often requires treating the various areas of your face differently. You will need to use a moisturizer on the dry areas of your face and reduce excess oil with products containing salicylic acid on the others. Use a gentle cleanser and exfoliate weekly to keep your skin looking clear and more even.

Normal Skin
Normal skin is balanced (neither oily nor dry), not prone to redness or breakouts, and not sensitive. But even if you’re one of the lucky ones with normal skin, it is still important to follow a healthy skincare routine. The basics that every skin type needs, including normal skin, are: use a gentle cleanser to wash, moisturize daily, and use a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin easily becomes red and inflamed. It may sting, burn, or itch upon application of almost any new product, especially one containing fragrance or preservative. Sensitive skin can be related to underlying skin conditions (such as rosacea) as well as changing hormone levels, stress, sleep deprivation, and environmental factors. To cleanse skin without stripping it of lipids, avoid foaming face washes.  Calm the skin using products that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as green tea. Choose a sunscreen with a physical blocker (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) rather than a chemical blocker as the active ingredient.

Your Local Skin Experts at Forefront Dermatology are Here to Help
Establishing a relationship with a board-certified dermatologist is an important step you should take to keep your skin healthy, especially if you suffer from an itchy, painful, or irritating skin condition. If you or a family member have a skin concern or would like to schedule a consult, find the Forefront dermatologist nearest you to schedule an appointment or to learn more.

Causes and Solutions for Adult Acne

If you find that pimples are popping up in your adult years, you are not alone!  While we typically think of acne as a problem associated with our teenage years, adult acne is a common problem that often goes diagnosed.

If your acne is impacting your well-being and self-esteem, your feelings should not be dismissed. When you contact your local, board-certified dermatologist, you will be treated with the same compassion as anyone else with a chronic health condition, and we will work with you to get to the bottom of what is causing your acne.

Facts About Adult Acne

  • Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually
  • Women are more likely to suffer from acne than men and this seems to be related to hormones
  • Men are more likely to suffer acne scarring than women
  • It’s a myth that acne results from poor hygiene

Potential Causes of Adult Acne

There are many contributing factors that lead to acne flare-ups which include the following:

  1. Hormones Leading to Excess Oil Secretion, Bacteria and the Clogging of Pores
    Androgens, the male hormones present in both men and women, can contribute to acne flares by overstimulating the oil glands and altering the development of skin cells that line hair follicles in the skin.
  2. Overproduction of a Skin Oil Called Sebum
    Too much production of a skin oil called sebum, presence of bacteria, and the clogging of skin pores (follicles) with debris are the most common known causes of acne.
  3. Makeup
    Makeup can trap dirt under the skin and trap oil and bacteria in your pores. If you are going to use makeup, select products that are oil-free and non-comedogenic. In addition, when you apply or remove makeup, you are transferring dirt and oil from your hands to your face. When you apply makeup, be sure to thoroughly remove it at night with a gentle face cleanser to fully remove anything that may be clogging your pores.
  4. Genetics
    Patients that have severe acne often report that their parents had similar problems with acne. We do know that genetic predisposition is a factor in adult acne.
  5. Stress
    Because stress is a part of our daily lives, it can be nearly impossible to avoid, but oftentimes our skin can be a reflection of our overall health and stress can be a trigger for acne in those who are already prone to breakouts. Unfortunately, having acne itself can lead to stress and depression. If you are experiencing stress related to your skin, there are many treatment options that can help.
  6. Diet
    Today, some researchers believe that there is indeed a connection between food and acne. Some of the culprits that have been linked to acne are sugary foods, dairy products, and unhealthy fats. Conversely, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish may help reduce acne severity.

Potential Solutions for Adult Acne

  1. See Your Dermatologist and Develop a Treatment Plan
    There are a number of possible treatments for adult acne, from topical treatments to various pill therapies, depending on the type of acne you have and the severity of your condition. According to Rachel Ade Koziczkowski, a board-certified dermatologist in Moline, Illinois, “I like to sit down with my patients to gain a thorough understanding of how their acne is impacting their lives. In addition, determining what type of acne they are dealing with helps me to collaborate with them to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Providing adherence strategies for patients is something I focus on at each visit. It is so rewarding for me to see my adult acne patients come back with clear and beautiful skin a few months down the road, because the glow goes way beyond their faces.”
  2. Develop a Skincare Regimen That Is Designed Specifically for You
    While it may be tempting as an adult to walk up to your nearest cosmetics counter and spend big money on skincare products, you will have much more success working with your local board-certified dermatologist or licensed esthetician to design a skincare regimen designed to treat your specific skincare issues.
  3. Don’t Touch Your Face or Pop Pimples
    Your hands are a constant source of dirt, bacteria, and oil, and when you touch your face, these elements are transferred to your skin and can cause acne. If you have a large pimple and an important event to attend, see your dermatologist for an injection that can reduce its size and appearance. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse your hands with soap when you do need to touch your face. As tempting as it can be, do not try to pop pimples. This can spread acne bacteria to the rest of your face and spread acne-causing bacteria, and also lead to scarring.
  4. Avoid Stress and Get Exercise
    If you are struggling with acne, try to literally not “sweat” the small stuff. Stress has been proven to increase breakouts, so try to find natural ways to decrease stress through meditation, adequate sleep, and exercise. Just be sure to thoroughly shower and cleanse skin after exercising and sweating.
  5. Eat Healthy
    Many skin care experts agree that eating certain foods and avoiding others can significantly improve your skin. Enjoy a diet free of excess sugar and dairy, while adding healthy foods to your diet such as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and healthy greens, like kale and salmon.

Are You Struggling With Adult Acne: How Can We Help?

If you are or a family member is struggling with acne or a skin concern, find the Forefront dermatologist nearest you to schedule an appointment or to learn more.

Stop Acne with These Preventative Tips

If you are suffering from acne breakouts, we understand that you’ve probably spent countless dollars on acne treatments that promise to help clear your skin, regardless of your age or the severity your breakouts. At Forefront Dermatology, our expert skincare experts understand that acne can take a toll on not only your physical well-being, but your emotional health as well.

Dr. Rachel Ade Koziczkowski, a board-certified dermatologist in Moline, Illinois, recommends, “You do not have to live with acne, regardless of your age, your history, or the severity of your symptoms. We recommend the following preventative measures you can take to clear up your skin, but if you need further assistance, your board-certified acne specialists at Forefront Dermatology are here to help!”

These tips below are the top ways that you can prevent an acne breakout:

  1. Keep your Face Clean
    One of the biggest causes of acne is dirt and oil that builds up and gets trapped under your skin to clog your pores and grow bacteria. Washing your face with an oil-free, gently exfoliating cleanser two times per day will help to remove this dirt, oil, and any dead skin cells that could become trapped in your pores and clog them.
  2. Moisturize
    If you’ve turned to acne products to control breakouts, most of these products contain ingredients that dry out the skin such as peroxide that can zap your skin of the moisture it needs. Apply a light moisturizer to you skin after fully cleansing that contains glycerin or hyaluronic acid. This will keep moisture locked in your skin to prevent redness, drying, and flaking.
  3. Use Makeup Sparingly and Select Acne Friendly Products
    Makeup can trap dirt under the skin and trap oil and bacteria in your pores. If you are going to use makeup, select products that are oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it will not trap dirt and oil in your pores. In addition, when you apply or remove makeup, you are transferring dirt and oil from your hands to your face. When you apply makeup, be sure to thoroughly remove it at night with and gentle face cleanser to fully remove anything that may be clogging your pores.
  4. Be Careful about Products You Use in Your Hair
    Be careful about the products that you are using in your hair. Your shampoo, conditioner, gels, and other hair products can contain oils, fragrance, and chemicals that can irritate skin and cause breakouts on your forehead, jaw, neck, and back. Organic products without added chemicals, oils, and fragrance may also provide a lightweight wash and a natural smell without causing breakouts.
  5. Don’t Touch Your Face or Pop Pimples
    Your hands are a constant source of dirt, bacteria, and oil, and when you touch your face, these elements are transferred to your skin and can cause acne. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse your hands with soap when you do need to touch your face. As tempting as it can be, do not try to pop pimples.
  6. Stay Out of the Sun
    The sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase inflammation and redness, and can cause dark discoloration. Some acne medications may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, regardless of the season. Whether you have acne or not, always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that is specially designed for your face with oil-free ingredients.
  7. Change Your Pillow Cases and Sheets Once a Week
    All of the dirt, old, dead skin cells and sweat are sloughing off onto your pillow and your sheets at nighttime as you are sleeping, particularly if you are not washing your face off before bed. Save the money you are spending on expensive nighttime face and acne creams and simply change your pillowcase to allow your face a clean place to lie at night free of acne-breeding dirt and bacteria.
  8. Avoid Stress and Get Exercise
    If you are struggling with acne, try to literally not “sweat” the small stuff. Stress has been proven to increase breakouts, so try to find natural ways to decrease ways to exercise and get your blood flowing. Exercise can help you reduce stress, just be sure to thoroughly shower and cleanse skin after exercising and sweating.
  9. Eat Healthy
    While there is not a clear link between acne and diet, many skincare experts agree that eating certain foods and avoiding others can significantly improve your skin. Enjoy a diet free of excess sugar, while adding healthy foods to your diet such as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and healthy greens, like kale and salmon.

Living with Acne: How Can We Help?

If you or a family member is dealing with acne, there are many effective treatments we can offer. Find the Forefront physician nearest you to learn about treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help prevent flare-ups and eliminate acne.

How to Perform a Monthly Skin Cancer Self-Examination

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In fact, more skin cancers are diagnosed in the US each year than all other cancers combined. The good news is that skin cancer, when detected early, is highly treatable. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone practice monthly head-to-toe self-examinations of their skin, so that they can find any new or changing lesions that might be cancerous or precancerous.

Conduct these monthly skin self-evaluations at home in a well-lit room, in front of a full-length mirror. You may need a family member or a close friend to assist you to scan hard to view areas, such as your scalp and your back. Dr. Rachel Ade Koziczkowski, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Moline, Illinois, suggests, “This quick 10-minute procedure could be life-saving.  You can have your dermatologist give you an initial lesson on performing a complete skin examination in your office at your annual skin-cancer screening appointment to learn how to perform one at home on your own.”

For additional resources to perform an at home skin-cancer screening, download the American Academy for Dermatology’s body mole map to document your self-examination, or the How to SPOT Skin Cancer™ Infographic so you know what to look for when checking your spots.

To perform an at home skin cancer self-examination, follow the steps below recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. This will help you to monitor any changes in spots on your body and bring them to your dermatologist’s attention as early as possible.

  1. Begin by examining your face, including your nose, lips, mouth, and ears. Do not forget the backs! Use your mirror and a secondary mirror if needed.
  2. Inspect your scalp carefully selecting one section at a time. Use a comb or other tool to ensure that you examine each section. Have a friend or family member help you if possible.
  3. Scan your hands carefully beginning with your palms and the backs of your hands. Carefully examine between your fingers and under your fingernails. Continue up the wrists to examine both the front and back of your forearms.
  4. Standing in front of the full-length mirror, begin at the elbows and scan all sides of your upper arms. Don’t forget the underarms.
  5. Next, focus on the neck, chest and torso. Women should lift breasts to view the undersides.
  6. With your back to the full-length mirror, use the hand mirror to inspect the back of your neck, shoulders, upper back and any part of the back of your upper arms you could not view in step 4.
  7. Still using both mirrors, scan your lower back, buttocks and backs of both legs.

Your Local Skin Cancer Experts at Forefront Dermatology are Here to Help

If you notice a spot that is different from others, or that changes, itches or bleeds, make an appointment to see your local Forefront dermatologist — our experienced, collaborative team of board-certified dermatologists and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons provide are the country’s top experts in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The 5 Most Important Steps to Protect Yourself from Skin Cancer

While skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, it is also one of the most treatable and preventable. With early detection and proper treatment, skin cancer has a very high cure rate. While there is no sure way to guarantee you won’t get skin cancer, there are things you can do that can lower your risk.

The most important things you can do to protect yourself from skin cancer are to practice preventative care by following these tips.

  1. Have an Annual Skin Cancer Screening
    A skin cancer screening is a visual inspection of your skin by a board-certified dermatologist specially trained to detect skin cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage. No blood work is conducted at a screening. You may be wondering what a skin cancer screening will be like and how long it will take. When you see your local Forefront dermatologist for a complete skin check-up, you can expect a 10-15 minute visit, including a review of your medical history and a head-to-toe skin examination. At this time, let your dermatologist know about any spots you are worried about; your dermatologist can teach you what to look for in the future if you’re not sure, such as any changes in the size, color, borders, or shape of a mole. Also remember that skin cancer may occur on any area of skin, NOT just where you have had sun exposure. Any notable changes in a mole should be checked out. Typically, a spot that the doctor suspects is cancerous will be biopsied. During a biopsy, a sliver of tissue is removed for evaluation by a pathologist, who confirms (or refutes) the dermatologist’s suspicions.
  2. Conduct Monthly Skin Cancer Self-Evaluations
    The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone practice monthly head-to-toe self-examinations of their skin, so that they can find any new or changing lesions that might be cancerous or precancerous.  Conduct these monthly skin self-evaluations at home. This quick 5-minute procedure could be life-saving.  You can have your dermatologist give you an initial lesson on performing a skin examination and you can also learn how to perform one here. This will help you to monitor any changes in spots on your body and bring them to your dermatologist’s attention as early as possible.
  3. Avoid Intentional Tanning and Using Indoor Tanning Beds
    Avoid intentional tanning of your skin and especially sunburn whenever possible. According to Dr. Mark Jackson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Louisville, Kentucky, “People who spend a great deal of time in the sun or allow their skin to burn have an increased risk of developing skin cancer. A sunburn or a tan causes damage to your skin that can show up many years later in the form of wrinkles and even skin cancer. Indoor tanning beds are just as dangerous, if not even more dangerous, than the regular sun because they expose your skin to dangerous UV Rays.” Stay indoors or look for shade in the middle of the day when UV radiation is strongest, usually between 10 AM and 4 PM. Seek shade under an umbrella, tree or other shelter to seek relief from the sun. Cover up with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses for the best protection against UV radiation.
  4. Keep Children and Especially Newborns Out of the Sun
    According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, just one sunburn in childhood more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life. Infants 0-6 months should be kept out of the sun completely. Their skin is too sensitive for sunscreen. Babies 6-12 months are now able to be exposed to very limited sun when completely protected by a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Protecting toddles and older children requires a little more thought and effort. It is important to educate your children and caregivers as well. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF 30 or higher. Water-resistant, spray-on sunscreens are a good choice for toddlers who won’t sit still. Spray sunscreens should not be applied directly to the face; sprays should be misted into the hands, and then spread on the face. Even in the fall and into the winter, it is still important to practice sun safety, especially for babies and children. Keep them indoors between 10 AM and 4 PM, cover them up with protective clothing, and stay in the shade whenever possible.
  5. Continue Using Sunscreen Year-Round
    If you can’t cover up completely, be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on all exposed skin throughout the year. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30 filters out ultraviolet rays, reducing the risk of sunburn. Adults and children should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing ingredients designed to filter dangerous ultraviolet rays, as recommended by Skin Cancer Foundation.

Your Local Skin Cancer Experts at Forefront Dermatology are Here to Help

If you or a family member would like to have a skin cancer screening or have a skin concern find the Forefront dermatologist nearest you to schedule an appointment or to learn more.