AGE SPOTS AND SKIN TAGS

 Ask Suzy Cohen
By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph., Lifescript Pharmacist
Published April 23, 2011

Dear Suzy Cohen,
I used to have beautiful skin. Now as I get older I notice more and more age spots. My questions: How to get rid of age spots and stop more from forming? Why do some people get skin tags as they age?

-K.S. Lodi, California

Hi K.S.
Fortunately, skin tags and age spots are benign. A visit to your dermatologist is the quickest and easiest way to eliminate either problem.

In just one or two visits your doctor can snip or freeze away most skin tags and literally erase age spots with a laser beam. Snip, zap and your skin is clear. These are minor procedures and not too expensive.

Age spots, the discolorations that appear mostly on hands and face as we age, are pigment deposits resulting from a lifetime of sun exposure. These pesky little spots are nature’s way of saying that you’ve overdone it.

Over-the-counter bleaching creams with either hydroquinone or kojic acid aren’t going to perform any miracles, but they aren’t harmful either. They help lighten the appearance of age spots. They take time and their effect is mild. Follow label directions and discontinue use if they irritate your skin.

Some people have reported success with an old-fashioned treatment for age spots – castor oil. Simply rub the oil on the spots a couple times a day for several weeks and see if it helps to fade them. I like this remedy because the oil-derived from the castor bean is kind to many skin conditions.

Skin tags, those unsightly little tabs that appear mainly on face, hands, and chest seem to arise more frequently during middle age and in those who are overweight. Almost half the adult population seems to have at least a few.

One dermatologist-approved technique to remove larger skin tags is to gently tie them off with string or dental floss. Apparently, they drop off in a couple of days.

Please don’t attempt this for tags in awkward locations, like the eyelids. Better yet, ask your dermatologist if this home remedy is OK.

Until now, medical science believed that skin tags happen when sensitive skin is rubbed or irritated. But in 2010, Brazilian researchers found that multiple skin tags are “strongly associated” with insulin resistance, a condition that foreshadows the development of diabetes. Your doctor can test you for this condition.

Want to know more? Get your own copy of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Drug Muggers: How To Keep Your Medicine From Stealing the Life Out of You!

MY THOUGHTS

In case you're wondering, here are some pics

FROM herbalgranny.com

from homeremediesweb.com

Eye skin tag from hubpages.com

skin tags from coppertrees.com

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BRUSH YOUR HAIR?

BEAUTY TIPS: HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BRUSH YOUR HAIR?

from the article "Val Answers Your Top 20 Haircare Questions"
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  March 21, 2011

Questions about hairstyling, color and maintenance? Don't worry—O beauty director Valerie Monroe has the answers. She gives you the straight (or wavy, or curly) story on how to keep your hair looking its best.


Q: How often should I brush my hair? And what kind of brush is best?

A: In spite of the old biceps-building 100-strokes-per-night advice, you should brush your hair minimally. Routine brushing damages the outer layer, or cuticle, of the strands, which can make hair look lusterless and frizzy, says Paradi Mirmirani, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco; better to use a comb with widely spaced teeth and smooth tips. But if you like the way a good brushing feels (as I do), avoid boar bristles, which generate damaging friction; instead, choose a model with plastic, ball-tipped bristles. The Goody Ouchless Cushion Brush ($7.99; drugstores) is a fine choice.

MY THOUGHTS

Did you ever fall for that 100-strokes every night?  I did.  Who wouldn't?  You heard from everyone. Now we know better.

WHAT TO DO WITH SHINY FACE

WHAT TO DO WITH SHINY FACE

from the article 'Val Answers Your Top 20 Skincare Questions'
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  March 23, 2011

Q. My face is always shiny even though I use blotting papers and powder. Help!

A: "This can be a challenging problem," says Jeannette Graf, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. But you already know that. Graf suggests using a cleanser with witch hazel, and following it with a lotion containing oil-absorbing microsponges. Next, try applying a foundation primer—the silicone in it gives your skin a matte finish—wherever you get shiny (on your forehead, say). Then, over an oil-free foundation or tinted moisturizer, use a brush to apply a veil of loose powder (don't use your fingers; they can transmit oil).

Keep in mind: Avoid drying out your skin, since that can cause oil glands to go into overdrive.

Keep reading: Val's basics for a fresh and flawless look

MY THOUGHTS

I hope these tips work.  The suggested products sound expensive.  But if they can take out the shine, money won't matter.

GET RID OF UNDEREYE CIRCLES

GET RID OF UNDEREYE CIRCLES

from the article 'Val Answers Your Top 20 Skincare Questions'
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  March 23, 2011

Q. So many products claim to get rid of undereye circles. How do I know which one to buy?

A: If your complexion is fair, your (red or purplish) dark circles are probably caused by blood vessels just below the skin. If you're olive or darker, your (brown) circles are probably caused by pigmentation. Look closely in a mirror, and press on the skin; if the color decreases, your circles are more likely from blood vessels, says Heidi Waldorf, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. In this case, you might consider treatment with the V-beam laser, which zaps the vessels, causing them to disappear. For pigment-related shadows, Waldorf typically starts with creams containing retinoids (prescription tretinoin or tazarotene or over-the-counter retinols), to reduce pigmentation and increase cell turnover, and hydroquinone, a bleaching ingredient. Other helpful ingredients to look for are kojic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin and azelaic acid.

Keeping the area well hydrated can improve the appearance of either kind of undereye shadow and make it easier to apply concealer; use eye creams containing glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone or kinetin. Gels containing caffeine will temporarily tighten the skin, too, Waldorf says. If topical creams seem to irritate the area or make the circles worse, or if the skin is burning, itching or scaling, see a dermatologist. The cause of the darkness could be eczema, for which you may need a prescription topical anti-inflammatory cream.

Keep in mind: First figure out what's causing your undereye shadows; creams can reduce only the pigment-related type.

Keep reading: 4 steps to conceal undereye circles

MY THOUGHTS

Don't you just hate those dark undereye circles. I think, among the beauty concerns of women, this is the one that makes people think something's also wrong from the inside.  We always connect dark undereye circles to lack of sleep.  Apparently, for some, getting enough sleep won't do the trick. 

CREAM, OIL OR LOTION?

CREAM, OIL OR LOTION

FROM THE ARTICLE 'Val Answers Your Top 20 Skincare Questions'
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  March 23, 2011

Q. Which is a better body moisturizer: cream, oil or lotion?

A: The best way to treat dry skin is to seal in moisture by forming a protective layer over it, says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, co-director of laser surgery at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery. In order of effectiveness: oils, creams and lotions. The difference is the oil-to-water ratio, Tanzi says: Creams have more oil than water, and lotions have less.

Keep reading: When does a skincare product expire?

MY THOUGHTS

So, I suppose (using deductive reasoning) if you have oily skin but still needs to moisturize you reverse the process? Just thinking aloud!

PORE MINIMIZING MAKEUP

PORE MINIMIZING MAKEUP

from the article 'Val Answers Your Top 20 Skincare Questions/
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  March 23, 2011

Q. Does pore-minimizing makeup shrink your pores?

A: No, but it makes them appear smaller—which is a fine enough trick, if you ask me. Some formulas incorporate optical diffusers, which are very good at blurring the look of the pore, making it appear less noticeable.

Bottom line: Pore minimizers containing silicone can make your skin look flawless, but their residue is resistant to soap and water, so cleanse with makeup remover.

Keep reading: The easy guide to flawless skin

MY THOUGHTS

Imagine putting optical diffusers on your face.  Doesn't bring comfortable thoughts.

WHEN TO START USING ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS

WHEN TO START USING ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS

from the artcle 'Val Answers Your Top 20 Skincare Questions'
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  March 23, 2011

Q. I'm 26. When should I start using anti-aging products?

A: The day before yesterday (and I wish I'd followed my own advice). Leslie Baumann, MD, director of the Baumann Cosmetic and Research Institute in Miami Beach and author of The Skin Type Solution, says she tells patients as young as 18 to use ingredients that have been shown to slow the effects of aging. When it comes to wrinkles, prevention is key, so it's important to conserve collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin, all of which keep skin looking plump and firm. Retinoids and antioxidants help preserve all three. For nighttime, Baumann suggests using a prescription retinoid product like Retin-A, Tazorac, Differin or Renova—in conjunction with a daily moisturizer containing antioxidants like idebenone, coenzyme Q10, lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid. She points out that the best anti-aging product is sunscreen, used every day, even indoors (where UVA rays can work their bad chemistry through windows).

Bottom line: If you're old enough to ask the question, you're old enough to be using anti-aging products.

Keep reading: Get Val's skincare regimen

MY THOUGHTS

Chances are...you're way past 18.  And you're reading this because your age has started to show. I agree that there should be some amount of care so you're skin will not look as old as you are.  But I prefer to look my age rather than having a face as smooth as when I was born- while the other parts of my body look like...prunes!

EXPENSIVE SKINCARE

EXPENSIVE SKINCARE PRODUCTS

from the article Val Answers Your Top 20 Skincare Questions
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  March 23, 2011

Q: Do more-expensive skincare products have some kind of "professional strength"?

A: Price alone has nothing to do with the strength and effectiveness of skincare products, says Cheryl Burgess, MD, medical director at the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Washington, D.C. A drugstore mask or moisturizer can have the same concentrations of active ingredients as one from a department store or spa. But there is a correlation between the strength of a product and whether it's prescription or over-the-counter, says Burgess. A prescription product will likely contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than an OTC formula.

Bottom line: The price and strength of a product do not necessarily correlate.

MY THOUGHTS

Agree.  Totally.  If you can afford it, go for skincare products prescribed by an expert doctor.

PREVENTING STRETCH MARKS

Can Stretch Marks Be Prevented?
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  September 27, 2010
http://www.oprah.com/style/How-to-Prevent-and-Eliminate-Stretch-Marks

Q: I'm pregnant for the first time. Is there anything I can use to prevent or eliminate stretch marks?

A: We in the beauty department here at O have a special interest in this question, as one of us—congratulations, Jenny!—has recently enjoyed the magnificent, enlarging experience of a first pregnancy. (Not to mention a first baby.) Speaking of enlarging: Stretch marks—a result of the tearing of the dermis, the skin's second layer—most commonly occur during the third trimester of pregnancy, says Haideh Hirmand, MD, clinical assistant professor of surgery at Cornell-Weill Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital. (They can also occur during the rapid growth of puberty, with significant weight gain, or from hormonal shifts.) Some studies have suggested that topically applied vitamin E and essential oils can help prevent the marks from forming. Once they appear, several treatments with a fractional laser, which promotes collagen production and thickening of the dermis, can reduce their appearance (but not remove them).


Keep in mind: The sooner you treat stretch marks, the better the result, says Roy Geronemus, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. So best to zap them with a pulsed dye laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) while they're still red.

MY THOUGHTS

This is not only true for pregnant women. I think obese people have stretch marks after losing a lot of weight.  Better the stretch marks than the unhealthy fats.

WHAT'S YOUR SKIN TYPE

WHAT'S YOUR SKIN TYPE

from the article 'Val Answers Your Top 20 Skincare Questions'
By Val Monroe
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  March 23, 2011

Q: How can I figure out my skin type?

A: It's easy. Wash your face with a cleanser designed for normal skin; rinse well, and pat dry with a soft towel. Now pick up a copy of Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader. It's a short, funny book, and if you're undistracted you can probably finish it in about an hour—exactly when your skin will be ready to evaluate. How does it feel? If it's tight, ashy or flaky, your complexion is dry, says Susan Taylor, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University. If you're oily only across the forehead, down the nose and on the chin, you've got combination skin; and if you need to blot your whole face with a tissue, you're oily. If your face feels irritated or slightly itchy, you likely have sensitive skin.

Bottom line: Once you've established your skin type, repeat the test four times a year, because your skin probably changes seasonally.

MY THOUGHTS

Knowing your skin type is very important.  You'll need this when buying make-up and other facial care products.  So, follow this tip and know exactly what your skin type is.

CINNAMON FOR SKIN-WHITENING

Safer, More Effective Skin-Whitening Creams From Ancient Chinese Herbal Medicine

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/2021147/safer_more_effective_skinwhitening_creams_from_ancient_chinese_herbal_medicine/index.html?source=r_health
Posted on: Wednesday, 30 March 2011, 12:46 CDT

Scientists today reported discovery of the active ingredients in an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for skin whitening, changing skin color to a lighter shade. The ingredients are poised for clinical trials as a safer, more effective alternative to skin whitening creams and lotions that millions of women and some men use in Asia and elsewhere, they said. The report was among more than 9,500 presentations this week at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

The finding, which caps an intense search for these natural skin lightening substances, could be a boon to women in Asian countries, said study leader Hui-Min Wang, Ph.D. He explained that skin whitening products are all the rage there, but too-often accompanied by itching, redness, inflammation, and other side effects.

"Toxic skin whitening creams are a growing threat to women's health, especially in Asia," Wang said. "We hope that our product will improve lives and provide a safer, more natural way to lighten skin. A cream based on these herbal ingredients could be available on store shelves in as little as a year."

Skin-whitening is big business in countries like China, Japan, Korea, and India, where many women view whiter skin as a symbol of beauty, good health, and high social status. One study estimates that half the women in Asian countries use skin lightening creams, spending the equivalent of several billion dollars annually. People also use such products to fade unsightly age spots, freckles, and scars that have collected pigment.

Dozens of skin whitening creams, lotions, and other products are on sale throughout Asia. Some products contain toxic mercury, hydroquinone, and other potentially toxic substances that can cause redness, itching, inflammation and other skin problems. Some whitening ingredients could increase the risk of skin cancer when used frequently and at high doses, Wang said, citing the need for safer, more effective alternatives.

Wang and colleagues say that they have found a promising alternative in the form of an herbal "cure-all" used in traditional Chinese medicine in the form of soup or tea. The evergreen bush, Cinnamomum subavenium, is a close relative of the trees whose inner bark is the source of cinnamon. The scientists isolated two chemicals from the plant that have the ability to block tyrosinase, an enzyme that controls the synthesis of melanin, a dark pigment responsible for coloring skin, hair, and eyes. Inhibiting tyrosinase is one of the major strategies for skin-whitening, Wang said.

They tested these so-called "melanogenesis inhibitors" on the embryos of zebrafish, which are widely used as stand-ins for people and other animals in biomedical research. The embryos contain a highly visible band of black pigment. Exposure to low levels of the two chemicals reduced melanin production in the fish embryos by almost 50 percent within just four days, turning the embryos snowy white, the scientists said.

"When we saw the results, we were amazed," said Wang, who is with Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan. "My first thought was, well, 'If these herbal whiteners can transform zebrafish embryos from black to white, maybe they can also lighten women's skin.'"

He estimated that the chemicals are 100 times more effective in reducing melanin pigmentation than the common skin whitening agents kojic acid and arbutin, which have been used in cosmetics for more than 30 years. The substances did not appear to be toxic when tested in low doses on both cultured human skin cells and zebrafish embryos, Wang noted.

Wang is looking forward to clinical trials of a new beauty product based on the ingredients. Just a one percent solution of the chemicals could achieve dramatic skin whitening, Wang said, adding that several cosmetic companies are working with his group. Wang and his colleagues have applied for patents in the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan.

---

On the Net:

    American Chemical Society

MY THOUGHTS

Hope this works.  Herbal is certainly better than toxic chemicals.

IS YOUR PERIOD NORMAL(PART 1)

Is Your Period Normal? (Part 1)
By Dana Demas, Special to Lifescript
Published March 20, 2011

It’s bad enough we have to deal with monthly menstrual cycles, but what happens when we’re stuck with an extra heavy flow? Should we be worried? Find out what’s normal, what’s not, when to see your doctor and how to find relief...

If you’re like most women, you’ve experienced heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding.

At best, it’s a nuisance, with painful cramps and bloating that make that time of the month much more annoying. At worst, it could be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as endometrosis or fibroids.

With a little insight into your own cycle, you can figure out whether heavy bleeding is reason to run to a doctor, or if you should just stay in your “period panties."

Know Your Flow

Every woman is unique. So to understand what’s abnormal, you first have to know your normal menstrual cycle. Then you can determine why you’re bleeding is heavier than usual.

Most periods last 3-7 days and occur every 21-35 days. To measure the length of yours, count from the first day of bleeding to the last during each cycle.

To determine its frequency, count from the first day of bleeding in one cycle through the first day of bleeding in the next. Keep track of them in your calendar and eventually you should see a pattern in both numbers.

A day or two variation is nothing to worry about, but any bigger differences in cycle length or frequency are reasons to see your doctor, says Colleen Stockdale, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology at the University of Iowa.

A normal flow is trickier to measure. What’s heavy to one woman can be light to another.

A “heavy flow” is defined as more than 3-4 tablespoons of blood, which obviously is difficult to measure.

Fortunately, we have the Mansfield-Voda-Jorgensen Menstrual Bleeding Scale, which was created as part of a research project that has been tracking thousands of women’s menstrual cycles for more than 70 years. The six-point scale helps accurately determine flow based on the use of pads and tampons:

1. Spotting. A drop or two of blood, not even requiring sanitary protection, though you may prefer to use some.

2. Very Light Bleeding. Needing to change a low-absorbency tampon or pad 1-2 times per day.

3. Light Bleeding. Needing to change a low- or regular-absorbency tampon or pad 2-3 times per day.

4. Moderate Bleeding. Needing to change a regular-absorbency tampon or pad every 3-4 hours.

5. Heavy Bleeding. Needing to change a high-absorbency tampon or pad every 3-4 hours.

6. Very Heavy Bleeding or Gushing. Protection hardly works; you would need to change the highest absorbency tampon or pad every 1-2 hours.

If you soak through more than one pad or tampon every hour for 2-3 hours straight, call your doctor or head to an emergency room.

But just because your menstrual flow falls into the heavy-bleeding category doesn’t mean that something’s wrong. Some women just have heavier flows than others.

Bleeding to Worry About

Many problems can cause heavy periods, Stockdale says. Sometimes, it’s simply age, a change in contraception or life-stage that’s to blame. For example, some women who’ve had several children find that their periods get heavier because of structural changes to the uterus that doctors don’t entirely understand.

A sudden change in flow is what you need to watch for: If you don’t normally bleed heavily and suddenly start, or if you start bleeding between cycles, see your doctor.

It can be a sign of a another problem, says Stephanie McClellan, M.D., founder of the Doctors Office for Women, including:

    * Uterine polyps or fibroids. Both are usually benign growths that occur inside the uterus and cause bleeding.

    * Cervical polyps or precancerous changes to the cells of the cervix.

    * Common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. If left untreated, both can lead to bleeding.

    * A yeast or bacterial infection. Untreated, these vaginal illnesses can cause bleeding.

    * Medical conditions that affect reproductive organs, such as endometriosis (see below).

    * General medical conditions, such as von Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder, and thyroid disease.

    * Obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Women who are overweight or have diabetes or hypertension are at higher risk for uterine hyperplasia – the abnormal thickening of the uterine lining.

    * Cancer. More rare, irregular menstrual bleeding can be the result of cancer.

MY THOUGHTS

This article has provided a very clear way of finding out if everything's ok with your period or if you might need to see a doctor.  The next post will be all about the diagnosis.