Dermatology Group of Southern California

Midlife Transition Seminar at DGSC

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Baffled by Bruises? Understanding the Purples and Blues

dermatologysocaltss — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 02:00:01 +0000

Bruises, also referred to as hematomas’ or contusions, occur when people are hit with something or when they bump into something. This can cause tiny blood vessels under the skin to burst, and tissues to rip. If the skin does not break upon impact, blood will gather under the surface of the skin, creating a bruise.

The colors that a bruise will be are dependent upon the severity of the bruise and can include such colors as light red, red, blue, purple, black, brown and yellow. How sensitive a bruise will be is also dependent upon the severity of the bruise. While some bruises are not sensitive at all, some of them are extremely sensitive to the touch.

A subcutaneous bruise is the least sensitive of any bruises. Subcutaneous bruises occur when blood vessels under the surface of the skin burst, and they only last for one to three days. Some people do not even notice these bruises. These bruises can range in color from light purple to light brown, and they will begin to turn yellow as the blood vessels heal.

Intra-muscular bruises are more painful than subcutaneous bruises, and they last much longer, as well. These bruises occur when there is a hard impact to the body and blood vessels within the muscles burst. Intra-muscular bruises can often be quite larger than subcutaneous bruises, and they are often darker in color, ranging from deep purple to black.

The most serious bruises of the three types are periosteal bruises. These bruises occur when a large amount of blood vessels burst, and when the outer layers of bones become damaged. Some people call these bruises bone bruises, and they are the most sensitive of any type, often lasting for several weeks. Periosteal bruises also range in color from deep purple to black.

Typically, bruises will heal themselves and do not require any specialized treatment. However, in some cases, such as with periosteal bruises, people may want to get an x-ray to make sure there are no bone fractures. Sometimes the blood may clot, as well, and doctors will recommend taking aspirin to help break the clot up. Mild pain relievers may help relieve any pain from the bruise, as well.

Beyond Basic Skin Care: Three Big Lifestyle Tips For Beautiful Skin

dermatologysocaltss — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 02:00:27 +0000

Healthy skin takes work but the rewards are worth it. Smooth, glowing skin can take years off someone’s appearance, and is also an indicator of health.

Habits That Must Go

Smoking does not just damage lungs, it damages skin as well. Free radicals are set loose by tobacco and the chemicals contained in cigarettes, and these free radicals damage skin cells. Smoking leads to premature aging, and hastens wrinkling of the skin.

Sunbathing also damages skin and, like smoking, prematurely ages the skin. A suntan is actually a sign of skin damage. Tanning beds are no better when it comes to damaging the skin. Tans created by self-tanning creams are the only healthy ones.

Protecting The Skin

Sunscreen should be applied for any outdoor activity. One of the best habits to get into is to add regular sunscreen application to your skin care regime. In the morning, sunscreen should be applied prior to makeup; it will give added protection when used on bare skin.

Hydration And Diet

Hydration is vital for smooth skin. Increasing water consumption will have a noticeable effect. Properly hydrated skin will have a soft glow, and will better withstand the damage done by wind, dirt and sun.

Proper moisturizing will also help hydrate the skin. A moisturizer with glycerin will help the skin hold water, and one with mineral oil will strengthen the lipid barrier, which will aid in moisture retention. The gentle massage that occurs when moisturizer is applied in a circular motion also increases blood flow to the skin.

A healthy diet leads to healthy skin. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those contained in certain seafood, helps skin repair itself. Fruits and vegetables also help by cleansing the system and offering vitamins and nutrients that feed and nourish the skin.

Follow The Above Tips And See The Difference

Adopting the above tips will change ashy, blotchy skin into a gorgeous display of health and well-being.

What Causes a Sunburn?

dermatologysocaltss — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:00:52 +0000

Sunburn typically occurs when people expose themselves to too much sunlight. However, people can receive sunburns from other sources, as well, including tanning lamps and UV light sources. While some people may tan, when exposed to a lot of sun, many other people experience such things as reddening of the skin, chapping and blistering.

In many cases, skin will burn or tingle for some time after over-exposure of the sun. For some people, sunburns can be quite painful. Studies show that some people suffer from sunburns much more frequently than others, and individuals with fair skin usually suffer much more than those with dark skin. This is because people with dark skin have more melanin within their skin than do people with light skin, and melanin wards off sunburns.

Many people can suffer from sunburns, not just those who sunbathe often or visit beaches regularly. People, who work in the sun every day, can also be victims of sunburns. However, there are things that people can do to avoid this problem. First of all, wearing a suitable sunscreen, when outdoors for long periods of time, can help avoid burns. Wearing clothes and hats that cover the body can help, as well; however, this is not always feasible.

While many sunburns are minor problems that people can soothe in just a few days, constant overexposure to sunlight can lead to serious health problems, such as skin cancer. Therefore, it is not the best idea for people to expose themselves to more sun than is necessary; and if they must be in the sun for a long time, they should wear an excellent sunscreen.

Some terrific, natural ways to soothe sunburns are to drink plenty of water, as too much sun can dehydrate skin. Aloe vera creams can significantly help soothe sunburns, as well. Some fruits that can help re-hydrate skin include watermelon, limes, oranges and cantaloupe. The best thing for people to do, however, is minimize their time in the sun and wear a sunscreen when they need to spend a lot of time outdoors.

What is an anti-oxidant, and how does it work?

dermatologysocaltss — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:00:50 +0000

Terms which get tossed around in product labeling, the media and marketing can cause one to truly question what such phrases mean. One of the terms that has become quite common in discussions about better health is antioxidants. To better understand whether or not incorporating antioxidants in to your own health and beauty routine would be beneficial, you need to better understand just exactly what they are and how they work.

An antioxidant is a nutrient that inherently hinders oxidation. Free radicals are potentially damaging agents found in the body such as particulates, cancer cells or even disease. These free radicals have the power to impact healthy cells through a process known as cell dysfunction which occurs when the free radicals alter or change healthy cells.

The body can combat free radicals through the process of fighting them off by slowing down their ability to oxidate. This is the process of oxygen fueling the ability and power of the free radicals.

Antioxidants are nutrients that can be used by the body to fend off this oxidation process that allows free radicals to attack, damage and even destroy healthy cells. Antioxidants can help the body have a better immune system, assist in healthy cell regeneration, rejuvenate cells and protect against disease such as cancer and cardiac concerns.

A diet rich in antioxidants is one of the best means of protection you can provide to your body so that it has a better ability to fight of damage and destruction from the inside.

What is Acne? What Triggers It? And How Can I Treat It?

dermatologysocaltss — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 02:00:02 +0000

What is acne?

Acne is a condition that causes pimples to develop on the chest, face and back. Pregnancy, being a teenager and hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle all put a woman at risk for developing acne. Additionally, women who have a family history of this condition are at an increased risk for developing it themselves.

What causes acne?

The sebaceous glands produce oil that lubricates the skin. Acne occurs when the sebaceous glands produce too much oil and clog the pores. The shedding of dead skin cells and bacteria buildup are two other possible causes of acne.

What can be done to treat acne?

One of the simplest things that women can do at home to treat their acne is cleanse their skin twice per day. Cleansing the skin removes the oil and acne-causing bacteria. Women should also make sure that they wash their skin after exercising. The sweat produced during exercising can cause dirt and bacteria to accumulate under the skin. However, it is important to note that washing the skin more than twice a day can cause dryness.

There has also been evidence to suggest that omega 3 fatty acids can help treat acne. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish, shrimp, flax seed and walnuts. This nutrient can also be found in fish oil supplements. Experts believe that since omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, they can potentially be beneficial for treating acne.

When to see a dermatologist

Women who have not noticed an improvement in their acne after three months should see a dermatologist. Antibiotics and birth control pills are just two of the many prescription acne treatments available.

Why Do You Need Folic Acid?

dermatologysocaltss — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 02:00:01 +0000

There are many valuable benefits of Folic Acid, also known as Vitamin B9 or Folate. It is an essential vitamin that people’s bodies need to function properly. However, the body cannot produce Folate; thus, people need to make sure that they include it in their daily diets.

First of all, doctors stress the importance of Folic Acid to pregnant women. This is because it helps prevent birth defects such as spina bifida. Neural tube defects are the most common defects in infants, even in modern societies. Infants with these defects have an unusual opening in either their spinal column or their brain. This can cause many tragedies including stillbirths, brain damage and paralysis.

Folic Acid is also essential to both children and adults in the production of red blood cells. When people do not get the proper amount of Vitamin B9 in their diets, they are at a higher risk of various cancers than people who do get enough of the vitamin. This is because Folate is essential in not only producing red blood cells, but in maintaining them, as well.

A deficiency in Folic Acid can also increase people’s risks for such things as strokes and heart disease. Experts say that people decrease their risk of these problems significantly when they include Vitamin B9 in their diets. Several studies have also determined that Folate can help treat depression and prevent such things as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.

These are only some of the many terrific benefits of Folic Acid. The vitamin has also proven to help with such things as memory and cognitive skills in elderly people. With so many valuable benefits, anybody can see that they should make sure to include Folate in their daily diets to maintain a properly functioning body.

How to Avoid Breakouts, Blemishes, and Zits

dermatologysocaltss — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:00:58 +0000

Acne affects many people, both teens and adults alike. It is an affliction that can cause embarrassment and emotional stress. Preventing a breakout is possible with some lifestyle changes.

Keep the face clean by washing twice a day with a mild soap labeled for acne control. Breakouts happen when skin pores become blocked and infection builds. Keeping the pores clean is the number one way to prevent acne. Do not scrub or over-wash, which can backfire and cause the skin to produce excess oil in an attempt to repair itself.

Exercise on a regular basis to keep stress at bay. When the body is stressing, oil production is increased. Regular exercise helps the body get into a natural rhythm, which will reduce stress and depression. Sweating also cause the pores to purge themselves and detoxifies the skin.

Avoid touching the face during the day. Hands contain high amounts of bacteria and oil, which can be easily transferred to the face and cause blockages. Be sure to wash hands often, especially after handling things that are touched by many people, such as money.

Drink plenty of water to keep the skin moisturized. Staying hydrated will also help flush harmful free radicals and bacteria out of the body quickly.

Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals. Good nutrition is one of the best ways to ensure skin stays healthy. Choose foods that are high in vitamins A, C, and E. Other good nutrients include antioxidants, essential fatty acids, zinc, and selenium. Good sources include nuts, fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables, and berries.

Mild to moderate acne can be prevented and managed using good skin care techniques. Avoiding a breakout of blemishes and zits takes work and commitment, but the results are worth it.

Top three tips for getting rid of puffy eyes

dermatologysocaltss — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:00:14 +0000

Waking up with puffy eyes or having your eyes get puffy as the day goes on is one of the issues that can plagues your otherwise wide awake and healthy looking appearance. You can use a few tricks and tips to help get rid of puffy eyes so that you can have a bright eyed look to help you get back to putting your best face forward.

The first way to get rid of puffy eyes is to soothe the swollen skin surrounding the eyes which is causing them to look puffy. You can place a cold compress directly over your eyes and let the coolness of the cloth aide in reducing the puffiness. This may take upwards of one-half to one full hour depending on how swollen you eyes are. The cooler the compress the better, though too cold could cause you get a headache.

The second most common method, and most traditional, in combating puffy eyes is by placing freshly sliced and chilled rings of cucumber over the eyes. Cucumber has a natural ability to reduce swelling, and thus the slices will help reduce the appearance of puffy skin around the eyes.

The third way you can help to get your eyes back to looking their best is by taking a nice cool shower. The cold water will not only help wake you up on mornings when you get up with puffiness around your eyes; the water itself will help to reduce inflammation of the skin which is the cause of the swollen skin.

Three tips to care for the delicate skin on your lips

dermatologysocaltss — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 02:00:43 +0000

Skin care needs tend to vary based on the skin in question, as some skin is more delicate and sensitive compared to other areas of the body. Some of the most delicate skin on the body is actually found right on your face. You lips are one of those key areas that deserves and needs special attention if you want to have soft, smooth and healthy looking lips. A few key tips can help you make sure your lips are properly cared for and always look their best.

For starters, you need to avoid licking your lips. Though you may do this out of habit, nervousness or even because you think your lips feel dry; you are actually doing the skin more harm as with every lass of your tongue the subsequent drying out process draws out the needed moisture your lips need. Stopping this one habit can make your lips look better.

The second tip is to always have lip balm handy and to use it often. Making sure your lips receive nutrients, hydration and attention is best done through the use of natural lip balm that can soak in and help restore, repair and heal the skin on the lips. Your lips are exposed to various elements such as weather, food, drinks and even makeup; and thus they need to be always well maintained to help the skin get over such repeated use and abuse.

The third way to make sure your lips are well cared for is to drink an adequate amount of water each and every day. Your lips can quickly dry out when the rest of your body is not well hydrated, and this can cause chapped lips, cracked lips or even painful cuts. Water consumption is key to maintaining good lips from the inside out.