Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis and their psychological effects

Acne Prescription Medicine- Is It Really Worth It? By Mari Bozozo As chronic acne sufferers, we’ve all been there at some point or another. After trying everything under the sun to absolve ourselves of a seemingly lifetime sentence with this issue, in a fit of despair, we go to a dermatologist with our proverbial fingers crossed in the hopes that we will find a permanent solution, putting an end to our miseries. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I have tried every medication imaginable and under the sun. From antibiotics such as Tetracycline, Minocycline, and Dioxycycline, to the Vitamin A derivative Isotretinoin, I’ve exhausted every possibility, and in vain, might I add. From experiencing antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, ineffectiveness, to downright playing Russian Roulette with my health on account of the hazards involved, I had to wonder if any of it was truly worth it. Take the Isotretinoin that I used, for example. I felt that for every day that I took it,...

Managing Sensitive And Acneic Skin By Mari Bozozo Although having both sensitive and acneic skin is not necessarily a mutually exclusive occurrence, it is more common than not for a person to have both. Yes, some of you may have acneic skin, but are not necessarily sensitive. In your case, that is terrific! But for those of us who have bouts with both, it can be a particularly slippery slope in dealing with it. I have had very sensitive skin for as long as I can remember. The horrors that I have suffered were thankfully not repetitive once I pinpointed the culprits. From those episodes, I learned to take better care of my skin by the process of elimination going forward. One of the main perpetrators for me was the chemical preservative Oxybenzone, a common ingredient found in commercial sunscreens. Without having prior knowledge of my allergy to this ingredient, I recall slathering it on practically all of my body in preparation for a fun day at an amusement park many moon...

Skin Rash Skin Rash - Itchy, red, and inflamed skin can be pure torture. When an itchy skin rash strikes, a cool and soothing skin rash cream is a blissful choice. Even for conditions that require internal medication, a cream provides immediate relief for unhappy skin. Both mainstream and alternative medicines provide skin rash creams that can reduce redness and ease the discomfort. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a type of a rash that primarily occurs in people with asthma or allergies. a rash is often reddish and itchy with a scaly texture. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that can cause a scaly, itchy, red rash to form along the scalp, elbows, and joints. Hydrocortisone is a popular skin rash cream that treats both the discomfort and the unattractiveness of skin rashes. It will also soothe an itchy skin rash while reducing redness, spots, and scaliness.  Hydrocortisone is used in treating a wide variety of rashes, from eczema to allergic irritations, to insect and plant...

What is Dermaplaning? Dermaplane or Dermaplaning immediately rejuvenates the skin by removing the outer most layer of dead skin cells and vellus hair. It is also highly effective in minimizing the appearances of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars while leaving skin smooth, supple, and vibrant. It is great for prepping the skin prior to peels, enzyme treatments and to increase penetration of active ingredients in the treatment room and home care products. It creates the perfect canvas for makeup application and is the go-to treatment to prepare for high profile occasions. Dermaplaning is a physical/mechanical exfoliation that is extremely safe when performed by a professionally trained skincare specialist utilizing the appropriate tools for the service. Everyone loves this treatment and would want to do it over and over again.  To sum it up, it is gently scraping the surface of your skin with a surgical scalpel to remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz. ...

Keeping Acne At Bay During the Summer By Mari Bozozo The Dog Days of Summer are undoubtedly here. Along with the long lazy days, beachcombing, sunbathing, and buying our fair share in stocks of bug repellent sprays and antihistamines, we must also tango with the soaring temperatures. And if you’re not blessed enough to reside in areas such as the west coast or the southwest, the heat becomes especially unbearable when coupled with oppressive humidity. Of course, the challenges become amplified for the acne sufferer. Sigh. Is Autumn here yet?! As you may tell, Summer is not my favorite season, and for the reasons mentioned above. However, as someone with a propensity toward challenged skin, I am determined to navigate my way through it, regardless of the darts that the sun rays and the relentless dew points throw at me. One way that I do this is by trying my hardest to keep my sweat to a minimum, particularly when exercising. This is why I avoid any vigorous activity that involves be...

What Is Microdermabrasion Treatment Your skin is exposed to the environmental elements every day. Over the years, the sun’s rays, pollution, and other damaging agents can take a toll on your skin. Microdermabrasion treatment can help reduce or eliminate the wrinkles and fine lines, “crow’s feet,” age spots, light acne scars, and undesired pigmentation that may appear on the skin over time. In general, good candidates are adults who are in good physical health, with realistic expectations for the outcome of their Skin Treatment. People who do not have enough available time to undergo more invasive skin resurfacing treatments such as dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, or heavy chemical peels may also be good candidates for microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical, non-invasive procedure that uses a spray of microcrystals to remove the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells and reveal fresh, younger, and healthier-looking skin. Microdermabrasion also encourages th...

Melanoma Who Is At Risk for Melanoma? The main cause of melanoma is thought to be the sun, through exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. People with fair skin and who tend to sunburn easily — especially those with red or blond hair — may be at greatest of Melanoma risk because their skin cells have less melanin. Reducing Your Risk for Melanoma: Since melanoma is caused by the sun, it makes sense that people should try to avoid or protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays. This is especially important between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Protect yourself by wearing wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Whenever you are outdoors for an extended period, use a sun protection factor (SPF) of 25 or higher on all exposed skin — even in the winter — and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Protect Your Children from Melanoma Special sunscreens are available for babies and children under six years...

Skin Pigmentation The color of your skin is determined by the melanin or pigment in the skin, be it yellow, dark brown or black. Melanin is responsible for imparting color to your skin, hair, and iris of the eyes. Levels of melanin depend on race and the amount of sunlight exposure. Melanin production increases with exposure to the sun so as to protect the skin against harmful ultraviolet rays. A number of people have Skin Pigmentation problems  relating to hormone changes and sun exposure. Read more on skin pigmentation disorders , be it hyper-pigmentation or loss of skin pigmentation . Skin Pigmentation disorder Skin Pigmentation disorders occur as a result of the body producing either too much or too little melanin. Skin Pigmentation creates a darker or lighter skin tone that may be blotchy and uneven. Causes of Skin Pigmentation can range from autoimmune conditions to drug reactions or genetic inheritance. Sun damage is probably the leading cause of skin pigmentati...

Alternative Ways to Fight Acne By Mari Bozozo As someone who has suffered from acne for the better part of her years, I can tell you, without exaggeration, that I have tried countless products, methods, and treatments that yielded very little if any results in the long run. My acne prevailed, right along with the mounting stress, depression, and anxiety, to boot. From trying the latest and so-called greatest products marketed specifically toward acneic skin, to the expensive prescriptions and treatments. I tried it ALL. However, in the end, none of these “phenomenons” went the distance nor afforded the longevity that I desperately sought. Yet and still, I tirelessly continued in my pursuit. Recently, within the last year, I broke ground. I most certainly have to credit my knowledgeable and resourceful esthetician with steering me in the right direction, by introducing me to a new and innovative way to cleanse my face. Upon first telling me about it, I must admit that I thought she wa...

Dry Skin Related To Diabetes? According to Azura Vascular Care, "A foot ulcer is the initial event in more than 85% of major amputations that are performed on people with diabetes and that in the United States, every year about 73,000 amputations of the lower limb not related to trauma are performed on people with diabetes". Many patients with diabetes develop extremely dry, cracking skin which makes it much more susceptible to infections. According to some old reports, approximately 70% of surgical amputations done in Canada also are performed on diabetes patients who have developed infections through cracks or breaks in extremely dry and flaky skin. Why is dry Skin and diabetes associated with poor skin health? a. Diabetes is linked to thickening of the skin. b. Diabetes leads to reduced blood circulation to the skin microangiopathy. c. Increased frequency of urination reduces the moisture available for the skin. d. Some researchers believe that the body may actual...

Calling All Parents of Acne Sufferers By Mari Bozozo As loving parents, I’m certain that you do anything and everything to ensure your children’s well-being. You sacrificially guarantee their safety, security, and protection. You toil feverishly to keep them clothed, fed, and sheltered. Simply put, you have and will continue to go above and beyond for them, even at the expense of your happiness. A parent’s love knows no bounds and is indisputably the greatest love of all. I can attest to this with my own experience growing up. My parents were diligent in giving my siblings and me their very best. Two of the three of us, my oldest brother, suffered from severe acne. To my parents’ oblivion, my brother’s acne led to a total loss of confidence, which in turn, compelled him to give up on himself. He dropped out of high school, became a recluse, and a prisoner to his condition. My parents thought that my brother’s issue was mainly an aesthetic one. They set out to get his acne under cont...

Camouflaging Acne Scars- Can It Really Be Done? By Mari Bozozo If you’ve suffered from acne for years on end as I have, you more than likely have a very up close and personal, albeit turbulent relationship with its successor- scars. Even if you have managed to win the battle against acne, you continue to wage the war against the scarring that it has indefinitely left behind. Thanks to having highly skilled estheticians in my corner, coupled with eating sensibly, taking the proper supplements, and drinking lots of water, the lot of my acne has been, for a lack of a better phrase, “in remission” for quite some time now. However, the scars that it’s left me with have posed more than my fair share of challenges. These challenges, in my estimation, supersedes its predecessor by leaps and bounds. Acne is cyclical, meaning that it comes and goes. But the scars that it leaves behind lasts forever. There is no taking a break from the permanence of scars, as they are always there. Always. Sim...

Word Association Test On Skin Disease Words Do Matter By Audrey “This test in which the organ of the skin played a vital role as psychic mediator was developed by Carl Jung when he worked as a psychiatrist at the Psychiatric Hospital in Zurich at the turn of the century. It was to mark the beginning of his understanding of the psychic material which presented itself to him, in the course of his work, and during his subsequent psychiatric investigations and studies. Between the years 1902 and 1907 Jung’s early work produced the extraordinary and exciting demonstration that the skin’s electrical activity changed remarkably when certain specific words, (charged with emotional overtones for the subject) were spoken in the course of the test. It became clear that mental activity particularly the process of recall evoked the simple verbal stimuli was consistently and continuously reflected by skin changes. Jung’s paper on his psychological investigations with the galvanometer was ...

8 Things You Should Never Do After A Facial By: Audrey I consider facials to be regular complexion maintenance—kind of like car tune-ups for our face or regular dental cleaning for your teeth. Regular facials can help fight the stress, the environment, and some of our lifestyle habits that take a toll on our skin. And there is plenty to be said for that fresh, shiny glow and soft skin post-facial (not to mention the relaxation of an hour or two of all about me time). But after more than 25 years as an esthetician, I’m always surprised how some people spend $400-$500 on hair and nail on a regular basis and yet, their skin is last on their list! Skin is the largest organ of our body and one of its main functions is to protect our internal organs from harmful things and yet it’s neglected by people of all ages. For those of you that facial is part of your lifestyle, here is the list of 8 things NOT to do on the day of your treatment. For the first day after getting a facial, you...