I sweat so much I stain my dress shirts. Any advice?
This is a common scenario among professional women and men who must give, as part of their job function, presentations, speeches and seminars to an audience. This results in a stress response that causes nerves in the body to signal the eccrine glands (sweat glands) to pump out sweat. Men and women differ significantly in […]
Can certain foods influence acne breakouts?
This is a question that has been debated among dermatologists for decades and is still controversial to this day. However, there is some new research that deserves mention. According to a recent article in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, high glycemic index foods, such as sugary cakes, white bread, white rice and […]
Can hair styling products cause acne?
This is a common question by both men and women for dermatologists. Acne is caused by a combination of bacteria on the skin, inflammation, excessive oil, and clogged pores. A person’s hair styling products range from hair spray to forming cream to hair gel. In general, these grooming products don’t cause acne. However, some of […]
Can my lips age or get skin cancer?
Absolutely. Lips, or vermillion in dermatology jargon, age even more than skin because the lips do not have a protective outer layer of dead cells, which reflects light, covering it. This makes it more susceptible to damage by ultraviolet radiation (sunlight). Pre-cancer and full-blown cancer of the lip is also very common. In fact, a recent […]
Can drinking alcohol beverages accelerate skin aging?
Although cumulative sun exposure causes 90% of skin aging, the other 10% comes from a number of different sources. It turns out alcohol (along with smoking and environmental pollutants) is a major culprit. A recent study published in the Journal of Pharmacological and Biophysical Research showed that consuming alcohol, even in moderation, caused levels of […]
Does tattoo removal work? Will it leave me a scar?
Tattoo removal has steadily risen over the last 20 years. In fact, according to recent statistics published in the journal Archives of Dermatology, 28% of people with tattoos regret getting inked within 1 year after having it done and as many as 50% of people choose to undergo removal procedures. Decades ago, most tattoos were removed with […]
What is a cosmeceutical?
Cosmeceuticals (a portmenteau for “cosmetic” and “pharmaceutical”) are over-the-counter skin care products that claim to contain biologically active ingredients with “drug like” properties. These ingredients, when added to moisturizers, serums and creams, claim to have pharmaceutical grade effects, such as preventing DNA damage, reversing skin aging, or increasing the amount collagen and elastin in the […]
I have dark pigmentation on my face. What is the best treatment these days?
Dark pigmentation on the face is a common concern for patients. Dark spots are usually one of three non-cancerous skin conditions: sun spots, melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Sun spots, or solar lentigo in dermatology jargon, are flat brown spots that occur on sun-exposed surfaces (face, arms, upper back). Basically, pigment producing cells in the […]
Can vitamin C and vitamin E containing products improve aging skin?
Patients are increasingly turning to vitamin C and vitamin E containing anti-aging serums, creams and lotions to fend off the signs of skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots and uneven skin tone. Vitamin C (a water soluble vitamin) and vitamin E (a fat soluble vitamin) are classified as antioxidants because they […]