Winter Weather Skin Care

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Winter Weather Skin Care

Winter can be a tough time of year on the skin. The cold air, wind, and indoor heat can all wreak havoc. There are some ways to combat this, however. Here are some tips that will help you keep your skin hydrated and looking great this season:

Winter Woman Skin

  • Limit time bathing or showering. Prolonged exposure to water can strip the skin of natural, necessary oils. This can leave the skin dry, cracked, and irritated (especially for those who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea). Try limiting the time in the bath or shower to 5-10 minutes.
  • When bathing or showering, use warm or lukewarm water instead of hot. The warmer the water, the more likely it will irritate the skin.
  • After bathing or showering, pat your skin dry with a towel, don’t rub. The process of rubbing can lead to skin irritation.
  • Apply a moisturizer while your skin is still wet. This will help to lock in moisture and prevent the skin from drying out.
  • Apply sunscreen daily to exposed areas of skin (even if it’s cloudy). Harmful UV rays are still able to penetrate cloud coverage. And if there is snow on the ground, it can actually multiply that UV exposure. This is because the snow reflects the sun’s rays. So you are not only getting hit from above but the ground as well.
  • Use a humidifier. Adds moisture to the air helping to prevent the skin from drying out.
  • Use PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar. This product is one of our favorites for the winter! Not only because it improves dry skin, but also because it helps to soothe the entire body (even the scalp).
  • Get a HydraFacial. The drying effects of winter can make skin look dull. The gentle treatment of a HydraFacial will give it a much-needed boost of hydration and refreshment. After just one treatment, results are seen immediately.

If the winter weather is giving your skin trouble, contact our office today and let us help.

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Thanksgiving Foods That Can Benefit Your Skin

With Thanksgiving this week, there are sure to be plenty of delicious dishes on the horizon. And while overindulgence may be an unwritten rule of the holiday, it’s not all bad because some of those same foods can also be good for your skin. That’s right! It turns out that some turkey day staples can help your skin. So, we put together a list of some foods that your skin will be thankful for:

Thanksgiving Plate

  • Sweet Potatoes. They are full of vitamin C, which can help to smooth out wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen.
  • Green beans. Contains antioxidants that are very beneficial to anti-aging.
  • Pumpkin. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E which help to protect the skin.
  • Cinnamon. Helps to improve circulation and can help prevent acne.
  • Cranberries. Contains vitamin C and antioxidants which can keep skin firm and prevent wrinkles.
  • Apples. Excellent source of mandelic acids, which helps to reduce skin discolorations.
  • Carrots. Loaded with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that fights against the effects of aging.

So, remember, as you’re enjoying your meal this Thanksgiving, your skin may be benefiting as well!

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Viviscal PRO Now Available At Our Office

Are you like the millions of men and women dealing with hair loss? If so, there is a new option available at our office to address it. It’s called Viviscal PRO.

Viviscal PROSo What Is Viviscal PRO?

Viviscal PRO is a 100% drug-free hair growth supplement that is clinically proven to promote existing hair growth.

 

How Does It Work?

Viviscal PRO supplements work in four stages. First, they provide nourishment to the hair follicles. Then, from that increased nourishment, thin and wispy hair is strengthened. After that, breakage and thinning continue to decline, helping to encourage existing hair growth. Patients are then left with hair that appears stronger, healthier, and more vibrant.

 

How Often To Take It?

Take two tablets a day. Once in the morning and once at night. Try to space about 12 hours apart, taking with food and water.

 

How Quickly Will I See Results?

Results can be seen as soon as three months, depending on the patient’s hair growth cycle. Despite this, we suggest taking it for at least six months to know if it is working for you.

Viviscal Patient Results

A patient 3 months after starting Viviscal

Are There Any Restrictions To Taking It?

Viviscal PRO is not recommended for individuals with a fish or seafood allergy, women who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone under the age of 18.

 

As you can see, Viviscal PRO is an effective option for both men and women dealing with hair loss. For best results, pair Viviscal PRO supplements with the Viviscal PRO Thin to Thick Shampoo and Conditioner. If you would like to learn more about Viviscal PRO contact our office today.

Source: www.viviscal.com

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Why We LOVE Nurse Practitioners at the Lisa S. Ball, NP Building

Offering a comprehensive and personalized approach with each and every patient, nurse practitioners possess many strengths in healthcare. That’s why in celebration of Nurse Practitioner Week, we wanted to delve into their significance and highlight what makes them so special!

So, what exactly is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners (or NPs as they are commonly referred to) are licensed healthcare providers with advanced education and training in a certain specialty. Usually, their specialty correlates to a particular patient population (ex. adult, family, pediatrics). From there, they can also subspecialize in areas such as cardiology, rheumatology, plastic surgery, and dermatology to name a few.

What are their qualifications?

Specifically, at our office, they are all dermatology trained and certified.

What can they do?

Our nurse practitioners diagnose and treat diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. In addition, they can prescribe medications and order lab work.

Lisa NP Treatment Picture

Nurse Practitioner Lisa S Ball, PhD, FNP-BC treating a patient.

Is there anything else to know about nurse practitioners?

With an overall focus on education, nurse practitioners do a wonderful job of helping their patients understand their condition. This in turn helps their patients to better manage their particular condition and/or ailment.

As you can see, nurse practitioners offer high-quality patient care and are an integral part of the healthcare community. If you would like to learn more about our nurse practitioners and how they can help you, contact our office today.

Source: American Association of Nurse Practitioners (www.aanp.org)

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How Face Masks Can Cause Contact Dermatitis

While face masks are important in the fight against COVID-19, they can also cause irritation and damage to the skin. Specifically, when it comes to the condition known as contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis occurs when direct exposure with a substance, in this case, fabric, irritates the skin. The irritation is usually represented by redness and inflammation in the area. While any kind of fabric can bring it on, it’s more likely to occur from fabrics made with synthetic fibers. The reason being that synthetic fibers don’t breathe as well as natural fibers. This, in turn, can make you sweat more which can further contribute to the irritation of the skin.

Woman wearing face mask

So, what can you do to avoid or manage contact dermatitis? Some things include:

  • Clean the skin. This will mainly help skin that is exposed to an irritant. Make sure to use warm water.
  • Apply a moisturizer. Helps to keep the skin hydrated while protecting it as well.
  • Frequently change and/or wash the face mask. Should be done after each use. At least daily.
  • Give yourself a break from wearing it. Leaving the face mask on for a prolonged period of time can cause more irritation to the skin. However, when you do remove it, make sure that you are following proper social distancing guidelines.
  • Make sure the mask fits comfortably and is not too tight. Make sure it fits snug. The tighter the mask, the more likely it is to cause irritation.

 

In all, what can you do to best deal with contact dermatitis? First and foremost, identify what may be causing the problem. Next, avoid it (if possible). Then finally, take the corrective measures above to better protect your skin. If you believe you may be experiencing contact dermatitis, contact our office right away as early treatment is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening.

 

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Why Now Is the Best Time to Start This Hair Regrowth Treatment

With ‘stay at home’ orders in place for much of the country, many people have a lot of free time on their hands (no pun intended). This newfound free time offers the perfect opportunity for those struggling with hair loss to give minoxidil a try.

As discussed in a previous blog entry, minoxidil is a topical treatment that is used to address hair loss. There are three different formulations: solution, foam, and spray. With each of them, regular application (twice-daily) and continued use are necessary for the best results. If you do not apply it appropriately or discontinue use at any point, progress will be lost and the hair loss will begin again. Man Looking at hair

It is a common misconception that minoxidil can only be applied to the crown (back top part of the scalp). That is not true, as a number of our patients have used it on other areas of the scalp with great success (there have even been some men who have applied it to their beards). Some patients can see results as soon as 3-4 months after starting it, with full results being seen anywhere from 6 months to a year.

Again, regular twice-daily application of minoxidil is crucial to the progress and results. This is why now is the best time to start the treatment. Your extra free time will provide you with an ample opportunity to get into the routine of using it.

If you are interested in learning more about minoxidil and if it may be right for you, contact our office today. It is important to note, that if you are experiencing hair loss and do not know the cause, minoxidil may not help.

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How To Avoid Skin Irritation From Face Masks

Woman FacemaskDue to the spread of COVID-19, the CDC made a recent recommendation that everyone should be wearing face masks in public. Although face masks provide important protection from the virus, wearing them for an extended period can also lead to skin irritation. Here are some things you can do to avoid that.

  1. Make sure the mask fits comfortably and snug. If it is too tight, the more likely it will cause a skin reaction.
  2. Try to take off the mask as much as possible when not in public. When doing this one, make sure to take into consideration proper social distancing.
  3. Change or wash it regularly depending on the frequency of use. When breathing in the mask, moisture collects in the area and can provide the perfect breeding ground for a number of different bacteria. This can lead to skin conditions such as folliculitis.
  4. Cleanse the skin. Try to avoid products containing drying ingredients as it can be further aggravated with the use of a face mask. Moisturizing is of the utmost importance, especially before, because it can serve as a protectant for the skin.
  5. Moisturize/hydrate the skin. This one is especially important prior to, as it can serve as a protectant for the skin. Avoid oil-based moisturizers as they can block the pores leading to breakouts.

If you are already noticing skin irritation due to wearing a facemask, try to identify the cause and take the above tips into consideration. If the condition still does not improve, contact our office right away.

Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

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Simple Ways to Take Care of Your Skin

All of a sudden you have a lot more time on your hands. What should you do? Watch more news? Binge-watch ‘Tiger King’ on Netflix? Or focus on your skin and give it the TLC it deserves? We personally like the last option. So, here are some simple, but yet important, skincare tips that you can do in the comfort of your own home:

Cleanse Your Face. SkinCeuticals makes great cleansers! We recommend the Gentle Cleanser, Simply Clean or the LHA Cleansing Gel (depending on your skin type).
Exfoliate After Cleansing. Doing this after cleansing provides you with a clean base to work with. Thus, making it easier to unclog pores, prevent acne, and remove dead skin cells.
Use a Moisturizer. It helps to lock in moisture which in turn prevents the skin from drying out. It’s important to do AFTER cleansing and exfoliating.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep. Last but certainly not least! Not getting enough sleep can actually cause inflammation in the skin, increasing the risk of flare-ups in conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The National Sleep Foundation recommends anywhere between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.

Follow these tips and your skin will benefit. Not to mention, it is so simple, there will be plenty of time left to binge-watch ‘Tiger King’ if you so wish!

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Caring For Your Skin With Increased Hand Sanitizer and Soap Use

Although the use of hand sanitizers and soap should already be part of a healthy routine, the current threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) has increased use significantly. All you need to do is look at the store shelves where they’re stocked to know that. The demand has been so high in fact, that Amazon and eBay have put restrictions on the sale of these products in an attempt to prevent price gouging. So, with using hand sanitizers and soap more frequently, what can you do to protect the skin on your hands?Washing hands

Moisturize immediately after use. This is especially true for hand sanitizers that contain alcohol (a drying ingredient in itself). Cream or lotion-based moisturizers are the best options.
Avoid products containing fragrances, perfumes or dyes. Instead, opt for products that contain vitamin E and aloe.
Limit hand washing to 20 seconds, no more. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends this timeframe. Any longer poses the risk of drying the skin out.
When washing, avoid water that is too hot or cold. Use lukewarm water.

With or without an epidemic, regular hand sanitizer and soap use are important to prevent the spread of germs. Combining that with the above tips will help the health of your skin.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

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Biologics for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes raised, red, scaly patches (with or without silver-colored scale) to appear on the skin. Typically found on the scalp, elbows, and knees, it is usually treated with topical creams, corticosteroids, and retinoids. However, for patients who have tried these options to no avail, or have severe symptoms, biologics may be considered.

Biologics are medications that specifically target parts of the immune system that are responsible for the overgrowth of skin cells relating to psoriasis. Administered at our office by injection, they can be a very effective treatment option for patients.

Lisa S. Ball, NP Psoriasis Patient Results

Lisa S. Ball, NP psoriasis patient after biologic treatment.

The following are biologics that we use for patients with psoriasis:

• Cimzia
• Cosentyx
• Humira
• Siliq
• Skyrizi
• Taltz
• Tremfya

It is important to remember that joint pain can sometimes be related to psoriasis. This is called psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis should be managed as it can be linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancers, as well as other autoimmune diseases. Contact our office today, to see if biologics may be right for you.

Sources: National Psoriasis Foundation, Jonathan G. Turowski, AGPCNP-BC

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