I know you’ve dyed your hair. Most of us do! In fact, it’s estimated that up to 75% of woman and 10% of men use hair-coloring products. However, a recent article in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology “reviews the evidence relating personal hair-dye use to the risk of developing several type of malignancies.” In other words, those scientists asked: Is there any evidence out there that using hair dye can cause cancer?

Several studies have demonstrated that direct application of some of the chemicals found in hair dye can cause cancer in lab animals, but does this translate to humans? In the 1980′s some of these cancer-causing chemicals were banned from hair dye in the US. However, similar compounds can still be found in certain hair dyes currently on the market.

The authors reviewed 60+ studies on the topic. For most of the cancers examined, studies did not demonstrate an increased risk from hair dye use.

However, a couple of associations were seen. First, there was an increased risk of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), among women who used hair dye prior to the 1980s, and who used permanent, dark colored dyes for more than 15 years. One study showed increased risk of the follicular type of NHL in women who used dark colored dyes regardless of the year of use.

Second, the authors also reviewed articles that demonstrated a statistically significantly increased risk of certain tumors in children whose mothers used hair dye during pregnancy.

The writers concluded there may be an increased risk of NHL from hair dyes made of darker colors and increased number of exposures to such dyes and there may be an increased risk of childhood malignancy from hair-dye use in pregnancy.

The authors suggested a couple of anecdotal tips to decrease risk: before dying your hair “apply a petroleum-based ointment to the scalp” so as to minimize the dye’s contact with that skin. Also, “reduce the time of dye application by 25% for each dying session.” And finally, if you are pregnant, play it safe and avoid hair dye all together!

Reference:
Saitta P, Cook CE, Messina JL, Brancaccio R, Wu BC, Grekin SK, Holland J. Is there a true concern regarding the use of hair dye and malignancy development? A review of the epidemiological evidence relating personal hair dye use to the risk of malignancy. The Journal of Clinical and Aethetic Dermatology. 6(1):39-46, 2013

What To Know Before You Dye Your Hair is a post from: Good Skin Simple

It happens to most of us at some time or another and, in winter,  it is more common: dandruff!

There are a multitude of anti-dandruff products on the market and here are some tips to make the most of those over-the-counter shampoos:

1) Don’t rush the process. It’s important to lather and leave shampoos on for five minutes before rinsing.
2) Remember that anti-dandruff shampoos are treatments for the scalp, not your hair, so make sure you are getting the lather directly on the scalp skin.  If you don’t like how your hair smells or feels after using one of these shampoos, you can follow with your preferred shampoo or conditioner.
3) It can help to get two or three different anti-dandruff shampoos (with different main ingredients) and alternate between them (e.g. use two or three different shampoos in a given week). The reason this strategy can work is because the various ingredients target different aspects of dandruff:

• Salicylic acid: helps to loosen flakes to reduce buildup
• Zinc pyrithione: with anti-yeast, antifungal and antibacterial properties, zinc pyrithione also helps regulate oil production and control flakes.
• Selenium sulfide: has anti-yeast properties and reduces flaking
• Coal tar: helps decrease flaking and build-up
• Antifungal shampoos: these reduce yeast and have anti-inflammatory properties
• Tea Tree Oil: has antifungal and antibacterial properties
• Neem oil: has anti-fungal properties

4) Finally, apply a moisturizing scalp oil (such as jojoba oil) overnight or at least one hour before washing. The oil helps to moisturize the scalp and loosen flakes so they can be washed away.

Fight Dandruff! is a post from: Good Skin Simple

It’s that time of the year! Snowing and Minnesota-cold! Check out Dr. Ahmed’s skin tips for Jason DeRusha on how to treat dry skin. Are you using the right moisturizer? You’d be surprised!

What’s the best way to treat dry skin? is a post from: Good Skin Simple

Gifts of time… The birthday present you didn’t ask for… Any way you put it, there are tell-tale signs that skin is aging. These include the development of wrinkles, discoloration, mottling or patchy skin, broken blood vessels (red spots), decreased radiance and loss of firmness. Below the surface, we also see loss of the deeper tissue (skin, fat and bone). To our eyes, it appears that everything’s moving down — the effect of gravity — or the dreaded word, “sagging”.

Why do these changes occur? A lot of the damage, both on the surface, as well as deeper within, comes from sun exposure. Free radical damage occurs throughout our body with age and from various exposures, including the sun and other toxins (pollution, cigarette smoking, and other damaging environmental elements). Free radicals are unstable molecules that form from these toxic exposures. When they develop, free radicals set in place a series of reactions that ultimately lead to the breakdown of healthy tissues. In the skin, they destroy the structure and accelerate premature aging, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation – the changes that we see on the surface. They also accelerate the loss of the deeper tissues in the skin. Antioxidants help protect against free radicals by stabilizing them.

There are ways to slow these changes so that we age gracefully.

Protect your skin from the sun. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the natural aging process of your skin, causing wrinkles and rough, blotchy skin. In fact, sun exposure is the No. 1 reason for signs of aging in the skin, including uneven pigmentation. Protect your skin — and prevent future wrinkles — by limiting the time you spend in the sun, never using tanning beds, and always wearing protective clothing and hats. Also, use sunscreen on exposed skin when outdoors, even in winter. Choose products with built-in sunscreen. When selecting skin care products, choose those with a built-in sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Also, be sure to select products that are broad spectrum, meaning they block both UVA and UVB rays.

Use moisturizers. Dry skin turns plump skin cells into shriveled ones, creating fine lines and wrinkles long before you’re due. Though moisturizers can’t prevent wrinkles, they can temporarily mask tiny lines and creases.

Don’t smoke. Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. It also damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.

Eat a healthy and varied diet. There is some evidence that certain vitamins in your diet help protect your skin, particularly vitamins A, C, B3 and E, as well as Omega fatty acids. More study is needed on the role of nutrition.

The ABC’s of Aging Gracefully is a post from: Good Skin Simple

Recently a case series was published describing five teenagers who had all experienced sudden onset of moderate to severe acne. On further questioning, the dermatologist learned that these teenagers had all independently started using whey protein as a supplement for body building prior to the acne. When these young men discontinued the whey protein supplement, their acne improved; for those who then restarted taking whey protein, their acne flared.

Why would whey protein lead to acne? Whey protein in nutritional supplements is generally derived from cow’s milk. Whey makes up approximately 20% of the protein in milk (the other 80% is casein). Two larger well-designed studies have examined whether or not cow’s milk consumption is associated with acne in teenage girls and separately in teenage boys. (i.e. does drinking milk or eating cow-milk products cause acne?). Both studies showed a mild, but statistically significant, increase in acne in teenagers who drank more than two glasses of cow’s milk daily compared to teenagers who had less than one serving per week. Associations were slightly stronger for skim milk (compared to whole milk) consumption, which is interesting because there is a higher relative percentage of whey protein in skim milk.

What does this mean? It does not mean that cow’s milk causes acne for everyone or that anyone who drinks cow’s milk or takes a whey protein supplement will get acne. Don’t stop drinking milk if you don’t have any negative reaction to it. Rather, it indicates there may be some people who react to cow’s milk and that reaction can may be seen as acne.

So, if you know someone who recently developed significant acne after starting a nutritional supplement, they should confirm that the supplement is not made from whey.

References
1. Silverberg NB. Whey protein precipitating moderate to severe acne flares in 5 teenaged athletes. Cutis. 2012; 90(2):70-72
2. Adebamowo CA, Spiegelman D, Berkey CS, Danby FW, Rockett HH, Colditz GA, Willett WC, Holmes MD. Milk consumption and acne in adolescent girls. Dermatol Online J. 2006; 12(4):1.
3. Adebamowo CA, Spiegelman D, Berkey CS, Danby FW, Rockett HH, Colditz GA, Willett WC, Holmes MD. Milk consumption and acne in teenaged boys. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008; 58(5):787-93. Epub 2008 Jan 14.

Whey Protein, Milk and Acne is a post from: Good Skin Simple

Sensational Skin is a post from: Good Skin Simple

Ingrown hairs are frustrating. Instead of a smooth shave, ingrown hairs look like skin-colored or pink bumps. Ingrown hairs occur when hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin. While they generally occur after shaving or waxing, they can occur anywhere–even without hair removal. Other causes include tight clothes that rub against the skin or keratosis pilaris. People with curly or course hair are more likely to get ingrown hairs. Unfortunately, ingrown hairs can lead to pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) and  folliculitis, which is inflammation around the hair follicle. The dreaded red bumps.

There are factors that increase your risk of developing razor bumps. Increased pressure or friction during shaving damages the skin where the hair grows out–called the ostia of the hair follicle. You can see your ostia more prominently when you get goose bumps – take a look! With increased pressure from shaving, you can make micro-cuts in your skin, which then increase the tendency for the hair to become ingrown as it grows back.

So how do you prevent and treat these unsightly bumps?

1. Exfoliating is essential. Daily and gentle exfoliation can go a long way to prevent and treat these bumps if you already have them. Products with salicylic acid and glycolic acid are effective without being too irritating. Retinols also work well, though they can be irritating for sensitive skin. 
2. Before shaving, use a soft brush and liquid cleanser in a circular motion to the area being shaved . This will will help to dislodge the tips of ingrown hairs, eliminate dead skin cells and clear follicles to allow hairs to surface unimpeded. A clarisonic or soft bristle brush will work.
3. Shaving cream is important because it reduces friction between the blade and skin, prolongs the life of the blade, softens the hair (requiring less pressure to shave it), and produces a better shave. Shaving gels are better at softening the hair than shaving creams, and are advised for people that have razor bumps.
4. Use a sharp blade and you won’t need to apply as much pressure. Too much pressure creates an irregular skin surface. When hair is cut closer to the skin and cut cleanly, it’s less likely to grow back into the skin.

References
1. Draelos ZD. Beard Buster. Best shaving practices reduce occurrence of pseudofolliculitis barbae. Dermatology Times. 2012; 33(8):54

Razor Bumps Away is a post from: Good Skin Simple

Quick Tips:

• File nails in one direction to reduce shear forces, rather than using clippers or scissors.
• Soak nails in water prior to trimming to soften them and help minimize cracking during trimming.
• Using blades with blunt ends minimizes trauma to surrounding tissue.
• Avoid using orange sticks to clean under the nails, as over time this can lift nails off the nail bed, which can become permanent.
• Avoid aggressively cutting or pushing on the cuticles, which can lead to infection.

photos by: nightrose & cнєιѕєα.

Healthy Nails Are Well-Shaped Nails is a post from: Good Skin Simple

Last week I covered three of six common reasons for why we get dark/puffy circles under our eyes. Here’s your quick guide to the latter three reasons, the differences between these types of conditions, and common treatments. Be sure to check out Part One: Six Types Of Under-The-Eye Circles—And How To Treat Them

4. Eyelid Hollows

“Eyelid Hollows” or infraorbital tear trough depression are another common reason for a darkened appearance to the lower eyelid.  The loss of volume in the skin exposes the orbital bone and creates a hollow trough that visually appears as a dark circle.  The best treatment for this is with small amounts of fillers.  This technique requires a lot of experience and is an injector-dependent procedure. 

5. Sallow eyes

“Sallow eyes” or periorbital vascular prominence is another common reason for a darkened or bluish appearance to the eyelids. While this condition can be inherited, due to thinning of the skin with time, small capillaries and veins in the skin become more noticeable in most of us.  Eye cream with caffeine can constrict the underlying blood vessels and temporarily diminish small vessel prominence.  For larger veins, a long pulse ND:Yag laser can help. However, in darker skin types these lasers can cause hyperpigmentation (dark spots) without adequate cooling.

6. Crows feet

“Crows feet” or periorbital static and dynamic wrinkles.  True gifts of time.  Moisturizers and creams with retinols help soften these. Botulinum toxin (botox or dysport) treat these lines for 3-4 months. Laser resurfacing is another option.

Six Types Of Under-The-Eye Circles—Part Two is a post from: Good Skin Simple

Circles under the eyes are frustrating and can be a challenge to treat!

There are a lot of reasons why we get dark/puffy circles under our eyes, ranging from genetic to environmental to skin-related.  Sometimes we have a combination of under-eye circles–all of them with their own unique cause.

Here’s your quick guide to those circles, the differences between them, and common treatments.

1. “Eye Bags”

Eye bags, or protrusion of the fat under the eye (infraorbital area) occurs when there is prominence of the “fat pad” under the eye, which can come from genetics as well as time.  When this condition is more advanced, the most effective treatment is a surgical procedure called blepharoplasty.  When the protrusion is mild, we can use cosmetic fillers in the “tear trough” area to help smooth the transition between the fat pad and the cheeks– which helps to mask the protrusion.  Another option for mildly loose skin associated with “bags” is radiofrequency laser, which can help tighten the skin.

2. “Puffiness”

Puffiness, or infraorbital edema occurs when fluid collects under the thin eyelid skin. Seasonal allergies, sinus infection, crying or water retention (from high blood pressure, excess salty foods, or alcohol) can all contribute. Another cause is gravity! People who sleep on their stomach or side may have increased collection of lower eyelid fluid. Treatments are targeted at the cause, such as antihistamines for allergies, etc.  There are some other strategies to improve edema: 1) sleep on your back with the head raised with an extra pillow. 2) avoid rubbing the eyes. 3) avoid irritants to the eyelids, such as products that itch or make the eyelids red; make sure you wash your makeup off before sleeping. 4) cold packs, a cool tea bag, cucumber slices, or certain eye creams can help constrict leaky blood vessels to lessen the edema. See: Eye Creams

3. “Dark Circles”

Dark circles, or periorbital hyperpigmentation is a common issue.  Darkening occurs commonly in skin of color because of the increased melanin (pigment) content.  Darkness under the eyes can result from frequent rubbing and rashes. When irritation and rubbing lead to thickened dark skin, retinoic acid or hyaluronic acid creams can help soften and exfoliate this thickened, dark skin.  Light chemical peels and skin lightening creams with hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, or glycolic acid can also help. There are also some laser treatments that have shown benefit -ask your dermatologist about these.

Stay tuned for next week’s post where I’ll cover Eyelid Hollows, Sallow eyes, and Crows feet .

Six Types Of Under-The-Eye Circles—And How To Treat Them is a post from: Good Skin Simple