I gave my daughter a hug the other day, and my hand brushed on the back of her arms. And I felt the bumps. The same bumps that I have on the backs on MY arms. Some call it "chicken skin." Some call it "sandpaper arms." So what's the deal with these little white bumps?
Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is a very common condition that often starts in childhood. Anyone can get it, and it tends to happen more frequently in females. It can be associated with eczema, dry skin, and seasonal allergies (atopic dermatitis), or can be an isolated finding. It's caused by a buildup of keratin in the hair follicles, and is commonly located on the backs of the arms, inner thighs, and cheeks. Sometimes it can be found on the abdomen, back, buttocks, and legs, too. The condition often runs in families.
As keratosis pilaris is a benign condition, no treatment is needed. It usually gets better with age, especially after puberty, but it can persist into adulthood. There is no magic cure for KP. Emollients will often improve texture of the skin. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid lotions, urea creams, retinoid creams, peels, and microdermabrasion are all treatments that may improve the appearance and feel of the bumps. Picking is not recommended, as it can lead to scarring.
My daughter's got half my genetic makeup- the good, the bad, and the bumpy!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Scar Secrets
"Will there be a scar, doc?"
Dermatologists all over the nation hear this question on a daily basis. Scars can occur from any injury to the skin, such as: burns, scrapes, cuts, bites, biopsies, surgeries, and more. The deeper the injury, the more of a risk of developing scar tissue. The location of injury also plays a role: the more movement in an area, the more of a chance a thicker or wider scar will develop. Chests, shoulders, and backs are areas more likely to scar. And although it's impossible to completely prevent a scar, there are ways to minimize the appearance of them.
Clean
Wounds should be cleaned with a mild cleanser and water daily. Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and iodine can be irritating and may actually slow healing.
Cover
Dry or wet? The old school of thought was to let wounds "dry out and form a scab." But research has shown that keeping a wound moist and covered with a band-aid actually greatly improves healing. Aquaphor or petroleum jelly is the best emollient to use. There is no proven advantage to using an antibacterial ointment like neosporin - in fact, many people are allergic to it and develop itchy reactions. Vitamin E oils and herbal oils may also result in allergic reaction, and may in fact slow wound healing.
Protect
Keeping it covered also imparts another advantage: sun protection. Exposing healing wounds to sun may cause them to pigment and appear dark. Once they've healed and are no longer covered, sunscreen can be used.
Take It Easy
Limiting movement can help. Tension causes scars to "spread" or widen. Avoiding lifting heavy objects or twisting motions will improve the appearance.
Fine Details
Scars are composed of collagen. Pressure and massage may prevent, as well as treat, raised or thickened scars. Injections with cortisone, performed in the dermatologist's office, can help to flatten a raised scar (called a keloid). Silicone gels such as biocorneum or mederma (contains onion extract) may further improve the appearance of the scar.
Zap
Finally, laser treatments, such as the intense pulsed light, can be used to lighten the color of the scar. Acne scars or thickened scars may respond well to fractional CO2 lasers, like the Active FX, or fractionated erbium lasers, like the Fraxel Re:Store 1550.
The bottom line? Anytime the skin is cut or injured, there can be a scar. What it ultimately looks like depends on: the depth of the injury, how the person heals, and how it's taken care of.
Dermatologists all over the nation hear this question on a daily basis. Scars can occur from any injury to the skin, such as: burns, scrapes, cuts, bites, biopsies, surgeries, and more. The deeper the injury, the more of a risk of developing scar tissue. The location of injury also plays a role: the more movement in an area, the more of a chance a thicker or wider scar will develop. Chests, shoulders, and backs are areas more likely to scar. And although it's impossible to completely prevent a scar, there are ways to minimize the appearance of them.
Clean
Wounds should be cleaned with a mild cleanser and water daily. Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and iodine can be irritating and may actually slow healing.
Cover
Dry or wet? The old school of thought was to let wounds "dry out and form a scab." But research has shown that keeping a wound moist and covered with a band-aid actually greatly improves healing. Aquaphor or petroleum jelly is the best emollient to use. There is no proven advantage to using an antibacterial ointment like neosporin - in fact, many people are allergic to it and develop itchy reactions. Vitamin E oils and herbal oils may also result in allergic reaction, and may in fact slow wound healing.
Protect
Keeping it covered also imparts another advantage: sun protection. Exposing healing wounds to sun may cause them to pigment and appear dark. Once they've healed and are no longer covered, sunscreen can be used.
Take It Easy
Limiting movement can help. Tension causes scars to "spread" or widen. Avoiding lifting heavy objects or twisting motions will improve the appearance.
Fine Details
Scars are composed of collagen. Pressure and massage may prevent, as well as treat, raised or thickened scars. Injections with cortisone, performed in the dermatologist's office, can help to flatten a raised scar (called a keloid). Silicone gels such as biocorneum or mederma (contains onion extract) may further improve the appearance of the scar.
Zap
Finally, laser treatments, such as the intense pulsed light, can be used to lighten the color of the scar. Acne scars or thickened scars may respond well to fractional CO2 lasers, like the Active FX, or fractionated erbium lasers, like the Fraxel Re:Store 1550.
The bottom line? Anytime the skin is cut or injured, there can be a scar. What it ultimately looks like depends on: the depth of the injury, how the person heals, and how it's taken care of.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Year's Resolutions
It's a new year. Time to detox, reflect, and re-new. Many of us make the most common resolutions, such as working out/losing weight, saving money, and working harder. Even though we start out strong in January (check out how many people are at the gym this week), resolve can wane by mid-March. Here are a few resolutions that you actually may enjoy keeping!
Resolution # 1: Drink More Coffee
Hello, Starbucks. Women who drink three cups of caffeinated coffee a day can reduce their risk of basal cell carcinoma by up to 20 percent, compared to those drinking less than a cup monthly. These results are based on a large population study: over 113,000 adults who took part in the U.S. Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. A lesser decrease in risk was seen among coffee-drinking men.
Resolution #2: Drink Red Wine
This is not permission to finish a bottle of malbec. A small glass of red wine a day contains resveratrol, which is a potent antioxidant found in grapes. Antioxidants fight free radicals in our skin and body, which are harmful and play a role in skin cancer and aging. A moderate amount of alcohol has also been found to be heart-healthy and raises levels of "good" cholesterol, or HDL. Of course, women who are pregnant/nursing or those with medical conditions should not drink alcohol.
Resolution #3: Eat Dark Chocolate
In a recent study, German researchers gave 24 women a half-cup of cocoa enriched with flavonoids daily. After three months, the women's skin was better protected, less red, and had a smooth appearance after exposure to ultraviolet light. The researchers think the flavonoids, which absorb UV light, help protect and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance. Plus dark chocolate contains more of those good antioxidants!
Resolution #4: Wear Your Sunscreen
I have to throw this one in: I've said it before and I'll say it again: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen to prevent skin cancer and the signs of aging. Okay, lecture over.
Happy 2012 and here's to a year of great health and gorgeous skin!
Resolution # 1: Drink More Coffee
Hello, Starbucks. Women who drink three cups of caffeinated coffee a day can reduce their risk of basal cell carcinoma by up to 20 percent, compared to those drinking less than a cup monthly. These results are based on a large population study: over 113,000 adults who took part in the U.S. Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. A lesser decrease in risk was seen among coffee-drinking men.
Resolution #2: Drink Red Wine
This is not permission to finish a bottle of malbec. A small glass of red wine a day contains resveratrol, which is a potent antioxidant found in grapes. Antioxidants fight free radicals in our skin and body, which are harmful and play a role in skin cancer and aging. A moderate amount of alcohol has also been found to be heart-healthy and raises levels of "good" cholesterol, or HDL. Of course, women who are pregnant/nursing or those with medical conditions should not drink alcohol.
Resolution #3: Eat Dark Chocolate
In a recent study, German researchers gave 24 women a half-cup of cocoa enriched with flavonoids daily. After three months, the women's skin was better protected, less red, and had a smooth appearance after exposure to ultraviolet light. The researchers think the flavonoids, which absorb UV light, help protect and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance. Plus dark chocolate contains more of those good antioxidants!
Resolution #4: Wear Your Sunscreen
I have to throw this one in: I've said it before and I'll say it again: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen to prevent skin cancer and the signs of aging. Okay, lecture over.
Happy 2012 and here's to a year of great health and gorgeous skin!
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