Tag Archives: dermatology lawrence jaeger

Preventing Barber’s Rash: Men Shaving Tips

December 15, 2016 Lawrence Jaeger

Preventing Barber’s Rash.

It’s the timeless battle in which every black man often experiences head-on. The vicious and often ferocious battle between the razor and ultimately those nuisance soldiers called razor bumps.

Which leads to the age-old question….

“WHY DO BLACK MEN SUFFER FROM RAZOR BUMPS (PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS BARBAE)…MORE”

Short answer – razor bumps are caused by shaving. Sometimes when a hair is cut off at the point where it exits the skin, it can curl back and start growing inwards. These ingrown hairs cause irritation to the hair follicle, which swells into a small red lump that looks a bit like a pimple. A razor bump forms when a hair that has been cut off close to the surface of the face turns around and begins growing back into the skin.

This painful process only affects about 20% of Caucasians, while various sources claim that between 60-80% of black men are affected.

The main reason why black men get razor bumps more often than their white or Asian counterparts is because the type of curly hair is particularly likely to become ingrown. Black men often have coarse or curly hair, which may lead to razor bumps and ingrown hairs. “People with darker skin often are susceptible to inflammation, such as that caused by razor bumps; along with hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Lawrence Jaeger, DO of Advanced Dermatology Associates in NYC and the Bronx.

Razor bumps form as new strands of hair curl back, puncture, and re-enter the skin while growing. Although not a serious health problem, these bumps are by no means pretty and can be a nuisance. They can fill up with puss, cause skin discoloration, or give rise to keloidal scars. The worst part is that razor bumps itch and cause quite a bit of discomfort. And when these pustules develop an infection from staph bacteria, they turn into a more serious skin disorder called Barber’s rash or folliculitis.

Also, darker skin is more prone to keloid scarring, which can develop if razor bumps are left untreated. Which is why it is especially important for black men to learn how to prevent and treat this common skin condition or seek dermatological treatment.

SHAVING TIPS – Black or Darker Skin People Should:

Always use a sharp razor blade and discard old blades after 4-5 uses. You might think this is excessive, but dull blades force black men to go over the same area of skin again and again, increasing the chances of irritation and improperly cutting hair. This goes for electric razors, too: replace the blades after every few months of use.
Reduce your number of shaves by shaving every other day. Giving the skin time to heal will allow hairs to grow straight through the skin’s surface, without forcing too-short hairs back into the skin. Frequent shaving too close to the skin will trap hairs inside the follicles.
Exfoliate! Exfoliate! Exfoliating with a gentle scrub like Microfine Face Scrub removes the top layer of dead cells and allows hairs to grow out more easily. It also helps soften skin, clears pores and evens out patchy skin tones.
Many African-American men benefit f rom using a single-blade razor, or a Deep Edge razor. Most dermatologists will encourage patients who suffer from razor bumps from using triple or quadruple blade razor systems. They exponentially increase the potential for razor bumps. The closer the shave, the worse the razor bumps will be.
Always shave in the direction of hair growth. While shaving upward seems to give a closer shave, shaving in the hair’s direction reduces irritation and the likelihood of hairs growing back into the skin. Don’t pull skin taut when shaving since this can also cause ingrown hairs to form.
Soften hairs before shaving by massaging warm water into the beard area and then applying a professional-grade, highly-lubricating shave cream. Allow it to sit on the face for a minute or two to completely coat hairs before shaving.
Follow a shave with an after-shave solution that contains hydrating ingredients like aloe, witch hazel and tea tree extract like Post-Shave Repair to cut down on redness and discomfort. Stay away from products that contain alcohol since this can dry skin out and provoke an ashy appearance in black skin.
Resist the urge to pluck ingrown hairs out. A new hair will just grow again, and you’ll be facing the same exact problem…even worse. It can become irritated.
Most importantly, take your time when shaving. Stop that 30-second shave on Monday morning. Taking your time to shave slowly and with care can dramatically reduce nicks, cuts and abrasions that can aggravate razor bumps.
Aloe Vera is your best friend because it acts as a moisturizer which will help speed up the healing process of the razor bumps. Aloe Vera also helps with the burning and soothing pain or discomfort.

Tips & Awareness, Uncategorized

Vitamin B12 Helps Growth

November 10, 2016 Lawrence Jaeger

Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body use fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly. Vitamin B12 helps the body with growth.

All B vitamins are water soluble, meaning that the body does not store them.

The nutritional deficit of Vitamin B12 happens rarely. But if the body is unable to utilize the vitamin, it then only leads to deficiency syndrome. For the young people, this deficiency is very rare. But that older people are likely to be affected with mild deficient. Their acidic stomach needs absorption of Vitamin B12.

It has many hair related benefits when taken in right amount. Only those with Vitamin Bdeficiency should take supplements for the proper growth of hair.

Premature Hair Loss:

People lacking in Vitamin B12 often found to suffer from untimely hair loss. Consuming of diet insufficient in the Vitamin B12, leads to this conditions. Because the body cannot prepare Vitamin B 12, on its own.

It cannot utilize the food you eat without vitamin B 12. This gives rise to underfed cells of hair follicle. This slows down the growth of hair.

Hair Growth:

With right level of Vitamin B12, the hair follicles receive nutrients to stimulate growth of hair. The proper nourishment of the cells will help emerging of the formerly lost hair.

Healthy Hair:

For maintaining Vitamin B12 is important for healthy nervous system and the formation of red blood cells and a compromise in either of these can affect our hair.

Pigmentation:

Melanin, the amino acid in form, support healthy growth along with boosting function. It is responsible for the pigmentation and color of hair and skin. Vitamin B12 helps to encourage the re-pigmentation of the hair and also maintains the original color of the hair.

Being aware of the consumption of food and drink and also the products you buy for the use and how you deal with stress, can help you improving the health and well-being of your hair.

How Important is Vitamin B-12 for Hair Color?

Those who wish to turn their hair color from gray to black, Vitamin B-12 is vitally important for them. Not only that, it prevents further hair graying. According to the expert, the dietary deficiency of vitamin B-12 might be the cause of gray hair. It might happen in case of children also.

It is often found that in spite of consuming enough Vitamin B-12, there simply might be deficiency of the vitamin. It is because of fact that the vitamin is absorbed excessively and can’t be stored. The Dietary Reference Intake, or DRI, established for vitamin B-12 is 2.4 mg per day for males and females age 14 and over. Anyone who wants to get rid of the problem of gray hair and suffer from deficiency must take retain the vitamins.

Dermatology, Skin Care, Tips & Awareness

Six Fall Skin Care Tips | Expert Beauty & Skin Care

October 27, 2016 Lawrence Jaeger

The dog days of summer are definitely over and for most of us in the Northern Hemisphere. We’ve come to the realization that it’s time to say goodbye to the shorts, sandals and flip-flops. It’s hello – scarfs, coats, hoodies and heaters.

As the season transitions from summer to autumn, the same goes for our skin care. Our physical bodies are literally recuperating from the elemental effects of summer. For instance, our skin is left damaged or burned due to the excessive heat from the hot summer months of sunbathing and visits to the water-parks. Add to that, the salt build-up or chlorine damage to our scalp and hair – from surfing the ocean waves or swimming in the backyard pool. The summer heat and our bodies have been one unified front.

“As the seasons change, so should your skin care regimen in order to feel its optimal health” expresses Dermatologist Lawrence Jaeger, D.O. of Advanced Dermatology Associates.

Basically the steps we must now begin to put in our respective regimen may remain the same, but the products our skin, hair & nails needs, will have to change dramatically for the fall season.

But no worries. We’ve got you covered.

SIX FALL SKIN CARE TIPS – HAIR & NAIL ROUTINE.

6 Expert Tips for Achieving Optimum Health.

USE SUNSCREEN: Keep your sunscreen handy even after the long days of summer are over. A sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 or more will protect the skin from aging ultraviolet rays in the fall.

A physical sunblock containing zinc or titanium oxide are ideal for everyday wear in the colder months.

2. EXFOLIATING CLEANSER: Fall is the time to start adding regular exfoliation to your skincare routine.

A gentle facial scrub can help remove sun damaged skin cells for brighter, smoother skin by retaining moisture.

3. RETINOL, also known as “Vitamin A”, can help dramatically reduce the appearance of brown spots caused by the summer sun, lines, and wrinkles.

A non-prescription retinol serum or a prescription retinoid is recommended, although retinol and prescription retinoids are scientifically proven to smooth the texture of the skin. Retinol is also known to delay skin aging.

4. USE NATURAL HAIR INGREDIENTS: Prevent further drying your hair by keeping your products all-natural. “Natural ingredients are the go-to because they won’t strip your hair of oils like synthetic and alcohol based ingredients do,”

Make sure to use a clarifying shampoo that washes away normal wear and tear from the environment like pollution and smoke, but does not strip your hair of its natural oils and lipids.

5. TAKE THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN: The coming of fall means shorter and cooler days. Most people are likely to spend less time in the sun. Especially for the northern part of the United States, supplementation of vitamin D becomes really important. Vitamin D is a gene-regulating super nutrient that helps with seasonal depression (SAD), the immune system, heart health, diabetes, and obesity. Vitamin D insufficiency affects almost 50% of the population worldwide.

Researchers recommend 2,500 IUs every day, especially in the colder months.

6. BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM: With the changing season, now is the perfect time to boost your immune system.

Some of natural immune-boosters are: to drink plenty of fresh water, eat plenty of alive (living) raw foods, garlic, lysine, probiotics, Vitamins B, C and D, E3 Live, reishi mushroom, zinc, propolis and Manuka honey.

Another powerful way to boost your immune system and keep strong is to use the power of exercise. Remember get that beauty sleep, too.

The key to a optimum healthy skin, hair and nails begins with having a great regime or routine. Inquire with us at Advanced Dermatology Associates or your personal dermatologist/skin care specialist for more tips on reaching your optimum health.

Dr. Lawrence Jaeger, NYC Osteopathic