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Skin Care After Weight Loss

Battling loose skin after major weight loss and/or dieting? Dealing with skin care concerns after major weight loss? 

Well, anyone who has lost a significant amount of weight knows that the weight loss itself is only half the battle. The war begins after the weight has fell off and the areas of loose skin begin to boldly appear.

Don’t fret – we’ve got your covered with some optimum skin care tips to attack that problematic post-weight-loss skin the natural way; before you venture out to seek out surgical or cosmetic alternatives.

Skin Care After Weight Loss

Tips To Tighten Skin – Post Weight Loss

Lose Weight Gradually.

Most experts recommend aiming for 1 to 5 pounds per week, depending on your starting point.  

Exercise To Build Muscle.

Replace the fat that once filled out your skin with lean mass by focusing your fitness routine on strength training, says Lori Shemek, PhD, author of How to Fight FATflammation! “You want the muscle to essentially replace the fat that is being lost to prevent loose or sagging skin,”

Practice Good Sun Protection.

If you spend time outdoors, take steps to reduce your exposure to the sun’s collagen-destroying UV rays. If you’re exercising, plan your walk or run for the early morning or late in the day, when the sun is less scorching. Always wear a UV protection sunscreen as the fall and winter months have high levels of UV rays.

Eat Plenty of Colors.

Pile your plate with a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables, which contain nutrients vital to skin health, Chipps says. Specifically, load up on vitamin A or lycopene—a recent research review in Experimental Dermatology reports this antioxidant offsets damage from UV rays. (Try these 25 best foods for healthy skin.) You’ll find it in tomatoes, red peppers, and other rosy-hued veggies. Meanwhile, leafy greens and citrus fruits boast plenty of vitamin C, which helps build collagen, Chipps says

Stay Smoke-Free.

Toss your cigarettes and take an extra step away from any cloud of fumes you pass. Lighting up makes your skin less resilient. exposure to secondhand smoke raises levels of inflammatory proteins in your skin, reducing collagen levels and contributing to thin skin and wrinkles.

See an MD Dermatologist.

You may want to hold off for a face-lift or other surgical procedure until you’ve reached your ideal goal weight—skin responds best to these operations from a “steady state.”  Those minor in-office procedures can address troublesome areas once you’ve stopped losing the weight, Lawrence Jaeger says. Speak with a dermatologist about radio-frequency devices, which warm and expand collagen fibers to immediately improve your appearance while also stimulating new collagen production for longer-lasting results

Skin Care, Tips & Awareness, Uncategorized

Dangerous Risks – Acrylic, Artificial Nails

On behalf of Dr. Lawrence Jaeger and the medical staff at Advanced Dermatology Associates, we are extremely focused on ensuring optimum health is a choice for everyone. As the leading Dermatologist provider network in New York City, we strongly encourage both men and women to educate themselves with the proper knowledge and to seek the necessary medical care for decreasing the incidences of cancer. In this blog, we’re discussing the medical issues related to the potential dangers and risks from acrylic or artificial nails.  An industry which grew to a record $7.47 billion this year. 

Dangerous Risks – Acrylic, Artificial Nails

 

Dangerous Risks - Acrylic, Artificial Nails

What Are Acrylics and Artificial Nails.

For starters, let’s define what are acrylics or artificial nails. For those who simply have no clue –  acrylics are the fake nails placed on top of real nails, either painted a color of one’s choosing or covered in “fillings” — such as a white or clear powder substance. More-so like bi-weekly rites of passage for women and young ladies.

Now consider these two very important points.

  1. First, cosmetics and nail products do not have to undergo clinical trials before being sold on the market.
  2. Second – nail salons are not required to list ingredients on labels unless the product is available for purchase.

The Food and Drug Administration regulates nail products for both home and salon and considers nail salon services safe as long as they are administered carefully by trained and licensed nail technicians. The agency has stated that while many nail products “contain potentially harmful ingredients,” they are allowed on the market “because they are safe when used as directed.” But it’s really up to you to make sure that they are.

Ironically what goes into manicures and pedicures can be quite undefined and mysterious as the water your feet were soaked in. As we explore

Why the Deadly Causes?

 

Let’s just start with the basics, for many years, polish usually included substances known to be toxic:

  • UV Light (directly linked to skin cancer)
  • Acetone – Nail salons typically remove nail polish and artificial nails by soaking nails with acetone, ethyl acetate (a sweetish smelling “non-acetone”), or acetonitrile. No removers are considered safe for use.
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which adds flexibility to polish, is a toxin linked to feminizing effects in baby boys through breast milk, decreased sperm count, and other developmental and reproductive problems.
  • Toluene, which helps stabilize nail polish color and creates a smooth finish, has toxic effects on the brain and spinal cord, and as a result it can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
  • Formaldehyde, which serves as a nail hardener, is known to be a cancer-causing substance as well as a skin irritant.

Literally all the chemicals used to apply artificial or acrylic nails are notoriously unhealthy and include offenders as resins and formaldehyde, which have been shown to cause cancer. Then add to the continuous use of these materials which can lead to serious nail breaks, infection and loss of the natural nail. The cost of unnatural beauty can be more damaging than you currently realize.

Since consumer advocacy campaigns targeted these “toxic three” in 2006, many major companies have excluded these chemicals from their products. OPI, Essie, Nail Tek, Orly, Sally Hansen, and Milani — among others — now advertise that their nail polishes are DBP-, toluene-, and formaldehyde-free. Some newer brands, including Priti and Karma, have never contained these ingredients.

MMA’s (Methyl Methacrylate) have been banned by the FDA for use on nails because of toxicity, some lower-end nail salons still use the toxic substance to cut back on costs.

But older products may still be on the market, particularly at discount stores. So be sure to only purchase polish that is specifically labeled as free of the toxic three.

Older products may still be in use at salons, too. Always ask your nail technician to use only products that are DBP-, toluene-, and formaldehyde-free. Better yet, bring your own nail polish: When the California Department of Toxic Substances Control tested a random sampling of 25 polishes from nail salons in 2011, they found that five of seven products claiming to be free of these three chemicals included at least one in significant levels. Most of the mislabeled products were brands available only at salons, not in retail stores

Are There Healthier or Safer Alternatives?

“The short answer is NO. Really there are no healthy alternatives to adding a false “coat of armor” to your nails. But creating a strong healthy natural nail base by using products free of formaldehyde or chemicals is the key.” stressed Dr. Lawrence Jaeger, a NYC Dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology Associates who specializes in nail disorders.

Regarding Artificial Nail Application

Artificial nail application is a popular service provided by nail salons, whether to strengthen nails or add length. Besides acrylics, there are now some newer alternatives.

  • Acrylic nails: Made with a liquid acrylic compound called ethyl methacrylate (EMA), acrylics are considered safe if applied carefully to avoid skin contact. Redness and swelling can occur if the product comes in contact with the skin around the nails.EMA replaced methyl methacrylate (MMA) in acrylic nails after MMA was removed from the market in 1974. MMA was taken off-market due to risks including serious allergic reactions, nail infections, permanent nail deformities, and respiratory problems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises that salons should not use products with MMA. Even so, some MMA is still in use because no regulation specifically prohibits its use in cosmetic products.If you can, ask your nail technician whether the salon still uses MMA. More importantly, be alert to tell-tale signs. MMA gives off an unusually powerful and noxious odor. Also, be suspicious of very low-priced full-sets and fills, since MMA is significantly cheaper than EMA.
  • Gel nails, made with a gel resin and pigment, are less durable than acrylics, but they may be preferable because they don’t contain solvents. They also stay shiny and unchipped for significantly longer than a basic manicure.A nail technician paints layers of a thin, gel-like coating onto nails to create a flexible nail covering. Nails feel dry and smooth once hardened under a UV lamp. Like mini tanning beds, UV lamps emit rays that can harm the skin. Up to 10 minutes of exposure is required when gel nails are first applied and again whenever gaps are filled as the nails grow out. This repeat exposure over time can have a negative, unhealthy aging effect on the skin. UV lamps are associated with a higher risk of skin cancer and earlier signs of aging.Removing both gel nails, as well as acrylics, requires a soak in acetone after first filing off the top layer (to make acetone soak in faster).
  • Shellac nails, yet another option now available at many nail salons, are similar to gel nails but require a shorter-term commitment. This gel-polish hybrid is applied like polish and cured under a UV light like gels. It lasts up to 2 weeks and is easier to remove than acrylics or gels — requiring a soak in acetone but no filing.While the chemical risk from shellac, as well as gel, formulations may be quite low, the harms posed by repeated UV exposure should not be underestimated.
  • Minx nails offer a way to avoid many of the undesirable side effects of nail application. Available at many nail salons today, Minx are like stickers for the nails. After you select from an array of patterns or colors, a nail technician heats the flexible adhesive polymer and then presses it onto your dry nails, trimming each one to fit. There is no drying time, and the product is odorless. Minx nails last 1 to 2 weeks. They can be removed by heating the nails with a hair dryer and then peeling them off. Be aware that there isn’t any product safety information available for Minx nails, so no one really knows if any chemicals are released when the polymer is heated.

The takeaway here is a bittersweet and costly truth, which is seriously damaging to your health. There are healthier choices, but no shortcuts. Stop and think about how costly and medically damaging your nail beauty (vanity) is causing. If you suspect a nail infection, consult a dermatologist for an evaluation.

RECAP of the FIVE POTENTIAL DANGERS: 

  1. The hard-to-clean area underneath your nail may cause your nails to be extra sensitive, especially if an MMA-based acrylic (Methyl Methacrylate) is used. Though they’ve been banned for use on nails because of toxicity, some low-end nail salons still it.
  1. Acrylics may create inflamed or itchy cuticles if the tools used to apply them are worn out or coarse. Be mindful of those which have sharp odors — this is a sign that something is off.
  1. Depending on your nail strength, acrylics may cause a splitting or painful nail plate. Pay close attention to how strong and think your nails are. Extremely thin nails may not be the best for acrylics.
  1. It might be hard to spot, but infection below the nail bed can become all too real. This also goes back to overused, worn out nail tools.
  1. Pay attention to your nail growth over time. Acrylics often weaken nails, making them prone to breakage.

 

Acne, Tips & Awareness

Three Expert Tips To Clearer, Cleaner, Brighter Skin

Three Expert Tips To Clearer Cleaner Brighter SkinNYC Dermatologist Lawrence Jaeger, Medical Director of Advanced Dermatology Associates in New York provides useful health & medical tips on achieving your optimum health.

As the season slowly changes from summer to fall, the onset of skin rashes and acne becomes more prevalent due to the associated weather, heating or moisture changes. To avoid the “red itchy syndrome” or potential skin irritation to your face, here are our skin care tips to having clearer and cleaner skin.

It’s simple. The more you take into consideration of what touches your face – i.e. pillow, cell phone & hands — becomes the basis for establishing healthier skin.

Three Expert Tips To Clearer, Cleaner, Brighter Skin:

1. Leave Your Face Alone.

It’s hard to realize this, but throughout the day we touch our faces too much. That wouldn’t really be a problem, except for the fact that we’re constantly touching tons of other surfaces, making our hands a Petri dish for germs and other unwanted bacteria. That subway pole you held on to…or the infamous amounts of buttons, bells or door-knobs touched.

  • Did you know that there could be over 332,000 bacteria on the human hand?…basically over 4,700 different strains too.

Therefore…

    • Wash your hands more, especially during the fall/winter months when germs are more abundant. It’s suggested that to wash your hands for 20 seconds (singing the tunes of “Mary had a little lamb” or “Happy Birthday”  TWICE –  can rid your hands of over 200 germs).
    • Keeping hand sanitizer in your bag can be another great option. Not sure or confused about the different hand sanitizers available? 

2. Clean Your Smartphone.

Another big but unnoticeable way your skin could be sprouting rashes, blemishes and breakouts is related to your cell phone. Considering that it’s always in your hands; placed down or left on many types of surfaces, and then it touches directly your face. Yes, your cell phone is a major germ center.

    • Did you realize that the average cell phone has 18 times more bacteria than a toilet?! Even worse is our phones are breeding grounds for bacteria.
    • Not only are they overloaded with germs, they are harboring bacteria that we should not be in contact with, such as E. coli,MRSA and the flu.  In other words, your toilet is cleaner than your iPhone or Android.

However, the amount of germs on a phone solely isn’t the  problem — it’s the sharing of phones between other people.

So basically strive to keep your dirty expensive germ ridden phone in a cover/wrap and use antibacterial wipes and even buying headphones with a mic. Always use your own phone.

3. Cleaner Pillow Talk.

Ever went to bed with your skin looking just fine but woke up with a big red blemish or nasty pimple outbreak?

Another culprit in the struggle for clear skin could be where you rest your head every night. Just consider what is in the pillow you lay your face on night after night… everything from dirt, oil and dead skin cells get trapped there, which may lead to acne. Often times, people always raise comments about grimy sheets, but they forget to change the pillows on their beds. Which is just as worse, as dirty pillows can harbor a host of critters and debris.

The solution…

Basically you should change your pillows “Every three weeks for the outer cover, and every three months for the pillow itself”.

Everyone was the best of health but if you’re looking for healthier skin, nails, lip and hair, it’s accomplished through a better understanding of how the little things you’re doing can either make you better or break you. Establishing this mindset is no different with your skin, hair or nail care.

The better understanding that you have could be the difference. As you can be your own worst enemy when it comes to the root causes of your skin outbreaks or acne. But as with anything in life, it’s about focusing on the simple “little” things by applying three tips to reach your desired skin health.

Skin Care, Tips & Awareness

Why Does Skin Peel After Sunburn?

Lawrence Jaeger is a medical, surgical & cosmetic dermatologist who provides useful information on sunburn and skin peeling.

Ways to Prevent Skin Peeling After Sunburn

Why Does Skin Peel After Sunburn?

A sunburn is the skin’s response to extreme ultraviolet (UV) exposure and indicates severe damage. In as little as 10 minutes of intense UV exposure, the skin sets into motion a system of defense against this enemy.

We know how important sunscreen is, but sometimes, no matter how much you reapply, you may still end a hot summer day with a sunburn. A few days go by and the peeling process begins. The peeling of skin is a sign that your skin is recovering and trying to heal.

UV Damaged Skin

The sun produces ultraviolet radiation, more commonly referred to as UV radiation. In just 10 minutes of sun exposure, skin can start a self-protective process from the UV radiation. Redness is the first sign of too much sun exposure. Skin often becomes tight because of the loss of moisture. On some occasions, the top layer of skin becomes darker and thicker, in a protective response to the UV radiation exposure, creating a “tan” look. However, in most instances, the UV radiation is more intense and kills the exposed skin cells, and in turn creates a sunburn reaction. UV also leads to an increase in epidermal thickness, termed hyperkeratosis.

Skin Peeling & Recovery.

After sunburn the body naturally forms a new layer of skin to replace the old damaged skin. The new layer takes approximately 4 to 7 days to fully form. During the formation, the new layer of skin is fragile; therefore the sunburned skin acts as a shield until the under layer is fully developed.

The peeling occurs once the freshly formed skin cells are established enough to function as the outer layer of skin. Peeling is gradual. It is important not to rush the process and peel the skin yourself. If your skin peels too early it may prompt tenderness or bleeding.

Sunburn is often painful and clearly damaging to skin. Remember to put on sunscreen daily to protect your skin and avoid the peeling process.

Skin-Care-Tips-Skin-Peel-After-Sunburn

Seek Dermatological Treatment.

Although most sunburns heal on their own with simple home care, severe burns from either the sun or a tanning bed may require medical attention. See your doctor as soon as possible if you experience a sunburn that leads to the formation of skin blisters or is so painful that you cannot function normally.