By SkinCareGuide.ca

A skin rash shows up as an area of inflammation or change in the texture, and/ or color of your skin. It can be caused by a number of different things including irritation, disease, or allergic/ non-allergic reactions to foods, chemicals, plants, animals, insects or other environmental factors.

So many rashes appear because the skin is an active player in the immune system. Antigens are things, like viruses or proteins, that we react to. These antigens need to be presented to our immune system in a very controlled way; otherwise we would react to too many things. The skin is the site at which antigen presenting cells introduce the antigens to lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are, in a sense, the paratroopers of our body. A complicated process of making sure that we are not overreacting takes place. All of this occurs in the skin. Once these lymphocytes have been activated they produce many chemicals that cause inflammation. When we become allergic to an antibiotic or other drug, the action takes place mainly in the skin as well as in the lymph glands. Viral infections also frequently produce rashes as viral particles are presented to our immune system in the epidermis. In a sense the skin is like the schoolyard where many of the fights occur.

Rashes can appear on your entire body or be limited to a specific area. What a rash looks like and how it feels can vary depending on the cause and type. Some common types of rashes include:

eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), which is commonly seen in children. It can cause dry, chapped, bumpy areas around your elbows and knees, and can be very itchy. It can sometimes become very serious causing red, scaly and swollen skin all over your body. (Visit Eczema Guide.ca for more information)irritant contact dermatitis, which is caused by your skin coming into contact with something that irritates it, such as a chemical, soap or detergent. This type of rash can be red, swollen and itchy.allergic contact dermatitis is caused by your skin coming into contact with something you’re allergic to, such as rubber, hair dye or nickel (which is a metal that is found in some jewelry). A nickel allergy can show up as a red, scaly, crusty rash wherever the jewelry touched your skin. Urushiol, which is an oil or resin that’s found in poison ivy, oak and sumac, can also cause this kind of rash.If you develop a rash, don’t scratch it! If you do, the rash can take longer to heal and you might develop an infection or scar. There are a wide range of over-the-counter products available to treat rashes, but it’s important to see your doctor first and determine what’s causing the rash and the most effective treatment.

If the rash is caused by an allergy, then treatment will focus on identifying and avoiding the allergen.It it’s caused by eczema, your doctor may suggest special moisturizers (emollients) to help retain the water in your skin; not only will this help to keep your skin soft and smooth, it will help reduce the itching. Short, cool showers are also a good idea because hot showers and baths can dry out your skin more. Also use a mild soap (read more on Mild Cleanser.ca ) and be sure to apply more emollients after you’ve showered.For poison ivy, cool showers and calamine lotion often help and if the rash is severe, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to reduce the itching and redness.It’s important to try to find out what’s causing the rash because the best way to prevent it is to avoid the problem food, substance, medicine or insect. If a poison plant is your problem, learn what it looks like and avoid it. It may also help to wear long sleeves and pants when you go camping or hiking. If insect bites are causing your rash, then consider applying insect repellant before going outside. For eczema, stay away from harsh soaps that may dry out your skin, and make an effort to moisturize with creams or lotions.

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Learn to look after your skin

By SkinCareGuide.ca

Although there are different kinds of treatments, procedures and surgery that can assist in improving the look of your skin, it is important that you look after your skin to start with. If you are unhappy with how gravity, the sun and everything else seems to be changing your skin’s appearance, here are some tips and facts from DermatologyCare .CA that will assist you:

EXERCISE: Although exercise is vital to your health and great skin, it won’t change the structure of your skin as it gets older. The look of your skin is determined mostly by genetics and sun exposure.

COSMETICS: As you age you need to use both lighter colored cosmetics and lighter hair colors. These are more flattering to your skin tone and can keep you looking and feeling younger.

MENOPAUSE: As you go through menopause, it’s very common to find that the skincare products you once relied on are no longer as effective. For example, the hormonal changes associated with menopause often leave skin feeling drier than before. Try a richer moisturizer to see if it makes a difference.

SUNBEDS: Contrary to popular belief, sunbeds are not a safer way to tan. Sunbeds emit UVA rays and causing tanning and aging of the skin .They may also be important in the development of melanoma. If you’re using a sunbed, you’re accelerating the aging of your skin and increasing your risk of skin cancer.

LIPSTICK: Did you know that your lipstick helps your lips look younger and protects them? It’s true. Using lipstick, helps protect your lips from harmful rays. It’s one of the reasons men are more apt to get lip cancer – so men slap on the lip protection!

YOUR EYES: Don’t forget your eyes! Long-term sun exposure can lead to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. So as you head out the door, be sure to grab your sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, or both!

WATER: Drinking water is not enough! While many people believe that drinking a lot of water will help keep their skin smooth and supple, in truth, water consumption has only a small effect. A better approach to keeping your skin at its best is to drink plenty of water and use a moisturizer daily.

SLEEP: Get your beauty rest! It’s actually true – a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking its best. For a healthy and glowing complexion, get plenty of sleep, maintain a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.

CELLULITTE: Hate your cellulite? You are not alone. Drinking water and exercising unfortunately doesn’t make it go away although having a less body fat does help. There are creams and procedures available that can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Talk to your dermatologist if it really bugs you.

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Tags: AntiAging
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By Mariusz J.A. Sapijaszko, MD FRCPC (Dermatology)

Stretch marks – All of us hate them and yet most of us have them. Fortunately, not all is lost. Is there anything that can be done to prevent them? Most experts say no. Is there anything to treat them? The answer is YES. (Read other articles on stretch marks and looking after your skin on www.skincareguide.ca/articles/ )

Stretch marks are a common skin abnormality that is of significant cosmetic concern. They occur mostly in women (up to 90% of pregnant women and 70% of adolescent women) than men (up to 40% of adolescent men). Visibly, stretch marks are thin linear scars that initially appear red to purple and then, over time, become lighter in color. The main causes of stretch marks are pregnancy, adolescent hormonal and weight changes, exercise (enlarging muscles) as well as the application of potent cortisone creams. The distribution of stretch marks on the body varies but the most common locations are breasts, abdomen, buttocks and shoulders.

Although many preparations have been marketed as prevention against forming stretch marks, the studies failed to show consistent benefits. Once the stretch marks are present, our attention should be directed at treating them. One of the most studied and documented substances is tretinoin and, related compound, retinol. These substances are derivatives of vitamin A and likely act by modulating collage production.

Laser and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) also have an important role in the treatment of new as well as more mature stretch marks. Gradual, incremental improvement in the color, texture and irregularity of stretch marks rather than complete elimination is the reasonable goal. IPL is a device that emits light composed of multitude of wavelengths. Visible improvements demonstrate less obvious, shorter and narrower stretch marks whereas microscopic changes show increased thickness of the epidermis, improved quality of the collagen and less inflammation in post treatment specimens.

Despite the fact that preventative modalities have proven largely unsuccessful, there is hope in terms of treating stretch marks once they occur. The most efficacious methods include topical tretinoin or retinol products as well as laser and IPL phototherapy. All patients are encouraged to seek medical help as not all is lost and the improvements can be achieved with relatively safe methods.

To get more tips about taking care of your skin, click on www.dermatologycare.ca/signup/signup.html.

About the author:

Mariusz J. A. Sapijaszko, MD FRCPC is the Director of the Western Canada Dermatology Institute located in Edmonton, Alberta. He is also the Clinical Assistant Professor at the Division of Dermatology, University of Alberta, in Edmonton. His areas of expertise include cosmetic and laser surgery. Learn more on his www.youthfulimage.com

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By Stuart Maddin, MD, FRCPC

Cold sores, or fever blisters, are common among Canadians.

Read the facts about cold sores and the virus that causes them.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of this virus and cold sores are usually caused by type 1 (known as HSV-1). The other type of herpes simplex virus, HSV-2, usually causes genital herpes.In general, we are infected with HSV-1 when we are children; in the majority of these initial (“primary”) infections, there are no symptoms.Usually, the virus infects our mouths. Some children experience mouth and gum symptoms (“gingivostomatitis”), or a sore throat (“pharyngitis”).Once HSV-1 has entered our bodies, it never leaves. The virus moves from the mouth to quietly reside (“remain latent”) in the central nervous system.

In approximately one third of people, the virus can “wake up” or reactivate to cause disease.When reactivation occurs, the virus travels down the nerves to the skin where it may cause blisters (cold sores) around the lips, in the mouth or, in about 10% of cases, on the nose, chin, or cheeks.Many people who suffer from cold sores are aware in advance that a cold sore is about to break out ? they have a tingling or burning feeling, redness, itching, or pain (“prodromal symptoms”) around their lips or mouth.

Cold sore outbreaks may be influenced by stress, menstruation, sunlight, sunburn, fever, or local skin trauma.30%-60% of children below 10 years of age are infected with HSV-1. They have acquired the virus from family and friends through sharing utensils, toothbrushes, and from kissing.The virus is transmitted from cold sores and also when there are no symptoms, as it can make copies of itself on the skin in the absence of a blister. This phenomenon is called “asymptomatic shedding”.By 50 years of age, 80%-90% of us harbour HSV-1 because we have caught it from someone close to us.

HSV-1 can sometimes be transmitted to newborn babies by family members or hospital staff who have cold sores; this can cause a severe disease called neonatal herpes.People can transfer the virus from their cold sores to other areas of the body, such as the eye, skin, or fingers; this is called “autoinoculation”.Eye infection, in the form of conjunctivitis or keratitis, can happen when you rub the cold sore, then rub your eyes before washing your hands.

Finger infection (“herpetic whitlow”) can occur when a child with cold sores or primary HSV-1 infection sucks his/her fingers.HSV-1 can infect your genital area if you engage in oral sex with a partner with a cold sore.Some products can accelerate healing if they are used at the prodromal stage of the cold sore.Prescription drugs include acyclovir cream or capsules (Zovirax?) and penciclovir cream (Denavir?); also, Health Canada recently approved a one day course of 2 grams valacyclovir caplets (Valtrex?) for prodromal use.Docosanol cream (Abreva?) can be bought without a prescription.

Frequent hand washing minimizes the risk of transferring the virus to other areas of your body.

About the author:
Dr. Stuart Maddin is past President of the Canadian Dermatology Association and served as Secretary-General of the International Committee of Dermatology ? International League of Dermatological Societies. He is the director of the clinical trials unit at the Division of Dermatology, UBC. Dr. Maddin has also acted in an advisory capacity to the Health Protection Branch (Ottawa), the AAD-FDA Liaison Committee and WHO (Geneva).

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by Jerry K. L. Tan, MD, FRCPC

From the occasional pimple during times of stress to the familiar breakouts before menses, acne affects almost all women at some time in their lives.

While acne commonly develops during the preteen and early teen years, it can also arise in young adulthood and persist for years. Studies show women feel more frustrated by acne than men do-adult women even more so than teenage girls. Why? Dealing with a chronic disorder typically associated with puberty can lead to great frustration. But don’t despair if you have acne, effective treatment is available.

Your skin is studded with thousands of oil glands that produce sebum to moisturize and enhance the skin’s ability to act as a protective barrier. Sebum within each gland is carried to the surface through pores. The highest density of oil glands is found on your face, especially at the nose, forehead and mid-cheek areas. The largest oil glands are found on the back and mid-chest. This explains in part why acne appears mostly on the face, chest and back.

But what actually causes acne is still unknown. Researchers suspect hormones play a role in pore blockage and increased oil production. A blockage creates the build-up of oil within the pore to form blemishes such as blackheads and whiteheads. “Zits” appear when acne bacteria multiply within the blocked pore, resulting in inflamed red bumps or pustules. Some of these large sacs of oil may rupture leading to large red lumps (also called nodules).

Unfortunately, you may inherit acne-prone skin-particularly the type susceptible to the more severe, scarring forms of the condition.

For some patients acne can be aggravated by:

Thick, pore-blocking creamsClothing, hats, helmets or pads that retain sweat or moistureLong hair that brushes the skin on your back, neck, and faceHair gels and sprays where they may touch your skinSleeping on damp hairWhile diet has not been conclusively shown to be an acne trigger, some women may notice certain foods aggravate their skin. Try excluding these foods for two or three weeks and see if your skin improves.

Fortunately, therapy can reduce acne, minimize the risk of scars and improve your skin’s appearance. Treatment begins with discovering your acne triggers and learning what treatments will help you control the condition. Choosing cosmetics appropriate for your skin is important, too.

Acne treatment ranges from cleansers, topical gels and creams for mild acne to antibiotic or hormonal pills for moderate cases. Accutaneä may be prescribed for severe cases. Acne staining can be treated with exfoliating creams and facials while scarring may require the use of fillers, dermabrasion or laser treatments. Full compliance with a treatment program is the key to success.

About the author:
Jerry K. L. Tan, MD, FRCPC is an Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, Windsor, Canada. He is also Director, Acne Research and Treatment Centre, Windsor, Canada. Dr. Tan’s area of specialty: acne and rosacea.

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Tags: Pinpoint, Treatment, Trigger
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By: Dr Bryce J Cowan BSc MSc MD PhD FRCS(C)

Facial rejuvenation is the term used to encompass all forms of restoring a youthful appearance to the face. It includes the broad categories of:

Injectables (Botox? & fillers) (See BotoxFacts.ca for additional uses of Botox?);Resurfacing procedures (laser treatment, microdermabrasion & chemical peels);Surgical rejuvenation (brow lifts, eyelid surgery; facelifts, nose jobs, face and chin augmentation, and neck lifts);Topical tretinoin and tazarotene, which reverse sun damage and enhance collagen production. (Learn about these acne treatments at AcneGuide.ca)

The normal changes associated with facial aging are the result of both:

intrinsic (age related fat and bone loss known as atrophy, and skin laxity for example) andextrinsic factors (like ultraviolet light / sunlight, chemicals, and smoking).

These factors contribute to biological changes associated with age and create predictable patterns of facial change. An over-simplistic analogy is mimicked by the changes in the helium balloon your child wouldn’t let you throw away. With time there is loss of internal volume (gas in this example) and as a result the covering loses its taught shape, luster, and becomes wrinkled. Moreover, there is a marked change in shape of the entire structure. Naturally, similar changes on your face can be highly distressing especially since many available treatments are being promoted.

Physicians can treat facial aging three ways: through reduction (making the skin “fit”), augmentation (“stretching” the skin back to normal) or a combination of the two.

When it comes to choosing a rejuvenation procedure; the severity of the facial aging must be considered. Here’s a review:

Wrinkles (individual fine or deep rhytids) are managed well by Botox? or injectable fillers. Although other agents are touted to produce similar results, Botox? is currently unsurpassed in its ability to soften or eliminate wrinkles caused directly by the action of underlying muscles of facial animation. (Botox Facts has more information for you)For wrinkles that may not be contributed to directly by facial movement or for depressed scars; superficial or deep fillers (ranging from collagen, hyaluronic acid and poly-L-lactic acid to silicone particles and bone cement and even your own injected fat). These can also be used for wrinkles, scars, and soft tissue augmentation (most commnly lip augmentation).When you have wrinkles involving larger areas or if it’s related to sun-damage, the underlying problem commonly lies in the biological changes in the skin itself. Here, rejuvenation methods such as laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels act to restore some of the lost intrinsic biologic properties of the skin and can provide a significant restorative change over these large areas. These treatments use light associated heat, physical sanding, or chemicals, respectively, to remove the surface layers of the skin and hence stimulate a regenerative-like process. Many common skin creams advertised to improve facial wrinkles contain glycolic or other acids used in light chemical peels to help improve the taughtness of your treated skin.As the severity of skin aging increases, injection and resurfacing procedures may be combined themselves or with surgical rejuvenation (possibly in a staged fashion).Surgical management of more severe forms of facial aging can be through an additive (implants), reductive (excisions or tucks), or combined approach. Modern rhinoplasties (“nosejobs”) are a good example where combined approaches of reduction by excision and augmentation through cartilage grafting are employed. As these procedures typically address changes in the three-dimensional volume (deep structures) and in the skin (envelope or cover) they obviously provide the greatest extent of rejuvenation and can address the greatest degrees of facial change. That said, they do come with a limited amount of scaring and possibly some temporary numbness. Often these scars, created in lines of election, are fine and highly acceptable with some rare exceptions.Topical tretinoin and tazarotene can improve fine lines and the general appearance of the skin. The down-side is that you need to continue to use these topical treatments in order to maintain its effect. Sometimes, tretinoin and tazarotene can be combined with the procedures listed above to enhance the effects.

Although you may hear more and more about treating aging skin with the procedures and products mentioned above, we all know that the best form of care is through modification of your exposure to the extrinsic modifiable risk factors, like sun exposure (See Skin Cancer Guide for more information).

About the author:
Dr Bryce J Cowan BSc MSc MD PhD FRCS(C) (Reconstructive & Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, The Skin Care Centre, Vancouver)

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Tags: Rejuvenating
Filed under: Skin Care Articles

04/28/2008

Eczema sufferers sometimes spend years switching from one prescription medication to another: Some don’t work at all, some work for only a short time, and others make the situation worse. What many people don’t really understand is that their skin problem is often caused by contact with substances that damage the surface layer of the skin, and those substances often include the very drugs they’re using as treatment. Hundreds of dermatologists now recommend a good shielding lotion for eczema treatment specifically because it protects the skin from those offending substances. However, it might also be a good idea to check out your environment to see which of the offenders you might be able to eliminate.

Although many doctors automatically prescribe topical medication for eczema, there are some doctors and treatment centers advocating other lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes are not only improving the skin condition, they’re also resulting in a better state of health in general.

An eczema treatment center in one hospital, for example, recommends the following:

Wash linens in hot water – they often contain dust and dust mites that often cause skin problems. Vacuum and dust more frequently, and making sure you include the beds and furniture. Switch to very mild soaps and other skin treatment products that don’t damage the protective surface layer of the skin. Eliminate household cleansing products and personal care products that contain harsh or harmful chemicals.

Still other experts recommend clothing and linens made of natural fibers grown and processed without chemicals: You might check out organic silk (it’s not as expensive as it used to be), cotton or hemp. Even bamboo is now being used to manufacture clothing and household linens. As bamboo grows very quickly and is a renewable resource, it’s also good for the environment.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest causes of eczema is something it’s very hard to get rid of – air pollution. That’s where a shielding lotion really shines: A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer protective layer of the skin to form a new layer that keeps out chemicals so they don’t contact the skin, and are not absorbed through the skin into the rest of the body.
If you’re tired of moving from drug to drug, and would like to live a healthier life, give these natural solutions a try. Keeping your home dust-free, eliminating chemicals as much a possible, and using a shielding lotion to protect you from the chemicals you can’t get rid of may be all the eczema treatment you need. And you’ll enjoy the other health benefits of a chemical and drug-free life.

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Tags: Drugs, Eczema, Resolved, Without
Filed under: Skin Care Articles

Despite the volumes of information available to us, there is a surprising number of people who do not realize that most of our skin care products, cosmetics and other body and personal care products contain harmful chemicals. These chemicals cause dry skin, eczema and other skin conditions and, as they are absorbed into the body through the skin, also cause damage to our internal organs. Fortunately, we now have shielding lotion to protect us from those chemicals and to help with eczema and dry skin care but, really, it would be better to get rid of the chemicals causing the conditions. Where do you start? Your best bet is probably the elimination of any product containing fragrances.

What’s wrong with fragrances? One of the major problems is the ingredient known as
toluene, a pleasant-smelling substance made from petroleum or coal tar. Although there haven’t been enough studies done on humans to determine whether or not toluene causes cancer, it is well-known to damage the central nervous system and can also cause anemia, lowered blood cell count, and damage to the liver and kidneys. Pregnant woman exposed to toluene have been known to give birth to deformed babies.

Toluene also breaks down the skin’s natural protective layer resulting in rashes and red, dry, itchy skin.

Amazingly, toluene is contained in almost all synthetic perfumes and other fragrances, in nail polishes, cosmetics and other skin care products. It is any wonder why the prevalence of dry skin and eczema has reached epidemic proportions?

As many personal and skin care products don’t have all the ingredients on the label or even on the company’s website – try finding out the ingredients in nail polish or perfume on one of the manufacturer’s sites: nothing there whatsoever – it’s difficult to tell whether or not the eczema and dry skin care products you buy contain toluene or not. However, if the label says the product contains petroleum distillates, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), benzoic or benzyl, you’re dealing with toluene.

It’s unfortunate that the skin care and cosmetics industry is not more tightly regulated – it’s can be really hard to sift through all the information on toxic chemicals and figure out what’s dangerous and what’s not.

Your best bet is to get familiar with the companies that produce natural skin care products, do some pretty thorough research on their ingredients and their philosophy and, once you find one that’s reputable, try to use their products as much as possible. Of course, you should also always use a shielding lotion: A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a new protective layer that keeps out chemicals. You may not be able to eliminate everything that causes dry skin, but you can at least treat it effectively with a good shielding lotion.

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Caring for blemishes can require more than a basic skincare routine. If your problem skin persists despite your best attempts at treatment, there are two important factors you may be overlooking: your skin type and ethnic background. Read on to learn how to create an acne-fighting skin care regimen that meets your skin’s unique needs.

The effectiveness of your acne-fighting routine hinges on selecting products geared toward your specific skin type and unique concerns. Learn how to achieve clear skin without causing troublesome dryness or scarring.

Caucasian skin: Sidestep redness

Challenges: Blemishes love Caucasian skin, and unfortunately, acne shows up well on light complexions. So, on top of blemishes, those with lighter skin must focus on concealing the redness associated with acne. Avoid: Make sure you aren’t using an acne treatment that’s too harsh for your skin type (see suggestions for skin types below). In the meantime, it’s important to mask the redness on your light skin. Avoid picking at your blemishes, since this can irritate skin and worsen inflammation. And keep in mind that the color red can highlight redness, so it’s best to sidestep this shade in your wardrobe and makeup palette during breakouts.

African-American skin: Understand skin sensitivity

Challenges: African-Americans tend to have sensitive skin, explains Angela Palmer of About. This makes treating acne difficult since acne-fighting ingredients can also irritate skin. Black skin is also more susceptible to pomade acne — breakouts that are triggered by hair pomades — and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or darkening of skin as the result of inflammation. Avoid: Harsh procedures like microdermabrasion and chemical peels can exacerbate pigmentation issues. To protect sensitive skin from irritation, use drying ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide with caution. Embrace: Maintain a simple skin care routine, recommends Discovery Health, by cleansing gently with your hands every day. Target acne with retinol treatments that correct pigmentation and eliminate acne without irritating sensitive skin. SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 is ideal for those who have sensitive skin and are new to retinol treatments.

Asian skin: Eliminate oil

Challenges: Asian skin contains a natural SPF of 4. While this can lower skin cancer risk slightly, it also makes skin more susceptible to developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dark spots. In addition, the oily nature of Asian skin can make acne a common problem. Avoid: Picking at pimples promotes scarring and hyperpigmentation, so adopt a “hands off” policy when it comes to breakouts. It’s best to avoid oily products, since these may exacerbate breakouts in Asian skin — which tends toward oiliness already.Embrace: For your skin care routine, cleanse gently and moisturize well. A product such as La Roche Posay Effaclar K can help fight blemishes while preventing discoloration.

Hispanic skin: Pigment protection

Challenges: Hispanic skin tends to produce high amounts of sebum, which can lead to enlarged pores and breakouts. Also, like other dark-skinned ethnicities, Hispanic skin is prone to pigment changes. Avoid: This population should avoid oily formulas, as well as products that aggravate the skin and possibly produce pigment changes. Instead of alpha hydroxy acids that may irritate skin, opt for milder salicylic acid to exfoliate and unclog pores.Embrace: Use a gentle cleanser daily. Retinol-based acne treatments help clear skin while improving skin tone. Murad Gentle Acne Treatment Gel includes retinol and salicylic acid to prevent acne and correct hyperpigmentation, panthenol to condition skin, and bisabolol to reduce redness.

Oily and combo skin: Sidestep sebum

Challenges: Blackheads and other blemishes frequently erupt on oily and combination skin — especially in the t-zone, which includes the nose, forehead and cheeks. Avoid: Avoid oil-based formulas and heavy lotions that can clog pores and trigger or worsen breakouts. Embrace: Prevent acne with weekly clay masks, which can tighten pores, and use oil-blotting sheets to cut down on excess oil that leads to breakouts. Since oily and combination skin types are less likely to experience dryness, treatments including salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and alpha hydroxy acids can be incorporated into an acne-fighting regimen.

For a comprehensive acne treatment, reach for Celazome O-Plex Acne Treatment System , a three-step kit to control sebum production and clear existing blemishes.

Dry or sensitive skin: Take caution

Challenges: Battling blemishes when you have dry or sensitive skin can be a challenge, since many acne-fighting ingredients can irritate skin. Always adopt treatments carefully, paying close attention to ingredients. It’s a good idea to test new products with a patch test to ensure they don’t irritate skin or cause excessive dryness. Avoid: Sidestep cleansers or acne treatments that contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, which may cause irritation and dryness. Embrace: Try a gentle acne lotion, such as PCA SKIN Acne Cream, to clear up skin without over-drying.

All skin types can suffer from acne, and finding an effective treatment means knowing and addressing your particular skin care needs. By understanding how your skin type and ethnicity relate to acne, you can begin choosing the best products to both prevent and treat breakouts. The result: clearer, healthier skin for life.

See also:

Complete Acne Handbook

Skincare & Beauty FAQ Handbook – Part 2: Acne

A Guy’s Guide to Acne

Top 25 Skincare & Beauty Books and Articles of 2010

Tanda Professional Clear Acne Light Therapy Treatment “The clear choice to eliminate acne! This device is a pro at delivering clinical levels of blue LED light therapy to treat and prevent acne breakouts. Tanda Professional Clear Acne Light Therapy Treatment has the largest treatment area and delivers more treatments than any other product. ”
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5
“Retinol 0.5 contains .5% pure retinol and is enhanced with the latest stabilization and delivery technologies to provide maximum efficacy. Recommended for more sensitive skin or to help condition skin not acclimated to retinoids as a prerequisite to SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0.”
La Roche Posay Effaclar K
“This acne treatment fluid reduces blackheads, controls breakouts and improves skin texture. The light, smooth texture helps transform and soothe skin. Blemishes are erased, pores are unclogged and tightened. The skin is finer, clearer, and softer to the touch.”
Cover FX Conceal FX Light
“Instantly erases under eye circles, redness, dark spots, sun damage, blemishes, moles, tattoos, birthmarks, fatigue and trauma. A unique formulation that contains self-adjusting pigments that evolve upon gentle blending to offer your custom color correcting tone.”
Celazome O-Plex Acne Treatment System
“Proprietary Origanum Complex offers amazing results with problematic and acne-prone skin. The three-product O·PLEX System is non-irritating and non-drying. The Origanum Complex helps inhibit acne bacteria while retexturizing skin’s surface. O·PLEX Mist and O·PLEX Control use Lyphazomes to deliver Origanum Complex with long-lasting Hydration.”

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Although our first encounter with lipstick may have been with our mother’s makeup, this cosmetic’s long history didn’t start there. Read on to learn its interesting roots and how to choose a lipstick best suited to your personality and complexion.

For centuries, lipstick has had a unique presence in beauty, politics and tradition. Learn about the ancient ingredients that were combined to create the very first lipsticks, how lipstick has changed over the years and some simple tips for color choice and application.

Lipstick’s controversial past

Lipstick travelled a long and winding journey before becoming a regular part of the modern makeup routine. Lip coloring has been documented as far back as 3,000 B.C., when Mesopotamian women tinted their lips with a mixture made of ingredients including red clay, rust, henna, seaweed and iodine. As time passed, women would continue to get creative with lip color. Cleopatra VII, the famous Empress of Egypt who reigned from 51 to 30 B.C., mixed crushed ants and carmine with beeswax. In fact, lip color became so important that wealthy ancient Egyptians were tucked away in their tombs with pots of crimson lip color to ensure a beautiful look in the afterlife.

The modern components of lipstick weren’t developed until A.D. 900, when medieval surgeon Abu al-Quasim al-Zahrwai cleverly created a mold using a wax base blended with perfume. During this time, lipstick was favored only by the middle class; it didn’t become popular with the upper class until the mid-1500s, when Queen Elizabeth I wore her signature bright red lipstick made from beeswax and crushed flowers.

In the 1770s, makeup was considered a form of deception, and women who wore lipstick were labelled as witches and accused of luring men into marriage. Makeup was outlawed throughout much of Europe – a trend that continued through Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901). During this time, some women resorted to coloring their lips by rubbing them against dyed crepe paper or ribbons.

Lipstick finally made its lasting burst of popularity in the 1890s, thanks to the newly formed film industry – actresses needed to apply dark colors on their lips to make them stand out in black and white films. Previously sold in small pots, lipstick made its “tube” debut in 1915 and has been a staple in makeup bags ever since.

Modern-day lipstick trends

It didn’t take long for the lipstick trend to stick. Today, WebMD reports that 85 percent of women apply lipstick regularly. But, the look of lipstick has changed dramatically over the years:

1920s: During the flapper craze, women reached for dark, dramatic shades.1930s: Although the darker shades carried on, Max Factor also introduced clear lip gloss. Many women embraced this shiny, light alternative to the heavy pigments in lipstick. 1940s: Lipstick was less prevalent during wartime, due to the shortage of an essential ingredient: petroleum.1950s: Dark lipstick became popular once more when actresses like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor put deep, moody hues back in the spotlight.1960s: During the hippie movement, women opted for light, natural lip shades including frosty, pale pink, light purple and white. 1970s: The punk culture introduced darker, edgier colors, like deep purples and blacks.1980s: Women walked on the wild side with exotic shades of bright orange, coral, fuchsia and red.1990s: Bright shades were tossed aside for more natural lips as brown and neutral hues became popular.2000s and today: Although there are still seasonal lipstick trends, women today follow their own color preferences – from pale pastels to burnt browns. Typically, women tend to wear lighter, more natural colors during the day and darker shades in the evening.

How to apply lipstick

For many of us, the simple act of applying lipstick symbolizes class, sophistication and femininity. But the makeup aisle includes a diverse selection of products, styles and shades, making it tough to know where to start. From lipstick to lip liner, perfect your application with these tips:

Lip primer: Lip primer’s main purpose is to moisturize the lips, creating a foundation that allows lipstick to go on smoother and last longer. Apply lip primer, like Too Faced Lip Insurance, evenly over lips to help prevent lipstick from fading, bleeding and creasing on dry or wrinkled lips.Lip liner: Lip liner is a good way to create a kissable contour of color. If you have wrinkles around your mouth, using lip liner can help prevent the lipstick from bleeding into creases. Makeup artists also use the trick of applying lip liner to the entire lip to give lipstick a solid base to attach to, helping color last longer.

When it comes to choosing your lip liner, opt for a neutral color or one shade darker than your lipstick. To apply, start at the center of your upper lip and draw a line outward along the edge to the corner of your mouth. Repeat for the other side and each side of the lower lip. To make small lips appear plumper, draw the line just outside of your lips. Similarly, to make large lips appear more petite, draw the line just inside of your lips.

For a more natural look, line your lips with a colorless liner like DuWop Reverse Lipliner.

Lip brushes: Many professional makeup artists use lip brushes to apply lipstick for a few key reasons: it’s more cost-effective since you use less lip color; you have more control over the application; it makes it easier to blend lipstick with lip liner; and most importantly, the color lasts longer.

To use a lip brush, such as Origins Lip Brush, makeup artist Bobbi Brown instructs to first apply the color to the corners of the upper and lower lips. Then, fill in the rest of the lip before pressing them together to even out the color.

Lipstick: When it comes to layering on lipstick, Bobbi Brown advises, “Apply an even layer of color over the entire lip, starting at one corner of the mouth, and keeping within the natural lines of the lips.”

To make sure texture is consistent, blot lips with a folded tissue, and then apply again. To help make the color of a crème or matte lipstick last longer, try lightly applying loose powder. And finally, to ensure an exact application, some women trim their lipstick with a razor to give it a well-defined tip.

What type of lipstick is right for you?

Different types of lipsticks have different textures, allowing you to choose a variety of looks and finishes.

Matte: For the boldest color, try a matte lipstick. Matte formulas leave a flat finish without shine, because its many pigments deflect light. It often lasts longer than shinier formulas, but it can easily dry out lips, so it isn’t ideal for women with thin or wrinkled lips. Crème: Crème lipstick has the same intense color as matte lipstick, but with a little shine because it contains more wax. Although it protects the lips better than other finishes, it can still be dehydrating to some lips. Satin: If you have dry lips, satin lipstick is ideal because it contains more oils and moisturizers than other lipsticks, but the color doesn’t last as long. Sheer: Sheer lipstick gives a natural look, no matter how dark the shade appears in the tube. Because it contains more oils, it’s a good choice for women with dry lips. Gloss: To give your lips some shine, try a gloss, either on its own or over a matte lipstick. Lip gloss usually comes in light shades with a sticky transparent finish because it contains more oils. The color doesn’t last long and it needs to be reapplied frequently, but it’s very moisturizing to dry lips. Lip stains: A lip stain is essentially a colored liquid that goes on the lips to add a hint of color. Because they don’t contain wax, lip stains are usually used with lip gloss and aren’t ideal for dry lips.

Essentially, if you want a rich, long-lasting color, choose a matte or crème formula. If you’re prone to dry or wrinkled lips, opt for satin, sheer or glossy lipstick.

Lipstick shades – how to choose?

With all the seasonal trends, it’s hard to pick the lipstick color that’s right for you. Makeup artist Bobbi Brown suggests, “If I had to teach someone just one thing about lip color, it would be this: find a lipstick that looks good on your face when you are wearing absolutely no makeup. This is the magic color that will make your skin, hair and eyes look their best.” Not sure what shades to start with? Narrow them down based on your natural lip color:

Pale lips: Try beige, pale pink or bright red tones.Medium-toned lips: Try brown, rosy pink or warm red tones.Dark lips: Try dark brown, plum or deep red tones.

For a neutral look, pick a shade that’s close to your natural lip color. As Bobbi Brown says, the right color “will enhance the skin tone, make the eyes look brighter and give the face a lift.”

How to make your own lipstick

If you can’t find your perfect shade in the store, why not try making your own lipstick? All lipstick contains three fundamental ingredients: wax for the shape and texture, oil to retain moisture and pigment for the color. Depending on the amount of each ingredient you use, you can create a lipstick with a glossy, matte or shiny finish. Experiment with these easy recipes from Discovery Health:

Beetroot Lipstick Ingredients: 1 tablespoon beetroot powder, 1 tablespoon glycerin, 1/2 teaspoon olive oilMethod: Stir the glycerin and beetroot powder in a saucer until smooth, then add the oil. Very Berry Lip Gloss Ingredients: 1 cup of berries (cranberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry), aloe vera gel or petroleum oilMethod: Smash the berries into a paste, one teaspoon at a time. Remove the seeds by passing the paste through a sieve. Slowly add the gel or oil with a dropper to get the right consistency. Apply with your finger or a lip brush. Basic Neutral Lipstick Ingredients: 1/4 cup grated beeswax, 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening, 1 tablespoon almond oil, 3 tablespoons cocoa butterMethod: Mix all the ingredients together and heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until melted. Pour the liquid into a greased pan and let cool. You can then cut the form into sticks and buy empty lipstick tubes from cosmetic suppliers.

Bottom line: Beautiful lips

Lipstick has a long, colorful history that continues to evolve as color trends change over time. While following the latest celebrity trends and runway styles are great ways to stay on top of the latest lip looks, always embrace the shades that best represent your personality.

See also:

10 Beauty-Boosting Tips for Going Back to School

Bold Lips and Eyes: Makeup Trends to Try this Fall

8 Ways to Pamper Your Partner This Valentine’s Day

The Best Techniques For Beautiful Brows: Advice from the Pros

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