June 14th, 2008
Did you know that some ingredients in cosmetics, medications, make up, sunblocks, shaving creams, and hair care products can cause pimples and skin irritation? The only way to tell if your products may be contributing to your skin problem is to know what ingredients might be bad for your skin.
Here is a list to help you of common ingredients, rated for both comedogenicity (COM), and irritancy (IRR). “0” is a good score, and “5” is the worst score. If you have acne prone, or sensitive skin, you should use caution when using a product with an ingredient that scores a “3”, “4”, or “5”.
If you find an ingredient not on this list, let us know and we will add it.
This list is alphabetized for your convenience. Print it out, and bring it with you to your next visit to the cosmetic counter.
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June 10th, 2008
Like a cup of tea for a cough, a batch of ice for a sunburn may seem like the perfect remedy for millions of Americans who will spend a little too much time in the sun this summer.
But many home remedies that seem like common sense are less than helpful, and the old ice-for-a-burn technique is no exception. It can help soothe some initial pain, but in the end it will slow the healing process.
That has been borne out over the years in various studies of simple treatments for minor scalds and sunburns. In one randomized study by Danish researchers in 2002, 24 healthy volunteers were inflicted with first-degree burns and subjected to different treatments. Those who received a cooling treatment similar to ice did not experience reduced pain or inflammation compared with those who received a placebo treatment.
In another study in the journal Burns in 1997, another team of scientists compared easing burns with ice cubes for 10 minutes with other remedies and found that ice caused “the most severe damage.” “Using an ice cube immediately after injury,” the authors added, “is harmful in some instances.”
At Belaray Dermatology, we suggest treating a minor burn by running cool water over the area and taking a pain reliever. Then cover the area with telfa and Vaseline. Most minor burns heal without further treatment. Severe burns, or minor burns involving a large body area should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
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June 8th, 2008
Hair loss can be very frustrating. There is a long list of reasons why one may develop hair loss, and it is important to see your dermatologist to explore the different possibilities. At times, a medication you have been prescribed may cause hair loss as a side effect. The list of medications that can be associated with hair loss can be found here. If you are experiencing hair loss and started taking one of the following medications shortly before your thinning started, you should ask your doctor if your medications may be contributing to your problem.
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May 25th, 2008
DESPITE improvements in socks and shoes, blisters remain a sports injury that won’t go away. It may be one of the most common minor injuries among outdoor enthusiasts.
Blisters form when friction and pressure cause the skin’s layers to separate. To deflect friction, hikers have long used slick petroleum jelly and sticky moleskin to protect incipient or existing blisters. Thanks to some innovations in products that treat or stave off blisters, hikers can now use nongreasy, nonstaining waxes fortified with moisturizing aloe as a preventive, and gel pads or breathable plastic to cushion blisters.
Jennifer Garofalini, above, the director of land protection at the Mohonk Preserve in the Hudson Valley in New York State, recently tested five blister remedies. She sampled two products that prevent blisters and three that cure them during daylong hikes inspecting some of the perimeter of the 6,500-acre preserve
Adventure Medial Sam Blist-O-Ban 6 Pack
$8.50 for six pads. Two thin layers of water-resistant breathable plastic (with no gel) backed by adhesive deflect friction by gliding against each other. “This was my favorite,” said Ms. Garofalini. “It completely halted any progress and cured” a developing blister, she said, adding that it was “easy to apply, undetectable while walking and stayed put perfectly.”
Adventure Medical Kits GlacierGel Advanced Blister & Burn Dressing
$11.50 for six pads. These see-through, water-filled gel pads cushion blisters and absorb leakage without needing a separate dressing. Ms. Garofalini said these, her “second favorite,” were good for “really bad blisters” because the padding was slightly thicker than the Blist-O-Ban. The slim, waterproof-bag packaging made it “easy to carry and use in the field,” she added.
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April 22nd, 2008
Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is much deadlier when it appears on the scalp or neck than somewhere else on the body, according to a study published Monday in the Archives of Dermatology.
People with scalp or neck melanomas died at nearly twice the rate of those with melanoma elsewhere on the body, the researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported in the Archives of Dermatology. People with melanomas on the arms, legs, face or ears had the best prognosis, they said.
They analyzed data on 51,704 people with melanoma in the United States from 1992 to 2003 and found survival rates varied depending on where on the body it first appeared.
We recomend that everyone get a full body skin check once a year, and conduct a self skin exam once a month. To help you with your self-exam we have put together the following resources:
Learn the ABCD’s of Melanoma
How To - Self Skin Exam
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April 3rd, 2008
On Aug 14, 2008, Dr. Ellis will be discussing “The Aging Face: Prevention & Treatment” at 7pm at
North Shore University, Manhasset. The talk will be given in the Rust Auditorium & admission is free. Due to limited seating, pre-registration is required, and can be done by calling 516-465-2500.
This will be an exciting opportunity for all to learn about what you can do to keep you looking your best. Additional information about the talk can be found
here.
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March 27th, 2008
Top skin creams average about $400 an ounce (and you thought gas was expensive!), yet most offer little proof that they do half of what they promise. Want to save a bundle and improve your skin? Load your shopping cart with nutrients that research has shown to have skin-hydrating, sun-protecting, and even wrinkle-preventing powers. Here’s a grocery list of some of the best foods for your skin.
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March 10th, 2008
Skin cancer refers to the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of skin cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Risk factors include fair skin, family history of skin cancer and past sun exposure. Fortunately, skin cancer is almost always curable if detected and treated early. If you would like some tips on how to do a
complete skin exam on your own, look here.
The most common skin cancers are:
- Basal cell carcinoma - 80-85% of all skin cancers.
- Squamous cell carcinoma - 10% of all skin cancers.
- Melanoma - 5% of all skin cancers. Melanoma is a rare but very dangerous type of skin cancer. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease.
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February 16th, 2008
MTV’s award winning documentary series, True Life has asked belaray dermatology to help them in their casting call. They are planning an hour-long episode that will follow three people between the ages of 15 and 25 with acne.
If selected, the true life video crew will follow you a few days at a time over the course of two and a half months. You will have the chance to create your own documentary, and tell your own story. By capturing your words and life experiences you will be able to share your life, and how acne affects it. They will follow you as you seek treatment, and as you get better.
If you have acne and want to be on TV - this may be for you:
True Life: I Have Acne
If you have acne and just want to get better, please call our office. We can help you!
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February 14th, 2008
In honor of Belaray Dermatology’s newest additions to the Belaray Beauty Product Line, we are launching our first ever design competition.
We have always wanted our very own UV-friendly T-shirt, incorporating organic cotton, water-based inks and a clever design, to illustrate our mission of healthy & beautiful skin. We know that our readers are a creative and future-forward bunch, so we thought it a perfect opportunity to open it up to our readers and see what you can do. Show off your design skills and promote the cause of beautiful skin at the same time. You could even win some fabulous prizes in the process!
Submission Deadline: MARCH 15th
FIRST PRIZE: ipod shuffle
FINALISTS will receive T-shirts and publication on the belaray blog
Here’s the lowdown: We are planning to produce T-shirts that are fun to wear, and remind us all to be sun-safe. We are looking for designs that are creative, clever and incorporate the Belaray brand some way - either through our color palette, or the Belaray logo. The winning designer will have their design printed on all of our T-shirts, and will also win an ipod shuffle.
To register: Send an e-mail to design [at] belaray.com
After we receive your e-mail, we will give you access to our logo and colors. You can submit up to 3 designs with your application. Please send your original artwork in .jpg or .pdf format.
Finalists will be announced the last week of March - and readers will have the opportunity to vote on the winning designs starting in April.
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Did you know that some ingredients in cosmetics, medications, make up, sunblocks, shaving creams, and hair care products can cause pimples and skin irritation? The only way to tell if your products may be contributing to your skin problem is to know what ingredients might be bad for your skin.
