Skin Care - Rao Dermatology

How Coffee Affects Your Skin

Mornings usually begin with a hesitant awaking from a slumber among fluffy pillows and sheets, a light stretch to alert your muscles, and a hot cup of coffee to kick start your day. Coffee is the easiest preservative of energy and many people rely on its effects for productivity. But what is doing to your skin? Does it have any effect at all? Well, coffee has been a subject of study for quite sometime, particular with respect to skin cancer. Specifically, caffeine has been shown to prevent ultraviolet radiation-induced carcinogenesis and prevent the growth of melanoma cells.

By definition, melanoma is a malignant tumor that starts in melanocytes, which are cells responsible for making melanin. When melanocytes start behaving abnormally it can lead to cancer. For example, the anomalistic moles have a greater probability of developing melanoma.

In a 2015 study conducted by Shaowei Wu et al., caffeine intake and coffee consumption were assessed to gage the risk factors of cutaneous malignant melanoma. Researchers tested participants’ health, medical records, and dietary exposure by obtaining medical records to track medical history and food-frequency questionnaires respectively. Following the four-year assessment, Wu et al., found that “higher caffeine intake and caffeinated coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma”. On the other hand, there was no association found between consumption of decaffeinated coffee and risk of melanoma. Additionally, the inverse association with caffeine intake and caffeinated coffee consumption was more apparent in women than in men. The researchers note that these results are consistent with others. Caffeine is capable of disposing of sunburn cells by enhancing “UV-induced apoptosis”. Further studies have also shown that the administration of caffeine could contribute significantly to the removal of DNA-damaged cells.

Based on this research, it is fair to conclude that coffee or caffeine is not a terrible start to your day or skin, however it is limited by research and pre-existing medical conditions.

Skin Conditions

Most consumers, and people in general, are aware of the categorical distinction of skin types. In fact, more and more dermatological products list the most beneficial (and sometimes least beneficial) skin types on the label in order to optimize the effects of the product. What consumers are less aware of however, are the categories of skin conditions. While some people may identify with these categories unknowingly, there is very little awareness that these distinctions exist. We’ve listed the five skin conditions to help you become more familiar with your category.

Aging: the characteristics of aging skin condition include enlarged pores, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and a lack of elasticity. Aging skin can derive from overexposure to the sun and a lack of your skin’s natural oils. Individuals with the aging skin condition should gravitate towards products that increase collagen production.

Acne: unsurprisingly, acne skin condition consists of a vast majority of black and whiteheads, cysts, and nodules. This skin condition can be a result of overly oily skin. In order to combat acne skin, look for products that reduce the oil in your face, especially exfoliants.

Dehydrated: the characteristics of dehydrated skin condition are just as its title suggests; it lacks sufficient levels of hydration and the skin does a half-assed job in water retention. This lack of moisture makes the skin more wrinkle-prone. This condition is treated by consistently adding moisture to the skin.

Sensitized: sensitized skin tends to be inflamed, red, and irritable. To combat sensitized skin, use products that are anti-inflammatory to soothe redness and inflammation.

Skin condition awareness coupled with skin types can lead to a remarkable pairing to obtain the best products for skin care and overall wellness.

The Real Deal on Exfoliating

Exfoliating is a significant part of any effective skin care regimen. It’s the process by which dead cells are removed to allow new and radiant skin to protrude. Unfortunately, its effectiveness is distorted by misuse and misapplication. Our dermatologists at Rao Dermatology recommend exfoliating to optimize the health and wealth of your skin.

Exfoliating may not be a part of everyone’s daily routine. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid exfoliating more than twice per week. For all other skin types, the frequency of exfoliating is somewhat of a paradox: over-exfoliation is evident in irritable skin, redness, or tender skin. On the other hand, not exfoliating enough is apparent in rough and dull skin; you have to engage in trial and error to find a frequency that accommodates your skin type and peculiarity. Dermatologists suggest that if you are using exfoliating brushes you should limit yourself to twice/weekly regimens. If you are using washcloths you can increase exfoliation subject to your skin’s tolerance.

Understanding when and how often to exfoliate is crucial to the process of the removal of dead skin cells, but so is the understanding of what parts of your skin to exfoliate. Specifically, exfoliation should extend down to your neck and. during humid temperatures, span throughout your entire body. Try being more intentional in your exfoliation routines.

Now that we’ve clarified some of the most common misconceptions and misdirection regarding exfoliation, consider the following products to put your newly acquired knowledge into practice:

Skinceuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

Targets congested and rough skin by combining natural microbeads with gently cleansing and hydrating agents to facilitate a deep cleanse pores. It helps soften and smooth rough skin, however, it is not favourable to sensitive skin.

Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator

Ideal for all skin types, this multi-functional activator simultaneously exfoliates your skin and replenishes moisture.

If you need further assistance on exfoliation, our dermatologists would be happy to help.

Baby Products, Adult Benefits

Their smiles, their smell, their cute little piggy toes, and now their products; we can’t seem to get enough of babies! It’s safe to say that if a product is good enough for a child’s skin, it is likely the case that it is equally sufficient for an adult; that is the stance that a lot of mothers, women, and even some men are taking as they embark on their conscious skincare journey. We’ve kept an eye on this recent trend and found a few baby products that are doing wonders for adults.

Baby Wipes

The most common baby product used by adults is baby wipes. You can find them tucked away neatly in women’s handbags or stashed discretely in men’s glove compartments. Women tend to use this gem to remove makeup, wipe their hands, and replace cheap tissue papers in public bathrooms. Men on the other hand, rely on this baby trend to combat their sweaty faces and necks. Baby wipes contain zero toxins and, more than before, are made from natural products.

Baby Detergent

Research has shown that the products you use on our clothes, overtime, have an impact on your skin both internally and externally. As a result, individuals, especially women, have opted for baby detergent. They are free of toxic chemicals and fragrances and contain properties that promote gentle and soft skin.

Aveeno Baby moisturizer

Baby lotions are often very popular for their distinctive and calming scent, but it’s Aveeno’s Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream that seems to fall off the store shelves and unto the skin of the older. This moisturizer is a staple product for adults because it nurses dry skin without leaving a greasy residue. It relieves dry and itchy skin and contains no fragrance or steroids.

Didn’t see a product that you’ve been using? Give us a call and we’ll let you know if your baby fever is heading in the right direction!

Don’t Be So Sensitive?

Have you been burdened with the task of having to go deep diving to find products that that won’t irritate your skin? Sensitive skin is far more common that you may want to believe, and though it may be a high-maintenance and time-consuming disposition, there are a few factors that may be contributing to your skin’s sensitivity.

Critique the Atmosphere

The air, as refreshing as it may be, can contain high volumes of contaminants. If you are in an environment saturated with dirt and pollution, which includes but is not limited to smoke, exhaust fumes, dust, and industrial waste, your skin can become irritable and pasty as a result. This type of pollution is almost unavoidable and can clog your pores and be absorbed by the skin’s natural barrier. Consequently, your skin fails to perform its natural purification processes resulting in sensitive skin. If you’re aware of excessive pollution in your surroundings try covering your skin on a consistent basis and drink lots of water.

Another atmospheric change that has a negative effect on your skin’s sensitivity is the weather. Extreme dry weather causes dehydration and by extension, sensitive skin. This most commonly occurs in the winter when you rotate between cold air and central heating. One of the best ways to combat this type of skin sensitivity is to moisturize your skin multiple times per day and be intentional about your hydration routine.

Stress

The environment may play a huge role in skin care, but stress is an internal mechanism that alters your skin’s sensitivity. Stress that derives from challenges such as a lack of sleep, bad eating habits, and conflict can slow down the hormones responsible for skin regulation. Over time, your skin will be defective in repair and maintenance and your skin may become sensitive. Try engaging in stress-free activities to defend stress-related skin inconsistencies.

Ingredients in Skincare Products

Finally, sensitive skin can be a direct result of the ingredients in skincare products. Take an active role in reading the ingredients of the products you apply to your skin. If you are uncertain about certain compounds, consult your dermatologist because you may be allergic.

If you think you’ve got sensitive skin, contact our office and book an appointment so we can initiate a recovery regimen that suits your needs.

Summer Lips, Summer Kiss

Solve this equation: humid weather plus inconsistent and neglectful lip care equals…that’s right, disaster. As spring tugs on summer’s coattails it’s time to start adding a little more UMPH to those lips. By UMPH we mean committing to products and regimens that provide round-the-clock lip protection, especially when the sun is working overtime.

If you feel like you’re not ready to make a big change and invest in too much product purchasing, an ideal starting point to enhance your lip care is your internal health. Your diet choices play a significant role in how your lips react to sunlight exposure. Aim to eat a variety of green leafy vegetables and fruits, and foods rich in vitamins. Most importantly however, increase your water consumption to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water regulates your lips and skin’s natural balance; it stimulates the circulation of blood and fluids within your body. Further, if you are physically active on a day-to-day basis, consuming water replaces the moisture you’ve lost throughout. Being mindful of your diet is a useful foundation for lip protection, but it is not the only method.

Once you’ve made an internal effort to keep your lips moist and sun-free, consider external care. Purchase lip products with SPF benefits to maximize your coverage from UV rays. Our dermatologists recommend Skinceuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair. This product helps tackle any environmental damage to your lips while simultaneously smoothing and rehydrating the lips surface. It is packed with vitamin E and you can apply it daily.

Now that we’ve got you covered for the day routine, we’ll shed some light on how to get your lips working at night. Peppermint is a natural remedy for summer sun damage. Add ten drops of peppermint essential oil to one tablespoon of honey and apply it to your lips right before bed. When you wake up in the morning, rinse and apply your lip balm or Skinceuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair to start your day. If you don’t have peppermint lying around in your cupboard, coconut oil or almond oil will suffice.

Don’t let the sun burn your lips out this summer. Follow these tips so you can always be ready to pucker up for a kiss.

Everyone’s Got a Type

How many times have you spent hours in the skin care isle trying to decide which facial cleanser, toner, or moisturizer is best for you? Perhaps one too many! You pick something up that you think is synonymous with your skin type and suffer through mediocre results once you’ve tried it and realized it is not your true match after all. Well your ill-fated shopping trips end here. Our dermatologists at Rao Dermatology want you to become intimate with your skin; get to know what it likes and dislikes. Follow our guide below and say goodbye to your uncertainties.

Normal Skin

Normal skin is almost as transparent as the name suggests. If your skin type is normal you can expect to see even pigmentation, balanced sebum (fat) production, and balanced hydration. Your skin is in somewhat of a neutral state and is not really affected by too many products. Individuals with normal skin type are also not prone to blemishes and can often look forward to having great skin.

Oily Skin

If you identify with an oily skin type you’ve probably been told that your face is always glowing. The reality is you’re more than likely just shining. That’s because individuals with oily skin type tend to have shiny skin. The sebaceous glands of oily skin are usually overactive and these two factors combined promote acne-prone skin. Aim for products that specify oily-skin compatibility.

Dry Skin

Dry skin type is the obvious opposite of oily skin. The main characteristic of this skin type is tight, uncomfortable and itchy skin. In these instances, your skin does not produce enough oil to keep itself moisturized. As a result, you experience discomfort and in extreme cases, flaking. Unfortunately, individuals with dry skin are also more prone to wrinkles. Pay close attention to the hydrating properties in your Dry Skin products when you spot them on the shelf.

Combination

Combination Skin type is simply a combination of oily and dry skin. More specifically, it consists of an oily T-zone and dry patches on the cheek. This skin type is more complex when considering the right skin care products to apply to your face because you are tackling two different problems. If you are unsure about the Combination skin care products in your local store, give us a call and one of our dermatologists will advise you.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin tends to be hyperactive and is prone to react negatively to common ingredients. Almost anything an individual with sensitive skin puts on their face will convert into redness and discomfort. Always double check the ingredients in sensitive skin type facial products to ensure you are not putting your skin at risk.

Now that you’ve been schooled, don’t let this guide stop with you. At Rao Dermatology we encourage our clients to spread the word and be a vessel. So, the next time you’re in the skin care isle at your favourite drug or department store, share your knowledge with someone else; that’s really how you save face.

Facial Sunscreens

As the weather warms up, the sunglasses come out, but so too should the sunscreen. It is not surprising that when most individuals apply sunscreen they lather their arms, legs, and neck but leave their faces exposed. Of course the explanation usually is that the sunscreen is too sticky, smells too strong, or expressly restricts application to the face. This does not imply however, that you should continue to deny your face protection from the sun.

Here are a few facial sunscreens you can incorporate into your sunny day ritual.
SKINCEUTICAL’S PHYSICAL MATTE UV DEFENSE SPF 50

Skinceutical’s Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50 is a go-to product for many individuals because while it provides a broad spectrum of UV protection, it simultaneously maintains the matte finish in severe humidity. Further it is weightless and dries to a powder finish. As a result, you avoid the pasty sticky feeling that usually keeps you from moisturizing on a sun-filled day. What makes this facial sunscreen unique is its ability to minimize the appearance of pores. You can’t go wrong with a sunscreen that does the work of your everyday moisturizer and more.
SKINCEUTICAL’S PHYSICAL EYE UV DEFENSE SPF 50

Your eyes are extremely sensitive organs and can benefit from additional protection from the sun. Use Skinceutical’s Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50 to get the best coverage. The mixture is curated to compliment the thinner and more sensitive skin around the eyes. Upon application, the mixture eases onto the skin smoothly and nourishes and enhances the whole appearance of your eye. This facial sunscreen is a staple in your skin care cabinet for a few reasons: it is a sufficient base for makeup application, it contains a tint that brightens your skin tone, and it has been proven effective on other facial features such as your cheekbones and eyelids.
SKINCEUTICAL’S PHYSICAL FUSION UV DEFENSE SPF 50 125ML

If you’ve got oily skin the sun and heat will not reduce the moisture in your face. Consider implementing Skinceutical’s Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. The compound in this facial sunscreen adapts to every skin tone and is water resistant for up to 40 minutes. This product is among the most highly recommended sunscreens due to the plankton extract ingredient, which increases the skin’s resistance to UV and heat-induced stress. The benefits of Physical Fusion UV Defense span across all skin types.

This list is not exhaustive. There are myriad facial sunscreens available to protect your skin. If you are unsure about some of the products, contact our office and we can assist you.

In addition, please don’t forget about Vitamin c which also adds an additional layer of protection.

The Feminism of Dermatology

Distant are the days men sneak through the cracks of salon and spa establishments to confront their desires for professional self care. Men have become more open and honest about booking appointments to improve and nurture their outward appearance, and rightfully so. We at Rao Dermatology have recognized this exponential growth and have welcomed it affirmatively.

Our specialized treatments combat the concerns men have with droopy eyelids, excessive body hair, and the distribution of body fat (to name a few). We offer minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatments, which have become notorious for subtle changes in the texture and radiance of the skin.

At Rao Dermatology we encourage our clients to confront their best selves. For men, that means (in part) coming to terms with the fact that the expectation women are frequently subjected to regarding outward appearance is now a bilateral one. This change is one we believe men should be excited about. Self-care is a nondiscriminatory holistic experience that should be ritualistically embraced. This is why we encourage our clients to try each of our treatments—to expose their skin to the highest caliber of dermatology that will transform both the inner and outer self.

So put the embarrassment and hiding away. Allow conversations to sound less like, “guys don’t do facials” and more like, “I‘ll catch you later for drinks after my skin rejuvenation treatment”. Once the conversations begin to shift, so will the classification of what is normal and abnormal for men. We love that our services are inclusive so there is no need for the surreptitious phone calls or dark rooms. We promise it is more common than you think. When you book your next appointment, don’t be surprised if your best bud from work is in our waiting lounge preparing to have his pores cleansed while he fights you for the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated.

5 Common Skin Care Myths

Rao Dermatology offers some tips for keeping your skin healthy and young. Skin care is a topic that is filled with many myths. Some of these myths are perpetuated by companies who are only interested in getting you to buy their newest product. Others are old wives’ tales that have been repeated so long that people simply accept them as truth. Here is a look at five of the most common skin care myths that you should ignore.

Buy the Highest SPF Sunscreen

In general, a higher number means that you get more of something. Although this notion is technically true with sunscreen, the extra protection is essentially useless. The increased protection of any sunscreen above SPF 30 is negligible. It is also important to check that your sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection in order to prevent damage from every type of UV ray.

You Only Need Sunscreen on Sunny Days

Most people leave their sunscreen in the closet until the sunny summer months come around. However, your skin can be damaged by the sun all year long. You should even wear sunscreen during a cloudy day. Although you might not get a sunburn when it isn’t sunny, the damage from the sun will gradually age your skin over the years.

Scrub Your Face to Prevent Acne

Good hygiene is important for the prevention of acne. However, many people wash their face too roughly and too frequently. This kind of face washing will irritate your skin and actually make it more prone to developing blemishes. You should only wash your face a few times a day using cold water and clean hands. Avoid using any harsh soaps or scented moisturizers.

Sunblock is Not Enough

If you spend time enjoying the sun then we might recommend that you add Vitamin C Serums in addition to sunblock. At Rao Dermatology we have just what you need to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun while still getting your dose of Vitamin D. Vitamin C Serums act as an antioxidant which helps to repair and renew cells. For more information on these serums please feel free to contact Rao Dermatology in Edmonton at 780-437-7189. We are here to help you take the best possible care of your skin.

Pop a Pimple to Remove the Pus

In general, you should let a pimple run its course. Popping it can cause scarring and might spread the infection. However, if you feel that you must pop it, do not use your fingers. Drain it using a sterile lancet that is pointed away from the skin. You can also use a device known as a comedone extractor.

Taking good care of your skin isn’t as confusing as it can seem. If you avoid following bad advice, your skin will be healthy for years to come.