Now that you have the 411 on KP, here is a list of Do's and Don'ts in dealing with the symptoms of KP.
DO take measures to keep skin moisturized, especially in dry winter months.
DO use special lotions that contain exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic or lactic acid.
DO gently massage the lotions into the affected area at least twice a day.
DO use a mild scrub or loofah to gently exfoliate the area weekly.
DO book professional treatments with a medical aesthetician to increase the effectiveness of your home care regimen.
DO consult a physician if your KP bothers you, as they can sometimes prescribe medication to clear it.
DON'T scrub the skin harshly, scrape the affected area, or pick at the bumps. This WILL cause permanent scarring.
DON'T expect immediate results or a permanent cure to your KP. Treatment can manage symptoms and improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin, but regular care will be required to maintain results.
DON'T forget your spf 30+ sunscreen daily, 365 days a year. Skin that is affected by KP is at a higher risk for sun sensitivity, especially if you are treating with AHA products or topical retinoids. If your skin is over-exposed to the sun, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) can occur and permanent scarring will result.
Book a consultation today to regain control of your chicken bumps!
Showing posts with label Chicago Skin Solutions Med Spa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Skin Solutions Med Spa. Show all posts
Friday, October 5, 2012
KP Part 2: Treatment Options
Keratosis pilaris, or KP, is a skin disorder with no universal cure. KP often fluctuates in severity depending on the season and with age. Often it is worse in children, and gets a bit better with age, although 40% of adults still see symptoms. The dry winter air often worsens the appearance of KP, and the warmer summer months seem to improve the disorder. So what should you do? If your KP bothers you, there are many professional and home care treatment options that can improve and manage the appearance of these bumps. As a medical aesthetician, I recommend beginning with less invasive treatments before moving to prescription products or more invasive medical procedures.
*** SPOILER ALERT *** Remember that there is no cure, and the following treatment options will work for some and not for others. It is best to seek a medical aesthetician or dermatologist advice, instead of trying to gain a quick fix with over-the-counter remedies.
1. Regular professional exfoliation is necessary. Scheduling monthly microdermabrasions or chemical peels with a medical aesthetician will help increase cell turnover and remove the hard plugs of keratin from the hair follicle.
2. A home care regimen that includes a cleanser and moisturizer with moderate to high (15-30%) percentages of lactic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid to hydrate and exfoliate the skin. We recommend the Daily Exfoliating Cleanser and Firming Body Cream from Vivite, due to its high percentage of glycolic acid. (It works great on smoothing the skin all over the body too).
3. If hair follicles are clogged with ingrown hairs after the hard plugs of keratin have been removed, then it is recommended to do a course of laser hair removal to stop the production of hair growth in the affected areas.
4. Once your KP has cleared, sometimes scars can be left on the skin. In this instance IPL photorejuvenation can minimize the appearance of these scars.
The best way to determine what your course of treatment should be, it is best to schedule a consultation with a medical aesthetician. Remember, at Chicago Skin Solutions consultations are always free!
*** SPOILER ALERT *** Remember that there is no cure, and the following treatment options will work for some and not for others. It is best to seek a medical aesthetician or dermatologist advice, instead of trying to gain a quick fix with over-the-counter remedies.
1. Regular professional exfoliation is necessary. Scheduling monthly microdermabrasions or chemical peels with a medical aesthetician will help increase cell turnover and remove the hard plugs of keratin from the hair follicle.
2. A home care regimen that includes a cleanser and moisturizer with moderate to high (15-30%) percentages of lactic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid to hydrate and exfoliate the skin. We recommend the Daily Exfoliating Cleanser and Firming Body Cream from Vivite, due to its high percentage of glycolic acid. (It works great on smoothing the skin all over the body too).
3. If hair follicles are clogged with ingrown hairs after the hard plugs of keratin have been removed, then it is recommended to do a course of laser hair removal to stop the production of hair growth in the affected areas.
4. Once your KP has cleared, sometimes scars can be left on the skin. In this instance IPL photorejuvenation can minimize the appearance of these scars.
The best way to determine what your course of treatment should be, it is best to schedule a consultation with a medical aesthetician. Remember, at Chicago Skin Solutions consultations are always free!
Keratosis pilaris Part 1: Why do I have "chicken bumps" on my arms?
Chicken bumps, gooseflesh, chicken skin, or permanent goosebumps? Well, that sure sounds attractive. Personally, I suffer from the unsightly red bumps on my upper arms too, as do more than 40% of adults. These bumps, and my inability to treat them, is part of what drove to me to become a medical aesthetician. On my first day of class, I raised my hand to ask what they were. "Keratosis pilaris" is the proper medical term used to describe the condition that so many people suffer from. In the interest of medical aesthetics, I refuse to refer to them as "Chicken bumps" or "gooseflesh" any longer. So what exactly is KP and what causes it? KP is a benign (harmless) and genetic (runs in families 80% of the time) skin condition in which protein (keratin) in the skin forms hard plugs around the hair follicles. While KP is an extremely common disorder, there is not much research dedicated to the cause or treatment of this condition. All we seem to know is that some people produce an excessive amount of the keratin protein (called hyperkeratinization) and that the symptoms seem to flare up in winter and improve in summer. Your dermatologist or medical aesthetician can usually recognize the symptoms of KP, and further tests are not necessary. While KP is benign, it is a condition that is often cosmetically bothersome. If that is the case for you, come in to see me and we can discuss a treatment plan to manage your symptoms. At Chicago Skin Solutions, CONSULTATIONS ARE ALWAYS FREE! Call 312-770-7546 to schedule one today!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Navigating SPF Part 3: Suncare Tips and Tricks
Other tips related to sunscreen:
1. Would you drink spoiled milk?
Monitor the expiration dates that now appear on sunscreen labels and don't gamble with expired product. It will not protect your skin!
2. Insect repellents reduce SPF by up to a third.
That means the 15+ you just applied is now an SPF 5. To be safe, when using bug spray and sunscreen together, use a SPF 50+, and avoid bugs and cancer.
3. Find yourself a really sexy hat.
I'm not kidding! Even with sunscreen, damage from the suns rays cause hyperpigmentation and wrinkling. Wrinkles are ugly, so find a hat and keep your sexy face covered!
4. Don't forget about your hands.
Hands begin to show age quickly, as the skin is thin and susceptible to damage. Find a really great hand lotion containing SPF and keep it near your sink. Between hand washings, dish cleanings, and refilling your water glass, it can be a constant reminder that you need to reapply sunscreen to your delicate hands often! Same goes for your lips... find a great lip balm with an SPF and keep those lips kissable!
5. Make bronzer your bestie!
Who needs to lay out or fake bake anymore? There are so many amazing bronzing products out there, you can be a bronzed goddess 365 days a year! So, now it is your turn to do a little work. I want to hear about all of the sunscreen products you love, so I can go out and try them and review them here! "My Favorite Things" will become a regular post here, so even if your favorites are not sunscreen related, I would love to hear about it and review them for you!
1. Would you drink spoiled milk?
Monitor the expiration dates that now appear on sunscreen labels and don't gamble with expired product. It will not protect your skin!
2. Insect repellents reduce SPF by up to a third.
That means the 15+ you just applied is now an SPF 5. To be safe, when using bug spray and sunscreen together, use a SPF 50+, and avoid bugs and cancer.
3. Find yourself a really sexy hat.
I'm not kidding! Even with sunscreen, damage from the suns rays cause hyperpigmentation and wrinkling. Wrinkles are ugly, so find a hat and keep your sexy face covered!
4. Don't forget about your hands.
Hands begin to show age quickly, as the skin is thin and susceptible to damage. Find a really great hand lotion containing SPF and keep it near your sink. Between hand washings, dish cleanings, and refilling your water glass, it can be a constant reminder that you need to reapply sunscreen to your delicate hands often! Same goes for your lips... find a great lip balm with an SPF and keep those lips kissable!
5. Make bronzer your bestie!
Who needs to lay out or fake bake anymore? There are so many amazing bronzing products out there, you can be a bronzed goddess 365 days a year! So, now it is your turn to do a little work. I want to hear about all of the sunscreen products you love, so I can go out and try them and review them here! "My Favorite Things" will become a regular post here, so even if your favorites are not sunscreen related, I would love to hear about it and review them for you!
Navigating SPF Part 2: How to apply
Ok, now that we got all of the government mumbo-jumbo out of the way, a much more simple question. How do I properly use sunscreen? Well, the answer is that most adults do NOT apply sunscreen correctly, so it obviously is not as simple as we thought. So here is my step-by-step instructions to the proper use of sunscreen:
1. Shake the bottle like crazy before you even THINK about squirting it into your hands. This is the only way to distribute the ingredients together and make the product effective.
2. That small dollop that you just dispensed onto your fingers is not enough to cover your whole body... think again! Imagine filling at least a shot glass full of sunscreen, because most adults need a full 1 oz of sunscreen to cover their whole body. It's always ok to apply more than you think you should... go crazy! Too much is never enough!
3. I hate repeating myself, but I'll make an exception here... you must apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun. The ingredients must attach to your skin to actually work!
4. I also recommend another "dose" of sunscreen when you have been in the sun for about 30 minutes. Why? Because you most likely missed a sensitive area like the tops of your ears, or behind your knees, or in the part of your hair... so do it again just to be safe. How much? Another shot glass full!
5. Repeating myself again, but I'll forgive you this time. So now you have been in the water, or sweating on the sand volleyball court for like an hour? Towel yourself off and guess what? Another shot glass full. Yeah, your heard me right... another shot.
6. Final time I'm going to say this. Maybe you are a beach bum, reading on your towel and not getting wet or sweaty... well if it has been two hours and you've finished "The Hunger Games" then guess what? Another shot glass, from head to toe.
So, now I have made you an expert on the application of sunscreen. You are never going to get sunburn again right? Wrong. Even if you applied SPF 50+ according to the directions and completely doused yourself in protection, it is entirely possible to get a sunburn when the sun is at it's strongest. That is anytime between 10am and 4pm, so try to limit your exposure at that time!
1. Shake the bottle like crazy before you even THINK about squirting it into your hands. This is the only way to distribute the ingredients together and make the product effective.
2. That small dollop that you just dispensed onto your fingers is not enough to cover your whole body... think again! Imagine filling at least a shot glass full of sunscreen, because most adults need a full 1 oz of sunscreen to cover their whole body. It's always ok to apply more than you think you should... go crazy! Too much is never enough!
3. I hate repeating myself, but I'll make an exception here... you must apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun. The ingredients must attach to your skin to actually work!
4. I also recommend another "dose" of sunscreen when you have been in the sun for about 30 minutes. Why? Because you most likely missed a sensitive area like the tops of your ears, or behind your knees, or in the part of your hair... so do it again just to be safe. How much? Another shot glass full!
5. Repeating myself again, but I'll forgive you this time. So now you have been in the water, or sweating on the sand volleyball court for like an hour? Towel yourself off and guess what? Another shot glass full. Yeah, your heard me right... another shot.
6. Final time I'm going to say this. Maybe you are a beach bum, reading on your towel and not getting wet or sweaty... well if it has been two hours and you've finished "The Hunger Games" then guess what? Another shot glass, from head to toe.
So, now I have made you an expert on the application of sunscreen. You are never going to get sunburn again right? Wrong. Even if you applied SPF 50+ according to the directions and completely doused yourself in protection, it is entirely possible to get a sunburn when the sun is at it's strongest. That is anytime between 10am and 4pm, so try to limit your exposure at that time!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Navigating SPF Part 1: New FDA Regulations
Looking for youth in a bottle? Make sunscreen your best friend! While many products can claim to turn back time and reverse the signs of aging, the only true "youth in a bottle" is a quality sunscreen. How do you choose the best sunscreen for you? With so many different products on the market, it can be tough navigating the world of SPF. With an early spring this year, and summer quickly approaching, what better time to discuss sun protection than today? Last year, the FDA handed down new regulations to the manufacturers of sunscreen. The changes will be in place for 2012. What does this mean for you? I'll break it down!
1. Limiting the use of the term "Broad Spectrum" in labeling, to only those products that protect against the burning UVB rays, but also against cancer-causing UVA rays, and must be of SPF 15 or higher. Additionally, sunscreens with SPF between 2 and 14 must inform the consumer that they only protect against burns and NOT cancer. Always purchase "Broad Spectrum" sunscreens of SPF 15+ to protect yourself against both aging and for cancer prevention.
2. Eliminating the terms "Waterproof" and "Sweatproof." Manufacturers may claim their product to be "water resistant," but must clearly state the amount of time a user can expect to maintain the declared SPF while swimming or sweating. The labels are only permitted to claim 40 minutes or 80 minutes. Remember to reapply sunscreen often when swimming or sweating!
3. Manufacturers can no longer make claims of "instant protection." Remember that sunscreen is most effective when applied 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and when reapplied every two hours (at the latest!)
4. Spray sunscreens must include new labels that warn against the risk of inhaling the product. In my opinion, avoid spray sunscreen altogether. Besides the risk of inhaling chemicals, aerosol sprays are terrible for our environment! The FDA is currently in research to find out if the spray sunscreens are even as effective as lotion varieties, because of the application and dosing from the can. Stick with good, old fashioned cream or lotion!
5. Sunscreen in other forms is under the FDA's critical eye too. Sunscreen in the form of wipes, towelettes, body washes, and shampoo may eventually be considered completely ineffective. If the risk of these not working is even a small possibility, I would avoid them completely.
1. Limiting the use of the term "Broad Spectrum" in labeling, to only those products that protect against the burning UVB rays, but also against cancer-causing UVA rays, and must be of SPF 15 or higher. Additionally, sunscreens with SPF between 2 and 14 must inform the consumer that they only protect against burns and NOT cancer. Always purchase "Broad Spectrum" sunscreens of SPF 15+ to protect yourself against both aging and for cancer prevention.
2. Eliminating the terms "Waterproof" and "Sweatproof." Manufacturers may claim their product to be "water resistant," but must clearly state the amount of time a user can expect to maintain the declared SPF while swimming or sweating. The labels are only permitted to claim 40 minutes or 80 minutes. Remember to reapply sunscreen often when swimming or sweating!
3. Manufacturers can no longer make claims of "instant protection." Remember that sunscreen is most effective when applied 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and when reapplied every two hours (at the latest!)
4. Spray sunscreens must include new labels that warn against the risk of inhaling the product. In my opinion, avoid spray sunscreen altogether. Besides the risk of inhaling chemicals, aerosol sprays are terrible for our environment! The FDA is currently in research to find out if the spray sunscreens are even as effective as lotion varieties, because of the application and dosing from the can. Stick with good, old fashioned cream or lotion!
5. Sunscreen in other forms is under the FDA's critical eye too. Sunscreen in the form of wipes, towelettes, body washes, and shampoo may eventually be considered completely ineffective. If the risk of these not working is even a small possibility, I would avoid them completely.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Chicago Skin Solutions
Many patients have asked us to start a blog on our treatments, procedures, new anti-aging trends, medical skin care and the latest news in technology from hair removal to skin tightening. So we will start here with who we are and what we do.
Chicago Skin Solutions is a medical and anti-aging spa offering many non-invasive procedures to men and women. We perform medical treatments by using the latest technology to help patients enhance the look and feel of their skin and their overall appearance. We offer a cosmeceutical skin care line to slow down and correct the process of aging or damaged skin. By providing both medical and anti-aging treatments our patients can have the comfort of knowing we are truly working to make them look their best.
Chicago Skin Solutions is a medical and anti-aging spa offering many non-invasive procedures to men and women. We perform medical treatments by using the latest technology to help patients enhance the look and feel of their skin and their overall appearance. We offer a cosmeceutical skin care line to slow down and correct the process of aging or damaged skin. By providing both medical and anti-aging treatments our patients can have the comfort of knowing we are truly working to make them look their best.
All procedures are supervised by Dr. Bradley Hulten, M.D. and his highly trained staff members. All staff members are discrete, professional and knowledgeable in many aspects of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Dr. Hulten is a Board Certified Physician with the State of Illinois. He has twelve years experience working with patients in the Chicago area. He also has expertise in cosmetic laser surgery and aesthetic skin care. Non-invasive cosmetic procedures offer a quick recovery, little or no down time and often can be completed in less than an hour. This makes our procedures perfect for your busy schedule.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)