Acne

raza asked:


A detailed and comprehensive discussion of acne scars starts with causes of scarring, prevention of scarring, types of scars, and treatments for scars.

Before talking about scars, a word about spots that may look like scars but are not scars in the sense that a permanent change has occurred. Even though they are not true scars and disappear in time, they are visible and can cause embarrassment.

Macules or “pseudo-scars” are flat, red or reddish spots that are the final stage of most inflamed acne lesions. After an inflamed acne lesion flattens, a macule may remain to “mark the spot” for up to 6 months. When the macule eventually disappears, no trace of it will remain—unlike a scar.

Post-inflammatory pigmentation is discoloration of the skin at the site of a healed or healing inflamed acne lesion. It occurs more frequently in darker-skinned people, but occasionally is seen in people with white skin. Early treatment by a dermatologist may minimize the development of post-inflammatory pigmentation. Some post-inflammatory pigmentation may persist for up to 18 months, especially with excessive sun exposure. Chemical peeling may hasten the disappearance of post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Causes of Acne Scars

In the simplest terms, scars form at the site of an injury to tissue. They are the visible reminders of injury and tissue repair. In the case of acne, the injury is caused by the body’s inflammatory response to sebum, bacteria and dead cells in the plugged sebaceous follicle. Two types of true scars exist, as discussed later: (1) depressed areas such as ice-pick scars, and (2) raised thickened tissue such as keloids.

When tissue suffers an injury, the body rushes its repair kit to the injury site. Among the elements of the repair kit are white blood cells and an array of inflammatory molecules that have the task of repairing tissue and fighting infection. However, when their job is done they may leave a somewhat messy repair site in the form of fibrous scar tissue, or eroded tissue.

White blood cells and inflammatory molecules may remain at the site of an active acne lesion for days or even weeks. In people who are susceptible to scarring, the result may be an acne scar. The occurrence and incidence of scarring is still not well understood, however. There is considerable variation in scarring between one person and another, indicating that some people are more prone to scarring than others. Scarring frequently results from severe inflammatory nodulocystic acne that occurs deep in the skin. But, scarring also may arise from more superficial inflamed lesions. Nodulocystic acne that is most likely to result in scars is seen in these photos:

(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology

National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

The life history of scars also is not well understood. Some people bear their acne scars for a lifetime with little change in the scars, but in other people the skin undergoes some degree of remodeling and acne scars diminish in size.

People also have differing feelings about acne scars. Scars of more or less the same size that may be psychologically distressing to one person may be accepted by another person as “not too bad.” The person who is distressed by scars is more likely to seek treatment to moderate or remove the scars.

Prevention of Acne Scars

As discussed in the previous section on Causes of Acne Scars, the occurrence of scarring is different in different people. It is difficult to predict who will scar, how extensive or deep scars will be, and how long scars will persist. It is also difficult to predict how successfully scars can be prevented by effective acne treatment.

Nevertheless, the only sure method of preventing or limiting the extent of scars is to treat acne early in its course, and as long as necessary. The more that inflammation can be prevented or moderated, the more likely it is that scars can be prevented. (Click on Acne Treatments for more information about treatment of mild, moderate and severe acne). Any person with acne who has a known tendency to scar should be under the care of a dermatologist. (Click on Find a Dermatologist to locate a dermatologist in your geographic area).

Types of Acne Scars

There are two general types of acne scars, defined by tissue response to inflammation: (1) scars caused by increased tissue formation, and (2) scars caused by loss of tissue.

Scars Caused by Increased Tissue Formation

The scars caused by increased tissue formation are called keloids or hypertrophic scars. The word hypertrophy means “enlargement” or “overgrowth.” Both hypertrophic and keloid scars are associated with excessive amounts of the cell substance collagen. Overproduction of collagen is a response of skin cells to injury. The excess collagen becomes piled up in fibrous masses, resulting in a characteristic firm, smooth, usually irregularly-shaped scar. The photo shows a typical severe acne keloid:

(Photo used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology

National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

The typical keloid or hypertrophic scar is 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, but some may be 1 centimeter or larger. Keloid scars tend to “run in families”—that is, abnormal growth of scar tissue is more likely to occur in susceptible people, who often are people with relatives who have similar types of scars.

Hypertrophic and keloid scars persist for years, but may diminish in size over time.

Scars Caused by Loss of Tissue

Acne scars associated with loss of tissue—similar to scars that result from chicken pox—are more common than keloids and hypertrophic scars. Scars associated with loss of tissue are:

Ice-pick scars usually occur on the cheek. They are usually small, with a somewhat jagged edge and steep sides—like wounds from an ice pick. Ice-pick scars may be shallow or deep, and may be hard or soft to the touch. Soft scars can be improved by stretching the skin; hard ice-pick scars cannot be stretched out.

Depressed fibrotic scars are usually quite large, with sharp edges and steep sides. The base of these scars is firm to the touch. Ice-pick scars may evolve into depressed fibrotic scars over time.

Soft scars, superficial or deep are soft to the touch. They have gently sloping rolled edges that merge with normal skin. They are usually small, and either circular or linear in shape.

Atrophic macules are usually fairly small when they occur on the face, but may be a centimeter or larger on the body. They are soft, often with a slightly wrinkled base, and may be bluish in appearance due to blood vessels lying just under the scar. Over time, these scars change from bluish to ivory white in color in white-skinned people, and become much less obvious.

Follicular macular atrophy is more likely to occur on the chest or back of a person with acne. These are small, white, soft lesions, often barely raised above the surface of the skin—somewhat like whiteheads that didn’t fully develop. This condition is sometimes also called “perifollicular elastolysis.” The lesions may persist for months to years.

Treatments for Acne Scars

A number of treatments are available for acne scars through dermatologic surgery. The type of treatment selected should be the one that is best for you in terms of your type of skin, the cost, what you want the treatment to accomplish, and the possibility that some types of treatment may result in more scarring if you are very susceptible to scar formation.

A decision to seek dermatologic surgical treatment for acne scars also depends on:

* The way you feel about scars. Do acne scars psychologically or emotionally affect your life? Are you willing to “live with your scars” and wait for them to fade over time? These are personal decisions only you can make.

* The severity of your scars. Is scarring substantially disfiguring, even by objective assessment?

* A dermatologist’s expert opinion as to whether scar treatment is justified in your particular case, and what scar treatment will be most effective for you.

Before committing to treatment of acne scars, you should have a frank discussion with your dermatologist regarding those questions, and any others you feel are important. You need to tell the dermatologist how you feel about your scars. The dermatologist needs to conduct a full examination and determine whether treatment can, or should, be undertaken.

The objective of scar treatment is to give the skin a more acceptable physical appearance. Total restoration of the skin, to the way it looked before you had acne, is often not possible, but scar treatment does usually improve the appearance of your skin.

The scar treatments that are currently available include:

Collagen injection. Collagen, a normal substance of the body, is injected under the skin to “stretch” and “fill out” certain types of superficial and deep soft scars. Collagen treatment usually does not work as well for ice-pick scars and keloids. Collagen derived from cows or other non-human sources cannot be used in people with autoimmune diseases. Human collagen or fascia is helpful for those allergic to cow-derived collagen. Cosmetic benefit from collagen injection usually lasts 3 to 6 months. Additional collagen injections to maintain the cosmetic benefit are done at additional cost.

Autologous fat transfer. Fat is taken from another site on your own body and prepared for injection into your skin. The fat is injected beneath the surface of the skin to elevate depressed scars. This method of autologous (from your own body) fat transfer is usually used to correct deep contour defects caused by scarring from nodulocystic acne. Because the fat is reabsorbed into the skin over a period of 6 to 18 months, the procedure usually must be repeated. Longer lasting results may be achieved with multiple fat-transfer procedures.

Dermabrasion. This is thought to be the most effective treatment for acne scars. Under local anesthetic, a high-speed brush or fraise used to remove surface skin and alter the contour of scars. Superficial scars may be removed altogether, and deeper scars may be reduced in depth. Dermabrasion does not work for all kinds of scars; for example, it may make ice-pick scars more noticeable if the scars are wider under the skin than at the surface. In darker-skinned people, dermabrasion may cause changes in pigmentation that require additional treatment.

Microdermabrasion. This new technique is a surface form of dermabrasion. Rather than a high-speed brush, microdermabrasion uses aluminum oxide crystals passing through a vacuum tube to remove surface skin. Only the very surface cells of the skin are removed, so no additional wound is created. Multiple procedures are often required but scars may not be significantly improved.

Laser Treatment. Lasers of various wavelength and intensity may be used to recontour scar tissue and reduce the redness of skin around healed acne lesions. The type of laser used is determined by the results that the laser treatment aims to accomplish. Tissue may actually be removed with more powerful instruments such as the carbon dioxide laser. In some cases, a single treatment is all that will be necessary to achieve permanent results. Because the skin absorbs powerful bursts of energy from the laser, there may be post-treatment redness for several months.

Skin Surgery. Some ice-pick scars may be removed by “punch” excision of each individual scar. In this procedure each scar is excised down to the layer of subcutaneous fat; the resulting hole in the skin may be repaired with sutures or with a small skin graft. Subcision is a technique in which a surgical probe is used to lift the scar tissue away from unscarred skin, thus elevating a depressed scar.

Skin grafting may be necessary under certain conditions—for example, sometimes dermabrasion unroofs massive and extensive tunnels (also called sinus tracts) caused by inflammatory reaction to sebum and bacteria in sebaceous follicles. Skin grafting may be needed to close the defect of the unroofed sinus tracts.

Treatment of keloids. Surgical removal is seldom if ever used to treat keloids. A person whose skin has a tendency to form keloids from acne damage may also form keloids in response to skin surgery. Sometimes keloids are treated by injecting steroid drugs into the skin around the keloid. Topical retinoic acid may be applied directly on the keloid. In some cases the best treatment for keloids in a highly susceptible person is no treatment at all.

In summary, acne scars are caused by the body’s inflammatory response to acne lesions. The best way to prevent scars is to treat acne early, and as long as necessary. If scars form, a number of effective treatments are available. Dermatologic surgery treatments should be discussed with a dermatologist.

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CODY

Dr. Marc Mitnick asked:


Pump Bump

The most common cause of posterior heel pain that I see (as a podiatrist) is generally referred to as pump bump. It is also known as Haglund’s deformity or a retrocalcaneal exostosis. Typically a woman , and to a lesser extent a man, will present to the office complaining of a sharp pain on the back of the heel just slightly off the center of the achilles tendon. There will be no history of trauma, although the patient may be required to do a lot of walking in a dress shoe. The pain will be at its worst when in dress shoes, may be less painful in sneakers and may be hardly noticeable when barefoot.

Examination of the back of the heel will reveal a slightly enlarged area that may be slightly red in color, mildly swollen, and usually very painful to touch. An x-ray will usually reveal an enlargement of the bone in that area. Not coincidentally, you will notice that the top of the patient’s dress shoe just happens to cut across the heel at that level. What has happened is that through constant wearing of dress shoes, the shoe itself has irritated the underlying bone, the bone has slightly enlarged as a result of that irritation and in an effort to protect the area of irritation, the body has formed a bursal sac which itself has become inflamed and is now a bursitis.

The obvious treatment would be to avoid wearing the shoes that aggravate the problem; that is easier said than done. However, probably the biggest culprit is not necessarily the style of the shoe but rather the length of the shoe. In most cases the shoe is too small for the patient’s foot. Having said that, I have been in this business long enough to know that a fashionable woman is going to continue to wear the shoes that look the best even though they might not feel the best.

That said, sometimes adding a small heel lift to the shoe will help as it may raise the heel just enough so that the top back portion of the shoe does irritate the enlarged bone and bursal sac. If the area is not too inflamed and painful, one may try some of the new gel cushions that are available in an effort to reduce friction.

From a medical stand point, short term anti-inflammatory medication may help but of course will not cure if the shoe is still irritating the area. Cortisone injections in very limited amounts, as well as physical therapy may also be effective.

In instances where conservative measures fail, the patient should entertain surgical excision whereby the overgrowth of bone is removed as well as the overlying bursitis. This is usually reserved for people who have stopped wearing the shoes that originally caused the problem, but are still having pain nonetheless. Unfortunately, many foot problems can continue to be bothersome even when the causative agent is identified and removed. (Once you have it; you have it!)

For more information on various causes of foot pain, as discussed by a podiatrist, click here.



SHANNON

Sarah Rhodes asked:


There are many forms of acne, which would explain why it is so difficult to treat. I have listed several causes of acne and many of those may surprise you, but I also hope that they will help you discover what causes your acne. For instance, a great many people would likely be surprised to learn that acne is not caused by stress, as they may think, but more likely can be attributed to their fancy new perfume or cologne.

The symptoms of acne are persistent, recurrent pimples orblemishes on the skin. Acne is commonly foundon the face but can also occur on the chest, shoulder, neck and upper portion of the back (often referred to as bacne).

Accutane can cause such damage to a fetus that if a doctor prescribes it for you, he is required by law to make sure you have two negative pregnancy tests no more than a week before you start taking the drug. You have to be using birth control, so most doctors prescribe birth control pills for acne as well, and you must have a negative pregnancy test before each month’s refill of Accutane.

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. While skin infections are associated with acne, lack of cleanliness is not the reason for acne outbreaks. The combination of oil and dead cells which produce acne is located beneath the skin’s surface where it is impossible to clean it away. Gentle cleansing with soap and water once or twice daily will keep your skin as healthy as possible. Scrubbing too hard may worsen acne.

The reality about many of the skin care items that are available at your retail store, are that they are developed to target the mass audience, which means they don’t have a long-term care system in place, or treatment plan to help you become free and clear of your pimples and zits. The concentrations of medication are very low, and in most cases they will include ingredients that may not work for all skin types. Read the labels on these over-the-counter cleansers, creams, and lotions, and you will more than likely notice that they claim to be good for all skin types, such as sensitive skin, normal and oily skin! What this means is that they add ingredients in very low levels of medicinal ingredients that will be ok for everybody, and normally only work for individuals with mild acne!

While laser skin resurfacing, Dermabrasion, and chemical peels are the most popular methods for acne scar removal, injection methods are also used. The injections may contain collagen, or fat taken from other parts of the body. While these injections work well, they do have to be repeated often, and they can be quite expensive. The injections do not actually remove or heal the scars - it simply hides them by filling them up.



TRENT

Thomas Middleton asked:


Taking care of your skin is important for lots of reasons. If you don’t take care of your skin, the rest of your body is affected in one way or another. Taking care of your skin is especially important when you are struggling with acne. Taking care of your skin also makes it look good, which makes you feel good as well. It makes others want to talk to and be around you, it makes you more popular. Teens especially know all about skin care, probably better than most adults since a majority of teens experience acne.

Now if you struggle with acne, then chances are you have been through many different products without much success. Either the product you try doesn’t work, or it doesn’t work well enough or long enough. It seems hard to find the right product that will give you the long-lasting results you are looking for.

So here are some tips and tricks that will get you on your way to being acne-free, happier, healthier, and just better overall:

Tip #1: Clean your skin! Your face is where everyone is looking at, so you want to keep it looking and feeling nice. Don’t be touching it all the time with your hands that are probably covered in bacteria and dirt that could only serve to make your acne even worse. Also develop a regimen of cleaning your skin every day, at least twice, when you wake up and when you go to bed.

Tip #2: Control the oil. Don’t buy cosmetic or acne treatment products with lots of oils in them. The reason you are experience acne in the first place is because of a buildup of excess oils in the skin.

Tip #3: Don’t touch, just resist. By touching your blemishes and pimples you will only make them worse and possible infect them.

Tip #4: If you are a women or man masking scars, choose makeup with a minimum amount of oils in them. Make sure the product says “noncomedogenic” on it, as this means the product will not clog pores.

Tip #5: Make sure when you shave, you take care time and don’t cut yourself or pop any existing pimples or zits, as they may get infected.

Tip #6: Despite popular belief, tanning yourself to death does not help acne, so limit your sunlight exposure to a normal amount everyday.



PERRY

Cory Blanchette asked:


Skin care for men has come a long way in the past few years, especially natural skin care for men. Natural skin care products include natural ingredients. By using simple recipes, natural skin care products can be made right in your kitchen from ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Common ingredients in natural skin care for men include foods, herbs, and even plants containing properties beneficial to the skin. Known and used by ancient civilizations, rejuvenating natural skin care recipes and remedies have been lost until recently. Thanks to a rediscovery of the past, skin care for men that naturally heals and protects is available anytime.

Natural skin care remedies have become so popular because natural recipes do not contain chemicals that can harm skin. Traditionally, beauty products have been made of chemicals proven harmful, such as aluminum, glycol, alcohol, propylene and more. The following natural skin care products can easily be made from recipes. These products are the perfect choice when seeking the best skin care for men.

Natural Cleansers

One of the most important parts of a skin care for men routine is a natural cleanser perfect for your skin type. Soaps contain chemicals and detergent and will make your skin dry out by stripping the oil from your skin. Natural skin cleansers are not only gentle and revitalizing to your skin, but they are also more affordable than many of the pricey chemical cleansers on the market. A good natural cleanser made from a natural recipe will remove excessive oil build up, dead skin cells, dirt, and impurities while improving circulation and cell renewal. Natural cleansers also protect the skin against breakouts and acne. Many men have dry skin, which is aggravated by shaving. A good natural cleanser made especially with ingredients for dry skin will fight irritation and help to solve the problem and make shaving more comfortable.

Natural Moisturizers

Another crucial skin care for men product is a natural moisturizer. Many men skip moisturizing their skin, thinking it is strictly for women. Men can benefit from moisturizers just like women in a number of ways. Natural moisturizers work to rejuvenate dry, wrinkled, and aging skin. Well-moisturized skin puts forth a healthy glow and is soft to the touch. Natural moisturizing skin care for men recipes includes natural ingredient mixtures. Natural moisturizers should be applied to damp skin in an upwards sweeping motion. Natural moisturizers will also keep your face from being so irritated when you shave. If your skin is dry, shaving can be uncomfortable. Well-moisturized skin should not be irritated by shaving. Making natural moisturizer a part of your skin care for men regime is not as complicated as it may sound.

A good natural cleanser, moisturizer, and other natural skin care for men products, like scrubs, masks, peels, toners, mists, and wraps, will make you look younger, healthier, and will go a long way in giving you a supple, kissable face that the ladies will love.



STEPHEN

Cory Blanchette asked:


Anti-aging skin care is effective, especially with natural skin care ingredients that focus on the specific concerns of aging skin. Natural anti-aging skin care recipes offer the nourishment that encourages skin rejuvenation and repair while protecting it from additional damage.

Natural ****** rejuvenation recipes work with natural ingredients to reverse aging skin by stimulating skin repair, cell renewal, increasing skin moisture, counteracting free radicals, promoting the production of collagen, and enhancing skin protection.

Skin loses tone and often complexion color changes with age. Metabolism becomes sluggish and circulation slows as people age, causing the skin to lack the nutrients necessary for vibrancy. These changes cause ****** skin to dry out and sag due to a loss of elasticity. The skin also becomes less able to heal itself.

Molecules known as free radicals add to the skin’s deterioration. Free radicals contribute to wrinkles, age spots, fine lines, and many other anti aging skin care concerns. Stress, smoking, insufficient diet, pollution, and excessive sun exposure add to the presence of free radicals and aging skin. The antioxidants in natural anti-aging skin care ingredients, along with daily use of sunscreen, neutralize free radicals.

Another anti-aging skin care problem is a decrease in the skin’s production of collagen and elastin. The skin’s firmness, suppleness, and plumpness deteriorate with a decrease of collagen and elastin causing sagging, fine lines, and deep wrinkles.

Insufficient diet, a lack of exercise, extreme alcohol consumption, sleep deficit, excessive sun exposure, smoking, and stress all add to the accelerated formation of wrinkles and the need for anti-aging skin care.

There is a remedy to halt or lessen these skin damaging issues with a natural anti-aging skin care plan including natural rejuvenating ****** skin care treatments.

An easy anti-aging skin care rejuvenation plan will encourage healing, stimulate natural anti-aging defenses, add moisture, neutralize free radicals, and promote collagen and elastin production. Natural skin care treatment ingredients containing essential nutrients will help with these anti-aging skin care issues. The following natural treatments can fight the signs of aging.

Antioxidants - These powerful anti-aging skin care fighters help to repair and protect skin from free radical damage. Antioxidants stimulate cells and reduce sun damage.

Astringents - Liquid astringents help to thoroughly cleanse the skin and pull tissues together. This tightens skin, reduces the size of pores, and protects against further damage.

Demulcents - Soothing demulcents work to calm irritated and inflamed skin.

Emollients - Emollients work great to sooth and soften dry and sensitive skin.

Exfoliation - New skin cells grow through exfoliation. With the use of a scrub or a natural acid, exfoliating involves removing the outer layer of skin cells, which stimulates the growth of new skin cells.

Humectants - By holding moisture in the skin, humectants aid the skin in retaining moisture.

Moisturizers - Good natural moisturizers add moisture and help the skin seal in its own natural moisture.

If you take the time for natural anti-aging skin care, you will reap the benefits of healing and protection. Natural skin care recipes offer rejuvenating treatments using natural ingredients that proactively address anti-aging skin care issues.



NOEL

Sergiu asked:


GETTING HELP TREATMENT FOR HEAD LICE

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LICE ARE.

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Pubic lice are regularly transmitted through passionate contact with the infested person. Body lice can be easily acquired when there is exact touching of two bodies. “Pediculiasis” is the term for lice infestation. People infested with lice are restricted from entering barbershops and beauty salons. Pubic lice differ in appearance. Although, these animals can be infested with a different type of lice, lice from birds or other mammals are also different from the human lice.

BEHAVIOR OF LICE

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Using exceptional magnifying device, a growing nymph can be seen inside the egg. Be very careful looking in the scalp for they will try to keep away from the light all through your examination. Some nits are yellowish and it is approximately 0. The newly hatched eggs are almost transparent in color. Since these parasites do not fly nor jump, there’s no need to worry of acquiring it without close contact.

LICE HISTORY

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Most likely head lice exist only when a person gets in close contact with another individual. Approximately 6-12 million public, mostly children, are given treatment every year for head lice in the United States. Children, 13 years old and below are the much more affected group of individuals. It was more prevailing than chicken pox at that time.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

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This is by slightly parting the hair a few centimeters of space and try to look for a live louse clinging to the hair near the scalp, also the areas of the ears and the neck, in particular. These incidents can be very hard to handle because the person afflicted is usually discharged as being unsteady. The bites can be tolerated for the first week but it becomes very irritating in the coming weeks. But if neglected, infection will occur. All sensible attempts should be searched in identifying the reasons of these irritations and to classify the responsible living thing on the scalp or body.

TREATMENT

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The doctor may advise you to use the nit comb to removed theses nits. You have to make sure that all the nits are removed no lice can be seen inside the house. Be very extra careful in using the prescribed medications since these are really insecticides. Lousing is a more proper term. He will ask you to repeat the treatment in a week or two just to make sure that there are no more nits left behind.

THESE ARE THE ESSENTIAL WAYS TO REMOVE LICE AND NITS AND TO KEEP THEM FROM COMING BACK:

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Do not shampoo or condition the hair before applying the treatment

Do not spray pesticide or call bug catchers to remove the lice. Even though the lice and nits can be seen without using certain instruments, the possibility of the nits cannot be judged without really magnifying it. Mass-screenings were made by a group of school staffs and parents to identify which child is actively infested and assures to provide proper treatment. Any child with lice should stay at home to keep him/her from spreading the lice. Cleanse all the clothes, bed covers, pillows, sleeping bags used by the person infested using extremely hot water and hot dry for about 20 minutes. Apply more than enough petroleum jelly on eyelashes and eyebrows two times a day for 8 days but do not use chemical treatments

Try applying mayonnaise on the head.

PREVENTION

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Kids should be aware that no matter how long it takes to stop it, there is still a way out. There are certain places where lice are widespread, adults, not only children are regularly checked up. Avoiding head lice infestation is mainly the center of attention of most parents and doctors. Early detection of lice infestation minimizes its spread from one person to another. It makes it even easier to cure.

 

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Head Lice                                   

Get the Answers You’re Looking For. Pictures of head lice



SANFORD

Alien asked:


Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a very common genetic follicular condition that is manifested by the appearance of rough bumps on the skin and hence colloquially referred to as “chicken skin”. It most often appears on the back and outer sides of the upper arms (though the lower arms can also be affected), The disease is characterized by grouped, horny, keratotic follicular papules located predominantly on the extensor surfaces of the proximal limbs, most commonly of the posterolateral upper arms and anterior thighs. It is usually asymptomatic except for its cosmetic appearance. It most often appears on the back and outer sides of the upper arms (though the lower arms can also be affected), and can also occur on the thighs and tops of legs, flanks, buttocks or any body part except glabrous skin (like the palms or soles of feet). It can become more severe when conditions are dry such as during the winter months or in dry climates. Less commonly, lesions appear on the face and may be mistaken for acne. Keratosis pilaris tends to be more severe during the winter months or other times of low humidity when skin dries out. Although unsightly at times, it is completely harmless.

Causes of Keratosis pilaris

Keratosis pilaris is genetic in origin but the precise cause has not yet been determined.

It is thought to be a disorder of keratinisation in which the sticky cells that line the hair follicle form a ***** plug instead of exfoliating. This widens the pores making them appear more obvious than elsewhere. Often a curled hair can be identified under the skin.

Symptoms of Keratosis pilaris

Keratosis pilaris causes small, acne-like bumps, which usually appear on the upper arms, legs or buttocks; they usually don’t hurt or itch. The bumps create rough patches and give skin a goose flesh or sandpaper appearance. Typically, patches are skin colored, but they can, at times, be red and inflamed.

Keratosis pilaris can also appear on the face, where it closely resembles acne. The small size of the bumps and its association with dry, chapped skin distinguish keratosis pilaris from pustular acne. Unlike elsewhere on the body, keratosis pilaris on the face may leave small scars.

Treatment of Keratosis pilaris

Treatment of keratosis pilaris is not necessary, and unfortunately often has disappointing results. With persistence, most people can get very satisfactory improvement. Initial treatment should be intensive moisturizing. Try a cream such as Acid mantle, Vaseline or Complex 15 after bathing, and re-apply the cream again several times daily.

Self-care tips

While there is no known way to prevent keratosis pilaris, you can control symptoms by keeping your skin well moisturized. Avoid scratching the bumps because they can become open and infected. Also avoid wearing tight clothing and using abrasive body or ****** scrubs, which can make the condition worse.

Prevention

Since keratosis pilaris is thought to be a genetic disorder and is observed in several members of the same family, there is nothing that can be done to prevent this disorder.



LUTHER

Will Williams asked:


Have you ever noticed after you shave your face with clippers that your skin is dry and ashy? That’s because when you shave with clippers the clippers rob your face of moisture. Even the way you need to use the clippers for shaving your face goes against how they were intended to be used. When using clippers on your face, you need to turn them backward and use them upside down. They were designed to give you a tight fade and trim your hairline or the nape of your neck. Shaving your face with clippers scratches the skin, inflames follicles, and removes moisture. Your face should always be hydrated when you shave, but when you shave with clippers the face is completely dry.

In my 30+ years in the barbering and grooming industry, I’ve learned one thing for certain: brothers are scared to use a razor. Be it urban legend, or Black men not being handed down the tradition of razor shaving by their fathers, or maybe even the unrealistic belief that razors are the cause of razor bumps and will jack up their skin. Whatever the reason, African-American men are shying away from the razor. So, here is the real deal on razor shaving.

Debunking Razor Myths

You can’t get a close shave with a razor

This is absolutely untrue! You will get the closest shave possible when using a razor. The razor is able to get much closer to the skin than a clipper or electric razor can. You should also make sure you are using a multi-blade razor that you change out regularly.

Razors cause you to get razor bumps and messes up your skin

It is true that razor bumps and ingrown hairs, clinically known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, affect up to 80 percent of African-American men. But the fact of the matter is, if you are getting razor bumps when you shave with a razor, then - I **** to tell you it’s not the razor it’s your technique. The most important thing to know is that you should be shaving with the grain, not against it. A lot of men have been taught to shave against the grain to get a closer shave. However, not only will shaving against the grain not give you a closer shave, but it is also a leading cause of skin irritation and inflammation, resulting in ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

You have to shave more often if you use a razor than if you use clippers

Again, this comes down to technique and equipment. Using a double or triple blade razor and shaving with the grain of the skin will give you a shave that lasts just as long as any other method of shaving.

Razors dry out your skin

Sorry brothers, wrong again! Actually razor shaving is an exercise in hydration. What do I mean by that? Just think back to when you were a kid and you saw the old men in the barbershops giving razor shaves. If you don’t remember that, just think back to the movie Barbershop when Eddie, played by Cedric the Entertainer, got ready to shave his client. What did he do? Old school barbers would lather the face, then put on a hot, damp towel and let the lather soak into the skin for a few minutes. So how does that translate to you shaving at home? Razors should always be wet and warm. Keep rinsing the razor off in hot water as you shave. When you are finished, put on a post-shave treatment that reduces the chance of inflammation ever occurring.

TAKE DIRECTION. The No. 1 mistake is to drag a razor against the hair growth. Face mapping determines the right direction and is fundamental to my Directional Shave Method. Typically, hair grows down from the temple to about the Adam’s apple, where it changes direction. However, each beard is different and should be mapped and shaved accordingly.

KEEP SHARP. The No. 2 shaving mistake is to use a dull blade. Dull blades tug at hairs and cause skin irritation. Choose a high-quality multi-blade razor for ample ease of gliding, and let your razor do the work. Replace blades before they begin to tug. Rinse them often while shaving to extend their lifespan and to prevent dirt and hair from entering pores.

STAY WET AND LUBRICATED. Mistake No. 3 is not wetting and lubricating the face sufficiently. Never use soap when shaving; instead, liberally apply a formula with aloe or menthol, to moisturize and lift the hairs.

DO IT DAILY. Shave every day or at least every other day. If men don’t shave regularly, their beards grow too long, making it harder to shave without tugging. Tugging causes irritation, and irritation causes bumps.

DON’T LINGER. Shaving should take only about three minutes. Any longer means a man is needlessly shaving over the same areas, which could irritate the skin. Use light strokes, and never pull or stretch the skin while shaving. Use sidestrokes to finish for an extra clean shave.

TREAT YOURSELF. Treat yourself everywhere you shave, every time you shave, to reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and hydrate and soften the skin. If your beard is prone to razor bumps, use therapeutic aftershave consistently after each shave.



DEVON

Davinos Greeno asked:


For those living under the flight path of the busiest airport in the world a good nights sleep has become a distant dream. A friend of mine that is sleep deprived explains why Heathrow is a Human Rights issue.

The sun is out and the birds are chattering. It is blissfully quiet and I am deep in slumber. A deep droning noise jerks me awake. No, it is not my Sunday afternoon nap under the pear tree. It is 4.30 a.m. on a summer’s morning and the first long haul flight of the day is about to land at Heathrow. I have to get up in two and a half hours to travel to work on a hot, sweaty tube train. Too late, though, to get back to dreamland. That jumbo has broken my sleep for good.

Welcome to life under the flight path of the busiest airport in the world.

In Isleworth, we can just about get used to the aeroplanes coming in every two minutes during the day because landings are rotated so that aircraft don’t fly constantly over the same houses. But night flights? I don’t think so.

Sixteen night flights have been allowed at Heathrow between 11.30 pm and 6am since 1993. Most of the flights arrive after 4.30 am. The government is looking into the possibility of more night flights, provided aircraft use quieter engines as the older and bigger aircraft make a horrendous noise.

So you can imagine how dismayed both myself, and the other 600,000 people living under Heathrow’s flight paths, were to hear that the government had won its appeal against the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling that night flights should be banned because we are entitled to a good night’s sleep. In fact it was the European Court of Human Rights which overturned its previous decision in 2001 that “there was no overwhelming national interest for night flights at Heathrow, and therefore the residents’ basic human right to sleep should not be sacrificed for the convenience of airlines”.

So why a change of heart by the court? Economics. According to our local paper, the Richmond and Twickenham Times, the court found that the economic benefits to the country as a whole outweighed the interests of sleepless residents. The court said that there had been no violation of Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention (HRC), the right to respect for private and family life and home. However, it did find that under Article 13 of the HRC, the residents hadn’t been given the opportunity to make their case fully in the UK courts. So the fight will go on.

Noise is one of the worst pollutants and can ruin your quality of life. Friends of the Earth remind us that night flights have caused many residents to suffer from constant tiredness, clinical depression, irritability, headaches and ear infections caused by wearing earplugs. It maintains that the noise caused by the night flights was substantially in excess of the World Health Organisation’s guidelines for avoiding sleep disturbance at night. If you have troublesome noisy neighbours, you are protected by the Noise Act of 1996. But, guess what, it doesn’t apply to aircraft noise! According to the UK Noise Association, aviation is virtually above the law.

HACAN Clearskies (Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise) is the largest voluntary organisation in Europe dedicated to campaigning on behalf of those who suffer because of aircraft flight paths. Whilst not opposed to Heathrow per se, the organisation has fought various battles over the years. It played an important part, for example, in persuading the Government to introduce runway alternation, so that residents in South West London were not continuously bombarded with noise.

There is also the ongoing issue of whether there will be a third runway at Heathrow. Heathrow’s proximity to London means aircraft continuously circle over the capital and come in to land over crowded urban areas. (If the 2001 Concorde crash had happened in London, and not in Paris, the plane would have come down on Ealing!)

HACAN believes that a third runway would increase the possibility of a mid air collision over London. It would also mean 500 more flights a day and a plane flying over our houses every minute, not to mention bad air pollution, congested roads and public transport, and disruption of children’s schooling.

So let’s keep battling for a decent nights sleep. We may have lost this round of the battle, but it will continue now in the UK courts. For more information, go to the HACAN website.



ROBIN