Parkway Medical Blog

On Friday, May 22, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention (Council) invites you to “slap on a hat” - preferably a wide-brimmed one. By doing so, you can help raise awareness of the need for sun protection.

Sun protection can be easy to forget after a long winter spent covered up. That’s why this Council, of which the American Academy of Dermatology is a core member, created “Don’t Fry Day.” Occurring the Friday before Memorial Day, this day is meant to encourage sun-safety awareness and remind people to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors. Why not show your support by wearing a wide-brimmed hat? You may educate someone about the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, a leading cause of skin cancer. You could even encourage people to protect their skin this summer.

For more information, visit Don’t Fry Day:

There are a host of moisturizers available for use, from those bought at a store for $5 to much more sophisticated products costing a lot more.  Which is right for you depends on what you want to accomplish.  Moisturizers really do not wet the skin, because adding water simply creates  more evaporation, actually drying the skin. (Think of repeated skin washing and the resulting dryness.)  Instead, moisturizers prevent water loss by using a barrier and attracting water to the dehydrated skin.

Emollients smooth skin, but do not moisturize.  They do this by filling in the spaces between the cells of the superficial skin.  In other words, they flatten out the rough edges between the cells.  It makes skin feel smooth, but does not moisturize well.  Less expensive moisturizers contain water as the largest component,the water evaporating when it delivers other products to the skin.  Therefore, it has to be re-appliedfrequently.   The less expensive products contain a lot of water and emollients.

Barriers and rehydration solutions help moisturize by keeping water in and rehydrating.   Ingredients  thatact as barriers include  dimethicone, and cyclomethicone.  Humectants, substances that attract water to the skin, are glycerine, sorbitol, propylene glycol, hyaluronic acid, sodium pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid, and proteins.  Don’t try to pronounce these, simply look for them in the ingredients as they will truly help moisturize your skin.

So what about wrinkles?  Do moisturizers really help?  Yes, they do.  But, it needs to be a good moisturizer that not only creates an occlusive barrier to prevent water loss, but also needs to contain “humectants” that help attract water to the cells.  This leads to more hydration and less wrinkle appearance.

Finally, products that create a temporary colored layer on the skin surface, place a semi-permanent stain on the skin cells, or increase reflection from the skin surface with light reflecting particles, help improve the skin’s appearance.  Mineral make up does this well when placed over moisturizers.

To really determine what is right for you, see someone who specializes in skin cosmetics or aesthetics to get the right mix.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition resulting in swelling of the vessels. It affects women more than men generally between the ages of 30-60.

•  Manifests as a redness around the middle of the face, generally the nose and cheeks in a butterfly pattern
•  Has telangiectasia (couperose)
•  Is NOT acne, and does not have comedones
•  Attributed to photo damaged
•  Especially occurring in fair skinned persons

1) Overview

•  Family history/ Ethnic Background ( Celtic )
•  Sun Exposure
•  Male or female
•  Age
•  Demographics

Rosacea has progressive stages, as follows:
Pre-Rosacea
Frequent episodes of flushing and redness that come and go – triggered by foods, stress, environment and lifestyle.
Stage One – Vascular Stage
Telangiectasia, persistent flushing and redness; may be swollen and warm. Many never progress beyond this stage.
Stage Two – Inflammatory Rosacea
Pustules and papules, though no blackheads or white heads; may be misdiagnosed as acne. Telangiectasia is dilated and pores can be enlarged.
Stage Three – Orange Peel Skin Stage
Exacerbation of previous symptoms and tissue hyperplasia (overgrowth). Strikes mostly men and most often on the nose (rhinophymy), the red bulbous nose of W.C. Fields. Patients can experience more than one stage simultaneously, in progression, or only one type, including rhi

2) Topical

(Cosmecutical, Pharmaceutical OTC over the counter)

• OTC ( Over the counter) Department stores/retail outlet
• Cosmecutical sold under  license Esthetic- Cosmetology Boards
• Prescription from MD

3) Ingredients

Cosmecutical

• Antioxidants/Anti Inflammatory:
• Astaxanthin- Soluble Vitamin C-Alpha Lipoic
• Wound healing improve integrity of the skin Copper- Vitamin K –Willow Herb-Co Q10 for stimulating the ATP  ( energy)of the cell

Prescription from MD

4) Ingredients

Cosmecutical

• Antioxidants/Anti Inflammatory: Astaxanthin- Soluble Vitamin C - Alpha Lipoic
• Wound healing improve integrity of the skin Copper- Vitamin K –Willow Herb- - Azeleic  acid
• Co Q10 for stimulating the ATP  ( energy)of the cell

Prescription from MD

• Azeleic  acid (15%)
• Metronidazote ( demodex mite)
• Oral antibiotics ( tetracycline dirivitives)

5) Other information

• Sunscreen non irritating/ physical block/ oil free moisturizing
• Homeopathic Medicine
• Camouflage for coverage quality of minerals /particle size/ amount of fillers
• Things that may trigger it
  - Food
  - Exercise
  - Heat
  - Stress

If you have any questions about how to handle your rosacea-prone skin, Parkway Skin Centre’s staff is always available for consultation. Click here if you would like to purchase Derma MD’s Rosacea Skin Saver Kit.

Dermatologists’ Tips for Controlling Rosacea in Winter

Winter winds and cold weather are common triggers. If you find that your rosacea flares in winter, here are tips that can help diminish flare-ups:

• Protect your face. Covering your face with a scarf or ski mask helps protect it from the wind and cold. Just make sure that if it touches your face, it is not made of wool or a fabric that feels rough to the touch. Wool and rough-feeling fabrics can irritate the skin.
• Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses that shield your eyes from both the UVA and UVB rays
• Apply sunscreen. The sun’s reflective powers are great year round — 17% on the sand and 80% on the snow. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more on exposed skin helps protect your skin.
• Use a barrier-repair product. Protective creams and other topicals that create a barrier on your skin help to shield it. Your dermatologist can help you find a product that does not irritate your skin.
• Wear loose, layered clothing. This allows you to stay warm and remove layers as needed to prevent overheating.
• Reduce indoor heating. Indoor heat can cause a flare-up. When possible set the thermostat to a temperature that does not trigger your rosacea.
• Avoid sitting near a lit fireplace or stove. Becoming overheated often triggers rosacea.
• Prevent heat from blowing on your face. When in a car, set the heat so that it does not blow directly on your face.
• Limit consumption of heated beverages and alcohol. If these are triggers, limiting consumption or avoiding them can help.
• Avoid hot showers, hot baths, saunas, and steam. All of these open blood vessels, which can cause rosacea to flare. Hot water also can irritate rosacea-prone skin. When possible, wash rosacea-prone skin with lukewarm water.

If you have any questions about how to handle your rosacea-prone skin, Parkway Skin Centre’s staff is always available for consultation.

Hypnosis is often plagued with misconceptions and misunderstandings.  It is NOT sleep or mind control.  In hypnosis you cannot be made to do anything against your will, your belief system or moral value, in fact you can’t do anything you do not wish to do.  Rather you gain control over a part of your life that may have been previously out of control.

Most people are unaware that they experience hypnosis in their everyday lives.  For example, if you have been driving and suddenly realize that you do not remember passing the last few exits, you were in a state of waking hypnosis.  In fact, the most common hypnotic state is a daydream!

Hypnosis works, ask me how.  Hypnotic techniques are useful tools to assist in the treatment of stress, sleep disorders, pain and depression.  It is used very successfully for weight loss and smoking cessation. Hypnosis is not a replacement for medical care or any other modality, it is a compliment to all therapies.  For more information on how hypnosis can help you please call Julie Jones, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, at 602-576-8821 or click here to read more.

By RHONDA L. RUNDLE

Vanity appears to be trumping frugality in a looks-conscious society.

Despite the dismal economic climate, most women - and men - who undergo appearance-enhancing treatments such as Botox injections are spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year to maintain the regimen, aesthetic physicians say. Meanwhile, some older patients who are putting off or forgoing expensive facelifts are instead opting for less-costly injections and laser treatments.

Doctors say a weak economy hasn’t curtailed demand for Botox injections.

Maralyn Burr of Omaha, Neb., in June lost her job as a district sales manager for bookstore chain Borders Group Inc. Ms. Burr, who is $140,000 in debt from her 22-year-old daughter’s musical education, says she has slashed spending and all but stopped eating out. But she hasn’t given up her Restylane and Botox injections. “It’s like comfort food,” she says.

Nearly three out of four plastic surgeons who responded to a survey this fall reported that demand has increased or held steady for minimally invasive procedures, including Allergan Inc.’s Botox antiwrinkle drug, dermal fillers used to plump up lips and smile lines, and skin-smoothing chemical peels, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a professional group representing 6,700 surgeons. The survey also found a steep drop in demand for plastic surgeries ranging from breast augmentation to nose reshaping.

To be sure, makers of aesthetic medical treatments are bracing for a challenging year ahead. While many established patients are sticking to their beauty regimens, it’s tough to entice new patients in the current economic environment. In late October, Allergan said that dermal-filler sales were up 18% through September, but the company reduced its 2008 Botox sales guidance, citing overall “subdued demand.” Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. recently has been offering a $100 consumer rebate on its Restylane family of products.

Most of the products used for so-called facial rejuvenation weren’t available in the U.S. when the last downturn hit, so there’s no historical precedent to estimate their sales performance in the current economic environment. While Botox has been on the market for nearly 20 years, it didn’t receive regulatory approval for cosmetic use until 2002, at the tail end of the dotcom-led stock-market bust. Allergan’s dermal filler, Juvéderm, which competes with Restylane, has been on the market for about two years.  Parkway Medical Laser & Skin Centre offers both Restylane and Juvéderm treatments.

Joel Schlessinger, Ms. Burr’s dermatologist in Omaha, says the number of his patients seeking dermal fillers began to increase on a year-over-year basis in the last few months, after posting declines earlier in the year. “Things are so bad [in financial markets] that investments aren’t even worthwhile anymore, so people are investing in themselves,” he suggests.

Do you wonder what your blood sugar is doing while you are sleeping? Do you wonder if that fabulous meal at your favorite Italian restaurant allows your blood sugar to remain in the desired range? Wonder no more!

Parkway Medical now offers the 24 hour blood glucose monitoring system. This quarter-sized sensor is worn on the abdomen for 5 days. During this 5 day time period it will painlessly and automatically measure your blood sugar every few minutes, 24 hours a day! After 5 days of gathering the data, the sensor will be removed and the information will be downloaded onto our computer providing a full color report. This report will be interpreted and given to your provider to discuss with you.

If you have Type 1 Diabetes or have Type 2 Diabetes and take insulin, ask your primary care provider to consider this valuable monitoring system as part of your overall diabetes management.

We are proud to say that Parkway Medical strives to provide our patients with the latest in medical services. We are pleased to add 24 hour blood glucose monitoring to our growing list of cutting edge technology.

With the rising incidence of heart disease and the decrease in access to physician services, Parkway Medical Family and Urgent Care introduces Screening Ultra Sound, a non-invasive, painless diagnostic service which can predict and prevent serious problems. Many specialists are unable to provide this service due to the overburdened work load they currently carry. Using a certified technician, we can now perform screening echo-cardiograms (ultra sound of the heart) and artery and vein evaluations.

Why are these important? People with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and a host of other conditions can now be painlessly screened for heart and vascular problems in order to reveal potential problems before they can cause significant or catastrophic events. Patients with signs and symptoms can be screened as well in order to rule out serious problems or catch them early.

Ask one of our providers about information relating to these easy and pain-free evaluations.

Many people find themselves applying a number of skin care products to keep their skin feeling and looking its best. If you are not getting the desired results from your skin care products, try applying products in this sequence:

Moisturizer: For best results, a moisturizer should be applied after bathing and spread on damp skin. Moisturizer forms a protective coating that reduces the amount of water lost through the skin. This, in turn, decreases dryness, itch, and cracking skin. When using a topical medication, be sure to apply the medication first. Then wait one or two minutes before applying the moisturizer so that the medication can penetrate the skin. The same procedure should be done in using a treatment serum.

Sunscreen: Wearing sunscreen every day helps prevent premature aging caused by the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Dermatologists recommend applying a broad-spectrum (offers UVA and UVB protection) sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. To give the sunscreen time to work, be sure to apply it 20 minutes before going outdoors.

While some makeup and moisturizers contain sunscreen, dermatologists recommend applying a separate sunscreen. The sunscreen found in moisturizers, foundations, and other products tends to have a low SPF, and this sunscreen usually wears off quickly.

Foundation: Applying a foundation over other topical products allows the products to work effectively and gives the best cosmetic result.

Makeup including powder and blush: These products look best when applied last. If you are not getting the results you want from your skin care products, be sure to try these recommendations. Hopefully, you will see a visible difference.

This fall, for the first time, Arizona children 11 years and older entering 6th grade will be required to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease and pertussis (whooping cough) prior to school entry. The recommendation is for all persons aged 11-18 years to receive one dose of meningococcal vaccine at the earliest opportunity, and children 11-12 years to be vaccinated with the pertussis vaccine providing it has been at least five years since their last tetanus/diphtheria vaccine dose.

The meningococcal vaccine protects against infections caused by meningococcal bacteria. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children two to eighteen years of age, and it can cause serious blood infections. College freshman are also at increased risk.

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory system that is making a big comeback especially among teens and pre-teens.

These immunizations are available at Parkway Medical. Our providers would be happy to discuss them further with you.