Parkway Medical Blog

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.