Piercing is a current fad today, and while it is easier to reverse than a tattoo, it is still a potentially dangerous practice. One potential side effect seen is metal allergies. The metals used for piercing jewelry vary, but often contain nickel, chrome, and cobalt, which are common allergens. The symptoms of a metal allergy include redness, swelling, and blistering. If you have any of these symptoms, even if you only pierced your ear, see a dermatologist.

Metal isn’t the only common allergen. The bath and hygiene products both men and women use contain substances that could be allergens. Make-up, soap, shampoo, cologne, perfume, sunscreen, and body lotion are some of the items that may cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms vary but can include redness, itching, swelling, and blistering. If you have any of these symptoms, see a dermatologist who can help you determine the cause and treatment.

Natural rubber latex allergies are a third relatively common condition. The causes of these allergies include adhesive bandages, disposable rubber gloves, balloons, water toys, and plastic bags.

Before spending considerable amounts of money on piercing procedures along with money you might spend on expensive studs, chains, hoops or pins, you may want to get some allergy testing done to see if your body has an allergic reaction to the type of jewelry you might be placing inside any piercings. Ask your dermatologist about common metal allergies. Also ask about whether you would be a good candidate for contact allergy testing. If you are planning to have any implant surgery for a broken bone or for some cosmetic reason, you might discuss allergy issues with both your surgeon and your dermatologist. Anytime you put a foreign object inside your body, your body may have an allergic reaction to such a foreign object.

Tattoos: Fad or Forever

Tattoos have never been more popular. Twenty years ago, there were about 300 tattoo parlors in the U.S.; today there are about 4,000. Tattooing can be a dangerous practice because it involves injecting the skin with a needle, and some very serious diseases are spread through a shared needle. Because tattooing is not regulated, there is no way to check the safety of the equipment. Tattooing is a fad, but unlike other fads, it is permanent. Sooner or later, many people with tattoos change their minds. Dermatologists can usually remove tattoos by laser surgery, but it can be an expensive and time-consuming process.

If you are thinking about a tattoo, realize that your body may also have an allergic reaction to a particular ink or dye. If you know that you have a contact allergy to a specific chemical, you will want to make sure any pigment your body is hosting in a tattoo does not contain a substance you may allergically react to strongly.

Your skin not only protects your body, but it acts as a window to your health. So be “Skin Smart:” take care of your skin, avoid potentially harmful situations, learn to recognize possible problems, and visit a dermatologist. Learn more by visiting the American Academy of Dermatology website at www.aad.org and feel free to ask questions of your dermatology provider in our office.

Bumps, spots, pimples, blackheads, pustules – these skin irritations can not only ruin the life of a teenager, they can cause great frustration, grief, anguish and anger for people of all ages. Consider the following myths about acne:

Myth: Only teenagers get acne.
Fact: Approximately 25% of adult men and 50% of adult are diagnosed with some form of acne. Causes can range from hormones (which can be related to menopause, pregnancy, menstruation or stress), medication or face and hair products. Adult acne, just like any other, can be managed with a proper skincare routine, including daily sun protection, and help from a dermatologist.

Myth: Acne is caused entirely by your genes.
Fact: While genetics does play a role in how acne develops, there are also lifestyle changes you can make to control your breakouts. Staying hydrated, maintaining a well-balanced diet, getting enough sleep and avoiding surfaces with germs are some of the ways you can avoid acne-causing bacteria, increased oil production within the skin and hormonal imbalances that can cause pimples. Newer research has also linked spikes in blood sugar or over consumption of dairy products to some acne outbreaks, which could indicate that lower carbohydrate diets smaller amounts of dairy consumption are better ways to help control flares.

Myth: Tanning can clear or prevent acne breakouts, while sunscreen clogs pores.
Fact: Just the opposite is true. Excessive tanning of any kind is harmful to the skin, and is also particularly irritating to acne. Exposure to UV rays will dry skin out, which can actually lead to future acne breakouts. On the other hand, many sunscreens (made to reflect UV rays) contain zinc oxide, which fights against the bacteria which causes acne. There are, however, some sunscreens that can irritate acne, so it’s important to talk to your dermatologist in order to find the best products for your skin.. Everyone’s skin is unique, so it may be necessary to try several before finding the right one. Some companies even have products with SPF, makeup AND acne medication.

Myth: Acne Means You Don’t Wash Your Face Enough
Fact: Acne does not happen because your skin is dirty or you don’t wash enough. The culprit behind acne is an oily substance known as sebum. Your skin naturally produces sebum to keep it from getting too dry. Acne develops when too much sebum is produced or its chemical makeup changes. Your genes, changes in hormone levels, and certain medicines are among the factors that can affect sebum production.

Myth: Popping pimples helps get rid of acne faster.
Fact: Popping a pimple before it’s fully formed will risk pushing the bacteria further into your skin and spreading it to other unaffected areas of your face. Along with spreading the infection, popping your pimples may also lead to permanent skin damage and scarring. It’s best to let the pimple heal, which should normally take about a week or two. In darker skin, pimple popping can also worsen discoloration, which without medication can take several months to resolve.

Myths related to acne are abundant and have been around forever it seems. Consider some of the realities related to acne and its treatment:

• Acne is the word used to describe pimples, lumps, and blackheads on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms.
• Acne is caused by normal hormones that cause the oil glands beneath pores to enlarge. The oil from the glands mixes with skin cells and blocks the pore. Bacteria then grow, causing the site to become red and swollen and then burst.
• Acne is not caused by certain foods, not chocolate, not pizza or chips, despite what you may have heard.
• If you have acne, you don’t have to wait it out. You should see a dermatologist to determine the best treatment. Treatments include creams from the drug store, as well as creams, antibiotic lotions, and oral antibiotics your doctor prescribes. Remember that any treatment only prevents future acne, so the earlier you can see a dermatologist, the better.
• Isotretinoin is the only medication that safely and effectively controls severe, cystic acne–the most serious form of this skin disease.
• Last but not least, acne can leave scars. The best way to avoid scarring is to treat acne early. However, if in the future you find you have some scarring, there are a variety of new treatments available from your dermatologist, including lasers.

MYTH: A tan is healthy.

Sun damage is sneaky. The damage may not show up for many years. So if you tan while you are young, you may think you look good, but you are setting yourself up for premature wrinkling and possibly skin cancer. Sunburns that you get in your teens can cause problems later in life. Eighty percent of sun damage occurs before age 18. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds is the leading cause of skin cancer.

Outside or indoor tanning can have dangerous and often irreversible consequences in the future. The “glow” of bronzed skin if often portrayed as health and attractive in society. Tanning is the very opposite of healthy. Tanning is evidence of DNA injury in your skin. Tanning damages your skin cells and speeds up visible signs of aging. Worst of all, tanning can lead to skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Consider some popular myths that to relate to sun tanning and tanning beds in tanning salons

MYTH:  A tanning bed is safer than sun exposure.

There is no such thing as a safe tan. Tanning beds emit UVA and UVB radiation. Both types of UV radiation are also found in the outdoor sun and can cause premature aging and skin cancer.

MYTH:  Tanning is OK as long as you don’t burn.

Even if you don’t burn, sunbathing can increase your risk of skin cancer and can cause premature aging. Damage from the sun accumulates over time, so even if you never have a severe sunburn, the damage is building up.

MYTH:  If you have darker skin, you’re safe.

Sun damage may take longer to show up in people with darker skin, but it still happens. People with lighter skin are at greater risk for sun damage.

There are simple steps you can take to minimize sun damage:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. if possible.
• Wear protective clothing like a broad-brimmed hat, long pants, and a long-sleeve shirt.
• Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
• Always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and apply it 30 minutes before sun exposure. Remember to reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or strenuous activity.
• Sunscreen that contains physical blockers like Zinc are more effective at skin protection than most chemical sunblockers.

Ask your dermatologist for recommendations on the best sunscreen for you.

How much do you know about your own skin? Decide which of these statements are true or false?

1. Eating greasy food causes acne.
2. Tanning beds are a safe way to get a tan.
3. Blackheads are pores clogged with dirt.
4. Tattoos can be easily removed.
5. If you ignore a skin condition, it will go away
6. Birthmarks cannot be removed.

All of these statements are false. They are some of the many myths about skin care, conditions, and treatments. We hope to answer your questions and raise your awareness about this important but often neglected, part of your body, your skin.

Take Care of Your Skin: It’s Forever

Did you know your skin is an organ? Think about your other organs: heart, lungs, liver, brain. They are all inside your body safely protected. But skin is on the outside, exposed to the elements. This vulnerability makes it very important that you do all you can to take care of your skin.

First of all, although skin’s primary purpose is to protect your body from the elements, you want your skin to look good. A visit to a dermatologist, a physician specializing in the medical, surgical, and cosmetic care of skin, hair, and nails, can help you determine how to best care for your skin. Just like you would see physicians about cardiology (heart issues), pulmonology (lung issues), rheumatology (joint issues), so you seek out physicians that specialize in dermatology (skin issues).

A dermatologist is trained to treat rashes, skin cancer, psoriasis, acne, warts, athlete’s foot, acne scarring, and any other skin, hair, or nail conditions. When you visit a dermatologist, he or she will talk to you about your skin, hair, or nail concerns. You will be asked to provide your medical history. The doctor will perform an exam, do any necessary tests, and give you a diagnosis and treatment options.

Most skin, hair, and nail problems are treatable, so as soon as you notice a problem, visit a dermatologist. It’s even a good idea to schedule a visit without a problem because a dermatologist can help you improve your skin and can look for things you may not notice. For example, your parents may get regular skin checks for signs of sun damage, wrinkles, or skin cancer. A dermatologist is trained to recognize these conditions early, and early treatment for skin cancer is critically important.