les # MEDICAL

Dermatology l JpdatC by Dr. Debra Pri ce

Questions and Answers

Crazy skin glue cheeks. It is not associated wit h since she began birth control pills, I hove heard about "crazy glue" that acneiform lesions, telangiectasia, or she should seek evaluation by a is now used instead of sutures for sebaceous hyperplasia, which is dermatologist to determine the eti­ incisions and cuts, is this true? commonly seen in rosacea. Unlike ology of her acne flare and the most Dermabond is a sterile liqu1d, rosacea, it does not extend onto the appropriate therapy. topical skin adhesive that is some­ lateral cheeks and chin area and is times used to close clean, uncom­ not associated with eye symptoms. Sensitivity plicated wounds that are not I hove sensitive skin and am unable to under tension. It is most common­ tolerate alpha hydroxy acid products ly used in pediatric patients, since Non-steroidal, anti­ or retinoids. My dermatologist has it does not require injection of inflammatory agents like the tried different formulations of Retin-A, local anesthetic. Although the prescription drug Celebrex have Differin and even over-the-counter esthetic results are reasonable, been shown to decrease skin retinol products, buc everything seems most plastic surgeons prefer sutur cancer formation in mice. to irritate my skin. I have a lot of sun mg facial closures. damage and blotchy pigmentation. Do you have any alternative recom Thinning hair mendations for topical skin care? I am a postmenopausal woman who The pill A kinetin-containing lotion may has thinning hair. What is the best I have heard that oro/ birth control be an ideal alternative for you. type of hair spray for me to use? pills can actually be good for your Kinetin-conta ining lotions have I recommend you chose a flexi skin, but I have a client who's com­ been shown to improve skin tex­ ble rather than firm hold hair spray. pletely broken out because of it. What ture, mottled pigmentation and fine Flexible hair sprays allow the hair to is your opinion about the effect of wrinkling. Kinetin is a cytokinin bounce more with movement and birth control pills on acne? plant growth regulator. This ingre­ are less likely to fracture the hair Oral contraceptive pills increase dient can be found in Kinerase shaft. when the hair is groomed. sex hormone binding globulin and cream and lotion. Almay also has a The hair spray is easily removed decrease free testosterone, which line of Kinetin containing creams. with shampooing, preventing the can help reduce the occurrence of buildup of hair spray fragments on acne. Al l avai lab le ora l contracep­ Morning-after sun care the hair shaft, which can make the tive pills are a combination of an Is there anything you can do after you hair appear dull and coarse. estrogen and a progesterone com­ get a sunburn to prevent skin cancer? ponent. Birth control pills have Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory lupus or rosacea? been shown to diminish acne agents and specifically Cox -2 How can you tell the difference lesions but most studies show inhibitors (i.e., Celebrex) have been between a lupus butterfly red mark improvement in the range of SO shown to decrease tumor forma ­ over the nose and cheeks and percent, which is often inadequate. tion in mice when given before, rosacea's rash pattern? Most cases of moderate or severe during or even after exposure to A lupus butterfly rash is a red acne require compli mentary thera­ ultraviolet light. Wh ile not rash over the nose and medial py. If your client's acne has flared continues

, mil r Xl • es Nouvelles Esthet ques P ge I MEDICAL

approved for this indication, they may be helpful for Yes, there is a relationship between male pattern prevention of skin cancer following sun exposure and baldness and heart disease. In a published study, men possibly for chemoprevention of skin cancer in high­ with high cholesterol levels and vertex balding had a risk patients in the future. 300 percent greater risk of heart disease and those with hypertension and vertex balding had a 79 percent Skin repellent greater risk. Men with vertex balding alone had about a With the recent outbreaks of West Nile virus, there is a great 30 percent increased risk of heart disease with the concern about protection from mosquitoes. In your opin­ greatest risk in those with more severe vertex balding. ion, what is the best insect repellent? The most widely used agent in insect repellents is Reliable protection DEET, but preparations containing citronella, oils of soy­ How reliable is the sun protection factor (SPF) on a sun­ bean, peppermint and eucalyptus are also available. In screen product label? comparative studies, 23.8 percent DEET was the best The sun protection factor is a measure of the sun­ agent offering the longest duration protection. Oil of screen's ability to protect against the UVB portion of eucalyptus fared second and the other agents were sig­ the sun spectrum. The number is obtained in a labora­ nificantly less effective. Products that combine sun­ tory setting using a standard formula (2 mg of sun ­ screen with DEET lessen the mosquito repellent effect screen/em of skin surface). Most people only apply 20 and shou ld be avoided. to 60 percent of the necessary volume of sunscreen, lessening the promised SPF of the sunscreen and pro­ Cholesterol and balding viding a false sense of security. Furthermore, the num­ I saw my dermatologist about treatment of hair loss and ber does not take into account the effect of sweating he suggested that I check my cholesterol levels since there and water immersion. Users should therefore increase is an association of heart disease and baldness, especially the quantity of sunscreen applied and reapply it every in men with high cholesterol levels. Is this true? two hours and fo llowing water exposure. Approxi­ mately 35 ml of sunscreen is required to cover an aver­ age adult body. A half of teaspoon should be applied to each arm and to the head and neck area and a tea­ spoon should be applied to each leg and the front and ,SkinJ$lend s back trunk for adequate coverage.

How to take antibiotics My dermatologist prescribed tetracycline for treatment of my acne condition. My condition has not been improving and she says it is because I have been taking tetracycline along with iron supplements and my morning breakfast of yogurt and fruit. Is this possible? Yes, concurrent administration of tetracycline and iron supplements can reduce tetracycline serum levels Custom Blending Skin Care System by up to SO percent. Dairy products, antacids and zinc supplements have also been shown to decrease tetracy­ • Eureka- your own little skin care lab! cline serum levels. Administration of tetracycline with • Dramatically increase your bottom line profit. iron or zinc supplements, antacids or dairy products • Fnsure customer loyalty- you have their should be separated by two to three hours. • custom blended formulas. • Reduce inventory costs - less inventory Debra Price, M.D., graduated from New York University required plus you turn it over faster so School of Medicine and interned at New York University products arc fresher. Medical Center. She is a diplomate of the American Board • Results oriented treatments and products. of Dermatology and is an assistant professor at University of Miami's department of dermatology and cutaneous • Comprehensive training by industry veterans. surgery. An author of several scientific papers, Dr. Price is Call UPS-SKIN- BLENDS an award-winning dermatologist and past president of (877-754-6253 toll free) the Miami Dermatologic Society, in Florida. She has a pri­ www.skinblends.com vate practice in Kendall, FL. To reach Debra Price, M.D., please ca/J (305) 670- 71 71. Reader Service No. 283

Paqe 142 I rs Nouvellr~ bl hellque~ · DE'cember 2002