July 2020 Vitiligo Written by Jeffrey Sassmannshausen , Md
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THREE RIVERS DERMATOLOGY NEWSLETTER J U L Y 2 0 2 0 75 . NO ISSUE SkinMatters A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: And just like that… We blinked and it’s July! It’s time to jump in the pool, play in the waves, and have some fun. Where’s your perfect retreat to get away and relax? Even with all that’s still going on in the world, the 4th of July is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. As you reflect on your freedom, enjoy the three-day weekend and stay sun-safe with some sun safety tips! Did you have to postpone a wedding? With so many things being cancelled or rescheduled, we can’t even begin to imagine the emotions around the decision to postpone one of the biggest days of your life. Even though it’s probably a frustrating and difficult time, it is also a great time to get a plan of attack and get your skin in shape for when your big day does finally arrive. We’ve included some great treatments and suggestions to help you out! Dr. Sass also shares his knowledge about vitiligo. What is it, what causes it, and is there anything we can do about? As always, we include a tasty recipe for you to try out and also a list of our monthly promotions, so don’t forget to check those out! Loretta Amanda HELLO ISSUE 75 03 Dr. Sass Says... 05 Postponed Wedding Skin Prep! 07 4th of July Fun (with SPF!) 09 What people are saying 1 1 Must Try Festive Recipe! 1 2 Team Favorite 1 3 July Promos! SKINMATTERS - 02 - JULY 2020 VITILIGO WRITTEN BY JEFFREY SASSMANNSHAUSEN , MD Melanocytes are special cells in the epidermis, Often vitiligo presents with well-defined which produce melanin, giving our skin color. patches around the eyes, mouth, fingers, The more melanin that you produce, the darker elbows, knees, low back and genital area. your natural skin color. We are all familiar with These patches will be lighter in color than tanning, which is increased melanin production surrounding skin initially due to decreased as a result of exposure to UV radiation from the melanin production by the melanocytes in the sun or tanning beds. Melanin is our body’s way skin. The discoloration typically progresses to of trying to protect us from the damaging effects being completely white with no pigment of UV radiation. whatsoever due to loss of melanocytes in the skin. Vitiligo can be triggered by an Vitiligo is a condition that causes a loss of autoimmune process in which the body’s pigment in the skin and may include the pigment immune system mistakenly begins to attack in hair as well. Vitiligo affects approximately 1% of and destroy melanocytes. Vitiligo may also the population and can occur equally in men and be associated with other types of autoimmune women of all races. The tendency for vitiligo can conditions, particularly thyroid disorders. run in families and can start at any age, but mostly has its onset between 10-30 years old. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4... SKINMATTERS - 03 - JULY 2020 ...VITILIGO CONTINUED. In people with vitiligo, the areas of skin that have lost pigmentation have absolutely no natural protection from the sunlight and are at much higher risk for developing skin cancers. People with this condition must be extraordinarily diligent with sun protection all year long. Heliocare® is an over-the- counter supplement containing antioxidants from the Polypodium leucotomos fern that can be additionally helpful. The powerful antioxidants in Heliocare help the body to protect itself from free radicals caused by sun damage. Vitiligo is socially stigmatizing, particularly in skin of color, and can be emotionally devastating. Particular cosmetics can be used to cover up and/or disguise areas of discoloration. There are some treatments that may help to induce a return of pigment including topical medications, light-based treatments, and surgical micrografting procedures. The sooner treatments for re-pigmentation are started, the better the chance of success. There is also a topical treatment that causes a permanent loss of pigment on all of the skin, which may be desirable for patients with extensive vitiligo so that they can be one color. There is some move towards de-stigmatizing vitiligo in the media and industry. Mattel has released a Barbie doll with vitiligo. Winnie Harlow, a contestant on America’s Next Top Model, has found success by embracing her vitiligo and not hiding it. Big Krizz Kaliko, a rapper and singer, has vitiligo and titled his debut album with the name of his skin condition. Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Hollie Marie Combs (Charmed), Hedvig Lindahl (Swedish soccer goalkeeper), and of course, Michael Jackson all have/had vitiligo. Currently, there is a lot of research being done which is targeting the direct causes of melanocyte destruction. New treatments are coming for vitiligo! Stay tuned! SKINMATTERS - 04 - JULY 2020 SKIN PREP FOR bridesand postponed weddings Planning a wedding is a ton of work and can be stressful to say the least. With everything surrounding COVID-19, postponing the big day was probably not in the plans for many, so our hearts go out to those who have been forced to do so. To maximize this extra time, we've come up with some ideas to help prep the skin for when that special day finally arrives. GET YOUR SKIN IN SHAPE! Smooth, flawless skin is a must on your wedding day. To achieve this, it takes a combination of in-office treatments and your commitment to using a great at-home skin care regimen. What does that entail you ask? We’ve listed the top pre-bridal treatments that will leave your skin smooth and glowing! In order for your skin to achieve a youthful and healthy glow for your big day, consider a series of chemical peels. They are great for the treatment of fine lines, uneven skin tone and texture, acne, pigmentation and sun damaged skin. After any peel, your skin will be photosensitive. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and use a sunscreen with an SPF 30+. As a general rule, plan any chemical peel appointment for at least one month before the wedding date. If doing a full series, you should start treatments 4-6 months in advance. Chemical Peels Chemical This time-frame will allow your skin to recover and be at its best before the big day. Even if your wedding plans aren’t going as smoothly as you’d hoped, your face doesn’t have to show it. Popular injectables like Botox, Dysport, Juvéderm & Restylane are great in helping smooth out unwanted fine lines & wrinkles to help keep those worry lines at bay. These injectables help by either temporarily relaxing the muscles or plumping/filling areas that see some loss of collagen Injectables production. With any of these options, treatment should be done at least a month before the nuptials. SKINMATTERS - 05 - JULY 2020 If excess fat under the chin is a concern, you may feel self-conscious with your profile and dread posing for any photos. Fortunately, there’s an effective, non-surgical solution available. Kybella is a great way to dissolve unwanted fat in the submental, or double Kybella chin area and is FDA-approved for treating neck fat. Depending on the number of treatments needed, it would be best to begin this 5-8 months in advance. Before & After Photos | CLICK HERE! What makes this treatment ideal for achieving that bridal glow? DiamondGlow, our dermalinfusion treatment, is a three-in-one skincare treatment that simultaneously exfoliates, extracts impurities, and infuses skin with serum to address specific concerns— whether that’s congestion, dryness, fine lines, or sun damage. While you’ll notice a difference after the first treatment, for best results leading up to your big day, we recommend a series of four to six sessions, scheduled every two or three weeks. DiamondGlow GIVE YOUR LASHES A BOOST! Your wedding day is the perfect day for a little extra glam, and to make your eyes really pop while you’re in the spotlight, our go-to is Latisse. This lash enhancer promotes growth for fuller, thicker, darker and longer eyelashes. Applying the product couldn’t be easier with just a brush onto the eyelashes every night. Latisse does take time, and we recommend starting it at least 3-4 months out to see stunning results. EXPERIMENT WITH SELF TANNER We shouldn’t have to tell you, but going to the tanning bed is never a good option. Wearing SPF daily and keeping your skin sun-safe is important not only because tanning causes skin cancer, but it also causes premature aging, wrinkles and sun spots. If a bronzed glow is on your list for your wedding day, now is the time to experiment. Whether you plan to get a spray tan or try a do-it-yourself tan, ALWAYS experiment a couple times before the big day. You don’t want to find out right before walking down the aisle that your faux glow looks more like an Oompa Loompa or you have a big ol’ streak on your arm. With all of these recommendations, scheduling a skin care consultation is the best place to start. This will allow us to create a customized plan that is right for you and your skin. Don’t delay—the sooner the better to ensure we have plenty of time for all of your must-have treatments! SKINMATTERS - 06 - JULY 2020 4TH OF JULY FUN with Sunscreen! July is UV Safety Month, a perfect time to freshen up on the importance of UV safety.