12 Things You Should Never, Ever Do to Your Skin, According to Dermatologists

Never pop a pimple

When a pimple is big and red and gross and you want it gone ASAP, popping it can seem like a good idea. “It is so tempting to do,” says Boca Raton dermatologist Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD. “But whenever you create a disruption in the skin, it increases the chance of infection, worsening inflammation and even scarring.” Instead, if you have a really prominent pimple you want to pop, go see your dermatologist—or try this dermatologist-approved way to pop a pimple.

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12 Things You Should Never, Ever Do to Your Skin, According to Dermatologists

Never pop a pimple

When a pimple is big and red and gross and you want it gone ASAP, popping it can seem like a good idea. “It is so tempting to do,” says Boca Raton dermatologist Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD. “But whenever you create a disruption in the skin, it increases the chance of infection, worsening inflammation and even scarring.” Instead, if you have a really prominent pimple you want to pop, go see your dermatologist—or try this dermatologist-approved way to pop a pimple.

The post 12 Things You Should Never, Ever Do to Your Skin, According to Dermatologists appeared first on Reader's Digest.

from Reader's Digest http://bit.ly/2IqCiIJ
12 Things You Should Never, Ever Do to Your Skin, According to Dermatologists Reader's Digest

12 Things You Should Never, Ever Do to Your Skin, According to Dermatologists

Never pop a pimple

When a pimple is big and red and gross and you want it gone ASAP, popping it can seem like a good idea. “It is so tempting to do,” says Boca Raton dermatologist Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD. “But whenever you create a disruption in the skin, it increases the chance of infection, worsening inflammation and even scarring.” Instead, if you have a really prominent pimple you want to pop, go see your dermatologist—or try this dermatologist-approved way to pop a pimple.

The post 12 Things You Should Never, Ever Do to Your Skin, According to Dermatologists appeared first on Reader's Digest.

from Health – Reader's Digest http://bit.ly/2IqCiIJ
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Here’s How You Should Treat Perioral Dermatitis, According to Dermatologists

Don’t try to diagnose it on your own

Dr. Google may lead you down the wrong path with this rash. “Perioral dermatitis can mimic other conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and acne,” says Chris G. Adigun, a dermatologist at Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill. “Thus, it is imperative to have a board-certified dermatologist evaluate your skin.” Is it eczema? Here’s how to tell.

See a doctor for antibiotics

For milder cases, antibiotics could do the trick. “Perioral dermatitis can be effectively treated with topical and oral antibiotics,” Dr. Adigun says. “Often treatment can be as short as one month in duration for milder cases.” Learn when you do—and don’t—need antibiotics.

Cut out offending products, if you can

Sometimes, clearing up the rash can be as simple as cutting back on what you put on your face—especially as some beauty products are notorious perioral dermatitis causes. “A ‘skin detox’ is often an effective strategy to treat mild perioral dermatitis,” says Mohiba Tareen, MD, a dermatologist at Tareen Dermatology in Roseville, Minnesota. “Stopping all products and just using a gentle cleanser and very light, unscented moisturizer may help.” According to Dr. Tareen, the most common culprits are fluoridated toothpaste, lip balm, or scented or flavored topical products. Try these tips and tricks for glowing skin every day.

Be wary of topical steroids

Topical steroids may work for a bit—but could become a problem in the long run. “Topical steroids can suppress the rash, and consequently the eruption may flare when the steroid is discontinued,” Dr. Adigun says. “Eventually, the eruption will not respond to the topical steroid, and may even worsen with persistent application.” Check out the 13 things dermatologists won’t tell you.

Try a sulfur mask

If you’re looking for a perioral dermatitis treatment to try at home, a little “spa” time could help. “Mild episodes may clear up on their own,” says Melanie Palm, MD, MBA, board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD, in San Diego, CA. “A consumer could try a topical sulfur mask to help.” See what that rash could be.

Skip tea tree oil and other natural remedies

They may work great on acne or other skin ailments, but those natural remedies could backfire with this condition. “Over the counter and/or natural products such as tee tree oil can be extremely irritating to the skin and may worsen perioral dermatitis,” Dr. Adigun says. “Even natural products can cause stinging when applied to open skin.” Here is the worst skin advice dermatologists hear.

Be prepared for a regimen of multiple creams

For the most severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a series of different medications to clear up the condition. “Most cases we see in the office are moderate to severe in nature and require topical antibiotics, anti-yeast medications, anti-inflammatories, or even antibiotics to promote resolution of the rash,” says Dr. Palm. “The gold standard treatments for most cases require prescription-strength medications.”

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The Best Skin Care Routine for Rosacea, According to Dermatologists

Avoid triggers

Stress, heat, hot beverages, alcohol and these seven foods are a few common rosacea triggers, but it is often different strokes for different folks when it comes to what leads to a flare, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research and assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. “Rosacea is a condition in which the skin is hypersensitive to the environment, and it overreacts to triggers that should not upset the skin,” he says. Get ahead of your triggers by keeping a diary of daily activities, foods and drinks, and how your skin reacts to them.

Avoid overly drying cleansers

Harsh cleansers and scrubs will strip the skin of essential oils leading to dryness and inflammation, Dr. Zeichner warns. “This can lead to a rosacea flare,” he says. “Stick to gentle, soap-free cleansers that remove dirt and oil without compromising the skin barrier.” Top picks include Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser For Sensitive Skin, Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and/or Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. The cleanser should be devoid of such rosacea irritants as alcohol, witch hazel, fragrance, menthol, peppermint, and eucalyptus oil. Expert Rx? Wash your face twice daily with warm water and a non-soap cleanser, and blot your face dry with a towel. Find out the top 10 things you need to know about rosacea.

Shower smarter

We may like long, hot showers, but our skin does not, Dr. Zeichner says. “Excessive exposure to water, especially hot water, can strip the skin of essential oils and lead to dryness, irritation and rosacea flare-ups.” Instead, stick to short showers, that means ten minutes or less. “Water should be the temperature that you imagine a heated pool to be, around 84 degrees.” In fact, You might be better off showering less frequently (here are some other ways you might be showering wrong).

Moisturize

If you have rosacea, stick to gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers sans any irritating anti-aging ingredients, Dr. Zeichner says. “In some cases, I even recommend using the most gentle moisturizers that I would have my eczema patients use,” he says. Look for such ingredients as purified petrolatum or ceramides. (An eczema study actually found that rubbing petroleum jelly on a baby every day for the first six months of life can greatly reduce the infant’s chances of developing eczema later on.) Some MD-approved moisturizer picks for rosacea skin care include Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion, CeraVe lotion or SkinMedica’s Redness Relief CalmPlex^®. “While some products may be thought of as body lotions, they certainly can be applied to the face as well,” he says. Always apply a moisturizer on damp skin to lock in moisture, adds Adam Friedman, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Hospital in Washington DC.

Be sparing

With your skin care products, that is. “Less is more if you have rosacea so you want to minimize how many things you apply to your face,” says Dr. Friedman. Multitaskers are your BFFs. This can include a green-tinted base that also contains sunscreen. (Green camouflages red according to the color wheel theory of complementary colors.) Mineral makeup tends to include calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as zinc which is also a sunscreen. Cetaphil Redness Moisturizer SPF 35 or Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Protective Base SPF 15. There are some other makeup hacks that can help minimize flushing and blushing.

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Turn up the humidifier

Winter’s dryness and the indoor heaters that we often turn up during winter can worsen rosacea. To combat that, turn on a humidifier to keep the air moist and flares at bay. But summer also heralds its fair share of rosacea triggers. “Grill with caution during summer weekend barbecues, the National Rosacea Society recommends. “Use a long-handled spatula and tongs so you can stand farther back from the heat, or hand over cooking duties to someone else,” they suggest. “To avoid flushing and overheating, chew on ice chips; cool your face with a spray bottle filled with water; or drape a cold, wet towel around your neck.”

Go easy on the eyes

While it mainly strikes skin, rosacea can also affect the eyes. So-called ocular rosacea is one of the causes of bloodshot eyes. In addition, your eyelids may become red and swollen, and styes are common. Severe cases can result in corneal damage and vision loss without medical help, according to the National Rosacea Society (NRS). Be kind to your eyes by choosing and using only allergy-tested, fragrance-free formulas such as mineral powder eyeshadow and mascara that can be removed with warm water. “Neutral colors, both in shadow and eye pencils, may also be less irritating than strong jewel tones since they have less pigment,” the NRS states.

Shave safely

Men with rosacea should consider an electric razor to avoid the irritation of a dull blade, the NRS suggests. When choosing shaving cream, opt for gentle, unscented products and follow shaving with a post-shave balm and/or moisturizer. When removing unwanted facial hair, “the idea is to create as little trauma and inflammation as possible so you do not provoke a rosacea flare,” Dr. Zeichner says. For a woman with the concessional hair, plucking is fine, he says. But “if you have a lot of dark hair, permanent options like laser hair removal or electrolysis may be best because you do not need to treat in the future,” he says. Curious about laser hair removal? Here’s what you need to know before you go. “Depilatories may cause irritation depending on how sensitive you are,” he says. “Many women do not like the idea of it, but I commonly recommend shaving.”

Slather on sunscreen

Fully 81 percent of people with rosacea cite sun exposure as a top trigger for rosacea, according to the NRS. What’s more, sunlight may also bring out visible blood vessels (telangiectasia) and severe redness of rosacea. Fight the redness with non-chemical sunscreens that contain zinc or titanium dioxide and protect against UVA/UVB with an SPF of 30 or higher, Dr. Friedman says. Colorescience All Calm™ Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50 is a 3-in-1 product that corrects, protects and relieves rosacea-prone skin. (Remember how we told you that multitaskers are your skin’s BFF if you have rosacea.) Just be sure you’re not making these sunscreen mistakes!

Don’t exfoliate

Yes, you read that correctly. Regular exfoliation is important for many people, but it you have rosacea, it is adding insult to injury, Dr. Friedman says. “I am really against physical exfoliants,” he says. They are abrasive and in rosacea, the barrier is already disrupted.” If you do have broken capillaries, try these 10 ways to erase and prevent them completely.

Lose weight

The latest research suggests that obesity may also increase the risk of rosacea in women. The findings show that risk for rosacea increases significantly with increased body mass index (BMI), weight gain after age 18, and larger waist and hip circumferences. Rosacea has also been linked to other conditions outside of the skin including Alzheimer’s disease. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight may be a rosacea remedy, not to mention and help lower your risk for a host of diseases.

See your dermatologist

Is it acne or is it rosacea? It can be hard to tell, Dr. Friedman says, Unfortunately, acne medications may worsen rosacea symptoms. Better safe than sorry, so see your dermatologist to get a definitive diagnosis and expert advice on the best rosacea treatment or acne therapy. Learn more about the 17 daily habits of people who never get acne. Yup, they exist.

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The One Beauty Product You Should Avoid After Workouts, According to Dermatologists

More often than not, the first thing you want to do after a tough workout is shower and freshen up. We hear ya! But fitness fanatics, beware: One surprising part of your post-workout beauty routine might be damaging your skin. (No time for a shower? Here’s how to look, feel, and smell fresh after your sweat session.)

No matter how badly you want to revive your sweaty hair after exercising, dermatologists recommend avoiding hair products like hairspray after a workout. Why, you ask? “As your body is still warm, these products will melt and travel downward to your face and clog pores,” New York-based dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman told Byrdie.

Even worse, these products can cause acne and irritation in the long run. Clogged pores difficult to de-clog, and as a result, you’re much more likely to get blackheads, whiteheads, and acne, according to Dr. Todd Plott. Check out even more sneaky reasons for your acne breakout.

Bottom line: While you might want to get your hair in great shape after shaping up your body, put the products away.

Looking for more post-workout advice? Dr. Engelman suggests avoiding heavy, pore-clogging makeup after a workout, too. If you can’t do without a face touch-up, opt for light makeup products like tinted moisturizer, instead. Just look at this way: You’ve never had a better excuse to “let your natural radiance shine,” she said.

That’s not the only gym mistake you’re making. You should never, ever do these things after a workout, either.

[Source: SheFinds]

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This Is Why Drinking a Ton of Water Won’t Help Your Skin, According to Dermatologists

Flawless skin is a primary beauty ambition—and challenge. While fresh, dewy visages are wholly guaranteed in simple home remedies, skincare routines, and expensive potions, their promises always seem to come up short. Among them is the popular claim that guzzling water is the secret to supple, glowing skin. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Gabrielle Union swear by H2O as the primary formula for getting their faces camera-ready. Beauty magazines never tire of recommending eight to 10 glasses of water to improve skin appearance, boost the complexion, and even eliminate wrinkles. (Try these tested wrinkle-remover tricks instead.) Although adequate water intake is important for your health, there is little, if any, scientific evidence that proves drinking a lot of water has any skin benefits at all.

A review from Clinics in Dermatology found only one study that had investigated the actual effects of long-term water intake on skin health. Published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, they deduced that drinking 2.25 liters of water every day for four weeks altered skin density and thickness, but the exact results were ambiguous and contradictory. While another University of Missouri-Columbia study showed that drinking 500 milliliters of water increased blood flow to the skin, they weren’t able to prove any link to skin appearance.

“The outer layer of skin, the stratum corner is designed to prevent water loss from the skin into the environment and is responsible for the ‘waterproofing’ characteristic of the body,” says Fayne L. Frey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and specialist in skin barrier function. “And, there are studies that show that in individuals that have low water intake, increasing water intake can increase skin thickness and improve skin hydration.”

But, gulping water to maintain skin hydration is only one part of the equation—and doesn’t necessarily correlate to skin appearance. That depends more on your skin’s ability to hold water.

“In healthy individuals with normal skin thickness, excess water has not been shown to prevent wrinkles, remove grooves, fine lines, or any other sign of aging,” says Dr. Frey.

Dermatologists agree you may be better off applying topical moisturizers. Dr. Frey recommends those that are formulated with appropriate occlusives (that prevent water from evaporating from the skin into the environment) and humectants (ingredients that draw water into the superficial layers of skin).

Joel Schlessinger, MD, dermatologist and RealSelf contributor agrees. “Sipping on water throughout the day is great for your body, but this hydration doesn’t actually reach your skin unless you’re extremely dehydrated,” he said. “Instead, skin is hydrated through one of two different ways: natural oil production or topically applied creams, lotions, and serums.”

Remember—your food intake is just as important for your skin. Sonam Yadav, MD, medical director of Juverne, advises that a good skincare diet with plenty of fat and limited refined carbohydrates will mean less water evaporation from your skin surface.

In essence, drinking excessive water may just result in internal issues, or at best, excess sprints to the bathroom—plus, there is such a thing as drinking too much water, so you’ll want to be careful of that. “Hormones, genetics, lifestyle, diet, fabric choices, exercise, choice of skincare products, and more are all factors that affect your skin and your acne,” says Dr. David Lortscher, MD, dermatologist and co-founder/CEO of Lortscher and Curology. “Therefore, while hydration is important, it simply isn’t the end-all be-all miracle to achieving perfect skin.”

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This Is Why Drinking a Ton of Water Won’t Help Your Skin, According to Dermatologists Health – Reader's Digest

12 Things You Should Never, Ever Do to Your Skin, According to Dermatologists

Never pop a pimple

When a pimple is big and red and gross and you want it gone ASAP, popping it can seem like a good idea. “It is so tempting to do,” says Boca Raton dermatologist Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD. “But whenever you create a disruption in the skin, it increases the chance of infection, worsening inflammation and even scarring.” Instead, if you have a really prominent pimple you want to pop, go see your dermatologist—or try this dermatologist-approved way to pop a pimple.

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12 Things You Should Never, Ever Do to Your Skin, According to Dermatologists Health – Reader's Digest