I regularly attending congresses on the other side of the world so that I can stay up to date with cosmetic dermatology. One of my favourites is the annual meeting of the American Association of Dermatology. It is held on the west coast of the U.S one year and the following year on the east coast. When I attended my first congress more than 15 years ago, I couldn’t believe my eyes! Manly Dermatologists in expensive suits surrounded by groups of women who had undergone far too many cosmetic procedures, and very feminine Dermatologists (in their Louboutin shoes) who, judging by their make-up, looked as though they had just stepped out of a glossy magazine instead of a hospital. The next day, after I had just about recovered from the shock, I went to the Exhibition Hall and was completely bowled over by what I saw. There were stands full with cosmetics as far as the eye could see; the big brands were there, but also many brands which I’d never come across before. These were the so-called Doctors brands or, as I then learned, “the cosmeceuticals”. And in front of the stands were row upon row of female Doctors and the previously mentioned high heeled Dermatologists doing their best to get some free products. And I can assure you that it took some pushing and shoving in order for these women to leave that Hall with a bag full of creams. I made the decision there and then to get to the bottom of cosmeceuticals! Are they really any better than the regular brands which are sold in Boots or Debenhams? And what should you watch out for if you are going to spend a lot of money on these products?
Many women, and men too for that matter, suffer from this; a reddish brown discolouration on the neck. If you recognise this then you are probably the bearer of a skin condition known as Poikiloderma van Civatte.
The three most helpful hair removal facts and fables at a glance:
‘Does hair grow back thicker, darker and coarser after shaving?’
‘Does waxing cause less hair growth?’
‘Does your hair grow more quickly in the summer?’
If there were a top ten of anti-ageing products which could shrink everything except your wrinkles, at most your bank balance, then stem cells in creams would rate highly. Although stem cell research actually can and should change medical science, research into the application is still in its early stages. Also in the area of skin rejuvenation.
My children have a small bottle of Yakult with their breakfast each morning. I initiated this routine after a fascinating reading by a Paediatrician about the advantageous effect of probiotics. My only concern is that the contents of the bottle of Yakult are not quite the same as that tested in the research world. In the meantime, my kids are enjoying that tasty sweet drink containing healthy live bacteria, so withdrawing it is out of the question!
An accident in the kitchen, falling off your bike, or that huge spot on your chin that you just can’t leave alone… Your skin protects your body against external damage, but sometimes it isn’t strong enough. And then it is important to know what you can do to help your skin heal. For scars are awful and prevention is better than cure!
After the episode of Zapp (broadcast on the 6 February 2016) it was again apparent how difficult it is to change those fables surrounding the causes of acne. It’s time to clear up the most popular ones…
I regularly receive questions about the much publicised popular cleansing brush, the Clarisonic. Is this technique actually any good for your skin? Does it work and is it safe?
You can assume that the research on the use of this, so-called, sonic brush has been carried out by the manufacturers themselves. And so, naturally, you are going to see super results such as it cleanses six times more thoroughly, a more radiant complexion, less enlarged pores and even a reduction in wrinkles and creases. Is that true? Is that possible?
The gloves and scarves have been recalled from the attic and the car windscreen has to be scraped in the mornings and then we all reach for the lip balm. And that is not always wise. Because you can turn, in no time, from an occasional user into an outright lip balm addict.