For patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, the most common complaint with their skin is dryness and irritation. If the skin becomes severely dry it can be more susceptible to infection which is a scary place to be for a patient whose immunity is already compromised.

Here are some tips to help prevent problems with dry skin during chemotherapy:

• avoid hot showers and baths

• use fragrance free soaps and laundry detergents

• use thick creams for moisturizers as opposed to lotions

• after each hand washing moisturize hands

• for dry flaky skin use ammonium lactate cream, available by prescription or over the counter

• use SPF 30, broad spectrum protection on skin to prevent sunburn as chemotherapy makes one more susceptible to sunburn

• drink plenty of fluids, 2-3 quarts of non alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids a day

• wear clothes made of cotton

Pellé Medical Skincare also carries a cancer care line by iS Clinical. The iS cancer care line provides skin care solutions for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. These products specifically address the needs of cancer patients. The line contains extremely powerful antioxidants to protect against free-radical damage generated from the environment as a result of certain cancer treatment therapies. Medical literature gives an overwhelming support to the use of antioxidants during cancer treatment. They have been shown to improve the outcome of cancer treatments and reduce the side effects from such treatments. The cancer care line products combine ingredients that strengthen cellular health and integrity and increase micro-circulation. The line utilizes proven cancer preventative ingredients and offers the safest, most advanced form of UV protection.

Skin dryness is not the only skin issue that arises with radiation and chemotherapy. Many patients suffer from burns and hyperpigmentation as well. The iS Clinical Cancer line has products to combat against these side effects as well.

If you, or someone you know is suffering from chemotherapy or radiation-related skin problems, contact a skincare nurse specialist at Pellé at 513-272-0064.

(Sources: www.isclinical.com & www.chemocare.com)

Did you know that drinking the recommended daily amount of water can improve your skin and make you look younger?  Well the proof is in the pudding. A 42 year old woman from the UK, Sarah, documented her transformation for 4 weeks to prove that consuming 3 liters a day of water DOES improve your skin while also taking years off your appearance.

So what prompted the experiment? As a chronic headache sufferer Sarah went to see her neurologist for some advice. During this appointment Sarah was informed that she needed to increase her daily consumption of water.  Headaches are often a result from dehydration due to the fact that the body’s organs try to make up for a lack of water by stealing it from the brain.

After 4 weeks of ingesting 3 liters a day of water Sarah noticed a dramatic difference in her appearance. On her face she noticed that the lines and shadows around her eyes were less pronounced.  Her skin was plumper and looked well nourished. The patchy spots she once had were no longer visible.  Not only did her face undergo changes but so did her  body, said Sarah.  She states ” I’m feeling leaner and fitter too, which is amazing since the only thing I have changed is the amount of water I drink.”

Please view the article attached to see the photos of Sarah’s drastic transformation.

Has anyone ever told you that ingesting sugars and starches can cause wrinkles?  Well it can, by a process called GLYCATION.  Glycation is the process by which sugar molecules attach onto proteins and fats forming Advanced Glycation End Products commonly referred to as AGE’s.  When glycation takes place it causes protein fibers in the skin to become stiff and malformed. The proteins in the skin most affected are collagen and elastin. These are the proteins responsible for giving us a youthful complexion.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone states “Eating sugary and starchy foods shows up on the skin as a loss of radiance, dark circles under the eyes, the loss of tone, puffiness, and increase in fine lines and wrinkles, the loss of facial contours and increased pore size.  These foods can also exacerbate acne, which is a systemic inflammatory disease.  I am not exaggerating when I say that sugar can rob you of your youth, health, and beauty.”

Signs of glycation usually start to appear in our 30’s. At age 30 we aren’t producing the collagen we were when we were young.  So what can be done to help slow down the aging process?  The best thing to do is the change up your diet. Try to stay away from sugary foods and refined carbohydrates. Examples of food to avoid are processed foods, cereals, soda and anything with high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup increases the rate of glycation by 10X compared to glucose.

The second thing you can do to is to invest in skincare products that contain ingredients proven to help fight glycation or stimulate the production of collagen. Green tea is just one potent ingredient proven to significantly interfere with the glycation process. Drinking green tea can also be beneficial.

Pellé Medical Skincare does offer a wide variety of products aimed at fighting glycation and producing collagen. The Intense Firm by Société contains 7 protein peptides aimed at producing collagen and increasing elasticity and firmness. It also contains the powerful antioxidant green tea. From the iS Clinical line, Youth Complex has been clinically proven to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It contains a copper tripeptide growth factor that mimics the way skin naturally produces collagen.

Sources:
Glycation: how sugar causes wrinkles.  www.simplyantiaging.com/2479/glycation
Sugar and Aging: How to fight glycation.  www.elle.com.makeup-skin-care/sugar-aging-how-to-fight-glycation-614621

Have you noticed that men can spend an hour or two a day in the gym but won’t spend two minutes taking care of their skin? My husband goes to the gym every night to keep his body in shape yet he refuses to invest in his skin. After talking to many patients at Pelle, this seems to be a recurring theme. For some reason, many men don’t think that skin care is a worthy investment.

Skin care for men is just as important as it is for women, sometimes more important. Men traditionally spend more time damaging their skin through participation in outdoor activities and hazardous work environments. Shaving can also really dry out the face.  So in just 3 steps, 3 minutes, twice a day, men can improve the overall health of their skin.

1. CLEANSE
This is the single most important step of a skin care regimen.

Cleansing the skin should take place twice daily: once in the morning upon waking up and once in the evening before going to bed.  It is important to insure that the product being used isn’t so drying that it is going to strip the skin of its natural oils. Most cleansers that produce bubbles with a good lather usually contain too much detergent and can dry the skin out. Using products containing salicylic acids for a person with dry skin can also cause irritation.  A basic gel cleanser tends to work best.

2. EXFOLIATE
Exfoliation is the process of getting rid of or shedding dead skin cells.

Exfoliation is important to unclog pores and prevent pimples or acne and is generally recommended at least three times a week.  For men, exfoliation is also important in helping to expose the hair follicles allowing for a closer shave.

3.  MOISTURIZE
If men do nothing else after cleansing it is vital to at least apply a moisturizer.

This step is often skipped because of the myth that moisturizing causes breakouts and blemishes.  The truth is exactly the opposite. When the sebaceous glands don’t get moisture they often produce an excess of oil to make up for it. This in turn can cause unwanted imperfections to appear on the skin. When choosing a moisturizer it’s extremely important to pick one with UVA/UBA protection.  The product should state on the packaging that it protects the sun from UVA and UVB rays. It may also simply say “broad spectrum.”  There are two main ingredients to look for when purchasing a moisturizer with sunblock: titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.  Look for these ingredients on the back of the bottle towards the bottom of the label.

While there are more skin care steps that are beneficial for men, this basic regimen is a good starting point.  The nurses at Pellé Medical Skincare are always available for a consultation to address any specific skin care issues you may have. Call us today at 272-0064!