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)

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

Through the month of March receive 10% off our newest product, EXFOLIATING ENZYME TREATMENT, when you schedule a Transition Peel. This incredible mask from IS Clinical is a treatment between treatments! The benefits include smooth and polished skin as well as healthy collagen synthesis. With this safe and effective physical biochemical exfoliant, you’ll see a dramatic difference in your skin’s appearance.

As an added bonus Pelle is offering 10% off one of the most effective and amazing skin rejuvenation products from IS Clinical: Active Serum, which is typically used in conjunction with Retin-A.

If you purchase IS Clinical’s ACTIVE SERUM and EXFOLIATING ENZYME TREATMENT, we’ll give you an additional 5% off your total purchase!

Call today and schedule your Transition Peel to take advantage of these exciting March Specials!

One common concern for African Americans is acneic (acne) problems as well as pigmentation problems, or dark spots, which occur at the site of inflammation. These dark spots are sometimes more stressful than the original pimple.

Pellé Medical Skincare has skincare programs implemented to help with acne and hyper-pigmentation for African American skin, including the following skincare regimen, which is a great starting point for anyone with dark skin.

1) Use cleansers at least once a day on your face. Cleansers are useful in removing excess oil and are essential for black skin care as it can be excessively oily in certain areas.

2) Exfoliate regularly in order to remove dead skin cells and debris that line the surface of the skin and clean the pores.

3) Treat dark skin spots, or hyper-pigmentation with a prescription hydroquinone such as Skin Lightener from Dermesse, or White Lightening from IS Clinical. Your skin care specialist will recommend what will be most effective.

4) Protect and moisturize with a complete sun block. Not only are Pellé’s sun blocks moisturizing, but they protect against UVA radiation which causes skin cancer and hyper-pigmentation. See our blog on General Skin Care.

Quick Quiz: Dark-skinned people don’t need sun block.

False! It is a common misconception that people with dark skin are not at risk for sunburn or skin cancer. Although dark skin does offer more natural protection from the sun’s harmful rays than light skin, no one is immune to the damage caused by the sun. And while darker skinned people won’t get sunburned as quickly, they will still burn and are still susceptible to sun-induced damage, such as sunspots (hyper-pigmentation), wrinkles and cancer. In fact, darker skinned people are more likely to die from skin cancer than light-skinned people due to this false sense of security.

Pellé offers a wide range of sun blocks for all skin types and color. No one should consider themselves immune to sunburns and skin cancer.

To get started on your healthier skin, schedule your appointment today!

We’ve been so lucky to have the support of the Cincinnati community. Check out a story that appeared today on CincyChic.com about our iS Cancer Care treatments

Caring for Cancer Patients
Pelle Medical is taking skincare to the next level by providing a medical-based skincare line for patients taking chemotherapy and radiation therapy right here in Cincinnati.

The last thing a cancer patient needs is a skin condition to remind them of the disease every time they look in the mirror. That’s why iS Cancer Care, a branch of the iS Clinical skincare line, targets patients facing skin damage resulting from chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Pellé Medical, a Cincinnati-based skin care clinic is offering these products to patients in the Tri-State area.

With more than twenty combined years of skincare experience, registered nurses Debbie Gittinger and Chris Klueh opened Pellé in April 2009. Together, they treat patients’ skincare needs under the direction of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Allison Lied.

“We see patients with all skin types and problems – acne, rosacea, sensitive and pigmented,” says Klueh. And although the iS Clinical line of products offered by Pellé Medical treat these conditions, the iS Cancer Care line was formulated especially for skin damage caused by cancer treatment therapies.

Chemotherapy is effective at battling cancer because it targets and kills rapidly developing cells. However, the chemotherapy chemicals are unable to decipher harmful cancerous cells from cells that are meant to divide rapidly within the body, such as the skin. As a result, damaged skin cells often break down and become fragile, form rashes or change skin pigment due to necessary cancer treatments. iS Cancer Care contains a powerful antioxidant, which works to battle free radicals, which cause damage to the skin, and are especially prevalent in cancer treatment therapies.

But all patients with cancer are not treated with the same type or dosage of drug, and every patient reacts differently. “Patients are put on specific products based on their individual skin care needs and goals,” says Klueh.

Some patients are very likely to experience an allergic reaction, even to cancer battling drugs. Since appearance is a key factor in self-esteem, Pellé Medical is not only providing a physical service, but a mental service as well. Pellé Medical is showing its support to cancer survivors in other ways as well.

October is widely known as breast cancer awareness month and is characterized by the cloud of pink ribbons which appear in support of those who are battling or have battled against breast cancer. This past October, Pellé Medical ran a sweepstakes where followers of its blog and Facebook page could nominate family members or friends who are fighting or have fought breast cancer to receive a gift basket of skincare products and a Pellé Medical facial.

Pellé now carries the latest in skin care brightening! Ask about our iS Clinical White Lightening Complex and White Lightening Serum and receive a 10% discount on either product. Pigmentation is reduced significantly without using Hydroquinone. iS Clinical products are used by Hollywood’s most beautiful women…Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Charlize Theron and more!

iS Clinical White Lightening Serum

• All Skin Types

• Brightening, Lightening, Smoothing

This high performance intensive lightening formula safely and rapidly targets hyperpigmented areas. It promotes controlled exfoliation resulting in a smoother and softer skin texture. Studies have shown that over 80% of participants exhibited a clear and highly noticeable improvement after using the serum for just 3 months.

Benefits:

• Norwegian kelp extract increases controlled exfoliation helping to remove hyperpigmented areas.

• Mushroom extract and alpha arbutin inhibit tyrosinase enzymes that produce melanin.

• Sugar cane and bilberry extract promote mild exfoliation.

• Willow bark extract encourages exfoliation, gently resurfacing the skin with no side effects.

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iS Clinical White Lightening Complex

• All Skin Types

• Brightening, Lightening, Smoothing

A precisely designed formula with select lightening agents that work synergistically to create a safe and powerful brightening effect. White Lightening Complex also offers strong moisturizing properties and powerful antioxidant protection. Studies have shown a 37% reduction in melanin production in just 72 hours.

Benefits:

• Norwegian kelp extract increases controlled exfoliation helping to remove hyperpigmented areas.

• Mushroom extract and alpha arbutin inhibit tyrosinase enzymes that produce melanin.

• Sugar cane and bilberry extract promote mild exfoliation.

• Willow bark extract encourages exfoliation, gently resurfacing the skin with no side effects.