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Month: June 2017

27Jun

Although laser hair removal may alleviate the suffering of those with ingrown beard hairs – a condition known as pseudofolliculitis barbae – the condition can’t be cured permanently. Dr Jonathan Smith discusses this problem.

Even though pseudofolliculitis barbae is a true inflammation of the hair follicle, the inflammation occurs due to ‘mechanical irritation’ and not because of a primary microbial infection. The condition is genetically-determined – those who develop it inherit very tough beard hair. These hairs can’t be cut parallel to the skin surface, but are dragged out of their follicles and cut off skew (ie with a sharp point). The natural recoil results in a sharp-pointed hair being trapped in its sheath – what’s commonly known as ‘ingrown’.

When the sharp point penetrates the sheath, inflammation and secondary infection occurs, resulting in red papules, yellow pustules and scarring. Unfortunately, the nature of one’s beard hair can’t be changed so that this problem is usually chronic, although it does improve as one ages and the hairs become softer.

The obvious solution to this “mechanical” problem is to grow a beard. Members of the police and armed forces regularly visit dermatologists to acquire a ‘beard pass’. Hairs can also be permanently “lasered away”, but many men don’t find this ‘loss of masculinity’ acceptable.

Systemic (antibiotics, especially tetracyclines) and topical (keratolytics and antimicrobials) therapeutic modalities are effective in the short term, but can’t cure this chronic problem.

The following shaving hints tend to bring some relief:

  1. Use a single blade, preferably a guarded one
  2. Always ensure that the blade is sharp – use once, maximum twice
  3. Wait for 5 minutes once the shaving cream has been applied before starting to shave – this is by far the MOST IMPORTANT hint as the hairs are then softer when shaved
  4. Shave in the direction of beard hair growth
  5. Don’t pull on the skin while shaving

Lasermed offers laser treatments for ingrown beard hairs.

 

14Jun

Live life well with the correct rosacea management. Dermatologist Dr Pieter Dempers explains.

This chronic skin condition affects mainly the central facial areas. It consists of various signs and symptoms that include persistent redness and sensitivity of the face, facial flushing, the appearance of small broken veins on the skin surface and the eruption of red inflammatory spots and pimples. The nose can enlarge and even the eyes may become affected.

The cause of rosacea is not fully understood, but theories include genetic, environmental, vascular, inflammatory and infectious factors. Trigger factors that may aggravate rosacea include: alcohol, hot beverages, spicy food, heat/cold/humidity, sunlight, stress and harsh cosmetics.

People who are prone to rosacea are those between the ages of 30 and 50, fair-skinned, of Celtic origin and mostly females. There are four types of rosacea, but not everyone experiences every type and each type can affect people differently.

Vascular Rosacea is characterised by frequent flushing and chronic redness of facial skin. Some people also have visible blood vessels creeping across the bridge of the nose and the cheeks. The symptoms are minor and topical or oral rosacea medications can treat the condition at this stage. Laser treatment can be used to zap broken blood vessels.

Inflammatory Rosacea’s key symptom is chronic redness of the face, as well as an outbreak of red bumps and pimples, which are different from actual acne and require a different treatment – notably topical gels.

Phymatous Rosacea may develop when rosacea is left untreated. A bulbous, lumpy and very red nose is the classic symptom. Excess skin may also grow on the cheeks or forehead, giving it a thickened appearance. Phymatous rosacea occurs more frequently in men. The thickened skin is often addressed with laser and surgical treatments.

Ocular Rosacea can provoke a long list of symptoms, from dryness or a gritty sensation in the eyes to tearing, burning, itching, or stinging. You might have bloodshot eyes, frequent styes, swelling of the eyelids or redness on the margins of the lids. Ocular rosacea can be serious, resulting in damage to the cornea. See your doctor or dermatologist straight-away.

Rosacea is treatable and the first step is to avoid trigger factors causing flushing/redness. Use gentle cleansers such as Avéne thermal spring water, Skin Tech ph5 Cleansing Foam or Obagi Nuderm Gentle Cleanser and moisturisers such as NeoStrata Bio-Hydrating Cream, Dermaquest Essential Moisturiser or Bioderma Sensibio Rich Cream, plus regular use of sunscreen – all available at www.dermashop.co.za. The Bioderma Sensibio range is specifically formulated to relieve rosacea. Prescription creams are available for mild cases to treat inflammation and redness, but for more severe cases oral antibiotics are needed.

Persistent, small, broken veins (telangiectasia) can be improved successfully with vascular lasers and IPL treatments at Lasermed.

 

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