6Feb

Lasermed now offers successful laser treatment for nail infections. A Nail infection can be caused by either bacteria (acute or chronic) or fungal.  We see mostly nail fungal infections – mainly of the toe nails but sometimes of fingernails as well.  This can also be associated with athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) or other forms of fungal infections of the skin (groin area – tinea cruris) or on the rest of the body (tinea corporis).  Clinically the nails may loosen from the underlying nail bed (onycholysis), have a change of colour (mainly white) or the build-up of scaling/keratin under the nail (subungual hyperkeratosis).  The diagnosis can be confirmed by either doing a scraping of the nail with microscopic analysis or by doing a nail fungal culture (pathology lab).

Once confirmed there are three therapeutic options:

  1. Topical medical therapy such as Loceryl
  2. Oral therapy (Terbenafine, Itraconazole, fluconazole)
  3. Laser Therapy: new discovery/invention with good to excellent cure potential.

We use the ND Yag laser for the treatment of nail fungal infections.  The laser is able to destroy all forms of fungi.  The treatment protocol involves one laser session per week for four weeks.  The results are then assessed three months later.  If after three months there is no recurring infection, the patient will be assessed again after another three months.

Topical over the counter products have no therapeutic benefit.

30Jan

Penny Jenkinson presents the case for investing in your biggest organ.

In 1938 cosmetic products claiming to beautify or improve the skin’s appearance were launched. These were sold and marketed without the necessity to establish safety and efficacy. Also, they proved to have no demonstrable effect on the structure and function of the skin.

Fast-forward 50 years: both technology and materials had improved by leaps and bounds, giving rise to the birth of cosmeceuticals. Also known as dermaceuticals/active cosmetics and functional cosmetics, cosmeceuticals is an important area of dermatology because of the increased knowledge about skin physiology and the many novel raw materials that can alter the structure and function of skin.

Cosmeceuticals offer immediate and long-term results, have a low side-effect profile, preventive benefits and address a variety of skin concerns, including texture, pigmentation and laxity. But the major difference between cosmetic products and cosmeceuticals is that in products classed as cosmeceuticals, the various product marketing claims must be substantiated by clinical testing to determine safety and efficacy in improving the skin’s appearance.

Today, men and women alike aspire to a youthful, healthy appearance and they wish to combat signs of ageing proactively. So, despite the popularity of wrinkle-reducing injections, laser resurfacing and so forth, it’s absolutely essential to apply scientifically-proven topical creams to complement and prolong the results of rejuvenation treatments.

Most cosmeceuticals contain important ingredients for preserving the skin’s youthful appearance in some or other form: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, peptides, proteins and sun protection. However, always speak to a qualified consultant, because the quality and quantity of the ingredients are all-important.

Vitamin A (Retinoids, Retinyl palmitate, Tretinoin) stimulates collagen production, increases cell turnover, repairs damaged skin and helps to contain acne. Be aware that vitamin A causes a transient reaction when first using it. To enjoy long-term benefits, persevere through this period! Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) in various forms is an antioxidant which fights free radicals, thus preventing and treating sun-damaged skin. It also stimulates fibroblasts to increase elastin synthesis and collagen production.

Skin lightening agents contain kojic acid, liquorice, bearberry extract, arbutin and vitamin C to treat pigmentation and prevent further pigmentation. Signs of photo-damage (eg sun spots) only present later in life, so using these products will prevent, delay and treat damaged cells.

Alpha and Poly Hydroxy Acids exfoliate the skin, gently dissolving outer layers of dead skin, allowing better product penetration, resulting in a smooth even-textured skin. It’s a vital part of the skincare regime to speed up cell turnover. Alas, the latter process slows down as we age, causing us to look tired and dull. Alpha Hydroxy acids are ideal for severely sun-damaged skin, acne and dry skins. Poly Hydroxy Acids are gentle and moisturising – ideal for normal to sensitive skins.

By only using high-quality, dermatological products on your skin, you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.

10Jan

In a new study of indoor tanning and skin cancer risk, the use of indoor tanning among non-heterosexual black male teens was found to be nearly equal to that of heterosexual white females. The study led by San Diego State University researcher Aaron Blashill, was recently published in the journal JAMA Dermatology.

“Contrary to popular thought, racial and ethnic minorities engage in indoor tanning and it appears to be particularly concentrated among sexual-minority adolescent boys,” said Blashill, an assistant professor of psychology.

The data comes from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative survey that examines the prevalence of risky health behaviors among 9th- to 12th-grade public and private school students.

Earlier studies have shown sexual minority males have one of the highest known prevalence rates of skin cancer, with up to twice the risk of heterosexual males.

Confusion over why people with darker skin might use indoor tanning stems from an incomplete understanding of why people tan in the first place, Blashill said.

“Many only think of indoor tanning as something people do to darken their skin, so the idea that a black individual would tan at all is hard for some to grasp,” he said. “But if we think of indoor tanning as a coping strategy, then the findings begin to make more sense.”

Because UV exposure can induce relaxation through the release of natural opioids in the brain, it’s possible that non-heterosexual black and Hispanic teenage boys engage in indoor tanning to help regulate psychological distress, which could be the result of discrimination, prejudice, and victimization based on their sexual orientation and/or race/ethnicity, Blashill explained.

While indoor tanning is banned for minors in California and several other states, Blashill said these restrictions are not 100-percent effective.

“It is important to understand what’s driving indoor tanning among these boys so we can develop future skin cancer prevention and education campaigns targeted at the high-risk group.”

Blashill is currently working on a follow-up study evaluating the indoor tanning use of 14- to 35-year-old sexual-minority males in San Diego County to see if there is a similar phenomenon among college-aged and young adults. – sciencedaily.com

6Jan
  • by Dr Jonathan Smith

Always choose SPF 50+ – don’t compromise! It should have scientifically proven effective UVA protection with a factor of 12 or higher (this is normally stated at the bottom of the box/tube. Remember, UVA rays cause ageing, while UVB rays cause the skin to burn.

Effective visible light and infrared protection is highly recommended. This is usually found in the Heliocare range. Look out for additives to aid DNA repair. These plant extracts are very beneficial and are also found in the Heliocare range. It’s also advisable that your sun protection should contain antioxidants to ‘mop up’ the free radicals that cause skin ageing.

Naturally, your sun protection should have low allergenicity and be odourless.

You may fine tune your protection by selecting a non-greasy cream for oily skins; a moisturising cream for dry skins; a water-resistant one if required for watersport and activities involving excessive sweating; and then of course sunscreens which are safe for children (Bioderma has a Kids’ sun block – the cream is blue but goes white. Blue – so you can see what areas you’ve covered.)

Very important: sun creams offer protection – they’re not block-outs! Sun protection should be reapplied 2 to 3 times a day and especially after swimming. Also, sun protection is essential on overcast days as well. Wear sun-protective clothing and even better still, UV-tested hats and clothing.

Men and boys must remember to apply sun cream on the ears and behind the neck. Women should also protect their hands as hands give away your true age (always exposed to the sun when driving).

 

11Dec
  • by Dr Francois de Goede

What causes Melasma?

  • Genetic factors
  • Sun exposure
  • Hormone therapy (The Pill etc)
  • Pregnancy

 

Can Melasma be cured?

No but the right topical therapy can make a difference and keep control. Beware of quick fixes and do not have unrealistic expectations.  Melasma can be lightened only!

 

What can be done?

  • Effective sun protection daily – sun block should be applied 2 to 3 times daily.
  • LASERMED will advise the following modalities: topical cream and treatments
  • Numerous topical molecules (azelaic acid, Kojic acid, vitamin A derivatives, vitamin C, fruit acids etc).
  • Usually a combination of molecules in the same product works more effectively.

 

LASERMED/ Dermashop advise on and stock the following products:

Skin Tech Blending Cream

Neostrata Enlighten range: cleanser, day cream, serum, pigment controller

Dermaquest Skin Brite and C-Infusion products

Zone Day and Night Creams

 

What about laser therapy?

LASERMED has a spectrum of different lasers for numerous medical and cosmetic procedures but we do not treat Melasma with any form of laser: it responds poorly, is costly and in 95% of patients the Melasma will re-occur. Topical therapy will always be the first line therapy.

 

What about chemical peels?

Yes. This is good adjunctive therapy for Melasma as it will have a therapeutic effect and will also enhance the topical therapies used. However, not all chemical peels are effective. There are specific peels for Melasma only – your LASERMED therapists will advise.

25Nov

Our society associates a glowing tan with health, youth, and attractiveness. However, the plain truth is that a tan or sunburn is your body’s way of telling you that you’ve been exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays causes skin cells (melanocytes) to darken your skin by producing more melanin (which makes your skin appear darker). The darkening process is actually your skin’s defense against more UV damage. While the tan will fade, the damage that occurs to your skin is long-lasting. This damage increases your risk for skin cancers such as melanoma as well as signs of premature aging with increased wrinkles.

Some people use tanning beds in the pursuit of a bronzed glow year-round. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that we completely avoid artificial UV sources such as tanning beds. According to the FDA, the sunlamps in tanning beds may be more dangerous than the sun. Unlike the sun, which comes and goes depending on the weather, you can use tanning beds at the same intensity every day of the year. This increases exposure and health risk. On that same note, the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization’s International Agency of Research on Cancer panel have stated that UV radiation from the sun as well as artificial sources like tanning beds are a known carcinogen, which means that they may cause cancer.