If you're bothered by the appearance, or if you're experiencing itchiness, you have several treatment options.
Q: Every winter I get these weird bumps on my skin, kind of like goosebumps, except that they won't go away. What are they? Is there anything that can help?
A: It sounds as though you're describing a common and harmless skin condition known as keratosis pilaris. Symptoms typically include patches of small, hard bumps that are about the size of a grain of sand. They may match your skin tone, or can appear pink, reddish, white or brown. In some cases, the tops of the bumps are covered in dry skin scales.
The condition occurs when oil pores in the skin, which also contain tiny hairs, become clogged with dead skin cells. (The word "keratosis" refers to keratin, the main building block of the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin. The word "pilaris" pertains to hair.) The affected area becomes rough and in some cases may itch. However, keratosis pilaris doesn't cause pain.
This is a condition that may be seasonal, as you have experienced, or can last for months or even years. It usually appears on the skin of the upper arm, upper thigh or buttocks, but can also develop on other areas of the body. It sometimes occurs on the face, most often on cheeks, where it resembles acne. It's more common in young people, and often goes away as they get older. The cause of keratosis pilaris isn't yet known, but since it's more common in individuals with certain skin conditions, such as eczema, genes may play a role. It's distinctive enough that it can usually be diagnosed with a visual and physical exam.
Keratosis pilaris is neither harmful nor dangerous, and it isn't infectious. It can safely be left alone. But if you're bothered by the appearance, or if you're experiencing itchiness, you have several treatment options. Since damp skin absorbs moisturizer more easily than dry skin, and since the products form a barrier that protects the skin, make it a practice to apply moisturizer after bathing or showering. Creams that contain chemical exfoliators – such as urea, salicylic and glycolic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids – can help to break down excess keratin. Over-the-counter lotions such as Eucerin, AmLactin and CeraVe, which are gentle and fragrance-free, can be helpful in diminishing the size of the bumps and boosting moisture.
When showering and bathing, keep water on the cooler side, as hot water can contribute to dry skin and irritation. Using a loofah, washcloth or exfoliating mitt can also help minimize bumps, but don't try to scrub them away. This can easily lead to irritated or even inflamed skin and make symptoms worse. Instead, treat your skin gently.
When toweling off after a shower or bath, dab your skin dry rather than rubbing. If you're not getting results with this regimen of self-care, your health care provider can recommend prescription creams with vitamin A or Retin-A, which may help improve your skin's appearance.
Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024.
WWE Hall of Famer Bret "Hitman" Hart announced Thursday that he was diagnosed with skin cancer.
Hart posted a photo on Instagram of a small stitch on his shoulder with the following caption: "Goal for 2020 and beyond: wear more sunscreen! Basal cell carcinoma removal scheduled soon. Another opportunity to remind everyone to look after your health and#getchecked."
According to the Mayo Clinic, basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that is most often treated by removing the cancer through surgery.
Basal cell carcinoma is among the most common types of skin cancer and is rarely life-threatening, per WebMD.
The 62-year-old Hart has had several health scares over the years. He suffered a stroke in 2002, and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016. Hart revealed in 2017 that he was 100 percent recovered from prostate cancer.
Hart is one of the most popular and decorated Superstars in WWE history. He is a five-time WWE champion, two-time Intercontinental champion, two-time Tag Team champion, one-time United States champion, two-time King of the Ring and one-time Royal Rumble winner.
He also held the World Heavyweight Championship, United States Championship and Tag Team Championships in WCW after departing WWE in 1997.
Hart and WWE were on bad terms for many years after the Vince McMahon orchestrated the Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997 to get the WWE Championship off Hart before he left for WCW, but amends have since been made.
He made his WWE return in 2009 and even had a match against McMahon at WrestleMania 26.
Hart was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for the second time last year as one half of the Hart Foundation along with his late tag team partner, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart.
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Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable skin care outlets in Arlington, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture when cravings strike.
Topping the list is Newrain Eyebrow Threading. Located at 3115 S. Cooper St., Suite 107 in East, the skin care, waxing and threading service spot is the highest-rated low-priced skin care restaurant in Arlington, boasting 4.5 stars out of 191 reviews on Yelp.
If you're hungry for more, we found these details about Newrain Eyebrow Threading, which has been around for nearly 12 years.
Concerning signature items, "We Are voted Number One Salon for eyebrow threading in Arlington, TX," it states on Yelp in the section explaining specialties. "We are equally popular for waxing, facials, henna tattoos and eyebrow tinting."
Next is East's Glo Sun Spa, situated at 2525 E. Arkansas Lane, Suite 203. It's an outpost of the Texas chain. With five stars out of 21 reviews on Yelp, the skin care, spray tanning and cryotherapy spa spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a cheap option.
If you're looking for more, we found these details about Glo Sun Spa.
The business offers "cryotherapy, luxury UV tanning, award-winning spray tans and weight-loss treatments," according to the specialities section of its Yelp profile.
West's Madu Threading Lounge, located at Fielder North Plz, Suite 209, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the low-priced eyelash service, skin care and hair removal spot 4.5 stars out of 54 reviews.
Curious to know more? We found these details about Madu Threading Lounge and the faces behind it.
Nepal-born beautician Madu brings threading, a hair removal method that dates back to ancient Indian and Middle East.
As to what the business is known for, "We specialize in eyebrow and facial threading, eyelash extensions and tinting, as well as waxing, specialty facials and microdermabrasion" — that's courtesy of the business's Yelp page.
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
Hokkaido University scientists are getting closer to understanding how a rare hereditary disease impairs the skin's barrier function, which determines how well the skin is protected.
The gene mutation that causes ichthyosis prematurity syndrome -- characterized by premature birth; difficulty breathing shortly after birth; and very dry, thick and scaly skin -- dramatically reduces the synthesis of acylceramide, a key skin lipid in forming the skin barrier. The discovery provides us with a better understanding of the condition, which is currently untreatable.
Ichthyosis prematurity syndrome is caused by a gene mutation in fatty acid transporter member 4 (FATP4), but the details of how the mutation impairs the skin's barrier function, leading to dry, scaly skin, has been unclear.
Molecular biologist Akio Kihara of Hokkaido University led a team of researchers in Japan and Germany to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the disease. When they disrupted the FATP4 gene in mice, the offspring had rigid skin, low body weight, and died within an hour of birth. Water loss from their skin was more than four times higher than normal mice, and their skin was delicate, susceptible to staining.
Investigations revealed microscopic changes in the skin similar to those that occur in people born with ichthyosis prematurity syndrome. These included abnormalities in the outermost layer of the epidermis.
Upon further analysis, the researchers found a group of skin lipids called acylceramides were significantly reduced in the mice, having only 10% of the normal amount. Acylceramide plays a pivotal role in making the skin barrier largely impermeable to pathogens, allergens and chemicals. It also prevents water loss from the body.
Similarly, when the FATP4 gene expression was decreased in human keratin-producing skin cells, they showed a 40% reduction in acylceramide levels compared to normal human keratinocytes.
The evidence suggests FATP4 plays a critical role in synthesizing acylceramides in both humans and mice, providing the missing link in the synthetic pathway. "Our findings help explain acylceramide synthesis and, with further research, could help in the development of treatments for ichthyosis prematurity syndrome and other skin barrier-related symptoms such as atopic dermatitis," says Akio Kihara.
Perhaps you’ve come across this oft-cited statistic: 60 percent of skin care absorbs into your bloodstream. (If you ask Gwyneth Paltrow, that number shoots up to 70 percent.) Hard data says otherwise — there’s no way to quantify exactly how much skin care gets “soaked” up by your blood. There is not, in fact, a cocktail of vital fluids and vitamin C serum coursing through your veins as we speak.
But where does all the skin care go?
Once applied, does it sit on top of your skin? Does it “sink into your pores,” as the beauty bloggers say? And then what — does it pool at the bottom of the pore? Can it get past the bottom of the pore? If so, is there skin care floating in your lymphatic fluid at this very second? Does any actually make it to your blood?
I took my questions to the experts and the answer, to all of the above, is yes. Depending on the ingredient, skin care can go any number of places: Pores! Blood! Breast tissue! Mostly, though, it goes nowhere.
“The skin is the largest organ in the body. Its job is to protect you from external agents that might cause harm, and it does a very good job at that,” Ron Robinson, cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat Cosmetics, tells the Cut. Skin has what Robinson calls an “armor” in place to defend against “potential aggressors” like bacteria and beauty products. That would be the skin barrier, or the stratum corneum.
The stratum corneum has lots of microscopic moving parts: the microbiome, the acid mantle, the lipid barrier, a layer of dead skin cells sometimes compared to a brick wall. They come together to form a waxy, water-repellent shield of fatty acids, sebum, and ceramides, which seals the skin’s natural moisture in and keeps external moisture out. This is a good thing; it’s why you can luxuriate in the occasional bath and still lead a long, non-waterlogged life. But it’s also a bummer, because skin care consists of a lot of water.
A quick scan of the ingredient labels in your bathroom cabinet can confirm: Water is typically the top-listed ingredient. Both the Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($300) and the Vichy Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($20) are mostly water, and around one percent hyaluronic acid. Reportsestimate water-based products can be anywhere from 70 percent to 90 percent water, because water is an effective way to dissolve and dilute active ingredients and also the cheapest way to fill a bottle. An engineer for skin-care manufacturer Amway once described the creation process to the Atlantic by saying, “You put water in a tank. You stir the stuff in[to] the tank.” That stuff is largely oil, but since oil and water don’t mix, that stuff is also emulsifiers, which blend the two so skin care doesn’t go the way of balsamic vinaigrette.
Oil- and wax-based elixirs — the exceptions to the water rule — can’t absorb past the skin’s surface, either. These molecules are simply too big. Oils specifically “have these huge lipid complexes that are basically, you know, congealed,” says Greg Altman, Ph.D., the founder of chemistry company Evolved by Nature and beauty brand Silk Therapeutics. “They make the skin feel great, but the chance that they’re going into the body is, in my opinion, slim.” Waxes and balms have an even slimmer chance of breaking through the barrier, as they are “enormous.” Silicones have almost no hope of absorption at all; they coat the skin in what’s essentially a plastic film — the Saran Wrap of skin care.
That’s not to say some of these non-penetrative ingredients aren’t lovely. “They can seal the skin and give a hydrating effect, and when you do that, then everything happening underneath is very happy,” explains Dr. Altman. The whole point of skin care, really, is to nourish the skin barrier. Once that’s good, the skin’s “normal regenerative processes take over,” the chemist says. It self-moisturizes (via sebum), self-exfoliates (via a shedding process known as desquamation), self-protects (via the acid mantle, which neutralizes invading bacteria and pathogens), and self-heals.
“But my skin care feels like it’s ‘sinking in,’” you may protest, as I did. This is an illusion. That sinking-in sensation — moisturizer melting into your face, going from wet to less-wet in minutes — is merely air-drying in action. Sure, some of the external hydration products provide is absorbed into the skin barrier (did you know dead skin cells hoard moisture? They do!), but the majority of water and water-soluble ingredients, like fragrance and essential oils, start evaporating into thin air as soon as they’re applied.
The rest are “essentially washed off,” per Dr. Altman, although oils and waxes can delay this effect. “Even if you’re not washing your face, throughout the day, you’re sweating, your skin is breathing, there’s humidity in the air, ingredients are getting diluted.” You also lose dead skin cells (the very same ones you applied skin-care to) at a rate of about 40,000 per day. “As you shed dead skin cells you are shedding ingredients from your moisturizer that didn’t penetrate the skin,” Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist and founder of The Beauty Brains, tells the Cut. “The ingredients are ‘lurking’ wherever your dead skin cells are lurking.” The air, your clothes, dust bunnies. (Very dewy dust bunnies.)
Even ingredients that naturally occur within the skin are destined for a surface-level existence. Collagen protein, for example, lives in the dermis, a lower layer of the skin — but topical versions can’t magically woosh down to the dermis. “Protein that is larger than 50 kilodaltons has no chance of ever penetrating the skin,” Dr. Altman says. The same goes for hyaluronic acid, or HA, another natural dermis-dweller. “There are no hyaluronic acids that can actually transport and penetrate the skin,” he states. “That is why we have the world of injectable dermal fillers.” (HA absorbs up to 1,000 times its weight in water, and since cosmetic-grade HA is a powder that needs to be dissolved in water, HA absorbs a portion of its potential water weight from within its very own skin-care formulation. By the time those HA molecules hit your water-resistant skin barrier, they’re already heavy with — sigh — water. Low molecular weight HA can slightly penetrate, but most of it doesn’t.)
The skin-care savvy have found a way around this, though. According to the chemist, “The reality is if you want to open up the skin, you have to decrease the pH of the stratum corneum, which makes the skin more porous.” You can do it with exfoliators, like acids and chemical peels, or you can do it with energy, like lasers. Formulators even incorporate ingredients that break down the barrier, like alcohol, to aid in product penetration, which is not necessarily advisable. “We don’t put things in pores,” says an exasperated-sounding Dr. Altman. They are, he points out, outgoing channels for sweat and sebum. “Any time we put things in pores, we end up in trouble. That’s where we get acne.”
However, if an ingredient checks all the right boxes — hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, a low molecular weight — it can safely sneak past the stratum corneum without clogging the pores. Vitamin C is one such substance; it travels to the dermis (and maybe even deeper) to stimulate natural collagen production. Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) supposedly absorbs this way, too. “We just discovered a silk molecule that is of the right size that has the ability to both penetrate the skin and cause skin cells to produce more collagen,” adds Dr. Altman. It’s called Activated Silk 27C. (A synthesized version of EGF from baby foreskin was the star ingredient in the “penis facial” loved by the Ocean’s Eight cast). The catch: If any of these are ensconced in silicone, they probably won’t pierce the surface.
Finally, there are the beauty ingredients that beat all the odds; that infiltrate both the circulatory and lymphatic systems. (Dr. Altman describes the two as different lanes in the same underground tunnel where, “unlike Boston Logan,” changing lanes is allowed. Whatever ends up in the blood ends up in the lymph and vice versa.)
To achieve this feat of absorption, molecules need to be very small, oil-soluble (to break through the skin barrier), and water-soluble (to break through the blood barrier). This does not make them any better at skin care. “The goal is to create products that work on the skin’s surface, not to absorb into your blood,” as Robinson puts it. Especially because the Food & Drug Administration classifies blood-penetrating ingredients as “drugs.”
Here’s where skin care gets a little suspicious. “The one regulation that the FDA does have is, you cannot make structural or functional claims with a particular ingredient,” Dr. Altman says. “So let’s just say you have an ingredient in your formula that does penetrate, you would be in violation of FDA regulations if you actually said that.” This is likely because salable “drugs” need to ensure consumer safety … and no one really knows what blood-penetrating beauty ingredients do once they’re in the body. Take chemical sunscreens. The FDA recently found that six of them — avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate — not only absorb directly into the bloodstream, but they do so at “toxic” levels. What does that mean for human health? No idea! “Further studies” are needed “to determine the clinical significance of these findings.”
Other blood-surfing skin-care ingredients include retinol (it’s listed on California’s Prop 65 for potential “reproductive toxicity” for this reason), sodium lauryl sulphate (or SLS, found in cleansers), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (aka PAHs, possible contaminants in petrolatum and mineral oil and suspected carcinogens). A study from 2009 found over 200 additional chemicals in infants’ umbilical cord blood, some from beauty products presumably worn by their mothers.
“Some of these chemical molecules actually look like hormones, and then the blood system distributes them throughout the body,” Dr. Altman elaborates. Parabens (a preservative), phthalates (maybe hidden in fragrance), butoxyethanol and methoxydiglycol (both glycol ethers), and the aforementioned octinoxate all fall into this category. Studies show they may mess with fertility and sexual function, and even contribute to hormone-related cancers like breast cancer. Parabens specifically have been found in breast tissue and breast tumors. “Recent data points to parabens’ potential to cause harm,” Robinson confirms, but again, “more research is needed” to determine the extent of said harm. BreastCancer.org recommends avoiding parabens and phthalates altogether, just in case.
The real questions, Dr. Altman says, are these: Where does all the skin-care go after it’s in the body? Is it filtered out by the liver, only to be reabsorbed with the next nighttime routine? Could chronic chemical exposure from cosmetics have long-term health implications? “In truth, this is not an area in which scientists have done much research,” Romanowski agrees. “The topic of the life cycle of ingredients … has not been investigated.”
While the world waits for answers, find comfort in the fact that most skin-care will vanish into thin air before it ever makes it to your veins.
DUNBAR TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) – A Fayette County company has created a healing skin from soybeans.
Dunbar Township-based NeuEsse Inc. has created a product called OmegaSkin. A news release says the plant-based product promotes “wound closure, healing and skin regeneration” with less scarring.
The protein from soybeans is spun into a mesh patch or scaffold which is then either applied to wounded skin as a bandage or by using a spray device. It then helps regenerate skin.
“This skin substitute will change the future of medicine due to efficacy, affordability and acceptability,” said NeuEsse Inc. founder and Connellsville native Joe Connell in a press release.
“We believe the product will be acceptable to millions of patients whose religions or cultures presently prohibit the use of skin substitutes derived from cadavers, pigs and cows. A plant-based skin substitute will bridge this gap.”
Connell also says in the news release that he wants to make his product more affordable than his competitors’ so it can be available to third world countries.
You can learn more about NeuEsse and OmegaSkin online.
The Super Bowl is right around the corner, and as you prep for your game day party, don't let your beauty routine take a time out.
Beauty expert Bobbie Thomas stopped by TODAY to share MVP-worthy beauty must-haves. From skin care that stops the clock to clever tools that can help you achieve your hair goals, Thomas has you covered.
Related
Ahead, check out the all-star beauty products to snag before the clock runs out!
The latest skin care trend in the beauty game right now? Inclusive products for women over 45 to offset those penalties that come with menopause. These products target mature skin thanks to innovative formulas.
If aging skin is your concern, this collagen-boosting moisturizer can help. It firms, lifts and brightens aging skin by increasing skin density and elasticity.
This cooling mist instantly calms your skin to help control the symptoms of hot flashes. Shake the bottle, apply the spray to your neck, wrists and face, and feel immediate relief from the heat.
Nourish dry skin caused by menopause with this gentle cleanser. The formula helps to increase collagen production to improve the look of wrinkles and fine lines.
This month, Korres launched a new White Pine Collection that features "Meno-Reverse" technology to improve the appearance of pores and fine lines and promote firmness.
Are visible fine lines giving you a hard time? This fast-acting formula assists in softening expression lines and moisturizes for a smooth-looking complexion.
From scalp serums to vitamin gummies, Better Not Younger is a collection of hair care for mature hair that's safe for color-, keratin- and chemically-treated strands.
This lightweight hair booster is ideal for fine and medium hair that lacks volume. The formula — which includes biotin and ceramides — allows hair to grow stronger and retain moisture.
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Perfect for blonde, bleached or grey hair, this rich mask will condition and soften hair in no time. The light purple color also protects against brassiness so hair will look shinier.
Protect skin from harmful sun rays while tackling fine lines and wrinkles. This sunscreen is formulated with meadowfoam seed that increases hydration levels and evens skin tone over time.
According to the brand, 86% of women felt moisturized and smoother skin after one use of this product. The best part is that it will deter the harmful effects of blue light from your phone screen or computer.
Protect against blue light and pollution with this lightweight primer, which was designed to blur imperfections and pore. Apply it under makeup or alone — either way, it will boost skin's glow.
Give your skin a tighter and healthier appearance with this vitamin C serum. Some buyers say that the serum helped lighten dark spots and make their complexion more radiant.
This natural foundation is available in 29 shades to match every skin tone perfectly. It's also made with vitamin E which protects skin against environmental pollutants.
The Honest Beauty Tinted Moisturizer has six helpful skin benefits. It primes, perfects, protects, blurs, brightens and locks in moisture — all while delivering antioxidants to your skin.
If you've been dealing with dry and dehydrated lips, this moisturizing balm is your answer. It features hyaluronic acid that helps plump lips, and oils that protect and moisturize.
This product is sealed with the "Clean at Sephora" stamp which means it's free from a long list of harmful chemicals. The bottle includes natural fruit extracts that smooth lips and removes flaky skin.
Scrub away imperfections with dual lip scrub and tinted lip balm. With just a small amount of product, you can renew and re-hydrate chapped lips in no time.
The Sara Happ Lip Treatment Duo will help to exfoliate and hydrate your lips. It also smells like sweet peppermint so you'll want to use it time and time again.
Enhance your curls and create crease-free waves with the top-rated Amike High Tide Deep Waver. It was an Allure Best of Beauty winner and comes with a one-year warranty.
