Skin and Hair Archive

About half of Americans have herpes simplex virus type 1, which causes cold sores that can recur periodically. The virus can’t be eliminated, but topical and oral treatments can help. In addition, people can avoid cold sore triggers such as stress or fatigue.

People’s lips may appear thinner with age due to several factors, including lower production of collagen and elastin, proteins that provide plumpness to skin. Genes also play a role, as do habits such as smoking and excessive sun exposure.

As we get older, noticeable bruises are usually related to thinning skin and increasing fragility of the tiny blood vessels in the outer layer of skin. There is not much people can do about this, but they should see their doctors if bruising is excessive or becomes painful.

Autoimmune disorders that may involve skin symptoms include psoriasis, lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, vitiligo, bullous pemphigoid, alopecia areata, lichen planus, autoimmune thyroid disease, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and sarcoidosis.

Toasted skin syndrome is a rash that develops in a fishnet-like pattern from direct, chronic, low-level exposure to heat sources such as laptops, electric blankets, heating pads, and heated car seats. The heat dilates superficial blood vessels under the skin, causing the rash.

A 2025 Finnish study found that rosacea often goes undiagnosed in people ages 70 or older. Researchers say this might be due to busy physicians with limited awareness of rosacea or patients’ own embarrassment or unwillingness to seek treatment.

People can take several measures to protect against winter dry skin, such as using an indoor humidifier, washing carefully, following a moisturizing routine, and covering exposed skin when outdoors.

Itchiness of the breasts or nipples isn’t common, but can signal conditions both harmless and serious. Minor reasons for itchiness across the bra area include eczema, psoriasis, exposure to soaps or detergents, trapped moisture, and pregnancy and breastfeeding. More serious causes include infections, breast surgery, radiation treatment, and certain rare forms of breast cancer. Any skin changes on the breast that don’t improve over weeks should be evaluated by a doctor.

Dermaplaning is a technique that removes hair and dead skin cells from the face. Dermaplaning uses a type of razor or scalpel. When performed properly, the technique is safe, though it can nick facial skin.

Shingles occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus reactivates, causing tingling, burning, and a painful, blistering rash. Shingles can affect anyone who has had chickenpox, with higher risk after age 50 and in people with weakened immunity. Diagnosis and treatment within three days of the rash appearing can shorten the illness and reduce severity. Most people recover completely from shingles, but there may be complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia, which is pain that can be severe and long-lasting. Vaccination is the best way to prevent shingles and its complications.