Skin and Hair Archive

Articles

Zinc oxide shows no link to skin damage

In the journals

Zinc oxide (ZO) is one of the most effective ingredients in sunscreen, but previous studies have suggested it could potentially damage skin cells. Now, a small study in the February 2019 Journal of Investigative Dermatology has found that ZO nanoparticles don't penetrate the skin or damage skin on a cellular level even with repeated applications.

ZO is one of 17 active sunscreen ingredients approved by the FDA. ZO offers broad-spectrum protection and shields against both UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which penetrate more deeply and are more likely to damage cell DNA and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Needling your way to healthier skin

Microneedling was once viewed with skepticism, but it can be an effective procedure to improve the skin.

If the idea of poking yourself in the face with tiny needles in hopes of improving your skin sounds a little bizarre to you, you're not alone. For years, the medical establishment looked at the practice, known as microneedling, with a leery side-eye.

"I didn't take it seriously until relatively recently," says Dr. Kenneth Arndt, medical editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Skin Care and Repair and a founding editorial board member of the Harvard Health Letter.

Coffee tied to decreased rosacea risk

News briefs


 Image: © agrobacter/Getty Images

For some people, it's tough to prevent flare-ups of rosacea, the reddened and sometimes bumpy skin that shows up on the cheeks, nose, and other areas of the face. Caffeine, heat and sun exposure, and a long list of foods (everything from spicy foods to yogurt) have been thought to trigger rosacea or make it worse. But a study published online Oct. 17, 2018, by JAMA Dermatology not only pokes a hole in the idea that caffeine is to blame, it also suggests that one major caffeine source — coffee — might even reduce the risk of rosacea. Researchers analyzed health and diet survey responses gathered every four years from nearly 83,000 women (most of whom were white) from 1991 to 2005. It turns out that women who drank four or more cups of caffeinated coffee per day were 23% less likely to report a diagnosis of rosacea during the study period, compared with women who drank less than one cup per month. Increased caffeine intake from tea, soda, and chocolate had no impact on the likelihood of developing rosacea. The study was only observational and can't prove cause and effect. But coffee has also been linked to many other health benefits, including lower blood pressure, a slower rate of weight gain with age, and reduced risks for developing type 2 diabetes or dying from cardiovascular disease or neurological diseases.

How do I deal with dry, itchy winter skin?

On call

Q. My skin gets dry and itchy in winter, and there are so many moisturizers available. What should I look for?

A. Dry skin develops when your skin doesn't retain sufficient moisture. This is often a problem in winter when the air both indoors and outdoors has low humidity, as the water content of our skin tends to reflect the level of humidity around it. Fortunately, using a good moisturizer is a simple way to relieve winter dry skin.

My doctor says I have a skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa. How is that normally treated?

Ask the doctors

Q. I was recently diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa. What could have caused this condition, and can it be cured? What are the usual treatments?

A. Hidradenitis suppurativa is an uncommon skin condition that starts out as pimple-like lesions on the skin. If left untreated, it can grow deeper into the tissue and over time can lead to painful fluid-filled lumps or thick scars. The condition is most common on parts of the body where skin presses up against skin, such as the groin, the underarms, the thighs, or the buttocks. Hidradenitis suppurativa most often affects younger people, particularly women, and most often happens after puberty. It's less common in people over age 55. Other risk factors include smoking and being overweight or obese, and it seems to run in families. Experts aren't really sure what causes hidradenitis suppurativa, but hormones and the immune system may play a role. Some experts believe that an ordinary blockage in the skin triggers an overzealous immune system reaction, which leads to symptoms. The good news is that you can't spread the condition to other people, and it is treatable. Catching the problem early can minimize problems. There are numerous treatment options for hidradenitis suppurativa, including antibiotics, hormonal medications and skin treatments, such as acne washes or special bleach baths. In more severe cases, your doctor might also recommend biologic therapy to dampen the immune response or surgery to remove or drain the affected skin. Even after treatment, the condition may require ongoing monitoring to treat or prevent recurrences.

Warning: Avoid these novel treats in shopping malls and restaurants

News briefs


 Image: © manustart/Getty Images

If your grandkids urge you to indulge them in a popular new snack at the mall, just say no. The FDA is warning that consuming products with liquid nitrogen added at the last minute can lead to injury. The products are marketed under names such as "Dragon's Breath" and "Nitro Puff." They're cheese puffs or cereal pieces that are frozen in liquid nitrogen and then dipped in a special sauce. When you put them in your mouth, the products release vapor that looks like smoke. Liquid nitrogen is also added to some cocktails to make them look like they're emitting fog. But the FDA says all of these products can cause severe damage to skin and internal organs and may cause breathing problems. The agency advises you to avoid the products.

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