Nov 22, 2012 | Dermatology, Diet and Nutrition, Holistic Health
What we are putting into our bodies is a product of what we will get on the outside. It is important to keep nourishing your body with healthy foods and healthy fats like avocados, almonds, pineapples, green veggies and berries. These foods have healthy fats, oils, natural enzymes and antioxidants and are loaded with vitamins and minerals that your skin and body need in order to stay healthy.
Not only do you want to nourish your body from the inside, but lots of food products, when used on the outside of your body, can actually help you get that glowing, healthy skin! Homemade beauty products are simple and quick to make. Most remedies can be made with products that you probably already have in your home. When you are making your own skin care products, you know exactly what you are putting on your face.
The Skin Care Pantry
Here are four ingredients to have in your cabinets to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing. Keep these items in your kitchen and you won’t have to worry about buying another skin care product again!
* Honey: A natural humectant, made to hold in moisture.
* Sugar: Helps with dull skin as a natural scrub.
* Olive Oil: The vitamin E and antioxidants in this oil make it a great moisturizing option.
* Milk/Yogurt: Can help improve your skin’s elasticity and reduce wrinkles.
Quick Recipes for Food for Your Face
Sugar Honey Scrub
1. To 3 tablespoons of honey, add 1 tablespoon of coarse brown sugar.
2. Mix with a spoon to a thick consistency.
3. Apply to cleansed face in a circular motion for 2 minutes
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Moisturize.
Olive Oil Moisturizer
1. Mix 1 cup filtered water and ¾ cup olive oil and 3 tbsp grated beeswax in a Pyrex cup.
2. Place the cup in a pan with water measuring halfway up the cup.
3. Bring water to a boil and heat until the beeswax melts into the oil.
4. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for 2 minutes.
5. Transfer mixture to a blender and then add boiled water slowly as you are blending.
6. Scoop mixture into glass jars, cover with cheesecloth, then allow to cool completely.
7. Place lid on glass jar after cooling. The jars keep longer in refrigerator, but can be left out for up to 2 months or more.
Facial Mask
1. Whip one egg with plain organic yogurt.
2. Apply mixture to face and let dry for 5 minutes.
3. Rinse off with warm water, then a splash of cold water.
Julie Winslow is the Director of the Karpas Health Information Center at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Sep 3, 2012 | Cancer, Dermatology
Summer may be drawing to an end, but protecting yourself sun damage is important all year round. Now is the perfect time to brush up on your sun protection knowledge. Before you learn how to protect yourself, you need to know what you’re up against.
How does the sun damage skin?
UV radiation is responsible for skin damage. Short wavelength radiation (UVB rays) and long wavelength radiation (UVA rays) both stimulate the body to produce melanin, giving skin that bronzed glow. The fact is, a suntan is really the body’s attempt to protect itself from further damage. “Remember: There is no such thing as a safe tan,” says Vincent A. DeLeo, MD, Chairman, Department of Dermatology, St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals and Beth Israel Medical Center.
UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and damage connective tissue and blood vessels. “UVA and UVB rays damage the DNA of our skin’s cells, leading to premature aging and an increased risk for skin cancer,” Dr. DeLeo says.
The good news is, there are several ways you can protect your skin from damaging UV rays. Dr. DeLeo offers these tips:
1. Avoid peak sun hours.
Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s UV rays are most intense – even when it’s overcast. The sun can be just as damaging, even if you can’t see it through the clouds. “People with a family history of skin cancer or fair skin should take extra precaution since they’re more prone to skin damage,” Dr. DeLeo says.
2. Apply (and reapply) sunscreen.
Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will protect against UVA and UVB rays. Apply one to two ounces of sunscreen over your entire body, including areas you might overlook like your ears, nose and neck, at least 30 minutes prior to exposure.
3. Review your medications.
Certain medications and over-the-counter drugs cause skin hypersensitivity to sunlight, including antibiotics; diuretics; certain cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes medications; and immune suppressing medications. Take extra precaution in the sun if you take these.
4. Go faux.
If you can’t give up that bronzed look, get a sunless tan. “Spray tans are wonderful; they make you look tan and they cause no damage like tanning beds do,” Dr. DeLeo says. Bronzers and self-tanners can provide head-to-toe color without harming the skin. Today’s formulas include sprays, lotions, foams and creams, and can be found in your local drug store. Whatever method you choose, stay away from tanning beds – they can triple the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
5. Know the signs of skin cancer.
Examine your skin each month for new skin growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, or bumps. Knowing the ABCDEs of skin cancer will help you recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease in its early stages, when it’s most treatable. Learn how to perform a self-skin exam here. If you notice anything abnormal, call your physician or dermatologist to schedule a thorough screening.
Get more advice on preventing sun damage and skin cancer when you make an appointment with a dermatologist. Find one near you by visiting chpnyc.org or calling 1-855-411-LWNY (5969).
Vincent A. DeLeo, MD is the Chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Founding Director of the Skin of Color Center
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Dermatology
Do you sweat too much? Do you sweat even when it’s cold outside or when you are resting? Sweating helps your body regulate temperature by cooling you off when necessary. Sweating in warm temperatures, after exercise or even under emotional stress is normal. However, if you sweat even without the normal triggers, you may have a condition called hyperhidrosis. (more…)
