It's HOT! How to keep heat from destroying your skin

by Andrea L. Algar

We all know that triple digit heat can make us feel heavy, sweaty, labored, tired and in extreme cases can even make us feel nauseous, light-headed or faint, and even physically sick. But can heat affect our skin?

HUMAN SKIN
Photo Credit: medicineworld.org

Heat affects how we feel and what we do. Exposure to heat also can take a toll and effect unwanted changes in our skin. Considering that skin is our largest organ, and does more than you might realize, it's very important that we take care in our exposure to heat.

We all know that sun exposure is a danger in itself because of the increased risk of bad burns and potential skin cancer. But, we also know that it's difficult to escape the heat in Southern climates and especially here in Texas where we now have temperatures in the triple digits.

In order to fully appreciate why you need to protect your skin, you first need to know the facts about the skin you live in!

Skin is AMAZING - Facts about skin you might not know!

• Skin is the largest and heaviest organ in our body
• The average adult has 8 pounds of skin!
• Skin is 70% water, 25% protein, and usually less than 5% fat
• Skin protects everything inside your body (veins, arteries, blood vessels)
• There are 3 layers in human skin: epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous
• Skin is your body's waterproof covering
• Skin is a barrier to harmful chemicals and germs
• Skin is a shock absorber
• Skin moderates your temperature and helps keep you cool in the heat
• An adult has about 22 square feet of skin (the size of a twin bed or doorway)
• Skin helps you retain water 
• Skin produces nutrients and vitamins
• Skin helps prevent infections
• Skin is the organ primarily responsible for our sensory functions (feel/touch)
• Skin is constantly evolving
• We shed about 40,000 skin cells per minute
• Skin self-lubricates
• Skin renews itself once every 35 days
• Skin holds us together!

You can see how skin is a truly amazing and that it is a most necessary and important part of our bodies. What isn't talked about much is the damage that HEAT can do to our skin. 

Heat can rob skin of vital nutrients, making skin look older. With prolonged exposure, fine lines and wrinkles become more pronounced. With age and continued exposure, sun spots (also called age spots) pop up seemingly overnight. What was once beautiful smooth skin is now marred. It is also much more difficult to keep well hydrated.

Heat can also lead to skin problems such as heat rash. Many people are familiar with heat rash in infants and young children, but it also occurs in adults, with the same annoying bumps and blisters that trap moisture under the skin and can itch, cause peeling, and soreness as they burst open. Heat rash can occur anywhere on the body, but is most often seen on the torso, legs, back and neck areas where perspiration can accumulate and cause rashes. If your skin is prone to breaking out (acne), take extra precautions by washing skin periodically with a gentle cleanser and pat drying. Even those not prone to acne can develop a type of acne common in hot weather called acne mechanica.

To minimize negative effects of heat on your skin:

• Use sunscreen (and use it on your face and body)
• Wear protective clothing including hats and lightweight clothing
• Shower to reduce the risk of heat rash and to help keep your core cool
• Use gentle skin cleansers so your skin isn't dried out or irritated
• Gently exfoliate to release trapped irritants and remove dead skin cells
• Use facial and body moisturizers to lock hydration in following showers
• Hydrate from the inside out! Drink lots of water!
• Alternate water with fruit juices and other nutritious beverages 

Quality Sunscreens Rule!

There are a number of excellent sunscreens in SPF ratings that can help keep your skin safe. I love NeoCutis' Journee Day Cream SPF 30 with PSP growth factors (great for those who don't want to look like they're using a sunscreen). And, fantastic for those who must spend time outdoors is the ViDerm SFP 55 Sunscreen with titanium dioxide and octinoxate that provides oil-free and water resistant 98% protection from UVA and UVB rays at the same time providing EGCG antioxidants as well as vitamins A and E.

As a board certified plastic surgeon, San Antonio's Dr. Robert N. Young suggests you get in the habit of using sunscreens every day. He states, "Remember that even the best sunscreens wear off. If you're spending the day at the pool or beach, they also wash off eventually, even if they are water resistant or waterproof. Reapply sunscreens periodically and use them even on overcast days. As you age, you'll be glad you did. Women I see who have protected their skin from the damage of sun and heat age much better and have fewer complaints about their skin."

Bottom line:  Take care of your skin. Although it is forever changing and renewing itself, the damage that comes from the sun and exposure to heat can last a lifetime!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea Algar is an author who writes on topics that interest her. Over the last 30 years she has written articles on a variety of topics and currently contributes to several blogs on a regular basis.

Eyelid Surgeries Can Lead To Temporary Dry Eye Symptoms For Some

by Andrea L. Algar

In my experience, any potential side effects, whether from surgery or a medication, can often be more easily tolerated if you know in advance what the potential complications may be. Not only will it avoid an unpleasant surprise, but you may have the opportunity to identify it quickly and get practical advice on how to handle them.

Eyelid Surgery is known
as blepharoplasty

An article which appeared in the October 15, 2012 Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery addressed the fact that following eyelid surgeries many patients experience "dry eye" symptoms.

Dry eye is definitely an irritating thing to develop. I've had it myself, and not from eyelid surgery. It can be extremely uncomfortable.

Some follow up studies show that as many as one fourth of men and women who have blepharoplasty (eyelid) procedures experience some degree of dry eye following their procedure.

Dry eye symptoms can include:

• stinging or burning of the eye
• scratchy sensation in eye
• a sandy or gritty feeling as if something is in the eye
• feeling like someone is "blowing through a straw" in your eye
• excessive "tearing"
• production of mucus in or around your eyes

Symptoms can range from mild to persistent, but not everyone develops these symptoms and there is no definitive test to determine who will and who will not develop symptoms. That said, it seems that some may be more prone to experiencing dry eye with or without eyelid surgery. Women who are menopausal, just starting hormone replacement therapy or going on birth control for the first time, and men or women who have had difficulty wearing contact lenses may be more at risk.

One of the surprising findings of a study which was performed by a Minnesota facial plastic surgeon on 892 patients over a ten year period, was that dry eye was more common in those patients who had both upper and lower lids done at the same time. It also seemed to indicate that the more aggressive the surgical techniques were, the greater risk of dry eye. Disruption of the "blink", which causes the eye surface to lose some of the lubrication provided by one's blink response, seems to be one of the most probable causes.

The good news is that dry eye is fairly easy to treat. Often, symptoms can be helped with eye drops or ointments. It is not usually an indicator of something bad happening, and should not be cause for alarm. If you develop dry eye following an eyelid lift, make sure you discuss it with your physician at your post-op visit. He/she will be able to help advise you on the best treatment for the type of symptoms you're experiencing.

Eyelid lifts average of $3,000 to $4,000 in the San Antonio area, depending on whether you get two lids or all four lids done. According to the  American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, eyelid lifts were the second most popular type of facial plastic surgery after rhinoplasty (nose jobs) in 2011.  Board Certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Young says, "Eyelid surgery is an excellent way to create a more youthful appearance for men and women at the age where they are starting to notice more wrinkles and loose skin around the eyes. It can shave years off one's appearance. Most patients are extremely happy after their eyelid lift procedures. We've always had women request eyelid lifts as they age, but we've seen a noticeable increase in the number of men wanting eyelid lifts in recent years. It's a relatively easy procedure that produces real results."

Should you be overly concerned about dry eye if you're thinking of an eyelid lift? Probably not. But, it is something to know could develop, and if it does, that there are effective treatments for a problem which is usually very short term.

What do you think? Have you ever considered eyelid lift to refresh your face?

REFERENCE:
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, October 2012
WebMD - Dry Eyes: Causes and Treatments

Can Use Of Aspirin Help Prevent Deadly Melanoma?

by Andrea L. Algar

One of the largest studies of its kind has shown promising findings that regular use of aspirin may lower the risk of developing melanoma. An agressive form of cancer that invades skin cells, many melanomas can turn deadly. Melanoma has been increasing dramatically in prevalence and has become one of the most worrisome cancers because of this. One in 50 will develop melanoma in their lifetime, and the average lifespan for those with advanced melanoma is only one year. It is the fastest growing cancer all around the world.

Melanoma Skin Cancer
Photo Courtesy: Skin Cancer Foundation

Previous studies have not been as large, or as focused. Almost 60,000 caucasian women were studied, primarily because the cancer seems to effect more fair skinned people. According to today's Everyday Health article, "They found that women who took aspirin had a 21 percent lower risk of melanoma compared to those who did not take the drug. And the longer the women used aspirin, the lower their melanoma risk. Those who took aspirin for five or more years had a 30 percent lower chance of developing melanoma than the ones who didn't take it at all. The researchers were able to control for skin cancer risk factors among the women, including variations in skin pigmentation, tanning habits and use of sunscreen."

While this news is promising, daily use of aspirin does carry it's own risks. For many years "baby" doses of aspirin has been recommended for men and women who have cardiovascular disease or are at risk for it. While it cannot be said with certainty that the risk of taking aspirin would outweight the potential benefit, it is an option worth discussing with your physician.

How to Spot Melanoma:

Symptoms of melanoma can vary, and they can develop quickly so it's important to identify them. Not all skin cancers are melanomas. Melanomas are more dangerous because they spread. Melanoma of the skin is called Cutaneous Melanoma and is the most common type. Other types of melanoma can occur in mucous membranes including nose, throat, mouth and are called Mucosal Melanoma. The third type is melanoma of the eye and is called Ocular Melanoma. The Melanoma Research Foundation recommends that you look for the following signs:

 

• A change on the skin. This could be a new spot, or a change in color, shape or size of a current spot.
• A sore that doesn't heal.
• A spot or sore that becomes painful, itchy, tender or bleeds.
• A spot or lump that looks shiny, waxy, smooth or pale.
• A firm red lump that bleeds or appears ulcerated or crusty.
• A flat, red spot that is rough, dry or scaly.

 

As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Young has identified melanomas on patients with increasing frequency. He states, "If you suspect that you may have a melanoma, you should consult with a dermatologist who is trained to identify and treat skin conditions such as melanoma. It is recommended that men and women have yearly whole body exams which include scalp and the bottoms of the feet since melanomas can occur on just about every part of the human body. As in most types of cancer, treatments are more successful when the cancer is caught early."

 

REFERENCE:

Everyday Health: Melanoma Risk Drops 21 Percent In Women Who Take Aspirin

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
American Cancer Society -  Melanoma Skin Cancer
Mayo Clinic - Melanoma Pictures To Help Identify Skin Cancer (Slide Show)
Melanoma Research Foundation:  What Is Melanoma
Skin Cancer Foundation - Melanoma Information

ABOUT DR. YOUNG:
Dr. Robert N. Young is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience. His San Antonio practice includes a AAAASF accredited outpatient Surgery Center staffed with qualified Registered Nurses, Anesthesiologists and surgical technicians.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is a contributing author to Dr. Young's blog dealing with issues on cosmetic plastic surgery. She has been working in the medical community for over 30 years, and authors articles on a variety of health, beauty and leisure topics.