COOL CREAMS!

One of the many reasons we believe in our SkinCeuticals skincare line is because every product is supported by extensive scientific research and clinical trials, making the brand great not just for everyday skin health, but also your best choice for helping to manage challenging skin conditions like psoriasis. Here’s a quick look at two of our faves…

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 Known for its anti-ageing properties, this wonder cream gently nourishes skin, hydrating it by as much as 57%! This is good news for psoriasis sufferers, as it has a really soothing effect on redness and irritation. It also helps to brighten skin and even out its tone, while helping to restore its external barrier function and support self-repair.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel This is an oil-free moisturiser that helps to replenish the nutrients skin needs to stay healthy. The combination of vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid makes it easier for moisture to bind well to the skin to the skin, keeping it hydrated. The gel works well for patients with acne, as well as skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, by providing excellent hydration without clogging pores.

You can order either of these super-effective products here, or check out our wider range under the SHOP tab on our website.

SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON PSORIASIS

Far from being a simple skin condition, psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune disease, whereby the body’s natural defence mechanism misreads a threat and begins to attack itself. With psoriasis, this outwardly manifests as inflamed patches of skin, typically covered by translucent scaling.  

While the normal skin cell rejuvenation process is fairly slow, in psoriasis patients it’s on fast-forward. Old skin cells don’t have time to shed naturally, which causes buildup. This is why psoriasis patches often look raised and bumpy. In severe cases, they may crack and bleed, but practically all instances of psoriasis involve uncomfortable itching, burning and soreness.

Like most autoimmune diseases, psoriasis can affect anyone, though some people are genetically predisposed. Psoriasis cannot be cured, but it is absolutely possible to live with it, and to keep flare-ups under control. Psoriasis can show up anywhere, from your head to your toes. It often appears on joints, but can also make its presence known in other areas, including the face, mouth, nails, and genitals.  

No psoriasis is the same

There are five main types of psoriasis:

1.     Plaque (the most common form)

2.     Guttate (most prevalent during childhood)

3.     Inverse (generally shows up in areas with folds)

4.     Pustular (more localised)

5.     Erythrodermic (rare, widespread and potentially fatal)

The body’s reaction to stressful events often brings on autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, so we’re not in the least bit surprised that—more than a year into the pandemic—many of our patients have recently been experiencing harsh flare-ups.

More in the mortar

Although psoriasis has long been associated with psoriatic arthritis, which is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but accompanied by the hallmark of inflamed skin, recent studies have closely linked the condition to the presence of cardiovascular disease. We therefore recommend that anyone with acute psoriasis should have their heart health evaluated, as psoriasis is by no means limited to a skin condition; we must treat it as more of a systemic disease.

Psoriasis has also been found to be connected to other serious diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and—because of the social exclusion that often happens as a result of the disease—anxiety and depression.

Treatment

At Serpentine Dermatology, we diagnose the condition through a biopsy and treat it holistically—including doing a lot of listening and offering you techniques to support mental and emotional well being. Although psoriasis is still quite a misunderstood disease with connections to other health conditions, medication has come a really long way over the past 10-15 years. This is great news for anyone living with psoriasis, because it translates into a much better quality of life.

The first step, as in the case with other autoimmune conditions, is to avoid triggers that make psoriasis worse. This means controlling your stress levels, avoiding alcohol, maintaining a health diet and body weight, and ensuring that whatever medications you may be taking are not contributing to flare-ups. Physical injuries, which are often unavoidable, can also exacerbate the condition.

Recommended meds typically run the gamut from topical creams to pills, though the latter is reserved for more serious cases, as they have side effects and are not ideal for long-term use. Occasionally, flare-ups may be so intense as to require treatment by injection, the results of which are more immediate. The classes of medications that we use to treat the condition all work either by regulating your immune system or trying to curb the production of skin cells.

 Light therapy also yields good results, since ultraviolet light curbs the activity of overprotective white bood cells that attack the body. We have a light box that delivers narrow band wavelengths of UVB 311nm, which are very helpful in controlling the condition, especially in less chronic cases.  

For us, though, the best treatment approach is always custom-designed to suit your lifestyle and personal experience of the disease. Just remember: as discouraging as a psoriasis diagnosis may be, it’s worse to ignore it. Taking control of the condition early means that you have a much better chance of living well with it. If you have any questions or concerns, schedule a consultation with us.  

WHAT A BRIGHT IDEA!

Imagine a wonderfully hydrating sunscreen that feels more like a moisturiser, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays while brightening and evening skin tone. Well, it’s finally here – introducing the new SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen!

Perfect for all skin types and lifestyles, it protects, hydrates, and brightens with such a sheer finish that you’ll hardly remember you’re wearing sunscreen at all! Its broad spectrum (SPF 30) protection, coupled with discolouration-correcting and hydrating ingredients, creates brighter, more even skin – and the clinical results prove it:

• Immediately hydrates skin by 57%

• Evens skin tone by 34%

• Brightens skin by 38%

This dual-action daily hydrating sunscreen offers you the sturdiest level of UV protection while giving skin much-needed hydration and reducing the appearance of discolouration caused by sun damage.

 Even better, you can incorporate it with other SkinCeuticals products to boost the effectiveness of your existing skincare regimen. Use it in conjunction with the Phloretin CF Vitamin C serum for added defence against UVA and UVB rays, as well as the free radicals that contribute to premature ageing. This super combo will really help deal with discolouration and even out your skin tone.

 Daily Brightening UV Defense specifically targets discolouration while providing the ultimate UV protection. Order yours today!

THE SUN AND YOUR SKIN

There’s nothing quite like a sunny day, but even in overcast weather, ultraviolet rays can be harmful. The sun is the main source of both UVA and UVB rays. As are for ageing (their long wavelengths reach deep into the skin’s middle layer), while Bs are for burning (their rays affect the skin’s outermost layer). UV rays can cause everything from vision problems to skin cancer.

 Most often, sun damage causes the skin to age prematurely, but there are steps you can take to counteract the ill effects of the sun while getting your much-needed dose of Vitamin D:

• Cover up

• Wear polarised sunglasses

• Stay in the shade (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.)

• Most importantly, use a good sunscreen, taking care to reapply regularly (this helps keep wrinkles and sun spots at bay for as long as possible)

SkinCeuticals, our trusted flagship brand, has a wide range of effective sunscreens to suit every need and skin type.

Of course, artificial sources of UV rays (think tanning beds and other kinds of lighting) also cause burning, and have been linked to many types of skin cancer. Although most modern computers use LED backlight and LCD panels which do not emit harmful UV rays, it’s always a good idea to limit your screen time to only necessary use. Avoid using them outdoors as well, since screens are reflective and can mirror the sun’s UV rays onto our faces.

 Bear in mind, too, that some cosmetics and medications, including antibiotics and birth control pills, may increase sensitivity to UV light. Exposure can weaken the body’s immune system, taking you longer to recover from illness and making vaccines less effective – which no one wants, especially now! 

 Give your skin the protection it deserves and check out our sunscreen options; if you’re worried about the effects of UV light on your skin or suspect the presence of skin cancer, schedule a consultation with us.

OUR CARIBBEAN SKIN SERIES / Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Commonly known as razor bumps, PFB is often mistaken for acne, but it is actually caused by ingrown hairs. People of colour tend to have more of a challenge with the condition because of the shape of their hair follicles – curlier hair has a tendency to twist and grow inwards, where its sharper edges can contribute to inflammation.  

With men, the bumps tend to happen on their faces (from shaving) and with women, under their arms or along their bikini line. PFB can be quite painful, especially if the bumps get irritated or inflamed, but trying to get the hairs out on your own can make things worse, leading to infection and scarring.

In our experience, laser hair removal is super-effective. We use the GentleMax Pro™ laser, which uses a patented cooling technology that releases a quick burst of air after each heat pulse, making the process practically pain-free.

We also offer a Refining Treatment for Men – a facial using a combination of medical-grade Skinceuticals products that focuses on the face and neck area, leaving you feeling clean and smooth.   

People with darker skin are at the greatest risk for hyperpigmentation and scarring, so as tempting as it may be, don’t try to squeeze the bumps or extract the hairs yourself. Much better to come in and see us for a cohesive treatment approach.