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“NO SWEAT” WAYS TO DEAL WITH HYPERHIDROSIS

Janine Mendes-Franco

Most people sweat when their body is overheated and needs to cool down — but those with hyperhidrosis find themselves sweating excessively for no apparent reason. People who suffer from this condition perspire even in cool spaces, or when they are not exerting themselves. 

It can be debilitating when the body’s nervous system directs the sweat glands to produce more sweat than is actually necessary — especially when other people notice. This, in turn, can cause social anxiety, which exacerbates the effects. 

Many people with hyperhidrosis have sweaty palms and feet

Telltale signs 

You could be suffering from primary hyperhidrosis if: 

  • Your clothes are regularly stained with sweat (typically in the armpit area)

  • There is a film of perspiration on your skin, especially on your face and neck, hands and feet

  • Excessive sweating leads to itching, skin irritation and body odour

  • The appearance and/or texture of your skin begins to change

There is a generalised type of hyperhidrosis that could signal a more serious medical condition like diabetes or heart disease, so it’s really important to consult your doctor or dermatologist.  

Treatment options 

Antiperspirants 

Available in both over-the-counter and prescription varieties, these seal the sweat glands in order to stem perspiration, and are different from deodorants, which simply mask odour. 

Medication 

Beta blockers, as well as drugs that help to calm the nervous system, can sometimes be effective in managing the condition.  

Botox 

For eligible patients, injecting Botox into areas where the most excessive sweating happens, such as the armpits or palms, helps reduce the overactivity of the nerves. A protein called OnabotulinumtoxinA basically blocks the release of sweat and offers more long-term relief. Botox is FDA-approved, and we have had excellent results with this treatment in auxiliary areas like under the arms, hands and feet. 

Changes to routine 

Many people find additional relief by changing their everyday habits. This includes keeping a journal so that they can identify what foods or locations trigger their hyperhidrosis, increasing the number of cool showers they take per day, or choosing clothes made with breathable fabrics like cotton. 

If you have noticed an increase in excessive sweating to the point where it even happens during sleep, affects your quality of life, or compromises personal and professional relationships, come in and see us

FORTY-SOMETHING SKIN CARE

Janine Mendes-Franco

With age comes more wisdom and sadly, less collagen — the structural protein that gives skin its elasticity, helps keep it hydrated nourished and oxygenated, protects it from damage and even promotes new, healthy cell growth. As we get older, our bodies produce less of it, causing visible signs of ageing — and you start noticing the changes from 40 onwards.  

What can you do? Plenty! But to properly address the changes you’re going through, your skincare routine has to change too. The good news is, it’s as easy as 1-2-3…

1. Rev up the retinol  

Derived from Vitamin A, topically applied retinol is super-effective when it comes to slowing the outward signs of ageing. It helps increase collagen production, minimising the appearance of any fine lines or wrinkles and making skin look and feel firmer. We have a variety of retinols of different strengths, and can recommend the one that’s right for you. 

2. Be a hydration station 

Dry skin automatically looks and feels older; skin needs to be properly hydrated in order to thrive. Make sure whatever moisturiser you use in your 40+ skincare ritual contains ceramides (lipids that hold moisture and help the skin barrier to function optimally) and emollients (which make skin soft and supple) — SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an excellent choice. It’s also a good idea to add hyaluronic acid into your routine, as it seals moisture into the skin very effectively, with amazing results.  

3. Don’t wait…exfoliate

Even though your skin may have started to look a little dull on account of not naturally shedding as often as when you were younger, this is not to say that you should go crazy with exfoliation — twice a week should be sufficient enough to help the cell renewal process along and recapture that natural glow. 

Microdermabrasion and chemical peels can also help with skin resurfacing, as can our amazing Oxygeneo facials, which give you similar results, but with deeply rejuvenating oxygenation effects that replenish and hydrate skin from the inside out. 

With the right combo of products and treatments, moving forward from 40 can be absolutely fabulous!  

TEENAGE DREAM SKIN

Janine Mendes-Franco

The Number One teen complaint we see is acne — and that’s to be expected with such major hormonal changes — but there are so many products targeted at teens that things can get confusing. The best skin care routine, however, is the one you follow, so we like to keep it simple…

Step 1. Cleanse 

Between hormones, school-related stress, sweat, environmental toxins, and the occasional junk food binge, teen skin can get dirty, oily and clogged. Cleaning it is the logical solution, but steer clear of harsh, exfoliating scrubs. Instead, make sure your cleanser of choice is gentle — which means chemical and fragrance-free. SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser is a trusted product with which to start off the teen skin care routine. If your skin tends to be on the oily side, a product like CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, which contains 4% benzoyl peroxide, can also help. 

Step 2. Target

If breakouts are active, target them with spot treatments. You can try products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids, but because these ingredients can be harsh on skin, you only need to apply a tiny amount on the affected area. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel is a good option for an over-the-counter, topical retinoid. 

Step 3. Moisturise 

Because acne-zapping ingredients can strip and dry out skin, moisturising is a fundamental part of any teen skin care routine. Again, we recommend gentle options, like the lightweight SkinCeuticals Daily Moisturiser or CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion. Both contain hydrating ceramides, which improve skin barrier function.   

Step 4. Protect

A teen skin care routine without sunscreen is like a car without seat belts. Creating good skin protection habits from an early age pays off down the line in the form of fewer wrinkles, reduced signs of hyperpigmentation and premature ageing, and less occurrence of skin cancers. Teens should, however, opt for mineral sunscreens that do not clog pores the way chemical SPFs can. 

Step 5. Consult 

While solid skin care routines can make a huge difference to teen skin health, acne can be complex to treat, particularly more chronic types like cystic acne. If there is not enough of an improvement within two months, it’s worth coming in to see us to custom-design an alternative approach, which can include a range of options, from prescription medication to chemical peels or laser treatment

Step 6. At-home help 

While acne can often feel beyond your control, there are things you can do to give your teen skin care routine the best chance of success: 

  • Stick to a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding oily, sugary foods

  • Drink enough water

  • Get enough sleep (8-10 hours a night)

  • Counteract the effects of stress through outlets like exercise, enjoyable hobbies, spirituality and meditation, connecting with nature and with friends, and carving out some you time!

If you need help getting your acne under control, give us a call and we’ll help determine an approach that works for you. 

HERE COMES THE SUN(SCREEN)

Janine Mendes-Franco

You know you should be wearing sunscreen every day, but are you? If not, could it be you haven’t yet found the right one? We love the sun, we just don’t love its ill effects, which include everything from hyperpigmentation and premature ageing to skin cancer. We hope our Sunscreens 101 breakdown will answer your questions and make your choices clearer!  

Mineral or chemical? 

Both will protect you from the harmful effects of the sun, but there are also other things to consider…

These two types of sunscreen are differentiated by their ingredients. Mineral sunscreens contain well…minerals…that reflect harmful UV rays, while chemical sunscreens have synthetic elements that protect skin by absorbing UV rays. This translates into slightly varying feels and benefits…

In the end, it doesn’t really matter which sunscreen approach works best for you, as long as you wear it consistently. You can check out some of our superb sunscreens here.  

THE MELASMA MAP

Janine Mendes-Franco

No idea how to navigate this super-common skin condition? We’ll be your compass…

What is it?

The exact cause of melasma remains up for debate, but here’s what we know for sure:

  • It can be connected to hormonal changes or medications — many women first experience the onset of the condition when they begin taking birth control pills or during pregnancy

  • People with darker skin and/or a family history of the condition tend to be more susceptible

  • Sun exposure aggravates its intensity and appearance

  • It typically appears on the face as splotchy, uneven patches of discoloured skin, but can also show up on other parts of the body

  • It predominantly affects the forehead, cheek and nose area, so is difficult to hide

  • Early treatment helps yield better results

Types of melasma

There are three variations of the condition. We can tell which type you have by using a special type of light that discerns the depth of the pigmentation.

  • Epidermal melasma is dark brown with a well-defined border, and usually responds well to treatment as it affects only the skin’s uppermost layer

  • Dermal melasma is lighter in colour, but the border is feathery and indistinct; this type tends to be more resistant to treatment

  • Mixed melasma, a hybrid of the two, is the most common and is also very treatable

Treatment 

Melasma can be treated in a variety of ways:

Creams
Certain products can go a long way in treating melasma topically. Stringent application of proper sunscreen is a great first step that can help you avoid the condition in the first place, and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic consistently ranks very highly in its ability to lighten dark patches and other stubborn instances of hyperpigmentation. SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector, is also great at treating epidermal melasma with no further intervention. 

Our dermatologists may also recommend stronger topical prescription remedies to help alleviate hyperpigmentation.   

Lasers  

Our Picoway laser is quite amazing when it comes to treating hyperpigmentation, especially when it comes to conditions like melasma, which are isolated and benign. Part of what makes this particular laser so effective is that its power is concentrated into a small spot size, allowing it to lessen discolouration in fewer treatments and with practically no downtime.  It also works wonders with acne scarring, so be sure to check out our Picoway specials this month.

The CO2RE laser is also a great option to deal with hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage — and it can be done in a single treatment, with clinically proven, long-lasting effects (we’re taking years)! Downtime usually lasts about a week, but the noticeable improvement to your skin’s tone and smoothness are worth every minute. 

Microdermabrasion 

This cosmetic approach tackles hyperpigmentation by removing dead skin, thereby evening out any pigmentation discrepancies and improving skin texture. Learn more about our microdermabrasion treatments here

Chemical peels 

Peels of different strengths can also be very effective against melasma, contributing to better hydration and tone and making skin look clearer and more even. While peels often perform better on lighter skin, we’ve got some fantastic options — including the RevePeel — that are recommended for all skin types and show fantastic results as quickly as one week later! 

The thing to remember about melasma is — like any skin condition — there is no one best way in which to treat it. The best treatment is often as unique as you are, and often involves a combination of sun protection, products or medications, treatments, and time. Give us a call or schedule a consultation and we’ll help you figure about the best approach for you.