Skin Care Medication

The Thing About Retin-A: It Works

November 30, 2006

THE beauty aisles of a typical drugstore are a veritable fortress stacked with lotions and potions that promise to turn back the clock, rejuvenate the skin and restore a youthful glow. Their labels list an arsenal of ingredients —alpha hydroxy acids, antioxidant vitamins, green tea, copper, caffeine, soy, peptides, among many others.

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FACE FORWARD Susan Hobbs, 56, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., has used Retin-A for 15 years. “Retin-A has made a big difference,� she says.

Yet within the walls of products and tiers of claims, one ingredient still stands out: Retin-A. It is available in prescription-strength products, including generic formulations, and under brand names like Retin-A Micro, Renova, Avage and Tazorac. Its less potent over-the-counter cousin, retinol, is found in products on department and drugstore shelves.

“To my knowledge, this is the only drug for which there has been crystal-clear demonstration that it works on the molecular level,� said Dr. John J. Voorhees, the chairman of the dermatology department at the medical school of the University of Michigan.

Prescription Retin-A first became popular more than 20 years ago as an acne treatment. But doctors and patients soon noticed another benefit, one with enormous impact on those who were looking for a way to keep skin vibrant and smooth.

Retin-A users reported improvements in skin texture, including diminished wrinkles and brown spots. Early studies soon confirmed its anti-aging effects. In 1988, Dr. Voorhees and his colleagues at Michigan published the first double-blind study of Retin-A’s effect on photodamaged skin and found that all 30 patients who completed the 16-week study showed statistically significant improvement.

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“There is so much historical evidence that this ingredient works better than anything else,� said Dr. Joel L. Cohen, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Colorado and a consultant for OrthoNeutrogena, the maker of Retin-A Micro. And the effects are more than superficial. “It actually works to remodel skin on a cellular level,� Dr. Cohen said.

Retin-A, the drug known generically as retinoic acid or tretinoin, is derived from vitamin A. Retinol, a less potent form of Retin-A, also has some strong science to support its effectiveness.

Skin cells contain retinoid receptors that help regulate how the cell functions. As people age, their cells behave more erratically. “But consistent use of Retin-A helps normalize the cells,� said Dr. Min-Wei Christine Lee, a dermatologist in Walnut Creek, Calif.

Retin-A can improve skin texture and fade dark spots and freckles because it causes skin cells to turn over more rapidly. It shrinks dilated pores and improves cell turnover within the pores so they are less likely to clog and become blackheads and whiteheads. But what has earned Retin-A its long-held reputation is its ability to affect the retention of collagen.

Collagen is what gives skin its structure, firmness and elasticity. Repeated sun exposure breaks down collagen and, with age, cells produce less and less collagen to repair the damage. Skin wrinkles, sags and loses fullness.

Retin-A does double duty in helping to boost collagen. According to research at Michigan, it has the potential to stop photoaging before it starts. “The retinoids prevent the rise of collagenase after UV exposure,� Dr. Voorhees said. Collagenase is what breaks down collagen.

But regular use of a retinoid product also increases the amount of new collagen formed, research has found, and that new collagen will last for years.

Susan Hobbs, 56, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., a retired firefighter, said she spends a lot of time outdoors, and has been using Retin-A for about 15 years. “And I really don’t have a lot of wrinkles, compared to other people my age,” she said.

“I think that using Retin-A has made a big difference,� Ms. Hobbs said. “I think if I didn’t use it, the sun damage would have really taken its toll.�

The results are not just cosmetic. Dr. Voorhees said that retinoids have been used to treat precancerous skin cells. Studies show that after two years of use, those abnormal cells returned to normal.

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Pomegranate Health Anounces New Research-Based Skin Care Products

November 24, 2006

Rochester, New York (PRWEB) November 24, 2006 — Pomegranates have earned a stellar reputation among health savvy consumers for their ultra-high content and range of antioxidants. These beneficial compounds help the body fight off free radicals, which New studies indicate that pomegranates also have the distinct ability to rejuvenate and repair adult human skin tissue. Pomegranate seed oil, for instance, has been shown to help reduce wrinkles and promote wound healing.

Pomegranate Health, the maker of premier pomegranate dietary supplements and ingredients, has now introduced a line of pomegranate skin care products inspired by the new scientific discoveries. Each product in the new line is formulated using research-driven technology exclusive to Pomegranate Health.
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The new product line includes:
- Exfoliating Face Cleanser
- Hand & Body Scrub with Dead Sea Salts
- Hand & Body Moisturizing Lotion
- Moisturizing Body & Massage Oil
- Anti-Aging Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream (available in January 2007)
Each unique product features pomegranate seed oil and other natural pomegranate extracts.

“We see that pomegranate is starting to appear on the labels of certain cosmetic products,” said Steve Schwartz, vice president of marketing for Pomegranate Health, “but none seem to be taking a scientific approach to maximize the skin benefits of pomegranates. Many, in fact, had no pomegranate content at all. We see a need for creams and lotions that can truly deliver the antioxidants, conjugated fatty acids, and other skin nutrients inherent in pomegranates.”

Pomegranate Health also manufactures premium pomegranate dietary supplements, including Estragranate for promoting hormonal balance and boosting low libido, Cardiogranate for supporting cardiovascular health, and Pomegranate Seed Oil for use as a skin moisturizing supplement and personal lubricant.

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Cholayil to unveil skin-care range

November 23, 2006

Chennai-based Cholayil Group, manufacturers of Medimix soaps and Cuticura talcs, is set to diversify into the skin care category.

“The initial roll out of our skin care range will begin early next fiscal,� said MC Anand Kumar, senior V-P (sales & marketing), Dorcas Market Makers - the marketing arm of Cholayil. The company is yet to decide whether the Medimix brand will be extended to include the skin care range or it will be made available under a new brand.

“Our core brands have a strong association with ayurveda, therefore skin care seems a logical extension for us,� said Mr Kumar. Earlier this year, the Rs 160-crore Cholayil Group relaunched its flagship brand Medimix after 36 years.

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A powerful ayurvedic soap brand in the south and the west, Medimix is eyeing a deeper pan-India presence through 1,300 distributors and 20 lakh outlets. “Our dependence on the south is down to 63% from a whopping 90% a couple of years ago,� he added.

Targetted at a wide consumer base including SEC A, B & C brand, Medimix is now available in three variants. Mr Kumar didn’t rule out launching more variants in the near future. Besides a significant presence in 4,000 hotels in the country, Medimix is also exported to the Middle East, South-East Asia, Europe and the US.

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Some say flea fighter is losing its punch

November 22, 2006

Veterinarians won’t prescribe Frontline because they say it isn’t working

By PETER FROST

pfrost@islandpacket.com

One of the most common brands of flea treatment for pets is falling out of favor with many veterinarians.

The veterinarians say they have stopped prescribing Frontline brand flea and tick products in favor of other brands like Advantage or K9 Advantix, which are proving to be more effective.

A survey of six Beaufort County animal hospitals and veterinary clinics revealed that all recommend either Advantage or K9 Advantix products to treat flea problems on dogs and cats — a significant change for some of the offices, which as little as a year ago prescribed Frontline-brand medications on a two-to-one ratio over all other treatments.

“In our office, we’ve seen 25 percent more skin problems related to fleas this year in what appears to be a failure of Frontline,� said Dr. Ben Parker of the Coastal Veterinary Clinic in Bluffton. “In most cases, it’s simply not working.�

Susan Ralston, a senior field veterinarian with Frontline’s manufacturer, Duluth, Ga.-based Merial Limited, said Frontline has “great products that do exactly what they’re supposed to do.�

“This is not an isolated issue with Frontline,� Ralston said. “All companies this fall have been challenged by the sheer number of fleas you’ve got in that area this year.�

Parker said Frontline Plus, an ointment to protect against fleas and ticks, was his top recommendation for pets earlier this year. But now, he said, he’s almost exclusively prescribing Advantage, which protects pets against fleas, or K9 Advantix, which protects against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

Some veterinarians and researchers say problems with Frontline products surfaced in isolated incidents during the last two years, but not until this year have the issues become widespread. Veterinarians interviewed for this story in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Iowa said they’ve had problems this year with Frontline.

“At first, we thought there may just have been a bad batch of the product,� said Dr. Nancy Hinkle, professor of veterinary entomology at the University of Georgia.

“But now, we’re receiving reports from three different states, and all customers were complaining that the materials weren’t working.

“It leads me to believe there’s another explanation. It leads me to think there may be incipient resistance.�

Hinkle and other veterinarians said it’s possible fleas have built up a resistance to one of the active ingredients in Frontline.

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Ralston said there’s no evidence that there is any resistance in the field to Frontline or any other products on the market.

She said Frontline is caught in a perception problem.

“‘People need to realize that fleas have to get on the pets for any of the products to work,� she said. “Just because there are fleas intermittently on your pet doesn’t mean the product’s not working.�

In nearly every case, she said, flea problems can be traced to either an environmental factor, such as bedding infested with fleas, or a skin problem with the pet that doesn’t allow for the product to evenly distribute.

“They need to look at the bigger picture of what’s going on in these particular cases and get to the bottom of the problem,� Ralston said. ‘“They shouldn’t just throw their hands up and say, ‘Well, it must be the product.’�

Though each medication is applied between an animal’s shoulder blades, Frontline Plus, Advantage and K9 Advantix use different active ingredients.

Fleas, like flies, cockroaches and a host of other insects, develop resistance to pesticides and insecticides due to their relatively short lifecycles, said Eric Benson, a Clemson University entomologist.

Because fleas can propagate multiple generations within in a single year, evolution can occur rapidly.

Nevertheless, Benson and Dr. James Noxon, a professor at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said that while some evidence suggests fleas have become resistant to Frontline products, it’s too soon to draw conclusions.

“‘I do think there’s some resistance, but I don’t think anyone knows how extensive it is,� Noxon said. “Documented resistance patterns are hard to come by.�

Still, he said, he’s switched several animals from Frontline to Advantage and had success keeping fleas off pets.

Dorian Colorado, a veterinarian at Animal Care Clinic on Hilton Head Island, said some of her clients on K9 Advantix have had problems with fleas this year as well.

Colorado, who does not carry Frontline products, said it’s “just been a bad flea season here, period.�

“I think the products are just overwhelmed,� she said. “With the amount of fleas in this part of the country, there’s only so much you can do.�

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Men`s Body Acne and How to Treat it

November 21, 2006

When it comes to acne, it can be just as embarrassing for guys as it is for girls and while it’s easily treatable for the face, body acne tends to be much more difficult to treat since the skin is thicker on the body.

 

So what exactly is acne and what causes it? Acne is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands that gives off an excess oily substance also known as sebum. While the exact cause of acne is actually unknown, there are a number of things that do trigger it. An increase in hormones, stress and genetics are all said to be factors that can trigger acne. However, a combination of perspiration from physical activity and the friction from tight-fitting clothing is said to be the number one cause for body acne.

 

Now that we have a better understand of acne, the next step should be finding the right skin care products to treat the problem. Since the skin is thicker on the body, most topical treatments such as creams and moisturizers meant for the face may not be strong enough to work properly, so you will want to choose a product meant specifically for body acne.

 

You will find that most topical body acne products contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide is a bleaching agent used to kill the bacteria found in acne while minifying the oil acne produces. Salicylic acid is a white crystalline substance that aids in the breakdown of whiteheads and blackheads. Another ingredient found in many body acne products is Retinol. Retinol is an unsaturated alcohol found in fish-liver oils and is used to help exfoliate dead skin cells. Keep in mind that most over the counter acne products take at least two to three weeks before you will begin seeing results, so keeping with your acne skin care regimen is very important.

 

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An easy way to prevent body acne in the first place is to shower immediately after any physical activity such as exercise. Besides ridding yourself of sweat and body odors, showering also allows you to wash away any excess oil and open up skins’ pores. A gentle body acne cleanser or exfoliant is ideal for removing excess oil caused by acne.

 

Another easy way to prevent body acne is by wearing loose clothing made from breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen, especially during workouts.

 

If you prefer a more natural regimen for your body acne, there is a wide range of treatments available that might help. Witch hazel is an astringent lotion that comes from the witch hazel plant and reduces the inflammation in acne. Other natural remedies to try are tea tree oil, milk thistle and aloe vera.

 

Finally, if you find that over-the-counter medications are just not working for you, your local dermatologist may be able to prescribe an oral antibiotic or stronger topical medication. However, no acne medication whether prescribed or over the counter will give you instant results, but with a proper skin care regimen and time, the results will be worth the effort and your skin will thank you.

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Essential winter skin care

November 1, 2006

Your face bares the brunt of harsh winter conditions so it often gets extra special treatment, but it’s not the only exposed area of skin that needs extra care. Your hands and your neck are often exposed to the drying winter temperatures and need to be protected from chafing, cracking and drying out. Even the skin that is warmly wrapped can suffer due to the drying effects of central heating.

Skin care during winter can be a challenge for some people, especially if your skin has a natural tendency to dryness. Skin can become sore and itchy and some people experience patches of eczema as a direct result of winter weather.

The good news is that simple, common sense steps can help reduce the harsh effects of winter on your skin. Here’s how to top up your moisture levels:

Though the cold mornings mean that it’s tempting to take long, hot showers or baths, bathing in hot water strips skin of its natural acid mantel. Without this, your skin is prone to dryness.

Avoid soap-based products for both your face and body, though you should be avoiding these in summer as well. Switch refreshing summer shower gels for richer, more moisturising shower creams for your body and richer cream cleansers for your face for dry skin types.

Moisturisers help protect your skin against the harsh winter elements. Applying a good quality, rich moisturiser after a bath or shower will help to seal in moisture and the body’s natural oils. Even skin that’s not exposed during the winter can dry out, especially in centrally heated homes. Apply moisturiser to your entire body, but you should pay extra attention to the areas that will be more exposed, perhaps with a second application in the evening.

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Moisturiser is an effective barrier against cold temperatures and dry air that can trigger eczema. This is because dry skin can be itchy and become overly sensitive, resulting in fragile skin and possible eczema and dermatitis. The prevention of excessive loss of moisture is important to avoid further complications of dry skin. If you develop dry and itchy skin or eczema, don’t let the condition get worse. Take action and start using a good quality skin care range suitable for sensitive skin.

Carry around hand cream and apply after washing. Gloves can also prevent cracked and split cuticles and fingernails.

For your face, apply an alcohol-free toner to prevent loss of moisture from your skin. This is often neglected by many, yet it is a very important step for dry skin. The astringent effect of toners help to close the opened pores to actively prevent loss of moisture.

Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin when you’re outdoors, even in winter. You should also protect your lips by using lip balms and ensure you are drinking enough water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Too many people only drink enough fluids when it’s hot or when the thirst mechanism kicks in, but waiting to feel thirsty before drinking dehydrates your body, and skin. Your body’s minimum requirement of 1.5l doesn’t change just because the weather cools down.

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