With most of the country in the midst of a heat wave, men and women are baring more skin. Sleeveless tops are meant to make you feel cool — not embarrassed about the bumpy “chicken-skin” on the back of your arms.  This common disorder is a condition referred to as keratosis pilaris (KP).  The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 20-40% of all adults are affected by KP.

• What causes KP: KP is caused when keratin (a skin protein), blocks the hair follicle and forms hard plugs.  It is an autosomal dominant genetic trait with variable penetrance. This essentially means that most likely, someone else in your family also has KP. Continue reading →

A recent trend that has hit the nail salons with a bang is the gel manicure. These are special types of manicures in which gel acrylics are applied to the nail and then cured or cross linked by ultraviolet (UV)  lamps. During the procedure, multiple coats are applied to the nail and each coat is followed by UV light exposure. The popularity of the gel manicures lies in its multiple benefits: a look that is natural,  glossy, and long lasting.

But are there dangers associated with these manicures and more specifically the UV light exposure? Continue reading →

photo courtesy of Dead Sea Spa Care

Cosmetic companies have perpetuated a myth through the years that all individuals need to invest in a separate product for the eyes. Typically, these eye creams, serums, and gels are miniscule and have elaborate packaging. They also have exorbitant price tags.  But, do you really need a separate product just for the skin around the eyes?

Background:  The skin around the eye is thinner than the rest of the skin on the face. This makes it more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Furthermore, the skin around the eyes has few sebaceous glands (oil producing glands) and thus more dry than other facial skin.

Why you do NOT need a separate eye cream:   You should already be utilizing a good regimen, incorporating antioxidants/growth factors/peptides and retinoids.  Gentle emolliating creams also help to seal in the properties of these active ingredients and give hydration. If you are already utilizing a great Continue reading →

Even celebrities get sunburnt!
Kim Kardashian photo courtesy of http://www.centralinteriordesign.com

A common misconception among my desi patients is that they are immune to sunburn. In fact, I want our ethnic skin readers to realize that brown skin can burn. Unfortunately, brown skin burns can occasionally be worse than burns in lighter skin tones for two main reasons:

• The individual does not realize that burning is occurring until a significant burn occurs

• Not only does the burn and subsequent peeling occur, this burn then causes irregular discoloration (namely light and dark spots) that persist for months.

Continue reading →