Delicious Glow: Foods That Keep Skin Healthy

The skin is the largest organ in the body. Many doctors take a look at a person’s skin to determine health and wellness. Skin appearance, moreover, could indicate undetected diseases and illnesses.

It is therefore crucial to take good care of the skin. A simple, yet often underrated factor in skin health is diet. A natural, healthy glow can be easily achieved by eating the right food. Listed below are some foods to try:

Image Source: idealmagazine.co.uk

Chocolates: This refers to pure dark chocoloate. Natural cacaocontains high levels of flavonols, which are potent antioxidants. Nutritionists recommend taking chocolate that is at least 70 percent cacao. A couple of squares a day improve skin luminosity and can temprarily reduce skin puffiness.

Yogurt

: The protein from dairy keeps skin firm. Greek yogurt is especially beneficial as it contains double the protein of regular yogurt. A single serving every day is enough to keep the complexion smooth and glowing.

Peppers: Those who eat green and yellow vegetables everyday tend to have fewer wrinkles, particularly around the eyes. This is because of the carotenoids - found in yellow and orange vegetables – which decrease the skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

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Kidney beans: These are high in zinc, which heals blemishes. Medical studies show that just a four-ounce serving of kidney beans per day is enough to alleviate mild to moderate acne symptoms.

The rule of thumb in terms of health and diet is to eat bright-colored foods. The color usually comes from components that are beneficial to overall wellness. Foods that are brown or light yellow should be taken in moderation.

DermASAP is on a mission to give each person beautiful, glowing skin. Learn more about skincare when you follow this Twitter account.

Scarred no more: The process of scar revision

For some people, their scars are tales of victories over life’s challenges. As author Kahlil Gibran once said, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” 

Image source: nwitimes.com

However, there are also scars that are painful reminders of injury, surgery, and accidents. These scars can be unsightly or disfigured and a source of embarrassment. That is why people cannot be blamed if they wish to have their scars treated. 

Scar revision is a surgical procedure that can improve or reduce the appearance of a scar so that it appears more consistent with surrounding tissue. The surgery can also restore function and address any skin changes or disfigurement as a result of an injury, wound, or prior surgery. 

Patients who opt for a revision surgery usually have these types of scars:

• A keloid, or a scar that extends beyond the original wound or incision. Keloids are generally thicker and of a different color than the surrounding skin. Their thick and puckered appearance is likened to a tumor.

• Hypertrophic scars or thick clusters of scar tissues that develop directly at the wound site. These scars are raised and can be extremely uncomfortable. They can also widen over time. Hypertrophic scars can be hyperpigmented (darker in color) or hypopigmented (lighter in color).

• Contractures or scars that cause distortion or restrict movement due to the pulling together of the skin and underlying tissues during the healing process. This type of scar is the result of a significant amount of tissue loss such as after a burn incident.

Meanwhile, ideal candidates for a scar revision surgery should be physically healthy, non-smokers, do not have any injury or skin disease in the area that will be treated, and more importantly, must have a positive attitude and realistic expectations. 

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Scar revision is one of the procedures offered at DermASAP’s clinics in Quincy and Plymouth in Massachusetts. To request a consultation, click here.

Deciding on liposuction? What to consider and expect

Diet and exercise are the best ways to get rid of excess fat, but some pockets of fat are difficult to lose, and liposuction addresses these. Surgeons, however, would advise clients to set realistic expectations before proceeding.

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Liposuction is ideal for adults who are within 30 percent of their ideal weight, and have localized fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise largely because of genes that dictate body structure. Some common problem areas that can be out of proportion with the rest of the body are thighs, upper arms, hips, buttocks, and the abdomen and waist. Surgeons may dissuade a person from going through liposuction if the expectation is to lose a significant amount of fat; liposuction is neither a treatment for obesity nor an alternative to exercise and proper diet.

Image source: HealthDecode.com

Liposuction is also better suited for individuals with healthy skin elasticity. The procedure cannot tighten excess, loose skin resulting from fat loss and it also does not remove cellulites. Skin tightening procedures may be performed in combination with liposuction.

Liposuction is one of the cosmetic procedures offered by DermASAP, a dermatological center the performs complete skin care and cosmetic treatments. Visit its website to know more about its services.

Treating Scarring Left By Shingles

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox and is characterized by painful rashes that may turn into blisters. The rash is similar to chickenpox but is only focused on a band of skin that is infected. Shingles is caused by a viral infection that damages nerve fibers. Studies have proven that after recovering from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in the system almost indefinitely.

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Shingles begins as a constant pain that comes and goes on specific parts of the body. After several days, a rash develops. The blotches are red and can develop into itchy, fluid-filled blisters. When these blisters merge, they can look like a solid red band that looks like a severe burn. New blisters can form up to a week, after which they dry up and form scabs or crusts. A single episode can last for around two to four weeks. Other symptoms include fever, nausea, fatigue, chills, and muscle pain and weakness.

It is not uncommon for people to have leftover scarring from a shingles episode. Some people may scratch their wounds or pick at the scabs as they’re healing. Because of the size and relative severity of the skin condition, scars are usually noticeable and can cause emotional discomfort.

If treated immediately, these scars can be eliminated or reduced until they are unnoticeable. Some topical medicines work to some degree, but the most recommended method is cosmetic laser procedures. Qualified dermatology clinics use the latest technologies to resurface new skin cells to reduce scars and marks left by skin conditions such as shingles.

Image Source: healthline.com

However, it must be noted that extremely severe cases of shingles can cause scars that cannot be fully removed.

DermASAP is the only name to remember for superior cosmetic dermatology services, including treatment of superficial scarring due to shingles. Learn more about the clinic’s services when you visit this website.

Are All Moles Safe?

Image source: infodiseases.com

It is normal for people to have moles. Some people have moles on every part of their body, but they don’t seem to mind because these come in different forms, shapes, and sizes. However, not all moles are the same. There are different kinds, and some are related to various skin health issues like skin cancer.

Common moles are the typical kind. They are usually small in diameter and have a distinct, dome-like form. Dysplastic nevi or atypical moles have different symptoms. They vary in color and may be flat. They may share same characteristics with cancerous moles, but dysplastic nevi are benign. Junctional melanocytic nevi are moles from accumulating melanocytes from where the epidermis and dermis meet. The moles are dark in color and multiply in number through the years.

Intradermal nevi are flesh-colored moles that can blend with the skin. They are also usually benign. Compound nevi is similar-looking with intradermal or junctional nevi. They have even pigmentation and distinct borders. Halo nevi are raised moles with a ring of lighter skin that surround the area. These moles can be benign, and may not require treatment.

Image source: webmd.com

There is a small chance that a mole is malignant. Here are indicators that may show its cancerous nature. -

Change in size, shape, and color
-Loss of symmetry
-Bleeding, pain, inflammation, or itchiness
-Change in elevation (thickening of a flat mole)

Led by Dr. Kenneth M. Reed, DermASAP assesses various skin conditions, including moles, and offers procedures that will ensure patients’ overall skin health. Learn more about the clinic by visiting this website.

The new face of sports is virtual reality

Sports fans have a new way of experiencing their favorite games. Improved technology from the 1990s have rekindled interest in virtual reality. As previously mentioned, the concept of augmented reality is not a new one. Scientists have been developing this technology since the early 1990s. However, the mechanics at the time were unable to properly create a realistic background. The project was placed in the backburner; although not entirely forgotten.

Image Source: forbes.com

The rapid pace of technology and society’s need for instant gratification compelled tech giants such as Samsung, Google, and even Tesla to try once again to build headsets which allowed for greater access to events. The initial purpose was for entertainment. That is, companies built these headsets so that games could be played and experienced on an entirely new level. As the headsets were released and constantly improved upon, several more applications were noted. Industries such as real estate, pharmaceuticals, and law and enforcement saw a safe and efficient means to train their employees. The cost-benefits of such a response was weighed and approved. Suddenly, many industries were pushing for more virtual reality headsets programmed with their specific programs. 

It was during this time that developers realized that these headsets could also be used for sports. Fans who – for whatever reason – could not go to their favorite game could do so in real-time. Unexpected implications were found. Sports event planners could exponentially increase audience count without looking for a bigger venue. This also means that other factors, such as clean-up, food expenses, and the like could be limited, while adding more people to an event. 

The possible uses for virtual reality headsets seem limitless; although financial analysts are hesitant to provide a forecast. Yet for many sports fans, this push towards virtual reality can lead to a better viewing experience.

Image Source: Independent.co.uk

Joshua Hunt is based in Texas and is a huge sports fan. He loves to read about the latest trends. Learn more when you like this Facebook page.

Three Things Not To Do With Acne

There are around 50 million Americans who suffer from various degrees of acne. This skin condition is an extremely common complaint among teenagers.

 Image Source: nhs.uk

There are many causes of acne. While it is normally the young and prepubescent who have this condition, many adults can still get it. That being said, it is important that patients recognize a few things they should not do with their acne:

Quitting too early: Many acne treatments take several weeks to fully work. The skin is the largest organ in the body and takes weeks to regenerate and react to treatments, especially if these are topical. It may be upsetting for many patients; acne comes on so fast yet takes time to heal. Dermatologist say it takes around six to 12 weeks to see any form of result. As such, patients are asked to be patient with their medicine.

 Image Source: nhs.uk

Popping them: This is absolutely the worst thing one could do with their acne. There are specialized tools and procedures dermatologists use to safely pop acne. However, doing this on one’s own can cause the wound to worsen. Oil from the fingers could push further bacteria into the skin and can affect the efficacy of any medicine being used. As irritating as acne can be, patients are asked to leave them alone.

Overmedicating: It is tempting to use different products all at once. This could be problematic. Many acne medications contain active ingredients that slough off layers of skin. They leave the skin sensitive to other forms of medication that are necessary for effective healing. Using too many products can destroy several layers of skin and make the skin more vulnerable to other conditions.

It is recommended to strictly follow the treatment regimen set by one’s dermatologist.

DermASAP’s goal is to provide superior skin care services while effectively educating their patients on preventive and maintenance strategies. Learn more about its skincare services by subscribing to this blog.