Hydroquinone can be very effective in helping to lighten dark scars. However, it is no longer sold in some countries because of its long-term use dangers. Though rare, hydroquinone can lead to a condition called ochronosis, even at its over-the-counter strength of 2%. Ochronosis is permanent hyper-pigmentation with sooty darkening of the skin. Ochronosis may also cause loss of skin elasticity and impaired wound healing. Other side effects of hydroquinone include contact dermatitis (rash, redness, itching and flaking) and nail discoloration. Some researchers have questioned whether hydroquinone and related compounds may even cause cancer. As a result of these fears, hydroquinone is only available by prescription in Europe and it is highly regulated in Asia. The skin-lightening effects of hydroquinone decrease with prolonged use and with sun exposure. Hydroquinone does not improve any other aspect of the scar other than the dark pigment.
Kojic acid - like hydroquinone, kojic acid is effective in lightening dark scars, brown spots and even melasma. Unfotunately, some studies suggest that skin exposed to kojic acid on a regular basis becomes more sensitive. Skin sensitization is bad because it can lead to allergic contact dermatitis. Like hydroquinone, koijic acid does not improve any other aspect of the scar other than the dark pigment.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a very effective and safe pigment lightening agent when used in concentrations of 10% (or more). It also encourages production of normal, healthy collagen so it is also a very good scar treatment in general. The problem with vitamin c is stability. Most forms of vitamin C used in skin care products are unstable and turn brown after the container is opened. This is a sign that the vitamin C has become oxidized and therefore no longer works. Products that are brown to begin with should best be avoided as many manufacturers color the cream brown so that users cannot tell when the cream becomes oxidized. Choose a product which specifically address this vitamin C stability issue (usually by combining ascorbic acid with a second form of vitamin C) and is not brown to begin with).
Licorice extract - like vitamin C, licorice also makes an excellent scar treatment: it has strong anti-inflammatory properties and accelerates skin renewal. Both vitamin C and licorice inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme that causes pigmentation in response to sun exposure and skin injury. Interestingly, licorice boosts the scar lightening effects of vitamin C so the 2 should be combined for best results. As a bonus, licorice also has anti-acne effects (both prevention and treatment).
Regardless of the treatment you choose, be patient. It takes time to get rid of dark scars. Improvement does not happen overnight. Also keep applying sun block (over the scar treatment) as prolonged sun exposure will only make dark scars even darker.
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Kamis, 04 Maret 2010
Best Scar Treatment for Dark Scars
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cancer,
dermatitis,
injury,
pigment,
pigmentation,
scar treatment,
skin,
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Cosmetic History
Cosmetic is synonymous to women and we say this because billions of dollars are being spent by women on cosmetics to increase their beauty quotient. Cosmetics are an indispensable part of a woman's life - the love for beauty-enhancing elements cuts across all strata of society. In my effort to dig into the cosmetic history and unearth the love affair between women and cosmetics, I came across many interesting facts that I wish to share with all my readers.
Delving into the history of the use of cosmetics, we know that the Egyptians were the ones who started it all. There are historical evidences of the Egyptians using eye paints, scented oils and even animal fat based creams. These cosmetics were used by the women of the upper class in order to enhance the beauty of their facial skin and even treat skin problem like wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, hair growth etc. This brings us to an interesting conclusion i.e. there has not been any major shift in the purpose behind the usage of cosmetics.
The Western part of the world was a late entrant into cosmetic history and the the use of cosmetics and it all started during the middle ages. Here too cosmetics were an elite affair and the commoners were bereft of this luxury. The use of cosmetics was not taken in a very positive way by the Church and it ultimately banned its use. Queen Victoria extended her support for the Church's position. Thus cosmetics found its new lovers in the brothels where it adorned the faces of prostitutes. An interesting twist to the story came with Hitler declaring that cosmetics were better suited for the faces of Clowns and women belonging to the master race should shun its use.
The next two hundred years witnessed a rapid growth in cosmetic usage and even women belonging to the lower strata of the society started to use cosmetic products. The 18th century was very significant in terms of the changes in technology for the production of cosmetics. The French started to use new methods, chemicals and natural ingredients. Safer chemicals like zinc oxide were being used as the base and the use of lead or copper was abolished. At the end of the 19th century, the first beauty salons were set up.
Rapid use of makeup cosmetics started from the early 1930s; actresses and theater artists started to use make up in their films. Sarah Bernhardt and Jean Harlow spearheaded the so-called cosmetic movement and made the use of cosmetics fashionable. After World War II, there was rapid growth in the cosmetic industry where more and more women started using cosmetics. Soon with the introduction of electronic media like TV and Radio, cosmetics became a part of every woman's life.
To date the significance of cosmetics has not reduced, but in fact, increased in the life of women. It is now over a 50 billion dollar industry. However, as its history evolves, cosmetics will take on new meaning. Past cosmetic history focused on women's beauty and the culture of anti-aging. The future will focus on the dangers inherent in the continued use of synthetically formulated cosmetic products. These synthetic chemicals have proven to be toxic in nature, and over time, clinical studies will prove them to be hazardous to one' health. Many of these toxins have already been linked to cancer, birth defects, infertility, liver and kidney malfunctions and much more.
Recently, a lecture was presented by the Environmental Working Group, the EWG. Their mission is to protect children from the effects of toxic chemicals in the food, water, air, and products we use daily. Without getting into too much detail here is a summary of the findings of the EWG as it relates to cosmetic products. Women, on average, use 12 personal care products daily that expose them to 160 toxic chemicals; 10 babies, still in their mother's womb, were tested for chemicals in their bloodstreams with these results; 287 toxic chemicals were found of which 134 were linked to cancer; 151 were linked to birth defects; 186 were linked to infertility; 130 were linked to the immune system, and so on.
Now, if one questions what this all means, consider the following statistics; there has been an 84% increase in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in children from 1975 to 2002; a 57% increase in brain cancer during the same period; a doubling of Hypospadias (birth defect of the urethra in males) in infant males in the same period; sperm counts in men are dropping at a rate of 1% per year; 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer; 1 in 3 women will experience some form of cancer in their lifetime; 1 in 2 males will experience some form of cancer in their lifetime.
Delving into the history of the use of cosmetics, we know that the Egyptians were the ones who started it all. There are historical evidences of the Egyptians using eye paints, scented oils and even animal fat based creams. These cosmetics were used by the women of the upper class in order to enhance the beauty of their facial skin and even treat skin problem like wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, hair growth etc. This brings us to an interesting conclusion i.e. there has not been any major shift in the purpose behind the usage of cosmetics.
The Western part of the world was a late entrant into cosmetic history and the the use of cosmetics and it all started during the middle ages. Here too cosmetics were an elite affair and the commoners were bereft of this luxury. The use of cosmetics was not taken in a very positive way by the Church and it ultimately banned its use. Queen Victoria extended her support for the Church's position. Thus cosmetics found its new lovers in the brothels where it adorned the faces of prostitutes. An interesting twist to the story came with Hitler declaring that cosmetics were better suited for the faces of Clowns and women belonging to the master race should shun its use.
The next two hundred years witnessed a rapid growth in cosmetic usage and even women belonging to the lower strata of the society started to use cosmetic products. The 18th century was very significant in terms of the changes in technology for the production of cosmetics. The French started to use new methods, chemicals and natural ingredients. Safer chemicals like zinc oxide were being used as the base and the use of lead or copper was abolished. At the end of the 19th century, the first beauty salons were set up.
Rapid use of makeup cosmetics started from the early 1930s; actresses and theater artists started to use make up in their films. Sarah Bernhardt and Jean Harlow spearheaded the so-called cosmetic movement and made the use of cosmetics fashionable. After World War II, there was rapid growth in the cosmetic industry where more and more women started using cosmetics. Soon with the introduction of electronic media like TV and Radio, cosmetics became a part of every woman's life.
To date the significance of cosmetics has not reduced, but in fact, increased in the life of women. It is now over a 50 billion dollar industry. However, as its history evolves, cosmetics will take on new meaning. Past cosmetic history focused on women's beauty and the culture of anti-aging. The future will focus on the dangers inherent in the continued use of synthetically formulated cosmetic products. These synthetic chemicals have proven to be toxic in nature, and over time, clinical studies will prove them to be hazardous to one' health. Many of these toxins have already been linked to cancer, birth defects, infertility, liver and kidney malfunctions and much more.
Recently, a lecture was presented by the Environmental Working Group, the EWG. Their mission is to protect children from the effects of toxic chemicals in the food, water, air, and products we use daily. Without getting into too much detail here is a summary of the findings of the EWG as it relates to cosmetic products. Women, on average, use 12 personal care products daily that expose them to 160 toxic chemicals; 10 babies, still in their mother's womb, were tested for chemicals in their bloodstreams with these results; 287 toxic chemicals were found of which 134 were linked to cancer; 151 were linked to birth defects; 186 were linked to infertility; 130 were linked to the immune system, and so on.
Now, if one questions what this all means, consider the following statistics; there has been an 84% increase in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in children from 1975 to 2002; a 57% increase in brain cancer during the same period; a doubling of Hypospadias (birth defect of the urethra in males) in infant males in the same period; sperm counts in men are dropping at a rate of 1% per year; 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer; 1 in 3 women will experience some form of cancer in their lifetime; 1 in 2 males will experience some form of cancer in their lifetime.
Sabtu, 13 Februari 2010
Dermatology option
Historically, dermatologic surgeons have been the pioneers and leaders in the field of cosmetic and medically necessary skin surgery. In fact, the science of many of the cosmetic surgery procedures and skin cancer treatments performed today were either originated or enhanced by dermatologic surgeons.
For example, these skin surgery experts invented laser surgery for birthmarks, liposuction using local anesthesia, hair transplantation, the use of many filler substances, most chemical peeling treatments, botulinum toxin type A therapy, laser hair removal, laser resurfacing for wrinkles, many leg vein treatments, microdermabrasion and more.
For example, these skin surgery experts invented laser surgery for birthmarks, liposuction using local anesthesia, hair transplantation, the use of many filler substances, most chemical peeling treatments, botulinum toxin type A therapy, laser hair removal, laser resurfacing for wrinkles, many leg vein treatments, microdermabrasion and more.
Jumat, 12 Februari 2010
New techniques scar improved
While most skin cancer patients would like nothing more than to put their experience behind them, the majority carry constant reminders of their battle with cancer in the form of surgical scars. In some cases, skin cancer surgical scars can cause serious disfigurement, particularly on facial areas that are hard to hide or camouflage. Now, thanks to pioneering research, dermatologists can offer patients more effective facial reconstruction options to reduce the appearance of scars following skin cancer surgery.
Dermatologists are improving patient satisfaction by using the newest innovations and techniques to minimize surgical scars from facial skin cancers. For years, dermatologists have used a number of tried-and-true healing options for wounds resulting from skin cancer surgery - from effectively allowing Mother Nature to heal wounds without medical or surgical intervention to various closure techniques, surgical flaps and skin grafts. While these methods have proven quite effective in minimizing surgical scars, dermatologists are drawing on their expertise in how the skin heals to expand the current treatment options and further enhance results.
Dermatologic surgeon threads a running "baseball stitch" through the wound - or a continuous stitch that weaves in and out similar to the stitching on a baseball - causing the barbs to catch onto the connective tissue of the wound. In essence, the barbs on the stitches anchor themselves to the deep tissue of the wound and gradually close the wound together without tying knots. The barbed stitch technique was recently introduced and, in my experience, the technique has proven successful in closing complicated wounds very quickly and efficiently. Since the patient's operation time is greatly reduced because multiple stitch knots are avoided, their risk of surgical complications is theoretically less - as longer surgeries are associated with greater risk of infection and other complications.
Since the barbed stitch is thick, it works best for large wounds in areas of thicker skin and with high resistance that are hard to stretch - such as the rigid scalp area. This procedure is not recommended in areas where the skin is thin, for instance on the nose or eyelids. He added that patients with thick skin on their cheeks may also be good candidates for the technique.
All surgeries will leave scars and a "scar less" surgery is unrealistic. One approach that comes close is immediate sanding (dermabrasion) of the incision line. In this method, which was developed by dermatologists, a wound is closed with deep stitches first to bring the skin edges together. Sanding is then performed with either a mechanical abrasive device or a laser (intense beam of light energy) to remove the epidermis (the skin's outer layer) all along the entire incision line. This sanding is done at the time of surgery rather than several months afterwards, which is when traditional dermabrasion is completed. Once the epidermis is sanded down, the dermatologist places the top stitches and seals the wound.
Over the course of about seven to 10 days, the cells in the area where the skin was sanded down or stripped migrate over the upper stitch line and effectively hide that line. The migrating cells effectively seal the scar and blend it in with the surrounding skin. Both of dermabrasion and lasers can be used immediately after surgery on almost any area of the face except the eyelids or lips. The best candidates for these procedures are fair-skinned patients and those without an abundance of oil glands along the stitch line itself.
In general, the smoother the skin and the fairer the patient, the better dermabrasion or lasers work together with traditional closure techniques to minimize a scar's visibility. In many cases, adding these methods into the mix can result in an almost scar-less outcome. In fact, these technologies can hide the stitches so well that even under magnification you cannot detect them.
While traditional skin grafts in which a person's own skin is removed from another part of the body and is then stitched over the wound are commonly used in skin cancer reconstruction surgery, a newer application of this technique involves using a skin substitute instead of a person's own skin to close the wound. The skin substitutes currently being used contain an animal protein matrix that the body integrates into the scar.
Skin substitutes are a good option for patients who don't have a lot of healthy skin to use for a graft, such as those with widespread sun damage. Another benefit is that skin substitutes eliminate the need for a second surgery site, and for very deep wounds skin substitutes can be used underneath the skin to plump and shape depressed areas. In the future of facial reconstruction looks bright, with more promising research on the horizon to minimize scarring following skin cancer surgery. Two frontiers in wound reconstruction will involve determining how to modify bad or abnormal scars that sometimes heal poorly and developing products - such as creams or injectables - that promote wound healing based on a greater understanding of how healing occurs at a cellular or biological level.
Dermatologists are improving patient satisfaction by using the newest innovations and techniques to minimize surgical scars from facial skin cancers. For years, dermatologists have used a number of tried-and-true healing options for wounds resulting from skin cancer surgery - from effectively allowing Mother Nature to heal wounds without medical or surgical intervention to various closure techniques, surgical flaps and skin grafts. While these methods have proven quite effective in minimizing surgical scars, dermatologists are drawing on their expertise in how the skin heals to expand the current treatment options and further enhance results.
Dermatologic surgeon threads a running "baseball stitch" through the wound - or a continuous stitch that weaves in and out similar to the stitching on a baseball - causing the barbs to catch onto the connective tissue of the wound. In essence, the barbs on the stitches anchor themselves to the deep tissue of the wound and gradually close the wound together without tying knots. The barbed stitch technique was recently introduced and, in my experience, the technique has proven successful in closing complicated wounds very quickly and efficiently. Since the patient's operation time is greatly reduced because multiple stitch knots are avoided, their risk of surgical complications is theoretically less - as longer surgeries are associated with greater risk of infection and other complications.
Since the barbed stitch is thick, it works best for large wounds in areas of thicker skin and with high resistance that are hard to stretch - such as the rigid scalp area. This procedure is not recommended in areas where the skin is thin, for instance on the nose or eyelids. He added that patients with thick skin on their cheeks may also be good candidates for the technique.
All surgeries will leave scars and a "scar less" surgery is unrealistic. One approach that comes close is immediate sanding (dermabrasion) of the incision line. In this method, which was developed by dermatologists, a wound is closed with deep stitches first to bring the skin edges together. Sanding is then performed with either a mechanical abrasive device or a laser (intense beam of light energy) to remove the epidermis (the skin's outer layer) all along the entire incision line. This sanding is done at the time of surgery rather than several months afterwards, which is when traditional dermabrasion is completed. Once the epidermis is sanded down, the dermatologist places the top stitches and seals the wound.
Over the course of about seven to 10 days, the cells in the area where the skin was sanded down or stripped migrate over the upper stitch line and effectively hide that line. The migrating cells effectively seal the scar and blend it in with the surrounding skin. Both of dermabrasion and lasers can be used immediately after surgery on almost any area of the face except the eyelids or lips. The best candidates for these procedures are fair-skinned patients and those without an abundance of oil glands along the stitch line itself.
In general, the smoother the skin and the fairer the patient, the better dermabrasion or lasers work together with traditional closure techniques to minimize a scar's visibility. In many cases, adding these methods into the mix can result in an almost scar-less outcome. In fact, these technologies can hide the stitches so well that even under magnification you cannot detect them.
While traditional skin grafts in which a person's own skin is removed from another part of the body and is then stitched over the wound are commonly used in skin cancer reconstruction surgery, a newer application of this technique involves using a skin substitute instead of a person's own skin to close the wound. The skin substitutes currently being used contain an animal protein matrix that the body integrates into the scar.
Skin substitutes are a good option for patients who don't have a lot of healthy skin to use for a graft, such as those with widespread sun damage. Another benefit is that skin substitutes eliminate the need for a second surgery site, and for very deep wounds skin substitutes can be used underneath the skin to plump and shape depressed areas. In the future of facial reconstruction looks bright, with more promising research on the horizon to minimize scarring following skin cancer surgery. Two frontiers in wound reconstruction will involve determining how to modify bad or abnormal scars that sometimes heal poorly and developing products - such as creams or injectables - that promote wound healing based on a greater understanding of how healing occurs at a cellular or biological level.
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