To many, this question may seem ridiculous.

However, if you are NOT guilty of popping a pimple EVER, we salute you.

Picking at acne can be really dangerous to your skin.

Have you been told popping an occasional zit is a healthy thing?

Have you ever heard the never-ending cleanliness sermon from your mom, “Don’t pop your pimples, you’ll only make your acne worse…Blah, blah, blah… That’s why your skin looks awful now. Stop that!” We’ve all heard it.

At the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologist Alexa Boer Kimball, MD, decided to place pimple popping into the skin malarkey category, as scientifically unfounded acne aggravator.

Yet still with this categorizing, the question remains, “Does zit popping make acne worse and what evidence is there to prove it?”

The Real Issue: Why People Pop Zits in the First Place

To solve this issue, first, you need to know why you pop zits. The clear-cut answer is because zits are ugly and make you feel ugly and depressed.

Research supports this finding. For instance, a study published in the 2006 edition of the Journal of the American of Dermatology found that out of 387 dermatology patients who completed the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, 37 patients (9.6%) suffered from major depression.

Similarly, in 2000, a report in the same journal found that of 268 dermatology patients, 11.9% suffered from body dysmophic disorder (BBD), that is, they had a preoccupation with feeling ugly or having a nonexistent flaw in their appearance.

Another study published in Dermatologic Surgery in the June 2004 that examined facial scarring that resulted from acne excoriée concluded facial scarring could be controlled by first removing the underlining psychological disorders to control the impulse for desire to squeeze pimples.

Collectively, this data tells us that people pop zits because pimples the make them feel ugly and in order to stop bursting zits, you need to control the impulse to correct a bodily flaw.

This can be done by reminding yourself that your zit does not look as big to everyone else as it looks to you. Here lies the crux of the problem. Never let a zit make you feel like the village freak.

Even if that self-esteem booster does not work and you go ahead and pop the zit, will it make your acne worse? At first glance, that zit you targeted embodies a number of traits including compromised skin shedding, blockage of the pores and inflammation.

There Is a Time to Squeeze and a Time Not to Squeeze

Long answer short, pimple popping can aggravate acne because your skin contains a community of pores and what you do to one pimply-puss infested pore will affect the neighboring pore. The key is to time the popping of your zit right. Not all pimples are ideal for popping. Pop-ready zits are puss filled and above the surface of the skin. Such pimples are easily extracted with a sterile needle.

Acne-inducing pimple squeezing happens when you attempt to pop a pimple that is still beneath the surface of the skin and bordered by healthy, non-infected pores. Such pimples need time to rise to the upper layers of the skin and in some instances, may require medical extraction.

So, listen to Mom and please do not pop your pimples prematurely. Nevertheless, if pimple popping is an uncontrollable problem for you, a report published in Dermatologic Therapy found that hypnosis does help control the impulsive behaviors that can lead to pimple popping. The next time you are gazing into the mirror and that zits looks grossly humongous, but truly should not get squeezed, remove your hands from your face and just repeat after me, “I will let my zit to heal, I will let my zit heal, I will let my zit heal…” Good luck.

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology, The Stubborn Truth About Acne: Myths and Misconceptions February 15, 2005.

Bowes L.E.1; Alster T.S. Treatment of Facial Scarring and Ulceration Resulting from Acne Excoriée with 585-nm Pulsed Dye Laser Irradiation and Cognitive Psychotherapy. Dermatologic Surgery: Volume 30, Number 6, pp. 934-938(5), June 2004,

Cohen, Arnon D, Andr’e Ofek–Shlomai, Daniel A. Vardy, Zeev Weiner, MD and Pesach Shvartzman, MD. Depression in dermatological patients identified by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview questionnaire. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Volume 54, Issue 1, Pages 94-99, January 2006.

Shenefelt P.D. Biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, and hypnosis in dermatology: Is it all in your mind? Dermatologic Therapy: Volume 16, Number 2, pp. 114-122(9), June 2003.

What is a skin care myth you’ve heard recently?

Did you believe it?

People have a lot of concepts about skin care in Utah County.

Many of these skin care myths are quite a bit out there.

False skin care concepts cause a lot of bad skin health decisions and horrible monetary choices.

Thankfully, there are ways to avoid these difficulties without too much problem.

5 Skin Care Myths to Be Aware Of

1. Skin care problems can be erased swiftly. Unfortunately, some conditions are chronic, meaning that their healing process is sluggished and methodical. Luckily, they can still be take off, so commitment and control will help explain these evils.
2. Dry Skin creates wrinkles. Although crumpled skin looks nicer when moisturized, there is zero proof that shows that the moisturizer will actually stop old wrinkles.
3. Males do not have as many skin problems as girls. GuysMen have just as many wrinkles as ladies and get other skin care difficulties just as often. It is more common that women are more fretting about their appearance, so they speak about and spread these myths a lot more.
4. Acne is generated by your food. Acne is created by oils and clogging of the pores. Food products can not create these issues, unless you massage your face with the grease from tons of these products. However, consuming these products directly will not create the skin difficulties you presently are faced with.
5. Tanning is safe. All the gorgeous girls with awesome tans would like to know that tanning is risk free. Unfortunately, the UV rays can actually be fatal and hugely damaging, especially to your skin. This can create early wrinkles, cancer, and infection.

How many of these skin care myths have you heard?

Did you know that SKIN is the largest organ in your body?

Surprised?

Because of the dry air, it’s important to understand the basics of dry skin care in Utah County in order to revive the skin and give it the proper protection it needs.

Skin is all over you, providing a protective covering to your muscles and tissues. In today’s dry Utah environment where the weather and air quality change on a daily basis, our skin needs protection from harmful UV radiation, pollution, and dust.

Unfortunately, our skin takes the beating and protects our muscles, tissues, and various organs from getting directly impacted. This direct impact can lead to dry and itchy skin.

When we talk about dry skin care in Utah, most of us are reliant on only moisturizers because we think it’s logical to moisturize. Before we even go there, let’s first understand what causes dry skin.

Cause of Dry Skin in Utah

Our body produces natural oils and moisturizer to maintain a balance. If this oil is lost for any reason our skin becomes dry. The loss of oil could be because of cold weather, pollution in the environment, and exposure to dirt. This oil is used to keep the skin moist and also helps our skin maintain natural nutrients. When this oil is lost our skin becomes dry and itchy.

Dry skin care in Utah is not a very complex process to follow.

5 Natural Ways to Help Dry Skin in Utah

1. Stay away from skin care products that are not natural. 
These products might be manufactured using harmful chemicals or harsh chemicals that can further make your skin dry. Instead use natural skin care products
2. Use natural ways to moisturize the body. 
Drink ample amount of water to provide natural moisture
3. Avoid dry and harsh weather. 
Protect your skin from weather. Cover it properly if you are going out.
4. Avoid unnecessary prolonged hot showers. 
Long exposure to hot water washes the natural oils of our body.
5. Work with a Utah County dermatologist. We had to put this one in

Dry skin care is very easy if you follow these tips.

People have a lot of concepts about skin care in Utah County.

Tons of these skin care issues and myths are miscommunicated.

These skin care concepts cause a lot of bad skin health decisions and horrible monetary choices.

Thankfully, there are ways to avoid these difficulties without too much problem.

1. Tanning is safe. All the gorgeous girls with awesome tans would like to know that tanning is risk free. Unfortunately, the UV rays can actually be fatal and hugely damaging, especially to your skin. This can create early wrinkles, cancer, and infection.
2. Dry Skin creates wrinkles. Although crumpled skin looks nicer when moisturized, there is zero proof that shows that the moisturizer will actually stop old wrinkles.
3. Skin care problems can be erased swiftly. Unfortunately, some conditions are chronic, meaning that their healing process is sluggished and methodical. Luckily, they can still be take off, so commitment and control will help explain these evils.
4. Males do not have as many skin problems as girls. GuysMen have just as many wrinkles as ladies and get other skin care difficulties just as often. It is more common that women are more fretting about their appearance, so they speak about and spread these myths a lot more.
5. Acne is generated by your food. Acne is created by oils and clogging of the pores. Food products can not create these issues, unless you massage your face with the grease from tons of these products. However, consuming these products directly will not create the skin difficulties you presently are faced with.

How many of these skin care myths have you heard?

Do you “pop your zits”?

Have you been told this is a healthy thing?

Have you ever heard the never-ending cleanliness sermon from your mom, “Don’t pop your pimples, you’ll only make your acne worse…Blah, blah, blah… That’s why your skin looks awful now. Stop that!” We’ve all heard it.

But really, will popping zits make your acne worse or is it just another acne myth?

At the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologist Alexa Boer Kimball, MD, decided to place pimple popping into the skin malarkey category, as scientifically unfounded acne aggravator.

Yet still with this categorizing, the question remains, “Does zit popping make acne worse and what evidence is there to prove it?”

The Real Issue: Why People Pop Zits in the First Place

To solve this issue, first, you need to know why you pop zits. The clear-cut answer is because zits are ugly and make you feel ugly and depressed.

Research supports this finding. For instance, a study published in the 2006 edition of the Journal of the American of Dermatology found that out of 387 dermatology patients who completed the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, 37 patients (9.6%) suffered from major depression.

Similarly, in 2000, a report in the same journal found that of 268 dermatology patients, 11.9% suffered from body dysmophic disorder (BBD), that is, they had a preoccupation with feeling ugly or having a nonexistent flaw in their appearance.

Another study published in Dermatologic Surgery in the June 2004 that examined facial scarring that resulted from acne excoriée concluded facial scarring could be controlled by first removing the underlining psychological disorders to control the impulse for desire to squeeze pimples.

Collectively, this data tells us that people pop zits because pimples the make them feel ugly and in order to stop bursting zits, you need to control the impulse to correct a bodily flaw.

This can be done by reminding yourself that your zit does not look as big to everyone else as it looks to you. Here lies the crux of the problem. Never let a zit make you feel like the village freak.

Even if that self-esteem booster does not work and you go ahead and pop the zit, will it make your acne worse? At first glance, that zit you targeted embodies a number of traits including compromised skin shedding, blockage of the pores and inflammation.

What Matters to Your Skin Is What Happens After You Pop the Zit

Given these circumstances, what will happen after you pop the zit? Well, you will create a mess and after that your skin will need to start the repair process.

Wounds heal in a series of steps. The bleeding must stop, inflammation starts to disinfect the area, this inflammation causes more cells will grow to replace the damaged ones and the finally then skin will begin to renew itself.

The Acne-Triggering Chain Reaction

So, when you squeeze a zit, you immediately trigger more of the traits of acne, which include inflammation. No only this but squeezing affects multiple pores located next to you target pimple to pop.

This leads us to another cause of acne- premature breaking of a pore that is congested with excess oils and proteins. Busting such a pore promotes the inflammation response to remove the oils and proteins from surrounding tissues.

There Is a Time to Squeeze and a Time Not to Squeeze

Long answer short, pimple popping can aggravate acne because your skin contains a community of pores and what you do to one pimply-puss infested pore will affect the neighboring pore. The key is to time the popping of your zit right. Not all pimples are ideal for popping. Pop-ready zits are puss filled and above the surface of the skin. Such pimples are easily extracted with a sterile needle.

Acne-inducing pimple squeezing happens when you attempt to pop a pimple that is still beneath the surface of the skin and bordered by healthy, non-infected pores. Such pimples need time to rise to the upper layers of the skin and in some instances, may require medical extraction.

So, listen to Mom and please do not pop your pimples prematurely. Nevertheless, if pimple popping is an uncontrollable problem for you, a report published in Dermatologic Therapy found that hypnosis does help control the impulsive behaviors that can lead to pimple popping. The next time you are gazing into the mirror and that zits looks grossly humongous, but truly should not get squeezed, remove your hands from your face and just repeat after me, “I will let my zit to heal, I will let my zit heal, I will let my zit heal…” Good luck.

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology, The Stubborn Truth About Acne: Myths and Misconceptions February 15, 2005.

Bowes L.E.1; Alster T.S. Treatment of Facial Scarring and Ulceration Resulting from Acne Excoriée with 585-nm Pulsed Dye Laser Irradiation and Cognitive Psychotherapy. Dermatologic Surgery: Volume 30, Number 6, pp. 934-938(5), June 2004,

Cohen, Arnon D, Andr’e Ofek–Shlomai, Daniel A. Vardy, Zeev Weiner, MD and Pesach Shvartzman, MD. Depression in dermatological patients identified by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview questionnaire. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Volume 54, Issue 1, Pages 94-99, January 2006.

Shenefelt P.D. Biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, and hypnosis in dermatology: Is it all in your mind? Dermatologic Therapy: Volume 16, Number 2, pp. 114-122(9), June 2003.

In a recent post about skin care in Utah, we talked about doing self-examinations for moles on your skin.

Per the request of clients at Aspen Dermatology, here is a bit more information about checking for moles.

If you notice a mole that is different from others, or which changes, itches, or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6 millimeter, see your Utah skin doctor.

CHECK YOURSELF FROM HEAD TO TOE.

1. Look at your face, neck, ears, and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move your hair so you can see better. You also may want to have a relative or friend check through your hair because this is difficult to do yourself.
2. Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at your left and right sides.
3. Bend your elbows and look carefully at your fingernails, palms, forearms (including the undersides), and upper arms.
4. Examine the back, front, and sides of your legs. Also look between your buttocks and around your genital area.
5. Sit and closely examine your feet, including the toenails, the soles, and the spaces between the toes.

By checking your skin regularly, you will become familiar with what is normal for you. It may be helpful to record the dates of your skin exams and write notes about the way your skin looks. If you find anything unusual, see your Utah dermatologist right away.

Always tell your Utah skin doctor if:

• You have any new or unusual sores or spots on your skin.
• A mole or skin lesion changes in size, color, or texture.
• You have a sore that does not heal.
  

How often do you check for new or odd shaped moles?

When was the last time you had a complete skin examination by a Utah skin care professional?

Are moles something that worry you?

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that people perform a skin self-exam once a month.

The best time to examine your skin is immediately after a shower or bath. Check your skin in a well-lighted room using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It’s best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles, and blemishes are and what they usually look and feel like. Have someone you trust help by examining hard-to-see areas.

Check for anything new:

• A sore that does not heal
• A new mole (that looks abnormal)

Keep in mind the “ABCDs of melanoma detection”

Do not use the following pictures to try to diagnose melanoma yourself. Pictures are useful examples, but they cannot take the place of a Utah skin doctor’s examination.

A for Asymmetry: Does one half of a mole look different from the other?

B for Border: Is the edge (border) of the mole ragged, notched, or blurred?

C for Color: Does the mole have a variety of hues or colors within the same lesion? (The color is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, grey, red, pink, or blue also may be seen.)

D for Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas are usually larger than the eraser of a pencil (1/4 inch or 5 millimeters).

Melanomas can vary greatly in how they look. Many show all of the ABCD features. However, some may show changes or abnormalities in only one or two of the ABCD features.

Stay tune for more information on moles and skin care.

_______________________________________________________________

Images courtesy of Gerald Goldberg, M.D.

Vivacare public information from The National Cancer Institute

This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns.

Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

Are you searching for an answer on how to get rid of acne?

Does your acne embarrass you to the point where you don’t even want to go out?

Here are a few tips to help you get rid of acne, or at least tame it down.

1. TOOTHPASTE

This is very effective if you have a zit pop up over night and it’s horribly red and swollen in the morning. Simply dab a bit of toothpaste on the area and let it sit for about an hour or so. You will notice the swelling and redness has disappeared and it will soon go away.

2. VISION EYE DROPS

This is to take away redness in your pimples and acne. It will not clear it up, but it will lessen the appearance of it and make it easier to conceal. Add a drop or two to the area (a q-tip or cotton ball works great) and leave it on for about 30 minutes.

3. NEOSPOPIN

This is an antibiotic, which will help kill the bacteria that causes acne. Apply before bed and your pimple will have a much shorter life.

4. HONEY

Honey has antibacterial properties to it that make it perfect for a gentle and natural acne healer. If acne is a regular problem, you can use this for a mask weekly.

5.  BAKING SODA

Make a baking soda paste, add a couple drops of water at a time to a small scoop of baking soda. Stir until it’s a thick paste. Apply it to your pimple and let it dry before rinsing off.

6.BASIL

Basil is known for it’s toning properties in at-home facials. Boil some water and add a bail leaf. Let it cool and apply to your face to get rid of blackheads and heal acne faster.

7. A QUALITY UTAH DERMATOLOGIST

There are many “quick fixes” out there.  At Aspen Dermatology our goal is to take the best care of you and help you get the results you want.  Contact us today for more information on getting rid of your acne!

Have you ever wondered why skin changes colors?

Why do moles have a different tint than other parts of the skin?

Are moles something you should be concerned about?

Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken. Sometimes, clusters of melanocytes and surrounding tissue form noncancerous growths called moles. (A mole is also called a nevus, or the plural, nevi.)

Moles are very common. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. Moles may be pink, tan, brown, or a color that is very close to the person’s normal skin tone.

People who have dark skin tend to have dark moles. Moles can be flat or raised and may darken during pregnancy or after sun exposure. Flat moles are called junctional nevi and  raised moles are called compound nevi. They are usually round or oval and smaller than a pencil eraser. They may be present at birth or may appear later on—usually before age 40. They tend to fade away in older people. When moles are surgically removed, they normally do not return.

A halo nevus occurs when the skin surrounding a mole loses its pigmentation or color.  This is benign and often the central mole and white ring will disappear with time.  Halo nevi are most common in children and teenagers.

Most moles are harmless and do not require treatment. If you have moles, keep an inventory of their number and appearance. Change in size, shape or color of a mole is cause for medical evaluation. Moles that develop in adult life should also be evaluated.

Sun protection with appropriate clothing and sunscreen are the best way to avoid mole development.

Public information from The National Cancer Institute

______________________________________________________________

Images courtesy of Gerald Goldberg, M.D.

This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your Utah skin care specialist or health care professional. Communicate promptly with any health-related questions or concerns.

As the weather turns colder in Utah, it robs you of the healthy glow you enjoy during the summer months. Your skin needs moisture to stay smooth and supple but the cold winter air holds less moisture. Cold weather not only makes your skin dry and itchy, it can also cause a number of conditions. Central heating of homes and work places further depletes the levels of moisture to worsen skin dryness. Dry skin usually gives rise to itching when environmental humidity drops and this dry, flaky, itchy skin interferes with sleep and other day-to-day activities.

Utah dermatologists recommend the following simple tips to keep dry skin, winter itch, unwanted wrinkles and other skin related symptoms at bay this winter.

1. Keep out of hot water. Hot water dries out the skin. Use lukewarm water and take a short bath or shower (of about 10 minutes). Avoid bubble baths and hot tubs and take your bath or shower only once per 24 hour span. Hot water causes your skin to lose natural oils. Switch to mild soaps that do not dry the skin and use a washcloth minimally. Limit use of deodorant soaps.

2. Apply moisturizers to your skin. Applying moisturizers (emollients) to your skin, especially after taking a bath or shower, traps moisture in the skin. If your skin is severely dry apply oil first to the moist skin after bathing and then apply a moisturizing cream. Oil based creams are most effective during winter. Honey can also be used on legs and hands and washed off after 10 minutes to say goodbye to the dry skin.

3. Dress smartly. Dress in layers of clothes with a cotton layer closest to your body. It will allow your skin to breath and keep you warm without irritating the skin. Wool is not very comfortable right next to the skin.

4. Drink plenty of water and other fluids to keep your skin moist from within. When you increase intake of liquids, it heals your skin from the inside out.

Follow these simple steps to nourish and rejuvenate your skin and keep glowing this winter.