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Category Archives: How To Soothe Eczema

At Home Remedies for a Seriously Dry Scalp

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Having a dry scalp can be a pain! It’s itchy, annoying and most of all can be kind of gross! But with that said there are a few things we can do to combat this pesky issue! Often times those who have a dry scalp will also see dryness around their nose and on their chest, and as a result we may need to cover washing and at home practices both for the scalp, face and torso as the three areas on the skin are very closely related!

Unfortunately, most physicians have seen that dandruff is genetic and tends to run in families. Typically, with genetic conditions there are trickier steps to take in combating the condition but luckily treatment for dandruff is one of the few conditions that can be done cost effectively and at home.

At Home Remedies for a Seriously Dry Scalp

This is another one of those skin problems that has no cure but luckily our dermatologist Dr. Norris suggested a few simple treatments to try!

 

First thing on the list is to wash your hair less frequently in general. Washing your hair everyday will strip away your natural oils and dry out your scalp. However, everyones scalp is different. If this method does not help, try out our other options.

                                    

Second, Dr. Norris suggests to find shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione or ketaconozal. Nizoral is a popular shampoo that contains these ingredients, and can be found at most local drug stores.  

                                  

Finally, our last helpful tip is alternating dandruff shampoos each time you wash your hair  can help keep the dandruff away. Be sure you are rotating shampoos because using just one shampoo over and over will decrease its effectiveness.

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG

Milia

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What are those little white bumps on my face?

 
Have you ever been bothered by small white bumps on your face? Try and squeeze and pop them because you thought maybe they were stubborn pimples? Well we have your answer to that mystery and also some ways to keep them from coming back!
 
Milia are tiny white bumps or cysts that are mostly seen on infants but can be seen on adults as well. According to the NIH “Milia occur when dead skin becomes trapped in small pockets at the surface of the skin or mouth.” Milia are very stubborn and there are only few ways to get rid of them! The NIH also states that “the bumps and cysts also occur on parts of the body that are swollen (inflamed) or injured.” Be sure to take care of these areas so you are not faced with stubborn milia!
 
Dr. Patricia Norris further explains that milia can even be caused by use of heavy moisturizing creams or lotions on the face! However, some people are predisposed to them, so if you are someone who is avoiding heavy creams and lotions but still seeing milia occasionally this could be your answer!
 
Dr. Norris states that while one way to treat milia or prevent them is to decrease lotion and cream use on face, the only real way to get rid of them would be to see your dermatologist for extractions.
 
 
 
Sources:
Interview with Dr. Patricia Norris 
AND
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001367.htm

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG

What the Eczema?!?!

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Eczema is a skin condition that causes patches of rough, red and itchy skin anywhere on the body. The most common causes known to bring out symptoms of eczema are soaps, allergens, bacteria, extreme hot and cold temperatures, foods and stress. Balancing out these environmental triggers to reduce symptoms can be difficult, and there is no overall cure for the condition, but there are treatments that can help. 

 

Most people with severe eczema turn to topical steroid or antibiotics to treat the symptoms. But there are many other basic treatments that people with eczema can do to ease the inflammations. For example, turning down the heat when you shower and making sure to use a moisturizer immediately after.

Water is good for the skin if it is able to be locked in after bathing. The application of a greasy moisturizer will trap in the water on the upper layer of the skin and hold it there before it evaporates, preventing the skin from drying out. Other things that can help are wearing cotton fabrics and using a humidifier in dry or cold weather.

 

Doctors also most commonly recommend to stay away from irritants such as strong soaps, detergents, shampoos and disinfectants. This is why it is important to use a product with low level allergens and simple but useful ingredients to prevent the skin from being irritated.

Use cleansers and body washes that are free of surfactants. The more the cleanser foams, the more drying it will be because it most likely contains a larger quantity of soaps or detergents. Make sure to read ingredients in your products you use and watch out for products that include salicylic acid or alcohol which are extremely drying to the skin. AB Skincare products are surfactant and alcohol free, making them gentle for sensitive and eczema prone skin.  

 

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG

At Home Remedies for a Seriously Dry Scalp

Posted on by

Having a dry scalp can be a pain! It’s itchy, annoying and most of all can be kind of gross! But with that said there are a few things we can do to combat this pesky issue! Often times those who have a dry scalp will also see dryness around their nose and on their chest, and as a result we may need to cover washing and at home practices both for the scalp, face and torso as the three areas on the skin are very closely related!

Unfortunately, most physicians have seen that dandruff is genetic and tends to run in families. Typically, with genetic conditions there are trickier steps to take in combating the condition but luckily treatment for dandruff is one of the few conditions that can be done cost effectively and at home.

This is another one of those skin problems that has no cure but luckily our dermatologist Dr. Norris suggested a few simple treatments to try!

 

First thing on the list is to wash your hair less frequently in general. Washing your hair everyday will strip away your natural oils and dry out your scalp. However, everyones scalp is different. If this method does not help, try out our other options.

                                    

Second, Dr. Norris suggests to find shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione or ketaconozal. Nizoral is a popular shampoo that contains these ingredients, and can be found at most local drug stores.  

                                  

Finally, our last helpful tip is alternating dandruff shampoos each time you wash your hair  can help keep the dandruff away. Be sure you are rotating shampoos because using just one shampoo over and over will decrease its effectiveness.

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG

How To: Combat Clogged Pores

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Pores are tiny little openings in the skin which contain the body’s natural oils, called sebum, produced by the sebaceous gland. Each oil gland contains a hair follicle, and the small holes at the surface of the skin are the pores we see. 

The reality is that everyone grows hair which means everyone has pores! The problem that most people encounter with their pores is that they can appear larger when clogged and can cause breakouts. 

Unfortunately, you can’t shrink your pores. But the good news is that with the right skin care habits and products, you can clean clogged pores and prevent them from getting clogged. Follow these next couple tips for pore extraction and maintenance. 

1. Start by washing your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser. This allows you to begin with a clean surface so oils, makeup or dead skin cells cannot enter the pores once they are unclogged.

2. Steaming your face will help open the pores, making the materials that clog your pores easier to remove. Here are a couple suggestions on how to steam your face:

  • Soak washcloths in hot water and place on your face for three minutes.  
  • Hold your face over a bowl of hot water and place a towel over your head. 
  • Buy a face steamer

3. Buy an extraction tool at a local drugstore. This is the more hygienic and safer  alternative to squeezing pores with your fingers. If the clogged portions of the pore do not easily come out after a few tries at pressing on the pore, stop trying in order to prevent scarring.

4. After you are finished extracting the pores, take cotton squares or cotton balls and dip them in a mixture benzoyl peroxide (5-10%) and wipe it over extracted areas.

 

Our Solution:

Gentle pH balanced Cream Cleanser available now! Just click the link below 

http://www.abskincare.com/products/cleanser 

 

 

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG

Do You Know Your ABCDE’s ?

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As we pull out our summer wardrobes we expose more bare skin than other months of the year. For that reason it is important to examine your skin for suspicious looking marks or moles. Follow the dermatologists “ABCDE” strategy for early recognition of melanoma skin cancers: 

  • Asymmetry: If the mole is not symmetrical, this is a warning sign for melanoma.
  • Border: A benign mole has a smooth border. Melanomas tend to have borders with uneven edges. 
  • Color: Most benign moles are a single shade, often brown. Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. 
  • Diameter: Melanomas are usually larger in diameter, but they may be smaller when first detected.
  • Evolve: Benign moles look the same over time. If you are concerned about a mole in particular, watch to see if it changes in any way. 

Self examinations will help you identify potential skin cancers early, so you can contact your physicians for proper removal. Prevention is important, remember to protect the skin on your face with our SPF mineral powder in light, medium and dark. 

Amanda Blakley Skincare – BLOG