Skin Care Beach Bag Survival Guide

Heading down the shore can be stressful for your skin, especially if you’re prone to breaking out or burning, but thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself and look good while doing it!

We all know the basics of a beach bag:  towel, sunscreen, magazine, sunglasses, etc; yet this isn’t enough if we want to rock our beach bunny persona.  I’ll admit, I’m guilty of taking 1/3 of my bathroom with me, and if I had a bigger beach bag, I’d take more.  Hey, I like to be prepared…I also like to be the savior at the beach when one encounters a skin dilemma.  Everyone I go with knows I’m an aesthetician, so the question is always “Teresa, what do I do?”  Well let me tell you!

Scenario #1:  Sunscreen vs. Sunblock

Written by Teresa Zawada

Who knows the difference?  In my experience, not many.  We know baby sunscreen, sport lotions, oil vs. dry oil, even brand names, but when I ask my already sensitive skinned clients who tell me they can’t use sunscreens due to reactions, the answer I most commonly get is “I didn’t know there was a difference!”  There is…a big one!  Let’s picture our front doors, we have our screen door and we have our solid, nobody’s getting in door!  Sunscreens are just that, screens!  They absorb into your skin, let the rays flow through, and they’ll give you a bit of color without giving you the “I just took a trip to the sun” look.  They’re usually sufficient for most people without any problems, but if you have reactive skin…beware!  

Sunscreens are chemical protection, they can aggravate acne and rosacea, sometimes even your eyes.  Sunblocks, on the other hand, sit on top of the skin and give sun rays a solar punch.  You won’t get a lot of color, but you will be protected.  And if you have rosacea, go for a block with an antioxidant.  Avene’s new line of sunscreens/sunblocks gives you all that and more…protection, sun-stable antioxidant vitamin E, and thermal spring water to cool and calm the skin; it’s like a 3 in 1!  Plus, if you feel more comfortable on the beach without a naked face, their sunblocks come in two shades of compact foundation that covers blemishes, are water resistant, mineral based, and completely beach friendly!

Scenario #2:  I break out from beach days

Skin is fragile…sure, it’s one of our first lines of defense, but it still likes to be given attention.  After a day of sand, salt water, sweating, HOPEFULLY re-applying sunscreen, moments of dehydration, and meals dominated by boardwalk food (although tasty, but lacking in major nutrition), it’s no surprise that your skin might get a little mad at you!  My advice is to pack cleansing wipes; I like the baby variety.  Not only are they multi-purpose (for your bathroom breaks), but they are super gentle on the skin; they’re meant to clean a delicate bottom!  Makeup wipes are OK, but not the best.  My reason being is that they’re meant to remove makeup… the premise remains to still wash the face, and with fresh water scarce on the beach, you’re leaving behind residue and potential irritating ingredients from them, on your face.  

So, every 60-80 minutes, when you need to reapply sunscreen, don’t pack the leftover into your pores, grab a wipe, swipe your face, and viola....fresh palate for more protection!  As far as that boardwalk food goes, enjoy it, don’t stress, but also pack for yourself lots of water, and some fruits like strawberries, sunflower seeds, kiwis, and avocados for some extra vitamin C and B to naturally boost your skin’s healing abilities.

Scenario #3:  You didn’t listen, and you burned!

Avene Thermal Spring Water

Maybe you fell asleep in the sun, maybe you were playing in a paddle ball tournament and had no time to take care of your skin out of fear of leaving the zone.  Whatever the reason, sunburns happen, we’re only human.  Most of us see it (or feel it) after a shower, but sometimes you can SEE the burn as its happening.  First, run for cover.  If you don’t have an umbrella, it might be high time to call it a day.  Second, use what I frequently refer to as “miracle water in a can.”  Avene Thermal Spring Water spray is just that.  Imagine a pure water, never seeing the light of day, and constantly maintaining a temperature, that when you spray it on your skin, it almost immediately brings down the temperature of your flesh. 

Why has nobody told you about this water before?!  This is literally the #1 product in my “oh so well” packed bag that my family and friends ask for. The best part is, after you spray this water, and are lucky enough to be in front of a fan, you can feel the heat escaping with a burning/cooling icy-hot sensation.  Spray on the beach, spray at night, spray for the heck of it during the day if you want to feel refreshed! 

To further calm the skin, Avene has two at-home masks that I swear by, but the one you need right now is the Soothing Moisture Mask.  Containing the Thermal Spring Water, safflower oil for nourishing (don’t worry, this will NOT clog you), and glycols for hydration, this paraben-free formula offers instant relief for burns and redness.

A little extra:

So that covers your beach emergencies, and just as a little extra, I always recommend sample sizes of talc powders, for those unfortunate souls who are prone to chaffing, a mini-first aid kit to clean and protect any cuts from sharp shells or over-zealous seagulls, a visor or hat, lip balm with SPF, a pack of tissues, antibacterial wipes, floss, a leave in conditioner for when you get out of the water, preferably with an SPF to protect the scalp, a brush, and last but not least, a waterproof camera, because smartphones and water DO NOT mix!  With all this, you too can be the hero of the beach day!

And of course if you have any questions or want to pamper your skin schedule an appointment at 609-443-4500 and ask to schedule with Teresa today!

Biologic Advancements for Psoraisis

Biologic agents over the past 15 years have offered new freedom to people living with psoriasis. These protein molecules administered under the skin decrease the inflammatory response that is created in the skin and cause psoriasis.

Written by Dr. Jerry Bagel

Two treatments in particular Humira and Stelara can improve an individual's psoriasis by75%, 75% of the time.  Furthermore it can improve psoriasis 90%.  Half of the time Humira is administered every other week at home by the patient, whereas Stelara is administered every 12 weeks in the office. 

The most common risk associated with the administration of biologic agents is a 1-2 % increase in infections requiring antibiotic therapy.  Although there has been fear that biologic agents increase the frequency of cancer, both short and long term safety data do not reveal an increase in cancer when biologic agents are used.  

If you are interested in learning more about biologic agents, how they work and what type might be best for you call our office at 609-443-4500.

Seborrheic keratoses... Or what I like call "Wisdom spots"

Written by Dr. Wendy Myers

If you are over the age of 30 and have had a skin check with me, you may have heard me use the term "wisdom spot." What I am actually referring to are common lesions called seborrheic keratoses. Seborrheic keratoses or SKs are common benign skin lesions that often start developing in patients in their thirties, and continue to form as we age. I often like to joke with my patients that these are markers of their wisdom and maturity, as most patients do not want to hear that they are due to aging.

Patients often confuse SKs with "moles", but they are not. SKs are made of keratinocytes and not melanocytes which comprise true moles or nevi. They can develop on any part of the body except the palms and soles and can appear in many different ways: skin toned, pigmented, flat, or even quite raised, often resembling warts. 

The good news I always try to reinforce with my patients is that they are benign and require no treatment. They can be removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated, inflamed, or itchy. There are various ways that this can be done in the office including cryotherapy (freezing lesion with very cold spray that results in the lesions peeling off), curettage (scraping lesion off after local anesthesia), or electrocautery (electric needle to burn lesion off, often with curettage).  Therapies are often determined by the size and location of the lesion. Treatment areas often heal well, but may hyper or hypo- pigmentation as a result. 

Sun Protection During the Spring and Summer

As we enter into spring and summer one question that is often asked is: What is the best sunscreen? The simplest answer is; "the one that you will use!!!"

Many improvements have been made over the years and sunscreens are now reasonably priced and readily available.  In addition, they now have standardized messaging.  The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30 or more.  This level of protection can be found in lotions, sprays, sticks (excellent around the eyes and for athletes), moisturizer, make-up and more. 

There are two major active ingredients: metals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that reflect the light (but are invisible) or ringed compounds like avabenzone and oxybenzone that absorb the dangerous energy.  Both are effective but metals are bit more expensive so are less commonly found.

The effects of water are now more clearly labeled as well as they are either water resistant for 40 minutes, water resistant for 80 minutes or untested.

 MOST IMPORTANTLY, sunscreen must be applied in adequate quantities and are only effective for 1-2 hours.  So while you are out having fun, make sure you re-apply.  You can have the fanciest sunscreen in the world but if you don't apply it, it won't help you!!! 

Be Safe, Have Fun!!

Written by:

Dr. Keegan