1. What causes acne?
The truth is that we don't know the entire story, but there are several facts that are known. Acne is caused by several contributing factors. Hormones are a major influence on acne. That's why you don't see acne before puberty. In women, birth control pills can either aggravate or improve acne. This probably depends on your response to the progestins in birth control pills. Bacteria contribute to acne - which is why either oral or topical antibiotics help. Greasy creams, perspiration, headbands and other things that can plug up pores make acne worse. Stress doesn't help either. What you eat is generally not a major contributing factor to developing acne.
2. Are tanning beds safer than the sun?
No! Tanning beds use UVA rays, and although UVA rays are milder than UVB rays, their wavelengths are longer and they penetrate deeper through the skin's layers. UVA rays contribute to wrinkling and burning the skin, as well as to the development of skin cancer. So it doesn't matter if tanning beds are advertised as a method to tan safely, artificial UVA rays in tanning booths not only inflict the same type of skin and eye damage as the sun, but also may be as much as 20 times stronger than natural sunlight.
3. Can dermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser treatments get rid of wrinkles; what are the risks and benefits of each; and how long do the effects last?
Yes. And though the improvements can last many years, they are far from permanent and may have to be repeated at periodic intervals. Dermabrasion and medium-depth chemical peels have both been used for many years to improve the appearance of superficial wrinkling, eliminate sun-induced pigmentation and keratoses, and to improve the overall surface texture of the skin. In the past decade, laser resurfacing has become very popular and for the most part has begun to replace the other two procedures because the results are easier to control and predict. Laser resurfacing, however, is usually more expensive. All three procedures, if done correctly, are relatively safe, although localized scarring and pigment alterations can occur in a small percentage of patients.
4. If I have dandruff, does that mean my scalp is dry?
No! Mistakenly attributed to dryness because of the flaking it causes, dandruff is actually caused by excessive oil in the scalp. Medicated shampoos can help this condition. Shampoos for oily hair may also help to decrease oil build-up on the scalp, but these shampoos shouldn't be used daily because they may dry out the hair (and skin) excessively.
5. Do Renova and Retin-A work to reduce acne and wrinkles?
Yes. Retin-A was developed about 20 years ago as an acne treatment. It works by slightly sloughing off the top layer of the skin so that the pores can unplug. Therefore, Retin-A can be irritating for some people, especially upon exposure to the sun. Retin-A is typically used at night. Several years ago, researchers found that Retin-A worked for wrinkles as well. Truthfully, it doesn't work for the deeper wrinkles on the face, but does have an effect on the more superficial wrinkles. Recently, the company that makes Retin-A developed Renova cream, which is basically a less irritating form of Retin-A.
6. Are dark-skinned people immune to skin cancer?
No! Anyone can develop skin cancer, although people with fair complexions do tend to be more susceptible to specific types of skin cancer and precancerous conditions than people with darker skin tones. In addition to fair skin and light hair, risk factors for skin cancer include exposure to toxic materials, such as arsenic and coal; industrial x-ray exposure; scarring from diseases or burns; family history of the disease; a tendency to freckle or burn easily; lots of sun exposure throughout your life; sunburns as a child or adolescent.
7. Should I avoid the sun altogether?
No! Sunlight isn't entirely bad. A beneficial effect of sun exposure is the body's natural production of vitamin D. An average adult requires 400 IU of vitamin D daily which can be obtained in today's vitamin-enriched foods or with as little as 15 minutes of sun exposure daily. Many women find that sunlight is an important component to good mental health, but remember that sun-tanning is dangerous.
8. What type of SPF should I look for in sunscreen?
Most SPFs of 15 or higher will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Known as broad-spectrum sunscreens, these products contain titanium dioxide. Other active sunscreens are zinc oxide, oxybenzone, or Parsol 1789. While sunscreen helps to minimize damaging sunburns, it doesn't completely prevent tanning or burning and should be reapplied every one to two hours.