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Who among us doesn’t want clear, glowing skin? While some skin changes, such as natural aging, are beyond our control, there are many things we can control. Shielding it from the sun’s rays, eating nutritious foods, not smoking and using products that are right for your skin can all reward you with a healthy appearance at any age. Learn more.

Skin Care

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This document is intended to be a reliable source of information. However, it is not a substitute for professional advice. We recommend that you consult a physician or a pharmacist to understand how this information applies to any specific case.

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Skin Deep Eczema and Other Skin Allergies

Sun Sense

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Sensitive Skin

Skin Care

Often referred to as “the big itch,” eczema is a catchall term for a wide range of skin problems that cause the skin to become inflamed. The most common type is atopic dermatitis, which causes skin rashes as well as the sneezing and wheezing of asthma and hay fever. It can be triggered by anything including harsh soaps, scents, laundry detergents, heat and even your favourite wool sweater!

A close cousin to atopic dermatitis is contact dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to an irritant such as a perfume in a shampoo. When this happens, you can get a rash on your hands. If you get rashes often, try to figure out what could be causing it. If you’re not sure your scratchy skin or rash is eczema, see your doctor or dermatologist for a diagnosis.

What are treatments for eczema? That depends on how severe it is. Since eczema-prone skin is drier than average, keeping it well-moisturized is key to keeping it under control. After bathing, coat your skin with a moisturizer that’s scent-free and hypoallergenic. To lock in moisture, make sure you apply it on your still-damp skin when you are fresh from the shower or tub. When you shower, cleanse very gently. Let the water run over most of your skin rather than scrubbing it with soap and use lukewarm rather than hot water.

Fortunately there are many products formulated for eczema. Your FHCP pharmacist can help you find the ones that are right for you. More severe cases may require a combination of prescription treatments.

Until our skin breaks out or acts up, most of us rarely think about our body’s protective covering. Aside from literally holding us together, your skin has the following functions. It:

• regulates body temperature through the sweat glands,

• keeps out bacteria, viruses and dangerous chemicals,

• has specialized pigment cells called melanin to protect you from the sun’s rays and

• is involved in the production of vitamin D.

Basically, our skin is divided into 2 layers. The top layer, known as the epidermis, is the one we see in the mirror. Below that is the dermis, which houses blood vessels, sweat glands and oil ducts, along with collagen and elastic fibre that keep your skin taut but flexible. This is the layer that largely influences how your skin looks and behaves.

Like any organ, you need to take care of your skin for optimum health. But the best diet and skin care regimen will all be for naught if you spend too much time basking in the sun without proper protection.

Experts agree—there is no such thing as a safe tan. Since UV rays destroy collagen, the stretchy fibre that allows skin to snap back into place, nothing will lead to wrinkles and sagging skin faster. Once collagen is degraded, it’s pretty much damaged for good. Moreover, skin cancers occur almost exclusively in prematurely-aged skin.

The golden rule of skin care? Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 daily. Even in the shade you’re exposed to indirect sunlight, so use a sunscreen whenever you go outside. Also make sure you use enough—about a teaspoon’s worth for your face and a shot’s glass worth for your body—and give it enough time to be properly absorbed.

Getting regular skin examinations after 40 is important—especially if you have a family risk of skin cancer, or a history of sunburns. You may not be able to tell which moles are potentially harmful, but a dermatologist can, so be sure to schedule an appointment.

Finally, when it comes to skin care products, be wary. Every week, it seems, there is a new “miracle” cream claiming to regenerate your skin and take years off your age. But few can fulfill their promises. Moreover, a skin care product that works for one person’s skin may be way too harsh for yours, or even cause an adverse skin reaction. Your FHCP pharmacist can be a great resource in separating the hype from the facts, and in guiding you to the products that are right for your particular type of skin and skin problem. Knowing what works for you—and what to avoid—can help make you more comfortable in your own skin.

Does your skin often feel itchy with burning, stinging and a tight sensation often present? It may be too sensitive for its own good. Often mistaken for dry skin, it needs to be treated differently, with extra tender loving care. Basically, sensitive skin has a lower threshold for irritation than regular skin. So the first step is determining what’s causing the flare-ups. Harsh soaps, laundry detergents and hand sanitizers are high on the list of triggers.So are the fragrances found in soaps, body washes, laundry detergents and fabric softeners, which tend to linger on your skin, making the problem worse. You may also want to avoid products containing alcohol, retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acids.

What’s not in a product is important as well. Generally, more “skin-friendly” products contain only a few ingredients or little to no fragrances. Look for ones specifically formulated for sensitive skin, such as those containing soothing oatmeal. You might have to try a few different products until you find the ones your skin will tolerate. Your FHCP pharmacist can be a huge help with this by alerting you to ingredients that may potentially aggravate your condition, including solvents, surfactants (cleaning agents) and aromatics.

there is no such thing

is degraded, it’s pretty much damaged for good. Moreover, skin cancers occur almost exclusively in

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Rosacea – Seeing Red Common Ingredients in Skin Care Products

Adult Acne – Stop Seeing Spots

With today’s sophisticated advances in skin care, understanding the ingredients in many products can seem like advanced science. Here are the most common ones and what they do.

Hyaluronic Acid. This is a substance that occurs naturally in the body to cushion and lubricate connective tissues. When used in skin care products, it creates a moisture barrier on the skin, helping to make it smoother and softer, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Retinol. This is a vitamin A derivative that exfoliates dead skin cells from the surface to smooth out fine lines and even out skin tone. Retinol is also used to treat acne and reduce age spots and dark circles. However it can be irritating to people with eczema or sensitive skin.

Alpha hydroxy and beta acids (AHA/BHA). These are a class of organic acids that act as exfoliants to help erase fine lines and give the skin a smoother, brighter appearance. AHA products work by lightly peeling the top layer of skin only, while BHAs penetrate deeper to remove dead skin cells clogged in pores. Usually BHAs are used for oily or acne-prone skin. Side effects include mild irritation and sun sensitivity, so you should always use sunscreen with these products.

Ceramide. These are natural lipids (fats) found in the skin’s outer layer that help the skin retain moisture. Dry, irritated and sensitive skin often lacks ceramides. In skin care products, they are used to improve moisture retention and help protect the skin against harm from harsh environmental factors. Ceramides are also particularly effective in treating eczema.

Peptides. These are small fragments of protein that “talk to” cells and instruct them to behave in certain ways. When used in anti-aging products, they can enter skin cells and stimulate the production of regular collagen found in normal skin.

Eating a spicy curry. Enjoying a glass of red wine. Being out in hot weather. All can trigger rosacea, a chronic condition that makes the blood vessels in your face dilate, causing a persistent flush in the cheeks, nose and sometimes the forehead. While no one knows what really causes rosacea, it most often strikes fair-skinned women of Irish or Celtic ancestry.As with sensitive skin, keeping rosacea under control is a matter of treating your skin gently and avoiding anything you know will trigger a flush. If you wear makeup, choose cosmetics that are labeled for “sensitive skin,” because the chemicals used in most cosmetics will irritate rosacea-prone skin. Since any type of abrasion can cause a flush, steer clear of abrasive products such as scrubs or any alpha hydroxy acid creams with a percentage of acid over 2.5 percent. Always stop using any product that causes redness.

Although rosacea is usually more embarrassing than serious, there are some signs you shouldn’t ignore. See your doctor if you have developed acne-like bumps, visible blood vessels on your face or if your eyes are becoming red and itchy. These are signs that your rosacea is getting worse and requires prescription medication.

Just because your teenage years are gone, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your pimples are. In fact, more people see dermatologists for acne than for any other reason.

Many things cause adult acne. Hormonal imbalances caused by stress or menopause are a common culprit, triggering growth in oil-producing cells. Not cleansing your face properly and going to sleep with your makeup on also sets the stage for breakouts. And although there is little truth to the age-old rumour that chocolate causes acne, a diet high in sugar can cause inflammation and worsen flare-ups.

The first rule of acne treatment? Don’t squeeze pimples. This can push the infection in even deeper and create new pimples or even scarring. Instead gently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap. After you wash your face, apply an over-the-counter drying agent such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to make the acne clear up faster. Another highly effective anti-acne ingredient is retinoid, which is available by prescription or over-the-counter.

For acne that is very resistant to other topical treatments, there is Accutane. However, it can cause some nasty side effects such as joint pain and rashes, and requires an in-depth discussion with your doctor.

Like any drugs, acne treatments have to be used properly to work. Using too much not only won’t make pimples go away faster, but could lead to worsening inflammation. So read the label and use them exactly as instructed. Your FHCP pharmacist can help you with this.

Skin Care

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Check-Up ChallengeThe skin care regimen that’s right for you depends on your age, skin type and sensitivities to certain ingredients. Using the wrong product(s) could cause rashes and breakouts, so ask your FHCP pharmacist about any ingredients you don’t understand.

This information is intended to help educate readers about health and drug topics. It is not intended to replace advice from a health professional. It should NOT be used forpersonal health advice. No changes permitted. Permission to photocopy this document in its entirety is required. © McKesson Canada 2015

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Next Month’s Feature!

Q & A

Ask About Our Preferred® Private Label Products

Ask Your Helpful FHCP Pharmacist

Q. What can I do about the spider veins on my legs? A. Since these thinner varicose veins are generally not life-threatening, it really depends on how much they are bothering you. If they aren’t too visible, you may be able to mask them with a concealer specially formulated for legs that evens out skin tone and covers tiny veins. Wearing compression stockings is another option. Also ask your dermatologist about a procedure called sclerotherapy in which he or she injects your veins with a thin chemical solution to make them collapse and eventually be reabsorbed into the blood. This outpatient procedure usually takes about 40 minutes, and there is no downtime.

Q. What are exfoliants? A. Exfoliants remove the buildup of dead skin cells on the skin’s top layer, helping it look fresher and brighter. There are many types, from chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids to mechanical scrubbers such as cleansing beads. Because many contain harsh ingredients, they are generally not recommended for people with sensitive or eczema and rosacea-prone skin. Whatever type you use, gently does it.

Q. Do skin care products have an expiration date? A. Yes. Most skin care products, from moisturizers to sunscreens, can only last so long after opening, and usually lose their effectiveness after one year. Not only do these expired products lack potency, but some may even cause adverse skin reactions such as rashes, blemishes or various eye infections. Unfortunately, not all products have expiration dates on their packages. If you’re not sure how old a product is, throw out anything that seems unusually discoloured, runny or lumpy or has developed a strange odour.

A Healthy Position

The Basics of Proper Skin Care

When it comes to caring for your skin, preventing problems is far easier than fixing them. Here are some tips:

Use sunscreen. Make it a daily habit, just like using toothpaste. Also plan outdoor exercises such as walking or jogging either before or after the sun’s peak burning hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Quit smoking. Not only do smokers tend to have a dull appearance due to decreased flow of oxygen to facial tissues, their lips are frequently pursed, causing lines on the upper and lower lip lines.

Get enough sleep. It’s not called beauty sleep for nothing. When you sleep, your body secretes hormones that are responsible for restoring skin cells, so make sure you get enough zzz’s.

Eat well. The old adage “you are what you eat” is never more accurate than when it comes to your appearance. Eating a variety of fresh fruits and veggies at least 5 times a day is one of the best things you can do for your skin.

Cleanse your skin daily. Healthy skin is clean skin. Be sure to cleanse your face nightly to rid it of the day’s pore-clogging residue of sweat, sunscreen and makeup.

Seniors

Age is just a number to the millions of boomers who will turn 60 and 70 in the upcoming years. If you want to age well (and who doesn’t?), there are certain steps you can take. Eating properly, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress and getting regular checkups to make sure any chronic maladies aren’t becoming more serious are key to getting the most out of your later years.

In next month’s feature find out more about:• Overactive Bladder (OAB)• Colon cancer• Varicose veins• Sleep and seniors• Shingles• Hair loss

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