Skin Cancer Affects Everyone

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. There are different kinds of skin cancers, and the most common cause for each of them is sun exposure. The different skin cancers are categorized under three main types.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common kind of skin cancer. More than 90% of all skin cancers in the U.S. are basal cell carcinomas. It is most often found on areas of the body that are always exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, and arms. It grows slowly and rarely spreads elsewhere in the body, unless it is left untreated. If caught early enough, basal cell carcinoma is very treatable. Look for flat, shiny, waxy areas on the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the squamous cells of the skin, which are in the upper layers of the epidermis. Like basal cell carcinomas, they are often found on the areas of the body that are most often exposed to the sun, including ears, neck, and lips. Squamous cell carcinomas tend to spread more than basal cell carcinomas. They are more likely to advance into fatty tissues of the skin, as well as lymph nodes. As with basal cell carcinoma, if caught early, squamous cell carcinoma is quite treatable. Look for small lumps with a reddish, rough surface.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious kind of skin cancer because it may spread rapidly to other organs. Melanoma accounts for 75% of all skin cancer related deaths. Melanoma develops within the melanocyte cells, the skin cells that are responsible for making skin pigment. Malignant melanoma is more common in people who get occasional, high-intensity sun exposure. People who sunbathe on vacations or during brief sunny periods in cold climates may get such exposure. Look for abnormally large moles, a mole that changes color, size and texture, or one that feels sore to the touch.

It is commonly thought that those with darker skin don't have to worry about skin cancer. In fact, everyone is at risk. Even though darker skin produces more melanin, which translates into more protection from the sun, people of any race or ethnicity can develop skin cancer. For this reason, it is important to wear sunscreen, and check your body for signs of cancer on a regular basis, no matter what your skin tone.

There are more and more cases of skin cancer every day. However, many cases can be prevented by avoiding ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure- or at least limiting it. Sunlight emits both UVA and UVB rays, which both contribute to skin cancer. Full-spectrum sunscreen protects against both types of UV rays. Additionally, skin cancer can be prevented or at least caught early by paying close attention to any changes on your skin.

PCA SKIN Sunscreens

Ask Fresh Faced Skin Care about our variety of cosmetically elegant sunscreen formulations.

Help Reduce Facial Redness

Whether your skin is irritated or simply flushed, redness can be a symptom of many skin conditions. Exposure to the sun and wind are common causes of skin redness. However, skin may also become red due to contact with an allergen or irritating substance. Facial redness can often be uncomfortable or even embarrassing. Mild skin redness over a prolonged period of time can even damage the skin by promoting wrinkles and discoloration.

Reducing facial redness may take a combination of avoidance techniques and soothing skin care products.

Things to Avoid:

1. Hot or Spicy Foods
Hot drinks or hot and spicy foods can trigger a red face and a heavy sweat for a huge number of people.

2. Caffeine
Caffeine is a terrible cause of facial flushing and redness in general around the face. Try to cut it out as much as possible as it literally dehydrates your body and the tiredness as a result can cause redness, flushing and hot flashes.

3. Smoking
Similar to caffeine, cigarettes dehydrate the body and have the very same side effects. Drink more water if giving up smoking. It is difficult, but obviously do make an effort to give up smoking whenever you can.

4. Sun

Protection from the sun reduces existing inflammation and prevents further damage. Going back out in the sun with a sunburn or skin irritation can worsen redness.

5. Irritating Cosmetic Ingredients

These include alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, clove, cinnamon, geranium, fragrance, and perfume. Discontinue using skin care products that cause burning or stinging. This is important for acute inflammation and may cure instances of chronic redness. To avoid buying similar products in the future, check the ingredients before you toss the bottle.

Things to Do:

1. Protect Against Environmental Factors

An SPF of at least 15 applied to bare skin or under makeup will significantly reduce sun damage. In winter months, switching to a richer moisturizer and covering exposed skin will limit skin redness.

2. Learn What Allergens and Irritants You Are Sensitive To

By knowing what affects your skin, you can limit exposure or avoid them altogether. The longer skin is subjected to irritants, the more susceptible it is to irritation, with the reaction often getting worse each time.

3. Use Calming and Soothing Cosmetic Ingredients

These include sea whip, chamomile, and azulene. If you have dry skin, apply moisturizers immediately after showering to retain moisture. If your skin tends to be oily, use a cleanser that cleans thoroughly but does not dry out your skin.

4. Apply Cool Compresses

Soft washcloths dipped in cool water make effective skin care compresses for sensitive facial areas.

Professional Product Spotlight

PCA SKIN Anti–Redness Serum
Product Overview

This unique serum has proven benefits for patients with sensitive skin, rosacea, barrier dysfunction and sunburn. Clinical studies have shown that twice-daily use of PCA SKIN® anti-redness serum results in a 14% decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) over a four- week period and a 50% reduction in redness over an eight-week period.

Key Ingredients

Aldavine
Capparenols and Bisabolol
Directions

After cleansing and toning, apply one to two pumps of anti-redness serum over entire face, focusing on areas of persistent redness. Follow with the appropriate PCA SKIN® moisturizer with SPF in the daytime and moisturizer in the evening.


Get your anti-redness serum today, only at Fresh Faced Skin Care!



 

Topical Vitamin C Value

We know that Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid) is a strong antioxidant, especially in regard to protecting our skin from sun damage. But, what else does it do? It strengthens the skin barrier and thickens the dermis. It can encourage wound healing and reduce inflammation. In high concentrations (>10%), it can reduce the appearance of skin discoloration. Most importantly, Vitamin C helps to form and maintain collagen, which plumps the skin and provides radiance and smoothness.

How does Vitamin C help form collagen? The role of Vitamin C in the production of collagen is to interact with amino acids within collagen cells. It adds hydrogen and oxygen to those amino acids, so that they may do their part in collagen production. If you don’t get the proper amount of Vitamin C, collagen production will slow. A decline in collagen production will not only make skin more susceptible to wrinkles, but it might also make it more susceptible to bruising.

It is important to note that only topical Vitamin C that is stable, active and able to be absorbed, and remain stable throughout the life of the product once it is opened, is effective. All vitamins are subject to oxidation when used topically, meaning that the vitamins lose their potency when exposed to the air. Some skin care companies offer stabilized Vitamin C products, which oxidize less rapidly. However, these products are usually more expensive (especially the ones concentrated enough to be effective).

The Benefits of Topical Vitamin C:

• Rapidly absorbed so it won’t rub or wash off
• Greater penetration to the epidermis and dermis = greater benefit
• Neutralizes free radical damage caused by UV light, smoke, and air pollution
• Enhances the protective barrier function of the skin
• Helps moisturize and increase skin hydration
• Stimulates collagen production
• Restores elasticity
• Prevents premature skin aging
• Protects against damaging UVA and UVB rays
• Reverses the appearance of photoaging
• Decreases fine lines and wrinkles
• Lightens and brightens the skin for more even tone
• Fades brown spots
• Helps reduce oiliness and restore sebum balance
• Helps to normalize problem skin (pimples, blackheads, and other problems associated with oily skin)
• Anti-inflammatory

A facial serum with Vitamin C provides the most benefit in the vitamin's topical application.

Professional Product Spotlight:

C-Quench^® Antioxidant Serum

This exceptional antioxidant serum combines lilac leaf stem cell extract, resveratrol, glutathione, L-ascorbic acid and ergothioneine. Its powerful blend of ingredients effectively prevents and corrects cellular oxidation. It also enlists a host of powerful anti-inflammatory agents to soothe the skin while increasing hydration and adding support to the extracellular matrix. C-Quench® Antioxidant Serum promotes healthy skin function for all skin types.

Key Ingredients:
L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Hyaluronic Acid
Ergothioneine Orange Oil, Black Current Seed Oil and Resveratrol
Lilac Leaf Stem Cell Extract
Glutathione

Pick up your C-Quench Antioxidant Serum today, only at Fresh Faced Skin Care.

The Power of Peptides

Peptides are naturally occurring chemical messengers in the body. Like proteins, peptides are composed of amino acids. When a chain of amino acids is over 50 acids long, it is usually called a protein. When there are less than 50 amino acids in the chain, it is a peptide. Essentially, a peptide is a portion, or a building block, of a protein.

What is a Peptide used for in skin care? The peptides used in skin care direct skin cells to behave in a certain way. Some peptides may tell the skin to relax and the result is wrinkle reduction. Others may stimulate collagen production, which will firm up the skin. The peptides used in skin care are synthetic. All fixed sequence peptides commercially available are patented. Manufacturers will typically combine synthetic peptides with a fatty acid to help it access the deeper layers of skin. For example, the fatty acid palmitoyl helps to improve solubility in the skin, allowing better penetration and function of the peptide. 

Synthetic peptides are very expensive and some manufacturers of skin care products may use very little in their formulas. Consult your skin care professional to ensure your products contain therapeutic levels so the product may show optimal results.

Examples of Peptides:

Acetyl Hexapeptide: Also known as Argireline. This product is marketed as “an alternative to Botox,” due to relaxing certain types of facial wrinkles by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide: Also known as Matrixyl. It is the main ingredient in anti-aging products. It was originally developed for use on stretch marks. It works by stimulating the deeper matrix layers of the skin to increase the production and synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid.

Professional Product Spotlight:

ExLinea^® Peptide Smoothing Serum

This technically advanced treatment formulation synergistically hydrates, smoothes and firms aging skin. It contains ingredients that relax the facial tension that leads to wrinkling; increase intracellular moisture; fight free radical damage and provide the skin with an immediate tightening and lifting effect.
Key Ingredients:

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline)
Sodium Hyaluronate
Squalene
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax

Pick up your ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum today, only at Fresh Faced Skin Care.

Why a Chemical Peel?

Many of us are looking for a simple way to improve our skin without surgery. A chemical peel is a treatment used to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin. This procedure uses a chemical solution, usually an acid, to dissolve away the upper layers of the skin in order to improve conditions such as acne, unwanted pigmentation or wrinkles. Chemical peels have been in use for a number of years and are a highly popular way to improve the texture and look of skin. Over half a million people have a session performed each year.

Typically with a chemical peel nothing actually "peels" off. During a chemical peel, the chemical solution is applied to the skin and is allowed to soak in. The solution works by destroying parts of the skin in a controlled way, causing new tissue to emerge. There are three basic types of peels that differ based on how deeply the chemical penetrates and what type of chemical solution is used:

1. Superficial Peels:  The mildest type of chemical peel. They can be used on all skin types. Superficial peels usually contain a mild acid, most often glycolic or lactic acid. There is little to no downtime with superficial peels.

2. Medium Peels: Penetrate the skin more deeply than superficial peels. Swelling and redness is common. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is the main peeling agent used for medium peels, though the peel may also be done in several steps using a different chemical solution followed by TCA.

3. Deep Peels: Penetrate several layers of skin and cause a second-degree burn of the skin. They are used only on the face. A chemical called phenol is usually used for a deep peel. Physicians perform these deep peels, with anesthesia being required. Deep peels may tend to bleach the skin (hypopigmentation) and healing generally takes several weeks. A deep peel can be done only once in most cases.

Fresh Faced Skin Care offers three superficial peels, providing dramatic and visible results with little to no downtime:

·         PCA Peel: Excellent for correcting acne and pigment discolorations.

·         Sensi Peel: A gentle solution that strengthens and brightens even the most sensitive skin types.

·         Ultra Peel: Exceptional for treating fine lines and wrinkles.

Fresh Faced Skin Care is the only place in the state of Delaware featuring PCA SKIN^® professional products. After two decades of leading the way in the clinical skin care industry, PCA SKIN remains the trusted healthcare leader in the development of gentle, yet highly effective professional treatments. Call 302-689-3223 or visit www.freshfacedskincare.com for more information.