Sometimes there’s just not enough hours in the day to get things done. To help our patients who have work or school schedules that don’t let them come in during our regular hours, we are staying open later. Some of our medical providers will be available Tuesdays through Thursdays until 7 p.m. Also, our Skin Treatment Center will be available for cosmetic appointments until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only.

Call 509-735-1100 to schedule your after-work medical appointment now.

Call 509-735-1100, ext. 114 to schedule your after-work cosmetic treatment now.

Dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, MD, spoke to these concerns at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology recently, explaining how you can have lustrous healthy hair. Her advice boils down to less is more: Less heat when styling your hair, and fewer chemical treatments will result in less damage. For the full scoop on tips for beautiful hair, check out the story at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/215762.php

The new formulas include a physical sunblock ingredient, zinc oxide.  This mineral sunblock is stable in sunlight which means it’s effective longer than chemical-based sunscreens, and it protects against both the ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays that cause sunburn along with ultraviolet-A (UVA) rays that also cause cancer and wrinkles.

Please note, that UVA rays can easily get through windows and cloudy skies to cause premature skin aging and skin cancer. This is why we recommend wearing sunscreen every day,  whether you’re inside or out.

The new PCA sunscreens also include protective antioxidants. Caffeine provides additional protection against cell damage, while the powerful antioxidant silybum marianum extract, also known as milk thistle, suppresses UVB-induced skin edema and the formation of sunburn cells.

Here’s a rundown of the new products:

• Weightless Protection SPF 45: Its unique quick-absorbing and light finish makes weightless protection spf 45 ideal for patients with oily or breakout-prone skin and those who dislike the feel of traditional sunscreen products.
• Perfecting Protection SPF 30: Its unique blend of ingredients works to reduce existing skin discoloration while preventing future hyperpigmentation. It is suitable for all skin types and is also recommended following peels, lasers, other in-office procedures for its skin-soothing properties and inhibition of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
• Protecting Hydrator SPF 30: This non-oily daily hydrator with SPF is formulated with aloe vera and panthenol to provide light moisture with a matte finish. It is best for patients with normal to oily skin types.
• Hydrator Plus SPF 30: It is specifically formulated to replenish the skin’s natural moisture content with water-attracting humectants sodium hyaluronate and sodium PCA for dry or dehydrated skin. It is best for patients with normal to dry and mature skin types.
• Active Very Water/Sweat Resistant SPF 45: Tested to protect for 80 minutes in water or during vigorous exercise, it is the perfect choice for an outdoor lifestyle.

For more information, see PCA Skin’s web pages: Skin’s Moisturizers with SPF or Limitless Coverage. Stop by our office today to make sure you’re covered.

Zeltiq applicators

Zeltiq also just announced that the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) cleared CoolSculpting for non-invasive fat reduction. This means that you’ll probably be seeing more advertisements and information about Zeltiq soon.

OK, normally we try to only share serious dermatology news, events and specials with you in our posts, but this was just too funny to pass up. And since they say laughter is the best medicine, we hope you’ll enjoy it too…

… And if you can’t “make peace” because your “skin don’t fit,” stop by our office so you can “put some cream on it.”

In addition to recommending sunscreens, they also give their picks for the best makeups and lipbalms with SPF. Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics — which we carry here — had several products recommended:

• PurePressed Base, SPF 20
• HE Bronzer for Men, SPF 18
• Absence Oil Control Primer, SPF 15
• Absence 2 Oil Control Primer, SPF 15
• LipDrink, SPF 15
• PureMoist LipColour, SPF 18
• PureMoist LipSheres, SPF 18

Among the other highlights of this year’s EWG report is a warning to avoid sunscreens that contain a vitamin A compound called retinyl palmitate. Some recent evidence points to the possibility that vitamin A is “photocarcinogenic,” meaning that combining it with topical products and sunlight can result in skin cancer. Until there’s more evidence one way or the other, it’s probably best to err on the side of safety and avoid the 41% of sunscreens that contain “retinyl palmitate” or “retinol” on their list of ingredients. You might consider wearing your other retinol products at night only as well.

The EWG report also published a warning about the high SPF claims that companies make for anything above 50 SPF. They say the claims are misleading on several fronts.

• First, the numbers don’t mean what you think they do. For example, SPF 30 isn’t twice as effective as SPF 15. So putting a 100 SPF sunscreen on isn’t going to protect you for as long as you might think.
• High SPF products are often good at protecting from the UVB rays that cause sunburn so people who use them stay out in the sun longer. But these same products often don’t block UVA rays, which are the ones that can cause cancer, not to mention wrinkles and sunspots. To make sure you’re protected, look for products that have broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. These usually have one of the following ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone (not to be confused with oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting compound that penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream).
• Most people don’t use enough sunscreen. A good rule of thumb is to use one fluid ounce of sunscreen per application if you’re wearing a swimsuit. That’s the same size as a standard shot glass. Obviously, if you’re wearing more clothes you won’t need quite as much.

The EWG’s bottom line is: “Hats, clothing and shade are still the most reliable sun protection available.” Speaking of which, we have some new hats in stock that will help protect you in the sun. Stop by and check them out on the second floor.