Dry Skin Flashcards
Where are some common spots for dry skin?
hands, legs, forearms, face, shoulders/back
What is dry skin commonly associated with?
itch
What are the factors that contribute to dry skin?
excessive bathing/showering
low humidity
aging
sun damage
soaps
mechanical rubbing
medical conditions (diabetics, hypothyroid, others)
Would dry skin reliefs that market themselves as being specific for diabetics have any ingredients that are diabetic specific?
no
just marketing to take advantage of the fact that diabetics get drier skin as time goes on
How do eczema and dry skin go hand in hand?
dry skin causes itching which leads to stratching–>scratching damages the skin–>eczema worsens–>more itching
What are the characteristics of eczema grade products?
unscented
non-allergenic
gentle/soapless
no colors added
What are the characteristics of eczema grade products?
unscented
non-allergenic
gentle/soapless
no colors added
True or false: eczema grade products for dry skin are only for eczema patients
false
we want eczema grade products for the vast majority of people who are thinking about a dry skin lotion
What is the non-drug approach to dry skin?
showering/bathing less
-try sponge bathing
-less hot water
-pat dry rather than rub dry
-apply cream/lotion while skin is still damp
What is the bath oil approach to dry skin? What is the product called?
few tablespoons of the mineral oil+surfactant in the bath
Alpha Keri
What is premise of the colloidal oatmeal approach to dry skin?
oatmeal has components that are protective/water holding, slightly anti-inflammatory and anti-itch
What do emollients/moisturizers often contain?
petrolatum (Vaseline)
dimethicone
fatty acids
What does it mean when a moisturizer is oil-free?
petrolatum and fatty acid derivatives have been removed and replaced with dimethicone
this can be cosmetically appealing for some people
What is the general rule for the strength of moisturizers?
as occlusion rises, effect rises (less water the better)
petrolatum>ointments(w/o)>creams>lotions(o/w)>bath oils
user acceptance worsens as occlusion rises
Which holds water in the skin better: lotions or creams?
creams
What is ceramide? Why is it so widely advertised on skin products?
ceramide is a type of fat in the skin which holds skin cells together and prevents water loss
advertised to try sell skin products because it claims to mimic natural ceramides and eczematous skin is low in ceramide
Are ceramide products better than simple products?
no
when its in lotion/cream form it is just another lipid, its not going to hit the spots that it needs to in order to be efficient
What are some good standard level treatments?
glaxal base
hydrous emulsifying
What is the “ceramide of the past”?
AHA (alpha hydroxy acid)
What are humectants?
hygroscopic compounds that are supposed to draw in moisture from the atmosphere
glycerin, propylene glycol, phospholipids, urea
What are keratin softening agents?
not for typical dry skin, little bit more clinical
sluffs off keratin
more areas like back of the elbows
urea, AHA, lactic acid
What can we do for dry, cracked heels?
keep clean
sand down the keratin
use any lotion/cream/ointment
Which vitamin has some evidence for value in dry skin?
niacinamide
True or false: biotin is great for cracked nails
false
avoid biotin for cracked nails
What are age spots?
hyper-pigmentation
also called liver spots
What is used for age spots?
tretinoin
hydroquinone (5% Rx, 2% cosmetic)
monobenzone (Rx only, more potent than hydroquinone)
What is used to treat wrinkles?
AHAs or tretinoin
How does tretinoin work to anti-wrinkle?
somehow it plumps moisture underneath the skin
must be used regularly
