hair

The Skin Skoop – March 2015 – Volume 2, Issue 3

Introducing the ARTAS Robot!

Edwards Hair Restoration and Dermatology Group is excited to announce the arrival of the first ARTAS System robot for hair transplantation in Metro Detroit!

Robotic technology allows for permanent hair restoration WITHOUT the pain and stitches associated with traditional hair transplants. Recovery time is fast, with most patients returning to work and other activities within a few days.

How does it work? The ARTAS robot identifies your optimal hairs to use for transplant (these hairs are typically taken from the back of the head – see video clip here: http://youtu.be/XQwiOQMLl4U). Hair is selectively harvested with robotic precision to preserve the natural look of your donor area. Dr. Edwards then transplants the hair into the thinning and bald areas. Patients observe noticeable, permanent, thicker hair growth in 4-6 months. This hair will continue to fill in over the next year.

The ARTAS robot was designed with the patient in mind. In the past, hair transplants could be a difficult proposition. Patient feared unnatural or pluggy hair results. Previous transplant techniques were more invasive, requiring stitches and many weeks of recovery time. Even after recovery, patients often lived with an annoying and obvious line scar in the back of the head, resulting in the feeling of scalp tightness and hair style limitations.

With the ARTAS robot, patients can now expect great-looking results without the downsides of older techniques. Hair plugs, invasive surgery, and long recoveries are things of the past.

For more information and to contact our office for a hair loss consultation, please visit http://drbobbiedwards.com/ARTAS

Nikki’s Acne Corner – What’s the difference between Acne and Rosacea?

“I came to the office to have my acne treated, but they said I have rosacea. Isn’t that the same thing?”

Acne and rosacea are two very common skin conditions that we treat on a daily basis. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an estimated 40-50 million Americans suffer from acne at any one time – acne is the most common skin problem in the U.S. (AAD reference). The National Rosacea Society estimates that 16 million American suffer from rosacea, the majority of which go untreated (NRS reference). While both conditions can cause red, inflamed bumps on the face, acne and rosacea are different and often require a different approach in treatment.

Acne bumps are thought to be caused by 4 factors: blockage of skin pores, excessive skin oil production, colonization of bacteria within the plugged pore, and inflammation. It remains unclear as to what causes rosacea. Dermatology specialists have observed a genetic tendency in many rosacea patients (i.e. it tends to run in families). Some research has suggested that skin bacteria, skin mites, and certain skin proteins might play a role in the development of rosacea.

Acne can appear as different types of lesions: firm small bumps (“papules”), inflamed pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, nodules and cysts. Many patients can have a combination of these different lesions.

Rosacea can manifest as facial redness and enlarged blood vessels (erythematotelangectatic rosacea), bumps and pustules (papulopustular rosacea), and skin thickening and nose enlargement (phymatous rosacea). Many rosacea patients report a long history of frequent blushing and flushing of their facial skin. Rosacea patients often complain of irritated, itchy, and/or dry facial skin.

To make things more complicated, it is entirely possible for an individual to have both acne and rosacea lesions on the face!

While acne and rosacea are different conditions, many topical and oral medications exist to help manage both problems. Be sure to consult with your dermatology specialist if you think you may be suffering from acne and/or rosacea.

Connect with our office online!

Facebook.com/EdwHairGrp
Twitter.com/EdwHairGrp
Pinterest.com/EdwHairGrp
YouTube.com/user/MichiganSKINAssoc/videos

March’s Product of the Month – AUTHENTIC African Black Soap

Many individuals purchase what they think to be true African Black Soap, when they have actually purchased an imposter. Our dermatology office is proud to offer authentic African Black Soap to our patients who are interested in incorporating natural products into their skin care regimen. Black Soap is traditionally made from roasted plantain skins, cocoa pod, palm oil, and natural sodium – it is not scented and does not contain chemicals, synthetic ingredients, or fillers. The natural anti-inflammatory ingredients in Black Soap can help with multiple skin conditions, including acne and eczema. Many of our patients incorporate Black Soap into their prescription skin care regimens.

As a consumer, how can you tell the difference?

Imposter Black Soap:

Hard
Completely black in color
Sometimes scented
Can contain synthetic or chemical ingredients
Not made from true ancient African recipe
Can be drying to the skin

Authentic Black Soap:

Soft
Brownish-black color
Unscented
All natural ingredients
Made from true ancient African recipe
Can help calm inflamed skin conditions

Authentic African Black Soap available for purchase at our office – $5 plus tax.

drbobbiedwards.com

The Skin Skoop – February 2015 – Volume 2, Issue 2

drbobbiedwards.com

HAIR LOSS ON THE BODY

When patients come to our office complaining of hair loss, he or she is typically worried about hair thinning on the scalp. However, hair loss can occur on other “hairy” parts of the body. Gradual thinning of body hair over time in generally not a concern, but body hair loss can occasionally be a sign of a more serious problem.

Normal areas of age-related hair loss can include the underarms, legs, and pubic area. Many women report that that need to remove hair less frequently in these areas as they get older (after numerous years of shaving/waxing, many women are relieved by this aspect of aging!). This type of hair loss tends to be a very gradual process.

Hair loss and bald patches of the eyebrows and eyelashes is more concerning. Alopecia of the eyebrows can be an early sign of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA), a form of scarring hair loss that affects the frontal hairline. FFA requires early treatment as the end result is severe and permanent. Thinning of the eyelashes can be age-related or can be a sign of Alopecia Areata, an auto-immune form of hair loss in which the body attacks its own hair follicles.

Gradual, age-related hair thinning of the underarms, legs, and pubic area is NOT something that can be treated. Thinning eyelashes, however, can often be treated with a prescription product called Latisse. Latisse is a topical solution that is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes to grow the lashes fuller, longer, and darker. Side effects from Latisse include increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye and eyelid skin darkening. Latisse is a cosmetic product that is not covered by insurance.

NIKKI’S ACNE CORNER – Why was my prescription for acne medication sent to a mail order pharmacy?

During your visit today, one or more of your acne prescriptions may have been sent to a mail order pharmacy. As you are probably aware, the cost of health care is increasing and many acne medicines are no longer covered by insurance companies. This has made acne treatment challenging and has prevented patients from having access to many excellent acne medications.

Several pharmaceutical companies have partnered with mail order pharmacies to help improve patient access to medication. These partnerships help to reduce the co-pay that patients pay toward their medicine. Most of the mail order pharmacies ship the medications to the patient’s home for free.

How does it work? Our office staff either e-prescribes or faxes the prescription(s) directly to the appropriate mail order pharmacy. The patient is then instructed to call the pharmacy to provide his/her prescription insurance information , verify the mailing address for shipment, and make their co-payment over the phone. The pharmacy then ships the medicine directly to the patient’s home.

These programs typically are available to patients with commercial insurance. Those with government insurance policies (Medicare, Medicaid) are not eligible for prescription discount programs thru the manufacturer.

HAIR CARE PRODUCTS “UNBOXED”

Have you seen the numerous “unboxing” videos available online? Unboxing refers to the practice where consumers record themselves on video unpacking new products (electronics, toys, etc). The purpose of unboxing videos is to show a product for what it really is without the influence of the manufacturer or advertisers.

Our office has launched a new series of unboxing videos featuring hair care products. Check out Edwards Hair Restoration and Dermatology Group’s YouTube Channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/user/MichiganSKINAssoc/videos

Our first unboxing video features The Elon Thinning Hair System. Dr. Edwards will be unboxing a different product line each week, so be sure to stay tuned! 🙂

FEBRUARY’S PRODUCT OF THE MONTH – Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics

“How is Afterglow different from other mineral cosmetics?”

Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics are free of synthetic dyes, paraben preservatives, and irritants like bismuth oxychloride.
Afterglow chooses minerals, pigments, and certified organic ingredients of the highest quality in their cosmetics.
Organic antioxidants, such as grape seed extract and pomegranate, are added to the minerals for their age-defying properties.

Edwards Hair Restoration and Dermatology Group proudly features Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics. Our esthetician is available to help with foundation color matching. We carry a wide variety of eye colors and lip colors, as well as blushes, bronzers, concealer, and mascara. Afterglow’s professional-grade vegan cosmetic brushes are ideal for applying loose minerals evenly to create a flawless finish.

Please let our office staff know if you are interested in meeting our esthetician, Victoria, for makeup color-matching: SKIN Spa

drbobbiedwards.com

The Skin Skoop – January 2015 – Volume 2, Issue 1

drbobbiedwards.com

WE HAVE A NEW NAME… WELCOME TO EDWARDS HAIR RESTORATION AND DERMATOLOGY GROUP!

Dr. Bobbi Edwards

Dr. Edwards has been treating hair loss medically for over 10 years, and is happy to add procedural and surgical hair restoration to her practice. Our office’s mission is to offer the latest in hair restoration options to our patients in a relaxing, comfortable, personalized atmosphere. We strive to arm our patients with knowledge to make the best decisions for their well-being.

Dr. Edwards specializes in hair loss in both women and men, with a special interest in hair loss affecting women of color. Women face a unique set of concerns and issues when confronting hair loss. Dr. Edwards addresses these concerns and encourages women to seek treatment early.

We will continue to provide medical and surgical dermatology services. Common problems include acne, eczema, psoriasis, keloids, warts, rashes, evaluation and removal of moles, skin cancers, and other skin growths. Nicole Rataj Casady, PA-C (“Nikki”) is our primary general practitioner, working closely with Dr. Edwards.

Nikki’s Acne Corner – How Your New Year’s Resolution Can Also Clear Your Skin

Nikki Rataj Casady, MS, PA-C

A new year is here and many of us are determines to make changes to improve our health and wellness. According to the New York Times, 45% of Americans are expected to make a resolution this year – the most common resolution made is to lose weight.*

One method to accomplish this goal is to adopt the “Paleo Diet.” This eating plan can help whittle the waistline and reduce blood glucose levels, but also helps individuals achieve glowing, acne-free skin.

The basic premise of the Paleo Diet involves eating like our Paleolithic ancestors did by focusing on fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and lean proteins. It also involves the elimination of both high-glycemic index foods and dairy from the diet.

Foods high on the glycemic index cause blood sugar and insulin levels to rise after they are ingested. While dairy products are considered to be low on the glycemic index, they actually elicit a high insulin response when consumed. Avoiding dairy and high-glycemic index foods can reduce the level of hormones associated with acne. Paleolithic eating can reduce oil production in the skin, reduce markers that contribute to skin inflammation, and improve the regulation of skin cell structure and function – these actions collectively reduce acne flaring in the skin.

Furthermore, eating all the extra beta-carotene (a natural pigment found in fresh vegetables and fruit) creates a radiant glow to the skin!

Our office is more than happy to provide you with more information regarding “The Acne Diet.” We also recommend patients visit www.thepaleodiet.com for further reading.

*5 Things to Know About New Year’s Eve. New York Times – 5 Things to Know About New Year’s Eve

Get Your Hair in Gear for the New Year with January’s Product of the Month!

Ducray Hair Care by Glytone

Anaphase Stimulating Cream Shampoo

This stimulating shampoo cream is the perfect complement for anti-hair loss treatments. It restores volume, strength and vitality to your hair. $26.50 (price includes tax).

Neoptide Anti-Hair Loss Lotion

This stimulating lotion curbs chronic female hair loss and stimulates hair growth with its targeted action on the growth phase of hair in women. Its light texture facilitates daily use without leaving hair oily. Neoptide is a no-rinse product. $100.70 (price includes tax).

Anastim Concentrate Anti-Hair Loss Lotion

To curb occasional female hair loss, stimulate growth and strengthen your hair, Anastim Concentrate gives you the essential elements thanks to a combination of actives that stimulates micro-circulation of the scalp and provides the cells of the hair bulb with the necessary energy components for growth. $90.10 (price includes tax).

“What’s a Chemical Peel?”

Chemical peeling is used to improve skin appearance by applying a chemical solution to the skin, causing the top layers of the skin to separate and peel off. The new skin is smoother and may be more even in color.

Chemical peels can:

Reduce fine lines, especially under the eyes and around the mouth.
Treat certain types of acne.
Diminish discoloration (dark spots, freckles, sun spots, blotchiness).
Refresh skin texture and color.

How are chemical peels performed?

Prior to treatment, you may be instructed to stop certain medications and prepare the skin with pre-conditioning creams, which you would apply at home for a period of time. The peel is performed by our aesthetician and involves the following:

Cleansing the skin with an agent to remove excess oil.
Applying the peel to the designated location (face, neck, chest, back), using one or more chemical solutions, such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or acidified amino acid.
Using the proper peeling agent based upon the type of skin damage present and your desired results.

During a chemical peel, most patients experience a warm-to-hot sensation that may last about 5-10 minutes and may be followed by some stinging.

What should be expected after treatment?

To minimize the reappearance of lesions and lines, dermatologists recommend daily use of a sunscreen. While chemical peels make you “peel,” the peeling may or may not be visible to you. Depending upon the typical of peel applied, there may be a mild to severe sunburn-like sensation. Peels often produce redness, which is followed by scaling that can last 5-7 days. Medium-depth and deep peels can result in swelling and blisters that may break, crust, turn brown, and peel off over a period of 7-14 days or longer.

Are there complications?

People with certain skin types have a risk of developing a temporary or permanent skin color change. This risk may increase if you take birth control pills, have been pregnant, or have a family history of brownish discoloration on the face. Persistent redness also may occur after a chemical peel and can last for months. Although very low, there is a risk of scarring after a chemical peel. If scarring does occur, it can usually be treated with good results. Proper precautions should be taken for patients with a history of fever blisters, cold sores, or keloids.

Single Peel – $75

Six Peel Package – $360

Be sure to ask our staff if a chemical peel is right for you!

drbobbiedwards.com

“More Hair is Better” – December 19, 2014

Dr. Bobbi Edwards

Good Morning America did a much anticipated segment on platelet rich plasma on November 10, 2014. Check it out at https://gma.yahoo.com/treatment-promises-regrow-thinning-hair-without-surgery-drugs-160535635–abc-news-health.html

I was so excited to see this information come across the airwaves. I started doing PRP this year and have been happy with the results. PRP stands for platelet rich plasma. It is a non-surgical treatment option for hair loss in women and men. PRP has been around for many years in orthopedics and dentistry, and has found its way into the hair restoration arena. It is common knowledge that the body has wonderful and still somewhat mysterious ways to heal itself. Part of our challenge as healthcare providers has been learning to harness the healing power already present in the human body – PRP is a step in that direction.

So what happens during PRP, you ask? It’s a 1 hour procedure that starts with a simple blood draw from the arm. In our office, we use 60 cc’s of blood. The blood is put into a centrifuge, which spins the blood for about 5 minutes. A centrifuge is an automated way of separating materials that are of different molecular weights. Lighter things stay on top and heavier things go to the bottom. After the blood has been spun, the plasma portion is easily separated for use. The plasma is rich in growth and healing factors that are found in our platelets (clotting cells). These include platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, interleukin 8, keratinocyte growth factor, connective tissue growth factor… just suffice it to say, these factors help the body heal. When circulating, these cells and the factors are at a low level, so as not to initiate unwanted/unneeded activity. But, once they are concentrated and placed into an area of the body that needs healing, they’re able to go to work directly. After spinning, the plasma is drawn off, and directly injected back into the scalp.

Yes, PRP does involve many injections, but no surgery 🙂 In the end, about 9-10 cc’s of plasma are injected, which is enough to cover the entire scalp. This procedure is not covered by insurance, and the price will vary based on what volume of plasma is used (most places are $1000 – $1800, but there are some offices that have machinery that can produce a small amount of PRP for a few hundred dollars). If your hair loss area is very small, one of these lower price treatments may be appropriate, but I find that most people need more volume to cover all of the areas of the scalp that are affected. Not to mention, PRP not only can help with areas of thin or absent hair, but it also improves the growth of normal hair.

It is not a comfortable procedure to have, and in my experience, it requires local anesthesia in all but the most pain-tolerant patients. The most common complaint is stinging, which can be intense, but improves after a few minutes. This is partially due to the large volume injected and partially due to the salts used to activate the plasma.

It can take several months after treatment for the hair to start growing. In my practice, side effects have been minimal, with the exception of discomfort during the procedure. I won’t do this procedure for a patient that has a blood-borne malignancy, but otherwise it has few contraindications.

These is much discussion in the hair restoration community about what the frequency should be. Early recommendations were to repeat PRP once every 6-12 months as needed, depending on how much hair you grew with your previous treatments, and what your goal is. It is generally agreed upon that multiple treatments are needed, but whether they’re done monthly or every 6 months, or somewhere in between will vary from one medical practice to the next, and is based on your diagnosis and the severity of your condition.

As you know, my practice deals with an extensive number of female patients with hair loss. Unlike in men, female patients often have forms of hair loss that are not genetic. After success was found with PRP for genetic hair loss, doctors started using it for other forms of hair loss as well. It has slowly trickled into the use of styling-related, immunologic, stress-related, and inflammatory disease related to hair loss. There has been success in each of these groups, which is especially exciting, because treatment options for these conditions are sometimes quite limited. It’s also a consideration for women with genetic hair loss that are not candidates for surgery.

Of course, PRP may or may not be appropriate for any one individual, so if you’re interested in learning more, we hope to see you in the office sometime.

Signing off for now, happy holidays, and I’ll see you in the New Year.

Love always,

Dr. Bobbi

“More Hair is Better” – November 24, 2014

Dr. Bobbi Edwards

People often ask me how long I’ve been wearing dreadlocks. The transition was more than 17 years ago. Before that, I was a “perm girl.” I loved my relaxer because I worked out daily and sweat a lot, so it made life very easy. I could wash my hair whenever I wanted, throw my hair into a ponytail and keep on movin’. After years without issues, my hairdresser told me that I had a broken patch of hair on the left side of my head, in the back. She had cared for my hair since middle school, so I had no concern about hair. It did regrow successfully, and stayed pretty good for the next 2 or 3 years. Lo and behold, the same spot broke off again and that was my end point. I decided that my body was unhappy with my hair styling and I needed to do something different. I stopped getting touch ups and so began my journey.

We first tried straightening the hair. There was too much head-sweating for that to look good (without me putting heat on it daily), so we tried Vigorol to hold the press longer. This was not much more successful for me. Next was braided hairstyles with extensions. For a couple of years I wore medium-sized individual braids, and occasionally cornrows. My hair grew out just fine, but I had no idea what I’d do next, so after my natural hair got pretty long, I started wearing it braided with no extensions. I was young – my favorite style at that time was corn rolls up into an afro puff.

One of my girlfriends turned me on to twists. She was wearing her hair that way and she was also doing some of our friends’ hair from time to time. The first time she twisted my hair, I hated it! I cried in the mirror for an hour. The look was just not that I expected. Kind of scrawny and the ends were straight, even though I had no leftover relaxer in my hair. She wasn’t hurt by my reaction and encouraged me to just give it a few days. I hoped I could make it through a week – so I found a couple of clips to pull it off my face. The style was short, about to my ears. A few days later, my hair started to puff up a little bit and I began to like a A LOT. I clipped an inch off my ends so they would curl up a little more. Two weeks later, I was in love with my hair! I got my hair re-twisted every 3 to 4 weeks. I would usually wear it twisted for 2 weeks, then wear a funky “twist out” for the last week and then get it redone. I did that for 3 or 4 years. I loved that style, but eventually my hair started locking before it was time to re-twist. By the way, I did have to clip my ends at least three times before the ends coiled properly. The ends of the hair in some parts of my head were straightening out over time – without relaxer. Go figure. Eventually that stopped happening and the ends were just as curly as the rest of the length. Because the hair was locking, I started considering dreadlocks.

If you had asked my in the beginning, I wouldn’t have locked for a million dollars. Why? I wanted versatility. I though I might want to straighten my hair sometimes or wear it curly, or put in a ponytail, or do whatever – and I felt that dreadlocks would limit me in some way. So, I got the bright idea to straighten my hair one last time before I really made the decision about locs. It happened to be on Circle City Weekend in Indianapolis. My family went every year at the time, so I washed my hair and had my nurse press it out. Oh my! The hair did NOT like being pressed. It was so long and beautiful, but it would not stay straight even for a few hours. My hair went down to my tailbone once it was pressed out. I took my electric pressing comb with me on the trip and it was an awful nightmare. I had to hold that pressing comb on my hip like a gun in a holster to touch up my hair every 5 minutes! My hair wouldn’t hold that press to save my life. That weekend my hair was so unruly that I made the decision to go ahead and loc my hair when I got home. The next twist was the last time my hair was down. It took about nine months to loc and the rest is history.

Since then, my hair has been long, short, in a beautiful updo, hanging straight, and recently shaved on the sides and back. Will I ever go back to straightening my hair? I won’t know until I do it. Straight vs. kinky-curly is one the most important self-discovery decisions I’ve ever made. I found out through this transition that the outward appearance was the smallest change that occurred. My versatility was never lost, and in the meantime, I learned that I am beautiful. I came to appreciate that my kinky-curly hair is strong but needs a lot of attention and TLC, and I can’t necessarily do what I see other women do on TV or in magazines, and that I don’t have to. My hair is full of body that the other hair types can’t match and I have so many styling options that I don’t have to worry about what comes next. I also came to understand that my natural hair looks great on me and I love the way it looks – that’s how God made me. I now know that as many different hair phases and styles are available to me, my hair is only a small part of the much more complex and wonderful me.

… and however I wear it, I can rock it!

Skin Skoop – November 2014 – Issue 11

Bobbi Edwards, M.D. | Nicole Rataj Casady, PA-C

What is YOUR skin thankful for this November?

T – Teamine Eye Complex – since there is not one single cause of dark circles, we love how Teamine is formulated to address undereye circles in multiple ways.

H – Hydroquinone – the active ingredient in fade creams and “skin bleach,” this agent helps to fade unwanted dark spots on the skin.

A – Antioxidants can be applied topically to help prevent and repair damage to the skin. Green tea, reservatrol, Vitamin C, and coffee berry are examples of antioxidants that can be found in skin care products.

N – Nature’s Blessings Hair Pomade to condition, restore, and strengthen the hair.

K – Vitamin K, when applied topically, can help heal skin bruises and reduce undereye discoloration.

S – Sunscreen – the #1 most important thing you can apply to your skin to prevent discoloration, premature aging, and skin cancer.

G – Glycolic Acid – as the key ingredient in Glytone products, glycolic acid is an exfoliating agent used to remove dead skin cells from the outermost layer of your skin.

I – Indulge… your skin, that is! The holidays are a great time to rejuvenate your complexion with a deep-cleansing facial, an exfoliating chemical peel, or treat yourself to that Clarisonic Facial Cleansing Brush you’ve been eyeing at the department store…

V – Vitamins for your skin! Vitamin C and derivatives of Vitamin A (OTC retinol, Rx topical retinoid) are potent anti-aging ingredients. Looking for a simple regimen? Apply topical Vitamin C with sunscreen in the morning and apply a topical retinol/retinoid at night.

I – Ingredients – don’t just use any old product on your face. Know what ingredients are in your products and figure out what your skin likes the best!

N – Nectifirm can be applied to reduce the appearance of dry, crepey neck skin.

G – Genetics – as you sit down to the table to feast on turkey this Thanksgiving, be sure to thank your mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa for the gorgeous skin they passed along to you! 🙂

Nikki’s Acne Corner – “I’ve had terrible acne since my pregnancy — how long does post-partum acne last?”

There are a few factors to consider in women with stubborn acne after having a baby – most of these factors are associated with the normal hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy. Many medical sources report that the body’s hormones return to their normal levels within a few weeks of delivery, but some obstetricians suggest that it can take up to a year for hormones to return to their normal levels. As most women are aware, any hormonal change can affect the skin and contribute to acne breakouts.

Some common post-partum hormonal factors to keep in mind:

Breastfeeding can prolong the time it takes for female hormones to return to their pre-pregnancy levels. Many mothers nurse for 6-12 months following delivery, so this could play a role in their hormonal acne.
Progestin-only birth control is commonly prescribed to prevent unwanted pregnancy following childbirth. Progestin-only birth control is known to exacerbate acne. Such products include the popular “mini-pill” (Micronor, Nor-QD), the Depo-Provera injection, and implanted devices (Implanon, Nexplanon).
The stress of caring for a newborn child can drive up secretion of cortisol, the body’s “stress hormone,” which can increase acne flares.
Busy and stressed mothers of newborns may not be eating as healthfully as they would like – diets high in processed food and dairy will also worsen hormonally-driven acne flares.

There are a few acne treatments that are considered safe to use during pregnancy and lactation, so if you are struggling with acne during or after pregnancy, be sure to discuss the problem with your dermatology specialist.

November’s Product of the Month – Michigan SKIN’s Creamy Acne Wash

Our exclusive Creamy Acne Wash is a specially-formulated designed to thoroughly cleanse acne-prone skin. The wash contains 5% benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient proven to kill the bacteria that contributes to acne and prevent bacterial resistance to other acne medications. Our acne cleanser is soap-free and less irritating to the skin compared to other benzoyl peroxide washes.

Michigan SKIN’s Creamy Acne Wash – $12 + tax

Edwards Hair Restoration Group

Quick Fact

Did you know… You can lose 100 hairs a day and never go bald?

Skin Skoop – October 2014 – Issue 10

Bobbi Edwards, M.D. | Nicole Rataj Casady, PA-C

Low Level Laser for Hair Loss

Low level laser is a non-invasive treatment available to patients with Androgeneric Alopecia (AGA), a form of hair loss that is inherited. Laser treatments can be administered in our office (two treatments per week – 30 minutes per treatment) or administered at home thru the purchase of a Laser Cap (three treatments per week – 30 minutes per treatment).

To understand how laser works, one much understand the hair growth cycle. The hair growth cycle consists of 3 phases: growth (anagen phase), resting (telogen phase), and shedding (catagen phase).

Low level laser therapy is believed to increase blood flow in the scalp and stimulate metabolism in catagen and telogen follicles (hair roots), resulting in the production of anagen hair.

The photons of light create a chemical reaction in the hair follicle cells, releasing energy and stimulating metabolic processes necessary for hair growth. This reaction also causes a release of nitric oxide from cells, leading to increased blood flow in the scalp and enhancing the distribution of nutrients and oxygen to the hair roots.

Additionally, hair loss in AGA depends on a testosterone-derivative in the skin called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Low level laser is thought to prevent the build-up of DHT in the skin, thus helping to retain more hair.

If you are interested in low level laser to treat your genetic hair loss, we are happy to provide more information regarding our hair restoration services.

Nikki’s Acne Corner – What’s the Deal with Adult Acne?

Acne is a common problem. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that nearly 85% of people deal with acne at some point in their lives. Some individuals suffer with acne for their entire lives, while others develop it for the first time as adults.

The diagnosis of acne in adults affects women disproportionately over men. While the exact reason is not understood, there are a few theories that exist:

Hormonal changes – Hormones are the biggest suspect. Hormonal changes occur normally in women throughout the course of life, and any time there is a hormonal change, it can manifest in the skin as acne.
Stress – When women are stresses (emotionally or physically), increased levels of stress hormones are produced, which can affect the hormone cascade that contributes to acne in the skin. Studies have actually demonstrated that women with fast-paced careers reporting high stress levels also had higher levels of acne flaring.
Starting or stopping medications – Birth control pills and hormonal contraceptives can make acne better or worse (this can vary from person to person). Some women find that their acne is controlled by taking birth control, only to have it reflare when they decide to discontinue the pills. There are other prescription medications (steroids, certain anticonvulsants, and others) that have been implicated as potential causes of acne, but never stop any medicines without consulting with your clinician first.
Genetics – Research has suggested that acne can be an inherited skin condition.

Many adults mistakenly think that there is no treatment available for this acne, but MANY effective treatments exist. Be sure to address your concerns with your dermatology provider – we’re here to create acne regimen that integrates well into your lifestyle!

October’s Product of the Month –

PEDiNOL SLEEP-N-HEEL NIGHT CONDITIONING HEEL SLEEVES

Each Sleep-N-Heel Night Conditioning Heel Sleeve is molded with a soft, fragrance-free pad lining comfortably conforms to the shape of the heel. Using a patent-pending technology, this proprietary gel is designed to slowly release a unique blend of natural moisturizers. Enriching essential oils – such as coconut, jojoba, and olive oil – provide deep conditioning and continuous hydration to impart needed moisture, while vitamin E and shea butter supply a potent source of antioxidants and other nutrients that promote healthy skin renewal and rejuvenate its appearance.

Use regularly to maintain soft, smooth heels. Lightweight stretch acrylic knit sleeves slide on easily and fit securely without constricting. Effective and reusable for up to 40 treatments!

PEDiNOL Sleep-N-Heel Night Conditioning Heel Sleeves – $25 at Michigan SKIN Associates.

Skin Skoop October 2014 Crossword!

ACROSS:

2. Medical term for “hair loss.”

4. Nearly 85% of people are affected by ___ over the course of their life.

5. “Resting phase” of hair cycle.

6. Suspected cause of adult female acne.

8. “Shedding phase” of hair cycle.

10. Low level ______ is a treatment option for genetic hair loss.

DOWN:

1. Type of natural oil used to moisturize skin.

3. “Growth phase” of the hair cycle.

7. Emotional and physical _____ can trigger acne.

9. Abbreviation for genetic hair loss.

“More Hair is Better” – September 3, 2014

Dr. Bobbi Edwards

I heard the other day that Tamar Braxton and her edges were trending: http://blackamericaweb.com/2014/08/26/k-michelle-disses-tamar-braxton-over-her-edges-tamar-responds/

She’s not the first. Naomi Campbell famously had moments when the state of her hair was a topic of conversation… she had similar thin edges:

It’s not uncommon… look around. As for Tamar, the edges are awfully thin – she says it’s from childbirth. I want to take a minute to address this issue.

Childbirth-related hair loss is pretty common, and it is called Telogen Effluvium. Any physical or emotional stressor can be the cause. Physical stress could be considered as surgery, childbirth, new medical diagnosis, etc. In the case of childbirth, nursing counts and the hair loss usually starts when the nursing ends.

Normally, 10-15% of the hair on the head is in the falling-out phase, and is being replaced by new hair at any one time. 10-15% is cosmetically insignificant, but the stress pushes a larger percentage of hairs into the falling-out stage at once, and that’s when the hair starts looking thin. This can take up to two months to get going and another 12 to run its course. It can just affect the edges, and spare the rest of the head.

On the other hand, Tamar’s long history with weaves and lacefronts can thin the hair, too… any kind of constant pulling on edges can cause the hair to fall out and not regrow. This is called Traction Alopecia.

So for Tamar, time will tell. Her baby was born in June 2013 — 15 months ago — so she’s already well beyond a year. But, she did nurse for some period of time, so she gets an extension. At some point soon, if the hair doesn’t recover, childbirth will fall off as a likely reason for her hair loss.

If so, she’s not the first celebrity to fall victim to the dangers of aggressive styling, and she won’t be the last. She and her hair stylist and her Dermatologist could have a talk about hair-friendlier ways to look fabulous and let those edges recover.

Skin Skoop – September 2014 – Issue 9

Bobbi Edwards, M.D. | Nicole Rataj Casady, PA-C

ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA – Genetic Hair Loss

We see many types of hair loss (alopecia) in our practice. Each month, we will feature a different type of hair loss to help our patients better understand their particular condition. In general, alopecias can be categorized as scarring vs. non-scarring. Scarring alopecia is comprised of several different types of hair loss that all lead to permanent loss of the hair follicle. Non-scarring alopecias are forms of hair loss that do not result in permanent scarring of the follicle.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a form of non-scarring hair loss that is genetically-influenced. It can affect both men and women. AGA is a progressive form of hair loss that is progressive and requires ongoing treatment to maintain the hair.

Genetic hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in the world.

The diagnosis of AGA can be confirmed by scalp biopsy. If you or a family member think you may be affected by genetic hair loss, schedule your hair loss consultation with Dr. Edwards right away. The sooner you start treatment, the better the chance you have of maintaining your hair.

Nikki’s Acne Corner – Does Stress Cause Acne?

It’s September and the kids are all headed back to school. Fall can be a stressful time for teens and college students (and sometimes even for their parents!) as academic demands increase. The acne bumps – that seemed pretty mild over the summer – suddenly seem to be taking over your gorgeous child’s face, leaving stubborn red spots and dark spots in their wake. Is stress causing all of this acne?

Like many topics in skin care, the link between acne and stress has been controversial. However, there is a real physiologic mechanism to explain how stress contributes to acne. When the body experiences psychological or physical stress, it will secrete higher levels of a hormone called cortisol (cortisol is actually referred to as the “stress hormone”). Increased levels of cortisol affect the hormone pathways involved in the development of acne. While stress is unlikely to be the sole cause of an individual’s acne, dermatology specialists understand that its presence can certainly make it worse.

Acne patients under stress need to keep up with their acne treatment regimen consistently – now is NOT the time to slack off on skin care. If the breakouts remain uncontrolled, some individuals may require more aggressive treatments (such as oral antibiotics or cortisone injections) until the stress subsides.

It is important for people to develop stress management techniques to help them cope with challenges they face at school, at work, and at home. Managing stress through exercise, proper sleep, and proper nutrition can be beneficial in reducing acne flares. Stress reduction can also decrease one’s risk of developing other medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

September’s Product of the Month – Michigan S.K.I.N. Associates Double Action Pads

Have a teenager with acne? Our Double Action Pads are a must-have in your son or daughter’s backpack this fall.

Each pad contains pure glycolic acid combined with acne-fighting salicylic acid. The result? Accelerated removal of dead skin cells plus fewer acne bumps on the skin. This product is great to help quickly remove dirt / oil /sweat + treat acne prone skin after gym class and sports practice.

Michigan S.K.I.N. Associates Double Action Pads. 60 pads/jar. $16 (plus tax).

The Skin Skoop Crossword – September 2014

Are you skin savvy? Test your knowledge!

ACROSS:

2. Most common type of hair loss in the world

6. A common skin disease that causes areas of the skin to become red, rough, and intensely itchy

8. Medical specialty that focuses on the skin, hair, and nails

9. Hair _______ is the gold standard for hair restoration

10. Psoriasis patients sometimes develop joint pain, which is referred to as “psoriatic _______”

DOWN:

1. A common fungal infection of the skin with a characteristic round, ring-like shape

3. A person with special training in administering facials, spa services, and makeup application

4. Medical term for hair loss

5. The most common skin condition in the U.S. and can involve blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts

7. This rash is caused by the immune system and can create silvery-white scaling on the elbows, knees, and scalp

For answer key, please click image below (image will enlarge):

Skin Skoop – August 2014 – Issue 8

Bobbi Edwards, M.D. | Nicole Rataj Casady, PA-C

Central Centrifugal Cicatrical Alopecia – A Type of Scarring Alopecia

Central Centrifugal Cicatrical Alopecia (CCCA) is a very common form of scarring hair loss caused by traumatic styling. Traumatic styling is considered to be chemical application, heat styling, and pulling hairstyles. Everyone will tolerate these practices at different levels. Some people are very sensitive and have problems right away, and some never experience any difficulty.

Symptoms of early CCCA are loss of individual follicles, intermittent itching, and soreness. Even in the case of eliminating all traumatic styling, some people will continue to have progressive hair loss long term.

Apply Sunscreen like an Expert

We’re deep into the summer months. Have you been putting your sunscreen on properly?

The first step involves choosing the right product. You want to select a product that has “broad spectrum coverage” and has an SPF rating of 30 or higher. For the face, make sure the product is labeled “non-comedogenic” (i.e. doesn’t clog pores).

Apply your sunscreen liberally to sun-exposed areas at least 20 minutes before going outdoors. Don’t be stingy with sunscreen application. Two full tablespoons (roughly equivalent to the size of a shot glass) of sunscreen should be used to cover exposed body areas.

Reapply sunscreen every 3 hours while your are outdoors. If you are swimming or sweating, you will need to reapply every 1 hour.

… and yes — EVERYONE needs to wear sunscreen, regardless of skin toner or ethnic background. It is true that individuals with dark skin tones do not burn as easily as those with fair skin, but everyone is susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer.

Nikki’s Acne Corner – The Acne Diet

Many patients inquire about whether their acne is related to what they eat.

“Is it because I drink pop?”

“Do I get acne because I’m eating chocolate?”

“Am I breaking out because I had pizza?”

Research is indicating that it isn’t just any one food item linked to acne. Studies are suggesting that foods that elicit higher levels of insulin secretion in our body may be to blame. Such foods include typical sweets (including candies/chocolate/cakes), starchy carbohydrates (including breads/rice/pastas), and dairy (including milk/cheese/yogurt).

Diets rich in fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and lean proteins are associated with decreased acne flaring.

Below are our recommendations for “The Acne Diet” (click on the picture to enlarge the image). If it looks familiar, it follows the same guidelines as the popular “Paleo Diet,” which you can read about in detail at www.thepaleodiet.com. Happy healthy eating!

August’s Product of the Month – Michigan S.K.I.N. Associates Double Action Facial Cleanser

Our specially formulated cleanser removes dead skin cells that can interfere with the proper oil drainage of the skin. The cleanser contains ultra pure glycolic acid coupled with the proven acne fighting ingredient salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps reduce the number of acne blemishes & blackheads and allows the skin to heal. Both glycolic and salicylic acid assist in the fading of dark spots.