Aesthetic Oddities: Dermatographism

A picture I ran across on Pinterest recently:

Naturally, at first, this disturbed me some. Then I looked it up.


Wikipedia's definition:
Dermatographic urticaria (also known as dermographism, dermatographism or "skin writing") is a skin disorder seen in 4–5% of the population and is one of the most common types of urticaria,^[1] in which the skin becomes raised and inflamed when stroked, scratched, rubbed, and sometimes even slapped.^[2] It is most common in young adults, ages 20-30 during times of high stress or depression.


Dermatographism is caused by the weak membrane of the cells. In results, the mast cells, whenever are faced with stress or pressure, will break and release the substance called histamine. This is somehow similar to the allergic reaction (the release of histamine). 


Anyhoo, this has been happening to me forever and I just learned there is an actual name associated with it. It's amazing what you can learn on Pinterest huh?
People have been freaking out on me for years any time I inadvertently scratch myself and it leaves a scary, but temporary red, raised welt. I never thought of actually doing it on purpose as...art?
I guess I just don't have that kind of creativity or well, time on my hands......

Let's get physical....physical...

Oops sorry, I was just channeling my inner Olivia Newton-John....
Just wanted to share some facts I recently learned about chemical vs. physical sunscreens.

Summer is almost upon us and if you don't have your sunscreen arsenal stocked up, I want you to put that on your to-do list right now k?

Most popular sunscreens on the market nowadays have a cocktail of chemical ingredients in them.
**Here are just a few and what they do for your health:

Octinoxate (octyl methoxycinnamate) - an estrogenic chemical that has been linked to hormonal imbalance and increased rates of cancer.
Oxybenzone (a derivative of benzophenone) - a chemical that may cause hormone disruption. In Europe, products with 0.5% or more of this chemical must have the warning label "Contains oxybenzone."
Avobenzone- a free radical-generator that absorbs UV radiation energy and, since it cannot destroy it, converts the light energy to chemical energy, which is typically released as free radicals in the body.

Physical vs. Chemical

There is a TON of info out there about these two different types of sun protection. Google it. You'll get all kinds of research and statistics.
Here is the main difference as I see it:
Besides the effects of the previously mentioned ingredients, chemical formulas are typically cheaper and easier to produce. Research shows however, that they do not protect against UVA rays. UVA penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin and pose a huge threat for skin damage and skin cancer.

Physical blockers offer more protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
The two most common ingredients in physical blockers are:

Titanium Dioxide - derived from titanium and is a highly reflective chalky mineral. It's non-irritating, non allergenic and noncomedogenic, (which means it doesn't cause or aggravate acne)
Zinc Oxide - an inorganic compound and an essential mineral for the body. It plays an important role in cell production, promotes healthy skin and hair, boosts the immune system and provides broad-spectrum protection, which helps reduce UVA-induced free radical production. Zinc Oxide is not absorbed by the skin, it sits on the skin's surface blocking both UVA and UVB rays.

So PLEASE check your ingredients when you're out shopping for sunscreen. Look for the mineral formula's that contain Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.
You could also look up your favorite sunscreen in the EWG's Skindeep database for information on how safe your favorite brands really are. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Don't forget also that a big floppy hat and an umbrella provide even more sun protection....or a nice shade tree and some lemonade.....
Happy Summer!!!!

**Sources for ingredients: Skin Inc. Magazine May 2012

"Keep your friends close but your enemies closer..."

Six Enemies For All Skin Types.

Smoking. It's killing you. It's making you look old. Just Quit. Enough said...

Pollution. Avoid it whenever and wherever you can. Get an air filter, get a water filter. A guest speaker back in beauty school once said something I'll never forget: "If you don't get a filter, you'll BE the filter." This goes for toxic beauty products as well, don't intensionally use products laden with toxic chemicals. Read labels and educate yourself on healthier alternatives.

Abusive exfoliation/ overzealous cleansing. This only irritates the skin and makes it thinner and weaker. Use a gental touch and limit or avoid deep exfoliating agents. Regardless of what some in the beauty-biz will try to tell you, you do not need a medium depth, medical grade peel every month! Focus on building up the health of your skin, not peeling it off layer, by layer, by layer...

Alcolhol. Damn! No matter how good that wine is, practice moderation. Alcohol consumption dehydrates you from the inside out, taxes your liver and diminishes your supply of B vitamins. (Honestly not sure how I'm going to swing this one.)

Constipation. What goes in must come out. There I said it. Gross, I know. If your colon isn't eliminating waste and toxins efficiently they will find another way out: through your skin. Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet with lots of fiber.

Sunlight. While you need 10-15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure daily for vitamin D absorbtion, don't let that be your excuse to "lay out" with baby oil and iodine. Wear a decent SPF when you're going to be spending more than 15 minutes out in the sun. You won't regret it.

I hate moisturizer!

I hate “moisturizers”. Ok, maybe hate is too strong of a word but here’s why: They often don’t truly moisturize at all. Often you are unknowingly coating your skin with a “protective” layer of chemicals and irritating ingredients that actually work to weaken the skin over time. Some moisturizers also add to the problem of acne or clogged pores for individuals that are susceptible to those conditions.


So instead of traditional “moisturizer” I prefer these two wonderful products that help the skin to maintain it’s own moisture instead of just gunking it up with…gunk!

Recovery Plus from 302 Professional Skincare:

A facial moisturizer - light, non-residual, effective lotion with a wonderful essential oil blend. This is an outstanding product for milder climates and mild skin dryness that leaves the skin perfectly toned without residual feel.

Symptomatic relief, hydration, and rapid barrier build out through prompting of carbamoyl phosphate formation, an essential step in the process.

Restores natural systemic moisture functions to the skin - it helps the skin produce its own moisture.

Compliments other topicals and may be used daily without causing skin fatigue as so often occurs with many topical moisturizers.

Reduces the appearance of irritation



Skin Savior Waterless Multi Balm by One Love Organics

Hair tamer, Illuminizer, Make up remover, Moisturizer, Pomade, Primer for mineral power, Skin soother...

Skin Savior works in mysterious ways. Pure, cold-pressed plant oils and extracts break down dirt and makeup, clearing out your pores without stripping your skin of its natural protective layer. And you can use the very same balm for head-to-toe cleansing, moisturizing, conditioning, smoothing and massaging.

A little goes a long way, so there’s plenty left for the rest of the family.

Every single ingredient in Skin Savior is plant-based: Organic Cocos nucifera (Virgin Coconut) Oil, Organic Glycine Soja (Sweet Soy) seed oil, Beeswax, Mangifera indica (Mango) seed butter, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract, Avena sativa (Oat) Extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange) peel wax, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Something besides coffee this morning...

I must finally be hitting my blogging rhythm cuz I had some profound blogging thoughts in the shower this morning. However, if you know me you know that mornings are not when I'm at my best so I hope I can remember it all now!

Just wanted to share with you how much I LOVE Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap! I opened a fresh bar this morning and for a meager $4.05 from my favorite health store (Food For Thought) it was a just what I needed to get me going this morning! In fact, I was so caught up in this small bit of luxury that I was inspired to even shave my legs....sorry T.M.I. You may think 4 bucks for a bar of soap is spendy, but who hasn't spent that on one cup of fancy coffee? Besides I promise you this bar of soap will live for quite a while compared to your average sulfate laden, skin drying stuff you find at Walmart. 

NOW:

Having suddenly remembered again why I switched to the natural soap I am putting it on my list to switch to a healthier shampoo. I have a lot of hair-do hangups so this should be an interesting project....stay tuned.



Here is the description from Dr. Bronner's website:

DESCRIPTION:Our most popular fragrance. The peppermint essential oil tingles the body and clears the mind. Because therapeutically peppermint oil is a mild stimulant it increases vitality and clarity. All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Wrapped in 10% hemp-flax / 90% post-consumer recycled paper from Living Tree Paper Co.

INGREDIENTS:

Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Palm Oil*, Sodium Hydroxide**, Water, Mentha Arvensis*, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil*, Salt, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

* CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS

** None remains after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin

Summer Skin Nutrition: Watermelon

Watermelon has beneficial effects on the body's fluid balance, helping prevent water retention and promoting well-hydrated skin. It supports the body in shedding excess fluid, which is often held in the face, hands, ankles and feet. Watermelon is 92 percent water and 6 percent sugar, stays well diluted, does not negatively affect blood sugar levels and helps pull watter into the cells. The bright red color of the flesh is due to the watermelon's high levels of the carotenoid antioxidants beta-carotene and lycopene, which help protect skin from the damage caused by the sun's ultravoilet rays. Its diuretic effects help clean out the kidneys, thus supporting revitalizing detoxification. Eat slices of watermelon to cool down on a hot day, or make juice by scooping out the seeds and blending the flesh.

Source: LNE & Spa June 2011

Summer Skin Nutrition: Red Bell Peppers

The color of the red bell pepper comes from the antioxidant carotenoid lycopene, just one of the nutrients that distinguishes them from green bell peppers. It also has twice the vitamin C and about nine time the carotene as thier green counterpart. Its rich vitamin A content helps stop the damage to skin from ultraviolet light, which can appear in the form of wrinkles and age spots. The folate, needed for cell growth and skin renewal, keeps skin looking young. The red bell pepper's fat-soluble carotenoid needs oil to carry it into the body, so eating it with olive oil will double its health benefit and optimize its absorption.

(source: LNE & Spa June 2011)