Category: Skin

How to use Vaseline or paw paw ointment for dryness and cuts

Vaseline used to be in every family’s bathroom cupboard, and was used for everything from cuts and scrapes to dry skin. The reason Vaseline works so well and was so popular, is because it creates a barrier between the outside world and the skin, trapping moisture in, and keeping germs and dirt out. This can be great for chapped lips, cracked elbows, and cuts and scrapes.

Petroleum jelly is the core substance in Vaseline, and is also present in many commercial paw paw ointments. While we may be a little leery of anything containing things from petroleum, remember it’s not a bad thing, just a tool that we use for many different applications. Petroleum jelly is a very benign substance on the skin and won’t irritate, unlike many other products.

You can use any type of petroleum jelly product of your choice for:

Dry skin – lips, eyelids, elbows, apply after skin has been wet to trap in moisture.

Cuts and scrapes – minor wounds can be helped along in their healing by applying some petroleum jelly to create a barrier, and keep a scab soft. This is particularly useful for areas where a dry, tight scab will crack open with movement, like elbows and knees.

Chafing – if you have areas of skin that are rubbing together and causing irritation to your skin, apply petroleum jelly or paw paw ointment to the affected area.

Nappy rash – nappy rash appears when the barrier layer of the skin is broken. Petroleum jelly can act as a barrier, keeping moisture in and bacteria out.

Nail cuticles – if you get regular nail treatments, rub some petroleum jelly into your cuticles between appointments to keep nails strong and your cuticles healthy. Apply to recently-damp nails.

If you are having trouble with your skin or nails that can’t be solved with a little petroleum jelly, we are here to help.

We are expert dermatologists.
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April 25, 2018
How skin works – goosebumps

Goosebumps are a way for our bodies to keep heat in when we are in a cold environment, but they also serve other purposes – if you’ve ever been scared and gotten goosebumps, you’ll know the feeling.

These tiny little bumps are the muscles at the base of our hair follicles contracting to raise the hair and close the follicle. This stops heat escaping, but also protrudes the hair into the environment maybe for sensory reasons or when we used to have more body hair, to make us look bigger to a predator.

If there is no hair in the follicle, the action still exists, for example if you wax your legs or arms, you can still get goosebumps.

Read How skin works – the layers

Some people respond to nails down a blackboard with goosebumps, when listening to evocative music, or experiencing certain positive feelings. Some people are able to get goosebumps on purpose, with the most common area to get goosebumps being the forearms, but the neck, legs and other areas of skin with hair on them react too. A classic is ‘the hair stood up on the back of my neck’ when something scary was just about to happen.

Goosebumps can also be a sign of disease, including epilepsy, brain tumours or a condition known as autonomic hyperreflexia. Drug withdrawal can also cause goosebumps.

The medical name for goosebumps is cutis anserina or horripilation (based on horror, as in, scared). We experience goosebumps only when we are cold, or have strong feelings – fear, euphoria or even during sex. We may get goosebumps when we are stressed, as part of our natural reflexes. This reflex is called piloerection (meaning a stiff hair), and occurs in many animals, not just humans. A wonderful example of an animal that acts like this is a porcupine, with quills raised when the porcupine feels threatened. A sea otter also has this reflex when it runs into a shark, and you may have noticed that even cats do this when they are scared.

Most birds, when plucked, share the same ‘goosebumps’ skin, and this word, or some other bird’s name or reference to, is used in many unrelated languages for the same phenomenon – Japanese, Hungarian, Spanish, Afrikaans.

Got goosebumps?
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January 25, 2018
Understanding hypoallergenic fragrance claims
Understanding claims of skincare manufacturers is a poorly regulated minefield. If you have sensitive skin or want to stay out of the way of harsh chemicals or fragrances, choosing hypoallergenic fragrances or fragrance-free products may seem like the best route, but this isn’t necessarily true. We shed some light on what hypoallergenic fragrance and fragrance-free claims may really mean.

‘Hypoallergenic fragrance’ is a term that means reduced allergy potential, but it doesn’t mean the absence of allergy, so it is often used loosely. There are some companies that have developed truly hypoallergenic fragrances, with a list available of fragrance ingredients that possess a reduced allergenic potential. These ingredients could be combined to make a nice-smelling fragrance to add to a cosmetic product, with companies like Neutrogena and Procter & Gamble often using this approach in their skincare.

Any fragrance in a product that gets rinsed off will never cause as many issues as products that are left on the skin – shorter contact time solves many of these sensitivity issues, but this leaves us with many products that stay on our skin to examine. Some people who are sensitive or allergic to fragrances may tolerate these hypoallergenic formulations, but many will not.

Problems can arise when a product claims to be fragrance-free or hypoallergenic, but in fact, is neither. This is frustrating for consumers with sensitive skin who need affordable skincare that doesn’t make problems like eczema or psoriasis worse. It can get expensive too – taking a product home, using it once and then having to throw it out because it caused more issues than it solved is an unwanted pressure on the wallet.

A scientific analysis of the top-selling moisturisers at supermarkets and big department stores (including Amazon, Target and K-Mart) found that 45 per cent of the products that claimed to be ‘fragrance-free’ contained some kind of fragrance chemical, and the majority of products (83 per cent) claiming to be ‘hypoallergenic’ contained a potentially allergenic chemical. ‘Dermatologist recommended’ was also a useless term – how many dermatologists and who are they, recommending these products? There is no more information provided.

So what’s going on?

Moisturisers are considered cosmetics and are hardly regulated. There are some labelling requirements, but companies can claim ‘trade secrets’ and not disclose ingredients, particularly in the United States. Additionally, fragrance can be added under the guise of using the chemical for a different purpose, since some chemicals can be used as stabilisers, as well as a fragrance. If the chemical is being used as a stabiliser, not a fragrance, it would be considered technically fragrance-free.

Adverse reaction reporting

Additional to the misinformation is the fact that nobody is required to report cosmetic adverse reactions, unlike medications, which have strict reporting regulations. So, nobody knows how many reactions are happening and nothing is being done to stop the misinformation.

Some examples of high numbers of allergenic ingredients on popular moisturisers:
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 35 – 3 allergenic ingredients
- CeraVe Moisturising Cream – 2 allergenic ingredients
- Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Calming Body Moisturiser – 3 allergenic ingredients
- Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter – 2 allergenic ingredients
- St. Ives Advanced Therapy Body Lotion – 5 allergenic ingredients
- Suave Smoothing – 4 allergenic ingredients
- Palmer’s Coco Butter Formula with Vitamin E – 3 allergenic ingredients
- NIVEA Smooth Daily Moisture Body Lotion – 4 allergenic ingredients
- Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Lotion with Aloe – 6 allergenic ingredients
Need good skincare advice and truly hypoallergenic products?
Talk to us.
November 16, 2017
Actinic (solar) elastosis – understanding and treatment

Actinic elastosis is a skin condition caused by solar radiation that results in a form of dermatitis. Skin looks rough, thickened and wrinkled (leathery), with a yellowish hue, and possibly papules or discolouration.

This condition most often appears in an elderly or middle-aged person with a history of long-term sun exposure, but anyone exposed to the sun or UV light over a long period of time can be affected. This might include golfers, tennis players, farmers, those living and working on boats, and those who work outside. Anyone with fair skin is at a greater risk.

Actinic = caused by light
Elastosis = fragmented elastin fibres

Why does actinic elastosis happen?

It’s believed that after extensive UV exposure, changes in the skin occur that result in new collagen fibres being crowded in with the fragmented elastin fibres, where the elastin becomes coarse, twisted, branched and dense, causing masses in the top of the skin.

It is still under debate whether the elastic material is produced as part of a degrading process, or abnormal development of new tissue, or a combination of both. There may be a two-phase process occurring whereby normal elastic fibres collect in the dermis (top layer of skin), then elastic tissue degradation occurs. There are also theories that involve immune cells releasing enzymes that breakdown the collagen and elastin, causing the actinic elastosis.

Regardless, sun exposure causes inflammation which causes the degradation process. The main risks are skin cancer development and for some people, the appearance of it is displeasing.

Treatments for actinic elastosis

Actinic elastosis is treated with topical solutions, namely chemical peels. It can also be treated with skin resurfacing treatments such as dermabrasion or microdermabrasion, and other in-clinic dermatological treatments as required.

Lasers provide an excellent option, but downtime can be a concern, since the goal is to remove the layers of skin that are causing the appearance and cancer risk. A CO2 laser will cause the most downtime (three weeks), with fractional lasers taking about one week of recovery. Chemical peels of the right depth may take two weeks to recover from. The treatments require depths to be reached beyond a normal skin treatment. Photodynamic therapy uses light plus a photosensitiser. Prescription-only topical creams may be applied for rougher skin.

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July 6, 2017
Laser treatments for xanthelasma successful

Xanthelasma is a skin condition whereby yellowish plaques occur near the inner eyelid, usually more so on the upper eyelid than the lower. Xanthelasma palpebrarum is the most common type of xanthoma of the skin.

These yellow lesions appear most often on both sides of the face, with possibly all four eyelids involved. These skin growths can be long-lasting, however a new study has revealed laser treatments may be an effective treatment for complete removal of xanthomas.

Treatment options for xanthelasma was traditionally trichloroacetic acid, but lasers have since taken over. Surgery is an option, but scarring can be a problem.

Case studies presented only a relatively small number of people with xanthelasma, however so far the laser treatment looks promising. Researchers have used several different kinds of lasers, but the CO2 and an Erbium YAG lasers have shown the most promise so far. (We have both lasers in our Melbourne clinic).

There have been over 21 studies published with different lasers, with small study groups and a lack of follow-up being issues for many of the studies. Clearance rates were complete with the CO2, argon and pulsed dye lasers, but clearance rates were lower with Nd: YAG (55 per cent) and a diode laser (48 per cent).

Xanthelasma is usually only a cosmetic problem and doesn’t mean there is something else going wrong in your body, but it can signal a cholesterol issue. Most people have just a mild case, but sometimes the lesions can become very noticeable and treatment becomes a priority for that person.

Side-effects from laser treatments included some temporary redness and swelling, with a loss of pigmentation in a third of cases. Scarring occurred less than five per cent of the time.

Talk to your cosmetic dermatologist about your xanthelasma.
We can help.
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July 6, 2017
Is your hair-straightening cream giving you acne?
Hair products are a cause of acne that is not always at front of mind in your dermatologist appointment. Anyone with frizzy hair knows the products all too well: they work like a charm, but leave an invisible greasy slime on your skin that causes blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes chronic acne.

Suspect hair products include serum, heat-styling wax, leave-in products, anti-frizz serums, heat protectants, and anything that adds shine and detangles hair by leaving a layer on the hair shaft. Hair-cuticle smoothing is the desired outcome of these products, which is achieved with grease. Acne from hair products affects men and women alike, though when women’s hair is longer, it can spread the grease further, onto the neck and around the cheeks.

What is ‘pomade acne’?

Pomade acne is a form of acne that became famous many years ago when hair products became more commonly applied. The acne appears on the forehead, temples and hairline due to the use of thick pore-clogging pomade, a type of hair product. Pomade is often made with mineral oils or petroleum jelly, which prevents your skin from being able to clean itself by blocking sebum inside hair follicles.

What to do about this form of acne?
- Use a water-based pomade
- Stop using pomade
- Avoid pomade contact with skin, applying to just the hair and not the hairline
- Stop touching your hair, then your face
- Wash your hair more frequently
- Try not to sleep with greasy hair
- Choose a hairstyle that keeps hair away from the face/hair-up styles, including while sleeping
- Change pillowcase daily if a side or tummy sleeper
- Shower and wash face at night
- Style your hair before applying make-up, then wash hands before applying make-up
- Cover your face before spraying styling sprays/hairspray
- Cover your hair loosely at night if it’s not too hot (you don’t want a scalp break-out)
Ingredients to avoid
- PVP/DMAPA acrylates
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Panthenol
- Dimethicone
- Silicone
- Quaternium-70
- Oils
- Petrolatum (mineral oil, white oil)
Got out of control acne?
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October 20, 2016
How do I treat my child’s port-wine stain birthmark?

Once kids hit their teens, you can pretty much bank on their port-wine stain birthmark becoming a source of embarrassment and shame. Most parents would prefer to avoid this, despite also wishing to confer to their children that they are beautiful just as they are. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees, particularly our kids.

To overcome this and focus on the larger challenges that will face our children throughout their teenage years, we have lasers and other wave-based devices that can shrink and fade port-wine stains.

The cause of port-wine stains

The actual cause of port-wine stains is insufficient supply of nerve fibres in that area of skin during development. These nerve fibres normally keep blood vessels small, but in these babies, the capillaries keep growing in this area. The blood fills the blood vessels, causing what looks like a stain under the skin. This is called a vascular birthmark. Port-wine stains are nobody’s fault, and could not have been prevented.

Laser and radiofrequency treatments for port-wine stains

Laser, radiofrequency or other wave-based treatments for port-wine stains can be very successful, and can work well if started early in the child’s life when the area is small. The object is usually to shrink the blood vessels, reducing their appearance or causing them to be destroyed completely, then be reabsorbed by the body.

It must be noted that these treatments doesn’t always work on port-wine stains, since everyone’s marks are different. Other technology may be used to help shrink and fade the stains, so speak to your dermatologist. It’s also possible for a treated port-wine stain to return later.

Does the lasers or radiofrequency treatments hurt?

Some treatments are more uncomfortable than others, but some are completely pain-free. Talk to your doctor about the options. Topical anaesthetic can be applied to numb the area in the case of some laser treatments. The area may swell up after the treatment, but this will resolve after about a week. Some pigmentation changes might be seen in the area, but this also usually resolves itself.

Port-wine stain removal can save your child from unnecessary embarrassment, clearing or fading the marks with a few key treatments. We have many options and lots of experience, so talk to us today.

Want to talk it over?
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October 11, 2016
What sunscreen is made of and how it works
Sun on your skin is a surefire way to accelerate the visible signs of ageing, making sunscreen one of your greatest weapons. Choosing the right sort and applying it properly, however, aren’t always at the top of our list of summertime activities. It doesn’t help that we believe that all sunscreen is created equal.

Not applying sunscreen regularly enough or properly is a major issue, but there’s more: there is some evidence to suggest that some sunscreen ingredients can interrupt your hormones. This article introduces you to sunscreen in a deeper way, with a list at the end of suspect ingredients and those considered safe.

Why do we need sunscreen anyway?

UV rays come in two forms – UVA and UVB – and we need to protect ourselves from both kinds.
- UVA is what causes us to tan (used in tanning beds)
- UVB causes redness and sunburn (causes cancer)
- Both damage the skin in different ways
- ‘Broad spectrum’ on your sunscreen label means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays, which all sunscreens (over SPF 4) are required by Australian law to do.
How does sunscreen work?

Sunscreen is not magic and it’s useful to understand how it works so you can get the most out of it. Sunscreen has ingredients in it that ‘catch’ and absorb, or reflect and scatter the UV rays before it can get to your skin cells. Some ingredients are for UVA rays and some are for UVB, and in combination, they are broad spectrum.

Sunscreen ingredients

The active ingredient in sunscreen is one of two types: an organic chemical filter or inorganic metal oxide (the white zinc you can buy). Newer sunscreens may contain organic chemical particles that actually behave more like zincs.
- Organic chemical filters: These filters absorb UV rays, and some reflect and scatter rays too.
- Physical metal oxide blockers: reflect and scatter rays (like zinc – less popular due to ‘ghosting’ on skin, making it seem whiter, despite being more effective and safer)
Sunscreen sensitivities and allergic reactions

Dermatological irritation can occur with sunscreen use due to sensitivities or even allergies, so if you are sensitive or want to double check, it can pay to do a sensitivity test on your inner arm – if you have no adverse symptoms after a day, you’re good to go. Obviously this can be inconvenient or expensive, so check with family and friends and try before you buy, avoiding suspect ingredients where possible.

Most allergenic ingredients checklist:
- Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
- Oxybenzone
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4MBC) – Denmark has banned this from all products, USA and Japan have not approved it for use
Hormone disruptors

Some chemical sunscreens are suspected of being endocrine disruptors, which means they impact hormones via absorption through the skin. This is never good, but can be problematic in those who already have disrupted hormones, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. This impact is mostly theory and based on animal studies where high amounts of ingredient were used – we would never use that much as sunscreen, at least not in one day. It doesn’t mean it can’t have a cumulative effect.

Most common suspected endocrine disruptors:
- Oxybenzone,
- Octyl methoxycinnamate,
- Homosalate and
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) – Denmark has banned this from all products, USA and Japan have not approved it for use
Ingredients considered safe and effective:
- Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S or Escalol S)
- Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M or Bisoctrizole)
Tips and tricks for saving your skin in the sun and making the most of sunscreen
- If you are going swimming at all, make sure you have a reliable water resistant sunscreen and reapply after being in the water – it does wash off.
- If you are exercising, sweat pushes the sunscreen out of your pores and drips off your body. Wipe yourself down, then reapply sunscreen.
- If you are in the sun, reapply your sunscreen every two hours religiously.
- If you are applying sunscreen to babies, only apply to small areas if necessary, and use loose clothing and shade to protect your baby’s delicate skin as the first form of protection.
- Sensitive skin and small children may do better with zinc-based metal oxide (physical blockers) sunscreens. It is more effective, less easy to wash off, and causes fewer sensitivity reactions.
- Avoid sunscreen with insect repellent if possible – some insect repellents reduce the efficacy of sunscreens by significant percentages. Reapply more frequently.
- Use enough 50+ sunscreen – between 7-9 teaspoons for an adult body.
- Don’t rub it in too hard – it is absorbed into the top layer of skin.
- Don’t forget your ears, neck, back of your hands, and tops of your feet or the bottoms of your feet if you are lying around.
- Try to avoid relying heavily on sunscreen alone – dress with a lightweight, loose-fitting physical barrier and you will find yourself unscathed at the end of the day.
Got sun damage?
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September 5, 2016