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The FDA Proposes New Rules Mandating UVA Protection
For the first time since 1999, the FDA has issued new rules that will begin taking effect in the coming year. These rules represent the first U.S standards for UVA testing and labeling; the rules would also cap advertised SPF at 50+ while banning other labeling terms altogether.
To date, a sunscreen’s efficacy is measured solely by SPF (Sun Protection Factor). SPF numbers indicate how long it will take for UVB rays to redden your skin. The higher the SPF, the longer the skin can be exposed to the sun without burning. The new FDA standards will create regulation for UVA...
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What Is Acne?
Acne is a very common problem and is the most common skin disease treated by physicians. It is an inflammatory condition of the hair follicle. It is commonly associated with hormones, the use of some medications, and may run in families. Acne is a skin condition that may cause emotional stress, impact self-image and quality of life, and cause physical scarring.
Acne affects between 40 and 50 million people each year in the United States alone. (White GM. Recent findings in the epidemiologic evidence, classification, and subtypes of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol 39 (Suppl): S34, 1998). Acne affects 75-85%...
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Learning To Be Gentle With Your Skin
If there is one thing the skin does not like, it is irritation. Irritation takes a toll on all skin types. Certainly many things can cause irritation; however, the skin tends to react the same regardless of the source. Adverse reactions to an irritant cause a variety of difficult conditions to treat. These can include redness, dry patches, breakouts, rashes, flakiness, sensitivity, and/or a reduction in the skin’s immune and healing process.
Today we see and hear products being sold containing irritating ingredients such as alcohol claiming to make our skin look instantly younger when placed over fine lines over our...
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What are Alpha Hydroxy Acids?
No other ingredient has an impact with exfoliation than the family ingredients called Alpha hydroxy acids and known for short as AHAs. Alphahydroxy acids are a family of naturally occurring acids derived from fruits and vegetables, but some actually occur in human cells. AHAs have been used over the years to help conditions such as Acneic skin, oily skin, sun damage, dryness, hyperpigmentation and for prevention. There are a variety of acids in the AHA family used in skincare products and chemical peels. These acids include lactic acid (derived from milk), tartaric acid (derived from grapes and passionfruit), malic acid...