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Stress and Your Tresses – How to Keep Your Hair Healthy When You’re Feeling the Pressure 

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In honor of Stress Awareness Month, we’re taking a look at how chronic stress can influence the hair growth cycle. So, if you’re feeling anxious about your hair health, take a deep breath, pour yourself some calming herbal tea, and learn how your mood affects your mane! 

Chronic stress is literally the worst. 

Perpetual anxiety, fear, strain, and pressure affect every part of your cellular health. Stress can accelerate aging, trigger mood disorders, damage cardiovascular health, inhibit the immune response, cause metabolic disorders, impede fertility, and increase your risk of cancer. 

Long-term stress can also cause hair loss. Is there nothing that stress won’t destroy? 

Stress-Related Hair Loss: What You Need to Know 

While stress can indeed trigger hair loss, pattern baldness is not believed to be related to stress. However, recent studies from Harvard University found a link between the hair regrowth cycle and the absence of corticosterone (stress hormone) in laboratory mice. 

Stress-related hair loss occurs because of a disruption in the hair growth cycle. There are four phases in the human hair growth cycle: 

  • Anagen phase. The hair grows from beneath the skin to its maximum length in this phase. This stage can last up to six years. 
  • Catagen phase. In this transition stage, the individual hair ceases to grow and detaches from the hair follicle. 
  • Telogen phase. The stage where new hair begins to form and grow from the follicle while the existing hair is at rest. 
  • Exogen phase. The stage where the fully grown hair naturally falls out and is replaced by new hair. 

The types of hair loss associated with extreme or chronic stress are the following conditions: 

Telogen Effluvium 

Telogen Effluvium interferes with the telogen phase of hair growth. It is triggered by the onset of sudden and significant emotional or physical stress, and it causes the hair in the anagen phase to enter the telogen phase prematurely. This disruption leads to significant hair shedding before it has reached maximum growth or new hair develops in the follicle. While hair normally sheds at a rate of 100-200 hairs per day, a person with telogen effluvium will experience double the volume of daily hair loss. 

Though hair loss is sudden and sometimes dramatic, the growth cycle will continue even in the absence of treatment. However, if the cause of the stress is an undiagnosed or unmanaged medical issue like a thyroid condition or eating disorder, the condition must be treated for the hair to regrow. 

Alopecia Areata 

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the hair follicles. The resulting hair loss can be patchy or widespread. In some cases, the hair loss is temporary, while in other cases, the hair only regrows partially. 

The condition can be brought on by stress and lead to full-body hair loss in some instances. Alopecia areata can also lead to changes in hair texture and color.  

Trichotillomania 

Unlike the previous two conditions, trichotillomania is a behavioral disorder that causes a person to physically pull out their hair when they experience severe stress. If unmanaged, this condition can cause long-term follicle damage, leading to permanent hair loss. 

While the three conditions above are the most common hair loss disorders, it is also possible to experience stress-related hair loss exacerbated by other medical or genetic factors. It is important to have a thorough medical evaluation if you are experiencing sudden hair loss of any kind. 

Hair Loss Treatment 

First, you should know the likely cause of your hair loss. If your hair loss is related to a dermatologic condition, you should have a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified dermatologist before undertaking any treatment. 

If you experience stress-related hair loss, finding ways to manage your stress levels is critically important. Not only can chronic stress cause periodic hair loss, but it can also seriously damage your health and destroy your quality of life. 

Of course, stress management is far easier said than done. Everyone still has to work, fulfill personal obligations, and care for family members. Sometimes it feels impossible to take the necessary time to decompress. Plus, if you are experiencing hair loss due to stress, it’s probably caused you to feel even more stressed. It’s a vicious cycle! 

Stop. Breathe. Here are a few things you can do to restore your sense of calm. 

  • Exercise. Exercise is a fantastic healer; nearly any form of exercise can relieve symptoms of stress. Physical exertion increases the production of mood-elevating hormones, while exercise recovery lowers the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Even if traditional workouts bore you, you don’t have to do aerobics or jump on an elliptical; pretty much any exercise works. Go for a walk. Do yoga. If you like dancing, switch on upbeat music and dance around like no one’s watching! 
  • Switch off the devices. If your work phone, emails, and social media doom-scrolling keep you on edge, put your devices down. You’ll be shocked by how much better you feel. 
  • Have nutrient-rich, healthy meals. It’s not uncommon to crave salty, fatty, or sweet processed foods when stressed, but these can exacerbate persistent anxiety. Instead, treat yourself to a colorful meal filled with lean proteins and vegetables and eat it slowly and thoughtfully. This mindfulness helps you enjoy the meal and aids in proper digestion. Also, cut the caffeine. 

We also offer highly effective topical treatments designed to promote fuller, more lustrous hair. 

If stress has made your locks less than luxurious, Nutrafol Stress Adaptogen MD offers professional-grade ingredients designed to balance cortisol levels and promote hair follicle reactivity.   

If you’re experiencing stress-related hair thinning or simply noticing that your hair isn’t as thick as it once was, WestDerm’s Regrowth and Strengthen Kit offers excellent outcomes. This series of products is a highly effective, proprietary regrowth system that improves scalp health and facilitates follicular activity.   

For women experiencing hormonal hair thinning due to menopause, Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplement is engineered with concentrated ingredients that minimize menopause discomfort, reduce hair shedding, and inhibit oxidative stress. 

If you have concerns about your scalp or hair health, please don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. Please visit our information page to find a dermatology center near you. 

The 411 on Phyto-Corrective Skincare: How Our Favorite Phytoceramides Soothe Sensitive Skin

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Phytoceramides are extremely popular skincare ingredients, and it isn’t hard to see why! Phyto-corrective skincare offers highly effective moisture retention, clarification, and rejuvenation. Plus, it’s fantastic for sensitive skin. 

But what are phytoceramides, anyway? 

Benefits of Phytoceramides 

Human skin cells are surrounded by ceramides, long-chain fatty acids that maintain a moisture-retaining barrier and influence cell growth. Approximately 50% of the lipids in the skin barrier are ceramides. 

Not only does the ceramide barrier help skin stay appropriately hydrated, but it also protects the body from environmental irritants, pathogens, and toxins. 

Unfortunately, ceramide levels begin to decline as we age, causing our skin to become drier, more sensitive to irritants, and susceptible to inflammation and redness. Using topical ceramide products has been shown to replenish the skin barrier and even facilitate the production of more ceramides. Ceramides have been shown to offer the following benefits: 

  • Skin rejuvenation. Because ceramides help the skin retain water, the skin appears plumper and smoother. Moreover, ceramides improve hyperpigmentation, enhancing skin radiance. 
  • Manages breakouts. Sensitive skin that is prone to inflammation and breakouts could benefit from a boost of ceramides. When the skin barrier becomes damaged, the skin becomes more reactive and susceptible to acne flare-ups. Ceramides can help repair and protect the skin barrier, making the skin less reactive. 
  • Repairs UV damage. A healthy skin barrier can filter approximately 70% of UVB rays. Because ceramides can effectively repair the skin barrier, SPF products enhanced with ceramides have demonstrated significant UV-filtering efficacy. When used with a moisturizing sunscreen, ceramides can offer extremely effective protection to the skin barrier. 

Numerous skin care products contain ceramides, which can be naturally derived or synthetic. When ceramides are entirely plant-based, they are known as phytoceramides (the prefix “phyto” is from the Greek word phyein, which means “to grow”).

Phytoceramides are an excellent option because they don’t use animal-derived ingredients, making them accessible to people who cannot use animal products. 

People with sensitive skin can benefit tremendously from Phyto-corrective skincare. Here are a few of our favorite phytoceramide skincare products for soothing and revitalizing sensitive skin. 

Sensitive Skin with Redness and Inflammation 

If you’re experiencing inflammation after a cosmetic procedure (laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, or another minimally invasive rejuvenation treatment), phytoceramide products could help reduce redness and sensitivity while supporting cellular regrowth. 

SkinCeuticals Phyto-Corrective Masque is a calming botanical face mask that hydrates and eases reactive skin. This corrective facial mask is instantly cooling — it reduces the skin’s surface temperature by 5°F — and is excellent for addressing post-procedure reactivity. Moreover, it reduces skin sensitivity and provides a boost of potent botanical extracts, a soothing dipeptide, and volumizing hyaluronic acid. 

Another fantastic product for combatting redness is WestDerm Botanical Calming & Correcting serum. This concentrated product is perfect for highly sensitized and reactive skin, offering abundant antioxidant benefits that minimize inflammation, protect against free radical damage, and relieve discomfort. 

Sensitive Oily and Acne-Prone Skin 

Very often, those of us with oily skin will attribute inflammation and acne flare-ups to excess oil production, leading to over-correction with skin-drying products that make acne worse. SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment is an excellent option for people experiencing simultaneous breakouts, oiliness, and irritation. This oil-reducing, lightweight, and calming moisturizer not only provides a hefty dose of hydration, it also clarifies the pores and accelerates healing, clearing up existing acne and preventing new breakouts. 

Another fantastic lightweight product for oily and combination skin is  SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist. This soothing and hydrating facial mist can be applied whenever you need a dose of moisture. This fabulous mist can even be applied over makeup! 

Sensitive Skin with Hyperpigmentation/Discoloration 

The appearance of sun damage-related skin discoloration can be effectively reduced by repairing the skin barrier and accelerating skin cell turnover. The WestDerm IPL Botanical Serum and Antioxidant Sunscreen bundle provides a potent boost of free radical-fighting phytoceramides, antioxidant botanicals, and intensive UV protection. This skincare system is highly effective for addressing post-treatment inflammation and redness. 

Another great product for correcting uneven skin tone is SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel, a calming gel formulation that improves skin texture and volume while inhibiting the processes that cause hyperpigmentation. This product was engineered to promote healing, containing ingredients like anti-inflammatory eucalyptus and hydrating hyaluronic acid. With calming botanical ingredients like mulberry that target discoloration, this restorative gel is excellent for all skin types. 

While phytoceramides deliver stellar results for multiple skin conditions, it’s still important to see a qualified dermatologist who can recommend an effective skincare routine for your skin type, lifestyle, and goals. Please visit our information page to find a dermatology center near you. 

Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale – Bang-on or Bunk-off? Understanding Your Skin Cancer Risk

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Skin cancer is a concern everyone should share, regardless of skin type, texture, or tone. However, certain skin types might be especially susceptible to skin cancer development, and it would be helpful to assess risk on an individual basis. The Fitzpatrick skin typing test is a scale most dermatologists at least reference when determining a patient’s skin cancer risk. But is it accurate, and should we use it ourselves? 

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ll take a closer look at the dermatological tool with a name from the Emerald Isle. 

What Is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale? 

The Fitzpatrick phototype test is a system developed by Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick in the early 1970s to measure a patient’s sensitivity to ultraviolet light treatment for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Since its development, it has been used to predict a person’s vulnerability to skin cancer based on skin pigmentation and eye color. 

According to the scale, the likelihood of developing skin cancer decreases as skin tone deepens. So, a person with extremely fair skin that is incapable of tanning is at the highest risk for skin cancer, while a person with extremely deep skin tones is at the lowest risk. 

The system also involves taking a quiz that is meant to determine photosensitivity by reporting your skin’s response to sun exposure. The resulting score – from zero to over 40, depending upon the number of questions — predicts your skin cancer risk. The lower your score, the higher your risk, according to the scale. 

There are six skin tones depicted on the Fitzpatrick scale: 

  • Type 1 (0-6 score): This is the palest category of skin tones. This type never tans, only burns. Blue eyes; blonde or red hair. 
  • Type 2 (7-13 score): This is also a pale skin tone, but it is capable of tanning lightly, though it will burn easily. Blue, green, or hazel eyes; light brown, blonde, or red hair. 
  • Type 3 (14-20 score): Fair skin tone that mainly tans and sometimes burns. Any eye or hair color can be a type 3.   
  • Type 4 (21-27 score): Naturally olive skin tone that tans easily and deeply and only burns after heavy direct sun exposure. Hair is brown or black; eyes are brown. 
  • Type 5 (28-34 score): Brown skin tone that never burns and tans very easily. Hair is brown or black; eyes are dark brown. 
  • Type 6 (35+ score): Deepest brown-to-black skin tone. Hair is black; eyes black or dark brown. 

(Fun fact – emojis featuring different skin tones were modeled after the pictorial skin tone representations in the Fitzpatrick scale!) 

How Accurate Is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale? 

The Fitzpatrick skin test was developed by a dermatologist to be used by dermatologists. People undergoing laser treatments for skin disorders or cosmetic purposes must be assessed for UV sensitivity so that the treatment can be administered safely and effectively. However, anyone can take a Fitzpatrick skin test online and draw accurate or less-than-accurate conclusions. 

For people with paler skin tones – type 3 or higher – the Fitzpatrick scale can be a good indicator of photosensitivity and skin cancer risk, but mainly because it is simply better to err on the side of caution when it comes to skin cancer protection. If you have pale skin, the Fitzpatrick test results will likely encourage you to be proactive about skin checks and sunscreen. 

However, the results are a bit more complex for people with darker skin tones. While the scale accounts for multiple eye and hair colors for people with type 3 skin, the test presupposes blue/green eyes for palest skin and brown hair and eyes for anyone with deeper skin tones, which can complicate self-reporting. If you have brown eyes and extremely pale skin, what is your risk? 

Additionally, not everyone with dark skin recognizes sunburn or sunburn potential because redness and color changes might not be noticeable. This deficiency in the test can have serious medical consequences for people with darker skin, many of whom erroneously believe that they are naturally not at risk for skin cancer. 

While contemporary research is increasingly concerned about the limitations of the Fitzpatrick scale for skin cancer risk self-assessment, there are clinical applications where the scale might not be ideal. 

A survey conducted in 2019 by researchers from the Howard University College of Medicine found that 31% of 140 practicing board-certified dermatologists and dermatology trainees used the Fitzpatrick test as a medium to describe their patients’ ethnicity or race, not just skin tone. While there are broad interrelationships between skin color and race or ethnicity, nuances can easily be ignored, leading to suboptimal clinical outcomes. 

How Can I Learn My Risk for Skin Cancer? 

While the Fitzpatrick skin test might not be entirely adequate to determine everyone’s skin cancer risk, it is still worth taking if you have concerns about your skin health. However, you should follow up on your self-assessment by scheduling an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. 

Regardless of your skin tone, race, ethnicity, history of sunburns, or age, the best way to learn your risk for skin cancer is to have a dermatologist perform a skin check. This procedure will immediately alert you to any abnormalities so that you can address them early, when the chances of complete recovery are highest. 

To find a dermatologist near you, please visit our information page today! 

Sneaky Sun Damage: How to Protect Yourself in Winter

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Even though we’re all bundled up during the frigid winter months, we might still be susceptible to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.

In cold weather, the sun’s warmth is conspicuously absent, making us think that sun protection is less urgent than in warm weather. However, the sun’s ultraviolet rays, irrespective of the heat we might or might not feel, cause sun damage and skin cancer.

Unfortunately, because we don’t feel the direct heat of the sun during the winter the way we do during the spring and summer, we might not be as vigilant about sunscreen during winter activities. We might not even realize we’re spending much time outdoors! But many of us do spend our winters outside in ways that might not register as putting us at risk of skin cancer. Here are a few common winter activities that require sun protection.

Outdoor/Yard Work

We like to think of wintertime as being the season of staying cozily indoors by the warmth of a welcoming fire. However, with winter comes shoveling snow, clearing debris from the exterior of our homes, scraping ice off of windows, and other activities that force us to leave the comfort of our homes. And because we’re not exactly basking in the sun while we’re shoveling snow, it might not occur to us to slather on the sun protection beforehand.

Always apply sunscreen before spending time outside during winter, especially while performing activities that could work up a sweat. If you plan on spending a Saturday afternoon clearing snow from your yard, apply a good, water-resistant sunblock like WestDerm Water Resistant Liquid Mineral SPF 50+ (Sheer Mineral Sunscreen).

Skiing/Snowboarding

If you’re heading out to the slopes, don’t forget to pack UV-protecting eyewear and plenty of sunscreen! Winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, or just being outdoors with a warm mulled cider can put you at significant risk of sun damage. In fact, your risk of sunburn while skiing might be greater than it is on the beach in summer.

Because snow reflects UV radiation extremely efficiently, any skin that is exposed while outside is at high risk of sunburn and long-term sun damage. Moreover, the higher elevation means the atmosphere is thinner, and the UV radiation is even stronger than at sea level. Wearing sun protection for the skin and eyes is critical to preventing issues like accelerated aging, skin cancer, and eye diseases like macular degeneration.

Driving

If you do a lot of driving in snowy conditions, you could be at risk for significant sun damage, particularly if you drive an older car with non-UV-protecting windows. Even if your windows do protect against UVA rays, most vehicles’ rear and side windows do not offer UVB protection, which can lead to skin aging and cancers.

Always wear sunscreen before any road trips, and keep UV-protecting eyewear in your car to protect your vision, too.

 

Cycling/Surfing/Hiking

Wintertime might be cloudier, but the sun’s UV rays are just as damaging. If you plan on spending your winter participating in any outdoor activities – particularly at higher elevations – you still need every bit as much sun protection as you would during the warmer months.

Not only can you get a sunburn, but you can also get significant windburn, which breaks down your skin’s protective barrier, leaving you more vulnerable to sun damage.

Before heading out to the trails, mountains, or beach, apply a generous layer of sunscreen designed to withstand harsh outdoor elements. It’s also a good idea to carry additional sunscreen with you so that you can re-apply your sun protection throughout the day. A great on-the-go product is EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+. It’s a broad-spectrum formula designed to be applied and re-applied easily. It’s also TSA-compliant, so it’s a great product to pack if you’re headed on a winter break.

Having periodic skin checks by a board-certified dermatologist is one of the most important strategies for preventing skin cancer. To find a qualified dermatologist near you, please visit our information page today.

Integrating Skin Cancer Protection into Your Routine

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Most of us wouldn’t forget to put on clothes before leaving the house. (Hopefully!)

In addition to being stylish and preserving our modesty, clothing acts as an environmental protectant against a variety of elements, including the sun. However, while we’re pretty vigilant about at least putting on pants and a shirt before leaving the house (at least in winter!), not all of us reliably apply sun protection to the areas of our bodies that remain uncovered.

Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Cancer Society reports that approximately 5.4 million cases of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed every year. Between 78,000 and 100,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed yearly.

Sun protection can be the difference between clear, healthy skin and premature aging, dark spots, and a skin cancer diagnosis. If you forget to apply sunscreen in the mornings, here are a few tips that can help make it an automatic part of your daily routine.

Keep a bottle of sunscreen in the shower.

Sounds crazy, right? But how often do you remember to apply sunscreen to your ears and scalp?

Have a bottle of sunscreen in your shower caddy to remind you to put sunscreen on any exposed body parts that you don’t typically think about during the day. After your shower, blot yourself dry with a towel, then massage an even layer of sunscreen over the parts of your body that aren’t covered by clothes. These areas might include the following:

  • Ears
  • Scalp
  • Back of your neck
  • Forearms
  • Legs and feet

While you might not require extra sun protection on your upper or lower body during winter, this is still a good routine to follow in the summer months when more skin is exposed to the elements. Apply sunscreen generously to towel-dried skin and allow it to absorb as you complete the rest of your morning ritual.

Make sure your clothing is UPF-rated.

One of the most effective guards against sun damage is clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). While you might think your regular clothes offer a sufficient shield against the sun’s burning rays, many seemingly heavy garments aren’t woven tightly enough to filter out ultraviolet energy. Clothing with a UPF label is specifically designed to protect the skin from the sun while still being breathable.

Carry lip protection with SPF.

During the winter, a good lip balm is essential to keeping your lips moist, comfortable, and healthy. A good SPF lip balm also protects against lip damage that causes cancer.

Skin cancer of the lips is the most common form of oral cancer. Although the sunscreen you apply to your face should also include your lips, sunscreen wears off of the mouth area because we eat and drink throughout the day. Always reapply your lip balm after eating, drinking, or whenever your lips feel a little dry. Make sure to have a container of your favorite lip balm in your car, your desk at work, your purse, or your pocket at all times. (You can even buy keychains designed to hold your lip balm!)

Find a good sunscreen multitasker.

Even if you are fairly vigilant about skincare, sometimes it’s hard to know whether your sun protection is working towards your other skincare goals. The right sunscreen will offer more than just sun protection – there should be additional skin-nourishing ingredients, too. Here are a few products that support overall healthy and beautiful skin, regardless of skin type.

Skin Pigment Protection: IPL Bundle Pigment Correcting Serum & Sunscreen offers powerful sun protection and a healthy dose of pigment-correcting ingredients that target dark spots and other skin discoloration.

Antioxidant Support: WestDerm Water Resistant Liquid Mineral SPF 50+ (Sheer Mineral Sunscreen) is a great tool for boosting your skin’s natural restorative response. Full of green tea polyphenols, this sunscreen facilitates cell regeneration and has been shown to act as a guard against damaging cell inflammation.

Oil Control: For those with oily skin, sunscreen can feel like an added layer of pore-clogging, dulling grease. Not so with WestDerm Mattifying Mineral Tinted SPF 30 (Tinted Physical Sunscreen)! This lightweight product is an excellent option for people with overactive oil glands, featuring effective oil control and a multi-shade tint that lets you streamline your skincare routine while still retaining a fresh, smooth, and even glow.

Sensitive Skin Support: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is an excellent option for managing conditions like rosacea and acne. This gentle formula is fragrance-free and lightweight, helping to soothe and protect inflammation-prone, sensitive skin.

Having periodic skin checks is also essential to keeping your skin healthy and protected. To schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist, please visit our information page to find a clinic near you.