Daily use of sunscreen products with at least an SPF 15 and antioxidants along with protective clothing such as hats, long sleeved shirts, reduce the skin aging and the possibility of skin cancer. Facial skin care should also be of concern and sunglasses should be worn while outside. This will protect the eyelids from aging and will help reduce crows feet by reducing the squinting which comes from sun exposure without eye protection!

Best wishes from Brazil,

Dr. Érica Monteiro - Cosmetic Dermatologist
www.dermatologia.com.br

Chemical peels or chemexfoliation are a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin. In this procedure, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which causes it peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.

Chemical peel uses a chemical solution as: phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), retinoic acid (RA), Jessner solution and others. The formulation used may be adjusted to each patient’s needs.

Glycolic acid, retinoic acid and Jessner’s peels result in superficial skin injury and are well tolerated. They remove thin lesions on the skin surface, reducing pigment.

Trichloracetic acid (TCA) concentration usually is 20 to 35%. The treatment is painful and treated areas are swollen, red and crusted for the next week or so. It can lead to an impressive improvement in skin texture with a reduction in blotchy pigmentation, freckling and keratoses.

Phenol results in deep skin injury. It is not often used nowadays because of the risk of scarring and because of its toxicity.

All chemical peels carry some uncertainty and risk Chemical peel is normally a safe procedure when it is performed by a qualified, experienced dermatologist. However, some unpredictability and risks such as infection and scarring, while infrequent, are possible.

Fine wrinkling can be reduced, brown marks, freckles and pigmentation can be removed or lessened.

Antibiotics and oral antiviral agents may be recommended after deeper peels. Superficial peels result in mild facial redness and occasional swelling which usually resolve within 48 hours. The peeling is similar to sunburn. Most people can continue their normal activities. Make-up can be applied a few hours after the procedure. Moderate depth peels result in intense inflammation and swelling, which resolve within a week. The peeling is more marked. Mild redness can persist for several weeks. Most people take a week off from work after a moderate depth peel.

Best wishes from Brazil!

Dr. Érica Monteiro - Cosmetic Dermatologist
www.dermatologia.com.br

Getting a manicure or pedicure puts you at risk for developing skin problems as allergy from the glues or some of the chemicals or developing a skin infection. Here are some tips to prevent problems:
- You must make sure that the place is licensed.
- You can ask questions to the staff as far as how their instruments are cleaned or what type of chemicals are used.
- I recommend delay a visit to the salon if you have a cut or an injury near the nail.
- Cuticles are there to protect you, so cutting the cuticles is a no-no.
- You might even want to bring your own instruments to the salon to avoid infections.
- If you observe any problem on your nails, be sure to see your dermatologist.

Best wishes from Brazil,

Dr. Érica Monteiro
www.dermatologia.com.br

The Fitzpatrick´s skin type focus tanning ability. It has VI types:

Type I: Pale white skin, blue/hazel eyes, blond/red hair. Always burns, does not tan.
Type II: Fair skin, blue eyes. Burns easily, tans poorly.
Type III:Darker white skin. Tans after initial burn.
Type IV:Light brown skin. Burns minimally, tans easily.
Type V: Brown skin. Rarely burns, tans darkly easily.
Type VI: Black skin. Never burns, always tans darkly.

It is very important to protect skin from the sun damaging because exposure to ultraviolet radiation contributes to ageing skin and is the main cause of skin cancer. The pale skin people may need to take particular care because of photodamage.

The point is: no matter what the weather, or what you are doing, protect your skin. Take particular care in summer and make sure your children are appropriately protected as well as yourself. You must protect your skin in the winter.

Best wishes fro Brazil!

Dr. Érica Monteiro - Dermatologist
www.dermatologia.com.br

Infant Skin

The skin of a newborn is not fully formed or functional. It is thin and it is not a good protective barrier. The swet glands, oil glands and hair follicules also may not be fully developed. The infant skin is more delicate and more easily harmed by things that come in contact with it. Avoid sun exposure, even moderate exposure may cause a severe sunburn. Chemicals, medication or other products can easily penetrate the skin causing sensibilization.
I recomend moisturise the skin everyday using appropriate cream.

Best wishes from Brazil!

Dr Érica Monteiro
www.dermatologia.com.br

More men are interested in taking care of their skin and male skin care has undergone significant development over the past decade, with many companies now marketing skin care products directly to the male consumer. Beyond the world of shaving their faces, it is rare for a man to dedicated a few hours to his skin. However, proper skin care is very important, the skin is the body’s first line of defense against the effects of the sun, climate, and other environmental factors such as air pollution. The skin is responsable for essential functions: body-temperature regulation, elimination of perspiration and toxins, and more. A man’s skin is approximately 20% thicker than a woman’s, and is typically firmer because it’s richer in collagen and elastin. The men’s skin tends to be much oilier because of more active sebaceous glands. A man’s skin is approximately 20% thicker than a woman’s, and is typically firmer because it’s richer in collagen and elastin. However, because of more active sebaceous glands, men’s skin tends to be much oilier. It is also more prone to dehydration because of daily or regular shaving.
In general, male skin is oilier, with larger pores, a richer blood supply, and less prone to less prone to wrinkling than women, and may require deep cleansing daily. The skin aging process is the same for men and women, but for men it occurs later and is more marked. In a man’s skin, the dermis is thicker and richer in collagen, and the epidermis is often more oily. Around the age of 40 to 50 years, the dermis layer of a man’s skin thins, and the level of collagen decreases naturally yet dramatically, causing deeper wrinkles to appear. Just as for women, men can prevent and correct the aging skin with appropriate skin care.
Skin care for men is similar to that for women. They should clean their skin every day, use a sunscreen and moisturize it. They will spend just a few minutes everyday.
Best wishes from Brazil,

Dr. Érica Monteiro
www.dermatologia.com.br

Human sweat itself is odorless until it is fermented by bacteria that thrive in hot, humid environments such as the human underarm. The armpits are among the consistently warmest areas on the surface of the human body, and sweat glands provide moisture. Underarm hair adds to the odor by providing increased surface area on which these bacteria thrive. Body odor is controlled by reducing moisture, killing bacteria or masking the bacteria’s smell with perfume. Deodorants are frequently used to reduce the body odor caused by the bacterial breakdown of perspiration. Subgroups of deodorants are “antiperspirants”, which prevent odor and reduce sweat produced by parts of the body. Antiperspirants are typically applied to the underarms, while deodorants can also be used on feet and other areas in the form of body sprays. Deodorants and antiperspirants come in many forms. What is commonly used varies in different countries. Here in Brazil, aerosol sprays and roll-on are very popular.
Best wishes from Brazil!
Dr. Érica Monteiro