Hyperhidrosis , the medical term for excessive sweating, affects around of the general population. Men and women are equally affected, with the most common occurrence in individuals aged 25 to 64 years. Because 30 ? 50 of sufferers have another family member afflicted with the condition, it's thought to imply a genetic predisposition.

Most individuals with hyperhidrosis suffer with sweaty palms, but feet, underarms and the face may also be affected. Even when the temperature is cool or the individual is at rest, sweating may occur. This can lead to emotional upset and have a serious negative impact on daily life.

It's thought that overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is the cause. Other factors including anxiety, certain foods and drinks as well as smells can trigger a response.

Hyperhidrosis Treatment  

A number of treatments are available such as:

- Antiperspirants including Hydrosal Gel and Drysol . These products contain high concentrations of aluminum chloride hexahydrate and are the most commonly used products in the treatment of  underarm sweating.
- Medication. Anticholinergics which help to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands can be effective in some patients, but they do come with side effects including dry mouth, dizziness, and urinary problems. Beta-blockers or benzodiazepines may help if anxiety is an issue.  

 - Iontophoresis. This FDA-approved procedure uses electricity to temporarily turn off the sweat gland and is most effective in the treatment of hands and feet.
Botox. Botulinum toxin is FDA approved for the treatment of severe underarm sweating. It works by temporarily blocking the nerves that stimulate sweating. It does come with side effects.  

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com and a wellness consulting practice at MidlifeBalance.com .

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common forms of eczema, affecting between 10 and 20 percent of people worldwide. It is characterized by an itchy rash that comes and goes.

The cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown and the condition appears to involve an abnormal response of the body's immune system to irritating substances. This results in an inflammatory response that causes itching and scratching. Although not contagious, it cannot be cured. The condition can be managed with treatment and avoidance of substances that trigger the condition.

Minimizing Flare-ups  

Most individuals with atopic dermatitis tend to suffer from dry skin so many of the same strategies used for managing dry skin should be applied in the management of atopic dermatitis. These include:

- Taking short, warm (not hot) baths using mild, non-irritating soaps only when needed
- Identifying and trying to avoid possible triggers. Anything that irritates the skin, whether laundry detergent, soap, smoke or rough textured clothing, may be a potential trigger. They vary amongst individuals so it's important to pay attention to learn what to avoid.
- Moisturizing. Moisturizers should be applied within 3 minutes of bathing as they work by helping to trap moisture in the skin, preventing its evaporation. Reapply as often as is needed throughout the day. Consider the use of barrier repair moisturizers such as Impruv Cream . Barrier repair moisturizers are a new type of moisturizer that not only stop moisture loss but also help to rebuild the skin. They often contain often contain ceramide, a lipid that naturally occurs in the outer layer of skin and helps the skin form a protective barrier.  

Moisturizers may also contain urea, which is part of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Urea works both as an exfoliant and as a humectant (an agent that attracts moisture). It may be found in La Roche Posay Iso Urea . Topical exfoliants such as glycolic acid and lactic acid can also be incorporated to help eliminate dry, dead skin cells from the skin's surface and increase the absorption of barrier repair moisturizers. Consider products such as Lac-Hydrin .

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com and a wellness consulting practice at MidlifeBalance.com .

An article in a recent online edition of Mercury News reports that melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has increased rapidly in the United States in recent years.

The article discusses some of the reasons for the increase including the theory that rising rates are a result of expanded screening, which catches small tumors that might otherwise go undetected. However, a study by the Northern California Cancer Center in Fremont casts doubt on this view.

Leisure Activities To Blame?  

The study, which appeared recently in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found a 3.1 percent annual rise in malignant melanoma rates among white men and women from 1992 to 2004. White people account for more than 90 percent of such cases nationwide. The fastest increases are occurring among white men over the age of 65. Such men were diagnosed with malignant melanoma at the rate of 126 cases per 100,000 people in 2004. That rate is rising by 5 percent a year, which would result in a doubling over a 20-year period. While the study didn't draw conclusions about the reasons for the increase, some experts believe leisure activities in the sun play a role.

Dr. Adil Daud, director of melanoma clinical research at University of California-San Francisco, "In that population, I do think that there's been an increased number of people who are either moving to the southern part of the United States, where there's more sun, and also playing more golf and out sailing more and hanging out by the beach more," said Daud, who was not involved in the study. "I do think that it's a genuine increase because of our lifestyle."

Melanoma can appear on the skin suddenly without warning, but it also can develop on an existing mole. It involves the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 65 to 90 percent of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light or sunlight. For that reason, always practice sun safety:

- Limit sun exposure by seeking shade, covering up and avoiding the sun during its peak intensity (between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm)
- Wear big sunglasses to protect the eyes
- Exercise precaution around water, sand and snow as they can reflect damaging UV rays and increase the chance of sunburn
- Use a broad spectrum well formulated UVA and UVB blocking sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.  

Effective formulations include Anthelios sunscreens , Keys Solar Rx sunblock and Cotz SPF 58 .  

Read the full article here.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com and a wellness consulting practice at MidlifeBalance.com .

You can’t open the newspaper without reading about our ailing economy. And most of us are looking for ways to scale back. A recent article discusses how the current state of the economy is causing some people to rethink what they‘re willing to spend on skincare.

The article quotes dermatologist Rutledge Forney cautioning us to be careful when cutting back. "What I try to do is urge people to not let go of maintenance when times are tough“, said Dr. Rutledge Forney, a dermatologist. Instead, she recommends being creative and protecting your face by wearing a hat and buying sunscreen.

Dr Forney also recommends opting to over the counter versions of skin creams if the prescription variety is too expensive. An example would be substituting retinol for retinoic acid ( green cream for Renova or Retin A).

And lastly, the dermatologist advises that individuals not put off their annual skin cancer checkup. "If you see a changing lesion on your skin, if something bleeds easily or you see a mole that changes that’s the most important thing," she said. She says that's the time to see a doctor.

If you are looking for ways to maximize your skin care dollars, then consider the following:
1. Choose quality over quantity. A good way to clear out the clutter - look for products that contain sufficient concentration of active ingredients.
2. Forgo the nice to haves. Sure, we all love to pamper ourselves, but do you really need that $65 brown sugar scrub?
3. Seek out dual purpose products. Moisturizers with SPF protection for example. Just make sure that you apply enough to ensure it works optimally.  

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com and a wellness consulting practice at MidlifeBalance.com .

First they tell us coffee’s bad for us, then they tell us it’s good...

New research has shown that individuals who regularly drink coffee or tea are less likely to develop non-melanoma skin cancers. But now, a new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, suggests that the topical application of caffeine in sunscreen or after-sun preparation minimizes or reverses the effects of UV damage on the skin.

Caffeine causes skin cells damaged by ultraviolet light to self-destruct by blocking a cellular pathway involved in regulating the cell cycle. This may explain why tea and coffee consumption is associated with lower rates of non-melanoma skin cancer.  

However, before you rush off to increase your morning intake of java, bear in mind that researchers are not suggesting that you should increase your daily caffeine intake. People are encouraged to enjoy caffeinated beverages at normal, daily rates. An increase in intake will not have a significant impact in skin cancer prevention.

Scientists are optimistic that they will be able to develop caffeine creams or ointments as in sunscreens and skin lotions to help reverse the effects of UV damage in humans and prevent certain skin cancers. When caffeine was tested on mice, the development of skin cancer was suppressed by up to 72 percent.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com and a wellness consulting practice at MidlifeBalance.com .

Scientists with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have recently shown that the oil of the milkweed seed (Asclepias syriaca) may help protect the skin against UV rays.  Native to much of North America, researchers have always focused on the potential of the plant’s silky floss as stuffing, but it’s now believed that it may also find use in the cosmetics industry.

What is useful about the milkweed plant is the oil found in the seed of the plant, which may protect against UV rays as well as deliver good moisturizing ability.  

Protection against both UVA and UVB rays

Modification of the oil has demonstrated that it offers protection against a wide spectrum of UV rays. And a researcher claims that the protection profile can also be modified. Milkweed oil was shown to offer protection up to 370nm and down to the shorter wavelength regions. It was found that protection along the lower wavelength region could be intensified. What is really exciting about the oil, it that since both the oil and the additive used to modify it are both natural, the product is biodegradable. When it eventually washes off the body it will be broken down by micro-organisms. It’s likely that the oil will be well tolerated and safe when applied to the skin since such a small amount is needed to offer UV protection.  

In addition to its UV protecting potential, the researcher found that a modified and stabilized version of the oil is a very good moisture retainer, making it possible for its inclusion as moisturizing base for skin and hair care products.

Look out for more research and the possibility of this ingredient in skin care products to come.  

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com and a wellness consulting practice at MidlifeBalance.com .