The weather has finally made the transition from winter to spring here in Knoxville, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the warmth.

While we love the change in weather, our skin doesn’t always reciprocate the feeling. We have some tips today to easily take your skin from dull to fresh.

- Simplify your skincare. Throw away your thick, winter moisturizers and opt for a light lotion with SPF 30+. Look for gentle yet effective cleansers that target your trouble areas (acne, anti-aging).

- Exfoliate. Cell turnover slows during the winter, causing your skin to look dull. Increase the cell turnover and brighten up your skin by exfoliating at least four times a week.

- Update your makeup. Substitute heavy foundation for light, tinted moisturizer. You still get coverage but it lets your skin breathe. Also, use cream shadows and blush to play up your features.

Now go outside and enjoy this weather with your spring-ready skin!

If you need more serious help with skin issues or something else that is troubling your skin, we are here to help. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.

It’s well-known that once you’ve had chickenpox, you can’t get it again. What’s not as well-known, however, is that the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster, stays dormant in your nervous system for the rest of your life. The virus can then reactivate years later as shingles, often without warning.

The first sign that you may be suffering from shingles is an intense pain, often associated with a burning sensation, on one side of your abdomen. This pain will then be followed by a red rash and fluid-filled blisters a few days later. This rash is generally an individual strip down your side. Although rare, people may also experience a fever, headache and fatigue.
Shingles is contagious, but only to those who have never had chickenpox. If they come in contact with someone suffering from shingles, they can catch it and develop chickenpox. As long as your shingles rash is forming new blisters, you are contagious.

Most cases of shingles occur in people over 50 years of age, but there are other factors that can put you at greater risk. If you have any diseases or take medication that weaken your immune system, receive treatment for cancer or are taking a steroid regimen, you are more likely to develop shingles.

Currently, there is no cure for shingles. However, the use of antiviral drugs, if issued quickly after the appearance of symptoms, can help heal the rash more quickly and reduce your risk of complications.

If you need more serious help with skin issues or something else that is troubling your skin, we are here to help. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the feet. The fungus which causes athlete’s foot thrives in moist, warm places, such as showers, gyms and around swimming pools. Since these are places that athletes frequent, they are exposed to the fungus more than the general population, hence the name athlete’s foot.

It is very contagious and can be spread by touching the affected area on a person who has the fungus. The symptoms of athlete’s foot vary, but can include any combination of the following: peeling, cracking and scaling of the feet; redness or blisters; and itching and burning.

Some cases of athlete’s foot can become severe. If you experience the previously listed symptoms at extreme measures (i.e. scratching your feet is causing them to bleed), or if you develop a fever, you should see a dermatologist immediately as these can be a sign of a bacterial infection.

Athlete’s foot can be prevented by practicing good hygiene with your feet. This means keeping feet dry and clean whenever possible. It is also advised that your feet be covered or protected when you are in places that are likely to have the fungus. Wearing sandals in communal showers, such as those at gyms, and wearing socks when walking on floors where a lot of people tread barefoot are other ways to keep from getting athlete’s foot in the first place.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Visit with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential. Schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group today at 865-690-9467.

It is never too late to slow the progression of aging and prevent further damage. In your 50s and above, cell turnover is very slow and the skin has trouble holding moisture. Dryness is a top problem in aging skin, as it magnifies lines and wrinkles. We have a few tips for taking care of your skin in your 50s and older.

It is important to keep up with the same skincare routine that you had in your 30s and 40s, although now you might be introduced to more permanent damage. Spider veins, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer are common skin woes that occur as you age. These need professional care and sometimes need lasers or surgery.

Hormonal changes are also a culprit in the skin’s aging process. Menopause can cause loss of skin elasticity and increase in the dullness of skin for women. There are many creams, serums and other products to help reduce the appearance of aging. Talk to your local dermatologist about what is best for your skin.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Visit with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential. Schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group today at 865-690-9467.

Travel can take a toll and put additional stress on our nerves, but it can also take a toll on our skin health. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, skin care should not be neglected; therefore, it is important to get familiar with the impact of travel on skin and how to be proactive while on-the-go.

Beginning your Skin Care Itinerary
Whether your journey is by air, road or rail, it is certain that your skin undergoes changes proving the negative impact of your travel on it. There are many causes that contribute to these negative effects on the skin, in particular the facial skin.  Thus, since the face is exposed to different temperatures in different places, it is of the utmost importance to construct a skincare plan before departing.

Tips While Traveling
= Get skin in “good shape” by practicing a daily skin care routine of washing, exfoliating and moisturizing.
= Drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.
= Practice relaxation and breathing exercises to handle stress you may feel.
= Wash your face before getting to your place of departure.
= Avoid wearing makeup if possible. Since it is recommended to moisturize during transit, having makeup on may clog pores and cause a breakout.
= Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! The air systems on planes and even trains can be very dry due to the lack of humidity and cabin pressure, therefore consider packing a moisturizing facial mist. These are ideal since you do not have to leave your seat to re-moisturize your face every hour or so.
= Drink MORE water and avoid coffee, alcohol and salt. Teas are also great to drink!

Finally, prepare yourself in advance and take a proper supply of the cosmetics you plan to use. However, if you are flying, keep in mind the airline size restriction.  Make sure you have a one-quart Zip Lock bag and that none of the products inside are over 3.4 ounces.  When packing this bag, make sure to include the two main skin care products:
= Cleanser: Air travel is drying to skin, so choose a non-foaming cleanser or cleansing milk that will not strip needed fats from the skin.  Cleansing wipes are also a good choice.
= Sunscreen/Moisturizer: Sunscreen should be used regardless of climate conditions. A combination of sunscreen/moisturizer will work for most skin types.

Observe Climatic Conditions
It is important to have an idea on the climate conditions of your travel destination in order to take the appropriate skin care products. Cold mountain air will affect your skin differently than the moist salty air at a tropical beach. If you are in a cooler climate, consider bringing a thicker moisturizer and night cream.
If it is a warmer location, you should have sunscreen (with appropriate sun protection factor) to fight the aging effects of UV rays. Additionally, lips can dry and chap in any kind of weather.  It is advisable to avoid wearing longer lasting lipsticks. Moreover, pack medicated lip balm and apply it regularly- even over lipstick to keep lips moisturized and healthy.

Furthermore, bring your own shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers as the ones provided in hotels/resorts may cause a reaction with your skin.  Although it is nice to receive a free bottle of lotion or soap, sometimes these samples are new and untested and can cause breakouts. Therefore, bring a travel sample of your lotion, facial cleanser and body wash to be safe.

Traveling anywhere can be a dirty experience. Therefore, if you choose to carry hand sanitizer make sure it contains aloe or other moisturizing ingredients. Moreover, use a moisturizing hand lotion or cream afterward to help avoid drying hands out (also occurs with hard water or harsh soap).

Undoubtedly, it is difficult to avoid disrupting our normal routine when traveling. Whether it is our diet, exercise regime or sleeping pattern, keeping ‘consistent’ is a challenge, but a worthy one. Our team of skin care professionals at Knoxville Dermatology Group and Medi-Spa at Knoxville Dermatology Group urge you to take this information and stay motivated about skin care wherever you may find yourself traveling this summer.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.

For many adults, acne has become a growing pain that continues to grow with them. In fact, “…there appears to be an increase in post-adolescent acne, and that the disease is lasting longer and is requiring treatment well into the mid forties,” according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Regardless of what age you are coping with acne, the physicians of Knoxville Dermatology Group can help.

Adult acne affects 25% of adult men and half of all adult women at some time in their adult lives. These statistics may not be surprising, especially since dermatologists are seeing more patients in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond with this condition. Dermatologists call acne that does not clear by one’s mid-20s, persistent acne.  Most common in women, this acne tends to form on the lower face around the mouth and jaw line. Late-onset acne can occur when people who have not had acne for years. People can develop deep-seated, inflamed pimples and nodules, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Causes of Adult Acne
Acne develops when excess sebum (oil that our bodies produce naturally), skin cells, and bacteria build up. The triggers of adult acne are wide, but often relate to hormones, cosmetics, and stress.  Here are several causes:

• Family history- Researchers have found that half of adults with acne share the condition with a first-degree relative. Some people have a genetic predisposition to acne.
• Stress- The body responds to stress by producing more androgens, hormones that can cause flare-ups.
• Hormones- Acne flares up any time hormones fluctuate. In particular, hormones related to premenstrual flares can cause skin problems for women. Moreover, acne becomes problematic during menopause.
• Taking/ Discontinuing certain medications- Acne can occur as a side effect of medications.  These include anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, and sobriety drugs.  If you experience a flare-up as a result of a medication, discuss alternative medications with your doctor. Furthermore, birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin often help control acne.
• Hair and Skin Products- If a product used for hair and/or skin is heavy or greasy, then it can cause acne cosmetica. Dermatologists recommend products labeled “non-comedogenic” or “non-acnegenic.”

Treatment of Adult Acne
There is a never ending list of acne-fighting products on the market, and it can be overwhelming. But the best solution for adult acne cannot be bought; it is the advice from your dermatologist. Upon visiting the dermatologist, he or she can assess your skin and design a customized routine, including recommended skin products to combat your condition.

Knoxville Dermatology Group understands that not all acne is the same; but the difficulty of treating them is common. Schedule a consultation today with one of our board certified physicians to learn more about your condition and continue your adulthood with healthy, clear skin!