Category: Our Blog

 

The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) declared October 29th World Psoriasis Day in Canada. This day was started internationally 10 years ago as a series of events worldwide by psoriasis patients, for psoriasis patients. This year it is growing, on the heels of a World Health Organization (WHO) resolution encouraging Member States to raise awareness about the disease and to advocate against the stigma experienced by so many people who suffer from it.

Psoriasis is a disease of the immune system where up to 30% of sufferers develop psoriatic arthritis. Over 1 million Canadians have psoriasis. Many patients endure social and work-related stigma and discrimination. Those with severe psoriasis are at elevated risk for comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, Crohn’s disease, heart attack, ulcerative colitis, metabolic syndrome, stroke and liver disease.

Learn what others are doing around the globe at www.worldpsoriasisday.com.

Eczema impacts almost 20% of Canadians, yet we still have a long way to go in raising awareness about this common and life-altering condition. November is Eczema Awareness Month, and across the country, all month long, Eczema Society of Canada (ESC) will be hosting events, advocating for patients at the Family Medicine Forum, and appearing as a featured topic in media newspaper articles.

What can you do to raise awareness? Lots! You could host an educational event for family and friends, bring our Eczema School and Daycare Guideto your child’s teacher or daycare provider, or hand out our information at your child’s school.

You can also donate to ESC. You can easily and securely donate online and encourage others to do so as well. 100% of private citizen donations go directly to eczema research right here in Canada. No donation is too small!

Does the daily diet affect eczema flare-ups?

A common belief is that what you eat influences all aspects of your health and wellness – but for eczema sufferers, the relationship is much more complex.

November is Eczema Awareness Month, and the Eczema Society of Canada (ESC) is working with Dr. Miriam Weinstein, a paediatric dermatologist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Dr. Weinstein will be discussing this topic as part of the ESC’s annual “Life with Eczema” information sessions, this year held in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto.

“It is true that food allergies are more commonly found in people who suffer from eczema,” says Dr. Weinstein, “but the assumption that food allergies are a root cause of eczema isn’t always the case. Not everyone with eczema has food allergies, and what you eat may not be the cause of a flare-up.”

Managing this skin condition through diet can be challenging since symptoms may take a few days to appear, making it difficult to isolate particular foods that may be causing a reaction. Further, when followed strictly in an attempt to prevent or reduce eczema flares, elimination diets can be costly, impractical and exhausting. Dr. Weinstein notes that patients may be putting themselves at risk for significant nutritional deficiencies or illness, depending on which foods are avoided or removed altogether.

In extreme cases, sufferers who use elimination diets may make the mistake of replacing recommended therapeutic interventions – such as a bathing and moisturizing regimen, or medical treatments – with these diets.

“While someone born with blonde hair is more likely to have blue eyes, one feature does not cause the other – they are genetic traits that more commonly occur together.  The same can be said of eczema and food allergies,” says Dr. Weinstein. “There is an overwhelming amount of information available at our fingertips, but it’s important to review it with a critical eye. Trusted resources, like the Eczema Society of Canada, that are backed by medical advisors, provide credible and accurate information among a sea of myths.”

To see if an information session will be held in your community, or to learn more about the Eczema Society of Canada’s online resources, visit www.eczemahelp.ca.

 

Last week I was fortunate enough to get up on one of our clinic beds and have the Laser Genesis treatment performed on me. Although my skin isn’t in bad shape, I am prone to large pores, mild redness and, let’s be honest, I am getting a little older and the skin is not as tight or glowing as it used to be. I had heard wonderful things about the Laser Genesis, but I can be cynical until I have seen these things for myself. 

After my skin was cleansed and the settings for the laser were in place, goggles on, I waited for the treatment to start. With the laser hovering just above my skin, I could feel a mild heat that would build up in an isolated area until it got hot. Then the laser would move to a new area and repeat the same process until all the areas of my face had been treated. I felt my skin pull tighter after each area had been treated, and it felt good. There was no residual heat once an area had been heated up.

The treatment took a little longer than usual since we decided to treat my chest as well, and yet, overall I think it took about 30 minutes. After moisturizer and sunscreen were applied, I looked in the mirror, happy to see my face was mildly flushed and the skin was glowing similar to having a relaxing facial done.

The next day, I looked like I had make up on as my skin appeared so much smoother than I felt I normally looked. On Monday, when I came to work, two of my regular patients commented that my skin looked porcelain, like a doll’s. And this only a few days post treatment! I definitely have my hopes up now as to what the end result will be for my skin as I continue with another treatment or two 4-6 weeks from now.

Laser Genesis skin therapy is an innovative technologically advanced way to promote vibrant and healthy looking skin in men and women. Now you can have a youthful appearance by treating those conditions that are typically associated with premature signs of aging and sun damage, such as excessive redness and fine-line wrinkles. The Laser Genesis procedure has been scientifically proven to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by producing new collagen. When collagen is produced and lines are smoothed out, the skin will appear tighter.

Laser Genesis has been proven to diminish acne along with smoothing out acne scars and reducing redness associated with acne scars as well. The bacteria that causes acne, P. acnes, is attacked and destroyed by the laser and sebaceous glands that produce the oil are reduced.

The Laser Genesis procedure utilizes non-invasive laser technology to safely, discretely and effectively treat fine-line wrinkles, and diffuse excessive redness and scars. You can expect to see subtle yet consistent results after each treatment, without unwanted side effects such as bruising or excessive skin irritation. Treatments can be performed in a relaxed, comfortable manner without the use of topical anesthetics or gel.

By gently heating the upper dermis well below your skin’s surface, Laser Genesis stimulates collagen regrowth to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Additional heat is generated in dilated capillaries to reduce redness. Discomfort is minimal and the treatment is fairly quick, lasting only 15-30 minutes and can easily be done at lunchtime or after work. The patient may appear mildly flushed post treatment, but otherwise the skin looks refreshed and glowing.

The treatment results are often subtle; unlike surgery, it doesn’t change the character of your face (a good thing!). On average, you may require four to six treatments in order to achieve optimal results. Every patient’s condition and needs vary. For example, to tighten and refresh the skin, or reduce pore size, it may only take 1-2 treatments per year. For acne scars, active acne or a more intense level of rejuvenation, 4-6 treatments may be required.

Although most patients report few if any side effects, the most common is a slight redness that disappears within a few hours of treatment. Skin may feel tighter during the treatment, but it is a very comfortable feeling and feels like “something is happening”. Heat may be felt during the treatment, but it is minimal and very manageable, dissipating quickly. Results can be seen in as little as a few days. Skin will appear smoother, more vibrant and pores may look more refined. Results for scars will take longer to achieve but each treatment will show a compounded improvement.

~Sheri Roselle, Medical Esthetician at Toronto Dermatology Centre

 

Did you know that Dr. Benjamin Barankin and Dr. Anatoli Freiman were once again deemed “Pro-Patient Dermatologists” for having volunteered their time and energy to support the work and programs of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (www.canadianskin.ca). They were among only 21 dermatologists selected (out of approximately 565 dermatologists in Canada).

According to a study in the October 2014 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, in the U.S., incidence rates of melanoma continue to rise, with the steepest rise in men > 60 years of age and in lower socioeconomic areas. Across all ages, men have poorer melanoma survival than women.

A terrific article by Edmonton dermatologist Dr. Mariusz Sapijaszko was recently published entitled “7 Reasons to see a Dermatologist” Click here to see.

GQ recently published “How to Cheat Age in the Age of Bro-tox”, an article highlighting the rapid increase in the interest of men in looking their best. Check it out here!

Acne is a very common skin problem that affects the pilosebaceous unit (pores and the hair and oil gland found within them). Bacteria called P.acnes, sebum (oil), inflammation and the immune system, and plugging of pores all play a role in the development of acne; genetics and hormones have a huge role to play as well. Some people get blackheads and whiteheads, while others get pimples and pustules and even cysts or nodules, and many get a combination of these. Along with the appearance, acne can sometimes be itchy or sore, and can cause scarring which may not be easy to treat.

Various treatments exist for acne, from topical creams and gels, to oral antibiotics, hormonal therapy, and Accutane.  Most people with acne, regardless of severity and location, would benefit from prescription topical products. One of the newer and most effective therapies is TactuPump, formerly known as Tactuo gel. This is a combination product that has adapalene, a retinoid that helps with blackheads, whiteheads, inflammation, and fading of brown discolorations caused by acne. It also contains benzoyl peroxide, effective for inflammatory pimples and pustules. Together, this combination therapy targets most aspects of acne. Antibiotic resistance is an increasing concern for physicians and patients. TactuPump does not have an antibiotic in it, and so resistance is not an issue with long-term use of this product.  That said, deeper tender acne or hormonal acne often requires oral therapies in combination with topical prescription.  As well, there are laser treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and facials that provide varying degrees of benefit depending on type of acne. Medical esthetician can also help optimize good skin care regimen for acne.

By Dr. Anatoli Freiman