HOW TO PREVENT BODY ODOR

HOW TO PREVENT BODY ODOR

Everyone loves the smell of a baby. But at puberty, body odor (B.O. for short) starts to become a problem, triggered by increasing level of androgen hormones. Then as we age, our body chemistry ages along with us. If you can recall the smell of your own grandparents, there’s a term for that - “old person smell.”  The good news is that most people find "old person smell" not unpleasant at all.

There are two glands responsible for body odor: the apocrine glands (located in the underarms, genitals, and around the nipples) and the eccrine glands (found mainly in the underarms, hands, and feet). These glands produce sweat that becomes fodder for skin bacteria, causing the malodor. There is a third gland, the sebaceous glands (scalp, face, and chest) that produce oil that has a light odor, with or without bacteria.

To prevent body odor, start with the basics - bathe daily, use underarm protection, and wear clean clothes that breathe. Here are some other ways to help keep you smelling fresh.

1.   Keep your underarms hair-free. Hair absorbs odors easily. Getting rid of the hair in your armpits can help reduce the amount of body odor.

2.    Watch what you eat. What you eat can affect how you smell. If you are having problems with body odor, limit your intake of garlic, onions, curry, and other spicy foods. Red meat, caffeinated drinks, and foods that contain high amounts of sugar can also increase body odor.

3.   Keep your skin dry. Bacteria like an environment with lots of moisture. It is important to dry off your skin whenever it becomes moist, whether the moisture is from taking a shower or sweating.

4.   Stay hydrated. Drinking 2 to 3 liters of water daily helps to wash out the toxins in your body. This promotes good gut health, which in turn can reduce body odor.

New NanoWhite underarm whitening cream contains
antibacterial silver to keep you fresh-smelling all day. 

5.   Change your shoes often. If foot odor is the problem, give your shoes a chance to dry inside by changing them often. Apply foot powder inside the shoes and on your feet to maintain dryness.

If the problem persists, consult a doctor. You may have a medical condition that is causing the smell. Visit any of our dermatologists to discuss your body odor issue and get a diagnosis. You might have hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes people to have excessive sweating, or a metabolic disorder that prevents your body from breaking down an amino compound.

The doctor may prescribe prescription-level antiperspirants. These can cause skin darkening and irritation. Do not use this if you have no medical issue.

Botox injection can also be prescribed to block sweat glands and eliminate excessive sweating. The effects do not last long, anywhere from 3 to 8 months. Most people may find this an expensive option.

______________________________________________________________ This was published in the November 25, 2014 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author , Fred C. Reyes, is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. 

AXILIGHT LASER FOR WHITER UNDERARMS

Axilight Laser for Whiter Underarms


Dark underarms can be very embarrassing for many women. The good news is that a series of treatments with Axilight (Q-switched Nd:YAG) laser at SkinStation will make underarms visibly fairer, with added improvement in skin tone and texture.

How does laser whitening for underarms work?
Axilight laser is pulsed repeatedly at a fraction of a second, targeting the dark melanin discoloration of the skin. The fragmented pigments are naturally eliminated by our body’s immune system over a 6 to 8 week period.

How fast can I see the result?
There will be marked improvement after the first treatment. You will probably need a few sessions, done every 4 weeks, until the desired skin tone is achieved.

Is there any discomfort during the treatment?
The feeling is often described as “mildly tickly” when laser beams touch the skin. If you smell something burning, it’s not your skin. It’s the underarm hair.

At SkinStation, a female doctor does the treatment, in your own private cubicle (who would want a ward type set up?), to keep you at ease as the area to be treated is perceived to be private by most patients.

Are there other side effects?
Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has one of the highest safety profile. There may be some pinpoint redness, itchiness, and mild swelling immediately after the treatment. These will subside in a short while. Our doctors may prescribe you an anti-inflammatory cream.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

This was published in the November 11, 2014 issue of Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Section. The author , Fred C. Reyes, is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph. 

NEW LASER TREATMENT OF MELASMA

New Laser Treatment of Melasma

If you have dark patches on the face, you could be one of the millions of women struggling with melasma. Commonly found among Asian women, melasma is considered the most difficult to treat among the disfiguring hyperpigmentation cases.

There are basically three types: the epidermal melasma, found in the outer layer of the skin; the dermal melasma, existing in the inner skin layer; and the combination type. Melasma is associated with age, hormonal factors, stress, genetic predisposition, pregnancy, use of oral contraception, and sun exposure.

Topical therapies such as bleaching agents (hydroquinone and kojic acid) and chemical peels (retinol and TCA), have been used but with limited success. The results are inconsistent and their effectiveness decreases with long-term use. Dermal melasma does not respond at all to any topical treatment.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) has also been used in recent years, but the results were less than expected. There were also reports of side effects related to IPL damage to the skin, particularly post-inflammatory secondary hyperpigmentation (PIH).

At SkinStation, we recently introduced DERMAX Medlight laser as an effective treatment of melasma. The laser used in MedLight is Q-Switched Nd:YAG,  which has produced successful results in several controlled clinical trials in Korea.

The MedLight laser creates an invisible beam of light that is pulsed repeatedly at a fraction of a second. The pigments in the dark patches of the skin are fragmented and subsequently reabsorbed over a 6 to 8 week period. This treatment is simple, non-invasive, with minimal risk and minimal recovery time. Some patients may feel a mild “sunburn” feeling that quickly subsides.

DERMAX MedLight is also effective in other hyperpigmentation concerns such as age spots, chemical burns, and marks caused by acne and chicken pox. Added benefits of skin toning and rejuvenation have been observed. On the average, 3 sessions at intervals of 4 weeks is prescribed, followed by maintenance treatments every 3 to 6 months.

Post treatment, our Dermatologist will require you to strictly avoid sun exposure. You will also be asked to follow a medical grade skin care regimen that will lighten, rejuvenate, and protect the skin. Our goal is to help you successfully minimize and manage your melasma.

__________________________________________________________________________   

This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on October 28, 2014 . The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph.  

DO YOU REGRET HAVING THAT TATTOO?

Do You Regret Having That Tattoo?

We all have our regrets, past experiences we want to forget. Unfortunately, some leave permanent marks we cannot easily erase. This includes tattoo regret for some 20% to 30% of individuals with body ink.

The most popular reason: Falling out of love. They want the name of an ex erased. Other reasons are 1) Botched eyebrow tattoo job, and 2) A shot at a terrific job that is not compatible with having a tattoo of a fire-breathing dragon. With the increasing number of people having tattoos, the demand for tattoo removal is likewise growing significantly.

Before, there is no recourse but to go for invasive options such as acid removal or surgical excision.  The high-risk procedures can produce scars that are more unsightly than the tattoo itself.

Today, advanced aesthetic lasers have made it possible for safer and more effective removal of unwanted tattoos. They target the ink’s pigment with a high intensity laser beam causing it to break up into smaller molecules.  The natural bodily processes then absorb the ink, fading the tattoo until it is no longer visible.

The gold standard for tattoo removal is Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, with hand pieces delivering laser beam at 1064 nm for dark ink, and 532 nm for colored ink. They also have micro-adjustments for spot size and depth. Treatment may take between 3 to 6 sessions, depending on the depth of the tattoo and the inks used. Treatment interval is 3 to 6 weeks.

If you are one of those now saying, “I should have listened to Mom,” you know the good news. Start by having your free consultation at SkinStation for your MedLight Laser Tattoo Removal treatment.
______________________________________________________________

This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on October 14, 2014 . The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph.