December Vitality 2018

December 2018

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

Health & Wellness A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

THE PRESS NEWSPAPERS

INSIDE: HEALTHY RESOLUTIONS | AVOID WINTER SKIN | TRUTHS ABOUT LASER HAIR REMOVAL | BEAT THE HOLIDAY BLUES

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Hair today…

Misconceptions about laser hair removal When performed by a doctor, laser hair removal is a safe, effective and permanent solution for removing unwanted face and body hair.

This clinically tested, FDAapproved treatment has been around since the mid-1990s and is a very common procedure among young adults ages 20 to 45. However, the results don’t occur overnight, say dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology, and in inexperienced hands, laser hair removal can be dangerous. Performed improperly, the treatment can result in burns, permanent skin color changes and even scars.

To reduce the risk of possible side effects and ensure an effective treatment, the AAD recommends that consumers only seek laser hair removal from a medical doctor who is extremely skilled in using lasers and has in-depth knowledge of the skin.

“Because of its popularity, laser hair removal might seem like a procedure that anyone can do, but in the wrong hands, it can cause serious skin damage,” says board-certified dermatologist Carolyn I. Jacob, MD, FAAD, an associate clinical instructor of dermatology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. “Since it’s not without risks, it’s important for people seeking laser hair removal to make sure that the person treating them is a physician. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the procedure, as a lot of misconceptions exist about what laser hair removal is and what it can and can’t do.”

To help separate fact from fiction, Dr. Jacob addresses the most common misconceptions about laser hair removal, as identified below: • “It’s effective on blond, white, gray or red hair.” Although laser hair

Vitality

A common misconception is that anyone can perform laser hair removal. removal has come a long way since the mid-1990s, unfortunately, it won’t work on blonde, white, gray or red hair, as lasers that can effectively target light-colored hair haven’t been developed yet. If you have blonde, white, gray or red hair, be suspicious of any business that says it can perform laser hair removal on you.

• “If you have dark skin, you can’t have laser hair removal.” Today, laser hair removal can be performed on all skin types, as long as there is a contrast between your skin and hair color.

However, since people with darker skin

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are more prone to burns and hyperpigmentation (dark marks), make sure the doctor treating you has experience performing laser hair removal on darker skin tones. In addition, ask what type of laser will be used, as there are specific lasers for people with darker skin tones, such as the Nd: YAG laser, which has a 1,064-nm wavelength.

• “Anyone can perform laser hair removal.” When performed by a board-certified dermatologist, laser hair Continued on page 4

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Healthy resolutions for the year ahead Many people see the dawn of a new year as the perfect time to implement changes that they hope will have positive impacts on their lives in the year ahead. New Year’s resolutions have a way of falling by the wayside as the year progresses, but sticking with the following healthy resolutions can have lasting impacts on the lives of men and women.

• Read more. Many adults wish they had more time to read, but busy schedules filled with commitments to work and family can make it hard to pick up a book every day. But perhaps more men and women would find time to read if they knew doing so could add years to their lives. In an analysis of 12 years of data from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study, researchers at the Yale School of Public Health found that people who read books for as little as 30 minutes a day over several years lived an average of two years longer than people who did not read at all.

• Sleep more. More time to sleep might seem like an unattainable goal for many men and women. But the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that ongoing sleep deficiency can increase a person’s risk for chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabe-

Turning off devices can have a profound impact on the quality of your life. tes, and stroke. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends adults age 18 and older get between seven and eight hours of sleep per night.

• Turn off your devices. As recently as 15 years ago, many adults made it through their days without smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and other devices that are so prevalent today. While it might seem impossible to live without such devices in the 21st century, turning them off can have profound impacts on people’s quality of life. A 2013 survey of more than 1,000 people conducted by

the resilience platform meQuilibrium found that 73 percent of respondents felt their devices contributed to stress in their lives. The American Psychological Association notes that stress can negatively affect the musculoskeletal system, the respiratory system and the nervous system and potentially increase a person’s risk for heart disease and gastrointestinal problems.

• Work less. Working fewer hours may help many professionals cut back on their stress, as the APA notes that 65 percent of Americans cited work as their primary source of stress. But working fewer hours may also make men and women more productive. A recent experiment funded by the Swedish government compared nurses at a retirement home who worked six-hour days on eight-hour salaries to a control group that worked the more traditional eighthour workday. Nurses in the experimental group reported having more energy in their spare time and at work, which allowed them to do 64 percent more activities with facility residents. Nurses in the experimental group also took half as much sick time as those in the control group. As a result, the study’s authors ultimately concluded that productivity can increase with fewer hours worked.

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Misconceptions about laser hair removal Continued from page 2 removal is safe and effective, and potential side effects are rare. However, a common misconception is that anyone can perform laser hair removal, even those without a medical degree. As a result, dermatologists are seeing more and more patients visit them with complications, including burns, blisters, infections and skin lightening or darkening, after having their laser hair removal performed by an inexperienced provider. Unfortunately, these complications are sometimes permanent and result in scarring. To prevent complications, make sure your laser hair removal is performed by a board-certified dermatologist, who has the education, training and experience needed to provide the best cosmetic treatment available.

• “It’s not permanent.” To most people’s surprise, laser hair removal is permanent on most areas of the body, except for the face in women, due to hormones. This is because laser hair removal destroys the hair follicles for actively growing hair, and these follicles don’t regenerate in most body parts, like the underarms, bikini or lower legs. However, it can take six sessions or more to target all of the hair follicles

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...it’s important for people seeking laser hair removal to make sure that the person treating them is a physician.

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while they’re in the growing stage. If the hair follicle isn’t in the growing stage or isn’t completely destroyed, the hair will continue to grow.

• “It’s for women only.” On the contrary, more men than ever before are seeking laser hair removal as a way to permanently eliminate unwanted hair, as well as issues like razor burn and ingrown hairs. Men receive treatment primarily on their faces, necks and backs, and many men turn to laser hair removal to help sculpt their beards and side-

burns.

• “It hurts.” When performed by a board-certified dermatologist, laser hair removal should result in little to no discomfort and is much less painful than tweezing, waxing or getting a tattoo. However, the amount of pain a person feels is dependent on the area of the body they’re treating, as well as their pain tolerance. Patients are given the option of using a topical anesthetic before the treatment, and when this is used, laser hair removal feels like a light rubber band snapping against the skin.

“Although laser hair removal is very common, it’s important to remember that it’s a serious procedure that involves aiming a powerful laser beam at your hair follicle,” says Dr. Jacob. “To prevent complications, make sure your treatment is performed by a medical doctor who is extremely skilled in using lasers and has in-depth knowledge of the skin. If you experience any pain or discoloration after receiving laser hair removal, see a board-certified dermatologist right away.”

To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org/findaderm.

For more information on laser hair removal, visit aad.org/laserhairremoval.

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That was one of your best decisions.

Winter weather can be tough on skin. By preparing in advance of winter, people can head off dry skin and other problems.

Prepare now to avoid dry, cracked winter skin Winter weather brings harsh conditions that can wreak havoc on skin. Come winter, winds pick up, temperatures plummet and humidity levels in the air can drop. These factors create a recipe for sapping skin of its natural oils and vibrancy. Even the most well-maintained skin can be impacted by winter air, and the other changes the season brings forth. Taking the initiative ahead of winter’s arrival can help people salvage the appearance of their skin.

• Start exfoliating. Skin’s radiance can be dulled by a buildup of dead skin cells. These cells also can clog follicles, leading to breakouts. Regular exfoliation one to three times per week can assist with the removal of dead skin cells.

Ridding the outer layer of skin of unnecessary debris can also help skincare products penetrate more readily.

• Choose a thick moisturizer. It may be necessary to ramp up moisturizing products to combat with dry, winter air. Look for products that contain shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, or cocoa butter. They’ll help retain moisture and protect the skin against the wind and cold.

• Turn down the heat. While it’s important to stay warm, bundle up rather than cranking the heat. Avoid especially hot water in the shower as well. Hot water can strip the skin of its natural moisture. Therefore, be sure to take warm showers instead of boiling hot ones.

• Invest in a hydrator. According to the experts at Glo Skin Beauty, hydrators are lighter than moisturizers, allowing them to penetrate further into the skin.

• Use sunscreen. Do not deviate from daily sunscreen use. Even though conditions seem less sunny, skin still needs to be protected from harmful UV rays.

• Wear gloves to protect hands. Frequent hand washing and exposure to cold temperatures can impact the skin on hands. Protect them with warm gloves and generously apply moisturizer.

• Run the humidifier. Use a humidifier at night to keep skin supple and improve the health of nasal passages.

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Face it – holidays are rarely perfect From American Counseling Association Holiday movies, sparkling gifts in stores, magazines depicting idyllic holiday scenes – we’re often shown the holiday season as an amazing and joyful time.

But maybe your personal holidays aren’t quite so perfect. And this can be disappointing for many people.

We’d all like everything to be as wonderful as in the movies, but it’s not a fair comparison when we measure how our lives and holidays compare to what the media is constantly showing us. While it’s fine to enjoy all we see, we must remind ourselves that those TV holiday shows look so good because they’ve had many professional designers creating just the right touches. Same thing goes for the holiday store displays or those strikingly beautiful magazine ads. None of these show real life, but rather an idealized version made specifically to impress us.

The perfect holiday world of ads and TV aren’t the only reason some of us suffer holiday blues. This is often a time of the year when we forget about eating and living healthfully. We overeat when tempted by holiday treats. We

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The

The perfect holiday world of ads and TV aren’t the only reason some of us suffer holiday blues.

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may drink more alcohol than usual. We probably are blaming the weather and our busy holiday schedule for not bothering to exercise.

There are, fortunately, things you can do to combat blue holiday feelings.

Rather than envying the fantasy lives you see on TV, or imagining how wonderful the holidays are for your neighbors or other friends, instead focus on all the things in your own life that are good and positive. Identify all the things you personally have and enjoy about this season.

You can also fight blue feelings by keeping control of your life. Avoid excess treats and drinking. Enjoy holiday special foods and beverages in modera-

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Counseling Corner tion, stick with your regular schedule, get plenty of rest and make time for daily exercise, even if it’s just a brief walk.

It’s also important not to isolate yourself. Find time for family and friends, and enjoy the season with them.

Time spent with others can do a great deal to improve your mood.

But for some people the holiday blues can be difficult to fight. Sad holiday emotions, like all depression, can become a serious mental health problem and not one to be ignored. If depression is affecting you, talk to a professional counselor who can provide help so you can make the best of your holidays and life.

“Counseling Corner” is provided by the American Counseling Association.

Comments and questions to ACAcorner@ counseling.org or visit the ACA website at www.counseling.org.

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The Help You Need Choosing the Right Medicare Insurance Plan.

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