We all get a burn every now and then. You accidentally touch a hot pan or maybe drop a cup of hot coffee on yourself. Or maybe you fell asleep on the beach for too long and now sport a mean sunburn. What do you do now? How do you assess what your burn actually needs? Many online remedies or age-old practices tell you to put on some ice or toothpaste. Popular TikTok 'hacks' tell you to put on flour, egg whites or yoghurt. Almost all of these are wrong (unless you're prepping f

A beginner-friendly guide. Last updated May 2026 Walk into any skincare aisle and you'll see acids listed on nearly every bottle. Glycolic acid. Salicylic acid. Hyaluronic acid. But what do they actually do, and should you be worried? Here's everything you need to know, no chemistry degree required. Not all acids are the same The word "acid" sounds harsh, but in skincare it usually refers to gentle chemical compounds that help your skin shed dead cells and stay healthy. There

It's summertime! You're excited to soak up as much sunshine as possible. But did you know that one of the medications you're taking might make it easier for you to get sunburned? What is drug-induced photosensitivity? Drug-induced photosensitivity is a skin reaction that can happen when you are taking certain medications and your skin is exposed to high enough UV radiation (sunlight). Although some medicated creams or ointments can cause a photosensitivity reaction, many oral

About one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime — a trend partly linked to ozone depletion, which increases UV radiation. Skin cancer can affect anyone, and dermatologists recommend a monthly skin self-exam regardless of age, skin color, or gender. How to look for skin cancer: Grab a full-length mirror and a hand mirror, and you’ll be on your way to start your skin self-exam. Remove your clothes and examine your skin in a full-length mirror. Your face i

Written by Abida Mozid, BSc Biomedical Science Retinoids are a powerful class of topical treatments championed across the field of dermatology. They are derivatives of Vitamin A, often used for photoaging and anti-aging. (1) Tretinoin is more commonly known and is established as the gold standard of prescription strength retinoids. There is a lesser-known retinoid called tazarotene, which operates similarly but has different indications. Both retinoids can effectively transfo

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a relapsing skin condition that affects 3 to 5 percent of the global population and known to be chronic. It affects parts of the skin that normally have a higher number of oil producing glands (sebaceous glands) such as scalp, eyebrows, cheeks, chest and back. It is a form of an autoimmune dermatitis triggered by skin own sebum (oil) which acts as the allergen that leads to an increase in the count of immune cells in the skin outer layer (1). Tha

Article by Marin Whitley The relationship between diet and skin health is complex and influenced by many internal factors. As one of the most widely consumed beverages with physiological effects, coffee has become an area of interest in understanding potential contributors to acne. Does Coffee Truly Affect the Skin? There is not enough evidence to prove that coffee alone causes breakouts. However, coffee can affect the body in ways that may exacerbate acne. Acne results from

Journalists caught a glimpse of it during the Medal of Honor ceremony — a red, irritated patch on the right side of President Donald Trump's neck. Soon, dermatologists across the country were weighing in on the possible cause, and social media was flooded with speculation. Dr. Sean Barbabella, President Trump's physician and Director of the White House Medical Unit, stated it was from a "preventative skin treatment." But for the 58 million Americans already living with Actini

Figure 1 Written by Abida Mozid Haircare is an industry worth billions in revenue. With a broad spectrum of products constantly marketed to consumers, it can be overwhelming to understand which are worth shopping for. An alternative approach supported by science can be applied to discern through the many trends and branded sponsorships. This article will introduce this approach by discussing a staple in the beauty industry, one found in the majority of cosmetic ingredients li

Image Credit: Freepik Can you imagine not feeling comfortable in your own skin? For most, it may refer to their sense of self, but for nearly 230 million people worldwide living with Atopic Dermatitis (AD), that is the reality. What is Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema? Atopic Dermatitis, is the most common type of eczema known today. The word "Atopic" refers to the predisposition to respond to immunologically diverse allergens and the word "Dermatitis" refers to inflamed skin. Th

What is Scarring Alopecia? The term scarring alopecia, or (cicatricial alopecia), refers to a group of disorders that cause destruction of the hair follicles, resulting in permanent hair loss. The hair follicle becomes the main target of an inflammatory process, which often becomes a clinical and therapeutic challenge. (1) There are numerous types of cicatricial alopecias; however, the three most common afflicting women are: lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, an

Imagine you're outside. The sun is glistening, sending waves of heat across your skin. You feel the warmth slowly soaking in. Later, you go inside and begin washing your hands under cool running water. As you look down, you suddenly notice something -- your skin has darkened. You've tanned. Now imagine a different scenario. You're outside again, hearing birds chirping and feeling the sunlight on your skin. Hours later, you check your arms expecting to see a tan. Instead, your

Do you suffer from scalp itching and facial redness whenever you feel stressed or embarrassed? You are not alone. This is your story – with your nervous system and old memories. Symptoms You Don't Talk About Imagine you are in an important meeting, a smart answer on the tip of your tongue, but suddenly… your scalp starts itching. An intense itch, as if all your blood is rushing to your head. Your cheeks turn red, and you feel everyone is looking at you. Your confidence wavers

By Benjamin Levinson, MD INTRODUCTION The term “Vampire” immediately conjures up an image of a person who fears the sun, sleeps in a coffin during the day, and hunts for victims at night to drink their blood. It is quite a story that many have believed over the centuries. It has been recognized that a possible origin for this legend is a disease called porphyria (1). The term ‘porphyria’ comes from the Greek work ‘purple’ as most people who have this d

Core Premise Recent immunology and dermatology research is redefining the skin not just as a physical barrier, but as a biologically active organ that “remembers” prior inflammatory events through epigenetic and cellular reprogramming. This memory influences how skin responds to future insults and helps explain key clinical patterns in chronic inflammatory dermatoses. What Does “Memory” Mean in the Skin? In this context, “memory” refers to persistent changes in gene regulatio

Demodex (skin mites) https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-are-demodex-mites Photo Credit: NANOCLUSTERING / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Image By Sarah Bersey BSc Hons Pg Dip We all get itchy sometimes, due to weather, seasonal factors like pollen and dust or reactions to clothing, cosmetics or jewelry. However, if you suffer from skin reddening and prolonged itching, burning or tingling on your face or scalp, or a "gritty" feeling in the eyes, it could be

What Is Tungiasis? Tungiasis is a skin infection caused by the adult female sand flea called Tunga penetrans. It usually penetrates through the feet, where the embedded flea grows and lays eggs, causing inflammation, pain, itching, difficulty in walking, sleeping , and concentrating on tasks. Tungiasis affects humans and animals alike. Tungiasis affects millions of people in vulnerable communities across South America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa. People who live

In the United States, sarcoidosis affects four Black Americans for every one White American diagnosed. Black patients, particularly Black women, experience more severe disease, more multi-organ involvement, higher hospitalization rates, and mortality. Factors such as genetics, environmental toxins, socioeconomic conditions, and unconscious bias contribute to worsening outcomes in sarcoidosis (Hena, 2020). What is sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition in which

Image obtained from https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/biofilms/ Why do some wounds heal quickly while others linger for months or even years? Why do they persist despite careful cleaning, changing of dressings and maybe even several courses of antibiotics? Slower healing wounds are linked to conditions like diabetes, poor circulation and ageing, where the body can’t repair itself as well. When these underlying problems persist, wounds can become stuck in a non-hea

Cortisol is one of the primary stress hormones and plays a significant role in numerous physiological functions, including the body’s fight-or-flight response. When the brain perceives stress, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which subsequently stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone then signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the bloodstream. Skin, being the largest organ in the b