Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Merkel Cell Carcinoma - a skin cancer that you need to know about!

Psoriasis

MRSA on the rise

Post Inflammatory Hyper-Pigmentation

Cellulite

See our Lucent Skin Care Program if you have Melasma or other pigment problems

Need help with blemishes, stretch marks, rosacea?  See our skin care pages, click here...   

   Joy-Marie has over 33 years professional experience.   She is a licensed esthetician practicing in Portland/Clackamas Oregon.  Her focus has been natural healthcare and educating people about the effects of sunlight on human bodies, diet and premature aging of the skin, hormones and skin discolorations/acne, and detecting possible skin cancer lesions on her family, friends and clients skin.  If you need medical intervention, she will do her best to refer you to a specialist for further investigation and therapeutic treatment.   For more information about her and her company, About

A dangerous,  fast acting form of skin cancer has newly been identified as Merkel Cell Carcinoma.  A virus leading to the cancer is known as merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV or MCPyV) and is in early stages of research.  Merkel cells are found in the skin. Although the exact function of Merkel cells is unknown, they are thought to be touch receptors.  MCC, sometimes referred to as a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, arises from the uncontrolled growth of Merkel cells in the skin. It is a rare skin cancer with roughly 1000 cases per year in the United States, making it about 40 times less common than melanoma. MCC has the potential to be extremely  lethal, perhaps 3 times as fast to develop as melanoma, and thus prompt aggressive treatment is warranted.  

   Characterized as a blueish, reddish, purplish lump (which can quickly grow very large and disfiguring) under the skin that has no tenderness, grows rapidly, occurs in fair skin, tanned adults over 50 years old.  Frequently, patients seek advice from their doctor because the bump is growing rapidly or the overlying skin is breaking down. Most MCCs are diagnosed when a skin biopsy is performed to rule out another sun-induced skin cancer or a cyst. In the vast majority of cases, both the doctor and the patient are surprised by the diagnosis of MCC.  

The lumps are very distinct and you need to see a dermatologist immediately for diagnosis and treatment.  Dermatology images are online by googling merkel cell.

  For more precise information, go to the research center:  

Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Skin Oncology Clinic
825 Eastlake Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98195-8050
Telephone: (206) 288-1024
www.merkelcell.org

Click here to read more about skin cancers, early detection, sun protection and products to try.

  Psoriasis is linked to systemic inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s response to stress from diet, lifestyle, allergies, injury, disease and/or environment. It causes many diseases like arthritis and cancer, as well as psoriasis and general aging.

Looking to nature for answers, we teach that one of the main causes of inflammation is low-grade bacterial, viral or fungal infections in our blood, tissues and cells. 
To learn more about the causes of inflammation, read Inflammation: The Real Cause of All Disease & How to Reduce and Prevent It.

Look through your home or office and read labels - many common household cleaners, upholstery fabrics, room deodorizers and pet care products are actually triggers for immune respond disorders.  Contact the Federal Center for Disease Control or NIOSH for a list.

Common treatment of psoriasis includes anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, but these just temporarily ease the symptoms.  A more effective approach to whole body health provides a road map to wellness for those who suffer from psoriasis by: addressing your internal health, reducing inflammation by conquering infections (especially candidaisis), and healing your body from the inside out.

MRSA is on the increase, with children now the Center For Disease Control's main concern as pediatricians report more cases than ever.  Go to their web site for updates and preventative information.  June 23, 2009: today's news features a report that links MRSA transmission between pets and humans, spread through bites and scratches.  Boys between 5 and 9 years old at higher risk because of teasing behaviors with dogs, males between 15 and 30 the next largest group of cases because of aggressive behavior towards dogs and unsupervised toddlers of both sexes #3.  Women tend to get MRSA from cats, men from dogs the report shows.  Don't ignore wounds received from your pet - clean immediately and see a doctor is symptoms arise.

Avoid using sun screen products near the eyes unless they are specifically formulated for such use.  Spf over 10 can sting the eyes even when applied 1" away - chemical spf ingredients give off gas as they warm up on the skin.  Avoid getting any below the eye brows and above the cheekbone, wash hands before applying eye products.  Then apply sunscreen to the rest of the face.

Formulation: water, glycol distearate, glycerin, titanium dioxide(Ci77891), cetyl alcohol, zinc oxide, palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid, aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, allantoin, watermelon fruit extract, carbomer, potassium sorbate, caprylyl glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, tropolone.

Ultra V Screen, SPF 30

Reduces redness, soothes the skin, feels much lighter than other SPF 30 and higher sunscreens!  Protect your skin every day from the damaging effects of the sun and of tanning beds.  Ultra violet light stresses the epidermis cells so that not only do lines and wrinkles form, skin pigment begins to darken in spots and patches called hyperpigmentation and most importantly - the skin's own immune system is weakened by repeat exposure.  

Avoid using sun screen products near the eyes unless they are specifically formulated for such use.  Spf over 10 can sting the eyes even when applied 1" away - chemical spf ingredients give off gas as they warm up on the skin.  Avoid getting any below the eye brows and above the cheekbone, wash hands before applying eye products.  Then apply sunscreen to the rest of the face.

Bright Cleansing Bar - not only for issues of discolorations but for reducing the discomfort of actinic keratosis and softening the crusty lesions.  Have dry, lackluster complexion needing some "enlightenment"?  Imparts a clearer, smoother texture for aging skin without harmful or over stripping ingredients.  Enlivens the complexion with safe, plant based extracts that are good for the skin. Not for fragile or sensitive skin types or those with Rosacea - this formula is too stimulating.

Formulation: coconut oil, palm kernel oil, glycerin, soybean oil, witch hazel water, black tea leaf extract, tannic extract, azelaic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, calcium ascorbate, glucosamine HCL.

 New  ingredients:  Salicylic Acid, Resorcinol (natural derivative of Vitamin A/ retinoid acid), Honey, Saponaria Officinalis (Soapwort) Leaf/Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Glycine Soya (Soybean) Oil, Echinacea Angustifolia )Coneflower) Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Black Tundra Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water.

$25.00

Clear Bar - a refreshing, soap free cleansing bar for the treatment of acne, seborrhea, acne rosacea and oily skin. For face and body.

 Formula: coconut oil, palm kernel oil, glycerin, water, sorbitol, sorbitan oleate, soybeen oil, sulfur, olive leaf extract, canadian willowherb extract, phenoxyethanol, salicylic acid, passionflower blossom extract, denatured alcohol, passion flower fruit extract.

Exfoliating the skin on a regular basis, which differs from person to person, is crucial to reduce the build up of dead skin cells, flakes of fungal tissue, blackheads, keratosis, bacteria and environmental debris that is attracted to oils and moisture on the surface of your skin.  Some facial products provide great benefit elsewhere on the body in achieving this.  For advice, email an aesthetician at epidermexperts@yahoo.com

Combining the effects of a peel with gentle microdermabrasion, this treatment uses Bamboo Beads to loosen the bonds holding debris and cells to the skin's surface, sweeping it away to reveal youthful-looking skin.  Brightens skin tone and supports healthy collagen production while infusing powerful antioxidant protection.  Start a box of these 12 ampoules a few weeks before the wedding for issues like dull, dry skin, blackheads, acne, acne scars, sun damage age spots and crows feet.

Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycolic Acid, Galactoarabinan, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Durio Zibethinus (Durian) Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sclerotium Gum, Myristyl Laurate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Steareth-2, Hydrolyzed Lecithin, Sucrose, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Agar, Algin, Chitosan, Disodium EDTA, PEG-8, Cyclohexasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Fragrance (Parfum), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019)

Contains: distilled water, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, diatomaceous earth, polyethylene beads, albumin, hydrogenated amino acids, kaolin, salicylic acid, sucrose stearate, stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, citrus reticulate (tangerine) leaf oil, xanthan gum, niacinamide, L-chlorophyl, benzyl alcohol.

$18.00

Contents: L-lactic Acid, Raspberry Puree, Raspberry Seed Oil, Marion Berries, Blue Cornmeal.

Ingredients: water, decyl glucoside, saccharum officinarum (sugar cane) extract, citrus medica limonum (lemon) fruit extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, xanthan gum, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) see oil, fragrance, iodopryoynyl butylcarbamate.

D-20 Spritz - instantly moisturizing, hydrating, humectant, and Chiromatherapy properties that reduce cellular stress, protect against bacteria, viruses and radiation. 

D2O (Heavy Water - Deuterium Oxide) really is heavier than the water we are used to drinking and bathing with!  Its hydrogen molecule is twice the weight of the molecule in ordinary water, which makes D2O 10% heavier than H2O.  This is why it stays on the skin longer, helping to hydrate and plump the cells of the epidermis.  We use it in the facial rooms for superior results.   Research has found that Heavy Water has a higher resistance to vaporization, which helps it stay on the skin for longer periods of time.  It has more viscosity.  This thickness gives it a higher "plumping" effect than regular waters.  It bonds with the skin and other connective tissues more strongly than ordinary water, so the skin does not dry out as quickly or as deeply.  It requires 10 times as much energy to be ionized than regular water, which makes it more protective against ultraviolet radiation.   It inactivates certain acne bacteria, making it an ideal moisturizing agent for blemish-prone skin.

Use to activate products, to balance skin's pH levels to reduce irritation, itching and redness,  as a wetting solution to benefit skin lotions, or carry with you to hydrate the skin in smog, smoke,  bad weather or flying.  For face, scalp and body.

Contains AHA's, distilled water, witch hazel extract, Deuterium Oxide (heavy water) D-20, L-sodium Hyaluronate, L-sodium PCA, vegetable glycerin, D-beta-fructan, D-beta-glucosamine, Essential Oils, benzyl alcohol.

Ingredient list: Water, Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) seed oil, Sorbitol, Butylene glycol, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl alcohol, Rosehip oil (Rosa affinis rubiginosa) Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Seed Oil, sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) oil, Avocado (Persea gratissima) oil, Beta Glucan (D-beta 1,3-Glucan), Sodium hyaluronate, Tetrahydrocurcuminoids, Xilytol, Luteolin, Liquid crystal, Ceramides, Liquorice extract, Quercetin, Boswellia serrata extract, Polypodium leucotomos extract, Andrographis paniculata, Centella asiatica extract, Cyanocobalamine, Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Seed Oil and Astaxanthin and Tocotrienols and Lycopene and alpha D-Tocopherol and Thioctic Acid and Lutein, Polysorbate 20, Citric acid, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl urea, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben.

Ingredients: water, arnica oil, arnica extract, sunflower oil, glyceryl stearate, grapeseed oil, ceteryl glucoside, tocopherol, jojoba oil, mallow extract, peppermint leaf extract, primrose extract, lady's mantle extract, speedwell extract, balm leaf extract, yarrow extract, xanthan gum, borage oil, wheat amino acids, caprylic acid, glycine, oat beta gluten, retinyl palmitate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate

This cream contains, among other actives, Boswellia serrata extract, silymarin, tetrahydrocurcuminoids, liquorice, caffeine and EGCG from green tea, mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) extract, betulinic acid, pomegranate seed oil and sea kelp bioferment.