September is recognized as Acne Awareness Month, an essential month dedicated to raising awareness about this prevalent skin condition. Acne can be an emotionally taxing experience for many, affecting their self-esteem and self-worth. By understanding its causes, severities, and those it impacts, we can better approach this condition with empathy and a commitment to finding lasting solutions. What is Acne? Acne is a skin condition that arises when hair follicles are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It primarily manifests as pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Depending on its severity, acne can also result in scarring and dark spots that remain long after the actual breakout has cleared. Causes of…

During the summer, many of us find ourselves spending more time outdoors, soaking up the sun, enjoying beach trips, and embarking on summer adventures. However, this increase in sun exposure, combined with changes in humidity and temperature, can take a toll on our skin. The summer months require us to adapt our skincare routine to protect and nurture our skin effectively. In this article, we will explore several key strategies for maintaining healthy and radiant skin throughout the sunny season. The Importance of Sunscreen Perhaps the most crucial aspect of summer skin care is the use of sunscreen. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to premature…

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a debilitating, chronic inflammatory illness, has long been a source of discomfort and distress for those who experience it. Often misunderstood, HS is a complex condition characterized by recurrent, painful abscesses that can develop anywhere hair follicles are found, apart from the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the red part of the lips. It is a condition that extends its impact well beyond physical pain, deeply affecting the mental and emotional wellbeing of those diagnosed. To date, no cure for HS exists, and treatment options remain limited. However, numerous off-label treatments and a growing number of HS clinical trials are being conducted, providing…

Acne is a common skin condition that affects as many as 5.6 million Canadians. Among those cases, 80 to 90 percent are teenagers, while it also affects 20 to 30 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 40. While acne is often referred to as “pimples”, it’s usually more complex than that. In fact, there are as many as three different subtypes and six different types of acne that one can be diagnosed with, including the following: • Comedonal acne • Inflammatory acne • Cystic acne • Whiteheads • Blackheads • Papules • Pustules • Nodules • Cysts Whiteheads: This type of acne falls under the subtype of…

With plenty of sunshine in the forecast for British Columbia, now is an important time to remind everyone about the benefits of wearing an SPF and why not wearing one could be detrimental to your skin and your health. For example, skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancers amongst Canadians, often due to prolonged exposure to sunlight (both natural and artificial, such as tanning beds) as a result of failing to take the necessary precautions to keep the skin protected. In order to understand how SPF works, you should also be aware of the difference between UV rays – such as UVA and UVB rays. UVA…

There are millions of Canadians living with skin problems. According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, there are approximately 1 million Canadians living with psoriasis, 2 million with rosacea, and another 20% of Canadians have acne. While these are some of the most common skin conditions that affect individuals in Canada and that physicians will see quite frequently, there are also many other dermatological conditions that can cause the skin to feel irritated, sore, appear flaky, or exhibit other symptoms. Eczema (also commonly referred to as Dermatitis) is another extremely common skin condition. With eczema, the skin becomes inflamed, red, itchy, and can also sometimes result in sores that either ooze…