Dr. Schultz’s tip of the week from DermTV.com is something that never crossed my mind.  What does a UV Index mean?  Along with your daily forecast (rainy, sunny, hot, cold) there is also a UV Index which tells you how strong the harmful rays of the sun will be.  This number is on a scale of 1 to 11, the higher the number the stronger and more dangerous the rays are.  Just another reason to make sure you apply sunscreen everyday!  Check out this week’s www.DermTV.com episode!

Click here for Dr Schultz's take on Botox

Dr. Schultz’s tip and episode for the week of July 4th.  The tip is great and something Dr. Schultz commonly recommends to his patients: choose the sunscreen that you like the most in the 15-30 SPF range.  SPF 15 offers 88% protection from the sun's burning UVB rays; SPF 30 offers 95% protection; SPF 60 offers 99% protection; and, no sunscreen offers 100% protection.  So, choose the one that you like and will remember to reapply (no need for the goopy SPF 75).  Also, since everyone will be busy attending barbeques and other July 4th festivities, the www.DermTV.com episode is on how to treat insect bites.  Hope you enjoy!

Dr. Schultz’s episode “Antioxidants Become a Sunscreen When Used During the Day,” shares with viewers that antioxidants actually absorb UV light when used on the skin during the day.  However, when this happens, the antioxidant no longer is absorbed into the skin to perform its normal duties.  This said Dr. Schultz shares 2 simple rules to follow, use sunscreen and an antioxidant in the morning but also to use an antioxidant at night as well.  I never knew antioxidants absorbed UV light!  To view the episode go to DERMTV.com

In today’s episode, Dr. Schultz points out s few very important (and a little bit shocking) statistics surrounding melanoma.  Melanoma is the only preventable cancer that has seen a rise in deaths.  Approximately 9,000 Americans will die this year from melanoma, which Dr. Schultz accurately describes as unnecessary.  Make sure to have your annual skin cancer screening!  Follow the link to see this weeks DermTV episode

How Much Sunscreen to Put On discusses the actual physical amount of sunscreen needed for full protection.  This is particularly interesting because most people (myself definitely included) do not use the recommended amount.  Dr. Schultz further’s his cause for sunscreen protection when he points out that the SPF of a sunscreen is decreased to its square root if not enough is put on.

Check it out HERE

It's not just about wrinkles: Color & Texture

When you ask a person if they're happy with their skin, and they say no, and then you ask them why, they'll most likely respond that they don't like their lines and wrinkles. But it's not just about wrinkles! In this episode of DermTV, Dr. Schultz explains what you should look out for when you're examining your own skin and trying to figure out how to improve it.

Click HERE to See Dr. Schultz's update

We know the only safe sun is the fake sun, but what happens when the fake tan goes bad?!  Learn how to fix a botched tan in this DermTV.com episode, How to Fix a Bad Fake Tan.  You can also tune in this week for How to Remove Warts and Lip Balm Acne.  Don’t forget to tune in to the next live episode of DermTV.com next Thursday, April 29th at 12pm EST (www.dermtv.com/live).

We all use sunscreen, but are we using enough?  Find out how sunscreen you should use on your face in Dr. Schultz’s tip of the week!   

Dr. Schultz’s Tip of the Week:  How Much Sunscreen to Use on Your Face
As it warms up outside, but not quite enough to spend time at the beach, and thus you're still only applying sunscreen on your face and hands, how much do you need? Using too much can be uncomfortable and "goopy," and did you know that not using enough can cut the delivered SPF by the square root of the stated SPF (e.g., a 15 becomes a 4, a 50 becomes a 7)? It's simple: for traditional sunscreens use an amount equal to the size of a nickel, and for chem-free sunblocks, use an amount equal to a pea!

Catch up on last week's episodes:
•    Can You Use Retin-A and Antioxidants
•    Living With Acne
•    What Are Warts

With summer around the corner, Dr. Schultz has the secret to achieving a great tan at home (without the streaks!).  Don’t miss his tip of the week for the details!  We’ve all asked the question, does the oil in perfume cause acne?  Get the answer in this DermTV.com episode, Does Perfume Cause Acne.  Tune in the rest of the week for How to Treat Eczema and Does Shaving Cause Hair to Grow Thicker?.    

Dr. Schultz’s Tip of the Week:  How to Fix a Botched Self Tan
If you use self tanners to get your tan, I applaud your good judgement (it's the only safe tan!) But if on occasion it turns out less than perfect, don't worry; it can easily be fixed. Whether it's streaky, uneven or just too dark, daily exfoliation with a chemical exfoliant (glycolic is best) will do the trick. And if you already use a chemical exfoliant daily, then for a few days either consider using it twice a day or using a stronger strength once daily. However, don't use physical exfoliants (scrubs, microdermabraision), because they are more difficult to use evenly.

Catch up on last week's episodes:
•    Spa Foot Care: Razor vs. Gel Exfoliation
•   Does Drinking Water Hydrate Your Skin

DermTV Live! is this Thursday, March 25th at 2PM EST.  Tune in to: DermTV.com/Live

Dr. Schultz’s Tip of the Week:

Does Shaving Cause Your Hair to Thicken?
Some people avoid shaving unwanted hair because they're afraid it causes the hair to grow back thicker. I'm happy to tell you that this just isn't true. When your hair grows from the root, the ends are thin and tapered and the rest of the hair grows at a consistent thickness (think of a sharpened pencil). However, when you shave, you cut off the thin end, leaving just the thick part of the hair. As your hair continues to grow, it grows from the root and gets longer, but the end never becomes thin again (until the hair is fully removed and a new one grows from the root). Thus, some people are left with the impression that shaving causes hair to grow more thickly but as you now know, it's just an illusion.

This Week's Episodes
•    Mon - What Are Natural Fillers
•    Wed - What is Eczema
•    Fri - Are Razor or Gel Exfoliators Better at the Spa

Last Week's Episodes
•    How to Choose the Right Filler
•    Skin Care for Freckled Light Skin
•    The Emotional Burden of Herpes

Dr. Schultz’s Tip of the Week -- Use Moisturizers with SPF in the Winter:
As you can tell, I'm a huge proponent of wearing sunscreen every day, even in the winter, and even on cloudy days. During the summer this is easy because people are used to wearing sunscreen on warm sunny days. In the winter...not so much. In order to get your winter sunscreen fix, I suggest using moisturizers with sunscreen so that they not only treat your dry skin but also protect you from the sun. And if you're wondering whether or not moisturizers with sunscreen are just as effective as sunscreen alone, the answer is yes, as long as you apply it as the first product after your cleanser and toner.

This Week's Episodes
•    Mon - The Nine Rooms of Happiness
•   Wed - New Melanoma Drug: PLX 4032
•    Fri - Wear Sunscreen Even on Cloudy Days

Last Week's Episodes
•    Can You Use Facial Creams Around Your Eyes
•    Keratosis Pilaris: Itchy Bumpy Red Skin
•    Instruments Used in Minor Dermatological Procedures

At it again, Dr. Schultz has an amazing tip this week that I had to share with you.  Check it out to learn why changing up your shampoo is beneficial (regardless of what the man in your life says!). 

And a quick reminder that DermTV Live with Dr. Schultz airs tonight at 7pm EST, featuring a live Q&A session with the wonderful dermatologist.  Simply visit the site www.dermtv.com/live for a live broadcast.  You can also visit the site now to set a reminder (I know that I had to!).

Tip of the Week -- Preventing Shampoo Fatigue:
Everyone has a favorite shampoo because of the way it leaves their hair feeling, looking, or smelling. But if you use the same shampoo every time, after a while, it just stops working. Somehow, the scalp and hair get "used" to the same shampoo and the scalp starts to itch or flake and the shampoo may leaves hair limp. And this even happens whether you shampoo every day or just once a week. It's a good thing that preventing shampoo fatigue is simple! Just use a different shampoo at least every fourth or fifth hair wash and your favorite shampoo will be as efficacious as you expect it to be!

Catch up on DermTV.com’s latest episodes:

This Week's Episodes
-    Mon - Can You Use Facial Creams Around Your Eyes
-    Wed - Keratosis Pilaris (a.k.a Chicken Skin) + DermTV Live @ 7PM EST
-    Fri - Treating Hair Iron Burns
Last Week's Episodes
-    When Are Cold Sores Contagious
-    Instruments Used in Minor Dermatological Procedures

When it comes time to make your New Year’s Resolutions, don’t forget to think of your skin!  How many times have your promised to apply sunscreen daily?  Or how often have you told yourself you’ll use moisturizer?  It takes just a few minutes each day to have beautiful skin!

Dr. Schultz, cosmetic dermatologist and founder of DermTV.com helps your make five easy New Year’s Resolutions for healthy, glowing skin in 2010:

1. I will determine my skin type. Finding out what your facial skin type is with respect to its balance of oil and water is crucial to choosing the right products for your face.
2. I will find products I like. Regardless of your skin type, finding facial products that smell and feel good to you will make you more apt to use them regularly.
3. I will establish a daily routine. Following the same routine twice a day every day regardless of which products you are using (glycolics, anti-oxidants, sunscreens, cleansers, toners or moisturizers, etc.) will significantly improve your skin’s color and texture.
4. I will protect my skin and make it glow. Use a gentle chemical (glycolic) exfoliator, an anti-oxidant, and a sunscreen every day, summer or winter, rain or shine.  This way, your skin will always be protected from the sun and the combination of anti-oxidants and exfoliants will make your skin lustrous and glowing.
5. I will examine my skin. Any change in color, size, texture, or shape that you can detect in any skin growth or mole is not a subtle change and should be brought to your dermatologist’s attention as soon as possible.  In addition, make sure that you have a complete skin examination annually by a board certified dermatologist (preferably during your birth month).

Don’t miss Dr. Schultz’s DermTV.com episode Three 2010 Skin Care New Year’s Resolutions.

The Skin Care New Year's Resolution That May Save Your Life

While I hope that you're wearing sunscreen every day, did you know that there's another key to preventing skin cancer? This key is performing monthly, at-home skin cancer self-examinations because there are skin cancer early warning signs such as pre-cancerous growths that you yourself can identify. One method to do so is to look for symmetrical moles. For example, if you have two dark brown or black moles in the same location on each side of your body (if you were to draw a line down the middle), they may be pre-cancerous. This doesn't mean they're cancer; it just means that if they are in fact pre-cancerous, they could develop into cancer, and thus should be shown to a dermatologist and possibly removed.

For more information on conducting at-home skin cancer self-examinations, download the free pamphlet from The Skin Cancer Foundation.

This Week's Episodes

• Mon - The Difference Between Chemical and Physical Exfoliants

• Wed - Winter Moisturizers for Dry Skin

• Fri - It's Normal to be Nervous in the Doctor's Office

Last Week's Episodes

• Three 2010 Skin Care New Year's Resolutions

• Why Skin Gets Dry in the Winter

Are your ready for latest from DermTV.com?  Tune in for the newest episodes such as: How to Avoid Problems from New Products, Does Everybody Need to us a Moisturizer and Curing Extreme Underarm Sweating.  Don’t forget that Wednesday marks the second episode of the “Wedding Wednesdays” series, Wedding Skin Care Regimens for 6 to 3 months Prior.

Fall has officially begun.  Are you dying to use the hottest fall nail colors? Before you head in for the mani and pedi read this tip of the week.  Dr. Schultz explains that the paint job may actually irritate more than your nose.

Dr. Schultz’s Tip of the Week: The Most Common Culprit for Irritated Eyelids

One of the most common causes of swollen red eye lids is fresh, wet (not dry) nail polish. So what's going on here? It has to do with the change in chemical structure that nail polish undergoes as it dries. In the first four to six hours after nail polish is applied (i.e., when it's still wet but drying), if it touches the eyelids (or area around them), its chemical structure which is highly sensitizing can cause an allergic reaction in some people which results in red, itchy, and swollen eyelids. However, as the nail polish dries, it undergoes a chemical change which makes it water and smudge proof, and also non-allergic. So if you often find yourself with red, swollen, and itchy eyelids, try keeping your hands away from your face for the first four to six hours after you apply nail polish, and you just might find that your problem goes away.