Latest news with #skinconditions
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Dermatologists' horror as babies aged just six months are treated for skin conditions caused by wearing 'too much perfume and makeup'
Dermatologists say parents are putting young children at risk of serious skin conditions by exposing them to toxic beauty products that have been linked to cancer. Among the worst contenders are nail varnish, perfumes, and bronzer—all of which have been used on children as young as six-months old, a study has found. These products often contain powerful chemicals—such as parabens, phthalates and synthetic parfums—which can cause allergic reactions and interfere with the body's natural balance of hormones. The study, which analysed more than 60 children admitted to Ninewell Hospital in Dundee last year, concluded that children are being exposed to cosmetic products younger than ever before. Whilst all appointments were for other medical reasons, a third of children were found to have a reaction to a cosmetic product used on their skin. Dr Sharizan Abdul Ghaffar, senior author of the study and dermatologist at NHS Tayside, and told The Times: 'We are seeing more cases of allergic contact dermatitis, which is a red itchy and sometimes blistering skin reaction in children attending allergy patch-test clinics.' 'The study would certainly support the theory that this is due to increasing usage of cosmetic products among children.' Whilst contact dermatitis, a type of eczema triggered by contact with a particular substance is commonly caused by things like soap and often clears up on its own, allergic contact dermatitis is more serious. Exposure to an allergen in this case can trigger the immune system to overreact causing a nasty rash that may have to be treated with steroids. In one shocking case, a one-year-old girl's beauty routine was laid bare including fake tan, acrylic gel nails—cured using a UV lamp—hair bleach, hair removal products, lipstick and perfume. Eye-makeup, foundation and lip gloss is also being used on baby boys as young as six-months-old whilst girls are starting to get their hair dyed at just six-years-old. Now, dermatologists are campaigning for stricter guidelines around cosmetic products, saying it is 'absolute madness' that children are being exposed to these toxins from such a young age. Dr Deirdre Buckley from the British Association of Dermatologists said: 'There are personal hygiene products that have to be used on very young children — like toothpaste and shampoo — but there is no reason for them to come into deliberate contact with things like make-up, hair dye, perfume and nail polish.' Responding to the findings which were presented this month at the group's annual meeting in Glasgow, she added: 'Gel nails contain chemicals called acrylates and methacrylates, which are causing large numbers of allergic skin reactions in teenagers and young adults. 'It's absolute madness to apply them in children.' Because babies have thinner skin than adults, it absorbs substances more easily, making them more prone to allergic reactions than adults. Breast cancer is the UK's most common cancer with almost 56,000 cases diagnosed per year Whilst anti-ageing face creams, manicures and perfume used to be a sign of maturity with young girls longing for the day they would be allowed to wear make-up, girls are now being exposed to these product at a far younger age, Dr Buckley warned. 'Now, unfortunately dermatologists may have to consider including chemicals from these adult products in their patch tests when investigating contact dermatitis in young children.' It comes as alarming new research has linked more synthetic chemicals to adverse health conditions, including breast cancer. Researchers at Breast Cancer UK says that whilst low levels of these products may be safe in isolation, they can trigger the release of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) when used together. These chemicals interfere with the body's natural balance of hormones, causing young girls to start their period worryingly early, increasing the risk of breast cancer. In some cases, girls are starting their period as young as six. The charity estimates that the average woman is exposed to over 150 potentially harmful chemicals a day as part of their beauty regime. And with girls being exposed to more and more unnecessary toxins from a far younger age, experts are worried young girls are being put at risk in the pursuit of beauty.
CNN
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
These hyper-realistic pencil artworks are raising awareness of visible skin differences
Known for his hyper-realistic pencil artworks, Kelvin Okafor is using his latest exhibition to call attention to visible skin differences. 'Drawing Awareness,' at London's Hope93 Gallery, features portraits of both ordinary people and celebrities, including Canadian fashion model Winnie Harlow, who has the skin condition vitiligo, Grammy-winning pop star Seal, who has facial scarring from a form of the autoimmune disease lupus, and acid attack survivor Katie Piper. 'It's a very emotional process, because all of the models have skin conditions, whether genetic or environmental, that have left scars not just on the surface but within,' said Okafor. Okafor first found fame on social media more than a decade ago with his pencil portraits of notable figures, including Amy Winehouse and Mother Teresa, drawn from their photographs, and he's since had multiple group and solo exhibitions. For 'Drawing Awareness,' he again worked from photographs of his subjects but spoke to many of them beforehand to get to know them. 'The process before putting pen to paper is one of patience, stillness and compassion,' Okafor explained. 'Listening to my subjects' stories often stirred very deep emotions in me and made me reflect on my own life. Not in a negative way, but it changed how I see the world and helped me realize that it's truly a blessing to be comfortable in the skin we're in.' Each drawing is paired with the sitter's personal story, which, like their portrait, challenges the viewer to see beyond the surface. Okafor says he spent up to 900 hours on a single drawing, and was absorbed in his subjects' stories as he studied their voice, body language and psychology. This emotional connection, he said, is essential: 'It enables me to work long hours, because I'm honoring their condition. If I didn't feel that emotional connection, I don't think I would serve as much time.' Okafor often draws for 14 hours a day, waking up at 5:30am for meditation and exercise, then beginning to draw around 11am. He works in focused stretches, taking breaks to recharge, and gets about four hours of sleep each night. 'It sounds intense,' he admitted, 'but I get lost in it because it feels like it's preparing me for something bigger.' Born and raised in London, with Nigerian parents, Okafor's interest in skin differences has roots in his childhood. 'When I was young, visiting Nigeria with my family, I often saw people with albinism but didn't understand what it was,' he recalls. 'Out of curiosity, I would ask myself, 'Don't they get suntanned? Why are they so light?'' Returning to London, he noticed how rare it was to see people with albinism there. 'When I finally had the chance to draw someone with albinism for this project, it felt like I could answer the question I'd been asking myself as a child,' he said. Okafor first drew Harlow in 2019, and it was a revelation for him. 'It made me realize that, although we live in a world with very strict beauty ideals, here was someone in the modeling industry who has a very visible difference and has carved out space for so many others with skin conditions and unique features,' he said. This experience made him question what beauty is. 'People often say it's about symmetry, height, weight, but is it really?' he said. 'Beauty is something much deeper than the surface … almost intangible. It is something that radiates within a person.' Hope93 Gallery was created as a space with inclusion 'at its heart,' looking to 'connect communities using art as a starting point,' according to its website. 'What drew me to 'Drawing Awareness' is the importance of seeing inner beauty,' said Hope93 founder Aki Abiola, whose gallery is named in honor of his late father, MKO Abiola, who ran for president in Nigeria's 1993 elections. 'We live in an age where looks often shape how people judge others, which I believe is unfair. When you learn the stories behind people's lives, you begin to understand them better. I think that's exactly what Kelvin is trying to reveal: the beauty within.' Okafor says he wants to further raise awareness by working with charities such as Face Equality International, Changing Faces, or the Katie Piper Foundation, which have all partnered to present Drawing Awareness. 'I would love for people who have similar conditions to feel seen and included,' said Okafor. 'People who don't, I want them to see this as an opportunity to learn more, to be enlightened.' The exhibition runs until July 3 2025.
CNN
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
These hyper-realistic pencil artworks are raising awareness of visible skin differences
Known for his hyper-realistic pencil artworks, Kelvin Okafor is using his latest exhibition to call attention to visible skin differences. 'Drawing Awareness,' at London's Hope93 Gallery, features portraits of both ordinary people and celebrities, including Canadian fashion model Winnie Harlow, who has the skin condition vitiligo, Grammy-winning pop star Seal, who has facial scarring from a form of the autoimmune disease lupus, and acid attack survivor Katie Piper. 'It's a very emotional process, because all of the models have skin conditions, whether genetic or environmental, that have left scars not just on the surface but within,' said Okafor. Okafor first found fame on social media more than a decade ago with his pencil portraits of notable figures, including Amy Winehouse and Mother Teresa, drawn from their photographs, and he's since had multiple group and solo exhibitions. For 'Drawing Awareness,' he again worked from photographs of his subjects but spoke to many of them beforehand to get to know them. 'The process before putting pen to paper is one of patience, stillness and compassion,' Okafor explained. 'Listening to my subjects' stories often stirred very deep emotions in me and made me reflect on my own life. Not in a negative way, but it changed how I see the world and helped me realize that it's truly a blessing to be comfortable in the skin we're in.' Each drawing is paired with the sitter's personal story, which, like their portrait, challenges the viewer to see beyond the surface. Okafor says he spent up to 900 hours on a single drawing, and was absorbed in his subjects' stories as he studied their voice, body language and psychology. This emotional connection, he said, is essential: 'It enables me to work long hours, because I'm honoring their condition. If I didn't feel that emotional connection, I don't think I would serve as much time.' Okafor often draws for 14 hours a day, waking up at 5:30am for meditation and exercise, then beginning to draw around 11am. He works in focused stretches, taking breaks to recharge, and gets about four hours of sleep each night. 'It sounds intense,' he admitted, 'but I get lost in it because it feels like it's preparing me for something bigger.' Born and raised in London, with Nigerian parents, Okafor's interest in skin differences has roots in his childhood. 'When I was young, visiting Nigeria with my family, I often saw people with albinism but didn't understand what it was,' he recalls. 'Out of curiosity, I would ask myself, 'Don't they get suntanned? Why are they so light?'' Returning to London, he noticed how rare it was to see people with albinism there. 'When I finally had the chance to draw someone with albinism for this project, it felt like I could answer the question I'd been asking myself as a child,' he said. Okafor first drew Harlow in 2019, and it was a revelation for him. 'It made me realize that, although we live in a world with very strict beauty ideals, here was someone in the modeling industry who has a very visible difference and has carved out space for so many others with skin conditions and unique features,' he said. This experience made him question what beauty is. 'People often say it's about symmetry, height, weight, but is it really?' he said. 'Beauty is something much deeper than the surface … almost intangible. It is something that radiates within a person.' Hope93 Gallery was created as a space with inclusion 'at its heart,' looking to 'connect communities using art as a starting point,' according to its website. 'What drew me to 'Drawing Awareness' is the importance of seeing inner beauty,' said Hope93 founder Aki Abiola, whose gallery is named in honor of his late father, MKO Abiola, who ran for president in Nigeria's 1993 elections. 'We live in an age where looks often shape how people judge others, which I believe is unfair. When you learn the stories behind people's lives, you begin to understand them better. I think that's exactly what Kelvin is trying to reveal: the beauty within.' Okafor says he wants to further raise awareness by working with charities such as Face Equality International, Changing Faces, or the Katie Piper Foundation, which have all partnered to present Drawing Awareness. 'I would love for people who have similar conditions to feel seen and included,' said Okafor. 'People who don't, I want them to see this as an opportunity to learn more, to be enlightened.' The exhibition runs until July 3 2025.
Health Line
18-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What's the Difference Between Seborrheic Keratosis and Actinic Keratosis?
Actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis are two skin conditions that often show up around middle age. Since actinic keratosis lesions can become cancerous, it's best to get prompt treatment. Keratosis refers to an overgrowth of the protein keratin in the skin. This excess keratin can appear in skin lesions that resemble patches, warts, or moles. These two conditions may have similar names, but there's one major difference between the two: Actinic keratosis can become cancerous, while seborrheic keratosis cannot. This makes it important to know how to tell these lesions apart. If you have a hard time recognizing the difference between the two, here's a quick rundown: Actinic keratosis lesions often appear as rough, scaly patches that may show up in clusters. You'll often notice these patches in areas that get a lot of sun exposure, like your arms, hands, or face. Seborrheic keratosis tends to show up as a single lesion. These growths tend to be small, oval, thick, and raised. They can have a mole- or wart-like appearance. Learn more about these two conditions, along with a few key signs you may want to connect with a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment. Actinic keratosis Since actinic keratosis is considered precancerous, it's important to identify and treat it. Signs and symptoms Actinic keratosis lesions: may appear as thick, rough, or crusty patches; sometimes, you might feel the change in skin texture rather than see it are usually smaller than 2 centimeters (cm) often appear on body parts that get a lot of sun (like your face, neck, scalp, arms, or hands) often appear as the same color as surrounding skin, if you have darker skin may appear pink on lighter skin, or have a tan, brown or gray hue might burn or itch may show up as a horn-like growth can appear as scaly or colorless patches on your lips Causes Actinic keratosis usually develops as a result of sun exposure over time. Your chances of developing this skin condition increase if you: are 50 or older have light skin and eyes tend to sunburn easily have a history of frequent sun exposure or tanning bed use have a weakened immune system Treatment options In the early stages, actinic keratosis is very treatable. Your options for treatment include: Electrocauterization: Electrocauterization involves burning the lesion with an electric current, which kills the affected skin cells. Cryotherapy: Also called cryosurgery, this treatment involves applying a solution like liquid nitrogen to the affected area. This process freezes and kills the cells so the lesion scabs and falls off. Curettage: This procedure involves scraping off the growth with a curette (a specialized surgical instrument). A dermatologist may recommend this in combination with electrosurgery. Chemical peels: A dermatologist may apply a medical-grade chemical peel in-office to help remove the top layers of affected skin. Topical medical therapy: Treatments like 5-fluorouracil can inflame and destroy the lesions. Photodynamic therapy: This treatment involves the application of a photosensitive prescription medication solution (such as aminolevulinic acid) to the affected area. A dermatologist will then direct a red or blue laser light over the treated area to help destroy the actinic keratosis cells. Seborrheic keratosis These skin lesions are the most common form of benign lesion. If you notice them on your body, you might think they're just another mole or wart. In some cases, though, they can resemble precancerous or cancerous growths, such as melanoma. Here's how to recognize this type of skin growth. Signs and symptoms Seborrheic keratosis lesions: may appear as round or oval-shaped, slightly raised growths may seem 'stuck on' to your skin often have a waxy or scale-like texture generally show up on the face, chest, back, stomach, or shoulders typically won't appear on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet often grow larger and thicker over time and can reach about 1 inch in diameter often appear brown, black, white, or tan on light or dark skin may cause itchiness or irritation, though these lesions usually aren't painful Causes Researchers still don't know exactly what causes seborrheic keratoses. The lesions don't seem to be viral, bacterial, or contagious. That said, the following risk factors may increase your chances of developing these growths: Age: Seborrheic keratosis is uncommon in people under age 20. It often shows up in middle age, and more lesions may appear as you get older. Family history: They seems to run in families — the more relatives you have with these lesions, the more likely you may develop them yourself. Pregnancy or hormone therapy: Seborrheic keratoses may appear during pregnancy or estrogen replacement therapy. Frequent sun exposure: Some evidence suggests these lesions may appear more often on sun-exposed skin, but they can also develop on skin not regularly exposed to sun. Lighter skin: These lesions more commonly affect people with lighter skin, but it's possible to still get them if you have darker skin. Treatment options Seborrheic keratosis often doesn't require treatment. But if you dislike the way your lesion looks or feels, you can always speak with a dermatologist or other doctor about removal. If your lesion is actually a precancerous or cancerous growth, you'll need to have it removed. Your healthcare professional may recommend one of these procedures: Cryosurgery Electrosurgery and curettage Shave excision: Your dermatologist may shave off a sample of the growth to send it to a lab for analysis. Ablation: This procedure involves using a specialized laser to vaporize the growth. Nitric acid-zinc solution: This treatment involves using a topical solution called nitrizinc complex. Emerging evidence suggests this treatment can safely shrink or totally eliminate the lesion, often within about 6 months. When to get medical help Any time your skin changes unexpectedly or you're concerned about a lesion, a good next step involves getting an assessment from a dermatologist or other medical professional. Since actinic keratosis can sometimes turn into skin cancer, being vigilant about check-ups can help you lower your risk of skin cancer. And even though seborrheic keratosis may not pose any danger to your health, it never hurts to have a professional confirm that your skin growth isn't cancerous. As a general rule, you'll want to have a healthcare professional inspect your skin if: You have a new growth. The appearance of an existing growth changes. A growth appears purple, blue or reddish or changes colors. A growth has blurred or irregular borders. A growth irritates you, bleeds, or causes pain. Prevention tips Frequent sun exposure can increase your chances of skin cancer, but these tips can help lower your risk: Wear sunscreen every day — rain or shine, indoors or out. Opt for sunscreen that has a SPF rating of at least 30, with broad spectrum protection to block both UVA and UVB rays. Avoid tanning beds. Avoid spending time outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. UV rays are strongest in the middle of the day. Protect your skin from UV rays by wearing hats, long sleeves, and pants. Bottom line Both actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis are skin conditions that show up as growths. Since actinic keratosis lesions can potentially become cancerous, it helps to know how to tell the difference between the two. Seborrheic keratosis are raised lesions that tend to have a round or oval shape, while actinic keratosis typically shows up as dry patches in areas of skin that get frequent sun exposure.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Your skin doesn't define your value', says acne sufferer
A student who has struggled with acne since she was a child has joined a national campaign to raise awareness of the Wasim, 21, from Fishponds, has had hormonal acne since she was 11 years old, caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).She is now part of a campaign highlighting the emotional impact of skin conditions like acne and to BBC Radio Bristol's John Darvall, she said those with skin conditions should surround themselves with people who make them feel "safe as they are". She said: "To anyone going through something similar, whether that be acne or eczema or any other skin condition, just be kind to yourself."Focus on how you feel, not how you look. Your skin doesn't define your value." Ms Wasim, a psychology student at London Metropolitan University, said the acne started on her chest, back and face from the age of said: "When it started to happen I was at such a vulnerable age - it's when people are already starting to feel uncomfortable in their bodies. "My skin just ended up making me feel more isolated during a time when my mind and body was developing."She was prescribed various medications, including antibiotics and creams, which had a varying degrees of success. 'Big turning point' The student, who is now a spokesperson for youth-led charity Integrate UK, recently joined nine other people with skin conditions to share their experiences through a photography April, Ms Wasim had photos taken of her lower face, neck, chest and back, showing her acne and scarring. The pictures were used in a London exhibition. She said: "It was such an empowering moment for me because I've never been that confident before when I was growing up carrying so much of that."A big turning point for me was realising the pressure was just coming from within and I was the one holding myself back."
