“Same-same, but different” – Function-First Options
In a previous letter, I described how the pandemic has impacted our stock availability. Impacted feels like too delicate a word … it’s been gutted and we’re looking at months of grueling recovery ahead. To those of you who’ve shared well wishes along with your desperation for stocks: THANK YOU. That grace means a lot […]
We’re Sorry We Can’t (Yet) Complete You!
We sincerely apologize that our stocks have been so unavailable. In a (coco)nutshell, it’s been brutal. As with so many small businesses, the pandemic hit us hard and in more ways than what might initially be obvious because, while many cosmetic companies outsource their manufacturing, we produce our formulations. Covid didn’t just shut down our […]
Awkward Questions You Actually Should Ask Your Dermatologist
Intimidated by your doctor? You shouldn’t be. You’re putting your care in the hands of an expert and have a right to know more about them. Keep it light and friendly (an aggressive interrogation never set the stage for a pleasant relationship) but do ask questions! Here are some suggestions. 🎓 “I’d love to learn […]
Psoriasis Overview
I just got diagnosed with psoriasis. What should I know? The first thing to know is that the science behind psoriasis has come a long way and is improving every day! While a diagnosis used to feel a bit doomsday-ish, most psoriasis cases are now very well managed and impressive clarity is no longer a […]
Photopatch test positive melasma with subtle photosensitivity among sun shy Asians
Photopatch test positive melasma with subtle photosensitivity among sun shy Asians. Verallo-Rowell VM. Oral Presentation/Abstracts: 7th Asian Congress of Dermatology, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sept. 2005 ABSTRACT In 2002, we published the book Skin in the Tropics, Sunscreens and Hyperpigmentations which included an article on the proposed genesis of melasma. The article proposed that […]
KIDS … & WHOEVER ELSE YOU SPENT LOCKDOWN WITH: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen Your Kids … & Whoever Else You Spent Lockdown With Quarantines tested us: our resolve, discipline, physical health, mental health, patience, and more. Never having a break from loved ones may have been irritatING and caused tempers to FLARE … could they have caused skin flare-ups, too? The answer is yes, possibly, […]
KNITTING: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Not An Allergen … but barely Knitting The potential contact allergens that could be involved in this popular craft are numerous … Formaldehydes in the preservation of wool and wooden knitting needles Nickel in metal knitting needles Dyes and acrylates in yarn … but because there do seem to be lots of safer alternatives that […]
FRAGRANCE MIX: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Fragrance Mix The American Contact Dermatitis Society named Fragrance the Allergen Of The Year of 2007 … and there are so many that they’re in groups (Fragrance Mix I and Fragrance Mix II) that are standard in patch test trays! If you’ve patch tested positive to either fragrance mix, it can be difficult to […]
OLEAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYLAMINE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?
Allergen Oleamidopropyl Dimethylamine “Amido-amine” surfactants are popular “safer” alternatives to SLS. But while SLS and SLES can be irritants (especially in higher concentrations), they are not allergens. Amido-amines are. OleAMIDOpropyl dimethylamine itself regularly appears on published lists of top contact allergens. Other common amido-amines are cocamidopropyl betaine and cocamide-DEA. Note that the “coca” in some […]