A recent Montana State University master’s graduate is working with doctors at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Tennessee to build a handheld laser microscope that could someday reduce the number of biopsies needed to diagnose skin cancer.

Suspicious spots on the skin often prompt dermatologists to remove skin samples for analysis. These procedures are currently the best way to diagnose skin cancers, said Chris Arrasmith, who recently earned his master’s degree and now works as a researcher in MSU’s electrical engineering department.

But biopsies are invasive procedures that are often painful. Millions are conducted each year in the United States, and according to the American Cancer Society, most of those biopsies — as many as 80 percent for some types of cancers — come back negative.

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Stem cells have recently become a huge buzzword in the skincare world. But what does this really mean? Skincare specialists are not using embryonic stem cells; it is impossible to incorporate live materials into a skincare product.  Instead, companies are creating products with specialized peptides and enzymes or plant stem cells which, when applied topically on the surface, help protect the human skin stem cells from damage and deterioration or stimulate the skin’s own stem cells.  National Stem Cell was one of the few companies who actually incorporated into their skin care an enzyme secreted from human embryonic stem cells, but they are in the process of switching over to use non-embryonic stem cells from which to take the beneficial enzyme.

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. When a stem cell divides, it can remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a skin cell. There are two types of stem cells, embryonic and adult.

The utility of hormonal replacement therapy and other proactive longevity medicine practiced by A4M physicians not only improves the quality of life in patients, it also prevents unnecessary depression, anxiety and insomnia disorders all of which cause subsequent addiction.

Normalizing brain chemistry with medication, bio-identical hormone replacement and nutraceutical supplementation balances brain activity and eliminates craving and self medication with alcohol and drugs. Patients utilize drugs and alcohol either to stimulate under-active brain regions or relax over-active brain systems. The aberrant electrical activity in the addicted patient’s brain is typically caused by inherited or acquired biochemical and hormonal deficiencies.

Accurate diagnosis based on neurotransmitter, hormonal  and neuro-imaging studies  allows effective treatment of underlying biochemical and electrical imbalances.  Effective treatment of anxiety, attention deficit disorders, depression, insomnia, fatigue and other addiction causes frequently eliminates alcohol and drug addictions.

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Acne appears for most of us at one point or another in our lives.  What makes it difficult to bear for the long term, however, is when it not only fills you with lesions, but leaves you with scars that can last you a lifetime.  Fortunately, acne scar treatments are available that can leave you clear from those blemishes that look to stay permanently on your skin.

What exactly causes acne scars?  There are various things, including:

Genetics. Some people, with bad skin types, simply scar easier than others.

Living Conditions. If your living conditions are largely unhygienic, you may suffer through acne scars frequently as a result.

Skin lightening creams are often used as acne scar treatments.  Since they can facilitate darkness reduction in specific spots, you can easily apply it over an area and have it cleared in just a short time.  Try a standard-grade skin lightening cream that’s intended to leave you with a lighter complexion and use it as an acne scar treatment.

Chemical peels are also frequently employed as acne scar treatments.  Since they exfoliate the surface layers of the skin, the scar usually goes along with the peel.  For deeper scars, you can ask your dermatologist for harsher laser and chemical peels to shave off several layers of scarring.

The outer layer of the skin is known to replenish at least once every 28 days.  As such, peeling can be expected, although it usually just sheds on its own.  For skin that visibly peels, there’s usually an underlying reason – poor hydration, dryness, sun damage or other environmental issues.

Peeling skin is often a symptom of some other condition. As such, the skin peel treatments you require will need to be geared towards what’s causing it.  Potential causes include such conditions as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, erythroderma, various types of rashes and vitamin A overdose.  If you’re not suffering from any of the above conditions, though, most peeling skin will heal by itself.  Skin peel treatments, as a result, are usually unnecessary.  A quick visit to a physician, of course, should facilitate faster recovery.

If you’re suffering from a specific condition that causes the peeling skin, skin peel treatments can range from simple home remedies like fresh mint juice to topical various creams and lotions to physician-administered procedures.  Most of the time, it would work really well to use a moisturizer, drink plenty of water (hydrate) and use a sunscreen anytime you’re out in the sun.

Just as important as applying skin peel treatments, resist the desire to pick on peeling skin, steer clear from the sun as much as you can and avoid washing or bathing in warm water.  Peeling skin isn’t all that hard to clear up.