Skincare Articles

The average woman puts 515 synthetic chemicals onto her body every single day. Components of everyday beauty routines, such as eye shadows, shampoos, deodorant, and hairspray are to blame. Chemicals in skincare can cause skin irritations, infertility, hormonal disruptions, and even cancer.  It's no wonder that people are searching for chemical free skin care options to try to reduce their exposure to harmful parabens. What you put on your face matters, so if you're searching for ways to determine which are the best skin care products and what to avoid when you're shopping, you've come to the right place. Read on for all the details you need to know about chemicals in your beauty products and non toxic skin care options.  What Are Parabens? Parabens are synthetic preservatives that some industries use to extend the lifespan of their products. You'll find them in food, pharmaceuticals, and beauty products. The cosmetics industry uses them in manufacturing their products for a few reasons. Parabens will discourage the growth of bacteria and mold. This allows consumers to keep products in their make-up kits for extended periods of time without spoiling. Why Should You Worry About Chemicals in Skincare Products? Parabens can mimic hormones like estrogen, disrupting the function of your endocrine system. A study found that lifelong exposure to estrogen can increase one's risk of developing breast cancer. Because parabens are endocrine disruptors, they can lead to early puberty in both girls and boys. The use of parabens in male skin care products might also affect the reproductive system of males. A study found that rats who were exposed to parabens showed significantly decreased rates of sperm production. Overexposure to parabens can cause a decrease in sperm concentration, making conceiving difficult. When you use these products, preservatives are then able to enter your body through your skin. Studies have shown that people who use certain beauty products will absorb up to five pounds of chemicals through their skin in a single year.  Which Products Should Have the Cleanest Ingredients? In an ideal world, the products in your skin care regimen are the gateway to the largest organ of our body. The responsibility is upon us to choose organic skincare where possible to lessen the burden of toxic substances entering our skin.  Realistically, the entire beauty industry is not on board yet, and those that are, mainly focus on cosmetics.  So which of the products that you use often should have the cleanest ingredients?  You should search for natural skin care options for the following products: - Bubble baths, bath bombs and anything else you might soak in - Lotions, oils, and creams that you apply and don't wash off - Shampoos and conditioners as they soak your body as they wash off your hair - Anything that you plan on using on your children Bottom Line  You might be feeling overwhelmed with the information we've shared today about chemicals in skincare. It might even feel like a moot point trying to incorporate a regimen when it seems like all of the skincare brands on the market are chock full of harmful ingredients.  If you're feeling frustrated, we have a solution for you. Be sure to visit our online shop to find the best, and healthiest, skin care products you can buy. 

There's nothing worse than getting rid of your acne only to have them replaced with dark spots and scarring. Worst of all, they seem to last forever! The key to getting rid of this pigmentation is two-fold: prevention and early intervention.  First step is to prevent acne from appearing in the first place using a pH balanced toner with acne fighting ingredients, then zapping the blemishes as soon as they appear with an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial gel. But first, let’s learn more about acne scarring and blemishes and how this 2-step method that includes Post-Traumatic Response Gel can help skin heal faster for a scar and blemish-free face. What Is Acne Scarring? Acne scarring at its base is physical scarring and pigmentation. Acne marks occur after the skin experiences a trauma, such as an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria. The body’s response to injury recruits a biochemical reaction to heal the cut, blemish, or foreign invader.  This inflammatory response leaves a damaging defect in surface of the skin and hyperpigmentation.  The pigmentation or dark spot that appears is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).   Although physical scarring can require intensive treatments to fix, pigmentation is much easier to treat. This is especially true if you take action quickly. How to Get Rid of Blemishes or Dark Spots In the process of the skin trying to heal itself, a post-traumatic response gel can deliver high concentration of nutrients to the site of injury, thereby preventing extra tissue damage to the skin.  This prevents pigmentation. It also provides the skin with powerful antioxidants to reduce damaging free radicals that can lead to scarring, dullness and even wrinkle formation.   How to Choose the Best Products for Skin Blemishes There are many skin blemish products on the market that treat dark spots after they've already formed. However, there are very few products that intervene while the pustule is still there. A post-traumatic response gel can intervene to prevent a dark spot from even forming in the first place. You'll also want to look for a non-alcohol, pH balanced toner or cleanser with anti-microbial properties as your base since acne is in part driven by bacteria.   Alway remember to choose skin care products  formulated with organic and natural botanical ingredients since cosmetics are readily absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. Constant use of products with toxic ingredients can build up over time and may damage other tissues of the body. For example, synthetic ingredients like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and silicones can disrupt hormones and damage cells. How a Post-Traumatic Response Gel and Cytotone Waterless Cleanser Can Benefit Your Acne Scarring Seaside Medical Technologies' Post-Traumatic Response Gel with MatrX B heals and treats acne scarring and blemishes quickly by nourishing the skin with organic ingredients such as Arnica and Astaxanthin that boost your body's natural healing mechanisms. Botanical carotenoids and flavonoids help neutralize the adverse effects of sustained inflammatory responses. Cytotone Waterless Cleanser is a non-alcohol based cleanser that clears the skin of environmental debris, toxins and bacteria.  Used one to two times daily, this lightweight waterless cleanser/toner can dramatically manage the inflammatory reaction of acne blemishes and help to reduce scarring and pigmentation from forming in the first place.   You can use the product confidently knowing that all of Seaside Medical Technologies' products are formulated without toxic ingredients. You don't have to skimp on results for non-toxic skincare! Interested in learning more about organic skin care or how botanicals can help you achieve your skin goals? Check out Seaside Medical Technologies Seaside Discovery Page today!

Ingrown toenails tend to be incredibly painful, especially when you need to be on your feet throughout the day in any kind of shoe. Now, there is a gel that can help alleviate the pain caused by an ingrown toenail, allowing you to get relief while the toe heals; the gel is called Post Traumatic Response Gel with MatrX B™. How The Response Gel Can Help with Pain Post Traumatic Response Gel not only reduces pain, it has proven to provide rapid skin healing.  The fast-absorbing gel combines powerhouse antioxidants such as Arnica, Astaxanthin and Aloe Vera to boost your body’s natural healing response.  Additionally, this doctor-approved elixir is organic and non-toxic, so you won’t have to worry about chemicals or other potentially damaging ingredients being absorbed into your skin. When and How to Use When you need ingrown toenail pain relief fast, use Post Traumatic Response Gel as soon as you notice pain, redness or irritation. Clean the area with soap and water, then apply a small amount of gel into and around the toenail bed.  Give it a couple of minutes to absorb prior to resuming normal activity such as wearing shoes or socks. The gel can be used multiple times daily until you no longer feel pain from the ingrown toenail. Proper Care of the Toenail While you’re using the gel to provide pain relief for an ingrown toenail, make sure you’re taking other precautions to protect your toe and prevent the ingrown toenail from getting worse. Here are some basic tips: Make sure your feet are comfortable – Loose and comfortable shoes and socks can give your toes more space, which helps stop the ingrown toenail from getting worse. Avoid shoes that put more pressure on your toenails as this will make the ingrown toenail much worse. See a podiatrist or specialist in managing toenail trimmings.  Avoid using sharp objects to pry the nail free or improperly trim the nail.  This can cause more trauma to the nail bed furthering the condition. Keep the toe clean and watch for infection – Even it you take to previously stated precautions, the ingrown toenail can still get infected. Keep an eye on it and seek medical attention quickly if you notice any signs of infection. Having an ingrown toenail can be very painful, but there is help available that will give you fast relief. Learn more about our Post Traumatic Response Gel withMatrX B™ to relieve pain and heal your toe quickly.

  Guys, did you know most of the skincare products in our drugstores contain numerous ingredients that are harmful to our bodies? That's right. Unfortunately, The FDA doesn't always do a good job of regulating our skincare products, which is a problem because what we put on our skin also enters our bloodstream. As conscientious consumers, it’s our responsibility to be smart about what we put in and on our bodies. If you would like to have a better and healthier complexion, we are going to help you with the simple and quick dos and don'ts of men's organic skincare, so you can get on with your day. The Essential Components of an Organic Skincare Routine Before you start shopping, familiarize yourself with some of the most toxic ingredients out there in conventional skincare products (Environmental Working Group). Parabens, synthetic colors, and fragrances, to name a few, can disrupt everything from hormones to our respiratory system. When looking for organic skincare products, you want to avoid toxic ingredients and discover safer, more natural, alternatives. Let's look at some examples Cleansers One of the most important steps of your daily routine is washing. After spending a full day sweating in the sun, the gym, or traffic, you’d be surprised at the amount of dirt and grime that accumulates on our skin.  Pollution and other environmental stresses are harmful to the skin, but no fear! We’re here to show you ways to combat it and in some cases, reverse the damage. You might be tempted to just rinse your face in the shower and call it a day but our face is a delicate part of our body and it should be treated accordingly. For a glowing complexion, figure out if you have dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin then look for an organic cleanser that will leave you feeling clean but not too dry. Toners Toners are like an extra treat for the skin before you go out or to bed. It might not seem like much is happening at first, but give it some time, you'll start to notice the difference in the complexion of your skin. A good toner like the Cytotone Waterless Cleanser will balance the pH (acidity level) of your skin, leaving your face softer and brighter. It contains neroli hydrosol and silk protein amino acids that even out skin tone, reduce redness and inflammation. Scrubs and Masks Scrubs and masks are meant to be used once or twice a week in our skincare routines. Overusing scrubs and masks can actually have an adverse effect, drying out your skin or causing irritation. Use a scrub and mask a couple days a week to help exfoliate dead skin from the surface and deep clean our skin to make room for a new layer of healthier, brighter-looking skin. Our Cytotone Facial Scrub & Mask does just that with kaolin clay and sea kelp extracts, two ingredients known to purify and remove impurities from the skin. Sunscreen Many people love to tan, but there is nothing sexy or manly about aging skin. Sun protection is the key to a healthy and handsome complexion. Fortunately, there are a lot of non-toxic sunscreens out there that can get the job done. A good sunscreen should have an SPF higher than 30, contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide because they protect against both UVA and UVB rays. And if you ever find yourself with a sunburn, our Post-Traumatic Response Gel can help your skin heal quickly and safely without petroleum or mineral oils that many other treatment gels contain. In fact, our Response Gel actually has sun protection benefits. Treat Your Skin Our skin is one of the most important organs of our body and if you don't take care of it, it will show.  So take charge, guys! It’s time to start your non-toxic skincare routine and with SMT’s help, it’ll only take you minutes each morning and night. If you would like to learn more about organic skincare, head over to our site for more natural, non-toxic, skin care tips and to purchase products.

Here are five of the greatest skincare lessons I’ve learned: The sun may look inviting, but it is not your friend. Whether the sun is shining or it’s cloudy out, UV rays are present. These rays cause free radical damage, and without proper sun protection, will cause premature aging. The best thing you can do for your skin is limit direct sun exposure to your skin to only 10-15 minutes at a time. Wearing sun block cream is one method of protection. Antioxidants are the key to a great skincare routine, offering one of the best defenses against signs of aging. When choosing products, look for natural, concentrated antioxidants like Vitamin C and E, Astaxanthin, Carotenoids, or Ferulic acid. Be a natural beauty. Organic ingredients are medically proven to deliver better results than synthetic counterparts. Don’t buy products that contain any parabens, sulfates, petroleum, synthetic pesticides, or dyes, they’ll end up doing more harm than good. Know when to stop! One of the most common skin problems I see is irritation caused by over-exfoliating, picking pimples, or slathering on too many products at once. Overdoing it will only make the problem worse. It’s better to keep hands off your face and give your skin proper time to heal. Life is complicated, your skincare routine shouldn’t be. All of the products in our Seaside Medical Tech skincare line are multi-use for a reason. You don’t need a ton of products to achieve the right results, you just need a few of the right ones packed with power ingredients. I hope sharing this knowledge and skincare advice will help you achieve better skincare results, so you can always put your best face forward!

Patients often ask me why my skin looks so great. My answer: I’m in the anti-aging business and I own an anti-aging skincare line.Early on, before wrinkles set in and hollows deepened, I began dressing up my face. Even after only a couple of years studying medicine, it became obvious it’s much more effective for facial rejuvenation to begin in your late 20’s than to have a reactive approach to erasing etched-in lines and a hollowed-out face.When I finished medical school and became a skincare doctor in my late 20’s, I began protecting my skin against the normal process of aging by taking measures to slow it down. Biologically, we’re in a constant state of oxidative stress and our cells have a timestamp. So, the only way we can “look younger” is to decrease the rate of aging.How was I able to achieve results that so many of my patients notice? By being as diligent about taking care of my skin, as we are about brushing our teeth. This doesn’t mean spending hundreds of dollars on a luxury cream that will only last 6-months. If you keep skin hydrated using layers of serums and creams formulated with effective ingredients, you’ve already won half the battle.Far too many people begin thinking of an anti-aging skincare routine when it’s too late. Being a medical doctor really opened my eyes to the aging process and how important it is to be proactive. It also allowed me to study what ingredients are most effective in combating signs of aging.The key anti-aging ingredients I look for are aloe, vitamin C, and plant hydroxy extracts.These organic, nontoxic ingredients are powerful antioxidants that protect my skin and allow it to heal. It’s the foundation of how I’ve achieved beautiful-looking skin, but it’s not the only step I take.I also help my skin build more collagen by stimulating organized injury using dermal fillers. I’ve relaxed my forehead and frown lines with agents like Dysport and Botox but I am always mindful not to overdo it.After a couple of years, I realized I could still maintain my look without needing as much. This subtle aesthetic approach has allowed me a full range of facial expressions and movement without any wrinkles. I’ve always steered clear of a “frozen” look, just in case I ever decide to go into acting as a second career!One of the best anti-aging skin tips is to never leave the house without first applying an SPF. I remember to do this every day and incorporate it into my daily morning routine right after I brush my teeth. UV rays are the greatest cause of oxidative stress, so protecting your skin against the sun is the first step toward more radiant skin. I recommend everyone give this a try.Above all, it’s important to remember that beauty is truly only skin deep.Practicing a healthy lifestyle is one of the best things you can do, not only for your skin but for yourself. You need to care for your body inside and out. It’s undeniable that following a sensible and nutritious diet is the most important basis for achieving a glowing complexion.So, now that Thanksgiving has passed, it’s time to get back on track to eating healthy, nutritional meals. Your skin will thank you, but more importantly, it’ll make you feel great!

Topical Antioxidants vs. Oral SupplementsAntioxidants can be ingested or applied topically to the skin. Many clinical studies have called into question the effectiveness of antioxidant supplements taken orally; whereas, dermatological studies are finding that topical applications show great promise.2 However, not all scientists agree, and the best method will sometimes depend on the type of antioxidant being used, the condition of the skin, and one’s exposure to environmental toxins and UV rays. Therefore, you should use topical antioxidants over oral supplements.Studies show that increasing your nutritional intake of foods high in vitamin C will not impact your skin significantly. For this reason, it is recommended that topical creams and lotions containing vitamin C be used instead if you want to see a measurable improvement in your skin’s appearance.3Similarly, vitamin E is said to be more effective for skin benefits when taken topically rather than through oral supplements.4Ferulic acid, however, has shown promise when regularly ingested through herbal supplements.6 Astaxanthin has been found to increase skin elasticity and decrease fine lines in topical form. What is the Ideal Concentration?When it comes to topical antioxidant use, percentages matter. Look for high concentrates for measurable results, as long as your skin can tolerate it. Be careful not to overdose. Applying a concentrate that is too high has the potential to cause irritation, peeling, rashes such as hives or small white nodules to the surface of the skin.Because your body relies on a balance between free radicals and antioxidants for optimal physiological performance, it’s important that you don’t take too high concentrations of oral antioxidant supplements.1According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), high doses of beta-carotene have even been linked to increased risks of lung cancer and high doses of vitamin E have been linked to increased risks of stroke. Too much vitamin C can lead to kidney stones, while increased doses of beta-carotene or astaxanthin can change the pigment of your skin, causing it to appear too red or orange.As a medical doctor, I’ve taken great care to ensure that Seaside Medical Technologies’ products are effective, nontoxic, and safe enough even for children. The topical antioxidants used in our products like our Antioxidant Concentrate are advanced, natural, and formulated with optimal concentrations.No matter which antioxidant your ideal product contains, it’s important that you do your research, pay attention to product labels and only use products as directed. This will not only ensure that you achieve your desired result, but that you do so safely without any unintended side effects.   Sources:1. Lobo, V., Patil, A., Phatak, A., & Chandra, N. (2010). Free radicals, antioxidants, and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 4(8), 118–126. http://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.709022. Burke KE. Interaction of vitamins C and E as Better Cosmeceuticals. Dermatol Ther 20(5):314-21 (2007 Sep-Oct).3. Traikovich SS. Use of topical ascorbic acid and its effects on photodamaged skin topography. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 125(10):1091-8 (1999 Oct).4. Geesin JC, Darr D, Kaufman R, et al. Ascorbic acid specifically increases type I and type III procollagen messenger RNA levels in human skin fibroblast. J Invest Dermatol 90(4):420-4 (1988 Apr).

by Seaside Medical Technologies Staff The Effects of Free Radical Damage Some of the causes of free radicals occur when you face exposure to tobacco smoke, UV rays, radiation, and other environmental elements. In turn, your body produces quantitively more free radicals than normal metabolic functions produce.When an abundance of free radicals is roaming around in your body, the balance between free radicals and antioxidants is skewed and it is no longer regulated effectively. This causes oxidative stress to occur.1 So, how does this imbalance become a problem? Free radical molecules negatively affect your DNA, proteins, lipids, and can even lead to disease.2 On your skin, in particular, tremendous damage occurs, which is the scientific explanation of aging skin.1  What are Antioxidants? One of the best defenses against free radicals and oxidative stress are antioxidants. These naturally-produced substances protect your skin from their damaging effects and several studies have shown that antioxidants also help improve elasticity and reduce wrinkles.1,4   Types of Antioxidants Since synthetic antioxidants can often cause more harm than good, increasingly there is great interest in finding nontoxic, natural antioxidant compounds.2 This we postulate constitutes nontoxic healing. Astaxanthin is one of the hottest antioxidants being researched. Commonly found in marine animals, it is said to have 200x more antioxidant properties than Beta-carotene and is more effective than Vitamins C or E. This is how fish protect against the damaging effects of the sun's rays. Studies have also shown its ability to reduce UV-induced skin damage.1 Other powerful antioxidants include Carotenoids and Ferulic acid. These protect against oxidative and free radical damage while also offering a wide range of anti-aging benefits and effects. Alas, with the potential to quester several oxygen radicals and rid the body of their deleterious effects, Vitamin C is one of my favorite antioxidants in both oral and topical forms. Its regenerative properties have been shown to be a key to maintaining a youthful glow while also boosting collagen production.3 Antioxidants are one of my first recommendations for patients looking to improve their skin’s appearance and protect against free radical damage. No matter which specific type you prefer, nontoxic antioxidants are one of the best natural defenses we have against signs of aging. If you haven't already begun using topical antioxidants as part of your skincare regime, I highly suggest that you start now.Stay tuned for our next newsletter, coming out later this month, as we continue our two-part article about topical antioxidants for skin. Sources:1. Pandel, R., Poljšak, B., Godic, A., & Dahmane, R. (2013). Skin Photoaging and the Role of Antioxidants in Its Prevention. ISRN Dermatology, 2013, 930164. http://doi.org/10.1155/2013/9301642. Lobo, V., Patil, A., Phatak, A., & Chandra, N. (2010). Free radicals, antioxidants, and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 4(8), 118–126. http://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.709023. Burke KE. Interaction of vitamins C and E as Better Cosmeceuticals. Dermatol Ther 20(5):314-21 (2007 Sep-Oct).4. Srinivasan, M., Sudheer, A. R., & Menon, V. P. (2007). Ferulic Acid: Therapeutic Potential Through Its Antioxidant Property. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 40(2), 92–100. http://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.40.92

By Dr. Stacy Matthews What is Lip Eczema and What Does It Look Like? Eczema is a form of dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) that is characterized by rough, scaly, flaky, dry skin with a red appearance. A symptom of eczema can also look like a rash around the mouth. Eczema on the lips is referred to simply as lip eczema or lip dermatitis. Commonly, lip eczema is from a reaction, such as an allergic reaction, to some type of external substance. A study in Spain showed that most cases of lip eczema are allergic contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Further, cosmetics and topical medications were the main culprits (1).  What Causes Eczema on Lips? Some people are more susceptible than others to develop eczema on the lips or on the skin around the lips. Therefore, there is a hereditary (genetic) factor associated with this skin condition. Lip eczema becomes a significant problem when it is chronic and difficult to resolve. When lip eczema is present, there is an unending dryness that does not respond to the typical over-the-counter lip balms. The lips appear red, visibly dry, flaky, and often peel.  Common cosmetic products have ingredients that often trigger lip eczema. For instance, the same lip balms some people use in an attempt to relieve dry, chapped lips actually can cause eczema or make it worse. Lanolin in lip products, such as lip balms, has been identified as an allergen causing lip eczema in some people. Beeswax is another component notorious for causing contact dermatitis.  Fragrances are one of the main ingredients in cosmetics and lotions that cause skin irritation. Fragrances in lipstick products and lip balms can also trigger lip eczema. Risk Factors for Lip Eczema You may be at a higher risk to develop eczema on your lips if you: have skin issues that allow chemicals or irritants to be more easily absorbed have a history or family history of allergies, asthma or eczema have a new lipstick, lip balm or other lip product have high stress levels have a high sensitivity to hot or cold are experiencing change in hormone levels (more common with women)  Lip Eczema Treatment The good news is that lip eczema is treatable. To relieve lip eczema and reduce inflammation, some people are prescribed hydrocortisone cream, but once stopped, the problem often returns. Some opt for more natural remedies, such as shea butter or essential oils like lavender oil, to relieve the dryness and cracked lips. However, they often aren't sufficient eczema on the lips treatments. Treatment with Post-Traumatic Response Gel MatrX B Response Gel contains natural ingredients with multiple skin protecting and healing functions. Our very own founder, Dr. Yazdani struggled with lip eczema for 10 years with no relief from a diversity of skin treatment products, including hydrocortisone cream. However, after twice daily application of MatrX B Response Gel, she noticed drastic improvement of lip dryness and the eczema resolved permanently. Avoiding products containing allergens and using products that promote skin health, such as MatrX B Response Gel, are viable options to address lip eczema.  Do you think you have eczema on your lips? Try Post Traumatic Response Gel for fast, non-toxic relief.   Loidi-Pascual L, Hervella-Garcés M, Larrea-García M, Santesteban-Muruzábal R, Agulló-Pérez A, Yanguas-Bayona I. [Lip eczema. Experience in the Contact Dermatitis Unit of a Spanish tertiary hospital]. An Sist Sanit Navar. 2015 Sep-Dec;38(3):409-16.