I had a really long, busy day at my office yesterday, and I was extremely tired when I got off work. Somehow I found some energy and made my way over to school. I like having a client on Thursday nights because it makes the time go by quicker. The client I got last night was the girl who works at the uniform store where my classmates and I buy our scrubs. She was so nice and a very enjoyable client. Her skin is acne-prone, sensitive and she also has eczema, so we did an acne clearing facial with a sea mud mask. I was excited to see all of the extractions I would have to work on.
My client asked if regular facials would help her skin condition, and I told her once every two weeks would be beneficial, if not once a week. I think she would really see her skin clearing up with these regular treatments. At home, she said she uses an Aveeno cleanser and she did use Retin-A that her dermatologist prescribed her at one point. Although she was a bit oily in the T-zone, her cheeks were extremely dehydrated. I emphasized the importance of a good oil-free, nonclogging moisturizer, even with her acne/oil-prone skin, she still needs that hydration. I told her about the products we sell at school and suggested even just adding one or two into her skin care regimen and then adding more next time she visits.
She is experiencing a lot of papules and pustules, and I did not attempt to extract these red bumps; I mainly just focused on the closed comedones that were ready to come out. My client explained to me that she not only has eczema on her face, but it is also on her body. She said that she has scars from when she had bad cases of it on her legs and her arms. I noticed the scars on her arms while giving her a hand and arm massage. She wanted to know what would be best to apply to the scarred areas, and what could help minimize the appearance. I suggested coming in for a hydrating, soothing body wrap, but I am sure there is a better treatment that might help her condition. Does anyone have advice on how to treat existing eczema and also the damage that past eczema has caused?
July 18th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Being a lifetime sufferer of eczema, the only cure I know is the ocean. Spending extended periods of time in a living ocean is the best cure. Also, good old fashioned sun. Contrary to what we preach to our clients, the sun is excellent for eczema. I have my own natural and organic body care line and although it doesn’t irritate the skin, it hydrates gently, but there is still no known cure for excema.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:58 pm
A company called Allied Biomedical makes a scar gel called Cimeosil and it is supposed to make all scars fade, even older scars. The prodcut is called Scar Magic.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Eczema spans a large area in dermatology, including dermatitis and various eczematous disorders. It represents a category of diseases where the skin is inflamed. The skin surface is disrupted and water is lost. The underlying skin dries out and more irritants or allergens are able to make their way into the skin. Pruritus is typical. Scratching puts more holes in the skin worsening the condition. As a student you should send her to a dermatologist. Her dermatologist can diagnosis what type of eczema she has and start her on the appropriate treatment. She has probably sought out a professional opinion but you did give her great advice by telling her she still needed to use a moisturizer on her dry areas.
Scarring is a tough issue to combat. Scarring will typically hypopigment patients with skin type 1-3 and hyperpigment skin types 4-6. If her skin has hypopigmented then she has lost the melanin and unfortunately it is a permanent loss. For redness and hypertrophic scarring she could try some advanced formula scar gels. Kelo-cote and Dermatix Ultra are two I would recommend.
A comment was posted that the sun is excellent for eczema…I would have to completely disagree. Eczema is a very difficult skin disease to treat and patients often suffer psychologically. Your client does not need skin cancer to add to her suffering.
July 26th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Everything is good in a small portion; anything is poison in overdose.
October 8th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Mine is not so much a comment but a question. What kind of products are good to use on those with eczema, as far as cleansers, exfoliate or creams go?
November 19th, 2008 at 9:29 am
My daughter is currently in school to be an esthetician and I found an recommend this site to her. As far as eczema goes I have been using for the past five years a prescription called Elidel. Then back in August a friend told me about a new dietitary supplement that made my go hay fever away. Then gradually the eczema went away too. If an one wants more information contact me at pmpost46-eczema@yahoo.com
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