Get Well Wednesday: What Your Skin Can Say About Your Health

Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd is a board certified dermatologist specializing in the treatment of pigmentation disorders. She completed her undergraduate studies at Georgetown University and later earned her medical degree at the University of Miami School of Medicine. She completed her training in dermatology at the University of Miami where she also served as chief resident.

In 2002, Dr Woolery-Lloyd made history when she was appointed the Director of Ethnic Skincare at the University of Miami, heading the country’s first official cosmetic ethnic skincare department at a university.  As the Director of Ethnic Skincare, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd specializes in the treatment of cosmetic concerns common in skin of color. Doctors from across the country refer their most difficult cases to this specialized clinic.

As a specialist in hyperpigmentation, Dr Woolery-Lloyd set out to fill a void that she noticed was missing in her own practice as well as the overall skincare market. In 2010, she created Specific Beauty skincare, a highly effective skincare line with products free of hydroquinone and infused with natural ingredients that deliver radiant, even skin. Specific Beauty skincare has been honored with numerous prestigious awards including beauty awards from Prevention, People, Essence and Real Simple magazines.

In addition to running her business and her practice at the University of Miami, the board certified dermatologist sees patients in private practice.  The dedicated wife and mother of two loves spending with her family and giving back to her community through the Codella initiative which she helped found. This pioneering organization focuses on teaching under-represented girls 21st century skills in computer programming and introduces them to careers in science.

A few fast facts about acne: 

Get Well Wednesday: What Your Skin Can Say About Your Health  was originally published on ioneblackamericaweb.staging.go.ione.nyc

Acne is the most common dermatologic diagnosis in people of color. 

A survey of nearly 700 million physician visits between 1993 and 2009 found that, among visits to dermatologists, acne was the most common dermatologic diagnosis in skin of color patients (22% in African Americans, 19% in Asians or Pacific Islanders, 22% in Hispanics) and the second most common diagnosis in Caucasians.

It is a myth that acne only affects teenagers.  In fact, most people who seek treatment for acne are adult women. 

In an analysis of health claims data for approximately 9.6 million unique patients captured from over 80 public and private healthcare plans in the US in 2004, 62% of those seeking treatment were over the age of 18 and 65% were women. Hormones can exacerbate acne because androgens increase oil production and clog pores. Severe acne and facial hair may be a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome, a common hormonal disorder that is associated with insulin resistance and diabetes.

Diet plays a role in acne. A high glycemic diet is associated with acne. A high glycemic diet includes foods that cause insulin to spike like sugar and simple carbohydrates. A low glycemic diet may help acne (vegetables, fish, whole grains).

Don’t be afraid to use a moisturizer if you have acne. Recent studies show that moisturizers that contain ceramides often help improve results when patients are being treated for acne.

(Example of moisturizers with ceramides: Specific Beauty Professional Moisture Complex or CeraVe lotion).

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Get Well Wednesday: What Your Skin Can Say About Your Health  was originally published on ioneblackamericaweb.staging.go.ione.nyc