Author: Adiantku

Researchers have now identified and catalogued more species that reside on the human skin than has ever been possible, largely due to advances in bioinformatics and laboratory techniques. Some of these previously unknown species are the most abundant on human skin. The results appear in a new catalog, the Skin Microbial Genome Collection (SMGC), published today in Nature Microbiology.

Investigators at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), European Bioinformatics Institute and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases participated in the collaborative study.

According to researchers, the new catalog is remarkable in its breadth, bringing to light an incredibly complex map of species that make up the skin microbiome. It also opens the door for scientists to figure out the root causes of various skin diseases. 

“The organisms that make up the skin microbiome have an enormous impact on our health, and changes in the

Cold weather brings about a lot of changes in how healthy we feel. From seasonal affective disorder (SAD) to the flu, it seems like the season can wreak havoc on our bodies.

A small, yet annoying, sign that winter is here are hangnails. Those ragged little pieces of skin you find around your nails can be annoying and become irritated if not taken care of properly.

Family medicine specialist Neha Vyas, MD, talks about how to remove a hangnail, what not to do and how to prevent hangnails in the first place.

What is a hangnail?

Even though it’s called a hangnail, that little piece of skin isn’t part of the nail. Instead, it’s a torn piece of skin that hangs loose next

Skincare has become a buzzword, with beauty routines as prevalent as they are varied. The fact is that the skin is the body’s largest protective organ—and we should be caring for it accordingly. Skincare regimens are often undertaken to address cosmetic concerns like wrinkles and dark spots, with many brands playing directly to those symptoms. But the skincare industry is largely focused on—and marketing to—cosmetic results, rather than the loss of skin health which is responsible for them. The truth is that we can’t achieve lasting cosmetic outcomes without first addressing the skin’s health. Treating for symptoms alone, like dryness, leaves underlying causes unaddressed.

As an industry, skincare professionals and brands need to shift their focus to caring for skin health with ingredients that treat the cause—those that will result in better cosmetic outcomes while also restoring and preserving healthy skin. Here’s how we can do it.

Key Components of

When I was on the junior varsity basketball team in high school, I wasn’t surprised when I developed a case of itchy, flaky athlete’s foot. After all, I was an “athlete,” so I assumed it was a sign of dedication and hard work.

I was shocked when my mother told me the truth: it was due to poor foot hygiene, not my dribbling skills.

Fast-forward almost four decades, and I’m much more diligent about skin care. Still, some skin issues plague me at times, like they do many men. Here is a look at two common problems and solutions.

Dry skin

Symptoms of dry skin include scaly patches (with or without redness), itching, and overall dryness. You can get dry skin year-round — from the heavy heat of summer to the bitter cold of winter. Sun exposure damages skin, leaving it thinner and less likely to hold in moisture over

In honor of National Healthy Skin Month, Lauren Kole, M.D., assistant professor and residency program director in the Department of Dermatology, shares her top three tips for maintaining healthy skin all year long.November is National Healthy Skin Month, an awareness month recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Skin health is important because it performs many essential tasks for overall health. As the largest organ of the body, skin is a protectant from viruses, infection, and environmental threats. It regulates temperature and fluids. 

In honor of National Healthy Skin Month, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Lauren Kole, M.D., shares her top three tips for maintaining