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DermNet NZ |
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Introduction & Overview |
Shopping online has made it incredibly easy for individuals to purchase skin care products easily. However, often deciding on which one to buy is not so easy. Luckily, there are many websites that cater to assisting people in leaning more about skin health and about skin care products. DermNet is one of these sites; although it is located in New Zealand. However, its location has not deterred people from using it to get information about a variety of skin related topics, including, acne, dermatitis and aging. This website was actually developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated.
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| What it is |
This website was launched 1996, and was created to “present authoritative facts about the skin for consumers and health professionals”. This site addresses treatments and procedures, such as topical therapies, oral therapies, cosmetic treatments, injections, skin surgery, ultraviolet therapy, tests and diagnosis.
They also discuss skin diseases, such as systemic diseases, lesions, tumors, cancers, acne, follicular diseases, eczema, dermatitis, allergies, blistering diseases, immunological disorders, scaly skin diseases, erosions, ulcers, vascular skin problems, pigmentation problems, pruritus and deep skin disorders.
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| Concept |
Many people face skin problems, such as acne, eczema and dermatitis during the course of their lifetime; while others may face skin cancer and other life threatening issues. For these individuals, this website may well be a valuable resource, because it discusses these conditions and many others in depth, addressing symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. This kind of information may enable people to better understand what they are facing. This website also provides referrals to dermatologists if need be, but this service is likely best suited for those who live in New Zealand.
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| Website |
The DermNet website has also become a good resource for those who are seeking out information about skin aging. There is a variety of articles posted on this site that discuss this issue; however, the one titled, “Facial lines and wrinkles” may be particularly interesting, because it provides some in-depth information, complete with pictures to illustrate their points.
In this section, they inform people about the different classifications of wrinkles and facial lines that dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons often use to describe aging. The main one used in this arena is called Glogau's classification, and it describes these aging changes in detail. For instance, “Mild” is when the individual has a few wrinkles, which require little or no make to cover; “Moderate” means that there is “early wrinkling” and “sallow complexion”, which requires little makeup to cover; and “Advanced” means there is “persistent wrinkling, skin discoloration with broken blood vessels and solar keratoses”.
This website also describes how and why wrinkles form, which may assist some individuals in understanding their own role in skin health, as well as the damage the sun and environmental toxins may create. They also discuss a variety of methods that individuals may use to try to stave off wrinkles and facial lines, as well and how to ease those that have already appeared. The role of dermatological treatments and over the counter treatments is also discussed.
However, we are a bit disappointed to see that they do not discuss supplementation with Real Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid, both of which have been shown to significantly reduce wrinkles and facial lines, by increasing skin hydration, smoothness, softness and elasticity.
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| Positives |
• Free resource
• Comprehensive information on skin care, skin health and ailments
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| Negatives |
• Does not discuss some very effective over-the-counter treatments
• Only provides referrals to New Zealand-based skin care professionals
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| Final Thoughts |
In the end, DermNet may well be a good resource for those who are seeking out information about skin health, as well as skin related ailments and diseases. It provides information on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatments of diseases. It also provides comprehensive information regarding the stages of skin aging, and how individuals may maintain skin health and ease signs of aging.
However, as noted above, they do not discuss some effective over-the-counter ingredients, such as Real Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid. This may well be intentional, because much of their focus seems to be on treatments conducted by dermatologists in their offices.
Our research suggests that sites such as this one are often used by people in order to conduct research before buying products online to address their skin care and anti-aging needs. Online shopping has definitely assisted many individuals in ordering products easily and quickly, thereby avoiding the frustration of going to the store. However, when shopping online, we always suggest women seek out developers who have a history of providing effective products, as well as providing money-back guarantees and effective customer care.
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