Latest news with #keratin
Vogue
12 hours ago
- Health
- Vogue
It's Not a Whitehead, It's Milia—Here's How to Treat It
It's easy to mistake them for whiteheads: Small, pale bumps that crop up overnight, clustered under the eyes, on the cheeks, or along the nose. But before you pick up your tweezers or get to squeezing them (bad!), listen up—what looks like a mild breakout or whiteheads could actually be milia, a completely different kind of skin concern that won't respond to your tried-and-true acne spot treatment, and definitely not to squeezing. 'Milia are tiny cysts that sit just under the skin's surface,' explains cosmetic physician and head of education at Acquisition Aesthetics, Dr. Emmaline Ashley. 'They are full of a protein called keratin, which is commonly found in your hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin.' Milia presents itself as pearly-white bumps; however, they are not inflammatory, infectious, or even remotely related to acne. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are a type of acne lesion caused by clogged pores that are filled with sebum, dead skin, and bacteria. 'Milia, however, are firmer, deeper-set, and won't extract easily like a whitehead,' warns Dr. Ashley. What causes milia? Our skin isn't just a protective barrier. It's a living, breathing organ that renews itself once a month. As part of this natural cycle, dead skin cells are meant to shed from the surface, making way for the fresh, healthy ones beneath. But sometimes, that process doesn't go quite as planned, causing milia. These tiny, pearly bumps form when dead skin cells and keratin become trapped beneath the surface, rather than exfoliating as they should. They most often appear around the eyes and cheeks, delicate areas where the skin is thinner, making them more susceptible to buildup. 'Clinically, milia are smooth, dome-shaped, and feel firm to the touch,' says Dr. Ashley. 'Unlike a whitehead, they don't come to a 'head,' they're not red or inflamed, and they're usually not tender or painful unless irritated.' According to Dr. Hussein Yassine, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Expert Clinic, milia is often found in newborns and in adults with dry or damaged skin and can be triggered by multiple factors, one of them being the use of occlusive ingredients or very thick, hydrating formulas—they contribute by disrupting natural exfoliation. 'A lot of people consider petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, to be a moisturizer, which it is not,' he explains. 'Not to forget the use of mineral oils, lanolin, beeswax, paraffin, and other rich natural oils, as well as cocoa and shea butter.' Even ingredients like dimethicone, commonly found in makeup, can contribute to congestion when layered too heavily. Overusing rich eye creams, failing to properly remove makeup, or relying on occlusive products in hot, humid climates can also create the perfect conditions for milia to form.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Health
- Gizmodo
Toothpaste Made From Hair Works Better Than Fluoride, Scientists Say
Looking for an effective, sustainable toothpaste? It might be on top of your head. Scientists have discovered that keratin, a protein found in hair, skin, and wool, can repair tooth enamel and stop tooth decay. It might also protect teeth even better than conventional fluoride-based toothpastes, stopping tooth decay in its tracks, according to a new study. When keratin comes into contact with saliva, it forms a protective coating that mimics natural enamel, the study shows. Not only can it shield teeth from further damage, but it may also help repair enamel—something traditional toothpastes can't do. The findings are published in Advanced Healthcare Materials. 'Keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments. Not only is it sustainably sourced from biological waste materials like hair and skin, it also eliminates the need for traditional plastic resins, commonly used in restorative dentistry, which are toxic and less durable,' Sara Gamea, a graduate student at King's College London and first author of the study, said in a statement. Tooth enamel wears away with age, leading to tooth sensitivity and eventually a need for dentures. This process is hastened by acidic foods and poor oral hygiene. And once enamel is gone, it's gone. Fluoride toothpaste can slow this process but not stop it. What can? Keratin, apparently. The protein forms a dense crystal-like scaffold that mimics the structure, color, and function of actual enamel, the new study found. Over time, the scaffold continues to attract calcium and phosphate ions, leading to the growth of an enamel-like coating on teeth. That means keratin-based toothpaste could potentially repair lost enamel and seal exposed nerves—reversing the symptoms of enamel erosion. The study authors used keratin extracted from wool in their study but said it could also be extracted from other sources, including human hair. This is a huge step for regenerative dentistry, the researchers say. It's also good for the environment, providing a biodegradable alternative to conventional toothpastes. And happily, consumers might not have to wait long to purchase a keratin-based toothpaste; the researchers say it could hit the market in the next two to three years. 'We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body's own materials. With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut,' Sherif Elsharkawy, the study's lead author and consultant in prosthodontics at King's College London, said in a statement.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
The potential key to upgrading toothpaste? Sheep's wool and human hair.
The next major innovation in dental care just might be a new ingredient added to our toothpaste and mouthwash from an unlikely source: sheep's wool or human hair. Both contain the fibrous protein keratin, which can repair damaged tooth enamel, according to an international study led by researchers at King's College London.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
How brushing with hair-protein toothpaste protects dental health
Scientists have found that adding keratin, a protein found in your hair, to toothpaste could help repair and protect damaged teeth.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists want to make toothpaste from human HAIR - and say it could repair damaged teeth better than fluoride-based products
Whether it's splashing out on a fancy electric toothbrush or hopping on a plane to get a set of Turkey teeth, some people will do whatever it takes to get the perfect smile. But scientists now say the solution to our dental woes has been right there with us the entire time. Researchers from King's College London found that toothpaste made from human hair can repair damaged teeth better than fluoride-based products. Treatments made using keratin extracted from hair or wool can completely halt the early stages of tooth decay. The researchers say this could be applied either in the form of a toothpaste or as a nail varnish-like gel for more targeted repair. If you suffer from sensitive teeth, the good news is that it could be available to consumers in as little as two to three years. Senior author Dr Sherif Elsharkawy says: 'We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body's own materials. 'With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut.' Teeth are covered in a hard outer layer called enamel, mainly made up of calcium and phosphorus, which protects the sensitive inner layers from damage. Although enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, even stronger than your bones, acidic foods and drinks, and poor dental hygiene can wear it away over time. This can lead to tooth sensitivity, pain, and even tooth loss in extreme cases. 'Unlike bones and hair, enamel does not regenerate, once it is lost, it's gone forever,' says Dr Elsharkawy. Toothpastes with high levels of fluoride can help slow down this process, but they cannot stop it entirely. However, in their new paper, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, Dr Elsharkawy says that keratin from hair and wool can permanently restore tooth strength. Keratin is a fibrous protein naturally produced by our bodies that makes up our hair, nails, and the outer layer of our skin. The researchers found that, when keratin is applied to teeth, it forms a dense mineral layer which mimics the structure and function of enamel. Keratin reacts with minerals naturally present in saliva to form 'a highly organised, crystal-like scaffold'. This scaffold continues to absorb calcium and phosphorus from the saliva, which leads to the growth of an 'enamel-like' layer around the tooth. That layer protects the tooth and seals off the exposed nerve channels, which lead to sensitivity, both relieving the symptoms of tooth decay and fixing the underlying issue. The researchers believe that this natural treatment has some major advantages over techniques currently being used in dentistry. In the future, waste hair from hairdressers or excess wool from farms could be recycled into toothpaste. That means dentists could offer a more eco-friendly option that is even more effective than existing treatments. First author Sara Gamea, a PhD candidate at King's College London, told Daily Mail: 'By sealing tiny openings in teeth and restoring lost minerals, keratin-based treatments could offer long-lasting protection against sensitivity and wear.' 'Because hair is abundant, renewable, and often discarded as waste, it provides a sustainable and cost-effective source for producing keratin-based materials to help repair teeth.' ARE TRENDY WAYS OF CLEANING YOUR TEETH EFFECTIVE, OR DANGEROUS? Top dentists reveal how trendy fads can wreak havoc with people's teeth. Despite the likes of Gisele Bündchen and the Hemsley sisters swearing by starting every morning with a refreshing glass of hot water and lemon, Dr Ben Atkins, a dentist based in Manchester and Trustee of the Oral Health Foundation, warns the drink effectively dissolves teeth and could even make them darker. While critics link fluoride to everything from dementia to diabetes, experts argue numerous studies show the mineral does not harm people's health, with free-from varieties missing out on 'the main protective ingredient'. Dr Atkins also describes the ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling, which involves swishing coconut oil around the mouth, as a 'waste of time', with Dr Rhona Eskander, Best Young Dentist Winner 2016, adding it will not give you a Hollywood smile. In terms of brushing your teeth with charcoal or apple cider vinegar, both Dr Atkins and Dr Eskander add the 'natural remedies' could do more harm than good as while their acidic, abrasive consistencies may remove surface stains, they could also permanently damage enamel.
