Keratosis Pilaris Community Forums

Elsa Zoe · 09-20-2007 until 10-21-2010

Keratosis Pilaris Community Forums Rules

Please take a moment to look these points over. If for any reason one of the rules is not complied with, you can click the "report this post" link and it will be revised by a moderator or by me.

NOTE: The KeratosisPilaris.org administrative team reserves the right to edit any post, thread, attachment, user profile or any other user posted info to comply with the rules stated below.

Use the search: I know that some of you get pretty frustrated when your posts are ignored. Sometimes it's just that the question you are asking has been asked before. Looking for other posts on your topic will help eliminate repetitiveness and the chances of you being ignored. Plus, you might just find the answer to your question without having to wait for someone else to post!
No promoting: Please do not use the forum to market products or advertise websites, that is: NO affiliate links and NO requests to "contact me for samples/consultant ID" messages. I understand that from time to time you might want to suggest a great site or product, but if it is noted that you do this constantly and without being provoked, you might find yourself suspended from the forum. Specifically: NO mention of SkinCap, DermaCap, BlueCap, DermaZinc (or similar products), will be allowed on this forum. These companies are irresponsibly distributing steroid products that have NOT been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you would like to know more about any of these products you can search for them on any search engine and come to your own decisions on whether or not you would like to use them. However, I cannot allow this type of product to be mentioned, backed or promoted publicly on the message board. This is a sensitive community and I will not let that sensitivity be taken advantage of.
Be careful what you say: It is a good idea to describe your symptoms when talking about the success or failure that you are posting. This gives others a better idea of the types of skin that MIGHT benefit from such treatment.
Refrain from talking about "Cures" or "Miracles": Or from using other misleading vocabulary. Be sensitive to the fact that there are probably newcomers out there who possibly don't know that KP has no cure. To talk about a product like this is misleading. Additionally, what might be your "cure" might give another person horrendous results.
Refrain from giving too much advice: This board is to share opinions, not to push them. It is a good idea to refrain from being too overzealous in your recommendations. This might come off as pushy and imposing. None of us (as far as I know) are actual dermatologists and we cannot diagnose nor offer treatments without all the facts. To do so would be to assume an enormous amount of responsibility.
Learn to look the other way: If it should happen that you are offended by comment that has been made, but that does not necessarily go against the set rules, please try not to take personal offense. There are many ways a person can express them self, and many ways that these expressions can be interpreted. If however, the posting does not comply with the set rules, as I said before, you can click on the "report this post" and it will be reviewed. Also, most respectable ISP's (Internet Service Providers) have appropriate usage policies (AUP's) that prohibit intentional harassment or aggravation in chat rooms, forums, newsgroups, e-mails, etc. A first time offender will receive a warning and the post in question will have its contents edited, a second warning will be met with the removal of the post, and another reprimand and a third offense will be banned permanently from the message boards.
When in doubt, confront ideas, not people: Should the situation present itself where you feel that a person is incorrect, or is being inconsiderate or insensitive, and you truly believe that their behavior, while perhaps not illegal, deserves a reprimand, remember to focus on behavior, content of the text, and ideas. Name calling, racial slurs, stereotypes, cruel jokes, biting sarcasm… all just cause you to stoop down to a level that makes you no better than the person who provoked the insults.
DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPS: IT COMES OFF AS ONLINE SCREAMING/SHOUTING AND 99% OF THE INTERNET POPULATION FINDS IT VERY ANNOYING. IF YOU WANT TO EMPHASIS A WORD OR PHRASE, THAT'S FINE, BUT DON'T WRITE AN ENTIRE MESSAGE WITH THE CAPS LOCK ON. Please.
Quote smartly: It can be very helpful to post any tidbit of information taken from another source. However, if your entire message is a cut and paste from another post or source, please think about just referring to it with a link. If people are reading your post, they are more likely using a browser and that other link could be just a click away. Also, signal the beginning and end of a necessary quote noticeably. Many times, your comments regarding that post get lost while people skim the lines that are taken from somewhere else. When in doubt, summarize.
Give others a break: Don't repost just because nobody jumps up in a matter of minutes to respond to you. At certain hours, you might be the only one on the forum. Patience! If after a day or so, no one posts, check the forum search to see if your question has already been asked and addressed. If you feel sincerely ignored and cannot find the answer your need, then by all means repost!
Name your posts appropriately: Think of the title of your post like the cover of a book. People will most likely click on your posting because of the title, so don't abuse or try and trick. It's a good idea to try and summarize the contents of your post in the title. We reserve the right to edit any post/thread title at any time.
Keep negativity on check: While it is more than accepted to seek support, guidance and help… don't try and force your negativity on others. If you feel uncontrollable sadness and you feel you need help… please let us know. We are here to support you! Everyone gets bummed. But don't spread the negativity. Always try and share the positive!
Our Code of Conduct: Cursing, swearing and (generally speaking) bad words will not be allowed in the site. Spam and Pornography is strictly prohibited. Because we care a lot about our community members, posting your personal email address is not allowed in our forums for your own safety. If you wish to contact any forum member, you may use the Private Messaging System. We reserve the right to edit posts or threads to maintain our code of conduct.

NOTE ON STEROID DISCUSSIONS: We’ve decided to ban (potent / super-potent) steroid discussions on this board. Reason? During the past three years or so, We’ve received at least 10 communications from people suffering severe side effects from the use of these products. Some have reported skin atrophy (stretch marks), enlarged blood vessels and other side effects. Under no circumstances we’ll put this community member's health at stake. Keratosis Pilaris is primarily a hyperkeratosis disorder, NOT an inflammatory disorder. Steroids help relieve inflammation associated with eczema, psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases. Sometimes, Keratosis Pilaris might appear concurrently with inflammation in which case they might help improve redness. However, this doesn’t go without saying these products should NOT be used for a prolonged time, over extensive areas, and/or without the supervision of a physician.

Products containing any of the following active ingredients will NOT be discussed on this forum:

Alclometasone
Betamethasone (all variations)
Clobetasol (all variations)
Clobetasone
Fluocinolone
Fluocinonide
Fluranrenolone
Fluticasone
HC 17-Butyrate
Mometasone Furoate
Triamcinolone

We would like to thank you for taking the time to read through these rules. Action will be taken against those who do not follow these terms as stated above. Please help us in maintaining a respectful atmosphere. Thanks for your cooperation and for helping us keep keratosispilaris.org a safe place for all.

Elsa Zoe · 09-20-2007 until 10-21-2009

From: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-aha.html U. S. Food and Drug AdministrationFDA Backgrounder July 3, 1997 Alpha Hydroxy Acids in Cosmetics Cosmetics that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) have become widely used in recent years despite many unanswered questions about their safety. Recently, a study sponsored by the cosmetics industry indicates that these products may make users more sensitive to sunlight and especially to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation component of sunlight. UV exposure can damage the skin and at high doses, especially over a long period, can cause skin cancer. FDA is currently evaluating this study and is pursuing additional studies that will make sure these products are safe for consumers to use. It is wise to use sun protection before going into the sun (daylight). Adequate sun protection includes: wearing a hat with a brim of at least four inches, wearing lightweight sun protective clothing, including long sleeves, and applying a sunscreen with an SPF (or Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15. Sunscreens should be reapplied after excessive sweating or swimming. It is especially important to use effective sun protection if you are going to the beach and will be exposed to high levels of UV radiation. The recent study makes these sun protection precautions even more important if you use AHA-containing products. It is important to use sun protection, including a sun screen, if you use an AHA product, even if you haven't used the product that day. If the AHA that you're using contains a sunscreen, it is suggested that applying an additional sunscreen (SPF 15) product before going into the sun will be beneficial. Even though your AHA product may contain sunscreen, it is primarily a skin treatment product--not a means of sun protection. If you use the AHA at bedtime, be sure to apply an additional sunscreen product in the morning before going into the sun. The agency has received about 100 reports of adverse effects with AHA products, ranging from mild irritation and stinging to blistering and burns. If you usually have sensitive skin, FDA advises you to test any product that contains an AHA on a small area of skin before applying it a to large area. If you use cosmetics with AHAs and experience skin irritation or prolonged stinging, FDA advises you to stop using the product and consult your physician. Products with AHAs are marketed for a variety of purposes: to smooth fine lines and surface wrinkles, to improve skin texture and tone, to unblock and cleanse pores, to improve oily skin or acne, and to improve skin condition in general. It is important to follow the use instructions on the label. Do not exceed the recommended applications. It is not recommended that AHA-containing products be used on infants and children. To find out if a cosmetic contains an AHA, look on the list of ingredients all cosmetics must, by law, have on their outer packaging. AHA ingredients may be listed as: glycolic acid lactic acid malic acid citric acid glycolic acid + ammonium glycolate alpha-hydroxyethanoic acid + ammonium alpha-hydroxyethanoate alpha-hydroxyoctanoic acid alpha-hydroxycaprylic acid hydroxycaprylic acid mixed fruit acid tri-alpha hydroxy fruit acids triple fruit acid sugar cane extract alpha hydroxy and botanical complex L-alpha hydroxy acid glycomer in crosslinked fatty acids alpha nutrium (three AHAs). Of these, the most frequently used in cosmetics are glycolic acid and lactic acid. If you have purchased a product whose outer packaging has become separated from the product and you are unsure whether it contains AHAs, call the manufacturer, whose phone number may be listed on the inner packaging. AHA products cause exfoliation, or shedding of the surface skin. The extent of exfoliation depends on the type and concentration of the AHA, its pH (acidity), and other ingredients in the product. Most cosmetics sold to consumers contain AHAs at levels up to 10 percent. It is FDA's understanding that products with AHA concentrations of 20 percent or higher are used by trained cosmetologists for salon "mini-peels." In studies conducted by FDA on the absorption of AHAs through the skin, the AHAs tested were readily absorbed into the skin at varying rates. The most rapid absorption occurred with AHAs having lower pHs (higher acidity). FDA issued a report in February 1996. "Effects of Alpha Hydroxy Acid on the Skin" concluded that additional scientific investigation was needed to establish the safety of these products. The recent report linking AHAs to increased UV sensitivity was sponsored by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association. The results were reported at a December 1996 meeting of the trade group's Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel (CIR), which began reviewing the safety of AHAs in 1994. The panel concluded at its December meeting that AHAs are "safe for use in cosmetic products at concentrations less than or equal to 10 percent, at final formulation pHs greater than or equal to 3.5, when formulated to avoid increasing the skin's sensitivity to the sun, or when directions for use include the daily use of sun protection." For salon use products, the panel said that the products are "safe for use at concentrations less than or equal to 30 percent, at final formulation pHs greater than or equal to 3.0, in products designed for brief, discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsing from the skin, when applied by trained professionals, and when application is accompanied by directions for the daily use of sun protection." These conclusions were made final at a June 1997 meeting of the CIR panel in spite of serious safety questions submitted by a consumer group and a major manufacturer. FDA is reviewing these CIR conclusions, as well as the other available data about these products. Consumers should be aware that AHA concentration and pH are generally not noted on all products. (FDA does not require it.) However, the information should be available from the manufacturer. Cosmetics manufacturers are not required to submit safety data to FDA before marketing products, although they bear the responsibility for manufacturing safe products. Consumers should report any adverse reactions, such as irritation or sun sensitivity, associated with the use of AHAs to their local FDA office, listed in the Blue Pages of the phone book, or to FDA's Office of Consumer Affairs at (1-800) 532-4440. Remember: The Best Wrinkle Preventer is Sun Protection. (BG 97-10) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a mirror of the page at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/alphabg.html The full report on AHAs is available as a compressed WordPerfect 6/7 document (available in zip format). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cosmetics -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foods Home | FDA Home | Search/Subject Index | Disclaimers & Privacy Policy | Accessibility/Help Hypertext updated by dms/kwg 2002-MAR-06