A pesky pimple? A rosy beak? What about an abundance of hair stuck in your hairbrush? Yep. These are more than likely just small cosmetic annoyances meant to stick a wrench in the machine that is your daily beauty ritual. But what if they’re not? What if something afoul… something much more afoul is afoot? All Shakespearean language aside, these could actually be signals for you to get thee to a docter-y (*crap. I did it again. Sorry.) So when exactly is a simple pimple or dry patch in need of a touch more attention than any zit cream or moisturizer can provide?

In a recent issue of Ladies Home Journal, journalist Amy Levin-Epstein took a look at a few annoying beauty problems – that could actually signal a more serious health issue.

Take, for instance: hair loss. Sure, it’s probably just stress or hormones. Maybe even genetics. Professor Pamela Peeke (Yay! Alliteration!), M.D. at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (and fancy author of Body-for-Life for Women) says that hair loss in ladies is pretty common. Since any number of things can cause this hair canundrum (i.e. hormonal changes – birth control and pregnancy, stress, dieting) it’s hard to tell when a few extra strands in the shower are something to worry about.



But you are not your cat. Excessive shedding of your no-longer-luscious tresses could also signal a low thyroid. Endocrinologist at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Erik Alexander, M.D. explains that both an underactive (hypothyroidism) and an overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid can cause hair loss, and since both of these are easy for doctors to overlook, it’s important to get tested and treated if necessary. Be on the lookout for other symptoms as well. Hypothyroid symptoms can include unexplained weight gain or loss, dull hair and skin, feeling cold all the time. Hyperthyroid symptoms can include excessive sweating, anxiety, bulging eyes (ah!) and rapid heartbeat. If you notice any of these, it’s best to skip the Rogaine-bandage until you ask your doctor about checking your thyroid.

And here’s news: Your oil glands get smaller as you age (…great… sheesh.) which inevitably leads to dryer skin – add sun damage and dehydration to the mix and you could develop a case of dry skin that a vat of moisturizer couldn't cure. But what if it’s not just dry skin?

When your skin cells grow too quickly without giving your body time to shed them off, the cells pile up and form thick, yucky, scaly patches. So… if you’re noticing reptilian spots on your arms and legs, scalp, palms and soles of your feet – it could very well be a little something doctors like to call Psoriasis. Common between the 30 – 50 year old lady-set, this ailment is typically genetic (Uncool, Mom. Fo' Realz.) but can also be caused by an over-active immune system. And while you might think that doubling down on the exfoliation/ lotion combo is an appropriate answer, research has shown that people with psoriasis can also be at higher risk for heart attack, stroke, skin cancer and lymphoma. Certainly not something to be ignored.

We’ve covered the dreaded ‘R’ word before. So don't pretend we haven't. Rosacea is a common ailment in fair-skinned women between the ages of 30 – 50 (sheesh… magic numbers?). And while the inflammation, flushing and acne like bumps that appear on your cheeks, chin and nose are most certainly annoying – when do they signal something more?

Lupus is a disease that affects about 1.3 million U.S. women and may cause a distinctive red, butterfly-shaped rash on the face – resembling our annoying friend rosacea. Unfortunately lupus is much more serious. Other symptoms can include fever, pain, fatigue, as well as heart, kidney and joint problems. You’re doctor may do a skin test and biopsy to diagnose this disease so it’s important to book an appointment if these symptoms appear.




While werewolves and vampires are certainly all the rage, what lady in their right mind wants to deal with werewolfian facial hair? Just one of the many wonders of aging, it seems. With your estrogen all ebbing and flowing and the rise in testosterone as you age, your Rapunzel-like tresses may thin out where you want it most – and may also add a little extra hair where you don’t. Think tiny sprouts on your chin, upper lip (sorry folks, but I’m thinking Disney Witch.) And just think, that’s not even the bad news!

Nope. It could be something you can’t just pluck off, like polycystic ovarian syndrome. Affecting around 5 million U.S. women PCOS is an imbalance of your sex hormones and, in addition to the hair quandary, can also cause acne, ovarian cysts and weight gain – as well as infertility, diabetes and heart disease. Generally diagnosed in women in their 20’s and 30’s – it’s of the utmost importance that this disease not be left untreated. So if you’re noticing excessive hair loss and facial hair growth – check with your doctor.

And in the spirit of coming full circle, we’ll stop where we started. With that pesky, pimply pustule, that refuses to go away. Adult acne is the likely culprit, but most pimples will simply go away on their own, or respond to dermie treatment. However, if you have a pimple that looks waxy, pearly, persists for a few weeks, doesn’t heal completely or even occasionally bleeds – it could be a basal cell carcinoma.

These carcinoma’s can be treated with a simple chemical cream, surgery or just scraping it off – but a biopsy of the suspicious spot is essential. On the rise in women in their 20’s – 40’s, a basal cell carcinoma could also signal the much more serious melanoma (which requires surgery, chemotherapy or radiation) and can even be life threatening.

Melanoma in women under 40 has increased a staggering 50% in the past 30 years – which is why I’m constantly harping on the good Project Beauty readers to load up on the SPF. Always use a 30 SPF broad-spectrum UVA/UVB Sunscreen and be sure to get annual skin checks with your dermatologist. Don’t argue. Just do it.