Don’t Stress about Acne

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Don’t Stress about Acne

Family Guy Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that effects people of all ages. It is characterized by pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads that usually reside on the face, chest, or back.

Aside from the appearance of the condition, it can actually have just as much of an impact psychologically. Some who experience acne develop low self-esteem and even depression.

Although it is unclear exactly what may cause acne; stress, diet, and hormones can all be contributors. Currently there is no cure for acne, but there are many different treatment options available. Be aware that as with many treatment plans for acne, it may actually get worse before it gets better.

If you are experiencing acne contact our office today, so our providers can get you on the right treatment program. Control your acne, don’t let it control you!

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Posted in Dermatology

Nail Health Care Tips

Having beautiful looking nails is important to a lot of people. And for good reason. I mean who doesn’t want to show off a nice set of freshly manicured nails on their Insta? Aside from just the look, their overall health is just as important. This is why proper care and maintenance is crucial. 

Here are some tips that will help keep your nails healthy and looking their best:

• Leave nails clean and dry to prevent bacteria, fungi, and other organisms from collecting under the nail.

• Use moisturizer. When you use hand lotion, rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles, too.

• Trim and file your fingernails regularly. Cut your fingernails and toenails straight across and rounded slightly in the center. This keeps your nails strong and helps avoid ingrown toenails.

• When toenails are thick and difficult to cut, soak feet in warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt per pint of water) for five to ten minutes, then apply urea or lactic acid cream. This softens the nails, making them easier to trim.

• Wear proper-fitting shoes and try to alternate shoes on a regular basis (tight shoes can cause ingrown toenails).

• Do not try to self-treat ingrown toenails, especially if they are infected.

• Do not bite your fingernails.  This can cause damage to the skin around your fingers, allowing infections to enter.

If you follow these tips and still notice nail problems, contact our office immediately, as this may be a sign of a serious health condition.

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Benefits of an Acne Facial

Effecting nearly 50 million Americans, acne is the most common skin condition. With June being Acne Awareness Month, there was no better time for us to offer our popular Acne Facial for a discounted rate of only $59.

The treatment is a deep, thorough cleansing and extraction to break down impurities, sebum, dead skin cells, and blackheads. An ideal treatment for teens or anybody with stubborn active acne.

If you would like to learn more about the Acne Facial or would like to schedule an appointment contact our office today!

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Warnings Signs of Basal Cell Carcinoma

As the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma has more than 4 million diagnosed cases each year. Typically found on exposed areas of the skin (face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back), it is caused from continual exposure to sunlight.

Some signs that you may have basal cell carcinoma include:

An open sore that bleeds, oozes, or crusts and remains open for three or more weeks. A persistent, non-healing sore is a very common sign of an early basal cell carcinoma. 

A reddish patch or irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms, or legs.  Sometimes the patch crusts. It may also itch or hurt. At other times, it persists with no noticeable discomfort. 

A shiny bump, or nodule, that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red, or white. The bump can also be tan, black, or brown, especially in dark-haired people, and can be confused with a mole. 

A pink growth with a slightly elevated rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center. As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface. 

A scar-like area which is white, yellow or waxy, and often has poorly defined borders. The skin itself appears shiny and taut. Although a less frequent sign, it can indicate the presence of an aggressive tumor.

If you believe you may have basal cell carcinoma or simply just a suspicious spot on your skin, contact our office today.

Source: The Skin Cancer Foundation

Posted in Dermatology

How to Treat a Sunburn

Maybe you fell asleep on the beach, or forgot to pack sunscreen.  However it happened, sunburn can be painful and in severe cases, even dangerous.  If you do get burned:

• Take a cool shower or bath, or apply wet, cold washcloths.
• Avoid products that contain benzocaine, lidocaine, or petroleum (Vaseline).
• Cover blisters with dry bandages to prevent infection.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, but do not give aspirin to children.

Call a doctor if you have a serious reaction:

• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Rapid pulse or rapid breathing
• Extreme thirst, no urine output, or sunken eye
• Pale, clammy, or cool skin
• Nausea, fever, chills, or rash
• Eyes hurt and are sensitive to light
• Severe, painful blisters

Of course, it’s best to protect yourself from getting burned in the first place.  Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.  The American Cancer Society recommends taking these steps:

• Wear clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect as much skin as possible.  Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV light.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30: reapply at least every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating.
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when rays are strongest.
• Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps: both can cause serious long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society, Healthy Living

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Posted in Dermatology, Skin Care

HULK SKIN?

With the huge success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), many people have become familiar with some of the franchise’s most popular superheroes. Whether it be Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, or the Hulk, the superheroes have captivated moviegoers throughout the globe for over a decade. With such a unique and iconic look, the Hulk may be the one hero that stands out the most.

hulk-marvel

Characterized as a large mutant monster with green skin, the Hulk developed his appearance from an exposure to gamma radiation. Although the concept of becoming a large mutant monster may not be feasible in real life, it is in fact possible for the color of skin to turn (or appear) green.

Some ways that skin can do that includes:

• Prolonged contact to cheap gold, copper, and certain metals typically found in inexpensive jewelry.
Exposure to strong chlorine levels in water.
During the process of bruising there is a stage where the iron in the blood turns green and can become visible through the skin.
Patients experiencing multiple organ failure may be at risk for unusual pigmentation effects from feeding tube dyes.
Condition known as gangrene can cause the skin to appear green prior to turning black.

If you notice the color of your skin changing, contact your doctor immediately, as it may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

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How Beards Can Impact Acne & How to Combat It

Having a beard may be a good way to disguise acne on the lower part of the face, but did you know it can actually worsen it? That’s right, facial hair can affect acne. Some ways include:

• Food and dirt can get clogged in the hair leading to bacteria forming and causing infections.
• Sweat and oil from the skin can get trapped in the hair and lead to blocked pores.
• Ingrown hairs are common among beard wearers and another reason that pores can become clogged and infected.

Now don’t grab that razor just yet! There are some things you can do to reduce the effects. They are as follows:

• Keep the beard well trimmed to prevent ingrown hairs. Focus on areas where food or dirt may be lingering.
• When trimming, shave lightly in one direction to avoid cutting the skin or stretching it out. This can further aggravate acne.
• Wash the beard thoroughly each day and rinse it well to remove cleansers which can clog pores.
• Test a variety of shaving creams, shavers, and after shave products to determine which is best for your skin in particular.
• Avoid thick shaving creams which can cause pores to become clogged.

Even though having a beard can adversely impact the skin, there are ways to manage and minimize the effects. If you are still having trouble with facial acne though, contact our office.

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Hormonal Breakouts

hormonal breakouts

Throughout adolescence nearly every woman deals with acne breakouts of some kind. And a common misconception is that they will eventually go away later in life. Unfortunately, that is not true, and acne breakouts can occur at any age.

The main reason for them to occur beyond adolescence can be attributed to hormones, and in women in particular, their menstruation cycle. Prior to menstruating, an imbalance in hormone levels can stimulate the sebaceous glands which in turn produces excess oil. This causes the pores in the skin to become clogged, leading to inflamed lesions on the skin. These hormone driven breakouts typically occur on the lower part of the face, around the jaw or chin area.

Although these breakouts are internally influenced, topical treatments are important to ensure that the condition is maintained and does not worsen. SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense is a great option because it helps decongest clogged pores and fight the formation of acne. Not only does it help with that, but it can also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

For more serious hormonal breakouts, providers may recommend certain contraceptive pills. This is due to the fact they can regulate hormone levels and prevent stimulation of the oil glands in the skin.

Unfortunately, the relationship between hormones and breakouts will always be prevalent, but there are options to keep the condition under control. Contact our office today if you believe you are experiencing hormonal breakouts.

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Tiger Woods Is Back…His Hair Not So Much

Tiger Woods’ epic comeback victory at the Masters yesterday captivated the nation. With it being his first win in a major since 2008, it’s been an incredible journey back to the top for golf’s biggest star. Despite all that he has endured, his hair loss has been something he has not been able to overcome.

Tiger Woods Hair Loss
Tiger Woods raises his hat showing off hair loss after winning the Masters

Showing signs of hair loss throughout the top of his scalp, he has somewhat retained his frontal hairline. This pattern is not typical and could possibly be the result of a prior hair transplant procedure. If that is the case, it looks as though proper consideration was not given towards future hair loss.

Either way, his situation looks to be perfect for the FUT hair transplant method. This is where a strip of hair bearing skin is removed from the back of the scalp, dissected into hair grafts, and then transplanted to areas of thinning or hair loss. With patients that have existing hair on top of their scalp like Tiger, it is important to take into account potential further loss. So, when transplanting to the recipient sites, it is crucial to place the grafts closely around and within the existing hairs (this must be done very carefully, as to not disturb them). In regards to hair transplantation, it is not only about how it looks in the present but how it will look in the future as well.

With Tiger’s recent improved play, it seems likely we will be seeing more of him without a hat raising a trophy, so why not improve the look of those victory pictures with a hair transplant.

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Posted in Hair Transplantation

Marionette Lines

Marionette lines can be described as wrinkles located at the outer corners of the mouth that extend down around the chin. Although they usually start out as fine lines, they can eventually become more apparent as someone ages and loses facial volume.

Marionette Lines

Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm and Restylane, are great options for marionette lines. Not only do they help improve the appearance of them, they also keep the skin in the area plump and moisturized. Best of all, results are clinically proven to last a year or more in patients. To learn more about Juvéderm and Restylane, contact our office today.

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