Most people have moles. Usually, they look like small, symmetric, round flat or raised spots that are uniform in color. These tend to be normal moles (also called nevi).
But some people have moles that are a little bit different looking. The moles may exhibit what are known as the ABCD's. This stands for:
A: asymmetry - when you draw a line down the middle of the mole, the sides do not match
B: border - the mole is not round; it has an irregular, jagged outline
C: color - there are different shades of brown, tan, black, red in the mole
D: diameter - the mole is larger than 6 mm, the size of a pencil eraser (although they can be smaller)
These moles go by a different name. They are called dysplastic, or atypical, or Clark's nevi. These moles themselves are benign. However, people that have them are at increased risk of developing melanoma, which is the most worrisome type of skin cancer. The more dysplastic nevi someone has, the higher their risk of developing melanoma is.
So what does this mean?
People with dysplastic moles need to be seen more frequently by their dermatologist for full skin exams. They (and everyone else) also need to check their moles for:
E: evolution - the mole is changing - size, color, shape, itching, bleeding, turning black, etc.
This could be a sign of a melanoma and needs to be evaluated right away.
Remember to practice safe sun: wear sunscreen, seek the shade, do not tan outdoors or in tanning booths, and wear sun protective clothing.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Fill 'Er Up
With so many choices for injectable filler (Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Belotero, Radiesse, Sculptra) treatments today, it's easy to keep a youthful and natural appearance. But what steps can be taken to ensure these procedures go smoothly with minimal side effects?
Before your treatment:
Bruising is common after treatments. But there are some things that can help minimize it: avoid taking blood thinners such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleeve), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), vitamin E supplements, fish oil, garlic tablets, ginko biloba, and ginseng for 7-10 days prior to treatments. Caveat: if a physician has prescribed these for you, do not stop them without checking with the physician first. Arnica tablets, starting on the day of the treatment, may help prevent bruising, as may bromelin (found in pineapples). With the introduction of blunt cannulas, trauma to the skin is minimized and so is bruising. And it goes without saying to have the treatment done with a board certified core physician (dermatologist, plastic surgeon) with cosmetic experience.
During treatment:
Topical anesthetic cream is applied 30 minutes before the procedure to numb the skin. Since most fillers are pre-mixed with lidocaine (and the ones that aren't can be mixed in the office), the injections themselves should cause minimal discomfort. Applying ice during and after the procedure helps with discomfort and minimizes swelling. Using smaller needles and injecting more slowly helps as well. Proper placement of the filler and physician massage should prevent lumps from forming.
After treatment:
The arnica can be continued to help reduce bruising. I usually recommend that my patients avoid exercise the day of a filler treatment, to help reduce swelling. Sleeping on two pillows helps, too. It's normal to see some swelling for a few days after treatments, especially following lip injections. It's a good idea to follow up with your physician two weeks after the treatment for an evaluation. If there are any concerns, always call your physician. My patients have my cell phone number so that they can reach me anytime.
Even though minor side effects can't always be completely avoided, with a little care and planning, they can be minimized. A little bit of filler can make a big impact - with little to no downtime!
Before your treatment:
Bruising is common after treatments. But there are some things that can help minimize it: avoid taking blood thinners such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleeve), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), vitamin E supplements, fish oil, garlic tablets, ginko biloba, and ginseng for 7-10 days prior to treatments. Caveat: if a physician has prescribed these for you, do not stop them without checking with the physician first. Arnica tablets, starting on the day of the treatment, may help prevent bruising, as may bromelin (found in pineapples). With the introduction of blunt cannulas, trauma to the skin is minimized and so is bruising. And it goes without saying to have the treatment done with a board certified core physician (dermatologist, plastic surgeon) with cosmetic experience.
During treatment:
Topical anesthetic cream is applied 30 minutes before the procedure to numb the skin. Since most fillers are pre-mixed with lidocaine (and the ones that aren't can be mixed in the office), the injections themselves should cause minimal discomfort. Applying ice during and after the procedure helps with discomfort and minimizes swelling. Using smaller needles and injecting more slowly helps as well. Proper placement of the filler and physician massage should prevent lumps from forming.
After treatment:
The arnica can be continued to help reduce bruising. I usually recommend that my patients avoid exercise the day of a filler treatment, to help reduce swelling. Sleeping on two pillows helps, too. It's normal to see some swelling for a few days after treatments, especially following lip injections. It's a good idea to follow up with your physician two weeks after the treatment for an evaluation. If there are any concerns, always call your physician. My patients have my cell phone number so that they can reach me anytime.
Even though minor side effects can't always be completely avoided, with a little care and planning, they can be minimized. A little bit of filler can make a big impact - with little to no downtime!
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