There are some that jowls and wrinkles look great on. Bulldogs, for example. Or mastiffs. Their jowls are cute. And who doesn't love a shar-pei's wrinkled fur? Adorable.
But I have never met a woman (or man, for that matter) who loves their jowls or wrinkled neck. For those who are not ready for plastic surgery, Thermage is a great option. Thermage uses radio frequency energy to stimulate collagen and tighten skin. It take about 6 months to see results following a single treatment. There is little to no downtime, and it's noninvasive- no needles or cutting.
In addition to the lower face and neck, Thermage can be performed around the eyes and on the eyelids to tighten loose, wrinkled skin. It can also help tighten loose skin on the abdomen and upper extremities.
Thanks to amazing technology available today, we can keep loose skin where it belongs- on our furry friends!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Simple but true!
Sometimes skin care follows the "kiss" principle....
1. Soaking toenails in a mix of white vinegar and water can help improve nail fungus.
2. Duct tape can help warts disappear.
3. Crisco is a great skin moisturizer -especially for those with eczema.
4. Olive oil heals ragged cuticles.
5. Pressure stops bleeding.
6. Vaseline and a band aid heal wounds.
7. And the key to looking young? Sunscreen!
Oh- and laughing often, breathing, eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, using a retinoid cream (not if pregnant or nursing), drinking water, exercising, and not sweating the small stuff. And sunscreen!
1. Soaking toenails in a mix of white vinegar and water can help improve nail fungus.
2. Duct tape can help warts disappear.
3. Crisco is a great skin moisturizer -especially for those with eczema.
4. Olive oil heals ragged cuticles.
5. Pressure stops bleeding.
6. Vaseline and a band aid heal wounds.
7. And the key to looking young? Sunscreen!
Oh- and laughing often, breathing, eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, using a retinoid cream (not if pregnant or nursing), drinking water, exercising, and not sweating the small stuff. And sunscreen!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
One less word
I love my job as a dermatologist. But there is nothing I love about having to tell someone that they have melanoma. Despite the good prognosis when caught early, melanoma is a word that no one wants to hear.
So wouldn't it be great if no one had to hear it?
May is Melanoma Awareness month. Do yourself a favor and have your skin examined by a dermatologist. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. Take care of your skin: wear sunscreen, sun protective clothing, and avoid the sun during peak hours. And please, please, don't use tanning beds. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, indoor UV tanners are 74% more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than those who have never tanned indoors. That's a big increase. And believe it or not, there are still plenty of people out there using tanning beds, despite all the info about how dangerous they are. Trust me - I see it every day.
So, protect your and your loved one's skin. And let's make that word go away.
So wouldn't it be great if no one had to hear it?
May is Melanoma Awareness month. Do yourself a favor and have your skin examined by a dermatologist. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. Take care of your skin: wear sunscreen, sun protective clothing, and avoid the sun during peak hours. And please, please, don't use tanning beds. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, indoor UV tanners are 74% more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than those who have never tanned indoors. That's a big increase. And believe it or not, there are still plenty of people out there using tanning beds, despite all the info about how dangerous they are. Trust me - I see it every day.
So, protect your and your loved one's skin. And let's make that word go away.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The war against dark patches
It's a common problem many women (and men) battle everyday - melasma. These brown patches usually show up on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and chin area. Women tend to be affected more often than men. No one knows exactly what causes it, but we do know that there are certain factors that seem to trigger the increase in pigmentation. Sun exposure and estrogen are the two biggies. Birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and pregnancy (in which case it is called chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy) rev up melanocytes to produce more melanin, which is responsible for pigment in the skin.
Melasma is a difficult condition to treat. Like many other conditions in dermatology (psoriasis, eczema, acne) there is no cure. A combination of topical medications and procedures are used to improve it, but results need to be maintained. The single most important factor is sun exposure. People with melasma MUST protect their skin from the sun. Sun avoidance, suncreen, sun protective clothing: the whole nine yards.
The gold standard in topical treatments is the lightening cream hydroquinone. This can be prescribed by a dermatologist and should be used under their supervision. A very rare complication of this cream is a condition called ochronosis, which results in darkening of the skin. Fortunately, this is not common. There are many other topical treatments available that do not contain hydroquinone. These are often used as well to treat melasma. These creams contain lightening ingredients such as azaleic acid, kojic acid, licorice, lignin peroxidase, etc. One of my favorite non-hydroquinone containing creams is Elure. It contains lignin peroxidase, a natural extract derived from a tree fungus. Retinoids can help lighten dark spots as well. If the treatments are irritating, a topical cortisone is sometimes used.
In addition to topical treatments, light chemical peels can be performed in the doctor's office. However, care must be taken to avoid hyperpigmentation (darkening of areas). The Fraxel Dual Re:Store has been shown to be very effective for brown spots on the face and can improve melasma.
Just as exercise and diet are used to help maintain a healthy weight, strict sun protection and various dermatologist-prescribed treatments can help maintain skin.
Melasma is a difficult condition to treat. Like many other conditions in dermatology (psoriasis, eczema, acne) there is no cure. A combination of topical medications and procedures are used to improve it, but results need to be maintained. The single most important factor is sun exposure. People with melasma MUST protect their skin from the sun. Sun avoidance, suncreen, sun protective clothing: the whole nine yards.
The gold standard in topical treatments is the lightening cream hydroquinone. This can be prescribed by a dermatologist and should be used under their supervision. A very rare complication of this cream is a condition called ochronosis, which results in darkening of the skin. Fortunately, this is not common. There are many other topical treatments available that do not contain hydroquinone. These are often used as well to treat melasma. These creams contain lightening ingredients such as azaleic acid, kojic acid, licorice, lignin peroxidase, etc. One of my favorite non-hydroquinone containing creams is Elure. It contains lignin peroxidase, a natural extract derived from a tree fungus. Retinoids can help lighten dark spots as well. If the treatments are irritating, a topical cortisone is sometimes used.
In addition to topical treatments, light chemical peels can be performed in the doctor's office. However, care must be taken to avoid hyperpigmentation (darkening of areas). The Fraxel Dual Re:Store has been shown to be very effective for brown spots on the face and can improve melasma.
Just as exercise and diet are used to help maintain a healthy weight, strict sun protection and various dermatologist-prescribed treatments can help maintain skin.
Monday, April 2, 2012
What's New
I recently attended the annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting in San Diego. About 10,000 dermatologists from around the world attended the meeting, where the newest technologies in dermatology were presented. I love these meetings: not only do I get to see old friends, but I stay up to date on the latest and greatest in my field. So what's new on the horizon?
New injectables:
You've probably heard of facial contouring with fat, as well as injectables like Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Sculptra. Well, now there's a new player on the field - and it's completely unique. Laviv (azficel-T) is the first and only FDA-approved therapy that uses your own collagen-producing cells (fibroblasts) to improve the look of smile lines. How does it work? The dermatologist takes three small samples of skin from behind the ear. The skin samples are then sent to a laboratory, where fibroblast cells (cells that make collagen in the skin) are expanded to create your Laviv. Three months later, it is sent back to the dermatologist, who injects Laviv over three treatment sessions. South Beach Dermatology is a Laviv certified facility. Check out http://www.mylaviv.com/getting-laviv.aspx for more info.
New fat fighting treatment:
It's an age old battle: man (woman) versus fat. There's liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction, cryolipolysis (using cold to destroy fat), and now: Liposonix. Liposonix is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment that uses high frequency focused ultrasound (HIFU) to destory fat cells. There are no incisions or needles. It's performed in the office as a one hour treatment to the abdomen and love handles. Results typically take about 8-12 weeks, and on average, an one inch reduction is seen from the waist area. Liposonix will be available at Horwitz Dermatology next month. Check out http://www.liposonix.com/ for more info.
New product:
CeraVe SA Renewing Lotion combines the great moisturizing (ceramides, hyaluronic acid) power of CeraVe with salicylic acid. It's great for keratosis pilaris: those rough bumps on the back of the arms. Dry, thick, cracked heels? Try this out!
I love sharing the newest treatments in derm with all of you. Stay tuned for more!
New injectables:
You've probably heard of facial contouring with fat, as well as injectables like Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Sculptra. Well, now there's a new player on the field - and it's completely unique. Laviv (azficel-T) is the first and only FDA-approved therapy that uses your own collagen-producing cells (fibroblasts) to improve the look of smile lines. How does it work? The dermatologist takes three small samples of skin from behind the ear. The skin samples are then sent to a laboratory, where fibroblast cells (cells that make collagen in the skin) are expanded to create your Laviv. Three months later, it is sent back to the dermatologist, who injects Laviv over three treatment sessions. South Beach Dermatology is a Laviv certified facility. Check out http://www.mylaviv.com/getting-laviv.aspx for more info.
New fat fighting treatment:
It's an age old battle: man (woman) versus fat. There's liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction, cryolipolysis (using cold to destroy fat), and now: Liposonix. Liposonix is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment that uses high frequency focused ultrasound (HIFU) to destory fat cells. There are no incisions or needles. It's performed in the office as a one hour treatment to the abdomen and love handles. Results typically take about 8-12 weeks, and on average, an one inch reduction is seen from the waist area. Liposonix will be available at Horwitz Dermatology next month. Check out http://www.liposonix.com/ for more info.
New product:
CeraVe SA Renewing Lotion combines the great moisturizing (ceramides, hyaluronic acid) power of CeraVe with salicylic acid. It's great for keratosis pilaris: those rough bumps on the back of the arms. Dry, thick, cracked heels? Try this out!
I love sharing the newest treatments in derm with all of you. Stay tuned for more!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Just say NO to tanning beds
I've recently been seeing more young patients in my office who have been using tanning beds. They seem almost shocked when I inform them that using tanning beds will cause skin cancer, and is one of the worst things you can do for your skin's health. Despite the increased media attention on the dangers of ultraviolet light exposure, many still think it's "cool" to look tanned. Whether it's from tanning beds or excessive outdoor sun exposure, too much ultraviolet light is harmful and causes skin cancers: basal call carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. It's now illegal in some states, such as California, for minors to use tanning beds. Other states are following suit and enforcing regulations. That's a step in the right direction. It's so critical to practice safe sun: broad spectrum sunscreens, sun protective clothing, and avoiding the sun during the peak hours of 10 am - 3 pm.
Here are some facts from my friends at The Skin Cancer Foundation that are important to know. They have an excellent website at www.skincancer.org full of great information.
One person dies of melanoma every hour (every 62 minutes).
Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.
The survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early, before the tumor has penetrated the skin, is about 99 percent.
The last fact is key: early detection is life saving! Remember to see your dermatologist at least once a year for your skin check - or sooner if you've noticed a new or changing spot. You only have one precious skin: protect it!
Here are some facts from my friends at The Skin Cancer Foundation that are important to know. They have an excellent website at www.skincancer.org full of great information.
One person dies of melanoma every hour (every 62 minutes).
Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.
The survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early, before the tumor has penetrated the skin, is about 99 percent.
The last fact is key: early detection is life saving! Remember to see your dermatologist at least once a year for your skin check - or sooner if you've noticed a new or changing spot. You only have one precious skin: protect it!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
A New Way to Inject Fillers
Same destination, different route: the latest and greatest in facial volumizing is using FDA approved, blunt-tipped DermaSculpt cannulas to inject fillers, rather than sharp needles.
Let me tell you why I like cannulas:
First, because they have a rounded, blunt tip, there is less trauma to tissue and blood vessels, which equals less bruising, less discomfort, and less swelling during and after the procedure. It also means less injections, because the cannula is placed through one point in the skin and can reach multiple areas. For people that want a filler treatment with little downtime, it's a great choice. Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Sculptra can all be injected with a cannula.
And speaking of fillers, February is a great time to get a treatment. Restylane is approved for lip enhancement - Valentine's Day, anyone? And Medicis is offering rebates on Restylane and Perlane. There's no need to live with hollow cheeks, parenthesis lines around the mouth, thin lips, or saggy jowls. With the advent of great technology, looking natural and refreshed is easier than ever!
Let me tell you why I like cannulas:
First, because they have a rounded, blunt tip, there is less trauma to tissue and blood vessels, which equals less bruising, less discomfort, and less swelling during and after the procedure. It also means less injections, because the cannula is placed through one point in the skin and can reach multiple areas. For people that want a filler treatment with little downtime, it's a great choice. Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Sculptra can all be injected with a cannula.
And speaking of fillers, February is a great time to get a treatment. Restylane is approved for lip enhancement - Valentine's Day, anyone? And Medicis is offering rebates on Restylane and Perlane. There's no need to live with hollow cheeks, parenthesis lines around the mouth, thin lips, or saggy jowls. With the advent of great technology, looking natural and refreshed is easier than ever!
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