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Posts Tagged ‘bay area dermatologist’

“I Really Like This Thing”: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Go Clarisonic!! Yet another positive review for the Clarisonic cleansing brush. Check out this segment on Good Morning America where their technology consultant puts the Clarisonic cleansing brush to the test — and it passes with flying colors! Get cleaner, more beautiful skin today with the best cleansing brush available.

 

No Teens in Tanning Beds! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, November 14th, 2011

Hurray for California!!  Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a bill that bans children under the age of 18 from using tanning beds.  This law replaces the Filante Tanning Facility Act of 1988, which allowed minors aged 14 and older to tan with the permission of a parent or guardian.  The new law will come into effect in January 2012.

Close to 2.5 million teens tan indoors in the US every year, increasing their risk of developing melanoma (a potentially deadly form of skin cancer) by 75 percent. Indoor tanners are also 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.  My hope is that by preventing early exposure to dangerous UV rays we will see a drop in future skin cancer development.  It may also help change the mindset of teenagers and the social perception that being tan is the norm.  At present, over 30 states have adopted this law, and hopefully all 50 will soon!

 

Go Starbucks! Caffeine and Reduced Skin Cancer: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Yet one more reason to enjoy your morning cup of coffee - every sip you take may help reduce your risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) skin cancer!

At the October 2011 American Association for Cancer Research International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, data was presented from the Nurses Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, which followed more than 100,000 people over a 22 to 24 year period between 1984 and 2008, combined.  Researchers found an association between coffee drinkers and a lowered risk for skin cancer (WebMD 10/24/11), “women who drank more than three cups of coffee had a 20% reduction in risk for basal cell carcinoma and men benefited from a 9% reduction.”  Caffeine seems to be the power ingredient as drinking decaffeinated coffee did not have any effect on skin cancer prevention.

We already know that coffee berry (derived from the fruit of the coffee plant), which is found in the Revaleskin anti-aging product line, is an excellent antioxidant for its free radical scavenging properties, so continuing research on caffeine and its potential use in sunscreen and its effects on skin protection if consumed on sunny days is exciting!

The best way to prevent all the forms of skin cancer is still by staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen, but you might as well enjoy a cup of coffee while you are at it!

 

Discover all the Benefits of Allergan Products!

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

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Still Doubting the Safety of Sunscreen Ingredients? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, October 24th, 2011

On the heels the FDA’s new sunscreen label regulations in June 2011, a report was released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommending that consumers avoid products that contain retinyl palmintate and oxybenzone, two ingredients commonly found in sunscreen.

The EWG based their conclusion on a study of rats that were fed active sunscreen ingredients. In the July 2011 issue of Archives of Dermatology, a letter was published (Wang, MD, Lim, MD & Burnett) putting the findings from the animal study into perspective. They concluded that the length of time and application necessary to produce systemic oxybenzone levels in humans equal to those studied in rats is “essentially unobtainable.” The authors of the letter found that it would take a woman who applied sunscreen every day on her face, neck, hands and arms, 277 years to apply enough to even potentially lead to absorption sufficient enough to cause any systemic issue. I think most of us would agree that using any product in a manner which it is not intended can, of course, cause problems - just read the back of your aspirin bottle for example!

Based on public use for many years and the available scientific literature there is no evidence to support that oxybenzone in sunscreen contributes to hormonal alterations or any other significant health issues in humans. If there were any threats to humans, we would have seen them by now given their widespread use. The risk of skin cancer, which is known, documented and studied, far outweighs any hypothetical risk of using sunscreens topically. So, keep your skin healthy and continue to use your sunscreen!

 

Acne Myths Exposed! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, September 19th, 2011

New as well as old myths continue to shape people’s views about acne and how to treat it.  Here is a quick rundown on the most popular myths in the mainstream today.

#1 Acne is Just Cosmetic - Acne is more than skin deep.  It is a medical condition, that can cause anxiety and depression.

#2 You Can “Sweat” Out Acne -  Many patients believe that using steam or hot towels helps open pores and will lessen acne.  The truth is that sweating, increased temperatures and humidity can make acne worse.  In fact it may cause more broken capillaries (increased redness in the skin) and faster breakdown of collagen, making pores look larger over time. There is no scientific data to back up the sweat it out theory.

#3 Sex and Masturbation Cause Acne - This myth is a carry over from centuries past as a way to dissuade people from having pre-marital sex.  There is no link between having acne and sex.

#4 Dirt Causes Acne - Acne is caused by a bacteria (P. acnes) deep within the skin’s follicles.  Blackheads (open comedones) seen on the skin are not a build up of dirt, but the oxidation of sebum (oil) in the follicles.  Intense scrubbing or squeezing to remove blackheads will only irritate the skin.  Blackheads can be helped with topical medications.

#5 Wash Your Face More Often to Lessen Acne - Acne cannot be washed away. Abrasive scrubs, plain soap and water or frequent washing are not a treatment for acne.  Overwashing or scrubbing harshly will only irritate the skin further.

#6 Acne Will Eventually Go Away on its Own - Acne is not something that people “outgrow”.  Acne is a medical condition that can last for years or a lifetime if left untreated.  It can also occur at any age, not just in teenagers.  Treating acne will not only improve skin and reduce scarring, but also increases self-esteem.

#7 Tanning Helps Acne - Ultra Violet light exposure from tanning beds or the sun does not improve acne.  It will only increase your risk of skin cancer and induce premature aging.  This can actually make any scarring look worse as you age because the collagen in the skin has been damaged.

#8 Popping Pimples Clears Them - While it may seem like you are helping to clear a pimple by squeezing out the fluid inside, you are actually doing more harm then good.  Some of the pimple’s contents do come out, but you actually end up pushing more of the fluid down deeper and into the surrounding tissue.  This causes more inflammation in the area, which can lead to extended redness and scarring.

#9 You Cannot Use Makeup if You Have Acne - Cosmetics can be worn, even by people with acne prone skin.  It is important to choose non-comedogenic products.  I always recommend mineral based makeup which covers acne well without irritating the skin.

#10 More is More - In hoping to clear their acne more quickly, patients, tend to overuse their topical medications.  It is very important to use your medications as intended.  Most acne treatments contain strong medicines or exfoliators that may irritate your skin if used improperly, setting your skin back even further.  Make sure  you understand how to use all your products and follow instructions for the best result.

#11 I Will See Results Right Away - We would all love to see acne clear after one use of a topical or after a few days of an oral medication, but treating acne is a process.  Skin cells cycle about every six weeks, so patients need to know that improvement may not be seen for at least that long, if not up to a few months.  Give your acne products a chance to do their job and change your skin.  If you don’t see results right away, don’t give up!  Stay in communication with your doctor and change medications as necessary.

#12 Over the Counter Products Work as Well as the Doctor’s - Don’t believe the hype.  Products like Proactiv, may have you believe that your acne will magically disappear, but it does not work for all types of acne or all types of skin.  To truly get yourself set up on the right regimen, see a dermatologist.

#13 Accutane or Isotretinoin is Dangerous - This oral acne medication has been subject to all kinds of misinformation and rumor.  For the right patient it can not only clear their skin, but can send their acne into remission.  Many of my patients feel like it changed their life.  Discuss your concerns with your doctor, as it may be the best option for you.

#14 - Diet Does Not Cause Acne - This is a myth that is still under study.  There is some evidence to suggest that diet and acne may be linked.  When asked about changing their diet by patients, my advice is to give it a try.  It doesn’t hurt to reduce dairy and processed sugars and white flour in your diet, and if it helps your skin too then all the better!

With acne, like any medical issue, its important to know the facts and not just rely on what your best friend, mom or Aunt Edna thinks.  Everyone’s skin is different, so the best way to treat your acne is to work with a dermatologist.  They will help determine what type of acne you are dealing with and the best treatment.  Be sure you have all your questions answered, set realistic expectations and understand how to use all your medications.

 

Safety of Sunless Tans: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Friday, September 9th, 2011

In the beginning there was lying out in the sun with baby oil and iodine to give our skin that bronzed, golden glow.  Then we found out that outdoor sun exposure ages the skin prematurely and can cause skin cancer, so the pursuit of tanned skin became an indoor sport.  Enter, tanning beds. While burning the skin could be avoided with the beds, UVA ray exposure could not, which damages the skin just like the real sun.

So, in a continued search for a safe tan and what we are led to believe is a more “healthy” look, we have yet another alternative: the spray tan.  Whether it be in a booth or airbrushed onto our skin, there are some things to keep in mind if you are using the lesser of all evils in the tanning world.

Sunless tan creams and sprays contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), an FDA-approved color additive. DHA is a sugar compound that reacts with proteins in the outermost layer of dead skin cells to produce a brownish hue that lasts until the skin sloughs off.

While DHA is widely used, a person can still be allergic to the perfumes, preservatives or other ingredients in a particular product.  If you have sensitive skin or know you have skin allergies, be sure to look at an ingredient list.  Everyone should do a test patch of any tanning cream or spray before you use it all over your body.

Safety studies have not been done on DHA’s use around the eyes, lips, other mucous membranes, or for inhalation.  Safety practices at spray tan facilities are also all over the board.  While some may remind the client to close their eyes, they may not be told when to hold their breath or offered safety equipment like goggles, cotton balls for their nostrils or petroleum jelly for their lips.  If you are a habitual spray or airbrush tanner, please ask to use these safety measures at your facility as the regular, long term effects of DHA are unstudied.

People who have a spray tan tend to be less careful with their sunscreen because they think they have a “base” tan and won’t burn.  This is untrue.  A tan resulting from a bottle or spray provides no protection from the sun’s harmful rays, so the use of sunscreen is essential to avoid burning and aging of the skin.

If you have ever thought tanning pills might be an option, please don’t.  The side effects from such products sold over the internet or elsewhere are severe and hazardous.

As a dermatologist, it is a double edged sword to promote sunless tanning products because it also promotes the notion of being tan.  Until the saying, “pale is the new tan”, takes root however, it is still much safer to use the creams and sprays for that sun kissed look than the sun and the beds.

 

Dr. Kathleen Welsh Named Best Local Dermatologist!

Sunday, July 31st, 2011

Dr. Welsh named best dermatologist in the article, “Local Beauty Secrets” by Gina Pell in the new Huffington Post SF online edition.  Check out the article for info on Dr. Welsh and other local beauty mavens!

 

FDA asked to Look at Hair Straighteners & Formaldehyde: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Just wanted to spread the word about recent concerns with hair straightening products since this new trend has become  so popular with patients.

“The AP (7/8) reported that at least 10 members of the House of Representatives “are asking the Food and Drug Administration to look into” whether women using keratin-based hair straighteners, including the popular Brazilian Blowout, are exposed to high levels of formaldehyde. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said she had heard that users of such products had experienced hair loss, respiratory problems and other illnesses. Along with Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), Schakowsky and eight other House members “wrote to the FDA in May asking for better regulation and labeling of keratin-based hair-smoothing products that contain formaldehyde,” classified as possibly carcinogenic by the Environmental Protection Agency. An FDA spokeswoman said that the agency was evaluating data on hair straighteners, while noting that as cosmetic products, they are not subject to FDA pre-market approval.”

 

A Little Wrinkle Reduction Goes a Long Way! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

Some people feel overwhelmed when they look in the mirror by all the things they’d like to improve about their face.  But you don’t necessarily need to make a major investment of time or money to look more youthful.  In fact, a new study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 9(2):79-88, demonstrates how even even modest wrinkle improvement can make someone look much better.  The study reduced the skin “surface topography” or wrinkles in the photos of six women ages 45-65 on their foreheads and around the eyes.  The photos were then shown to male subjects who found the women “significantly younger and more attractive” than in the unmodified photos.  What is of note, is that the surface topography in the photos was only reduced by 20 percent!  This amount of improvement is certainly within reach for people with simple treatments like Botox, filler or even just good skincare products.  Not only is starting with small changes usually the best way for people to enter the world of cosmetic dermatology, but it will also get you looking better than you might expect.

 

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