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Posts Tagged ‘san francisco 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.

 

All Obagi Kits 10% Off Until 12/29: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Afraid of commitment?  Don’t be.  Now is a great time to try an Obagi skincare program and change your skin for the better!  Obagi offers several “kits” designed to address specific skin issues like pigment and wrinkles, acne and rosacea.  The products found in each comprehensive kit are made to work synergistically, dramatically improving your skin in a minimal amount of time.  Take advantage of our 10% off sale on Obagi skincare kits now thru December 29th and get started on a system today!

10% off Obagi Kits*
Obagi Nu-Derm Kits (Products 1-6)
Obagi NuDerm Travel Kits (Products 1-6)
Obagi-C RX System
CLENZIderm Kits for Acne
Rosaclear Kits for Rosacea
* 10% off valid on complete kits only

 

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

Don’t Miss Our One Day Allergan Event

Friday, October 28th, 8am - 4pm

Receive 10% of all Vivite products
10% off Latisse and an additional $25 mail-in rebate
Juvederm Injectable Gel will be only $600 per syringe (regularly $675)
And best of all a free Lip Plumper with any Vivite, Latisse or Juvederm purchase!


 

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.

 

What’s the “Buzz” all About? Bee Venom Masks! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

The “bee venom” face mask has gained a lot of media attention recently with its celebrity endorsements, and its claims of being an alternative to Botox certainly have my patients talking, but does it really work?

Let’s investigate.  Melittin, the active compound in bee venom (apitoxin) does have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but its anaphylactic properties are what all the “buzz” is about. The theory is that the mask tricks your skin into thinking its been stung, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.  This, along with the idea of it “relaxing” facial muscles, has a smoothing and tightening effect on skin.

Bee venom’s anti-aging properties are largely unstudied and unpredictable, with the scary potential that a person could develop severe allergic reactions or suffer damage to skin cell membranes from long term use.  So, my best advice is to stick with products or treatments that have the scientific research to back up their claims (like Botox), to get advice from the medical community first, and not to spend hard earned dollars on what is simply the latest celebrity trend.

 

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!

 

Still Tanning Despite the Risks? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Excessive sun exposure and tanning bed use increases the risk of getting melanoma, basal cell cancer and other non-melanoma cancers.  We have several patients who, despite having been treated for serious skin cancer, continue to tan.  Why?  Well, it turns out that they may suffer from a tanning addiction.  They suffer uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms when they try to stop.  Many repeat tanners exhibit addictive behaviors similar to those exhibited by people addicted to substances such as meth and alcohol.  In a recent study (Arch Dermatol 2010 Apr;146:412) 70% of study participants who visited tanning parlors met criteria for addiction to indoor tanning.  Study participants who met criteria for addiction also had greater anxiety and greater alcohol and marijuana use.  Tanning addiction seems to involve the same drives as other  forms of substance related  disorders.  Of course , it is important to distinguish addicted from non-addicted tanners.  It is hoped that lessons learned from treating other addictions can be translated into concrete interventions to reduce risky tanning behavior.

 

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