Posts Tagged ‘skin’
Martha & Me, Weddings Spring 2010: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Do you know someone or do you have a wedding that you are preparing for in the near future? If so, don’t forget to make getting your skin in picture perfect shape part of your plans. Check out the Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2010 issue for an interview I did with the magazine on brides-to-be. It includes recommendations and tips on how to prepare for the big day. Brides have enough to worry about on their wedding day without stressing about their skin. I truly enjoy helping brides create a treatment plan that is effective, budget friendly and helps them look their best, especially when I get to see the beautiful pictures from the wedding afterward! Hope you enjoy the article.
Isolaz for Rosacea Treatment on Good Morning America: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Not only has the Isolaz treatment been beneficial to my patients suffering from acne, but it is also an excellent treatment for rosacea as highlighted in this clip from Good Morning America. The features of Isolaz treatments that I like best are that they are safe and effective for all skin types, they are painless, there is no downtime and there is an overall improvement in the skin’s appearance. Call our office for more details!
Youthful Skin and Water - Less of a Connection than you May Think: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Friday, December 4th, 2009
For those of you who are downing glasses, canteens or bottles of water to improve your skin and for those that beat yourself up daily because you don’t, you may be interested in the following information.
The UK’s Telegraph (11/20) reports that “drinking lots of water doesn’t give you a clearer complexion, according to” a new report called “Food For Skin.” The report, from the British Nutrition Foundation, “highlights a lack of any robust studies backing up the popular advice that water makes the complexion glow.” The report’s author said, “Just drinking water for the sake of drinking water really has no effect on improving the appearance of skin.”
What has been shown to keep your skin looking younger is a healthy diet including lots of fruits and vegetables and wearing sunscreen daily.
Dermaroller - Torture Device or Latest Skin Care Advance? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
We are very excited to introduce the Microneedle Therapy System at our office! The UK’s Daily Mail reports that the Dermaroller, a device that “looks like a medieval instrument of torture” with its “barrel covered in ultra-fine ‘microneedles,”’ works by producing thousands of microscopic needle holes in the dermis, which prompts the skin to produce new collagen and elastin.”
While it’s true that the MTS roller does not look like something you’d naturally be inclined to used on your skin, it has been shown to deliver results. Our staff will instruct you on the proper use of the roller, so you can use it in the convenience of your own home!
This instrument is a hand-held roller dotted with micro-needles that can be used on the face, neck and body. Its job is to induce collagen growth in the dermal layer and to help products penetrate more deeply into the skin where they can be much more effective. This translates to skin that appears softer, smoother and less wrinkled over time. It may also help with scarring and hyperpigmentation. The treatment is virtually pain-free and no damage is caused to the skin. The roller can be used safely on the skin 3-4 days per week and comes in two sizes. The 0.2mm needle roller is to be used on dry to sensitive and mature skin types. The 0.3mm needle roller is better for thick and oily prone skin. We will be happy to help you choose which is most appropriate for your skin. The roller retails for $125 each, which includes sterilizing equipment.
You can use the roller with nearly any product, however, we find that the best products include Neocutis Bio-Serum, hyaluronic acid serums, bio-restorative creams, hydroquinone and retinoic acids. Let us help you take advantage of this handy little tool and add it to your anti-aging warchest!
Amazing New Treatment for Burns: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Monday, November 9th, 2009
As highlighted in Dermatology Times, MIT’s Technology Review (11/5, Gravitz) reports, “A relatively new technology has the potential to heal burns in a way that’s much less invasive than skin grafts.” By utilizing “a small skin biopsy and a ready-made kit, surgeons can create a suspension of the skin’s basal cells (or essentially skin stem cells)…and spray the solution directly onto the burn with results comparable to those from skin grafts.” The process is “approved for use in some countries,” and “has garnered interest from the United States Army, whose Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine is funding a trial, slated to begin before the end of this year, of more than 100 patients.” The treatment “is intended to treat severe second-degree burns, in which the top two layers of skin are damaged but the subcutaneous tissue is left intact. Third-degree burns…still require a skin graft.”
To actually have this “sprayed-on skin” adhere and patch burnt areas is an exciting technology and a much less invasive way to treat burns without adding insult to injury like with skin grafts. I look forward to learning more about the success of the trial study.
Adult Acne - Even Grown Ups get the Acne Blues: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
If you have adult acne you are not alone! Adults comprise 46% of dermatologist’s acne patients. Angst over acne is also not confined to teens. Roughly 3 in 10 adults with acne would rather change their skin than any other physical attribute, including body weight and wrinkles! 41% of adults state that acne negatively effects their self-confidence and 52% say it’s more stressful than having it as a teenager.
In my practice I have seen patients with even mild acne cancel social plans when they have a breakout and fall into depression over chronic acne. Despite this, only about ½ of acne patients say they use their acne medications consistently and correctly. Dermatologists estimate that it is really only 2%. Acne medications must be used everyday, even when the skin is clear to be effective, but we all live in a state of hope (maybe it’s gone forever) and denial if our skin is clear then we stop our treatments. As soon as we break out we restart. Unfortunately, by that time it is too late. Patients with acne need to see their treatment as essential to their skin health as tooth brushing and flossing is to dental health.
Can We Freeze Fat? - Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
If you have ever seen a dermatologist for a wart or for precancerous lesions, your treatment may have included a spray of liquid nitrogen that “freezes” the skin. This method is known as cryosurgery, which cools skin tissue to an extreme temperature, destroying cells.
There is now preliminary evidence that this same concept may be applied to underlying adipose or fatty tissue, which would compete with fat removal techniques like liposuction. As reported in Dermatology Times, the group at Harvard Medical School in Boston published a paper on a method to remove excess fat called selective cryolysis. Through intact skin of pigs, they used a cold element at varying degrees to affect the underlying fatty tissue. Assessments performed immediately afterward and at increments up to three months, showed an obvious loss of subcutaneous fat. Inflammation was reported for up to four weeks after the treatment, but no signs of injury to the overlying skin, pigment changes, scarring or textural changes were noted.
While this study has yet to be applied to humans, it does introduce a unique concept for safe fat dissolution. I look forward to further research and results as this method continues to be explored.
Making the Most of Your Visit to a Dermatologist’s Office
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
When a patient comes to the office seeking advice on how to look better, most dermatologists begin with a discussion on the changes the patient is noticing in their skin. We then prioritize treatments according to what is bothering them the most and what will give them the greatest benefit. Honest communication is key in this discussion to ensure a successful visit. Be sure to share with your dermatologist the budget you need to work within, how much down-time (if any) you are willing to tolerate, your level of commitment to product use and if you prefer a moderate or more aggressive approach. This helps providers create a treatment program specifically tailored to best suit your individual needs.
As a patient, be sure you ask questions about procedures, costs and instructions if anything that has been discussed is unclear to you. It is also important to listen to the expert advice you have made the effort and spent the money to obtain. Patients will sometimes discount or disregard advice because of something their friend or family member told them. Be sure to thoughtfully consider your dermatologist’s opinions.
The dermatologist should set realistic outcomes of procedures and products given a patient’s age and the current condition of their skin. While we all hope for small miracles, patients should be pleased to look good for their age and keep reasonable expectations when it comes to results. We don’t have erasers yet!
If you have started a treatment program and you are unhappy with your procedures or products, speak up and let your provider know! Too often patients fade into the sunset with feelings of disappointment when they do not see changes or feel their skin looks worse. Dermatology is an art as well as a science and while we try to create the right recipe for you the first time around, it may need fine tuning depending on how your skin responds to treatment. Sometimes a simple adjustment is all that is needed to get you on the road to success.
It is my job and my desire to see every patient get results and provide them with the best experience possible. This should be the goal of every dermatologist, so be sure to choose someone you feel comfortable with and keep the lines of communication open!
Helping Hands
Thursday, May 7th, 2009
In general, people are now in the habit of using some form of sunscreen on their face each day to protect their skin from sun damage. Hands are another story.
Patients often complain that their hands either “give away” their age or they seem prematurely aged compared to the rest of their skin. Our hands are constantly exposed to environmental elements like water and temperature and they receive a tremendous amount of sun. Yet knowing all the abuse our hands endure, they are often overlooked when it comes to skin care and sun protection. Wrinkles, brown spots and precancerous lesions on hands can nearly all be attributed to sun and UV ray exposure. Also, the skin on the hands is thin, so further breakdown of its collagen by UV rays causes it to become even thinner more quickly than other body parts. Not only does this effect its texture, but aging and unattractive veins and tendons can show right through!
So, what can be done for these under cared for extremities? First of all, prevention is key. Keep a tube of moisturizing sunblock in your purse or carry all and apply often, especially after washing. We recommend sunblocks with at least an SPF 15 that contain some zinc or titanium dioxide (physical blocks that do not degrade as quickly). This will keep your hands from being dry and keep them consistently protected. Consider keeping a pair of gloves in your car and slipping them on before you hit the road. This will keep the sun off your hands when holding the steering wheel, especially for long car rides. Treat the skin on your hands with anti-aging and collagen building products. This is usually easiest at bedtime when you are washing your hands less frequently. We will often recommend that patients use Retin-A mixed with a bleaching cream to lighten brown spots and build collagen. Use caution with any products on your hands as the skin can become irritated more easily. Ask a professional for proper instructions with any product.
There are many treatment options available to help reverse damage on the hands. Chemical peels and lasers are very effective in making your skin look less spotted and wrinkled. Fillers can also be used to plump up the skin on the hands and help reduce the appearance of veins. Please contact our office for more details. In the meantime, be good to your hands, they deserve it!
Healthy Skin from the Inside Out! Join us for Free Sushi, Green Tea and Advice on Green Tea Products, May 1st
Monday, April 27th, 2009
Patients often ask me if there are any supplements, vitamins, etc. that they should take to keep their skin more youthful and healthy. My response is that nothing is more beneficial to your skin than a well-balanced diet. Enough can’t be said about this simple and practical way to make your skin look its best. The skin is the largest organ of the body, so poor eating habits certainly affect its appearance. A lifetime of healthy eating will keep you looking better, longer. I’ve listed a few foods that are especially good for the skin. Keep in mind that moderation and staying within your energy needs is key to getting the benefits without excessive calorie intake. For more details, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Green Tea: A powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. It helps protect against free radical damage and slows down the signs of aging. It may also play a role in reducing skin cancer and sun damage by decreasing the effects of ultraviolet rays.
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds all have vitamin E, an anti-oxidant that helps protect against free radicals. They also contain essential fatty acids (omega-3s) that strengthen cell membranes and help keep cells hydrated, making the skin look plumper and smoother. In addition to fatty acids, the brazil nut is a good source of selenium, which prevents deterioration of cells. The brazil nut and walnut also contain zinc, an anti-inflammatory for skin cells.
Salmon, Tuna, Avocados: Lots of essential fatty acids found in these foods. Avocados also contain B-vitamins for healthy skin cell development.
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, acai berries and plums are full of anti-oxidants, which help repair cells and neutralize the free radical damage caused by the sun and other environmental sources like smoke and pollutants.
Tomatoes: Lycopene is readily absorbed from cooked tomatoes and scavenges free-radicals. It also may help with cell metabolism, making skin cells work more efficiently.
Vitamin A: This skin essential can be derived directly from low-fat dairy products like yogurt (the best choice for people with certain health problems). It can also be converted by your body from beta-carotene rich foods like carrots and sweet potatoes.
Whole grain breads & cereals: Contain selenium and B-vitamins for healthy skin cell development and prevention of oxidative damage.
Water: Since water makes up over 70% of our bodies, it only makes good sense that staying hydrated keeps our skin working its best.
Please stop by our office on Friday, May 1st to enjoy free sushi and green tea! We will also have a representative available to discuss the benefits of topical green tea products when used directly on the skin. We hope you can join us!
