It’s time to address the pervasive myth that wrinkles of the upper lip are “smoker’s lines”. That simply is no longer true, yet this fallacy has been persistent in our national lexicon for decades. While it is accurate that cigarette smoke has a toxic effect on collagen (along with virtually every other part of the human body), what isn’t true is that it is the primary cause of wrinkles around the mouth (also called perioral wrinkles). Smoking cigarettes certainly won’t help with your skin quality or propensity for wrinkles, but other more dastardly forces are at work. Sun exposure, environmental … Continue reading »
Have you seen friends or celebrities with puffy cheeks and overstuffed lips? Foreheads and eyes that have an odd appearance? Unfortunately, these outcomes are everywhere, but the good news is that they are completely avoidable. Patients and physicians both have a tendency to over-complicate anti-aging treatment, which leads to unnecessary procedures and some weird outcomes. Our approach at SkinCare Physicians is completely different, simplifying the evaluation and implementation of our anti-aging line of action. Let’s learn more. SkinCare Physicians’ system follows the K.I.S.S. System: “Keep It Simple, Stupid”! We only need a combination of 4 proven procedures to naturally enhance … Continue reading »
When it comes to cosmetic procedures, timing can make a difference. While most treatments can be performed all year long, there is value to planning certain interventions during specific seasons. Here is a practical guide to help you navigate the world of cosmetic procedures and choose the perfect season for your cosmetic intervention. Keep in mind, a consultation any time of year with one of our cosmetic dermatologists, can set you on a treatment plan to achieve your desired skin goals, whether it’s for the coming year, or even the next decade! All-Season Treatments Fortunately, common and popular cosmetic procedures … Continue reading »
Melasma. You know it when you see it: those irregularly shaped brown patches on the cheeks that inevitably darken during the summer months and fade away in the winter. This can be a very challenging and distressful condition, because there is no cure to date. Fortunately, our board-certified dermatologists at SkinCare Physicians have developed an approach that allows us to control melasma even if we cannot cure it. Dr. Mitalee Christman, who has conducted extensive research* on the topic, is unmasking for you the cause of melasma, how we diagnose it and our treatment plans. Understanding and diagnosing melasma We … Continue reading »
Co-authors: Dr. Kenneth Arndt and Dr. Jessica Labadie We get this question a lot… from patients, friends and even our own family members. As board-certified dermatologists, we may be biased, but the truth is, there is a huge difference between getting elective cosmetic treatments at a med spa versus a dermatology office, especially when it comes to cosmetic procedures like neurotoxins (e.g., Botox, Dysport), fillers (e.g., Restylane, Juvederm) and laser procedures (e.g., Fraxel). It’s important to be aware of the differences, in order to make the right decision when it comes to your skin! What does it mean to be … Continue reading »
Self-care became a low priority for many of us during the pandemic. This was especially true for moms. Whether they were helping kids navigate through remote learning, or juggling household responsibilities while working inside or outside the home, mothers had less time for themselves. Now that restrictions have eased and we are resuming activities and pre-pandemic routines, we noticed more people seeking advice about their skin. Notably, mothers have conveyed interest in addressing changes they’ve been seeing this past year. Questions come up regularly about worry lines, uneven or dull skin tone aggravated by stress and jawline/neck laxity noticed on … Continue reading »
Have you been noticing stubborn, brown patches on your face that aren’t fading after the summer? Persistent discoloration on the nose, cheeks, forehead and/or upper lip may suggest you have melasma. Here is dermatologist Dr. Karen Kim’s take on the condition. Understanding melasma’s triggers Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or grey-brown discoloration. It is due to overactive pigment-producing cells called melanocytes and tends to occur more often in women. It can be triggered by hormone fluctuations that occur during pregnancy, oral contraceptive intake or hormone replacement therapy. The face is the most common part of the body … Continue reading »
The acronym BFF stands for “best friends forever,” a term used while instant messaging on the computer or sending a text message on cell phones. It’s also been the name of a reality television show, a comedy series, an online game show, and an episode of South Park, but now Dr. Arndt of SkinCare Physicians often refers to it when speaking with patients when discussing options and approaches for a variety of aesthetic treatments. Both his colleagues and he often see people who come in with appearance related concerns. They are interested simply in “looking better” and want information about … Continue reading »
Male interest in aesthetics has been on the rise. In fact, terms like “BroTox” and “Daddy Do-overs” have been popularized and are a testament to the growing number of men seeking cosmetic treatments. A 2017 Dermatology Times article reported there has been a fifty percent increase in the number of neurotoxin injections, a 235% increase in fillers, and a forty percent increase in minimally invasive procedures performed in men from 2006-2016. Why are more men seeking aesthetic treatments these days? Men are increasingly hearing about these procedures from social media and through discussions with their spouses, partners and friends. There’s … Continue reading »
Young patients are constantly asking me about when they should start an anti-aging skin care routine, and this is one of the few questions I get that has a very simple answer: TODAY. Taking a few simple actions when you are young can have a major impact. Here are a few easy interventions I recommend for people just getting started. The basics you can (and should) do every day in your home In the morning, the simplest act is to apply sunscreen daily (including on cloudy days.) It is the cornerstone to any anti-aging routine because it prevents UV damage … Continue reading »
