There is no secret to maintaining a healthy skin, I tell my dermatology patients at SkinCare Physicians near Boston. Follow these simple recommendations and you will be on your way to a more radiant look. #1 Include a retinoid in your skin care regimen Topical creams containing retinoids, such as tretinoin are one of the most effective products you could apply to prevent fine lines and restore luster to your skin. Available by prescription, your dermatologist can advise you on how to use it while minimizing any flaking or dryness that can occur initially. If you can’t tolerate a prescription … Continue reading »
Life as we know it is changing daily. As we hunker down at home to flatten the curve and limit the spread of COVID-19, one thing that hasn’t changed and won’t change in the near future, is frequent handwashing, or hand sanitizing. But do you know how to properly sanitize your hands? Dr. Mitalee Christman shares her hand sanitizing tips, plus a few other recommendations to help us stay safe and care for our hands. Washing is always preferable to sanitizing, but sometimes a sink isn’t available. If you have to sanitize, it’s worth taking a minute to ensure you … Continue reading »
Frequent handwashing, done properly, offers an effective prevention tool against viruses, especially when vaccines or medical treatments are not available. Flu season is in full swing across America. The CDC’s weekly map of cases in the US shows widespread influenza in almost all states. To make this virus season worse, the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) has reached the United States. CDC is closely monitoring the outbreak. At this time, there is no vaccine to protect against it and no medications approved to treat it. So, how can you protect yourself? What are the very … Continue reading »
While poison ivy is most dangerous in spring and summer, you may still get a rash this fall. Poison ivy leaves are among the first one to turn red in the fall and their beautiful colors can fool you. We asked our dermatologist Dr. Tania Phillips to give us a quick refresher on poison ivy rash, treatments and prevention. What could happen if your skin is exposed to poison ivy? After being exposed to poison oak, poison ivy or sumac, many people get a very itchy blistering rash. The rash is caused by uroshiol, an oil found in these plants. … Continue reading »
In winter time and early spring everyone’s skin is dry, cracked and flaky. Because of this “xerosis”, fine lines and wrinkles look more noticeable. The skin is your body’s largest organ and it represents the first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, and irritants. If that skin barrier function is disrupted, even by simple dry skin, that puts our patients at risk for infection and dermatitis. Knowing how your skin become dry and how moisturizers work to retain water will help you to keep your skin well hydrated yearlong. How does our skin become dry? We all lose up to … Continue reading »
A lot of our patients at SkinCare Physicians are experiencing dry itchy skin at this time of year. This infographic shows in 6 easy steps what you can do to minimize your symptoms and moisturize your skin more effectively. Step 1: Take short warm showers. It’s always tempting to take a long hot shower in winter, but this will make your skin’s dryness and itching worse. Step 2: Use a mild unscented soap or soap free cleanser, such as Dove or Cetaphil. Harsh soaps can dry out your skin. Harsh soaps can dry out your skin. Step 3: Only use … Continue reading »
Congratulations, mommy-to-be! You most likely have stacks of books at your bedside describing the fascinating changes your body will undergo on this 40-week journey. Yet few will offer details about some of the most glaringly obvious changes that will face you in the mirror: on your skin! Pregnancy-related hormone changes can induce new bumps and spots to appear on your skin, or may also alter pre-existing skin conditions. Use the following guide to help decipher these changes and learn how to treat and prevent them. Acne Some women find their acne actually improves during pregnancy. If you are among the … Continue reading »
Winter can be hard on your skin. With the outside temperatures dropping and the inside heat blowing, our skin is craving moisture. To prevent dry, itchy and cracked skin this winter, our dermatologists recommend these excellent moisturizers – available at SkinCare Physicians. SkinCare Physicians’ top facial moisturizers for dry skin These moisturizers contain important ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid which attract and hold water to the skin, plumping the cells to give them a more youthful appearance. The best time to moisturize our face and body is right after a shower, when the skin is still damp and you … 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 »
