As spring blooms, so does our joy and love of participating in outdoor sports and activities. However, ultraviolet radiation emitted from the sun is the cause of the majority of skin cancers. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and accounts for half of all cancer cases. Therefore, proper sun protection is imperative in the prevention of skin cancer. Easy tips to follow for practicing sun safety are: Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the rays are the strongest. Try to get out and enjoy outdoor activities before or after … Continue reading »
Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A. Prescription retinoids such as Retin-A (tretinoin) and Tazorac (tazarotene) have a massive body of scientific research supporting their superiority among all of the anti-aging products available. Over-the-counter retinoids are also available, although they are less potent. The combination of a sunscreen in the morning and a retinoid at night is a simple, basic skin care regimen that will maintain your youthful appearance by minimizing wrinkles and brown spots. So, why aren’t all of our patients using retinoids? These powerful anti-aging tools can be problematic to start, and many patients have had frustrating experiences of … Continue reading »
I recently returned from the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting, where I was chairing a symposium entitled “Wounds and Ulcers, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. While an elaborate topic for a blog post, it reminded me that many of my patients often ask for advice on how to best care for their wound. Below are my answers to the most common questions about wound care. 1. Shouldn’t I leave my wound open to the air so it can breathe? NO. Wounds heal much faster when they are left moist and covered 2. What should I use to … Continue reading »
Goodbye winter, spring has finally arrived! For many, that means getting back outdoors. But if your activity includes hiking, camping or gardening, beware! Poison ivy season is upon us as well. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac all contain an oil called urushiol that can cause an uncomfortable allergic rash in 85% of people. The itchy blistering rash, often appearing in streaks or lines, occurs 12-72 hours after skin contact with the oil. Springtime is the most common season, although the possibility of exposure continues well into the summer and fall. Tips to prevent the poison ivy rash 1) … Continue reading »
Tired of looking at those age spots, liver spots, freckles? Want to get rid of those bothersome areas of pigmentation, a dark birthmark, or the odd tattoo? Well, you can actually do that quite well nowadays! “Bleaching creams” have long been around and have been used for centuries in one form or another. But, although some of them may be of some benefit, their effects even when good are usually far less than optimal. Over the past couple of decades, technological insights and innovations have led to the development of a variety of laser and light based sources that are very effective in altering pigmented lesions. With one treatment, … Continue reading »
By now if you have not heard the term Botox, you have probably been living under a rock! But did you know that there are two other products that work virtually the same as Botox, and in some cases may even be superior? Dysport and Xeomin are the new kids on the block, and are giving Botox quite a run for its money. All three of these products can be used to create beautiful, natural, and near wrinkle free smoothness of the upper face, around the eyes and mouth, and even on the neck. The trick to achieving these eye-catching … Continue reading »
It seems so unfair, but it is true. Many people I see for BOTOX and fillers at SkinCare Physicians also complain about acne. Don’t despair, solutions exist to treat adult acne. Adult acne affects 25% of men and 50% of women at some time in their adult lives. Just last week, I saw a woman who had clear skin as a teenager, and now at the age of 32 started to have painful blemishes on her chin and upper back. Later in the day, I saw a 41 year old man who started to break out at age 12, and … Continue reading »
Ever wonder how someone gets that glow to their skin? Did you know there are things you can do daily at home to improve the appearance of your skin? Here are five tips that I recommend to my patients at SkinCare Physicians in Boston. They will get you on the right track to better looking skin in no time.
The holiday gift-giving season is in full swing: is all of your shopping done? For those of you, who might be stymied by some last minute presents to give to loved ones on your list, consider offering the gift of fine skin care this year! SkinCare Physicians has put together a list of some wonderful gifts available online from various sources. Some are perfect stocking stuffers, while others are more luxurious splurges. We don’t endorse any of these products specifically, but these lists are a great place to start thinking about skin care and skin health related gifts! Whether they … Continue reading »
During discussions about treatments for facial rejuvenation, patients regularly ask me for advice on how to improve the look and feel of their hands. Our hands are as vulnerable as our face to aging and the effects of the sun and the environment, but they are often overlooked. Common manifestations of aging and sun exposure include wrinkles, skin thinning, and brown spots. Below are seven tips that can help your hands look younger.
