SkinCare Physicians Blog offers insights on the latest in medical and surgical dermatology, cosmetic and laser medicine, as well as aesthetics. All of our internationally recognized physicians and some members of our staff contribute to the Skincare Physicians Blog.
The Boston Marathon bombings have left many people injured, with scars that will need care and treatment over the coming months. A few days after the tragic event, it struck us at SkinCare Physicians that our dermatologists could help by offering state of the art laser treatment to anyone injured in the Boston Marathon attack without charge. We have so many new devices and techniques available to improve scars. The Boston Marathon Project Heal was born! Breakthroughs in the last few years have dramatically improved the treatment of scars from burns and traumatic injuries. New technology and techniques have been … 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 »
This is a great time to get rid of your spider veins in time for shorts, and skirt weather! Spider veins are enlarged superficial veins that appear as red/ purple clusters on the legs. They can occur for a variety of reasons including pregnancy, heredity or trauma. Sclerotherapy is an excellent, non-surgical way to eliminate these unwanted superficial veins. Through a tiny needle, a solution (we, at SkinCare Physicians, typically use either polidocanol or glycerin) causes these blood vessels to collapse and close. It is a safe and simple procedure done right in our office. Here are some things to … 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 »
Do you have facial redness and or broken blood vessels that don’t seem to go away? If so, you might have rosacea. Rosacea is a common inflammatory condition in the family of acne that often begins in the third and fourth decades of life. More than 14 million Americans are living with rosacea. Common symptoms include flushing, persistent redness, and pimples. While medicated cream containing metronidazole (Metrogel) or oral antibiotics treat the pimples, they do not take care of the redness and dilated blood vessels. The redness and dilated blood vessels can, however, be treated very effectively with the pulsed … Continue reading »
HMOs (health maintenance organizations) have a penetration rate of 34.5% in Massachusetts, the fourth highest in the United States, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Here at SkinCare Physicians, 43% of our patients are covered by an HMO insurance plan. This post explains the common characteristics of HMOs and offers valuable tips to ensure a worry-free visit at your specialist office. What HMOs have in common There are several different types of HMOs, but they all share the following few characteristics: The role of the primary care physician (PCP): Members select a primary care physician (PCP) to coordinate all of … Continue reading »
Did you know that SkinCare Physicians has its own world renowned research center? Under the leadership of our physicians and through the collaborative efforts of our research group we have helped to advance the field of dermatology, skin surgery, laser and cosmetic surgery. The center was established over a decade ago to help develop new and innovative technologies. Many of the procedures offered in our practice today such as Thermage, Fraxel, Zeltiq, and Miradry along with Botox and fillers were evaluated and tested in our clinical studies center and approved through our research efforts. Carefully screened and eligible individuals are … Continue reading »
