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.
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 »
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 »
There is good scientific research now that supports the fact that neuromodulators such as BOTOX, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin, do more than just improve our looks. Neuromodulators can actually increase our feelings of happiness. While this may just seem as a result of looking better and feeling better about ourselves after having the treatment, it actually goes much deeper. SkinCare Physicians’ Dr. Thomas Rohrer explains why. There is certainly a lot of benefits from looking better after having a neuromodulator procedure. Lines between the eyebrows melt away and people do not look as if they are scowling and therefore may … Continue reading »
Itch can be a persistent, annoying problem for many patients. Itchy scalp can be particularly troublesome and is sometimes accompanied with dandruff, a rash or even open sores. By understanding the most common causes of itchy scalp and possible treatments, you will be able to determine if you might start relieving your itch with over-the-counter products or if you should see your doctor for a consultation. What makes my scalp itchy? If you think about it, scalp skin is very different from skin on other parts of the body. It holds many thick hair follicles and where hair follicles grow, … Continue reading »
Frustrated with cellulite? Those dimples and ridges on the buttocks and thighs affect up to 95% of women (men rarely get cellulite). For many years cellulite was nearly impossible to treat, but that all changed in 2015 with the introduction of Cellfina. SkinCare Physicians’ team of internationally known dermatologists has been central to the development of Cellfina, and has continued to be actively involved in developing the next generation of cellulite treatments. Today, two new promising cellulite treatments, CCH and Soliton, are just around the corner. Cellfina: A minimally invasive cellulite treatment Cellfina is a minimally invasive cellulite treatment that … Continue reading »
Over the last 2 decades, SkinCare Physicians’ Dr. Jeff Sobell has experienced a progression in innovative therapies for psoriasis. Now, with the recent approval of Skyrizi (rizankizumab-rkaa), a biologic indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, this progress continues. Skyrizi belongs to an exciting new class of medications called IL-23 inhibitors. These medications, given by subcutaneous injection, have gained in popularity as they offer patients the chance for high efficacy with favorable tolerability. In clinical trials with Skyrizi, the average patient’s psoriasis improved by over 50% after 1 dose, and over 90% after 2 doses. At one year after … Continue reading »
Close to 10 years ago CoolSculpting by Zeltiq revolutionized our approach to body contouring, using a controlled form of cooling to selectively and permanently reduce unwanted areas of local fat. Today, truSculpt iD by Cutera adds a new non-surgical fat reduction procedure to our dermatologists’ toolbox. truSculpt iD is an innovative technique, recently approved by the FDA, that uses radiofrequency to permanently reduce fat. Instead of the selective cold fat damage produced by CoolSculpting, the radiofrequency used by truSculpt iD converts to heat, permanently melting fat in localized areas. Here are the main benefits of the procedure: Tailored: Because of … Continue reading »
Extended, unprotected exposure to the sun can harm the skin for a myriad of reasons such as skin cancer and aging, but photodermatoses, or “sun poisoning”, is a slightly less common but still dangerous effect of sun exposure. Many patients use the term “sun poisoning”, but what does it really mean? We asked dermatologist Dr. Robin Travers to explain the skin condition and its symptoms. Sun Poisoning Variations Sun poisoning is similar to severe sunburn, which can lead to patient confusion if symptoms go beyond those they may usually get from a day in the sun. Here are five different … Continue reading »
Many of our patients at SkinCare Physicians ask if they should change their diet to help improve their acne. Fortunately, there have been many studies looking at possible links between diet and acne. SkinCare Physicians’ Dr. Tania Phillips sheds some light on which foods to avoid and which foods can help. Foods to avoid High glycemic foods – sugar, white bread, white pasta, and other simple carbohydrates: A study published in July 2018 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that diets containing a lot of foods with a high glycemic foods were strongly linked to acne. … Continue reading »
