MOLE CANCER ( MALIGNANT MELANOMA ) – READ THIS & YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR

Which do you know more about (we hope #2)?
#1 Where Kim or Khloe took their last vacation or #2 the fastest growing cancer in the U.S.?
Cancers in the U.S. over the past 30 years in general have actually been falling EXCEPT for malignant melanoma which is 100% fatal if left too long. It is only partially related to sun: the back in males and legs in females are the most common areas. Dermatologists are very good at diagnosing them very early when they are curable based on color and border changes.
More to come in the future.

GET DELICIOUS FOR SUMMER - VECTUS LASER CONQUERS ALL

We have the Vectus laser for removal of hair anywhere on the body & for all skin types ( I- VI ); lightening fast - 2-3 times faster than any prior hair removal lasers; very reasonable rates.
Ladies, look delicious; feel delicious; bros, you may get lucky with Ms. Delicious if YOU get smoother!

CAN YOU REALLY TIGHTEN YOUR SKIN WITHOUT SURGERY?

The answer is "yes" but know the facts:

#1 There are 2 major competitors:
Thermage (potency was increased a few years ago) & Ulthera. Thermage is radiofrequency, which by heating loose collagen fibers deep in the skin, causes them to gradually curl over a 6 month period & therein produce skin tightening (without any down time), in some cases quite dramatic.
Ulthera is ultrasound & attempts to do the same: it was sold to many physicians who expected the FDA to approve it (to allow the company itself to advertise it for tightening). However, in the pivotal phase 3 FDA trials the FDA stopped the trials midway indicating that it could not be shown to work. The doctors who had bought the Ulthera equipment had little financial options other than continuing to offer it. We have Thermage & had used Ulthera before the FDA decision.

#2 Surgery (at least on the face & neck) is always more predictable than use of a non-invasive device but obviously is associated with considerable downtime (healing) & greater expense than the non-invasive. Many patients either don't need face/neck lifts or want to evaluate how satisfied they are without it, wanting to see their degree of improvement from Thermage.

Our office is different than most cosmetic procedure centers: we offer #1 & #2. All of our M.D. staff physicians are board certified in plastic surgery or dermatology.
Happy 4/15 

IF ALL YOU HAVE IS A HAMMER THEN THE WHOLE WORLD LOOKS LIKE A NAIL

So we had a patient in her 20's come to our Beverly Hills office last week whom we had seen a few years back. Lovely face with acne scars. 2 lessons for all of us:

#1. She had received laser treatments with an older (bad) version of the right (good) laser by a board certified dermatologist (good): so with one thing wrong (older & less effective version) she didn't get great results - but she liked the price. Truth is that one dollar spent on the wrong thing is merely a gift to your doctor, not to yourself!
#2. She was told by another doctor (a plastic surgeon) that a facelift (in her 20's) was the answer because it would stretch the scars. For most plastic surgeons lasers are not their thing (medical lasers were originated by Leon Goldman,M.D. , Chairman of the Dept. of Dermatology at The University of Cincinnati) so the patient was not offered the right answers.

As Michael Jackson's brilliant Beverly Hills dermatologist (& my good friend) , Arnold Klein,M.D., was fond of saying in these situations, "when all you have as a hammer the whole world looks like a nail." At our offices : we have more than hammers: 2 doubly board certified dermatologists & 2 board certified plastic surgeons that have the wide perspective to benefit patients.
Bye bye bias!

Self-Screening for Melanoma

Don't be shy; melanoma isn't, and finding it early could save your life. To that end, our education team has developed this helpful guide to self-screening. Follow the steps each month and pay attention to moles or spots that change shape, size or color. Know the ABCDE guide of melanoma. See something unusual? Make an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible. 

For more information go to melanomaresearchfoundation.com

NIVEA DOLL - English Version

The folks over at Nivea have created this doll to introduce children to the importance of sun damage on their skin. Follow nivea.com to see when the doll is available in the US.

How often do children need to wash their hair?

As an adult you know the basics of hair care and proper hair hygiene. Don’t condition your roots just your ends. Do not over wash if you have dry scalp. You know when it's time to wash all the grime from your hair. However, it is much harder to know when your child needs their hair washed. You don’t want to dry out their scalp or have a build up excess oil. When children are between the ages of 8 and 12, parents often ask dermatologists this question.

In three easy steps, you can figure out how often a child between 8 and 12 years of age needs to shampoo.

Step 1: Consider your child’s traits

To determine how often your child needs to shampoo, you first need to consider your child’s:

•Hair type (straight, curly, oily, dry)

•Age

•Activity level

Step 2: Find your child’s traits on the following chart

Shampoo guidelines: Children 8 to 12 years old

Shampoo every other day or daily

•12 years of age or starting puberty

•Oily, straight hair

•Active: Plays outdoors, plays sports, or swims

Exception: Hair is dry, curly, or African American

Shampoo 1 or 2 times per week    

•8 to 11 years of age

Exception: Hair is dry, curly or African American

Shampoo every 7 to 10 days           

•Dry, curly, or African American hair, even hair with braids or weaves

•After heavy sweating or swimming, rinse and condition the hair

Step 3: Fine tune to get it just right

Once your child is shampooing as often as shown above, you may need to adjust the frequency a bit. Each child is different. Changes in weather also can affect how often your child needs to shampoo.

Look at your child’s hair and scalp between washes. The following chart shows you what to look for and how to fine tune.

Shampoo guidelines: How to tell if your child is shampooing too often or not enough

 Shampoo more often if you notice that your child's:               

•Hair is oily

•Scalp is oily

Continue to add one shampoo per week until you no longer see oiliness

Shampoo less often if you notice that your child's:  

•Hair is dull and shedding

•Hair feels dry

Continue to remove one shampoo per week until you no longer see dullness, shedding, or dryness

When to see a dermatologist 

For most children, these guidelines work well. If your child’s hair or scalp seems too oily or dry after following these guidelines, you should see a dermatologist. Your dermatologist can explain why this is happening and offer a solution. 

More information: https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/every-stage-of-life/children/teaching-healthy-hair-care/how-often-to-wash-a-childs-hair

More Do's and Don't for the New Year

When it comes to skincare do’s and don’ts, we like to think we’ve got it all under control. Pointers such as ‘do take your makeup off before bed’ and ‘don’t use hand soap as a facial cleanser’ are mantras, widely known and rehearsed by us all. However, these are not the only tips that we should know about the health of our skin.

First, make sure that you are visiting the write medical practitioner. A primary care physician is not as specialized as a Dermatologist. If there are any doubts about diagnosis of a primary care physician, make an appointment with a Dermatologist or your physician may refer you to a Dermatologist. Don’t be fooled by so-called Dermatologist. There are far too many therapists advertising themselves as dermatologists out there. Dermatologists are doctors who, after their general medical University degree, have completed a formal higher specialist training in dermatology. Don’t feel afraid to ask for credentials of the dermatologist.

A facial may do more harm than good. High street and spa facials should be avoided by anybody with a tendency for breakouts, acne or rosacea. A study has shown that 80% of these may actually aggravate breakouts. Make sure to only have medical grade facials in your dermatologist’s clinic.

It is important to stress how vital regular mole checks with a dermatologist are. I wish everybody would go once per year. In between those expert checks, don’t forget to self-examine your skin at least once per month - top to toe!

You should always tailor your skincare products to your exact skin type and condition with the advice of your dermatologist. See a dermatologist who has a special interest in aesthetic dermatology and skincare.

Patient is the most important part of a clear complexion. Acne sufferers have a tendency to start their treatment for acne scarring while they are still developing inflamed spots and pimples. However, acne scarring should only be treated after all the active acne has fully burnt out – addressing it too early will only aggravate inflamed acne lesions. The primary goal at that stage is to prevent further scarring by getting the active acne treated by a dermatologist.

Your skin is the most visible and valuable asset on our bodies, take care of it this New Year.

Types of nail fungus and how to treat

Fungal nail infections can be caused by three different types of fungus, alone or in combination.

• Dermatophytes are a type of fungus that can grow on the skin, hair, and nails. The most common dermatophyte, Trichophyton rubrum, causes most cases of athlete's foot. Athlete's foot, in turn, can infect the toenails. You can get infected by contact with objects that have dermatophytes on them, such as clothing, shoes, nail clippers, nail files, shower and locker room floors, and carpet
• Yeasts are a type of fungus that grows on the skin and nails. They are normally present on the human body. Things like illness, antibiotic or birth control pill use, and immune system problems may allow an overgrowth of yeast, leading to a yeast infection.

You can get a fungal nail infection when you come in contact with the fungus and it begins to grow on or under your nail. Fungi grows best in warm, moist areas, such as the area around the toes. But you can have fungi on your skin without getting a nail infection. If you are susceptible to fungal infections, they tend to return, even after successful treatment and especially if you don't take preventive steps.
A fungal nail infection usually isn't painful. But without treatment, over time it can become uncomfortable or even painful to wear shoes, walk, or stand for a long time.
Your symptoms will depend on the type of infection you have. The two most common infections are both caused by dermatophytes.
Distal subungual onychomycosis Symptoms include:

• Yellow streaks in the nail bed and on the underside of the nail.
• Buildup of bits and pieces of skin and nail fragments (debris) under the nail.
• A discolored and thickened nail that may separate from the skin under the nail.
• A brittle, broken, and thickened nail.

White superficial onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail surface. Symptoms include:

• White spots or streaks on the nail surface.
• Soft and powdery nail surface, as the infection gets worse.
• Damaged, crumbly, and brown or gray nail surface. But the nail doesn't separate from the skin underneath.

Not all nail infections are fungal infections. Conditions with similar symptoms include eczema, psoriasis, and Reiter's syndrome.

Find more information:  http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/nail-problems

Treating acne scars

There are lots of ways to heal your scars and keep new ones from forming.

It is important to prevent acne scars before they begin. If your scar is red or swollen, use a cortisone cream to calm your skin. The cortisone is absorbed by skin cells and reduces inflammation. Skin creams with cortisone can be bought over the counter.

If your acne scars don't fade away on their own, it may be time to consider booking an appointment with our dermatologist.

Fraxel® Laser Treatment is a revolutionary and effective treatment for wrinkles, uneven color and tone, texture irregularities from sun damage and aging, crepiness, and loose skin.

No downtime is involved and gradual improvement is noted in texture and color. Collagen is both increased and remodeled due to the treatment. Fraxel laser is the treatment of choice for facial acne scars. This is primarily due to its ability through nano beam technology (like camera pixels) to safely penetrate deeper than the older ablative lasers and, therefore, affect the bottom of deep scars. In one to three sessions, laser skin resurfacing using fractionated laser technology can even out the skin surface and increase the formation of new collagen. The new collagen can help fill in acne scars. If your thinking of Fraxel you can book a free consolation at our Beverly Hills office.

 

Filler injections can help fill in the indentations left behind from deep acne scars, says Ron Moy, MD, a former president of the American Academy of Dermatology. But the downside to fillers is that they need to be repeated every 4 to 6 months, as the product reabsorbs into the skin over time.

The main key to seeing acne scars fade is patience. A few weeks after you break out and scar, new blood vessels move into the injured area to give nourishment to the skin, which is why most early scars look pink. Months later, collagen starts to form, filling in the injured section of skin. Because cystic acne destroys skin and fat, it can take up to a year for the scars to fade.

Have eczema? Avoid this list of foods

The old saying “you are what you eat” is typically used to teach children healthy dietary choices,

but as time and medical technology advance, we have learned just how accurate that saying really is.

What you put into your body is what it uses for fuel, so it makes sense that if you’re eating something your body doesn’t like, you’ll see symptoms of it. This is true even for conditions once thought to be unrelated to diet–like eczema.  An inflammatory condition of the skin, no one knows the exact cause of eczema

Actually an umbrella term, “eczema” can be used to refer to many different types of skin conditions that are thought to be linked to allergic reactions within the body, some of those caused by diet.
Studies of children and young people with atopic eczema found that one-third to nearly two-thirds also had a food allergy.

As a general rule, the following foods can cause eczema to worsen:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Wheat
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Soy

Food allergies can vary from person to person. People who wish to identify eczema trigger foods in their diet should consider the following options:
Elimination diets: cutting a suspected food trigger out for 10 to 14 days. Watch to see if it makes a difference.
Food challenges: After you’ve taken food out of your diet, add a small amount back in to see if it causes symptoms.
Skin testing: Performed in a doctor’s office, this test uses food extracts to test for sensitivity. If the area tested swells up, it’s a sign of an allergic reaction. This test can be unreliable, however, especially in people with sensitive skin.
Blood tests: RAST — radio allegro sorbent test — can check for special cells in the blood that are signs of specific food allergies.
Managing eczema can be a challenge. Research suggests hormones and stress can impact eczema, and likewise, foods that affect hormones and stress can be problematic. Don’t try to solve you eczema issues alone; make sure you involve your doctor to ensure you find relief as soon as possible.

Find full article at  http://voxxi.com/2014/11/01/foods-can-cause-eczema/

Evolution of swimsuit shows increase in melanoma.

A new study in the American Journal of Public Health finds correlation between the changes in swim attire and the rise of skin cancer. The study examines 100 years of factors like clothing styles, travel patterns and perception of tan skin. All of these have led to an increase in sun exposure an ultimately an increase in melanoma over the years.

            The study divided the 20^th century in four eras: turn of the century, early century, mid and late century. They studied showed how exposed the skin was during that time period. They found that around the turn of the century porcelain skin was accepted because of racial stereotypes associated with dark skin and the lower-class people working on the fields had tan skin from the sun exposure.

            The study is interesting when looking at the later half of the 20^th Century. As time went by the traditional look of fair, pale skin was not what everyone wanted. Also the fashion was to expose more skin. Fashion no longer required high collars and long skirts. Instead women and men were exposed more to the sun through fashion. From 1940s to the 1960s the incidents in melanoma went up 300% in men and more surprisingly 400% in women. Researchers determined that do to the change in swimsuit attire there was more exposed skin while out in the sun. Women and men were more covered during the turn of the 20^th century rather than the late 20^th century when bikinis and swim trunks were introduced.   Even in most resent years melanoma jumped from 22.8 per 100,000 in 2000 to 28.9 per 100,000 in 2009.

 

Find the complete report at  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2784410/How-skin-cancer-leapt-bikinis-hit-beaches-Between-1930s-1960s-cancer-rate-went-400.html

Tips for protecting children during school hours.

            Most parents do not realize that during a typical day children are receiving a significant amount of sun exposure throughout the day. The Skin Cancer Foundation offers the following recommendations for keeping children sun-safe during the school year. 

 UV rays are most intense from 10 AM to 4 PM, and this is when students are usually outside for recess, physical education class and after-school programs. Check with the school to see if there are adequate places for students to seek shade during outdoor activities.

Whenever possible send kids to school in densely woven and bright- or dark-colored fabrics, which offer the best defense. The more skin you cover, the better.

Parents should apply a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher to their children’s skin every morning, at least 30 minutes before they go outside.

For more information and the complete article visit SkinCancer Foundation

Tattoos: How to care for tattooed skin

Eye Shadows/ Dark Circles

99% are due to the skin below the eye not having enough support, therein producing a valley or depression.This yields a shadow. NO CREAM HELPS THIS- unless it has a makeup concealer in it to hide the defect.It has NOTHING to do with color or vessels. Over 50 % of people have this condition. Test this tonight by moving the nearby skin to " fill in" the valley and see the improvement immediately! . Surgery is not an answer: Restylane filler is. It is essentially painless due to a prior application of a strong topical anesthetic cream; bruising is generally absent or minimal. It is also the most cost effective procedure in cosmetic medicine, since in this area of the face it typically lasts 18-36 months ( unlike moveable areas around the mouth ). Look for our You-Tube video in Oct, 2014 under " Dark Eye Shadows "

Understanding Teen Acne

Are over-the-counter acne products not cutting it? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, virtually anyone’s acne, no matter how severe, can be treated.

Exactly what causes acne? Acne develops when cells and natural oils block tiny hair follicles in the skin. Bacteria work their way into the plugged up follicles and start multiplying. When the body’s immune cells move in to attack the bacteria, the results of the battle are the classic symptoms of acne -- swelling, redness, and pimples. Acne medications help by interrupting this process in different ways. Some over-the-counter and prescription acne creams help by unplugging the follicles. Others, such as antibiotics, kill the bacteria that move into the follicles.

For mild to severe acne, a doctor might recommend prescription treatments that are "topical," which means they go on your skin. Topical treatments for teenage acne come in different forms, including creams, lotions, gels and pads. Some teen girls have acne that’s linked to hormones called androgens. To treat this sort of acne, a doctor might recommend birth control pills or spironolactone.

For best results take the acne treatment as prescribed. It's important to stick to the doctor’s acne treatment. Stop using other acne treatments. If a doctor has prescribed an acne treatment, don't also use other treatments or home remedies. They’re unlikely to help and they could even make the acne worse.

Stick with it. Acne treatment won’t work immediately. It can take six to eight weeks before you see some benefit. It may take as long as six months to clear the skin altogether.
Do your part. Follow the doctor’s skin care advice, particularly when it comes to cleansing and using moisturizer.
Work with a doctor. If treatment isn’t working, don't give up. It may take some time to hit on the right approach. Schedule an appointment with a doctor to discuss other options. Remember: With the right treatment, almost every case of acne can be cured.

http://www.momlogic.com/2008/09/acne_kills_teen_selfesteem.php

Childhood Skin Problems

Wondering about that rash, welt, or bump on your child's skin? Sickness, allergies, and heat or cold are often behind kids' skin changes. Most aren't a big deal and are easy to treat only requiring mild medication and time. It is fairly easy to spot some of these skin problems.

warts

Warts: A virus causes painless skin growths. Warts can spread easily from person to person. They also spread by touching an object used by a person with the virus. They're most often found on fingers and hands.  If covered with a band aid some warts will go away.

heat rash

Heat Rash: Heat rash looks like small red or pink pimples. You usually see it on the head, neck, and shoulders of babies. It can happen to any child in very hot weather. Dress your child with only one more layer than you are wearing because dressing a child to warmly may lead to heat rash as well. 

 

Eczema

Eczema: Eczema is a chronic itchy skin condition. Atopic usually starts within the first five years of life, most often in the first six months. Watch for a raised rash with dry skin and intense itching. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Some children outgrow it or have milder cases as they get older.

If you have further question or believe your child may have one of these or any other issues contact your dermatologist.

Original article found on WebMD

20 year-olds not shying away from cosmetic procedure

In 2013 ASDS Survey of Dermatological Procedure showed an increase in twenty-something year-old use of wrinkle-relaxing procedure and soft-tissue filler.

 

With cosmetic treatment being such a predominant method of aging in the media this generation has come to think of it as the societal norm. They understand that lifestyle routines play a part in how we age and these cosmetic treatments are not a solution to aging but a preventative measure. For them there is nothing wrong with getting older but if there are ways to avoid it a little longer there is no harm in using them.

Among the most common procedures for twenty-something’s is Botox for smooth skin and relax wrinkles. Juverderm is also used to soften facial creases and fuller lips.

Dermatologists do warn that these procedures are not meant for individuals to drastically change their look. There needs to be balance between chasing age and enhancing the features we have. 

- People in their 20s are looking ahead.

How To Treat Sunburn

Sunburn - It's not only painful, it can also cause long term damage.

Summer's almost here, bringing warmth, relaxation and lazy days in the sun; however, long, light-filled days at the beach or even in the yard often also mean overexposure to the sun's dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Sunburn - the skin reddening caused by overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation - may seem like just a temporary irritation, but sunburns can cause
long-lasting damage to the skin. 


Children are especially at risk: One blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life. Don’t get burned: Read the articles below to learn all about The Skin Cancer Foundation’s expert advice on sunburn prevention, treatment, and relief!


- Treating Sunburn in Children 

- Five Ways to Treat a Sunburn

- Worst Case Scenario: Treating Sunburn