Do you find yourself spending more and more time in front of the mirror, looking at wrinkles, lifeless skin tone, sagging skin, or blemishes? Are you trying to combat these signs of aging with more and more cosmetics and creams? It may be time to visit a licensed dermatologist- and get a professional in your court.

As we age, the repeated abuse our skin takes from sun, stress, and pollution can cause the skin to lose its youthful, healthy glow. Along with natural aging, our lifestyle plays a crucial role in our skin’s condition. The good news is that there are effective ways to treat and halt aging.

Rather than running to the drug store and buying the latest anti- aging cream, your first step should be to consult a dermatologist. These doctors are specifically trained in the very latest in anti-aging treatments. Your particular skin type, lifestyle, and age will be critical in determining your individual course of action.

Your treatment can include topical creams and cleansers, topical medications, or injectable treatments such as Botox and fillers. Depending on the results you want, you and your doctor will decide together the best treatment options for you.  Here are some popular treatments for many aging skin conditions:

Topical creams: Your doctor may prescribe creams rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins, and sunscreen, among others, to enhance the look and feel of your skin. There are many active ingredients available today, and your dermatologist will customize a regimen specifically for you.

Topical medications: Some conditions, such as rosacea or acne (isn’t it fun to get pimples along with wrinkles?) and brown spots, may require topical medications in order to clear the skin and keep it looking great.

Injections:  Botox is being increasingly used to smooth the forehead, erase crow’s feet, and even some neck and chest wrinkles. It’s relatively painless and can be a great partner in your skin care regimen. Fillers, like Radiesse, Restalyn, and Juvederm, use collagen and other ingredients to smooth out “marionette wrinkle” or the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth.  Injectables are a great way to erase years from your skin, instantly, and post phone invasive surgery.

Make an appointment with your licensed dermatologist today. You- and your skin- will be glad you did.

If you have or think you may have psoriasis, it can be very difficult to live with.  Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin condition that affects about 80 million people in America, or over 125 million worldwide. It’s a condition where cells reproduce rapidly, causing dry, red patches and thickened skin, skin scales, and dry flakes.

Psoriasis symptoms range from very mild, where patients don’t even know they have it, to severe. Severe psoriasis can be devastating with the entire body covered in thick, red, scaly skin. And because it is a non-curable, chronic disease, it’s important to educate yourself on the treatments and your particular experience.

Psoriasis can occur on several areas of the body. Elbows, knees and joints are the most common areas affected, but psoriasis can also manifest on the genitals, buttocks, and even nails. Psoriasis can be emotionally draining as patients can experience social issues and other personal issues because of the appearance of their skin.

The causes of psoriasis remain unknown- but genetics, climate, and even race (Caucasians are more likely to be sufferers) can play a role. Ongoing research has still not discovered the exact cause of the many types of psoriasis.  Continued treatment from your licensed dermatologist can help control the symptoms of psoriasis.

Luckily, there are many effective treatment choices for psoriasis, ranging from oral, to topical, to injections. Each case is different, as there are many types of psoriasis, and many areas of the body affected. It’s best to work closely with your dermatologist to determine the best treatment for your individual symptoms

Treatments for psoriasis include: topical creams, lotions and sprays. These may be successful for suppressing many mild symptoms.Injections of steroids directly into a particularly problematic area of psoriasis can also be effective.

For more severe cases, the options are more varied. There are treatment options that include oral medications, light therapy, or injections. Some treatments involve cyclical medication, where these options are changed over 6 to 12 months- this can lessen risks associated with these stronger medications.

Talk to your licensed dermatologist about your symptoms and treatment options- you’ll be glad you did.

You’re not alone- in fact, skin tags are a very common type of skin disorder. About 45% of the population in America has skin tags, according to the NIH (National Institutes of Health).

A skin tag is a small tag of skin which may have a peduncle, or stalk. Although they may look unattractive, and may even be annoying or embarrassing, they are invariably benign little tumors of the skin. Most are non-symptomatic, unless they are in the way when shaving or rubbed or scratched repeatedly. They are made up of a core of fibers and ducts, nerve cells, and fat cells which are covered with epidermis, or skin.

Skin tags can vary in appearance. They can be irregular or smooth, vary in size, and even in color- ranging from flesh- colored to a darker brown.  Many skin tags are often on tiny stalks, or peduncles.  Skin tags can begin as tiny bumps, and they can grow to up to 5 CM. Large skin tags will often burst of their own accord.

Skin tags can appear on any part of the body, but most often where there is repeated rubbing or friction, like the armpits, eyelids, groin, upper chest, neck, or under the breasts.

There are many causes for experiencing skin tags.  The most common cause is obesity and pregnancy, as overweight and pregnant women usually have more folds on the body where skin rubs against skin. Heredity, age, and diabetics also can play a role on whether or not you get skin tags

What are the treatment options for skin tags?

Even though the vast majority of skin tags are essentially benign and harmless, they can be a negative element in one’s appearance. Many people opt in to removing skin tags for aesthetic reasons.  Sometimes the skin tag may be frequently irritated, which is another good reason for removing it. And shaving or applying cosmetics can become an issue with skin tags.

Luckily, there are many treatments for this common skin condition. It’s always best to visit a licensed dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.  Some of the procedures available are as follows:

• The skin tag is burned off using electrolysis through cauterization
• The skin tag is frozen off using a probe containing liquid nitrogen which freezes it.
• The blood supply to the skin tag is interrupted through ligation, it eventually falls off
• The skin tag is removed with a scalpel, or excised.

Again, it is imperative to go to a licenseddermatologist to determine the best treatment for you. So don’t be embarrassed or concerned about your skin tags- it’s a very common condition and can be easily and effectively treated through a licensed professional.

BOTOX: Is it Right for You?

Are you considering BOTOX as part of your anti-aging regimen? Do you have concerns or questions about the safety of this treatment, or the results? Read on to find out more about how BOTOX can help you to look younger, more rested, and even happier!

It may surprise you to learn that BOTOX, or botulinum toxin, has been used for medical purposes for over 50 years. Initially, BOTOX was used to correct medical conditions such as lazy eye, or wry neck. It was approved in 2002 as a material to improve and relax the frown lines in between the eyes. BOTOX has been successfully used on over half a million people since 2002.

Some people believe that BOTOX actually paralyzes the facial muscles- resulting in a frozen forehead and difficulty in expressing oneself. However, even though this can happen, most doctors target small amounts in specific areas, allowing limited and realistic facial expressions. When done correctly, BOTOX injections limit facial frowns and grimaces, and most people will not even notice that the patient has had the procedure. Instead, you will receive many compliments on your younger looking, refreshed appearance!

Another concern you may have is related to the actual procedure. It suprises many potential patients that injecting BOTOX, in most cases, is relatively painless and quick. During the procedure, the patient is placed in a reclined seating position on the doctor’s exam table. Areas to be injected are cleansed and sometimes a topical anesthetic is applied. The most common areas to be treated include the forehead, where 3-5 injections are placed between the eyes, and often 4-5 injections on either side of the forehead. After the procedure, the patient should avoid laying down for 2-4 hours. Taking aspirin or ibuprofen may increase risk of bruising.

Within 3 to 5 days after treatment, you will see the results from BOTOX. Deep lines will relax, and smaller lines may disappear. It’s really quite amazing to see the difference. In the case of very deep wrinkles, additional treatments, or treatments using fillers, may be required.

There are some very minor risks associated with the use of BOTOX, among them headache, pain, and some flu-like symptoms. Drooping eyelid or brow, although rare, has been reported. These risks are very minor occurrences and resolve with time. To further reduce your risk, make certain you are using a board certified physician with experience in using BOTOX. BOTOX is not recommended for pregnant women, or for anyone allergic to eggs as it’s prepared with an albumin base.

BOTOX, like many non-invasive procedures, is not a permanent fix. Results last up to 3 to 4 months, and can vary by area treated, the number of injections given, and individual patient’s lifestyle. But for the cost, time, and results, BOTOX is definitely worth your consideration as a key part of your anti-aging regimen.

Chemical peels, or derma-peeling, can be an effective tool in anti- aging, especially when you are looking for ways to avoid surgery. Chemical peels are used to treat wrinkles, reduce fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and can improve the appearance of scarring and certain types of acne. They can also improve skin that’s damaged by age spots, freckles, and dark patches. And finally, peels will improve the look and feel of dull, colorless skin, including sun damaged skin.

The chemical peel treatment involves a chemical solution applied to the skin. Skin will redden, blister, and peel off. The new layer of skin revealed is smoother, less wrinkled, and more radiant.

Is a chemical peel right for you? That depends on your skin type, the condition of your skin, and your specific concerns.

-Skin type: Fair and light-skinned people are ideal candidates for peels. Darker skin tones may risk uneven skin tone post- procedure.

-Skin condition: Peels are effective in improving tone and lessening wrinkles. However, peels will not improve sagging skin, bulges, and some severe wrinkles. A dermatologist will help you determine if a chemical peel fits into your anti-aging regimen.

-Your skincare concerns: Talk to your dermatologist about the best regimen for you. Chemical peels may be used in combination with other treatments as a part of your total skincare regimen.

It’s important to work with your dermatologist to prepare for a chemical peel. Prior to the procedure, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs, and prepare your skin with topical medications such as Retin-A. After the procedure, follow your doctor’s orders as far as medications, sun exposure, and sun screen are concerned.

The procedure itself is as follows: Once your skin is completely cleansed, your eyes and hair are protected. Chemical solutions are applied, producing a small wound, which allows new skin to appear over time. There can be some burning sensations during the peel. Some deeper peels may require pain medication, but most patients’ discomfort can be relieved by cool compresses.

Post- procedure, you will notice your skin reacting in a way similar to abad sunburn. Redness, peeling and scaling, and some mild swelling will occur within days of the chemical peel. You will see your new skin emerging within a week. And depending on the treatment, your doctor may repeat the procedure as a series of mild peels over time. If your peel was more aggressive, swelling, blisters, and crusting will continue for up to 14 days.

So if you are considering a chemical peel, talk to your doctor to find out if a peel is right for you. The many types of peels, your skin and your skincare concerns, and other factors will all play a role in your decision. The bottom line is that a chemical peel can improve skin clarity, reduce wrinkles, and bring more radiant skin to the surface- without surgery.

Get the Most out of Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal can be a terrific way to eliminate excess hair from all areas of the body. Laser hair removal can be safely used on legs, bikini, underarms, and facial areas. It’s less painful than electrolysis, and more effective over time than shaving or waxing. Before you consider this treatment for yourself, ask yourself the following questions.

Is laser hair removal right for you?  Not everyone is a good candidate for laser hair removal. This procedure works best on dark hair and light skin combinations. The laser targets melanin in the hair shaft.  Laser pulsed light works to break down and destroy the melanin in the hairs. So light hair is harder to affect, and darker skin can become lighter in spots after treatment. There are new lasers developed which can work better on light hair and dark skin- ask your board certified dermatologist for recommendations.

Does it hurt? This depends on many factors: thickness of hair, area of the body, and your pain threshold. Most people are comfortable during the procedure, with many reporting a “snapping rubber band” sensation during treatment.  Ibuprofen taken an hour before treatment can alleviate discomfort.

When do I need to see results? As the laser is working in your individual hair shafts, your hair will continue to grow after treatment. It begins falling out within 10- 14 days.  Because hair grows in three phases: growing, resting and shedding – lasers and pulsed lights target hair in the growth phase. It may be helpful, depending on the area treated, to use a mild sugar scrub in the shower 10 days after treatment to help smooth skin during the hair falling out process.

What areas can I treat?  Unlike electrolysis, which treats each follicle individually, lasers target several follicles at the same time. This means that larger areas of skin can be treated quickly and efficiently, including the arms, back, chest and legs. Lasers can treat smaller areas such as facial and underarms as well, but ask your dermatologist if your hair is light or blonde.

Laser hair removal takes time! It may take up to 6 sessions, spaced a month apart, to see up to 75% hair reduction in the areas treated.  During the treatment period, you will notice your hair becoming lighter, finer and thinner.  Maintaining the hair loss can be as easy as annual treatments for the first few years after initial treatments. It’s important to note that results are not guaranteed and vary from patient to patient. Your board certified dermatologist is your best resource for your particular results.

Other facts to know: Ask your doctor about shaving, tanning, and sun exposure before treatment. Also ask about taking ibuprofen or another pain medication or numbing cream.  And do your homework before booking this or any other dermatological procedure. Make sure your doctor is board certified and experienced in the procedure, so you can be confident in your decision and get the best results.