When it comes to cosmetic procedures, timing can make a difference. While most treatments can be performed all year long, there is value to planning certain interventions during specific seasons. Here is a practical guide to help you navigate the world of cosmetic procedures and choose the perfect season for your cosmetic intervention. Keep in mind, a consultation any time of year with one of our cosmetic dermatologists, can set you on a treatment plan to achieve your desired skin goals, whether it’s for the coming year, or even the next decade! All-Season Treatments Fortunately, common and popular cosmetic procedures … Continue reading »
Melasma. You know it when you see it: those irregularly shaped brown patches on the cheeks that inevitably darken during the summer months and fade away in the winter. This can be a very challenging and distressful condition, because there is no cure to date. Fortunately, our board-certified dermatologists at SkinCare Physicians have developed an approach that allows us to control melasma even if we cannot cure it. Dr. Mitalee Christman, who has conducted extensive research* on the topic, is unmasking for you the cause of melasma, how we diagnose it and our treatment plans. Understanding and diagnosing melasma We … Continue reading »
Co-authors: Dr. Kenneth Arndt and Dr. Jessica Labadie We get this question a lot… from patients, friends and even our own family members. As board-certified dermatologists, we may be biased, but the truth is, there is a huge difference between getting elective cosmetic treatments at a med spa versus a dermatology office, especially when it comes to cosmetic procedures like neurotoxins (e.g., Botox, Dysport), fillers (e.g., Restylane, Juvederm) and laser procedures (e.g., Fraxel). It’s important to be aware of the differences, in order to make the right decision when it comes to your skin! What does it mean to be … Continue reading »
Self-care became a low priority for many of us during the pandemic. This was especially true for moms. Whether they were helping kids navigate through remote learning, or juggling household responsibilities while working inside or outside the home, mothers had less time for themselves. Now that restrictions have eased and we are resuming activities and pre-pandemic routines, we noticed more people seeking advice about their skin. Notably, mothers have conveyed interest in addressing changes they’ve been seeing this past year. Questions come up regularly about worry lines, uneven or dull skin tone aggravated by stress and jawline/neck laxity noticed on … Continue reading »
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 »
Microneedling has been around for over 2 decades, but only recently has there been sufficient data to make it clear that it actually is a useful procedure to improve wrinkles and scars. Learn from a renowned Boston dermatologist why having your face poked with hundreds of tiny needles improve its appearance. The premise behind microneedling It was originally postulated that inducing micro wounds to the skin would initiate healing and encourage connective tissue augmentation. Others later described a similar method, inserting needles parallel to the skin, as “percutaneous collagen induction”. Indeed, after penetration of these small needles into skin, a … Continue reading »
Male interest in aesthetics has been on the rise. In fact, terms like “BroTox” and “Daddy Do-overs” have been popularized and are a testament to the growing number of men seeking cosmetic treatments. A 2017 Dermatology Times article reported there has been a fifty percent increase in the number of neurotoxin injections, a 235% increase in fillers, and a forty percent increase in minimally invasive procedures performed in men from 2006-2016. Why are more men seeking aesthetic treatments these days? Men are increasingly hearing about these procedures from social media and through discussions with their spouses, partners and friends. There’s … Continue reading »
Young patients are constantly asking me about when they should start an anti-aging skin care routine, and this is one of the few questions I get that has a very simple answer: TODAY. Taking a few simple actions when you are young can have a major impact. Here are a few easy interventions I recommend for people just getting started. The basics you can (and should) do every day in your home In the morning, the simplest act is to apply sunscreen daily (including on cloudy days.) It is the cornerstone to any anti-aging routine because it prevents UV damage … Continue reading »
Every day we are asked if there is an age that is “too early” to start preventing the skin from aging or to start on the journey for skin rejuvenation. We have been thinking about this question for years and in fact were the first to introduce and coin the term “prejuvenation,” a buzz word that has since taken off on a journey of its own. Just Google-search the word and you’ll see what we mean! What exactly is “prejuvenation?” “Prejuvenation” is the act of initiating a series of thoughtfully planned steps that will prevent or impede the changes associated … Continue reading »
