I’ve run the Boston Marathon for the past 10 years. The afternoon before the race, I host a big carb-loading party (and fundraiser for the Melanoma Foundation of New England!) for my running friends, some of whom travel from far-flung parts of the world to run this historic race. One of my friends, Bob, is a very smart man, and he gave me, a dermatologist, a really important lesson about sunscreen among marathoners. Bob runs a speedy (sub-3:00) race. Several years ago, the weather predictions called for clouds, and Bob was not wearing sunscreen. But these clouds unexpectedly parted at … Continue reading »
There’s a new dangerous creature lurking in the waters of Cape Cod and the Islands, and it’s not a great white shark! It’s a little jellyfish called Gonionemus vertens, and stings from this jellyfish have been increasingly reported in Cape Cod ponds and bays. The population of these creatures is spreading for reasons that aren’t understood, and they are unfortunately associated with a painful sting. Gonionemus is a type of hydrozoan, like the Portuguese Man of War. Hydrozoans are not true jellyfish, but they resemble them enough that we often refer to them as such. Like the jellyfish, hydrozoans have … Continue reading »
The weather is getting warmer here in Boston, and we are putting away our long-sleeves and pants in favor of shorts and bare arms. Many patients at SkinCare Physicians want the “healthy” bronze of a tan… but without the risks associated with ultraviolet light exposure. Here is what our dermatologists have to say about self-tanners’ safety and how to best apply them. What’s in your self-tanners? Most self-tanners contain very safe ingredients, either dihydroxyacentone (DHA) or erythrulose. DHA is a type of sugar molecule that turns brown when it reacts with amino acids in your skin surface, in a reaction … Continue reading »
In the year since this blog post was first published, Lululemon’s inaccurate and potentially dangerous sunscreen advice continues to be printed on the bags that they hand out every day to customers. Lululemon WAS informed by the American Academy of Dermatology last year that its ‘sunscreen is dangerous’ quote printed on all its bags was spreading misinformation, and the company admitted that the message is “not research based” . If you are concerned about your risk of skin cancer and the potentially dangerous medical information Lululemon continues to dispense, email their ‘guest education center’ at gec@lululemon.com to voice your concerns. Pass … Continue reading »
Stymied about getting a last-minute gift for the Dad in your life? Here is a list of some great stylish, fun and sophisticated sun-protective items that will ensure a summer full of health, happiness and fun in the sun!
Don’t let the cold weather fool you! Just because you may not feel the heat of the sun in the winter, the ultraviolet radiation from the sun is still harming your skin. Think of snow as a big white beach, Dr. Thomas Rohrer tells his patients at SkinCare Physicians. Winter sports enthusiasts, who often spend all day outside, are especially at risk for excessive sun exposure that can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Here are two reasons why: Snow reflects UV radiation four times more than sand on a beach. Up to 80% of the UV … Continue reading »
When the temperatures dip low, we still want to go outside, run errands, shovel or just have fun with winter sports! However, in the frigid outdoors, we need to keep our skin protected to avoid frostbite, a serious medical condition with permanent consequences in some cases. The dermatologists at SkinCare Physicians tell how to avoid the risks of frostbite if you plan to stay outside for a while.
Earlier this year, our dermatologists shed some light on a few common skincare beliefs that they regularly hear in the exam room. Today, we go over three nail care myths to help you maintain healthy hands and feet. Taking proper care of your fingernails is particularly important, as your hands are visible year-round and your feet like to show off in the summer! Nail Myth #1 – Those little white lines on my nails must mean I have a deficiency. The myth continues, but those white marks on your nails are not a sign of a vitamin or nutritional deficiency. … Continue reading »
There are many important events and milestones in our lives. Whether it is your wedding, a friend or family member’s wedding, a reunion, or another important event, preparing your skin well ahead of time will help to make sure you look your best for this special occasion. Follow these 4 tips from our team of dermatologists in Boston and you will glow the day of your big event. #1 Get in a good routine. Our skin looks best when we care for it on a daily basis and don’t neglect it. Be sure to cleanse twice daily to gently remove … Continue reading »
It’s still summertime, and hopefully we are all taking care of our skin by using sunscreens and sun protection, avoiding insect bites, and treating occasional poison ivy. But there’s another common skin condition that we dermatologists see quite often during sunny weather: phytophotodermatitis. Never heard of it? We see quite a bit of it at SkinCare Physicians near Boston, and the main culprit is LIMES! Understanding phytophotodermatitis To better understand this condition, let’s break down the derivation of the word: “Phyto” = plant “Photo” = light “Dermatitis”= inflammation of the skin So, phytophotodermatitis means inflammation of the skin that is … Continue reading »
