Blog
Active? Watch out for a mucocele
Question: Help – what is this bluish, clear very noticeable round lump on my lower lip? Answer: I had a young patient come into the office this week with just that: A clear, bluish-tinted bump on her lower lip. It was more than just a "fat lip." I immediately...
What to do about an inflamed, raised, hard scar
Question: I had an injury to my shoulder earlier this year and while the wound has mostly healed and is no longer scabby, the resulting scar is still painful, raised, hard and lumpy. It's bigger and uglier than the original wound. What can I do? Answer: There are two...
If you get a sore or scar on your scalp does it always cause permanent hair loss?
Question: I've noticed more hair fall out than usual recently, so, upon looking at my scalp and feeling around more closely, I've found several different areas with around my scalp where there is no hair. Some areas of hair loss feel smooth with no hair in them and...
Can babies go in the sun?
Question: I’ve heard conflicting opinions about what age babies can go in the sun. Is there a sun exposure rule for healthy skin for babies? Answer: I second the advice of the The American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the...
What good is coconut oil for hair and skin?
Question: I've been reading more and more about using coconut oil for hair and skin. Do you think this is a good idea? Can you tell me how to buy coconut oil and how to use it properly? Answer: I love coconut oil as an added treat for hair and skin (as long as you are...
Should I be using a retinoid?
Question: As I've moved through my thirties and into my forties, I've noticed a marked change in my facial skin. I have some dark spots and discolorations and my face seems thinner overall and a little more sallow. I've heard about using a Retin-A cream but I thought...
UV rays and location, location, location…
Question: Is it true that the sun’s UV rays are stronger in the South? Answer: Yes, this is true. The closer your location is to the equator (the line that is equally distant from the South Pole and the North Pole which also separates the Northern Hemisphere from...
Want to be 25% less likely to get age spots?
Well, I've been saying this to my patients for years: Daily sunscreen use prevents the ugly results of photo-aging (spots, roughness and wrinkles caused by years of cumulative sun exposure which speeds up your skin's natural aging process) and finally a study...
Allergic to sunscreen? Read labels!
Question: My daughter is apparently allergic to many of the sunscreens I have tried on her and gets an itchy, burning rash. What is it in the sunscreens that is causing this reaction? Answer: There could be many different chemicals causing a skin reaction. Most...
Black Salve no skin cancer salvation!
Question: I've read many accounts online about an alternative therapy of using an herbal "Black Salve" to treat skin cancer, but then I also saw many scary photographs and read many scary stories of disfiguring skin damage from the treatment. What's your opinion?...
How to get rid of age spots, sun spots, liver spots
Question: I have a dark brown oval-shaped spot on my forehead and a cluster of them on my upper chest. I've heard them called age spots, sun spots and liver spots. What are they and how can I get rid of them? Answer: These spots are medically called solar lentigines...
Are you aware of this summer itch hazard?
Question: I was working outside doing pool and yard chores and all of a sudden I got this intense itching and burning on my upper, inner arms. What is it and how can I get rid of it? Answer: This is a true story and it can easily happen to you the more time you spend...
Little known topical ways to prevent and treat skin cancer
Question: My dermatologist gave me a topical cream with special ingredients to prevent skin cancer where he thought it might be forming. How is that even possible? Answer: It is now possible and FDA-approved. There are some new topical medications that target...
See how simple a Basal Cell Carcinoma removal can be
Question: My dermatologist said my scab was a Basal Cell Carcinoma...Now what? Do I have cancer? Answer: Relax. A Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is rarely the spreading cancer that requires the systemic chemotherapy you're thinking of. Cure rates for BCCs are close to...
Roaring mad about spotted skin!
Question: What are these brownish spotted areas on matching sides of my face and how can I get rid of them? Answer: Those brown spotted areas on your face are called melasma, and the discoloration is caused and worsened primarily by sun exposure. The result can be a...
What moms must know about teens and indoor tanning
Question: My teenage daughters love using tanning beds, especially now that its winter. Tell me once and for all, is this a dangerous practice leading to skin cancer or a safe way to get some color? I’ve read conflicting reports online... Answer: Did you know that...
Winter-whipped skin! Now what?
Question: I have been using a Retin-A (tretinoin) anti-aging skin-care regimen but with all this extreme winter weather my skin is chapped, cracked and looks and feels terrible. What should I do? Answer: You may need to adjust your skin-care routine and anti-aging...
Does minoxidil cause facial wrinkles?
Question: I have been using Rogaine for 6 months and I have recently noticed several deep wrinkles forming under my eyes, specifically the side I sleep on. I know there are some testimonies on the internet and on Wikipedia about minoxidil causing collagen depletion...
How to avoid and treat dark spots
Question: All I had was a simple pimple – why did it leave such a dark spot and how can I get rid of it as quick as possible? Answer: Of course the answer’s not that simple! Everyone’s propensity to form a dark spot in response to anything that causes skin redness...
Are you at risk for this common spot for skin cancer?
Question: My hair has been thinning considerably for several years now, and my hairdresser recently found some strange spots on my scalp. What are they? Answer: Watch out for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common, treatable form of skin cancer, on your scalp,...
Can you mistake skin cancer for something else?
Question: I've noticed a small sore like a scab on my left upper arm that will not go away. What could that be? What should I do about it? Answer: Your sore could be a Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), so don't take it lightly. Sometimes a BCC can resemble something else...
Can I use perfume as a deodorant?
Q. I ran out of my usual deodorant, so in a pinch I sprayed my favorite perfume under my arms. Is that bad? A. Possibly. Because underarms, especially in the summer, are more sensitive when susceptible to wetness from sweat, humidity, friction and heat. Your underarm...
Can antiperspirant/deodorant cause itchy armpits?
Question: I've noticed that every time I use my antiperspirant/deodorant my armpits start itching the next day and they keep itching even if I stop using the product for a few days. Eventually it stops itching. Could my antiperspirant/deodorant be causing my itchy...
How to apply sunscreen properly
Question: When applying sunscreen, should you rub it in so it's invisible, or leave it as a white coating (not quite as stylish)? Answer: Well, it depends on the type of sunscreen you are using. Most spray-ons will rub in invisibly. But if you are using a white...