Archive

Feb 6, 2020

Skin Tips for Pregnant Women with Hormonal Acne

As someone who is currently pregnant, I can tell you it is a life changing time. It is pretty incredible to bring a new life into the world. But let’s be real; it isn’t easy physically or emotionally. One’s body and skin goes through a lot in 9 months. For some women this means a surge of acne. We all want that “pregnancy glow” we are told about. For some, that does not feel like a reality. So what can be done? Thankfully there are some great options for women and pregnancy.

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Feb 6, 2020

Do You Have the Winter Itch?

Winter weather is in full force and your skin may be suffering. During the winter, your skin may show signs of dryness, roughness, itching, and sometimes even cracking and burning. Winter time can be tough on your skin, but there are ways to protect yourself. What is it about winter that is tough on your skin? Cold weather outside and hot dehumidified air (due to heaters) indoors pulls out the water in the skin. This ultimately disrupts the skin barrier (your defensive mechan

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Jan 18, 2020

What is an Insurance Deductible? by Stephanie Cotell, MD

An insurance deductible is the fixed amount you pay for healthcare services out-of-pocket before your health insurance plan begins to cover any incurred healthcare costs. For example, with a $3,000 deductible, you pay the first $3,000 of covered services yourself. After you meet your required deductible, you will usually only have to pay a copay or coinsurance for covered visits and procedures. In dermatology, the routine procedures performed in the office are considered by

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Dec 27, 2019

Seasonal Skin Care, by Stephanie Cotell, MD

This article was originally published in the July, 2017 issue of White Fence Living Magazine. As the long days of summer fade, it is still important to be mindful of how our skin is responsive to the seasons’ changing conditions. Even in autumn, when the sun sets earlier each day and we transition to cooler temperatures, we should continue to practice healthy interventions to prevent overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Don’t let the cooler temperatures fool you; witho

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Dec 26, 2019

The Treatment of Stretch Marks (Striae Distensae) by Joel Bain Herron, MD

A Difficult Problem Stretch marks, or striae distensae, can be a difficult problem to address, as no treatment is likely to be 100% effective. However, we have made great strides in the 20 years or so that I have been involved in dermatology. When I first started in dermatology, topical retinoids were used with limited success. There are plenty of old wives tales circulating out there about cocoa butter, vitamin E, etc., but none of those have been shown to be of much help. T

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Dec 26, 2019

Dr. Cotell Featured in CityScene Magazine

Article written by Lydia Freudenberg for the December, 2019 issue of CityScene Magazine Derms of Endearment AND SO, the series comes to an end. We decided to end with a big one: the integumentary system. Consisting of the skin, hair, nails and exocrine glands, the integumentary system protects all the other systems, so it’s important to keep it healthy and clean. Gore and Guacamole With stress, bad habits, genetics and weather, keeping skin vibrant is difficult. Dr. Stephanie

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Dec 1, 2019

Where does the fat go after CoolSculpting? by Joel Bain Herron, MD

Solving the Mystery When asked the question of what happens to the fat after CoolSculpting, most providers instinctively respond that it is eliminated or flushed from the body, presumably broken down into smaller particles and eliminated in the GI tract in the solid waste. I have heard others say the fat is turned into energy. Least likely of all of the possibilities, I have heard some say that the fat is converted into muscle. However, none of these are true. So what does be

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Dec 1, 2019

Vitamin C and the Skin by Joel Bain Herron, MD

A Little History on Vitamin C As dermatologists, we know that vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, plays an essential role in the health of the skin. A deficiency of vitamin C leads to the medical condition of scurvy. It can cause roughness of the skin, with easy bruising or bleeding and poor wound healing. A few hundred years ago, it was assumed that up to half of sailors would succumb to scurvy and die on a long passage. Citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes, are high

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Oct 29, 2019

Is Skin Cancer More Common Than You Think? by Kaitlin Schupp, PAC

The Most Common Cancer According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and worldwide. While there are some individuals who are at a higher risk, anyone can develop skin cancer. Overexposure to UV light, either from the sun or artificial light, such as tanning beds, are contributing factors to developing skin cancer in one’s lifetime. Did you know? 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. More than

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Oct 28, 2019

Advocacy for Patient Safety by Dr. Michael McKelvey

A doctor’s duty Maintaining our patients’ health is the primary duty of a physician. We do that in the exam room diagnosing and treating diseases, in surgery removing tumors, in the lab researching new treatments, and though our legislature advocating for public health initiatives. Dermatologists, many using their own money and time, have several proposed bills that they have prioritized at the local and national levels to promote their patients’ health and safety. House Bill

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Oct 11, 2019

The evolution of Microneedling by Lisa Miller, CNP

A little history on Microneedling Microneedling has come a long way since the first needling device was introduced in 1996. Microneedling has been around for decades, going back to 1905 when a German dermatologist used the resurfacing/abrasion technique to treat acne scars. In 1996, a Canadian plastic surgeon noticed significant improvement in facial scarring when the skin was punctured with tattoo needles. Shortly following this discovery, the first microneedling device was

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Aug 29, 2019

Dual-Sculpting by Dr. Michael McKelvey

CoolSculpting is hot. It has given millions of people an effective, safe, non-surgical way to remove unwanted fat. As with all technology, medical procedures are constantly evolving, making them more effective and more convenient to the patient. One of the latest innovations is the concept of Dual-Sculpting. Dual-Sculpting Makes Sense While patient satisfaction is extremely high for the CoolSculpting procedure, given its effectiveness and minimal discomfort, a common complain

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Aug 28, 2019

Comfort During Medical Procedures by Dr. Michael McKelvey

For many people, both adults and children, the idea of going to the doctor provokes immediate anxiety. Since the earliest times, medical care has been synonymous with pain, and many people have a visceral reaction to the idea of any medical procedure or of even seeing a medical professional. Yet modern medicine has made leaps and bounds forward in the ability to control pain and anxiety associated with medical care. Modern surgical anesthesia has allowed complete comfort for

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Aug 4, 2017

Prescriptions and Pocketbooks: What you need to know about the rising cost of medication

Over the past 15 years in dermatology, one thing I have seen is an exponential rise in the cost of medications. Even when viewed from within the industry, the answer to the question “Why?” is frustrating and complex. It is not just new, cutting edge medications that are increasing. The cost of generic medications that are decades old have risen from $4 generics to often hundreds of dollars. Insurance companies want to keep premiums down, so are incentivized to limit access to

Skin Deep

Timely updates from the world of dermatology