Our dermatologists will be heading shortly to the annual Canadian Dermatology Association meeting in Montreal where they will be speaking & educating colleagues, as well as learning what’s new and exciting in the management of such conditions as: acne, rosacea, psoriasis, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), skin cancers, cosmetic dermatology and much more.
Youth is evermore in our grasp — almost literally.
For the uninitiated, hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite injections are used to fill in wrinkles and sculpt the contours of the face, resulting in a more youthful appearance. The former is a natural substance found in the body, while the latter is biosynthetically produced and doesn’t use animal products, thus reducing the risk of an allergic reaction.
Like the rest of our bodies, the backs of our hands can betray our age when they lose volume and get thin-skinned, showing more bones, tendons and veins. Sun and liver spots are also a clear indicator of the passage of time, which dermatologists can also address with topical creams and laser treatments.
Barankin says that although the FDA approval is nice, the fact is that dermatologists have been using hyaluronic acid fillers and Radiesse, in particular, on hands for nearly a decade. And it’s not a big deal.
“Getting formal approval from the FDA means you have to submit enough data to show that the [drug] both works and is safe, and that’s a major submission that requires millions of dollars, hiring lawyers and takes a lot of time and effort.”
But that’s not to say that doctors use these products off-label willy-nilly. They’re already aware that they’re safe to use and where they can use them, and in fact, they don’t actually require FDA (or Health Canada) approval. This recent stamp really only serves to give the product marketing credibility, he says.
To achieve the hands of your youth, a dermatologist would inject the product in three different areas and then spread or mould it around the back of the hand, avoiding the fingers. The aim is to cover the veins, tendons and bones so that there’s more fullness to mask the age-revealing features.
The pain factor isn’t as high as some other injectable treatments (like lip fillers, for example), although it also depends on which product is being used.
“In general, Radiesse is a little more painful than the others because it doesn’t traditionally come with anaesthetic built in. It’s also a thicker product that has to be injected with more pressure, which can make it sting a bit more,” Barankin says.
There isn’t a lot of downtime associated with the treatment, and aside from some possible swelling for two to three days, and some possible bruising, it’s fairly low-key as aesthetic procedures go. The results can last for up to a year.
“A common scenario is patients who come in requesting the treatment just before their child’s wedding, a special anniversary with their spouse, or a high school reunion,” he says.
“But it’s not a big part of the marketplace. The face is priority number one, then comes the neck and finally the hands. Most people get it done only if they find they have a little bit of money left over after doing their face.”
Credit: Global News
Most of us assume that, if we ever dealt with skin-care problems, we’d leave them behind in our teen years (along with our questionable hairstyle choices). Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. And sometimes the skin issues we develop when we’re older can be a lot more confusing and challenging to deal with than the occasional zit.
For instance, at 28, I had what I thought was stubborn acne for a few years. I went all out in the drugstore aisle with harsh, drying products that ended up doing more harm than good. So when I was finally diagnosed with rosacea this past December, I was actually relieved. I assumed that having an answer would make it easier to treat.
Oh, how naive!
My dermatologist prescribed a cream, but my insurance didn’t cover it—and it cost way more than I had been planning to spend. Frustrated and disappointed, I turned to the internet for other ways of managing it. And the more I looked, the more I realized how common my experience is.
Click here for the entire story.
Credit: self.com
As a special edition of Kathie Lee and Hoda dedicated to beauty and cosmetic treatments continues, dermatologist Dr. Heidi Waldorf fills the ladies in on fillers and Botox. She says to learn about what cosmetic procedures are for you, look at your own parents!
Credit: Today.com
When Olympic Gold Medalist and TV Host Summer Sanders went in for a routine dermatologist appointment, the last thing she expected was to get a call the following day.
“The first thing that the person said on the other end of the phone was that, ‘You have a severely atypical malignant melanoma,’” she reveals to Yahoo Lifestyle. I think the only word I sort of knew was ‘malignant,’ and I knew it wasn’t good.”
Growing up in California, Sanders lived out every child’s fantasy – having unlimited access to a backyard swimming pool. But unlike most kids her age, she was never one to spend hours in the sun tanning. Instead, she was swimming laps up to two and a half hours, twice a day, training for what was soon to be her triumphant Olympic career.
“I wore sunscreen on every vacation, but what I didn’t do is I did not associate sunscreen with training,” Sanders says. “I was always naturally really tan, so I felt like if I had a tan, that’s sort of like my built in sunscreen. What an idiot I was to think that was not sun damage,” she admits.
Sanders wizened up at age 40 when her husband pointed out a new mole on the back of her calf, something – she points out – shouldn’t happen with the over-forty crowd. The suspicious black spot turned out to be melanoma, which led to doctors excising an ice cream scoop-sized chunk out of her calf.
“It’s very frightening when you learn about melanoma,” Sanders adds. She recalls her doctors telling her they wouldn’t know for another five years whether or not she was going to die.
She explains there are three types of skin cancer – basil, squamous and melanoma, melanoma being the most severe. “I call her the ‘mama’ because she’s the mama of skin cancer,” she says. “It’s the killer.” But she adds that the earlier you can detect it, the better your chances are for survival.
Credit: Yahoo News
To protect your skin, follow these sun tips as recommended by American Academy of Dermatology
Learning how to do a skin self-exam could save your life.
“Skin cancer is one of the few cancers you can see with the naked eye,” said Dr. Ali Hendi, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
“Yet sadly, many people don’t know how to be their own hero when it comes to skin cancer, including what to look for on their skin or when to see a board-certified dermatologist,” he added in an American Academy of Dermatology news release.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. One in five Americans develops skin cancer, and one person dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease.
To check your skin, use a full-length mirror to examine your entire body, front and back. Then, raise your arms and look at your right and left sides, Hendi said.
Bend your elbows and carefully check your forearms, underarms and palms. Look at the backs of your legs and feet, between your toes, and the soles of your feet. With nail polish removed, check your fingernails and toenails, as well.
Use a hand mirror to check the back of your neck and scalp, and part your hair for a closer look. Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror. Ask a partner to help check your back and other hard-to-see areas.
“While performing a skin self-exam, keep in mind that skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin, not just in areas that are exposed to the sun,” Hendi said.
“If you notice any new spots on your skin, scalp or nails, spots that look different from other spots on your body, or spots that are changing, itching or bleeding, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist,” he advised.
Hendi also explained the ABCDEs of checking for melanoma.
See a medical professional if you have any of these signs or notice an existing mole start to change in any way.
“When detected early, skin cancer, including melanoma, is highly treatable, making it imperative to check your skin regularly,” Hendi said. “It only takes a few minutes to check your skin, and it could save your life.”
Credit: HealthyDay News
Skin Cancer Protection as recommended by American Academy of Dermatology
Melanoma is the second most common cancer in women 15 to 29 years old. This new AAD public service advertisement uses social media imagery to remind teenage girls that tanning can lead to skin cancer and premature aging, and encourages them to protect their skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Video by: American Academy of Dermatology
A recent study published in the journal JAMA Dermatology found something concerning: About a third of adults living in the U.S. are getting sunburned each year. And according to another study, published in the same journal, sunburn caused an estimated 33,826 visits to emergency rooms in the U.S. in 2013, costing an associated $11.2 million.
These stats are worrisome, experts say, considering sunburn is a major risk factor for skin cancer.
In an ideal world, we’d all use sunscreen properly every time we venture outdoors, cover up with a hat and other sun-protective clothing, seek shade—and never ever experience a sunburn. “It’s true that the best way to treat a sunburn is to prevent it from happening in the first place,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “But in real life, accidents happen.”
Maybe you forgot to reapply it during a long day at the beach, didn’t realize you needed sunscreen on a cloudy day, or the friend you asked to do your back missed some spots.
No matter the reason for the lapse; your skin is now red, hot, swollen and sore, and you need relief. While there’s nothing that can undo the damage, there are steps you can take to make the sunburn look and feel a bit better while it heals.
Click here to view the list of recommendation for treating a sun accident.
Credit: consumerreports.org
