" Just Say No! "

In the Dermatology Daily from the AAD, they reported on a meta-analysis published by the British Medical Journal. Looking at 27 studies from 18 western and northern European countries, 11,420 cases of melanoma were reported and 5.4% of these were attributed to tanning bed use. It was also reported that the risk of skin cancer was 87% if you started to use tanning beds before the age of 35. Bottom line: "JUST SAY NO" to your teen or best friend who wants to use tanning beds. You may be saving their life.

Dr Ann

"The Big Pore Problem"

Clarisonic Study on Deep Pore Cleansing

I am really pleased with the Clarisonic Company. They did not just sit on their laurels with their original studies showing that the Clarisonic is a very thorough but gentle method of getting the skin very clean. They chose to tackle “the Big Pore Problem” with a special brush head. Using fluorescent powder applied to both sides of the nose, the skin was cleaned manually on one side and with the deep-pore cleansing brush on the other. The results were significantly much better on the brush cleansed side. The hope is then, when we apply our retinoid, it will have better absorption and a better chance to loosen/dissolve the trapped debris. Now all we’ll need is to have Accutane formulated so it can shut off the oil glands.

Thank you to my Patients!

 I want to thank all my patients who came in with $50 checks for the Backpack Program in trade for 10 free units of Botox. We were able to give $700 to The Center for People In Need for 70 back packs.

We traded many fond stories of the sight and smells of the rows of bright, sharp tipped crayons, Big Ben tablets and yellow #2 pencils. While I know the colors and smells are probably different now, I hope the excitement and anticipation is still there.

Speaking of anticipation and excitement, before you know it Christmas will be here and you need to start your skin treatments NOW.  

 So many of our treatments have been “gentled down”, so that working women won’t have the down time of the past. This has necessitated the need for a series of 3-6 of the modified treatments 4-6 weeks apart to accomplish the same “quality” result.

Let’s get together and make a plan before the end of August! Christmas will be here in 4 ½ months!

The Tanda with the Blue Light Head

The Tanda with the Blue Light Head and my Stress Zit

I had to leave my beautiful low humidity vacation in Colorado and come back to 104 degrees with 60% humidity.  Who wouldn’t grow a stress zit?  While scrolling through all the missed emails, I changed the red light head on my Tanda to the blue light head and held it in place over my super zit with one hand and hit delete with the other.  The treatment takes three minutes but the device “counts” the time for you.  I repeated the treatment while watching the 10 o’clock weather.  The next morning the swelling and redness were remarkably better. 

I understand this would be very hard to do over the whole face but you could treat at least 3-4 of the chronic areas where the super zits like to appear.

I also applied a very small amount of Dr. H’s  ASDF cream after each treatment.  This is a Des Moines, Iowa product that contains .75% hydrocortisone and pure element sulfur which is safe for patients with a sulfa allergy history.

Sunscreen Tips

With the weather outside being 100 degrees and 58% humidity, one sure way to avoid the sun is to work in rooms with the shades drawn.

Remember hydration and the best anti-wrinkle cream called sunscreen.  I have a new favorite for myself, Elta MD spray zinc oxide.  While it sprays on white, it disappears when rubbed into the skin.  The skin feels velvety and smooth after application, not hot and sticky.  You must always hand blend a spray or you may have a painful reminder called a sunburn.  If you do get a sunburn, cold compresses are your friend, followed by over the counter hydrocortisone and gentle (i.e. not heavily perfumed) moisturizers containing petrolatum and or glycerin.  Oral anti-inflammatory (aspirin, ibuprofen) taken early can help some with the redness.  If you blister and the skin breaks down, you may have to treat the area with antibiotic ointments.

On a happier note, our first Pelleve' patients are starting their 3rd treatments and we are hearing more "eyes, jawline, cheek" lifting stories.  Yea!

Dr. Ann

Aerosal Sunscreens and your Grill

Just when we finally get some really effective spray sunscreens (at least Elta MD with 5% zinc oxide, or 3% Avobenzone with 3.8% Octocrylene - Anthelios), then some poor man makes national news by suffering burns from his back yard grill triggered by his recent use of his spray sunscreen.  The moral of the story is to apply and rub in your sunscreen maybe 20-30 minutes before lighting your grill.  Apparently this also applies to other sprays such as hair spray, insecticides, paints, deoderants and the like.  I did notice that the Elta MD  product listed on the can that it was alcohol free but as Mom would say; "don't risk it"!

Dr. Ann

Staff Feedback on the Pelleve'

Just wanted to share the early feedback from the staff regarding their observations after their second Pellevue’ treatment. Immediately after the treatment, we all noted that our skin is smoother and has a fresher appearance. Personally, I think there is a gentle fullness in my mid face. I am 11 months post filler and really need to connect with my derm for another filler treatment but the Pellevue’ seems to have lessened that need. Two of the staff feel they are seeing a more “open eye” appearance. Several mentioned that their skin feels “ tighter”. I need to mention that most of us in the clinic are 50 plus, so any change is very welcome. Two of us are 60 plus. It is a miracle to have had any change. We must still have a tiny amount of deep collagen left to stimulate. This afternoon, I have had one patient say she has noted lifting of her upper eyelids after only one treatment. Another patient felt she saw a smoothing of her upper lip. She is even a young 70 something. A nice surprise. Dr. Ann