Sweaty Armpits and the BOTOX connection...

Botox injections can help patients with unresponsive hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Dr. Wade Keller says, "but, it is a last resort for this condition. If you have only tried over the counter antiperspirants then it is time for an appointment with your dermatologist." Evaluating prescriptions strength antiperspirants prior to Botox is an option you should consider....Read More...

Overweight Teen has specific skin issues while he gets fit!

Q: Dr. Keller, I am an overweight teen and have noticed a 'stinky' rash in between my stomach rolls and inner thighs. I am beginning to exercise, and drink a lot of water. I am 14 years old and changing my ways. What can I do today about the smelly rash?

  A: The most likely condition affecting your skin folds is intertrigo. This condition is common in areas of skin and skin folds with little air circulation, friction, moisture, and heat which leads to maceration (Maceration of the skin occurs when it is consistently wet. The skin softens, turns white, and can easily get infected with bacteria or fungi) and most commonly overgrowth of yeast that are normally on our skin.

1. You are on the correct path with proper diet and exercise to lose weight.
   
2. It is important to keep the skin folds dry with absorbent powders and exposure to air.
   
3. Use cotton or linen cloth to separate deep skin folds.
   
4. Avoid tight fitting and occlusive clothing.
   
5. Over the counter barrier creams with zinc oxide can help.
   
6. At times, prescription medications are needed to help decrease both itching and yeast overgrowth.
   

But the key is keeping the areas dry.

California Dermatologist gives the 411 on"Toasted Skin Syndrome"

Dr. Chris Carlin leads our San Clemente, California West Dermatology office. He has an innovative style and stays in the forefront of the latest dermatology therapy and techniques. Dr. Carlin enjoys attending local and national dermatology conferences. He also devotes extensive study and research on the latest dermatology and medical journals. This week, he shares his knowledge of "Toasted Skin Syndrome"....read more...

7 Skin FACTS for FALL!!!!

Dr. Wade Keller is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and leads our West Dermatology team in Eagle, Idaho. He has a friendly demeanor and often gives us a quick list of the essentials of skin care. Learn the 7 Skin FACTS for fall...
1. First, SUNSCREEN is the skins daily essential, so don't set it aside just because the sun is hiding. Protect your skin from skin cancer!

2. First line of defense against disease, infection and environmental factors= SKIN

3. Fall and Winter weather can make Eczema flare up!

4. Flaky dry skin can turn to soft skin by following proper skin care!

5. Fight flaky skin with gentle exfoliation and moisturize skin after!

6. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), advises that sunscreen can be used on infants as young as six months!

7. Fall into moisturize! Moisturize your hair, and skin!

Psoriasis Awareness Month

Psoriasis. While it may sound like a prehistoric creature, Psoriasis is actually a skin disorder that causes scaly, painful patches to appear on the skin. If you suffer from this disease you already know how frustrating it can be. If not, we want to help you understand this skin condition so you can help those around you who may have it.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin. Experts are not exactly sure of its cause, but they do know that the immune system and genetics play a major role in its development. Normal skin cells take about 28-30 days to mature and slough off the body, but in patients with Psoriasis skin cell maturation speeds up and takes a short 3-4 days. Unfortunately, the shedding of skin cells doesn’t happen in Psoriasis patients thus skin cells pile up and create Psoriasis lesions or scales that commonly appear as raised, red patches with silvery-white tops. Psoriasis can develop anywhere on the body and is often associated with other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and depression.

There are five types of Psoriasis that vary in degrees of severity: 1) plaque, 2) guttate, 3) inverse, 4) pustular and 5) erythrodermic. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of Psoriasis. (Photo)

Psoriasis sufferers believe triggers may include stress, injury to skin and medications. Some people also think allergies, diet and weather can cause an outbreak.

Who gets it?

Psoriasis is not a common disorder, but the National American Health Institutes estimates that 7.5 million Americans suffer from Psoriasis. That means that 2.2% of the population is affected by this noncontagious condition.

Effects of the disease

Besides being painful physically, Psoriasis patients say it affects their day to day life, especially if they have moderate to severe cases. This can lead to depression and affect social interaction.

Treatment of Psoriasis

There are three main treatments for Psoriasis: 1) Topical medications applied to the skin, 2) Light therapy, and 3) Medications administered through a pill or injection. Some of these treatments are used in combination to provide the most effective outcome. Each person and case is different so what works for one person may not work for another. At this time, there is no cure for the disease, but it can be managed.

If you think you are suffering from Psoriasis or know someone that is, don’t hesitate to call our office today. We are here to help.

Brown Spots Be Gone

Have you ever wondered what those brown patches on your face are, or where they came from? Is there anything that can get rid of them? This month at West Dermatology we would like to inform you about those spots and explain how we can help reduce or remove them.

Melasma or hyperpigmentation is a skin disorder that causes dark spots or patches to appear on your skin. It can develop on various parts of the body that are regularly exposed to the sun, but it most often appears on the face on areas such as the cheeks, nose, upper lip, forehead and chin. While Melasma isn’t a contagious disease, it can be a frustrating condition that makes people embarrassed to show their faces with confidence.

The cause of Melasma is unknown, but factors that increase its likelihood include hormone therapy, birth control, genetics and sun exposure. Women are more likely than men to develop the disorder, especially women who are pregnant or using birth control therapy. Pregnant women may develop what is called the “mask of pregnancy” or Chloasma which is thought to occur due to elevated hormone levels. The brown patches often fade after the baby is born, but sometimes hyperpigmentation may remain.

Melasma is also aggravated by spending unprotected time in the sun. Melanin, which gives skin its color, is attracted to sunlight and becomes darker when time is spent outside.

If you have Melasma, you might be asking yourself what you can do to treat it. Luckily, there are a few options.

1. Creams: Most creams prescribed by a physician contain a lightening agent called hydroquinone to reduce the dark patches. Your physician may also prescribe other creams or products with glycolic acid, tretinoin, corticosteroids, ascorbic acid (vitamin C from citrus fruits) and their derivatives, as well as kojic acid and azelaic acid which may increase skin lightening.

West Dermatology Recommends (over-the-counter):
West Dermatology Radiant Results Skin Clarifying Therapy PLUS 2% Hydroquinine
Lucrece Intensive Clarifying Facial Cream + III

West Dermatology Recommends (prescription required):
West Dermatology Radiant Results Skin Clarifying Therapy PLUS 4% Hydroquinone (comes in 4%,6%, and 8% pads)
Obagi NuDerm

2. Chemical Peels: Chemical peels are often used in tandem with bleaching creams to lighten Melasma. Peels gently remove the top layer of skin cells allowing healthy skin to surface. A series of peels may be necessary for success.

3. Microdermabrasion: This pain-free procedure that uses micro-crystals and a gentle vacuum tool also helps exfoliate the superficial layer of skin. This, combined with a skin lightening agent, may assist in reducing dark spots.

4. Laser or IPL Treatments: Some laser and/or IPL treatments help reduce Melasma and hyperpigmentation by destroying the melanin cells that cause the dark patches. These are more invasive and will most likely need to be repeated a few times to see results.

After taking steps to reduce Melasma or hyperpigmentation it is vital to keep your skin protected from the sun. Wearing a sunscreen with a SPF 30 or higher on a daily basis is a must. You don’t want to risk developing Melasma again, or if you don’t have it, at all.

If you are suffering from Melasma feel free to call our office and schedule an appointment to discuss the best option for you and your skin type. Reveal your face with renewed confidence this summer.

Change of season, change of product

The weather is warming up and spring is upon us. When it comes to your skin and skincare products that means it could be time to lighten up.

During the winter, you may have altered your skin regimen to cope with dry, flaky skin. If you used a heavier face and body cream to ward off the side effects of cold weather, you may now want to switch to a lighter lotion. Are you curious what the differences are between creams and lotions? Here are few basic variances:

Creams:

∙ Create a thicker barrier to prevent water loss from skin

∙ Mostly non-greasy, but have heavier textures

∙ Good for dry areas like the elbows, heels and hands

∙ Better for dry skin types

Lotions:

∙ Light, easily absorbed by skin

∙ Non-greasy

∙ Good for areas with hair (arms, legs, etc.)

∙ Better for normal/oily skin types

No two people have the exact same skin composition, so you may want to try a variety of products to determine which one works best for your skin type. No matter what type of moisturizer you use, remember to include sunscreen throughout the year.