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.

Back-ne: How do I treat embarrassing acne on my back?

We all know that acne can form in places other than the face. One common place for people to develop acne is on the back. While back acne is not caused by clothing, backpacks or sweating, these things can promote breakouts. You may want to reevaluate certain clothing that promotes sweating, which causes excess build up in your pores and can promote breakouts on your back. As with facial acne, it is important to stick to a daily skin regimen to treat and prevent this stubborn acne.

We suggest two simple steps to help treat this type of body acne:

Step 1: Wash the back with a facial or noncomedogenic (won't plug pores) cleanser. Stay away from regular soap on your back. We recommend West Dermatology Acne Treatment Body Cleanser, specifically designed for use on areas of the body other than face.

Step 2: After the shower treat your back with an acne medicated gel or cream like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. We recommend West Dermatology Acne Treatment Toner Pads. These pads contain both glycolic and salicylic acid which can accelerate the removal of dead skin cells that can interfere with the proper oil drainage of the skin and help to reduce the number of acne blemishes (papules & pustules) and blackheads (comedones).

Remember that severe acne and cysts, should be treated by a dermatologist.

Dysport vs. Botox

Dysport is a new product, similar to Botox, that has shown to smooth out wrinkles and expression lines revealing beautiful, youthful skin. In fact, both Dysport and Botox injections are made from the same protein, Botlulinum Toxin A, and are both approved by the FDA. They are also similar in the way they are administered and in their results as well. So, are they any differences between the two products? The answer is yes. While the two products are very similar, there are a few differences:

1. Dysport might be slightly faster acting. Both have similar mechanisms, but some patients seem to have a faster response with Dysport. Dysport reportedly takes effect within 4 to 7 days and lasts up to 4 months. Botox reportedly takes effect within 5 to 7 days and lasts 3 to 4 months.

2. Unit sizes are different. The unit sizes for Dysport are slightly smaller so you should expect a higher unit amount of Dysport than Botox.

3. Dysport is competitively priced. Dysport is offered at a cheaper rate than Botox, but you may need to pay more to receive the same results as Botox.

As you can see, the differences between the two products are mild. So, the next time you visit West Dermatology you may want to ask your physician about these two products.

Acne Survival: Why am I breaking out and when is medication necessary?

Acne is a natural part of life. Almost everybody gets it and nobody likes it. Sometimes it’s hard to know why you’re breaking out and what to do to treat it. Although the cause of acne is not completely understood, there are several things that promote acne including oily skin, genetics and stress. At West Dermatology, we offer several options for the treatment of acne including topical creams, oral medication, laser treatments and blue light therapy. Some acne may be mild and doesn’t need the attention of a physician. We are here to help you figure out when medication is necessary for your acne concerns. There are a few simple questions to ask yourself when deciding if medical intervention is right for you:

1. Does my acne significantly affect my self esteem or my emotional health?

2. Does my acne leave scarring?

3. Have I had significant acne for over the span of one year?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then seeing a dermatologist may be a good plan for you. We know that acne can be embarrassing and can affect your mental and emotional state. For all of your acne concerns contact the West Dermatology office nearest you to set up an appointment.

Product Recommendations

"I would suggest the Clarisonic® brush. It is an extraordinary device that cleans up to 6 x better than normal washing by hand. It also helps medications absorb better increasing the efficacy of anti-acne or anti-wrinkle topical treatments. Also, our new West Dermatology acne line is very effective and extremely affordable. The kits can be tailored to the individual needs of the patients with varying strength benzoyl peroxide gels, washes, scrubs, toner pads, etc."

Chris Carlin, MD

Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology

San Clemente, CA

Skin Care Tips for Men: How to Get That Perfect Shave

Is it just us or do women seem to get all the attention when it comes to skin care? Today, we are focusing on men and how to get the perfect shave. Below are some tips on how to keep facial skin looking healthy before, during and after your daily ritual.

1. Use shaving cream that has a moisturizer in it. This will make the effect of shaving less abrasive to your skin.

2. Before shaving a beard, make sure to rinse it in warm water. This will soften your beard making it easier to shave.

3. Always use a sharp blade to avoid razor burn.

4. Don’t shave in the opposite direction as this can cause damage.

5. Try to avoid using aftershave lotions that contain alcohol as this can make skin dry.

6. Always apply a noncomedogenic (won’t cause pimples) moisturizer to your face afterwards.

At West Dermatology, we know that healthy looking skin can give you added confidence and a reason to smile. For more healthy skin tips check our blog often for weekly updates.