Articles

Dry skin is a common skin condition that results when the skin loses moisture and its natural oils resulting in scaling, flaking, cracking, and itching. It is sometimes also referred to as xeroderma or xerosis. Dry skin affects people of any age and skin type and can occur anywhere on the body. Dry skin

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OVERVIEW Skin resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure that uses lasers to rejuvenate your skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It may also be known as laser skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing is a popular treatment that's prescribed by dermatologists if you're looking to turn

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Skin tags are very common, benign, skin growths. They present as fleshy outgrowths of the skin, at times extending from a stalk or stem. They are frequently found in areas of high friction such as around the neck, in the axilla (armpits), or in the groin folds. They are usually flesh colored, but can

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OVERVIEW Loosening your skin is part of the aging process. As you get older, your skin produces less collagen and elastin—two essential proteins for supple, youthful skin. As a result, your skin loses its flexibility, wrinkles increase, and it gets saggy. Sagging skin can also happen due to weight

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OVERVIEW From enlarged pores and bumps to textured skin and rough patches, the texture of the skin on your face and body can play a significant role in how you feel about yourself. If your uneven skin texture is affecting your self-esteem, consider seeing a board-certified dermatologist. They can help

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Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most commonly occurring type of skin cancer. It appears most frequently in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight, such as the face, nose, ears, lips, neck, and back of the hands. Squamous cell carcinomas can present as rough, scaly, red patches; wart or horn-like

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Stasis dermatitis is a type of eczema that develops on the lower legs as a result of poor circulation. In affected people, the valves in the deep leg veins that help push blood back to the heart begin to fail, leading to the leakage of fluid, varicose veins, and subsequent swelling of the lower legs.

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OVERVIEW Heading to the dermatologist to stimulate your skin's production of collagen, an essential protein that results in youthful skin's characteristic plumpness, is a popular cosmetic choice for those experiencing the signs of aging. From fillers to over-the-counter creams and supplements, collagen

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Stretch marks are a type of scar that occurs when the skin stretches rapidly. Examples include: growth spurts during puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight loss or gain, and bodybuilding. It can appear as pinkish, purplish, or flesh colored linear bands or streaks on the skin that are depressed or indented.

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OVERVIEW Stretch marks are medically termed “striae” and are scars on the skin. They appear in areas of the skin that have stretched to grow and expand the body. They don’t cause harm or pain, but some people don’t like how they look on the skin and may feel self-conscious about their stretch

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Protection from UV radiation is important all year round, even on cloudy or cold days. UV radiation can even reflect off water, sand, and snow. Below are some tips on sun safety: Use sunscreen. Pick a broad spectrum sunscreen (one which blocks both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF 30 or higher. Apply liberally,

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Sunscreen use is critical to protecting your skin from UV radiation. Wearing the right sunscreen will allow you to maximize your time in the sun while being protected from its harmful rays. Dermatologists recommend picking a broad spectrum sunscreen (one which blocks both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF

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OVERVIEW Many people use tanning beds as a way to achieve a year-round tan. People erroneously believe that tanning beds are safer than sun tanning; that tanning beds can help build a base tan to ward off sunburns; and that the tanning beds can treat low vitamin D levels. The truth about tanning beds

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A tattoo is a permanent mark made by depositing ink or pigment into the skin. Various options are available for tattoo removal including: laser treatments, dermabrasion, chemical peels, and even surgical excision. Laser treatments are the preferred method for most tattoo removal. Laser therapy works

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Telogen effluvium is a common cause of temporary hair loss caused by excessive shedding of telogen or resting hairs. All hair cycles through the stages of hair growth - from growing to involution to resting and eventually shedding. In a normal scalp, about 90-95% of hair follicles are in the growing

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The sun emits UV radiation in the form of UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays, which are the longest, penetrate the deepest in the skin and are responsible for tanning and premature aging. UVB rays are shorter and responsible for vitamin D production in the skin. UVB rays are also the cause of sunburning. UVC

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Tinea refers to a group of fungal infections which can affect the skin, hair, and nails. The specific name of the infection depends on the affected area of the body. A few common examples include: tinea capitis (infection of the scalp/head) - often referred to as ringworm tinea corporis (infection

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Tinea versicolor, also called pityriasis versicolor, is a common skin infection caused by the overgrowth of a yeast. Typically, it presents as patchy areas of lighter or darker discoloration on the trunk and shoulders that can be scaly in appearance. It can affect anyone, but is more common in teens

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OVERVIEW Winter weather brings more than snow and cold spells—it can also wreak havoc on your skin, causing it to dry out, get flaky, and lose its summertime glow. These tips and skincare products recommended by a board-certified dermatologist can help you keep your skin looking young, supple, and

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Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that occurs as a result of the hair being pulled too tightly. It commonly occurs in hair styles such as ponytails, buns, tight braids, cornrows, hair weaves, and hair extensions. The prolonged traction or pulling leads to hair breakage and resultant hair loss

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OVERVIEW A common cosmetic concern on your face, eye bags may refer to a change in pigmentation (dark circles), loose skin, or swelling under your eyes. Puffy under eye bags can occur if you have sinus congestion, an allergic reaction, or due to a high-salt diet. While not a concern for your physical

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OVERVIEW Also known as chemoexfoliation, chemical peels are popular cosmetic procedures that exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin. Depending on your aesthetic needs, chemical peels come in three main types: light, medium, or deep, with deeper chemical peels making use of stronger chemical agents to treat

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OVERVIEW Appearing on your legs, both varicose veins and spider veins can not only affect your outward appearance, but their presence can also signify health problems in your body. A board-certified dermatologist can help—minimally invasive treatments are available to reduce or eliminate varicose and

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OVERVIEW Uneven skin tone happens when areas of your skin are lighter or darker than other parts. It affects your skin's overall pigmentation due to a pigment known as melanin. Disruption or damage to melanin-producing cells leads to changes in skin tone. Areas of patches that are darker have too much

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OVERVIEW Regret getting your last ink? You're not alone—according to WebMD, approximately 25% of people with tattoos experience regret after getting one. If you're looking for a way to remove your unwanted tattoo, talking to a board-certified dermatologist can help. Laser tattoo removal to remove tattoos

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Urticaria is the medical term for hives - a common skin rash which presents with itchy pink welts. The welts can vary in size, shape, and distribution. A defining characteristic is that the individual lesions are transient, appearing and resolving within a 24 hour period. So, even though an individual

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OVERVIEW Aging, childbirth, and a change in your hormone levels can all affect the vagina and your sexual health. If this is beginning to impact your overall quality of life, scheduling an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist to discuss the options for vaginal rejuvenation can help. What

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Venous lakes are bluish, purplish, vascular papules that occur on sun exposed areas such as the ears and lips. They are a result of long-term sun exposure and sun damage. As they are harmless, no treatment is necessary. However, they can be treated or removed if bothersome or symptomatic. Disclaimer:

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Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease which causes the loss or inactivation of pigment producing cells in the skin, resulting in light or white patches of skin and hair. The degree and severity of pigment loss can vary from person to person. In some, it is localized to a small area or streak. In others,

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Warts are non-cancerous, benign growths on the skin that are caused by infection from viruses known as human papillomavirus (HPV). The most common type of warts include: common warts, plantar warts (warts that appear on the soles of the feet), flat warts, and genital warts. Warts can present as rough,

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OVERVIEW Used to make your body's connective tissue, collagen makes up one-third of all the protein present in your body. Its strong fibers are used to connect ligaments, muscles, bones, and of course, your skin. Collagen is responsible for keeping your skin supple, resilient, and youthful. As you age,

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OVERVIEW Although there are no medical reasons why you should be worried about enlarged pores, many feel their appearance would be improved with less noticeable pores. If you have large pores affecting the way you view and feel about yourself, here are some tips to help shrink your pores. What are the

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OVERVIEW As you grow older, your body loses its ability to produce as much collagen as it once did. Your skin cells also divide at a slower rate, changing their structure and thinning. Wrinkles are a part of this aging process. If you don't like the look of your wrinkles, your dermatologist can help.

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OVERVIEW Wrinkles are a normal part of aging. However, many people would rather avoid them to continue having a youthful appearance. Now more than ever, anti-aging treatments are a part of public discourse, and Botox, creams, and spa skin treatments that may reduce the appearance of wrinkles are widely

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OVERVIEW It comes as no surprise that aging is accompanied by many changes in our skin. As we age, our skin becomes thinner, looser, and more frail. Even minor trauma can lead to bruising, scratches, or cuts which can take longer to heal. Accumulated sun damage can result in wrinkles, dryness, and the

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