The goals of surgery for primary melanoma are cure and local tumor control. Over the past 10 years, prospective and retrospective studies have shown that cure and local control of melanoma may be achieved with margins of excision far less than the traditional 5 cm of years past.1 Current recommendations correlate the amount of tumor-free surgical margin to the Breslow thickness … [Read more...]
Home remedies to remove blackheads
Known in medical terms as open comedos, blackheads are small openings in the skin that are covered with clots of black skin debris. In some instances, blackheads may also be yellow. Blackheads usually form when bacteria or an overabundance of oil accumulates in the skin's sebaceous glands. The typical black color stems from the oils darkening in the skin as it oxidizes. Anyone … [Read more...]
Margins of Excision for Cutaneous Melanoma
The goals of surgery for primary melanoma are cure and local tumor control. Over the past 10 years, prospective and retrospective studies have shown that cure and local control of melanoma may be achieved with margins of excision far less than the traditional 5 cm of years past.1 Current recommendations correlate the amount of tumor-free surgical margin to the Breslow thickness … [Read more...]
Dermatologist recommended skin care
The skin is the largest organ of the body. Most of us take it for granted until unsightly things appear on it, like zits, discolorations, dryness, and wrinkles. Nothing is more stressful than to see those things on our faces. When this happens we almost always turn to magazines, internet, TVs for solution. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misinformed opinions and help tips … [Read more...]
Types of Urticaria hives: Which one is yours?
Urticaria is a skin condition associated with itchy, swollen red bumps that appear as a result of the body’s adverse reaction to an allergen, a virus, or even stress. In many cases, there is no clear trigger and Urticaria may disappear and reappear suddenly. During outbreaks, the skin on any part of the body, including the face, lips, tongue, and even the ears is vulnerable. … [Read more...]
Kojic Acid safety
Prepared by: Dr. Charlene DeHaven, Clinical Director Kojic acid is commonly used for dermal pigmentary problems and an exhaustive review of the medical literature illustrates its safety in this regard. In addition to its safety as a lightening agent, it possesses several other characteristics beneficial to skin health. These are well-described in scientific studies and include … [Read more...]
Why women are more prone to skin tags
Skin tags, also known as an acrochordon or a fibroepithelial polyp, are soft bags of skin, usually roughly the size of a grain of rice. The tag is attached to the body by a thin stalk of flesh. Skin tags have a prevalence of 46% in the general population, although they are much more common in women than men. Women are more likely than men to have skin tags because the condition … [Read more...]
What “natural” means in natural skin care
At a press conference not so long ago, the Vice President of a large natural skin care company famously dipped his finger into one of their body lotion products and proceeded to eat it. His purpose, I guess, was to demonstrate the purity of their products, and presumably their safety. This is undoubtedly made for memorable theatre because ever since this skin care smorgasbord, … [Read more...]
The importance of knowing how to read cosmetic labels
If you enjoy grocery shopping like I do, you probably spend time browsing the aisles looking for great new products. I’m always interested in something that will help me pick up more dirt, that will make my meals taste better, and that will get my whites whiter than white. Discovering these products isn’t difficult; you just have to look for the special “NEW” or “IMPROVED” … [Read more...]
Understanding how to treat dry skin
Suffering from dry skin? If you’re looking for all-natural ways & means on how to treat dry skin, the answers may be right in your house. You can make your own facial scrub concoction using fine brown sugar that you can mix with an equal amount of natural oil plus a tablespoon of honey and gently apply to dry skin spots using a light circular motion. Yogurt is another … [Read more...]