Author: The Hair Doc

Skin Cancer Prevention Tips

Posted on by The Hair Doc

Most skin cancer can be prevented by practicing sun protection, according to numerous research studies. Research also shows that not only does sun protection reduce one’s risk of developing skin cancer; sun protection also may decrease the likelihood of recurrence.

Even if you have spent a lot of time in the sun or developed skin cancer, it’s never too late to begin protecting your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) recommends that everyone protect their skin by following these sun protection practices:

Sun Protection Practices and Skin Cancer Prevention Tips:

1. Avoid deliberate tanning.

Lying in the sun may feel good, but the end result is premature aging (wrinkles, blotchiness, and sagging skin) as well as a 1 in 5 chance of developing skin cancer. Tanning beds and sunlamps are just as dangerous because they, too, emit enough UV radiation to cause premature aging and skin cancer. If you like the look of a tan, consider using a sunless self-tanning product. These products do not protect skin from the sun, so a sunscreen should be used.

2. Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements. Don’t seek the sun. Continue reading “Skin Cancer Prevention Tips” →

Acne Q & A Part I

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What role does diet play in acne?

Acne is not caused by food. Following a strict diet will not clear your skin. While some people feel that their acne is aggravated by certain foods, particularly chocolate, colas, peanuts, shellfish and some fatty foods, there is no scientific evidence that suggests food causes or influences acne. Avoid any foods which seem to worsen your acne and, for your overall health, eat a balanced diet–but diet shouldn’t really matter if the acne is being appropriately treated.

Does the sun help acne?

Many patients feel that sunlight improves their acne lesions and go to great lengths to find sources of ultraviolet light. There is no proven effect of sunlight on acne. In addition, ultraviolet light in sunlight increases the risk of skin cancer and early aging of the skin. It is, therefore, not a recommended technique of acne management, especially since there are many other proven forms of treatment for acne. Moreover, many acne treatments increase the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet light, making the risk of ultraviolet light exposure all the worse.

What is the best way to treat acne?

Everyone’s acne must be treated individually. If you have not gotten good results from the acne products you have tried, consider seeing a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will decide which treatments are best for you. Generally, 2% salicylic acid cleansers and benzoyl peroxide gels are a good start. Continue reading “Acne Q & A Part I” →

Moles in Children: What Parents Should Know

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Moles on a young child’s skin are generally nothing to worry about. It is normal for new moles to appear during childhood and adolescence. Moles will grow as the child grows. Some moles will darken, and others will lighten. These changes are expected in children and seldom a sign of melanoma — a type of skin cancer that can begin in a mole.

While melanoma is rare in young children, it is helpful for parents to know that there are different types of moles. Most moles are harmless, but there are a few types that should be examined by a dermatologist just to be sure. The following guide explains why.

A Parent’s Guide to Moles
Common mole. Also referred to as a beauty mark or acquired nevus (mole), a common mole is harmless. Most moles that develop on a child’s skin are common moles.

Common moles appear during childhood and adolescence. These moles arise on skin that gets sun exposure and begin as a flat, round spot that is one color throughout. As the child grows, this benign (non-cancerous) mole grows symmetrically. This is, both sides look the same. A benign mole may rise above the surface of the skin and can lighten over time. During puberty, however, benign moles generally darken. Regardless of whether a mole lightens or darkens, the color stays uniform throughout. By the time a child become an adult, there are typically 12 to 20 common moles on the skin. Few benign moles develop after 30 years of age. Continue reading “Moles in Children: What Parents Should Know” →

Causes of Skin Cancer

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Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, “Many of the more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed each year could be prevented with protection from the sun’s rays.” Scientists now know that exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays damages DNA in the skin. The body can usually repair this damage before gene mutations occur and cancer develops. When a person’s body cannot repair the damaged DNA, which can occur with cumulative sun exposure, cancer develops.

In some cases, skin cancer is an inherited condition. Between 5% and 10% of melanomas develop in people with a family history of melanoma. Continue reading “Causes of Skin Cancer” →

Causes of Acne

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What causes acne?The causes of acne are linked to the changes that take place as young people mature from childhood to adolescence (puberty). The hormones that cause physical maturation also cause the sebaceous (oil) glands of the skin to produce more sebum (oil). The hormones with the greatest effect on sebaceous glands are androgens (male hormones), which are present in females as well as males, but in higher amounts in males.

Sebaceous glands are found together with a hair shaft in a unit called a sebaceous follicle. During puberty, the cells of the skin that line the follicle begin to shed more rapidly. In people who develop acne, cells shed and stick together more so than in people who do not develop acne. When cells mix with the increased amount of sebum being produced, they can plug the opening of the follicle. Meanwhile, the sebaceous glands continue to produce sebum, and the follicle swells up with sebum.
In addition, a normal skin bacteria called P. acnes, begins to multiply rapidly in the clogged hair follicle. In the process, these bacteria produce irritating substances that can cause inflammation. Sometimes, the wall of the follicle bursts, spreading inflammation to the surrounding skin. This is the process by which acne lesions, from blackheads to pimples to nodules, are formed. Continue reading “Causes of Acne” →

Acne Myths

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Acne Myths

Myth #1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene. If you believe this myth, and wash your skin hard and frequently, you can actually make your acne worse. Acne is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. Although excess oils, dead skin and a day’s accumulation of dust on the skin looks unsightly, they should not be removed by hand scrubbing. Vigorous washing and scrubbing will actually irritate the skin and make acne worse. The best approach to hygiene and acne: Gently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap, pat dry–and use an appropriate acne treatment for the acne.

Myth #2: Acne is caused by diet. Extensive scientific studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. In other words, food does not cause acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza. Nonetheless, some people insist that certain foods affect their acne. In that case, avoid those foods. Besides, eating a balanced diet always makes sense. However, according to the scientific evidence, if acne is being treated properly, there’s no need to worry about food affecting the acne.

Myth #3: Acne is caused by stress. The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important factor in acne. Severe stress that needs medical attention is sometimes treated with drugs that can cause acne as a side effect. If you think you may have acne related to a drug prescribed for stress or depression, you should consult your physician. Continue reading “Acne Myths” →

Types of Skin Cancer

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What is Skin Cancer? 

Cancer develops when DNA, the molecule found in cells that encodes genetic information, becomes damaged and the body cannot repair the damage. These damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. When this occurs in the skin, skin cancer develops. As the damaged cells multiply, they form a tumor. Since skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layers of skin, a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages.

Types of Skin Cancer 

Three types of skin cancer account for nearly 100% of all diagnosed cases. Each of these three cancers begins in a different type of cell within the skin, and each cancer is named for the type of cell in which it begins. Skin cancers are divided into one of two classes – nonmelanoma skin cancers and melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Continue reading “Types of Skin Cancer” →

The Social Impact of Acne

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“There is no single disease which causes more psychic trauma, more maladjustment between parents and children, more general insecurity and feelings of inferiority and greater sums of psychic suffering than does acne vulgaris.” –Sulzberger & Zaldems, 1948

While known for quite some time, the psychosocial effects of acne have not been fully appreciated until recently. The reasons for this are many. After all, everyone gets acne to one degree or another. In most cases, it goes away on its own. While it’s running its course, it is not a serious threat to anyone’s overall physical health. In addition, until the last couple of decades, there was very little anyone could do to treat it.

Acne, nonetheless, has a significant impact on a person’s outlook on life. Recent studies have detected the following as common among people with acne:

Social withdrawal
Decreased self-esteem
Reduced self-confidence
Poor body image
Embarrassment
Feelings of depression
Anger
Preoccupation
Frustration
Higher rate of unemployment
Continue reading “The Social Impact of Acne” →

Radiesse Questions & Answers

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Radiesse For The Correction of Moderate to Severe WrinklesWhat is Radiesse? Radiesse is an injectable for facial folds and wrinkles. Calcium Hydroxylapatite has a history of safe use in otology (ears), laryngeal (vocal chords), and dental and orthopedic applications (see glossary).

What is Radiesse used for? Radiesse is used to fill moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as naso- labial folds—the creases that extend from the corner of your nose to the corner
of your mouth. Radiesse will not correct the underlying causes. Continue reading “Radiesse Questions & Answers” →

Welcome to Jupiter Dermatology & Hair Restoration

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dr ricardo mejia providers

Our Dermatology and Hair Restoration practice is dedicated to providing the most advanced medical procedures of adult and pediatric dermatologic disorders in South Florida. Dermatologists and Physician’s Assistantsmerge to provide a comprehensive dermatologic treatment program. All treatments are medically supervised and include a personal skin analysis and home care recommendations. Our Physician Assistants, Ashley Syler and Alli Rayner, work closely with Dr. Ricardo Mejia, a board certified dermatologist and Mohs skin cancer surgeon in Jupiter, Florida as well as Marie Wagener, DO, in formulating a plan for optimal skin improvements.

Additionally, Dr. Mejia has over 25 years experience in hair transplant surgery and hair restoration treatments. For more information regarding hair needs, visit our hair transplant website at SkinandHairDoc.com

Our Skin Care Clinic is dedicated to providing the most advanced medical aesthetic practice. Dermatologist and Aesthetician merge to provide a comprehensive skin treatment program. All treatments are medically supervised and include a personal skin analysis and home care recommendations. Our Aesthetician works closely with Dr. Ricardo Mejia, a board certified dermatologist, in formulating a plan for optimal skin improvements.