Author: The Hair Doc

Know How to Detect the Different Types of Skin Cancer

Posted on by The Hair Doc

We all enjoy time spent out in the sun, but unfortunately, any exposure to UV rays without the use of sunscreen could be doing irreversible damage to our skin! According to the American Cancer Society, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Although these numbers might sound scary, skin cancer has a very high survival rate. The key to successful treatment is to spot the cancer right away. Keep reading to learn about the most common types of skin cancer and how they can be detected and treated.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, involving the basal cells within the outer layers of skin. This type of cancer often appears as an open sore or red patch that can be mistaken for a nonthreatening condition like psoriasis. Other times, the cancer presents itself as a shiny bump or slow growing tumor. These often occur on sun exposed areas like the head and neck. Many of my patients tell me it started Luke a pimple. The size of the tumor can help indicate the stage that the cancer is in. Basal cell carcinoma can sometimes be treated with the Mohs surgery technique. This is a highly effective microsurgery technique used to remove the cancer layer by layer until only healthy tissue remains. It gives you the highest cure rate with the least chance if recurrence. The exact course of treatment, however, will depend on the size of the cancer and how far it has progressed.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer and is more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma can appear as a scaly red patch, wart, open sore, growth, or depression in the skin that doesn’t heal. The surrounding skin usually shows signs of sun damage as well with sun spots, laxity, and wrinkles. Squamous cell carcinomas can occur on any area of the body but most often appear on the lip, face, scalp, neck, and arms. Mohs surgery can be used to treat this type of cancer as well, removing the cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, but survival rates are still high when detected early. The cancer usually appears as a growth or mole, although it’s important to remember that most moles are harmless! This can appear on any sun exposed area of your body such as your arms, neck, or hands. You can detect the first sign of this type of cancer by understanding the ABCDE’s of melanoma. This includes Asymmetry, an irregular Border, having multiple Colors, a Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and a mole that Evolves or changes in any way. Often times melanoma develops in an existing mole, so, if you notice any mole begin to change, you should have it checked out by your dermatologist. Most times, however, melanoma will appear as a new mole, so if you notice a new mole forming, watch carefully for signs of skin cancer. Melanoma treatment will depend on the stage it’s in but will likely involve surgical removal of the cancerous mole.

types of skin cancer jupiter fl

Know your risk level

Certain individuals are at a higher risk of skin cancer than others and should take extra caution when it comes to staying out of the sun and examining their skin for signs of cancer. Factors that can put you at a higher risk of skin cancer include having fair skin, a personal or family history of skin cancer, prolonged UV exposure (especially from tanning beds), or a weakened immune system. If you know you’re at a higher risk of skin cancer, self-examination is very important. It is also important to have a full-body exam from a dermatologist for a professional opinion and to examine hard-to-reach areas like your back and private areas. Melanoma can arise where the sun does not shine.

How you can prevent future damage

Although past sun exposure can do irreversible damage to your skin, you can still protect yourself from future damage! Always apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to any sun exposed areas before going outside. If you can, it’s recommended to avoid over exposure to the sun during the hours it’s the strongest, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You should avoid the use of tanning beds completely, as these UV rays are much stronger than natural sunlight, greatly increasing your risk of skin cancer.

If you notice any of these signs of skin cancer, contact Jupiter Dermatology right away! Our board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Mejia, can examine your skin to detect signs of cancer and develop the appropriate treatment plan.

Update Your Tattoo with Lumenis Piqo4 Tattoo Removal

Posted on by The Hair Doc

Whether you have been thinking of updating the canvas on your tattoo or completely removing it, we are here to help! The Piqo4 by Lumenis is the most advanced state of the art laser tattoo removal treatment.

In this video, watch Dr. Mejia perform an initial tattoo removal session on a patient who is actually going to get another one of the same due to the first one not being done correctly.

This powerful laser tattoo removal was unveiled at the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting in February, 2018 and is the only laser in the United States that has four wavelengths and the ability to deliver both nanosecond and picosecond pulses.

Pico Fractional, is a new PiQo4™ hand-piece, which introduces a fractional laser beam based on photoacoustics. As opposed to traditional laser treatments, which use thermal energy, PicoFractional creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones within the skin, and utilizes the shattering effect of sound waves to create tiny holes deep within the dermis, known as Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB).

This pigment removal works on four wavelengths shattering the most popular ink colors.

Since each pigment color absorbs a specific wavelength, PiQo4 offers 4 wavelengths in order to treat the broadest range of pigment/tattoo colors, on the widest range of skin types. Its four wavelengths – 1064nm, 532nm, 650nm and 585nm – target 9 of the most frequently used tattoo colors ranging from light orange to dark black. With PiQo4 you can erase the rainbow.

Check out this video by Lumenis comparing a competitor product. Notice the speed using the Piqo4 at 53 seconds vs. 3 minute, 51 seconds.

Short demo on an arm at a recent Aesthetics Conference:

Before and after pictures

Benefits of The Piqo4 tattoo removal by Lumenis

  • It takes out the stubborn turquoise and yellow hues so you get full color clearance.
  • No more shadows of your tattoos. No need to be reminded of the past.
  • The speed of the laser is a faster road to clearer skin

 

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Get the Most out of Your Chemical Peel Treatment

Posted on by The Hair Doc

Chemical peels are a great way to rejuvenate your face or improve more severe skin concerns by removing damaged layers of skin, revealing healthy skin underneath. When it comes to treatment, there are a few things you’ll want to ask yourself when choosing the type of peel that’s best for you. By considering these questions, you can get the most out of your chemical peel treatment:

Do you have a skin condition?

Common skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea can be worsened by a chemical peel. If you suspect you have one of these or another skin condition, you might not be the best candidate for any type of chemical peel. However, you can talk with Dr. Mejia about other treatment options!

What are your concerns?

The next thing you should consider is how severe your skin concerns are. If you experience mild pigmentation concerns, rough texture, or an over-all dull appearance to your skin, you could benefit from a superficial peel, the mildest formula. If you have severe symptoms like deep wrinkles, sun damage, and age spots, you might require a deep peel for the most significant improvement! If your somewhere in-between with moderate signs of aging and blemishes, a medium peel might be just-right for you.

How much time do you have to recover?

The deeper the chemical peel, the more side effects, recovery time, and post-op care required after treatment. So, if you want to rejuvenate for an event in the near future, you might want to choose the superficial peel to get glowing skin without any severe redness or peeling. If you decide to go for a medium or deep peel, just keep in mind that you will likely experience more swelling, redness, and peeling after treatment. Many patients like to avoid social events until their skin has healed. No matter which type of peel you choose, be sure to avoid sun exposure for the first month or two as your skin will be extra sensitive while it heals.

Our board-certified dermatologist at Jupiter Dermatology can examine your skin and discuss your concerns to determine which type of peel is best for you. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Ricardo Mejia, contact our office today.

A New Treatment Has Emerged for Seborrheic Keratoses Removal

Posted on by The Hair Doc
Seborrheic keratoses are benign skin growths which typically occur on the trunk and extremities. They typically are classified as waxy barnacles that grow on the skin. I like to refer to these growths as wisdom spots; the more you have the wiser you are. However, most patients do not like to have these growths on their skin. Consequently, there a lot of cosmetic skin treatments that can be used to remove them. Eskata™ is a topical lotion that can be used to help remove them. It is not covered by insurance.

What is Eskata™?

Eskata is a topical cosmetic liquid created for the removal of Seb K. This new cosmetic treatment is very simple and only consists of the applying the product directly to the affected area four times, approximately one minute apart. While this is only a topical liquid, due to the concentration of hydrogen peroxide it must be applied in office by a trained professional. Many patients that participated in clinical trials saw full results within two office visits. Because it is not covered by insurance, the cost per liquid applicator has been reported that the applicators will cost between $200-$250. The approximate use that one could get out of one applicator is enough to treat seven large spots or ten smaller ones for one office visit. Most patients would be able to see full improvement in two visits; however, some may need a touch-up visit. This touch-up visit would most likely only use a small amount of the liquid, leaving a decent amount wasted.

What are My Other Options?

Other treatment options include light scraping or curettage, electrodesiccation, and liquid nitrogen treatments. At Jupiter Dermatology, all of these treatments are performed carefully by our dermatologic team; and can provide very good cosmetic results at a much more reasonable cost. Overall, it is great to see new innovations develop in the field of dermatology. On some occasions, if a sebirrheic keratosis is bleeding or causing significant pain in an area, it may be covered by your insurance.
If you are interested in learning more about the various options available for the removal of seborrheic keratoses and to see if it is covered by your insurance, call our Jupiter, Florida office today to schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists.
To see the different treatment options, click the link below for the video on seborrheic keratosis.

What are my Hair Restoration Options?

Posted on by The Hair Doc

If you are losing your hair or have trouble growing hair, you may be wondering what your options for restoration are. Here at Jupiter Dermatology and Hair Restoration, we offer several different methods and applications for hair restoration that are sure to suit your needs. Our methods can address hair loss on the head and face using either the FUE or FUT method.

FUT Method

Follicular Unit Transplant or FUT, is also known as the “strip” technique. Traditional strip or FUT does not require shaving the head.  What is a surgical procedure which removes a greater amount of hair in one treatment. Consequently more hairs can be transplanted at one time then with FUE method. Depending on how you like to wear your hair and your aesthetic goals, Dr. Mejia will be able to help you decide on the right method for you.

FUE Method

FUE or follicular unit excision or previously  known as extraction is a hair restoration method in where separate hairs are removed from around the head. Each follicle or group of follicles is surgically removed  from the scalp with a small special device, rather than removing an entire strip of hair/follicles. This method only involves tiny round scars or incisions rather than a linear line scar. In both methods, the hair covers the scars and are hardly noticeable. In general, FUE patients will have a faster recovery than FUT Patients. However, patients will be asked to cut their hair very short for this procedure.

We also use the FUE method for eyebrow and facial hair restoration. In recent years, facial hair and eyebrow transplant have been made possible using the FUE method. This can be especially helpful for those who have genetic or medical conditions causing hair scarcity or complete loss. The FUE technique is more precise for smaller areas that need to be shaped and groomed. Dr. Mejia will take special care to develop natural-looking results that suit your aesthetic goals.

If you are interested in learning more about the hair restoration methods used at Jupiter Dermatology and Hair Restoration, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mejia.

What’s the Difference Between Psoriasis & Eczema

Posted on by The Hair Doc

When it comes to skin conditions, identifying them and understanding the difference between them can be hard when many of them are physically similar. However, treatment can be quicker and easier when you have a proper diagnosis. One of the most common skin condition misperceptions is understanding the difference between psoriasis and eczema. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms and treatment of these conditions.

What is Eczema?

Eczema or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that can be characterized by red itchy skin in people of all ages. While there is no cure, there are some medical and at-home remedies that can help make the symptoms more manageable during periods of flare-ups. The symptoms of eczema are usually characterized by dry itchy skin that may also be red or bumpy. The cause of eczema is an individual’s skin having the inability to retain moisture and protect itself from bacteria. This is often a hereditary trait or can be the result of an allergy.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a genetic skin condition in which the rate of skin cell turnover is so fast that the cells begin to build up and become rough and scaly. As these cells build up they tend to be dry and may even cause itching and discomfort. Psoriasis is considered to be a chronic skin disease and may even come and go. While there is no cure, medications have come to the market to help manage the symptoms for everyday life. Psoriasis may appear in the form of red patches on the skin that are bumpy and may also have thick silvery scales. In general, psoriasis isn’t dangerous to patients, but it can have emotional effect making those affected feel self-conscious.

How are They Different?

While they both often involve the look of dry red patches, psoriasis will sometimes have bigger bumps and a scalier surface. These conditions can also both involve the potential for itching and dryness making them easily confused. The most notable difference between the two is that their causes are different. For eczema, it is thought to be passed down genetically or have a relation to hay fever or allergy. As for psoriasis, there is not one specific cause known. However, psoriasis is thought to be related to the immune system and may stem from issue occurring with T cells and white blood cells.

If you think you may be experiencing eczema, psoriasis or any other chronic skin condition, contact Jupiter Dermatology and Hair Restoration today to schedule an appointment at our Jupiter, Florida practice.

Get Clearer Skin with Clarisonic

Posted on by The Hair Doc

At Jupiter Dermatology, we offer Clarisonic products to help our patients keep their skin healthy and radiant. When dead skin cells build up, it can cause the complexion to look dull and aged. These products are great tools to combat adult acne, clogged pores, and dull dead skin for a healthy glow. Read on to learn more about this product and how it works.

The Mia 2

The Mia 2 Clarisonic brush is a lightweight and portable cleansing device that gently exfoliates the skin. It comes with two different speeds, one for delicate skin and one for all skin types, so you can customize your cleansing experience. There are also interchangeable facial brush heads, which are each uniquely designed to address different skin types and conditions.

The Opal Sonic Infuser

The Opal Sonic Infuser is a smaller device, that is used to gradually build up the skin’s resilience. It works by gently tapping the skin at 200+ sonic movements per second, and is especially effective around the eyes. This product also helps the skin to absorb skincare products for maximum effect, and even comes with anti-aging sea serum to get you started.

It is important to keep your Clarisonic products clean for optimal results, as dirty brushes can spread unwanted bacteria. Also, be sure to change your cleansing brush head every three months. This is because the bristles on the brush heads become less effective over time.

If you are interested in learning more about these Clarisonic products and what they can do for you, contact Jupiter Dermatology today! We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

The Difference Between Fillers and Neuromodulators

Posted on by The Hair Doc

Are you tired of looking in the mirror and seeing those pesky lines and wrinkles? If so, it may be time to look into treatment options for a more youthful appearance. Botox and fillers are both very popular nonsurgical treatment options to date. However, some people may not understand the differences between the two options. Read on to learn more about how these treatments differ, and what signs of aging each can address.

Neuromodulators

Neuromodulators, such as Botox, contain botulinum toxin type A, which works to temporarily relax facial muscles that cause creases and lines to form. These creases and lines are called dynamic wrinkles, and commonly appear on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and at the corners of the eyes. There is no downtime required after neuromodulator treatments, and results can last from 3-6 months.

Fillers

Fillers, unlike neuromodulator, smooth out lines and wrinkles by adding volume under the skin. They are commonly made up of hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring substance that attracts and binds water to create youthful plumpness. Fillers can be used to address smile lines, loss of facial volume, lip lines, and to plump the lips. Common fillers include Sculptra, Voluma, Volbella, Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero. There is little to no downtime needed after filler injections, and results can last from six months to two years, depending on the filler formula used.

As you can see, these two treatment options are very different. If you are interested in learning more about them and which one is right for you, contact Jupiter Dermatology today to schedule your consultation.

 

Grand Re-Opening Celebration

Posted on by The Hair Doc

Join us as we celebrate our Grand Re-Opening!

Wednesday, November 16th, 2016

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Our construction is done with our new office and it’s time to say thank you with unbelievable discounts, prizes, and giveaways!

Call us now at (561) 748-0510 to reserve your spot and your personalized beauty package!

Jupiter Dermatology Grand Re-opening Celebration 2016

Event Specials (one night only)

25% off all Skin Medica & Colorescience Products

Bank your Botox! $10/unit (Reg. $16/unit)

Juvederm: Buy 1 vial and get the 2nd vial 50% off ($325 savings!)

Kybella: Buy 2 vials and get the 3rd vial free ($750 savings!)

Latisse: Buy 1- 5ml, Get 1- 3ml free ($125 savings!)

Voluma: Buy 1 vial and get the 2nd vial 50% off ($425 savings!)

Free Holiday Gift Bag with purchase of $750

RSVP by November 11th

561-748-0510 | [email protected]

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