Author: The Hair Doc

There are many different mosquito repellents on the market claiming to get rid of the pesky insects. In this WPBF25 news report, Gary Good whose job is to get rid of mosquitos says that the best product to do the job is one containing deet.

However, Dr. Mejia who was interviewed in the video, says that large quanities of deet can cause neurological problems if taken in high doses. WPBF25 News found that one product contained 98.25% deet, where Dr. Mejia states that you generally only need 10-30%. It has a higher risk of systemic absorption and can potentially cause concern if used too much on  your kids. So be careful in what product you use to prevent insect bites.

Note: You can see Dr. Mejia speaking in the video at  at 1 minutes, 55 seconds.

Stretch Marks (Striae) form on areas of the skin that undergo continuous or rapid stretch and tension, and most commonly occur on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and breasts. Both males and females experience stretch marks, commonly during rapid growth periods (puberty), weight gain, pregnancy, and even from body building. Stretch marks occur when skin distension affects the connective tissue framework of the skin and damages collagen and elastin. Stretch marks may appear as thin flattened pink skin, red and raised, or as white depressed bands on the skin.

Many people become concerned with the appearance of their stretch marks and want to know the options available for treating them. While many treatments are available to improve the appearance of striae, it has been very difficult to completely get rid of them. Expectant mothers may use intense moisturizers such as cocoa or shea butter, and other over the counter products to help prevent striae from forming. Patients should avoid rapid weight gain or building of body mass in a short period of time, as skin cannot compensate for such quick changes. Topical retinoids and antioxidants have been shown to improve the appearance of stretch marks. These products are available through your provider at Jupiter Dermatology.

Our office provides three laser and light treatments that may further improve the appearance of stretch marks. ND YAG is a vascular laser which helps lessen the appearance of stretch marks by targeting the dilated blood vessels within stretch marks that are red and raised. We typically recommend 3-6 laser treatments for optimal results. CO2  Fractional lasers are used for laser resurfacing in stretch marks that have been present for a longer time. During this procedure, the CO2 laser targets pinpoint areas of the skin in a grid-like pattern, allowing healthy surrounding skin to contract and tighten skin as well as inducing collagen production. More than one treatment may be needed for this procedure. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a non-laser treatment that helps to induce the production of collagen and elastin, thereby improving the appearance of stretch marks over time. Your provider can evaluate which treatments would be most beneficial, and review any side effects or expected downtime associated with each of these treatments.

Many of our patients have heard of Dysport or Botox (abobutulinum toxin A and onobotulinum toxin A, respectively) but are not clear on the difference between the two cosmetic products. Both of these FDA approved products are composed of an isolated protein used to relax the muscles of the forehead, glabella, and crows feet. The difference between these two products chemically is minimal, making their use and the results of their use almost identical. In our practice we say “Comparing these two is like comparing Coke and Pepsi”- ie. two great sodas, each with their own brand recognition but in the same category of soft drinks.

The duration of treatment when using botulinum proteins are very similar as well. Typically, Botox and Dysport last approximately 3 months. In some patients we see the product may last slightly longer or slightly shorter, due to our body’s metabolism of the product. Just as one may prefer Coke over Pepsi, many of our patients who have tried both products feel that they like the results of one product over the other. Continue reading “Dysport or Botox: What’s the Difference and Which Lasts Longer?” →

Psoriasis is a disorder of the immune system which causes the skin to have red raised scaling patches and plaques. It most commonly occurs on the elbows, knees, trunk and scalp, although it may occur anywhere on the body. We may diagnose psoriasis by its clinical appearance or by performing a biopsy.

Many of our patients are very self-conscious of the appearance of it and seek psoriasis treatment that will reduce the appearance of it.  Some treatments are available for treating this condition, ranging from topical creams, shampoos, to oral or injectable medications. We have highlighted some alternative therapies below due to increased inquiry on these remedies.

Typically we choose topical therapy with steroids and medications called keratolytics, which help to reduce inflammation and the thickness of psoriasis plaques, respectively.

Psoriasis Treatment:

• Over the counter shampoos.
• Topical medications that can be used including Salicylic acid (a keratolytic).
• Coal tar (used to slow down the rapid growth of skin cells in psoriasis).

We recommend that patients perform test spots with any new topical medications as some may be irritating to the skin.

Many patients today with chronic conditions, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, have an interest in complementary and alternative therapies—these focus more on preventative care and pain management.

Surveys for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and National Center for Health Statistics (part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention) show more than a third of Americans (36 percent) use complementary and alternative therapies. These therapies include diet, herbs and supplements, mind/body therapies such as aromatherapy, yoga and meditation, physical therapies, exercise and the ancient arts of acupuncture and tai chi.

Much of the evidence supporting complementary and alternative therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is anecdotal. Increasingly, researchers have studied complementary and alternative therapies particularly in looking at drug interactions, dietary outcomes and safety. Most complementary and alternative therapies are safe. However, some can interfere with your treatments prescribed by your doctor.

Always talk to your doctor or consult with a licensed health care professional before adding any complementary and alternative treatments to your treatment plan for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.