WestDerm

Do you know the medical term for a hair doctor? If you said â€Ëœdermatologist,’ you’re right! Most people don’t realize that dermatologists are trained beyond skincare and can also help with conditions like hair loss. It may sound strange, but it’s true—a dermatologist is a skin, nail, and hair doctor. Our board-certified dermatologists can diagnose the cause of your hair loss. They can also prescribe the products you need to improve your hair’s follicle growth cycle for better hair. 

You have more than 100,000 hairs on your head. They constantly cycle between growing and falling out. Losing between 50-100 hairs each day is part of the normal hair growth cycle. If more than this falls out, your hair is thinning, and it’s time to see your dermatologist. 

One of the first things a woman will notice when her hair’s thinning is that her part line seems wider than usual. Women might also see more scalp and less hair than before around the hairline that frames their face. This happens when follicles die. This means her scalp produces fewer hairs per square inch than usual. If this is happening, you need a dermatologist’s help to avoid further hair loss. 

The beginning of typical male-patterned baldness is a sure sign of hair loss. This starts above the temples and circles around the head, leaving only a strip of hair along the bottom. Men might also notice a receding hairline. Both of these signal disruption of the normal hair follicle cycle. 

The most common cause of hair loss is the aging process. It’s natural for some follicles to stop producing hair. But hormonal changes experienced in pregnancy and menopause can cause your hair to thin while you’re relatively young. In addition, some people’s hair falls out prematurely because of a medical condition they have or medication they’re taking. Whatever the cause, if your hair loss is distressing to you, there are products your dermatologist can recommend to improve the situation. 

The solution to thinning hair is medical-grade products. Our Skin and Cancer Associates and The Center for Cosmetic Enhancement Skincare Shop offers quality brands like Nutrafol. Some of these work from the inside, others work from the outside. Both are effective: the best one for you is the one your dermatologist prescribes for your specific hair-loss condition. 

You can apply topical products directly to your scalp for ingredients that keep your hair follicle life cycle growing normally. Our dermatologists recommend Nutrafol Hair Growth Serum. This leave-in product contains a blend of antioxidants and minerals to support hair growth. You can massage it into your scalp twice a day.

We also carry products at Skin and Cancer Associates and The Center for Cosmetic Enhancement that help support your hair growth from the inside out. These supplements come in capsule form and are taken orally. They include the following quality products from Nutrafol:

Hair loss doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of growing older, pregnancy, menopause, or illness. Our board-certified dermatologists can help you find the products you need to keep the fullest head of hair possible, despite your specific challenges. Reach out today to schedule an appointment and get on the path to better hair health. 

Psoriasis is a multifactorial, auto-immune disease. The exact reasons behind psoriasis are still unclear.

The condition has a strong genetic background. Research suggests that an interaction between genetics and the immune system is one of the primary reasons behind the condition. Some common triggers can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis. The impact of these triggers varies from one person to another. 

Having a family member with psoriasis enhances your level of risk for the condition. However, people with no family history of psoriasis can still be diagnosed with the disorder. Research conducted on psoriatic skin shows the presence of gene mutations (called alleles). 

However, the presence of alleles alone cannot cause a person to develop the condition. Genetic studies have identified 25 gene variants that can increase the risk of psoriasis. The studies indicate a person’s risk level in developing psoriasis. 

The specific method through which psoriasis passes from the parent to the child is not entirely understood. 

When the immune system encounters a foreign body such as a virus or bacteria, the T cells respond. The body builds proteins that are involved in the identification of molecules called antigens. 

When a person has psoriasis, the gene mutations cause the T cells to identify their skin cells as foreign and attack them incorrectly. The body makes new cells more often than required. The additional skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin and thus cause psoriasis. 

The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has revealed that at least 10% of people inherit genes that can cause psoriasis. But only 3% of people develop the condition. When external triggers combine with genetics, the chance of developing psoriasis is high. Some of the external factors are, 

The connection between stress and psoriasis is like a loop. Psoriasis causes stress. Stress causes inflammation and increased activation of the immune cells. This results in a psoriasis flare-up. 

Bruises, bumps, and other forms of injuries can irritate your skin and set off the immune system. As a result, the injured portion of the skin becomes the site of a psoriasis flare-up. 

The National Psoriasis Foundation suggests that cold and dry weather can trigger psoriasis. Some studies support the intake of Vitamin D supplements to regulate the immune system during winters. 

Certain drugs like antimalarials, aspirin, beta-blockers can aggravate psoriasis.

When the bacterial ecosystem in your gut is dysregulated, “leakiness” in the gut can be observed. This triggers inflammation through the entire body and causes the development of psoriasis. 

Infections such as COVID 19 can trigger psoriasis through systemic inflammation. The most common infectious trigger of psoriasis is strep throat. 

Smoking is said to flare up psoriasis by over 60%. The nicotinic receptors in the T cells of the immune system regulate cell activity. The nicotine present in cigarettes can interfere with the functions of the receptors. 

Appropriate treatment measures can control the symptoms of psoriasis.

At Skin and Cancer Associates and The Center for Cosmetic Enhancement, we are profoundly aware of the physical and psychological impact of psoriasis. We offer customized treatment plans to relieve patients from their discomfort and to get clearer skin. Contact us today if you notice any signs of the condition. 

Melasma is a skin condition that causes brown patches to appear on people’s faces. While it’s not a serious medical issue, it can certainly be a cosmetic issue that many people would like to treat. Here we will discuss what causes melasma and the possible treatment options.

Unfortunately, there is no single cause for melasma, but rather it is a combination of things that occur at one time. Typically, melasma appears after excessive sun exposure, changes in hormones, and a person’s genetics. It’s not unusual for melasma to appear after a woman starts taking birth control or at some point throughout her pregnancy because there are significant hormone shifts that occur. For these reasons, melasma is also known as a “pregnancy mask.” Sometimes it simply occurs after ongoing sun exposure or if there is a family history of the skin condition. 

 

It’s important to understand that melasma doesn’t fade completely, but it can be lightened in some cases that it is virtually non-existent. There are some ways that you can reduce the appearance of it and keep the condition more contained. Here are some treatment options to keep in mind:

 

Help stop the spread of melasma by protecting your skin from the sun. You should always wear high SPF sunblock, proper clothing, and a hat when outdoors. Not only can sun exposure lead to melasma, but it can also aggravate an existing condition of it. 

Retinol works to increase your skin’s cell turnover. As the pigmented skin exfoliates after the use of retinol, the faster the dark areas begin to fade. Be mindful of using this type of product, as it can be harsh for some people’s skin types. Talk to your dermatologist about the type of creams you should use. 

 

 

Pigment blockers are used to lighten the skin and can be used in conjunction with your sunscreen. Talk to your dermatologist about the pigment blockers that work best for you. 

 

 

There are a variety of lasers that can be used to break up the pigmentation of melasma. The severity of your melasma will determine if this is the right treatment option for you

 

It’s important to know that melasma won’t completely go away on its own, but treatments can help. While this condition is sometimes referred to as a “pregnancy mask,” it doesn’t only impact women. Men can also be affected by melasma, especially if they have a family history or have excessive sun exposure. People at higher risk are women and individuals with darker skin pigmentation. 

 

 

At Skin and Cancer Associates and The Center for Cosmetic Enhancement, we are committed to providing our patients with the information they need to make treatment decisions. While melasma may be something you’ll have to manage throughout your entire life, there are effective ways to lighten your skin and protect it from future damage. To learn more about melasma and the treatment options we provide, contact our office today. We are here to provide the guidance you need to achieve healthier skin. 

When most people think about acne, they often first associate it with puberty but this is not always the case. Many adults are still affected by acne well beyond the teenage years (about 50 million Americans), and the experience is different for both men and women from various factors. 

For men with acne, hormone levels are usually the main trigger. Men produce more of the hormone testosterone than women, which results in thick and oily skin. The production of sebum, or oil, is also higher in males because their sebaceous glands are more active (from the testosterone), which can lead to clogged pores, causing breakouts. Lastly, while those beards may look cool, facial hair can trap oil and act as a breeding ground for the bacteria that exacerbates pimples and acne.

In addition to the face and neck, men are more susceptible to acne on the chest, back, upper arms, and shoulders. Sweating may increase the severity, especially during the warmer months and after exercising, especially from wearing nylon fabrics.

Finally, the addition of supplements to enhance muscle growth may also promote and enhance underlying acne.

According to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 22% of adult women are affected by acne, compared to less than 5% of adult men. Like men, female acne is the result of too much oil being produced by the skin, which results in clogged pores = breakouts. This may be attributed to estrogen and progesterone hormone fluctuations, especially just before the menstrual cycle..

Unlike men, women’s hormone levels become disrupted when birth control pills are taken, during the menstrual cycle, and menopause. The fluctuations can cause increased oil production in the pore. “14 – 50 year old women can get a deeper type of acne around the face and neck, that mostly spares the nose, chest and back” said Dr. Brook Brouha, West Derm board-certified dermatologist. “The unique hormonal influences make it a different disease entirely and you need to have the right game plan in order to treat it,” said Brouha. 

So what do you do when you want to slow down and prevent these breakouts from happening?

Face acne: keep that face oil at bay by making sure to wash your face twice a day with an acne face wash, preferably one with salicylic or glycolic acid. Your skin needs to stay hydrated, not dry, in order to stay in balance and prevent breakouts so follow with a moisturizer that works best with your skin type.

For men, be careful when you shave around acne blemishes and make sure not to shave off the tops of pimples because this can irritate the skin and make it worse.

Back (bacne) / Body acne: nobody wants an army of angry pimples on their back or body. Make sure you are showering daily with an antibacterial soap and exfoliating to slough off all dead skin cells and unclog pores. You can also use over-the-counter spot treatments that have salicylic acid in them for those extra pesky zits. 

Female Acne: “Classic acne regimes are more effective for adolescent style chest, back and face acne and tend to be largely ineffective for this unique acne,” said Brouha. “At times, we recommend an oral treatment with isotretinoin, especially if your acne is severe.”

The most advanced treatment for acne is photodynamic therapy. This procedure is presently being investigated in a clinical study and is utilized in some of our clinics.

Acne affects us all at some point during our lifetimes. The level of severity is different amongst every person but just know we are always here to help! If you are not seeing results with any of the above treatment options or have any questions about your acne, schedule an in-clinic or TeleDerm appointment with one of our Skin and Cancer Associates and The Center for Cosmetic Enhancement dermatologists today!