Informational Workshop: Fraxel Three Part System

Over the years, our skin becomes damaged by unavoidable exposure to sun, air pollution, stress, fatigue and even lifestyle choices such as smoking.  All of these stressors can take a toil on our skin  causing it to age prematurely.

But who says we can't age gracefully.

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The Fraxel laser three step system is a revolutionary way to reverse these signs of aging.

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nThe Fraxel laser three step system is a revolutionary way to reverse these signs of aging.  Our three step fraxel system involves a deep chemical peel, a fraxel laser treatment and at home skinceutical called TNS recovery complex.

What are the benefits of this treatment system?

It improves texture tone and pore size

nRemoves brown spots

nIt smoothes wrinkles around the eyes

nIt helps with acne scarring

nIt rejuvenates skin on face and neck

But don't just take our word for it.  Come see for yourself and join us at our Fraxel Workshop on April 2, 2011 at noon.  You can see actual patients having the procedure done as well as a chance to win some great giveaways. This event is free.

For more information please contact our office at 239-561-3376.

We hope to see you there.

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Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum Contagiosum are smooth, pearly, flesh-colored skin growths. They begin as small bumps and may grow as large as a pencil eraser. Usually, molluscums are found on the face and body.

Molluscum Contagiosum. This diagnosis can be very frustrating for many parents. The tiny little bumps that spread like wildfire. If you have ever had a child with molluscum you know exactly what we are talking about.
The growths are caused by a pox virus; many of them have a central pit where the virus bodies live. Molluscum can be itchy and the skin around the growths may become infected. Although the bumps would go away on their own in two years, because they are a pox virus they can leave a pitted scar similar to a chicken pox scar if left untreated.
At Florida Skin Center, we have many different treatment options for patients with Molluscum Contagiosum including chemical treatments, liquid nitrogen treatments, and topical prescription medications. The two most common in office treatments are canthacur and liquid nitrogen.

• Canthacur, a blistering agent made from beetles, is applied with a wooden applicator to the skin growth. The medicine is then washed off in 4 to 6 minutes. A small blister usually forms within a few hours to one day. With each treatment, the molluscum gets smaller and smaller until they eventually resolve. This treatment is useful because the application is not painful... Occasionally no blistering occurs, but sometimes, children are quite sensitive and extensive blistering is seen. Scarring does not occur from Canthacur treatment. Although the blisters are uncomfortable, they are very superficial and resolve within a few days.
• Liquid Nitrogen: Freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen is another form of treatment. Applied with a cotton-tipped applicator, the liquid nitrogen causes the affected area to feel hot for a moment, and then a blister or irritation may form at the site.

Dr. Badia and her providers highly recommend that children with molluscum contagiosum get treatment because of the high risk of spreading the virus to other children and themselves and also because of the risk of scarring. Dr. Badia and her providers are one of the only practices in the area to offer these treatments for children.

An Easy Way to Contribute to a Good Cause

The March of Dimes is a wonderful organization that we hold near and dear to our heart at Florida Skin Center. The mission of March of Dimes is to help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies. Every year we raise money towards this great cause and show our support by walking at the March of Dimes annual parade.
This year we need your help. We will be donating $1 dollar for every new fan of our Florida Skin Center page on facebook from now until the end of February. It’s easy to become a fan, just click the following link www.facebook.com/pages/Florida-Skin-Center/100486426663199 and click on the  button.

This photo is us at a past March of Dimes event

Thank you for helping us donate to a wonderful cause. To learn more about the March of Dimes you can go to their website at www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission.html. 

Dr. Badia Contributes to Health Practitioner's Guide

Many of us only know Dr. Badia as a dermatologist, but we are also proud to say that she has the title of author under her belt as well.  Recently, Dr. Badia contributed her expertise for a book on Anti-Aging Medicine called Health Practitioner’s Guide to Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.

For this book, Dr. Badia contributed a chapter on how to assess skin aging as well as therapeutic treatments.  Dr. Badia discusses the genetic and external factors that cause our skin to age as well as various treatment options available to patients to stop or reduce skin aging including cosmetic fillers, Botox, chemical peels and phototherapy. Dr. Badia is also pursuing certification in Anti-Aging Medicine.

Why Have a Full Body Skin Exam?

Many of you may be wondering what a full body skin exam involves or if you even need one. Well here are the facts.  More than 1 million newly diagnosed skin cancers will be detected this year through annual skin exams. In fact, recent estimates show that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with a skin cancer during their lifetime. Basal cell and Squamous cell skin cancers are the most common and are often easily treated if detected early. Malignant melanomas, the more dangerous type of skin cancers, are also on the rise and estimates show that close to 1 out of every 60 people will be affected with this type of skin cancer.

Who Should Have a Full Body Skin Exam?

• If you have a history of skin cancer, we recommend full body skin exams every six months. Individuals with a prior history of skin cancer are at increased risk for developing another skin cancer later in life.
• History of a severe sunburn or blistering sunburns in the past.
• Red hair, blue eyes and freckled individuals.
• Family History of Melanoma. Anyone with a first degree family member (mom, dad, brother, sister) who was diagnosed with melanoma should have their skin checked annually.
• Anyone with an occupation that involves being outdoors, especially living here in Florida.
• A history of precancerous lesions/ irregular moles such as actinic keratoses or dysplastic nevi.
• History of using tanning beds or sunbathing.
• Hobbies that involve being outdoors: golfing, swimming, boating, tennis.
• An individual with many moles and or freckles.

Should Children Have Full Body Skin Exams?

If your child has any of the risk factors stated above such as a family member with melanoma or a history of using tanning beds or a severe sunburn, he or she should have their skin checked no matter their age. Unfortunately, malignant melanomas and atypical moles can affect anyone of any age. If you have a concern about a mole or freckle on your child, please make sure he or she gets checked by a dermatologist.

What is Involved in a Full Body Skin Exam?

For a full body skin exam, you will be asked to change into a gown. Dr. Badia or Shirisha will exam the skin of your face, ears, neck, chest, scalp, back, arms, legs, feet and even between the toes for any unusual or suspicious lesions. If any lesion needs to be checked or biopsied, it can be done on the same visit. In addition, a full body skin exam can be done on any of your follow up visit.

Ring in the New Year with a Healthy Glow

With the new year just around the corner many of us will be coming up with our New Years Eve resolutions. For many it will involve getting rid of those few extra pounds from the holidays, for others it may be spending more time with the family or getting that promotion at work.  But what about a resolution to take better care of your skin? 

Our skin, especially our face, is the first thing someone notices about us, but it often is something that we don’t always take good care of.  Many people think that in order to take care of our skin we have to invest money in expensive creams and lotions.  However, good skin health can be simple. 

Wearing a daily sunscreen is essential to protect our skin from the damaging UV rays that do not only age and wrinkle or skin, but cause skin cancers as well. Especially living in Florida where the sun is unavoidable. When out in the sun for an extended period of time it is important to reapply your sunscreen every two to three hours to give us the protection that is needed.  Dr. Badia and her staff have done extensive research on different sunscreen products available on the market and can give you recommendations on a sunscreen based on your skin needs.

Another great way to take care of your skin is to see your dermatologist yearly.  Dermatologists can treat precancerous lesions and can monitor or biopsy any suspicious moles or growths which will help reduce your risk of getting skin cancer.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy new year!

See you next year.

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Dr. Badia’s Favorite Products of 2010

Often times, patients ask Dr. Badia what her recommendations are for skin care products.  At Florida Skin Center we carry many skin care lines that are targeted for all types of skin types.  Dr. Badia and her staff do extensive research on product lines that we feel would benefit our patients the best.  So what are Dr. Badia’s favorite products of 2010?

TNS Recovery Complex
This product is made by the company SkinMedica. It is a serum that contains growth factors and proteins to help improve skin texture, diminish fine lines and improve collagen and elasticity of the skin. 
It’s a great product for all skin types that can be used in the morning and at night. Although it is one of our high end products, it’s great for patients who are looking for that one great product that does it all. 

Latisse
The next product on Dr. Badia’s list of favorites is Latisse, made by the company Allergan.  I am sure many of you have seen the commercial with the beautiful Brooke Shields promoting the product.  The good news, this product actually works! 
Latisse is a prescription medication used to treat hypotrichosis of the eyelids (inadequate eyelashes). This medication was originally used to treat ocular hypertension but one of the side effects of the medication was long fuller darker lashes. Allergan then received FDA approval to treat hypotrichosis.  
This medication is applied to daily to the lashes and results can be seen within 16 weeks.
You can see our before and after pictures here >

 

Retinol Complex
The last product on Dr. Badia’s list of favorites is the Retinol Complex, another product from SkinMedica. I am sure many of you have heard that using a retinol or retin a cream is an important part of good skin health to diminish fine lines, exfoliate and help control oil.  
What makes this product different from the others? It contains three forms of vitamin A which penetrate the skin at different rates through micro-encapsulated technology.  However, unlike other retin a products, it does not cause redness or burning when applied, so it’s great for those of us with sensitive skin. It is applied once daily at nighttime.

If you would like to find out more information about these products or any of the other product lines we carry at the office please feel free to give us a call.

We hope everyone has a very safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Florida Skin Center