What are these spots on my body that won’t go away?

Tinea versicolor is an overgrowth of yeast that is found on everyone’s body. It tends to be more prevalent in warm humid climates like here in Southwest Florida. It can present as spots that can either be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. These spots can be found anywhere on the body. They can be dry, and may cause itching. It tends to become more noticeable as the surrounding skin tans, because the yeast prevents the affected areas from tanning. Tinea versicolor is not a contagious condition and is treatable. It may take time for the affected skin to regain its pigment once the yeast is treated. Tinea versicolor can reoccur if the person continues to be exposed to a warm and/or humid climate.

To learn more about Tinea versicolor, please visit:

http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/tinea-versicolor/tips

Ever wonder what is causing those white blotches on your towels and bedding? It could be your face wash.

Have you noticed that all of your good towels and bedding now have bleach stains?  Have you been blaming it on your new detergent?  Turns out, it maybe your face wash.  The main ingredient in many over the counter acne treatments and washes is benzoyl peroxide which can bleach clothing. 

Some tips to help prevent your clothing and bedding from getting stained are

·         Use white bedding and towels
·         Making sure you wash your hands after applying treatment or medications
·         Make sure medication is completely dry before going to bed
·         Ask your dermatology provider for effective prescription acne mediations and products that do
        not contain benzyl peroxide

Skin Care For Acne Prone Skin

I have oily skin, should I still be moisturizing?

 The answer is YES! Not only is it crucial for overall skin health and appearance, but it helps you to better tolerate acne medications and treatments. Often acne medications can cause dryness and irritation. This often leads to not using the medications as directed or not at all.

 At Florida Skin Center we have a variety of skin care products to meet every need and skin type. Below are some of our great products for Acne Prone Skin.

• SkinCeuticals Clarifying Cleanser: Great for oily or acne prone skin, unclogs pores, treats acne blemishes.
•  SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel: Great for oily or acne prone skin, decongests pores while smoothing and brightening skin.
•  SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Defense: Reduces acne causing bacteria, diminishes sebum production, decongests pores, and helps to reduce hyperpigmentation.
•  Skin Medica Purifying Toner: Targets and controls active acne breakouts, natural antiseptic to bacteria on the skin, helps shed dead skin cells, and reduces size of pores.
• Skin Medica TNS Recovery Complex: Great for patients with acne scarring, fine lines, and wrinkles. Strengthens skin ability to regenerate itself.
•  Skin Medica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer: Light, oil-free formula. Conditions and firms skin while reducing scarring, hyperpigmentation, and age spots.

 

For a complete list of our products, please visit the Products tab on the website.

 For more information on the importance of moisturizing visit:

http://www.aad.org/stories-and-news/news-releases/proper-skin-care-lays-the-foundation-for-successful-acne-and-rosacea-treatment-

How Does Sun Exposure and Sunburns Contribute to Skin Cancer?

Sun exposure is directly related to the risk of developing a skin cancer.
If a person had five or more sunburns in their life, or just one blistering sunburn, their risk for developing a Melanoma doubles.

 Sun exposure also contributes to developing non-melanoma skin cancers such as Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. These skin cancers are influenced by cumulative sun exposure over a person’s lifetime.

 How To Stay Sun Safe:  Do Not Burn

-          Try to avoid direct sunlight between 10AM-4PM

-          Use a UVA/UVB Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every 2 hours
-          Use clothing to cover up- Long sleeved shirt, Broad-brimmed hat, Sunglasses
-          Avoid tanning booths
-          Do self skin checks once a month
-          Have a professional skin exam yearly

 For more facts about Sunburns and Skin Cancer see the article below:

http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn/facts-about-sunburn-and-skin-cancer

Stretch Mark Help

Summer will soon be upon us and with that brings bathing suit season.  For those of us who suffer from stretch marks, this can be a stressful time.  What are stretch marks?  What causes them?  Is there anything you can do to get rid of them? 

Although the exact cause of stretch marks is unknown, stretch marks occur when the skin’s support structure of collagen and elastin breaks down and starts to rupture.  This can occur when the skin is stretched in a very short period of time such as pregnancy, a growth spurt, and rapid weight gain. There is also thought to be a genetic component to stretch marks which explains why not everyone gets them.  Unfortunately, if your mother or grandmother has stretch marks you could get them as well.

With so many creams and treatments out there that claim they can remove stretch marks, it is hard to know what works and what a gimmick is. Unfortunately, there is no single treatment out there that can get rid of stretch marks completely.  There are however, excellent treatments that help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and that help for the texture and tone of the skin around a stretch mark. We have done extensive research on products that work great for stretch marks. Below are two that we find work the best. 

For “new” stretch marks that are pink/red retinol products can be used to help exfoliate and stimulate new collagen production. We recommend the product Retinol 1.0 from our SkinMedica line.  The retinol will remove damaged cells and replace them with healthier cells more quickly. 

A great product for older stretch marks or areas on the body were the skin is loose is the Body Tightening Complex from Skinceuticals. . It helps to build collagen and amino acids which help stimulate hyaluronic acid to add volume to our skin which will naturally moisturize the area. Last, it contains proteins to help with firming and tightening the skin.  If you would like more information on these two products please give us call. 

 

Molluscum Contagiousum

What are these bumps?  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

   Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin condition caused by a poxvirus. The virus causes small bumps that are usually less than 5mm on the skin. The bumps are characteristically flesh-colored or pink with a pit in the center that is sometimes hard to see with the naked eye. These bumps can appear anywhere on the body and are usually asymptomatic, but in some cases can become red, itchy, and/or sore.

   Molluscum contagiousum are most common in warm, humid climates like Southwest Florida. Children ages 1-10 and people with low immune systems most commonly are infected.

   Once a person has the virus, they may continue to spread it to other areas of the body by touch. The Molluscum virus is contagious and is spread from person to person by contact with skin lesions. It can also be spread by sharing items with the virus on it. Common culprits are bedding, towels, and clothing.

   A person in no longer contagious once the bumps are treated and have resolved.

 To read more about Molluscum Contagiousum, go to:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/molluscum/faq/everyone.htm

 

Phytophotodermatitis

   After Being Out In The Sun, I Developed This Rash. What is it? When chemicals in certain plants and fruits come in contact with the skin and are subsequently exposed to sunlight, a sensitivity reaction occurs. This reaction results in a Phytophotodermatitis.  This dermatitis only affects the skin that has come in contact with the chemical.

    Common culprits causing Phytophotodermatitis are wild parsnip, wild dill, wild parsley, buttercups and citrus fruits, especially limes. The reaction that occurs can resemble a sunburn, or it may mimic eczema appearing red, itchy, and may also blister. The reaction often occurs in unusual but characteristic patterns. Handprints, fingerprints, streaks, and drips are often recognized from the introduction of the chemical. Areas affected by the Phytophotodermatitis may eventually turn to a brown discoloration that may last for months.

     Phytophotodermatitis is preventable.  If you think there is a possibility your skin has come in contact with a known plant or fruit chemical, carefully wash your skin in a timely manner. The known chemicals are easily washed away with soap and water.

 

To find out more about Phytophotodermatitis, go to:

http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sun-related-skin-condition-triggered-by-chemicals-in-certain-plants-fruits