Make A Great Impression

The holiday season is quickly approaching and in a blink of an eye the new year will be upon us.  And with the new year brings New Year resolutions. We all make them, resolutions to eat better, work out, make time for each other.  How many of us though make our skin health a top priority?  Our skin tells a story and  is often the first impression we give to others. Why not make a resolution this year to take care of your skin?  If you or your family has never had your skin checked now is a great time. Dr. Badia and her providers will examine your skin from head to toe for any suspicious lesions or moles. We often can provide same day biopsies if necessary for any spot that is suspicious for a cancer or precancerous lesion.  We also urge you to preform self skin check examinations to look for the ABCDs of moles.

1. Assymetry: one side of a mole or lesion doesn't look like the other
2. Borders:  if a mole or spot has jagged edges
3. Color: not only dark colors or any changing colors in a spot or mole
4. Diameter: if a mole or spot is large or has changed in size                     

We can also provide you with great skin care regimens that are affordable and acutally work as well as cosmetic treatments for those of us who not only want to be healthy, but want to look and feel better too.

Make a great impression this year and make a resolution to take care of you!

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Florida Skin Center

The Dreaded Mask of Pregnancy

The mask of pregnancy or melasma as it is known in the medical world is a very common problem we see in our female patients.  It can often be a very embarrassing problem for women to deal with. 

Although the exact cause of melasma is unknown, it is associated with changes in the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is especially common in pregnant women, women who are taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives) and women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause.

So what can we do about it? 

With so many treatments and creams on the market these days, it can be confusing to know what works and what doesn't.  At Florida Skin Center, we have a variety of treatment options to treat this difficult and often upsetting problem.  We have customized a treatment plan that combines the use of chemical peels, retinol, a bleaching prescription and most importantly sunscreen to treat this problem.  Each of these products works to penetrate into the skin to help exfoliate and diminish the discoloration caused by melasma while protecting our skin from UV rays. 

Chemical peels, sounds a bit scary?  Not really.  We have a trained aesthetician on staff with over 10 years of experience performing these procedures who will tailor the chemical peel to your individual needs. 

It’s time to stop hiding behind our mask!  

Ask us about our Melasma Treatment Package today.

Skin Protection is Important Even at the Nail Salon

 Living in Florida, we are constantly in the sun and reminded to wear our sunscreen when we are outdoors.  But what about using sunscreen before going to the nail salons for our routine manicure and pedicure?

Yes that’s right the nail salon.  The lights used in most nail salons and at home units are UV lights and emit UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate the skin deeper than UVB rays and cause our skin to age and wrinkle.  They also damage the skin cells in the epidermis which leads to skin cancers. 

You may think only a few minutes under the lights what harm can be done? However, weekly trips to the nail salons can add up to significant UV exposure over a lifetime. 

What can you do to protect your skin from UV exposure? Wear sunscreen prior to getting your nails done.  Wear finger less gloves and socks to protect the skin around your hands and feet.  Air dry, it may take longer, but significantly reduce your risk of getting skin cancer.

We have a great selection of sunscreens that are water resistant here at the office that our staff would be happy to give you information on. 

Back to School Means Back to You.

Summer is behind us.  The kids are back to school.  And you finally have a few hours to yourself. 

Why not take the time to pamper yourself.  A great way to look refreshed, and to hide those fine lines and wrinkles without surgery is by doing Botox Cosmetic and cosmetic fillers such as Restylane.  We like to think of them as the dynamic duo.  Botox Cosmetic helps to soften and relax the muscles and works great for those of us who are very expressive.  Restylane helps to fill and give volume to our facial features.  It works great for those stubborn parenthesis lines and for those of us who have lost volume in our cheeks as we age. Both treatments can be done the same day with little downtime.

We know what you are thinking.  These treatments must be expensive.  Call or check our website to find out our latest promotion for these treatments.  You don’t want to miss out.

We hope to see you soon.

FSC

Hair Loss

A quick goggle search for hair loss treatments will end in a multitude of solutions, creams, gadgets and home remedies.  It often leaves us the consumers lost as to what really works and what doesn’t.  We understand how devastating hair loss can be to most individuals.  At Florida Skin Center, we have done extensive research on products that help maintain and stabilize hair loss.  In addition to products, we are one of the only offices in the area to offer the revolutionary treatment for hair loss called Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments. PRP uses your own blood to regenerate hair growth and can be done with one office visit.  Almost sounds too good to believe right?  Well come see for yourself. 

We will be holding our annual PRP Workshop on Saturday Sept 8^th at Noon at the office.  For more details please give us a call or visit us at www.floridaskincenter.com

The 411 on Sunscreens’

Sunscreen, we know we need it, but how many of us have walked into the drugstore and have been bewildered by the different sunscreen brands and SPF options?  Pick an SPF 100 and I’m good to go right?  Not exactly.

The FDA has finally released some guidelines on sunscreens to help us understand what we need to look for when looking for a sunscreen.

Only sunscreens that protect against BOTH UVA rays and UVB rays can be labeled “broad spectrum.  UVA rays are the rays that cause us to age and wrinkle.  UVB rays are the sunrays that actually cause us to burn and can lead to sun damage.

Sunscreens with SPF of 15 or higher can say that they prevent sunburn, sun damage, and skin cancer on their labels. Sunscreens with SPF less than 15 will be required to carry a warning that they have not been shown to prevent skin cancer or aging. It is often tricky to know how much SPF is needed.  The key to any sunscreen no matter the SPF is to simply REAPPLY every 2 hours.  We at FSC recommend an SPF of 30.

Sunscreens will not be able to call themselves waterproof or sweat proof. Remember, no sunscreen can be completely water proof when in the water. They will be labeled instead as sweat/water-resistant. And will be required to indicate how long before the protect wares off.

We hope that clears up some of your questions.  We also carry some great sunscreens at the office.  At your next visit let us know and we can make some recommendations for you.  

Dermatology from the HEART

It’s that time of year again where we will be holding our annual Dermatology from the Heart Children’s Day Event.  Dr. Badia and her staff generously devote their time and expertise to help the children in need in our community. 

This year the event will be held on June 9^th at Florida Skin Center and starts at 9am.   Any child 18 and younger is eligible to be seen that day. In past years, we have been able to see over a 100 children in the community.  If you would like more information about this great event please visit our website at www.floridaskincenter.com

We look forward to this event every year and would love for you to be a part of it.

Make Your Mornings Hassle Free

Summer is just around the corner. Time to breakout the flip flops and our bathing suits and have some fun right? Well what about making the time to get your laser hair removal treatments making your mornings hassle free?


Laser hair removal is a non-invasive procedure used to permanently reduce unwanted hair.  Unlike many other hair removal methods, laser treatment, leaves your skin looking and feeling much smoother and softer.  There is minimal down time, and most people can immediately resume regular activities.  The laser affects hair follicles that are in the growth phase, therefore more than one treatment is necessary. The light energy from the laser penetrates the skin and gets absorbed by hair follicles without damaging the surrounding tissue. The heat generated in this process destroys the hair.


The other great news, we have lasers that work on all skin types with little to no risk of scarring.


Now is as god time as any to make your mornings hassle free.  Ask us about our great packages and promotions for our laser hair removal treatments.

Instant Wrinkle Smoother Treatment

Restylane is an injectable filler that contains hyaluronic acid.  It is used to smooth wrinkles in the skin with immediate results.  Almost any part of the face can be injected with Restylane.  The deep parenthesis lines around your mouth also known as the nasolabial folds, depressed acne scars, chin grooves, cheek hollows and the lips are some of the more common areas to be treated with Restylane.

Restylane treatments are quick and easy with relatively no pain.  A topical anesthetic is used prior to injections.  You can resume your normal activities immediately after treatment.  Some patients do get bruising which can be minimized by taking the supplement Arnica after the procedure.  Restylane treatments generally last around six months.   Please visit our website to see some great before and after pictures of our patients who have had these treatments.

It is time to Put Your Parentheses in Their Place!  

Be on the lookout for our Great Mother’s Day Special on Restylane.

FSC

Common Skin Problems in Children

Skin problems in children can be worrisome, but most often treatable. Below are the most common skin conditions seen in children.

Eczema is one of the most common skin problems in infants and young children.  Eczema skin can become red, inflamed and most of all itchy.  It is important to take appropriate measures to keep the skin hydrated and to use gentle products such as Cetaphil Cream and Soap. Often times, in moderate to severe cases of eczema prescription medications and antihistamines are needed to keep the condition stable.  Fortunately, it is a condition that most children will grow out of.

Keratosis Pilaris “KP” is another common skin condition that causes red raised bumps on the backs of the arms, thighs and often cheeks.  It is a genetic condition where the hair follicles get plugged. Most children will outgrow this condition but not all.  The appearance of the bumps can be improved with prescription creams.

Molluscum Contagiosum are part of the wart family. Generally, they look like white bumps which a divot in the center.  These growths are harmless, but are highly contagious and will spread if left untreated. Treatment includes liquid nitrogen therapy canthacur treatments and topical prescription medications.

Warts: are viral infections, where the skin reacts to form a firm, skin colored growth. Warts are contagious and can be transferred by direct contact with an infected person. Warts can occur anywhere on the body and affect all age groups but are very common in children. Here at FSC we offer a variety of treatments to get treat warts.

Perioral Dermatits is a skin condition that develops around the nose and mouth of children.  It appears as tiny red bumps and discoloration that resemble acne. The exact cause is unknown but it can easily be treated with prescription medications.

Every year, Dr. Badia and her staff hold their annual Dermatology from the Heart event where over 100 children are treated free of charge by Dr. Badia and her staff.  We will keep you posted as this event gets closer.

FSC

 

We Have Great News to Share.

You spoke and we have listened.   Dr. Badia and Florida Skin Center are glad to announce that we will be opening a second office in CAPE CORAL. We hope to open our doors to patients by the end of this year, hopefully sooner.  It is a very exciting project that we are all looking forward too.

If you are not familiar with our office here is a little background information.

Dr. Badia first opened Florida Skin Center in July 2001, just after completing her dermatology training in Albany, New York. Since then, she has developed the practice to be a full service facility, offering state of the art amenities to her patients. Dr. Badia is one of the only pediatric dermatologists in SW FL and therefore is well versed in treating patients of all ages, even newborns. 

Florida Skin Center offers the only narrow band UVB phototherapy treatment center in the area for psoriasis and eczema, full Mohs services, dermatopathology services, and a full complement of laser, cosmetic and aesthetic services.  


Working with Dr. Badia is Shirisha a certified physician assistant. Shirisha has been working alongside Dr. Badia for over seven years.  Dr. Badia also has three aestheticians (Shanah, Danielle, and Tanya) who specialize in facials, chemical peels and microneedling.

We will keep everyone posted on our progress at the new office. 

A great way to learn about updates at the office as well as current promotions and giveaways is to become a FAN of Florida Skin Center on Facebook.

WHAT IS A PA?

What is a Physician Assistant?

Certified physician assistants (PA-C) are medical providers trained formally in primary care and graduating from one of over 100 accredited academic programs in the United States.  Most Physician Assistant Programs last 24-27 continuous months and use the medical school model.  PA’s are trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative healthcare services as delegated by a physician.  Working as members of the healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine, and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests, make diagnoses and prescribe medications.

PA’S in Dermatology

Physician Assistants have been providing a wide variety of services in the dermatology field for over 30 years.  Building on their primary care training, most PA’s in dermatology are trained on the job by their supervising physician.  PA’s can treat many common dermatological conditions such as acne, eczema, and warts to name a few.  In addition, all PA’s have suture training and can perform biopsies and simple excisions.

Continuing Education

All states require PAs to pass the Physician Assistants National Certifying Examination.  Only those who have successfully completed this exam may work as a PA.  In order to remain certified, PAs must complete 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and pass a recertification exam every six years.


Benefits of seeing a Physician Assistant

 Often times, Physician assistants have schedules that are more flexible for patients.  This allows for patients to be seen sooner and most PAs offer appointments for patients to be seen the same day they call.  In addition to flexible schedules, physician assistants often have more time to spend with patients to answer any questions a patient may have regarding their diagnosis or treatment plan. 

PA's at Florida Skin Center
Currently, FSC has one physician assistant, Shirisha.  She has been working with Dr. Badia for over seven years.  Shirisha sees new patients as well as follow up patients.  She also does many of the surgical procedures at the office.  In addition, Shirisha does specialized treatments such as sclerotherapy, laser treatments, and PRP for hair loss.  
Shirisha looks forward to seeing you at your next visit.

Treatments for Improving the Appearance of Scars

A common question the providers at FSC often get from patients is how to improve a scar. This would be an easy answer if all scars were created equal, but as we know scars come in all shapes, colors and sizes.  Although there is science to prove that genetics do play a role in how we heal, many treatments are available to improve scars.

1.     SPF for Scars. Sun exposure is one of the leading causes of scar hyperpigmentation or darkening, which can become permanent. The best sunscreens for scars contain zinc oxide, which blocks UVA and UVB rays. We have some great sunscreens with zinc oxide available at FSC. And remember, the sun is strong enough to penetrate most clothing so you should still apply sunscreen even if your scar is covered.

2.     Laser Therapy. At FSC we offer laser therapy to patients for scars that are red or pink.  The laser helps take out the color in the scar and helps it to blend into the surrounding skin.  Most patients will need at least 3 treatments to see improvement in their scars.  Treatments are relatively painless and can be done in less than 10 minutes at any visit. 

3.     Steroid Injections.  Often scars can keloid or become bumpy and raised.  These types of scars can be injected with steroids to help decrease inflammation and make the scar flat.  Patients will generally see improvement in their scar within 3-5 days of having the injection done.  The number of treatments depends on the width and type of scar.

4.   OTC Products.  There are many products on the market that claim to reduce scarring.  The common ones used by our patients are Vitamin E and Mederma. All thought there is not significant data to prove these products do help all types of scars do they do hurt to try.

We hope to see you again soon.
FSC