Halloween Makeup Dos and Don'ts

It’s that time of year, when zombies, ghosts and witches will be making their way down the streets with bags full of treats.  But it’s more than stomach aches we have to worry about.  If we are not careful, the Halloween makeup we wear can wreak havoc on our skin

This Halloween Season you don’t have to suffer from itchy skin irritation days after Halloween.

Test out makeup on a small part of your skin (behind the ear) before applying it to your entire face to avoid any potential allergic reactions.

Look at the ingredients in your makeup.  Anything with emollient laxatives, talc or hydrocarbons can be toxic to the skin.  Also be wary of dyes such as those in fake blood.

Take off the makeup as soon as possible.  After a long night of walking around the neighborhood it may be tempting to just put the kids to bed, but not before having them cleanse their face and body with a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil.

We wish you all a safe and spooky Halloween.

Dermal Fillers: What You Need To Know

  With so many options out there for dermal fillers in the cosmetic industry, as a consumer it can be hard to know what is best. There are many products that differ in what they are made from, how they work  to improve fine lines and wrinkles, and the longevity of the results.
    Our providers have experience and have undergone training with the different types of dermal fillers. They have done significant research to determine which products offer the most optimal and natural results, while providing the best safety profile for our patients.
  At Florida Skin Center we chose to correct fine lines and wrinkles with Juvederm Ultra Plus, and Juvederm Voluma. These are dermal fillers made up of a natural substance the body produces known as Hyaluronic Acid. This substance works by filling the areas of volume loss, and helps to maintain fullness by attracting and binding water. Hyaluronic Acid has the capacity to bind water at 1000 times its volume. The results from these fillers are immediately seen. Results will last between 9-12 months for Juvederm Ultra Plus, and up to 2 years with the Juvederm Voluma.
   Other options on the market for dermal fillers include those made from collagen, Calcium Hydroxylapatite, and Poly –L Lactic Acid.  These fillers are more likely to have side effects such as allergic reaction, significant swelling and bruising, and granuloma formation or bumps under the skin. Also, the results from most of these products are not seen until weeks to months later since they help to stimulate collagen formation.

 Are you looking to improve your fine lines and wrinkles for a more rested and youthful look? Call today for an appointment with one of our experienced providers, and ask about our promotion on fillers.

Melanoma: Ugly Duckling Sign

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, is responsible for the death of one American every hour. Even more, it is estimated that one in 50 Americans will develop melanoma in their lifetime. Fortunately, the 5-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is treated and detected before it spreads to lymph nodes is 98%.

So how can we protect ourselves from developing melanoma? The most obvious answer is sun protection. Use an SPF of at least 30, and reapply every 2-3 hours when exposed to direct sunlight. Also, wearing wide-brimmed hats and UV protected clothing increases your protection.

Also, being aware of the ABCDEs of melanoma can help you catch the disease early on. Look for the following:

Asymmetry- One half looks different from the other
Border - The border is irregularly shaped
Color Variability - Different shades of brown, black, gray, red and white
Diameter > 6 mm
Evolving - The lesion is changing in size, shape or shade of color


*Picture by medcomic.com

This Week is PA Week : Meet Our PAs

This week is PA week and is dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating Physician Assistants  and the amazing work they do every day.

A physician assistant (or PA) is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. PAs practice medicine on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers. They practice and prescribe medication in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the majority of the U.S. territories and the uniformed services.

At Florida Skin Center we have 3 certified Physician Assistants that see and treat patients on a daily basis.

   Shirisha Vallarapu is a Board Certified Physician Assistant with over 10 years of health care experience. She has been awarded Diplomate    status from the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (DSDPA).                                                                                                                       Shirisha graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S in Microbiology. She then attended Nova Southeastern University where she received a Masters in Medical Science and a B.S. in Physician Assistant Studies.At Florida Skin Center, Shirisha sees patients for routine skin checks and problem visits. She also does the majority of the surgical procedures at the office including routine biopsies and excisions, as well as, specialized procedures such as sclerotherapy.  She has extensive training in laser procedures including hair removal, tattoo removal and vascular treatments. Shirisha also has experience with dermal fillers and Botox Cosmetic. Shirisha frequently gives lectures locally to fellow colleagues as well as lectures on the importance of skin health throughout the community.  Shirisha enjoys spending time with patients and is always trying to further her dermatology knowledge by attending conferences and workshops.

   Brooke Drew is a Board Certified Physician Assistant who is a member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistant (SDPA) and Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. She has been awarded Diplomate status from the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (DSDPA)
   Brooke graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science. She received her Physician Assistant training from Nova Southeastern University. She received a Masters in Medical Science and graduated with High Honors.
   Brooke has experience in Dermatology research, and bringing new generic medications to market. At Florida SkinCenter, she performs routine skin checks and also see’s patients for problem visits. Brooke performs biopsies, excisions, and cryotherapy. She also performs cosmetic procedures such as laser, Botox and dermal fillers. 

Yamile Solis is a Board Certified Physician Assistant who holds several professional memberships. She is a fellow of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, Florida Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, Florida Society of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
   Yamile graduated from the University of Miami in Miami, Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then received a Master of Clinical Medical Science (MCMSc) from Barry University’s Physician Assistant Program in Miami Shores, Florida where she completed an externship in Dermatology.
   Yamile focuses on prevention, wellness and patient education, while making individualized care a priority. At Florida Skin Center, she performs routine skin checks and sees problem visits. Yamile also performs biopsies, excisions, cryotherapy and laser procedures. She is bilingual in Spanish and enjoys yoga, traveling and dancing.