Skinmatters Blog (All Posts)

Instead of waking up in the morning “feeling like P. Diddy” like Ke$ha, you wake up feeling like a freshly boiled lobster. The displeasure of having a sunburn can put a damper on your vacation. To prevent that from happening, here are some tips.

Spring Break is just around the corner – sunshine, here we come! Just know that the incidence of melanoma, which has nearly doubled in the last decade, is increasing at a rate faster than any other cancer. While most people take several measures to decrease the chance of getting skin cancer, some of these measures are ineffective. The following are common misconceptions of how to "prep" your skin for Spring Break.

March is spring break season for college students across the country.

This is a time for students to relax and recharge for the final stretch of the school year. Often, this is also the first sun exposure many students have had in months, and, like it or not, most young adults will be looking to get tan quickly – even if it means suffering through a painful burn – without too much thought of the long-term risks of prolonged sun exposure.

Before you head out to that sandy beach you may hit the gym or go on a diet to get your body bathing-suit ready. You may even consider going to a tanning salon to get a “base tan” before hitting the beach – this is NOT a good idea according to dermatologists!

While you are having fun in the sun, don’t forget to protect your skin. Overexposure to sun is one of the leading causes of skin cancer. Make sure you keep that in mind while you are laying out by the side of the pool while sipping on your piña colada.

In this two-part series we continue to cover various prescribed methods for evening out skin tones. Part 1 looked at hydroquinone and mequinol. Part 2 covers azelaic acid, corticosteroids, and more.

Azelaic Acid: Treat both acne and pigmentation disorders
This medication works wonders for acne, destroying acne-causing bacteria before they have the chance to cause outbreaks. An additional benefit is that it is a very effective treatment for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, much of which is caused by acne outbreaks. So it works on two levels – improves acne and some of the pigmentation disorders that appear with it.

In this two-part series we continue to cover various prescribed methods for evening out skin tones. Part 1 looked at hydroquinone and mequinol. Part 2 covers azelaic acid, corticosteroids, and more.

In my practice, one of the most common concerns among people of color is uneven skin tone due to hyperpigmentation, or irregular darkening of the skin. Over the past few months, I’ve written a number of posts about hyperpigmentation concerns – including irregular patches, spots and scars – and which conditions warrant a consultation with a dermatologist. 

Q: What’s the best way to get rid of blackheads? I have this blackhead-popping thing that looks like a syringe and would like to know if these are safe to use.

A: Blackheads, or comedones in medical terms, are “clogged pores.” Dead skin cells and dried secretions from the skin’s oil (sebum) glands can produce plugs in the hair follicles (commonly known as pores).

Q: What’s the difference between a lotion, a cream, and a gel? Which will clog my pores the least?

A: The consistency of the products is the biggest difference.

You can never go wrong by giving a woman chocolate for Valentine’s Day (unless she’s allergic or has a strong dislike, of course). And in addition to making your partner happy, recent evidence shows certain chocolate is actually good for you.