Tips of the Week

Once you've prioritized what's bothering you about your skin or your face, neck, or chest, then read about those areas and possible solutions on SkinTour.

Guide to Cosmetic Areas

Anti-Aging... more

Many women feel that they don't know where to start or how to prioritize aging issues. Here are some ways to get started.

Take a white sheet of paper (letter sized) and hold it first over... more

Many of us are making New Year's resolutions at this time of year. Some of the ones I hear commonly are - get more exercise, eat better, lose weight, take more time for myself, do more for... more

So by now you're thinking, what does this have to do with skin??? But it does, because stress and worry show up everywhere in our bodies. Many of us have had losses this year, different... more

Some different ideas for friends and family who are dedicated to good skin:

• What about hats ($20-200)? There are some great ones now and they do a lot to protect skin from UV light.
• Packs

But just in case all the best plans failed, you did overdo it, and are now paying the price through your skin. Here's what to do if your skin is looking pasty, too red, or breaking out.... more

With all the usual holiday events and parties, I've found most of my patients really want to look their best. So why does this time of year seem so prone to breakouts and problems? Here are... more

This filler is relatively new to the U.S. market. It is a so-called permanent filler made from polymethylmethacrylate, which are basically tiny, plastic "microspheres" (kind of like tiny... more

Here's the problem with SPF in foundation.  If you read the ingredients, other than mineral makeups, they don't contain UVA blockers.  You absolutely need both UVA and UVB protection every... more

Ladies, ladies, ladies, will we never learn to be wary of marketing?    I would love it (as would you) if we could just put on our makeup and get a great anti-aging product as well.  

But... more

  Other tricks to avoiding filler problems?

1. Always pick a good doctor. This seems obvious but many people don't. See my directory of good cosmetic dermatologists, and ask your friends... more

  What filler complications should you watch out for? First, any time there is a needle in your skin, a bruise is possible. Bruise prevention! There are multiple ways to avoid them. Some... more

 What about other fillers like Radiesse? Radiesse is a different substance altogether from hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane. It's a calcium hydoxylapetite filler, which... more

I've been realizing from all the blog questions I get, that there's still a lot of confusion about fillers - what they do best and which ones are safe. Please remember: I perform many... more

 This is the last of three parts on causes, natural remedies, and prescription fixes!

There are prescriptions your dermatologist can give you that will help. Loprox shampoo and cream (for... more

 This is the second of three parts on causes, natural remedies, and prescription fixes!

Since seb derm is caused by a yeast (not candida) overgrowth, there are several dietary changes you... more

 This is the first of three parts on causes, natural remedies, and prescription fixes!

So what causes this extremely common problem? Many people call this "dry" scalp, and so do hair... more

 They're not pretty, are they?? Hopefully no painful fissures though.

Here's a great way to fix them. It's called Carmol! It has a natural substance in it called urea. You can get a Carmol... more

 Hormones really affect melasma. If you take estrogen or use a birth control pill, please be extra careful about not burning or tanning. If you notice brown blotches starting, see your... more

 Okay so I know I'm a nag, but if you really want to prevent brown spots and blotches you must use a UVA blocking sunscreen that contains at least 10% zinc or titanium or 3% Mexoryl.

I even... more

 First, you have to understand them! What kind of brown spots do you have?

Are they lentigoes (flat and light to medium dark brown) and caused by sun damage? Are they seborrheic keratoses... more

 Okay...... so you just forgot, or got caught out longer than you meant to. Or, in the case of my 15-year old son, maybe you missed a big spot. Now what?

Can you help a sunburn to heal... more

 Also helpful in your summer medical kit is over-the-counter Benadryl tablets or liquid. Benadryl about an hour before bed can lessen the scratching, particularly at night. Insect bites get... more

 Summer insect bites can vary from just annoying to vacation ruining. Over the counter hydrocortisone 1% applied 3-4 times daily for 2-3 days is often enough.

A small percentage of us are... more

Summer vacations remind me how vulnerable our lips are to sun and wind.

Lips have even less natural protection from the sun than the rest of our skin. That's one reason why the area on and... more

 If you're not already using Latisse, it's a good time to think about it. Once it really takes effect, which takes about a month, you may not even feel like you need mascara.

A good... more

 Many patients think that summer might be a good time to start laser hair removal. This is generally NOT a good idea.

Any tan at all, even ones that are sometimes imperceptible, alter the... more

 The best control you've ever had in a liquid! This small pen fits anywhere and delivers the perfect tiny amount of liner that you can keep small or build into something dramatic. It stays... more

 Many patients with rosacea forget that hot weather can make their rosacea flare up.

Try to stay cool if you can. It's not hard if you live in cool Seattle in June!  But for those of you in... more

When you're travelling, it's NOT a good time to try new medications, new supplements, or new creams for you or your family. Vacations can be ruined by a family member with a serious... more

I'm getting a lot of questions about this relatively new class of laser. For good reason too, because the right fractionated CO2 system coupled with an experienced dermatologist can be... more

 Studies have shown that wounds heal faster and with less scarring if kept covered. Kids won't always keep them on, but you can try. One of my sons still has some very small scars on his... more

 When planning for a summer vacation, here is something really important to take with you to prevent skin problems that can land you in the ER.

Have your doctor prescribe for you a small... more

 I reminded everyone last week that we are only 2 months from the summer solstice (peak UVA season).  UVA really activates melasma.

Now is the time to step up your Triluma, or other... more