WestDerm

First things first: there are two types of sunburns, both caused by UV Rays, and the deeper the burn, the more severe the damage.

First-degree burns: reddens the skin and feels painful, but only affects the outer layer of skin.

Second-degree burns: turn bright red and produce blisters, causing harm to the nerves and the deeper layer of skin.

✔️For people between the ages of 15 and 20: 1-4 sunburns increase Melanoma risk by about 60%

✔️ 5+ sunburns increase melanoma risk by 80%

To schedule a skin check, click HERE

If you’ve ever had a sunburn, you know they’re sensitive and painful unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage, and over time, they increase your odds of skin cancer. For Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we’re helping you recognize the types of sunburns, understand the risks, and stop them before they start.

Types of sunburns:

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70 and is the MOST COMMON cancer in the United States. Research even suggests that regular sunscreen can in fact reduce melanoma risk.

Avoiding a sunburn is EASY AS wearing protective clothingand slathering on sunscreen.(Don’t forget, our favorite sunscreen brands are 20% off this month!)If you’re concerned about your sun sensitivity or you have any questionsabout skin damage, just make an appointment.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and we have a favorite way to honor the occasion…GETTING SKIN CHECKS!

As a company, we’ve encouraged every single one of our doctors and staff to get their skin checked, and now we’re asking you to take the same painless step to protect your skin.

DID YOU KNOW? A 15-minute skin check could save your life. Early detection leads to prevention.

Lower your risk and wear sunscreen every day. We’re offering our recommended brands at 20% OFF!

Getting a skin spot checked is easy and painless, but some patients have to endure a little discomfort if their spot looks suspicious. That’s because, to check for skin cancer, our dermatologists have typically had to cut away a small skin sample, which makes some patients anxious. Thanks to a new technology, all that’s changing. We’re proud to use the new Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA) test, which takes just minutes and doesn’t require any cutting of the skin.

The test takes skin cell samples with four adhesive patches, each one roughly the size of a quarter, which then go to a lab. The PLA rules out melanoma with 99% accuracy, and better yet, makes a lot of formerly routine surgeries unnecessary.

Best of all, it could lead to improved long-terms outcomes for melanoma sufferers. Using the PLA means that dermatologists can direct more time and resources toward patients with malignant growths, and the PLA removes a psychological barrier to getting tested in the first place. Early-stage melanoma is far more treatable than late-stage, so the decision to get tested early could save a life.

“The DermTech Adhesive Skin technology really has been a game-changer in my clinical dermatology practice,”says Dr. Stacey Tompkins in our La Jolla office.”I now can offer my patients the latest, cutting-edge tests to help determine if a mole is at risk for being or turning into a malignant melanoma. With four simple tape applications to the mole, the DermTech assay can tell us if a pigmented lesion is at low, moderate or high risk for being malignant by looking at certain high risk genetic markers. There is no cutting of the skin involved. This is such a tremendous boon for patients, as we can now assess a pigmented growth without having to cut the patient to obtain tissue. Many of my patients have been biopsied traditionally so many times, they are thrilled now to have this option.”

With the PLA, getting precise, cell-level data is as easy as a DNA ancestry kit, but in our case, we’re getting information to protect patients’ lives.

Dr. Brook Brouha recently had a young female patient with a mildly suspicious lesion on the back of her neck.”Given the age of the patient I’m not sure I would have done an invasive biopsy on this lesion. Since I have the non-invasive PLA test in my office, I chose to do that first. The test came back highly suggestive of Melanoma… Having the PLA gave me an additional option to obtain objective information to guide my clinical treatment decision!”

If you think you might be a candidate for the test, or if you have a child or needle-phobic person in the family, just make an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists. We’ll get you answers as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Your skin probably doesn’t look the same as it did 15 years ago. (If it does, please share your secrets!) Both your DNA and external factors, like UV exposure, diet, exercise and your favorite sleeping position, determine how you age. As the years pass, the skin tends to get looser, dryer, and less even-looking for everyone.

 

Now for the good news you can keep up a youthful look with smart daily choices and non-invasive procedures. Keep scrolling to read about some of the most common signs of aging and how you can turn them around.

Sun Exposure: ☀️

THE CAUSE: Daily sun exposure

THE RESULT: UV rays break down collagen and elastin, which form the flexible tissue under the skin’s surface. When that connective tissue breaks down, the skin gets weaker and less elastic, and that’s a recipe for sagging and wrinkles. Making matters worse, UV rays also damage skin at a DNA level which can leave dark spots and cause the development of skin cancer.

THE FIX:  Sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ limits your UV exposure and prevents sun damage before it starts. We sell dermatologist-recommended brands in all our offices! If you’re already seeing sun damage, chemical peels  or a variety of lasers including IPL photofacials can help reverse it with minimal downtime.

Facial Expressions: 😑

THE CAUSE: Repetitive facial expressions and your chosen sleeping position

THE RESULT: As the skin ages, it naturally grows less flexible. When it folds or creases maybe because you’re smiling, frowning, or resting against a pillow it eventually stops snapping back as easily. Over time, those folds and creases become permanent.

THE FIX: Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, or the new Jeuveau relaxes facial muscles, keeping them from bunching skin together and creating creases. That relaxed appearance smooths existing wrinkles and helps prevent new ones from forming.

Loss of Collagen: 🌊

THE CAUSE:  Natural loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid

THE RESULT:  When your skin ages, it holds less of these substances, resulting in a drier texture and a thinned out look.

THE FIX: Dermal fillers like Restylane or Juvederm family or Belotero can re-infuse the skin with hyaluronic acid, which leads to a firmer and smoother appearance.

Want to get closer to the fountain of youth? If you’re searching for the best anti-aging strategy for you, we’re here to help. Make an appointment and we’ll keep your skin looking its best for years to come. 

The West Dermatology Team

Is it a rash? A bad breakout? Or are you developing a persistent skin problem that is affecting your health, comfort and self-confidence? Chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, acne and eczema can be painful and debilitating. While a general practitioner may be able to diagnose your skin problem, only the expertise and experience of a dermatologist can diagnose, comprehensively relieve symptoms, treat the specific skin condition and provide overall care for the body’s largest organ.

However, it can be stressful trying to find the right dermatologist. Here are tips on selecting the right dermatologist –so you get the healthcare you need, and the medical attention you deserve.

Ask your primary care doctor for a list of dermatologists to help narrow down your options. Also ask family, friends and other healthcare practitioners for recommendations. Once you’ve come up with a list, call each dermatologist’s office. Schedule a consult appointment so you can meet and interview the dermatologist.

Be proactive and take time to read the bios or profiles of dermatologists. Bios present overviews of their education, memberships and achievements –all relevant information for a potential patient like you. As for credentials, board certification is a key factor to consider. As well as whether the practice accepts your medical insurance.

Also take time to research the practice as a whole. Read patient satisfaction surveys which ask people about their experiences when it comes to scheduling appointments, staff friendliness and waiting time. Reviews on Google can be helpful too. All these testimonials from past and current patients could help you decide whether to move forward with a dermatologist or not.

You should be able to comfortably hold a conversation with your dermatologist. Carefully observe how a doctor responds to your questions.

A good dermatologist should show interest in getting to know you, while respecting your decisions. And keep in mind that being able to employ an effective communication style could help lead to faster recovery.

When you live in a big city, location is key. If you’re searching for a medical dermatologist in San Diego for instance, you’ll need to find a clinic that is easily accessible to you without a lot of travel time. Additionally, don’t underestimate the importance of having available parking at your dermatologist’s office. Luckily, West Dermatology has 3 locations in San Diego: Hillcrest, La Jolla/UTC, and Encinitas.

Chronic skin conditions make up 31% of all dermatology visits annually. Whether you have a serious skin condition or perhaps, you’ve found an irregularity after doing a skin self-check, choosing a dermatologist is a crucial, as well as personal decision. We hope these tips help you make an informed decision on finding the right practitioner.

Taking care of your skin condition begins with a visit to the dermatologist. Contact West Dermatology Hillcrest today for more information and to discuss which treatment option is the best for you. Our board-certified dermatologists each have years of experience treating skin conditions and work diligently to find each patient the relief s/he deserves.