Acne is a very common condition among teenagers and adults. Acne is individualized to each patient and can involve different types of lesions (blackheads, cyst-like, pimples and whiteheads), can affect various body parts (face, neck, chest, shoulders and back) and resolve in different ways (scars, redness and darker skin). Understanding the causes of acne or what triggers the condition is helpful in managing the symptoms and knowing how to properly treat it. 

Acne is caused when tiny holes in the skin, known as hair follicles, become blocked. Sebaceous glands are tiny glands found near the surface of your skin. The glands are attached to hair follicles, which are small holes in your skin that an individual hair grows out of. Sebaceous glands lubricate the hair and the skin to stop it drying out. They do this by producing an oily substance called sebum.

In acne, the glands begin to produce too much sebum. The excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and both substances form a plug in the follicle. If the plugged follicle is close to the surface of the skin, it bulges outwards, creating a whitehead. Alternatively, the plugged follicle can be open to the skin, creating a blackhead. Normally harmless bacteria that live on the skin can then contaminate and infect the plugged follicles, causing papules, pustules, nodules or cysts.

There are triggers that can encourage acne. These include:

Testosterone – Teenage acne is thought to be triggered by increased levels of the hormone testosterone, which occurs during puberty. This hormone plays an important role in stimulating the growth and development of the penis and testicles in boys and maintaining muscle and bone strength in girls.

The sebaceous glands are particularly sensitive to hormones. It’s thought that increased levels of testosterone cause the glands to produce much more sebum than the skin needs.

Acne in Women – More than 80% of cases of adult acne occur in women. It’s thought that many cases of adult acne are caused by the changes in hormone levels that many women have at certain times.

These times include:

• Periods – Some women experience a flare-up of acne just before their menstrual cycle.
• Pregnancy – Many women have symptoms of acne during pregnancy, usually during the first three months of their pregnancy. 
• PCOS – Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition that can cause acne, weight gain and the formation of small cysts inside the ovary. 

Understanding what causes acne or what is triggering the condition is the first step to managing and treating it. Each acne patient in Phoenix is unique and Dr. Holy can offer you a customized treatment plan to control your acne. Contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology today at 602-867-7546 or website to schedule an appointment.

Did you know that skin cancer effects 1 in 5 Americans? Melanomas can develop anywhere on the skin, but they are more likely to start on the trunk (chest and back) in men and on the legs in women. The neck and face are other common sites. Melanoma most often arises on normal skin, but may also occasionally occur in conjunction with a benign nevus (beauty mark or birthmark). Because melanoma is common, it is vitally important to regularly check for potential melanoma lesions. Checking your skin for melanoma is as easy as remembering the first five letters of the alphabet:

Asymmetry – Melanoma lesions are often irregular, not symmetrical, in shape. A non-cancerous mole is typically symmetrical in shape. If you were to draw a line through the middle of a mole, the two halves should roughly match. 

Border – Typically, a non-cancerous skin spot will have smooth, even borders. Melanoma spots usually have irregular borders that are difficult to define. 

Color – A non-cancerous mole is commonly a single shade of brown or tan. If there is a presence of more than one color, or an uneven distribution of color, this can be a warning sign of melanoma. Melanoma can occur in a variety of colors including brown, black, red, blue or purple. These spots can be flat or raised and can bleed easily. Non-melanoma skin cancer, also known as basal and squamous cell carcinoma, typically appear as small, pearly or pale bumps or as dark red patches that can be raised, flat or scaly in texture.

Diameter – Non-cancerous lesions are typically smaller than malignant ones. If the diameter is greater than a pencil eraser, it may be a sign that it is growing or changing. Larger spots that have been stable for an extended period of time are not typically cause for concern; though continued observation is recommended.

Evolving – The evolution of a skin lesion is the most crucial factor to consider when performing a self-skin check. This is why regular self-checks at home are so important. If you know what is normal, you will easily be able to tell if it has grown or evolved overtime.

Melanoma is one of the most common of all cancers. The good news is that skin cancer is highly curable when diagnosed and treated early by a skilled dermatologist. Knowing the signs of melanoma can help you notice when a spot on your skin is a cause for concern. The ABCDEs of melanoma is an easy way to remember what to watch for. 

When it comes to spots on the skin, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you have a suspicious skin lesion, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology today at 602-867-7546 or website to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Holy.

Skin care is very important and often overlooked. If practiced properly, skin care practices can keep you looking your best and reduce the amount of anti-aging treatments or products needed.

In Phoenix, Dr. Holy recommends a proactive approach to skin care. Let’s take a closer look at some skin care tips that will help maintain your skin in a healthy and young-looking state.

Exfoliate – Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin cells and that extra dirt and grime. Your body sheds skin cells at an amazing rate every minute of every day. If you don’t get rid of them, they’ll just set in on your skin making you look dull and dry. From face scrubs, body scrubs, and even sponges, finding an exfoliator that works on your skin is a vital tool to add to your skin care routine this summer.

Sunscreen – Sunscreen can help protect you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection (protecting against UVA and UVB rays), SPF 30 or higher, and water resistant. Re-apply it every 1-2 hours that you are in the sun to ensure a summer full of safe sun fun. 

Hydrate – It is especially important to drink enough water when outside on these warm, summer months because our bodies tend to lose more water than average on hot days. It is common practice to have a drink of water every 15 minutes when activity levels are high because of excessive sweat and water loss. Over the summer be sure to stay hydrated while maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.  

Moisturize – It’s time to pack away your thick winter body butters for lighter summery lotions. Dry skin can get even drier in the summer. Make sure you apply right after you dry off from your shower so that you seal in the moisture your body just soaked in.

Avoid Harsh Soap – Deodorant and antibacterial soaps can be especially harsh on your skin, compromising your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Instead, opt for mild, fragrance-free cleansers.

Limit Sun Exposure – Dealing properly with sun exposure helps prevent many skin aging problems ranging from wrinkles to skin cancer.

The skin you have now is the only skin you’ll ever get. Keeping it at its best starts with how you treat it every day. With proper skin care to pamper skin from the outside and with a good diet to nourish from within, healthy skin is achievable with simple steps. Should you ever notice any problems, get medical attention to resolve them quickly and avoid putting your skin at risk. If you have concerns about aging skin or would like more information about aging skin prevention, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website.

Microneedling is a popular, minimally invasive treatment that stimulates the natural production of collagen and is shown to be effective in improving various issues of the skin. The treatment can be used safely on all skin types and requires little to no recovery time.

Microneedling can help improve the following:

• Lift and tighten your skin
• Balance skin tone
• Reduce the appearance of acne or other scars
• Minimize fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduce pore size
• Improve the appearance of stretch marks

How Does Microneedling Work?

A microneedling tool is used to create microscopic pricks on the problematic area of the skin. The tiny needles on the tool make invisible perforations in the epidermis and the top layer of the dermis. These tiny pricks cause your body to recognize an “injury” which causes it to start to heal itself. Collagen and elastin are rushed to the area, where they then rejuvenate the skin. This repair process begins almost immediately and results in a thicker dermis and softened wrinkles or scars. 

There is no tissue destruction with microneedling. The small channels in the epidermis close very quickly and the skin begins a healing response right away. 

Microneedling Results

Results from microneedling can usually be noticed within a week of treatment. You should see some improvement in skin texture during this timeframe however it may take several treatments to see significant results. For deeper, more serious scars or lines results may not be noticeable until 3-6 months following a series of microneedling treatments. 

After the Treatment

Following treatment in Phoenix, you’ll likely look as if you have a sunburn. This may last for just a few hours to up to a week depending on treatment depth. For the best results, you’ll need more than one treatment to continually build collagen and elastin.

If you’re interested in microneedling or other skin treatments, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy.

As we age, collagen production in our skin slows and existing collagen begins to break down, causing the skin to show facial lines and wrinkles. Injectable wrinkle fillers can give facial skin a plumper, smoother appearance and can give you a more youthful look for a fraction of the cost of a traditional facelift. Most will fill lines and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes with results that can last from a few months to more than a year.

Today we have a wide range of safe, effective wrinkle fillers to choose from:

• Collagen injections replenish the skin’s natural collagen. By supplementing your skin’s own collagen, these wrinkle injections help smooth facial lines and some types of scars. 
• Calcium hydroxylapatite is a semi-permanent wrinkle filler that’s suspended in a watery gel and used to increase soft tissue. This is a collagen stimulator to improve the surface texture of your skin as well as stimulate your own collagen to enable the product to last longer. 

• Hyaluronic acid is a substance normally made by the body that gives your skin its volume and fullness. Hyaluronic acid injections fill the space between collagen and elastin fibers within the skin, which replenishes the natural volume lost with aging.
• Poly-L-lactic acid is an injectable filler used to replace lost facial fat. This synthetic polymer has been used for many years in dissolvable stitches. This product stimulates the body’s own collagen for better skin texture and a longer lasting result.
• Natural body fat from your own thighs or abdomen can be also be used as a wrinkle filler. There’s no risk of allergic reaction, and most people achieve semi-permanent results. Several injections may be required to get the most benefit.

Although wrinkle fillers are a minimally invasive treatment, some pain, swelling, and bruising can result from the injections.  

If you are considering fillers for wrinkles in Phoenix, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology today at 602-867-7546 or website to schedule an appointment. Dr. Holy can help you choose the right filler to help you achieve younger looking skin.

Microneedling is a popular, minimally invasive anti-aging skin treatment that stimulates the collagen in your skin, helping it to heal and reverse the signs of aging. Microneedling is not an injection and although it uses needles, it does not pierce or puncture the skin. 

Microneedling benefits your skin in many ways, causing it to appear more vibrant, brighter, younger, and you will start to see wrinkles disappear and your appearance improve. In addition to stimulating the skin, microneedling can also be used to reduce the appearance of scars. It can help heal sunspots and sun-damaged skin. The following issues can all be improved by the micro needling procedure:

• Fine Lines and Wrinkles
• Premature Skin Aging
• Scars
• Stretch Marks
• Hyperpigmentation
• Age Spots
• Rosacea
• Acne
• Large Pores
• Hair Loss

The process of microneedling stimulates anti-aging elements by speeding up and increasing collagen production. The number of treatments and the medicines used vary from patient to patient and condition to condition. Results are generally noticed within a month of beginning the procedure. Micro needling patients will benefit with firmer skin, fewer wrinkles, lighter folds, better texture of skin, smaller pores and improved appearance of stretch marks and scars. Additional benefits of skin needling are that there is no recovery time, no damage to your skin and it is a painless procedure. 

It is important that microneedling only be administered by a dermatologist, nurse or licensed aesthetician or a skilled professional trained in the technique. If you have been looking for an easy, painless anti-aging solution, then consider microneedling in Phoenix. Contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website for more information. 

Botox is a nonsurgical treatment designed to reduce the fine lines and wrinkles that appear on the face over time. Also known as Botulinum Toxin Type A, Botox is a muscle paralyzing neurotoxin. When injected into a predetermined area, the product will temporarily relax the muscle and smooth facial creases.

The most common areas of the face to get Botox are between the eyebrows (to treat frown lines), at the corner of the eyes (to correct crow’s feet), forehead creases and wrinkles around the lips. 

Administered through tiny injections directly into the targeted muscle area, Botox injections takes less than 30 minutes in the office. Prior to a treatment in Phoenix, Dr. Holy will determine if you are a suitable candidate for Botox, which areas of the face will be targeted, and how much will be needed. Virtually painless, Botox injections do not require an anesthetic. Patients normally report a slight pinch during each injection.

No downtime is required after Botox; patients can return to their usual activities immediately after a treatment. Minor bruising may occur at the injection site, although this will quickly resolve. The results from a Botox treatment can first be noticed in 5 to 7 days. The full benefits from a treatment will appear in approximately 2 weeks. Results last between 3 to 4 months; after which time, patients will need a repeat treatment to maintain results.

Botox treatments are beneficial for men and women of any age and safe for all ethnicities and skin types. People frustrated by the early signs of aging due to facial lines and wrinkles, can find that cosmetic Botox injections provide excellent results.  

Botox can be performed alone or in conjunction with other aesthetic treatments to achieve optimal results. To learn more about products and services available in Phoenix to further improve the look of your skin, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website.

SilkPeel is one of the most advanced and dynamic skin treatments available today. SilkPeel features a revolutionary new form of exfoliation known as Dermalinfusion. SilkPeel is an advanced type of microdermabrasion, with the drying effect of traditional aluminum-based crystals and the hydrating effect of liquid solution delivery. 

Standard microdermabrasion uses crystals to “sand blast” the skin. SilkPeel gently removes rough surface cells with a diamond tip wand. At the same time, debris is suctioned from the skin and pores while a soothing infusion of special-action serum is pressure-assisted into the skin.  The name SilkPeel aptly fits the procedure since your skin will feel silky when the procedure is complete.

SilkPeel moisturizes dry and flaky skin and clarifies oily or acne-prone skin, providing a brightening boost and balance to discolored and imbalanced skin. Simultaneously providing exfoliation and the Dermalinfusion topical delivery technology, SilkPeel goes beyond the effects of traditional microdermabrasion. And because it is non-invasive, patients can immediately return to work and other daily activities immediately following their procedure.

What problems will a Silkpeel improve?

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Sun damage 
• Rough skin
• Superficial scars
• Uneven skin tones
• Acne and acne scarring
• Dry dehydrated skin

Immediately after treatment, most patients notice a 70% improvement in skin volume and luminosity. SilkPeel also has the added benefit of stimulating collagen production within the skin. This means that the results can continue to improve even after the initial results.

More than one treatment may be recommended to achieve maximum improvement in your skin condition. The number of sessions will be based on the type of skin issues you are experiencing and how your skin responds to treatment.

The SilkPeel technology offers a personalized approach, resulting in fresh feeling and incredible looking skin. This procedure is painless and safe, and desired results are achieved quickly without discomfort or the potential complications of more invasive treatments. To schedule your SilkPeel skin treatment in Phoenix, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website. Dr. Holy will tailor a procedure to meet the specific needs of your individual skin.

Struggling to get rid of isolated fat pockets no matter how hard you exercise? Sometimes a well-balanced diet and regular exercise are not enough to get rid of problem areas with stubborn fat like love handles or a belly pooch. Fortunately, there are many body contouring treatments, both surgical and non-surgical, that can safely and effectively remove stubborn body fat. TruSculpt is a non-invasive body contouring system that uses deep penetrating radio frequencies to heat the skin and break down fat cells with no downtime at all. In addition to reducing fat, TruSculpt treatments can help improve skin tone and can also improve the appearance of cellulite. Patients who receive TruSculpt experience an average of 24% fat reduction in the treated areas. 

One advantage of TruSculpt is that it can be used anywhere on the body where there is fat. TruSculpt is commonly used to treat the abdomen, love handles, inner and outer thighs, knees, arms, back, buttocks and double chin. 

Another advantage of TruSculpt is that the procedure is simple and comfortable. It requires no anesthetic before and no downtime afterward. During a TruSculpt treatment in Phoenix, a handheld tool that emits radiofrequency energy is placed over the targeted area. The pulses of energy cause fat cells to heat up and shrink, promoting skin contraction for a slimming and smoothing effect. Each TruSculpt treatment lasts about 1 hour. Immediately following your treatment you are free to resume normal activities. 

Most patients begin to see results from TruSculpt in about 4 weeks, with the final results appearing about 12 weeks after their treatment. To see significant improvements, one to two sessions are usually needed, but more treatments can be performed if necessary.

To learn more about TruSculpt or to schedule an appointment, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website.

Getting a little sunshine is important for helping our bodies generate Vitamin D, an important supplement for a healthy body. Like anything, though, too much sun can cause health issues, from sunburns to skin cancer. This is why sunscreen is so important! Sunscreen helps in the following crucial ways:

1. It Protects Your Skin from Ultraviolet Rays: Ultraviolet (UV) rays are invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. The depletion of the ozone layer has increased our risk of sun damage from harmful UV rays. UV rays can burn the skin if not properly protected from the sun. 
2. It Lowers Your Skin Cancer Risk: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and is easily preventable with the proper use of sunscreen, but many people fall victim to this disease every year.
3. It Prevents Premature Aging of the Skin: Sun damage to our skin, as a result of repeated exposure, accelerates the skin’s aging process by reducing the skin’s moisture levels and the integrity of the individual cells. Aged skin is characterized by a thick, leathery look; discoloration; and a breakdown of collagen which contributes to lines, sagging and wrinkles.
4. It Helps Maintain an Even Skin Tone: Sunscreen helps prevent discoloration and dark spots from sun damage, helping you maintain a smoother and more even skin tone.
5. It Protects Your Skin on a Cellular Level: Sun damage weakens your skin. Repeated sun exposure without the use of sunscreen not only causes changes in the way our skin looks, but actually damages the skin on a cellular level.

For proper sun protection, it’s important to choose the right sunscreen for your skin, with the appropriate SPF, and to use it correctly. To learn more about sun safety or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy in Phoenix, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website today.