Acne is a very common skin condition – about 85% of us will have it at some point in our lives.  And, with the abundance of over-the-counter acne treatment products available today, it’s easy to forget that acne is not just a cosmetic issue.  It’s an actual medical condition that very often should be treated by a dermatologist. 

Acne vulgaris is a long-term skin disease that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil from the skin. Acne is characterized by areas of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and greasy skin, and may result in scarring. The resulting appearance can lead to anxiety, reduced self-esteem and, in extreme cases, depression.

You should consider seeing a dermatologist to help with your acne if:

You’ve Never Been Diagnosed with Acne Before – If you suddenly begin to break out in red bumps on the face, upper chest, back or elsewhere, and you have never before been diagnosed with acne, you should contact your dermatologist.

Your Acne Is Getting Worse Despite Using Over-the-Counter Acne Products – Mild cases of acne can often be successfully cleared with over-the-counter acne products.  But many cases just don’t respond well to OTC treatments. In this case, it’s best to see an acne doctor about prescription acne treatments.

If you’ve been treating your acne consistently and your breakouts aren’t getting better, or if your acne seems to be worsening, you should contact your doctor. Your dermatologist can prescribe an acne medication that will give you better results and will have helpful advice regarding proper acne skin care and home treatment.

You Have Moderate to Severe Inflammatory Acne, Nodules or Cystic Breakouts – If your acne is moderate to severe, or very inflamed, skip the over-the-counter products altogether.  They just aren’t strong enough to improve acne at this level and you’ll waste time and money on products that won’t work for you.

Nodules and cysts are very severe forms of breakouts and should always be evaluated by a dermatologist. These deep blemishes can easily cause scarring, so they should be treated promptly.

You Think Your Acne May Be Caused by a Medication – Certain medications, such as steroids and birth control pills, may cause acne. If you are taking any medications and your skin begins breaking out, let your doctor know.

You Are Upset or Depressed About Your Skin – Let’s face it – acne can affect more than just your skin, it can affect your life! At THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology in Phoenix, Dr. Holy has treatment options available that can not only improve your skin, but also help you deal with the feelings of frustration and despair that can come along with acne.Don’t wait! There’s no reason to just accept acne breakouts. With the right treatment, you can see your skin start to improve in just a few short weeks. Contact us at 602-867-7546 or website today to schedule an appointment today.

Wrinkles and fine lines are an inevitable part of the aging process. They can make us look tired and not as youthful as we once were. For fast results, Botox and Juvederm are popular treatments to combat the signs of aging on the face, helping you look younger and more attractive. 

So, what’s the difference between Botox and Juvederm?

Relaxer Vs. Filler: Botox cosmetic is a purified protein that works by relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles, fine lines and folds. It’s great for reversing the aged look brought on by wrinkles and is also used as a preventive measure by younger patients avoiding the emergence of wrinkles.

Juvederm facial fillers are sterile gels made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid – a natural sugar found in skin. It works by filling in the grooves and lines thereby eliminating wrinkles and smoothing out your skin.

Wrinkle Types: A major difference between Botox and Juvederm are the types of wrinkles they work on. Both treatments are fantastic for smoothing out the wrinkles on your face but do not work on the same type of wrinkles. 

Juvederm is perfect for wrinkles that are present when your face is at rest, whereas Botox is perfect for wrinkles that appear with movement. So if you have wrinkles that are there when your face is at ease, those will need Juvederm. The wrinkles that appear when you smile, laugh, cry or show any other emotion, you’ll need Botox for those. Some treatments work best in combination of both injectable treatments, especially where you want both volume and precise definition.

Time and Results: Both treatments work fast and the results are noticeable within a couple of days. Both treatments are also capable of providing natural-looking results. The injectables are safely absorbed by the body over time, so the results are not permanent. You can expect Botox results to last anywhere between 3 months to a year. Depending on the concentration of hyaluronic acid, Juvederm results may last a year or longer.

Pain and Discomfort: Both Botox and Juvederm are applied using very small needles, so there is minimal pain or discomfort. 

Safety and Side Effects: Both products are considered extremely safe and FDA-approved. 

Botox and Juvederm are popular aesthetic treatments and available at THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology. Contact us today at 602-867-7546 or website to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy.

Botox is the name that probably comes to mind when you think of treating facial wrinkles, but you might be surprised to learn that there are several botulinum toxin alternatives available, one of which is Xeomin.

Xeomin is an injectable filler used to treat frown lines. It incorporates the same active ingredient as Botox, botulinum toxin type A, except Xeomin is a slightly purer form of the toxin which is believed to be beneficial to long-term patients in particular.

Xeomin has a variety of aesthetic and medical applications. It can be used to improve the look of:

• Crow’s feet
• Forehead lines
• Laugh lines
• Frown lines

Beyond aesthetic applications, Xeomin has also been approved by the FDA to treat a variety of medical conditions, including:

• Cervical dystonia (neck spasms)
• Blepharospasm (eyelid twitch)
• Limb spasticity
• Sialorrhea (excessive drooling)

During treatment in Phoenix, Dr. Holy will use a very thin needle to inject Xeomin into the desired area. You may feel a slight pinch, but the procedure typically isn’t considered to be painful. A topical anesthetic may be applied prior to treatment to alleviate discomfort.

As with most botulinum toxin treatments, there’s little to no downtime after receiving a Xeomin injection, with most people returning to their regular activities immediately afterward.

You may experience some slight bruising, swelling and redness near the injection site. These side effects tend to resolve within a couple of days. You may consider avoiding strenuous exercise for a few days following your Xeomin treatment because the increased blood pressure from physical activity can potentially exacerbate bruising.

Results are not immediately visible following the procedure. Optimal results from Xeomin should be seen within approximately seven days after treatment, and the full effects roughly one month later.If you are interested in Xeomin treatment at THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology, contact us at 602-867-7546 or website to schedule a consultation.

Botox is a popular procedure for eliminating facial wrinkles and giving you a refreshed, more youthful look. 

The best candidates for Botox treatments are people who are physically healthy, with no history of neuromuscular diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis), who are not pregnant or nursing and who are at least 18 years old.

You are considered a good candidate for Botox if you have crow’s feet, frown lines, laugh lines, forehead furrows, drooping eyebrows, fine lines or wrinkles on your face and neck.

Who Should Not Have Botox?

Not everyone is a good candidate for Botox. If you are in poor general health, your skin is very thick or you have existing muscle weakness in the proposed injection site, you may not be a good candidate for Botox.

Patients with sensitive skin may experience an allergic reaction at the injection site. If you feel that you have particularly sensitive skin, you may want to consider having an allergy test performed prior to your Botox treatment. 

People who may have allergic reactions to the ingredients used in Botox or are currently taking aminoglycoside antibiotics should not get Botox treatments done. If you also have any infections at the proposed injection site, you should inform your doctor.

Alternatives to Botox 

Although Botox may be the most popular method for wrinkle treatment, there are various alternatives for patients in Phoenix. Other options include non-invasive chemical peels and microdermabrasion or invasive treatments such as facelifts, neck lifts and brow lifts.

During a consultation with Dr. Holy, you can discuss your concerns, cosmetic goals and have your wrinkles analyzed. Dr. Holy can determine if Botox is the best treatment for you or if another procedure would be better suited for your individual needs.

To schedule a Botox consultation at THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology, contact us by calling 602-867-7546 or visiting website.

Wrinkles and fine lines are an inevitable part of the aging process. They can make us look tired and not as youthful as we once were. For fast results, Botox and Juvederm are popular treatments to combat the signs of aging on the face, helping you look younger and more attractive. 

So, what’s the difference between Botox and Juvederm?

Relaxer Vs. Filler: Botox cosmetic is a purified protein that works by relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles, fine lines and folds. It’s great for reversing the aged look brought on by wrinkles and is also used as a preventive measure by younger patients avoiding the emergence of wrinkles.

Juvederm facial fillers are sterile gels made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid – a natural sugar found in skin. It works by filling in the grooves and lines thereby eliminating wrinkles and smoothing out your skin.

Wrinkle Types: A major difference between Botox and Juvederm are the types of wrinkles they work on. Both treatments are fantastic for smoothing out the wrinkles on your face but do not work on the same type of wrinkles. 

Juvederm is perfect for wrinkles that are present when your face is at rest, whereas Botox is perfect for wrinkles that appear with movement. So if you have wrinkles that are there when your face is at ease, those will need Juvederm. The wrinkles that appear when you smile, laugh, cry or show any other emotion, you’ll need Botox for those. Some treatments work best in combination of both injectable treatments, especially where you want both volume and precise definition.

Time and Results: Both treatments work fast and the results are noticeable within a couple of days. Both treatments are also capable of providing natural-looking results. The injectables are safely absorbed by the body over time, so the results are not permanent. You can expect Botox results to last anywhere between 3 months to a year. Depending on the concentration of hyaluronic acid, Juvederm results may last a year or longer.

Pain and Discomfort: Both Botox and Juvederm are applied using very small needles, so there is minimal pain or discomfort. 

Safety and Side Effects: Both products are considered extremely safe and FDA-approved. Botox and Juvederm are popular aesthetic treatments and available at THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology. Contact us today at 602-867-7546 or
http://saguarodms.com/www.mddermsolutions.com to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy.

A liquid facelift is a non-invasive procedure that uses injectables to minimize noticeable signs of aging. Most liquid facelifts involve a combination of products like BOTOX, Juvéderm, Restylane, Perlane and Sculptra. If you are concerned about wrinkles, loss of facial volume and other signs of aging, yet you are hesitant to commit to a surgical procedure, a liquid facelift with Dr. Holy in Phoenix may be a great option for you.

Because a liquid facelift is completely non-surgical, there is absolutely no downtime for patients. Following the treatment, patients are able to immediately return home or continue with their everyday activities. 

A liquid facelift will noticeably rejuvenate the face — but only temporarily. Exactly how long the results last depend on several factors including the specific products used, where they are placed, the severity of the wrinkles (or volume loss), the technique of the injector and how quickly the body metabolizes the products. Everyone tolerates liquid facelift injectable products a little differently, but typical results last one to two years.

Though you cannot control exactly how your body breaks down the injectable products used in your liquid facelift, there are a few things you can do to prolong the results of your procedure:

• Stay out of the sun
• Avoid smoking and using other nicotine products
• Inquire about medical-grade skin care or complementary treatments with your skin care team

Touch-up treatments can also prolong the results of your liquid facelift. Over time, regular touch-ups can help you enjoy the anti-aging effects of your liquid facelift with less product and less frequent treatments.

There are virtually no major side effects experienced after undergoing a liquid facelift. It is possible to see slight bruising, redness, itching or swelling that will diminish over the course of the next several days following the procedure.

Contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website to learn more about liquid facelift options or to schedule a consultation. Dr. Holy can evaluate your particular areas of concern and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. 

Discoloration of the skin, acne and blemishes are commonly experienced during pregnancy due to pregnancy hormones. Typically, skin that is discolored or affected by acne can be treated with the use of a chemical peel which works by removing the outermost layers of skin. However, during pregnancy chemical peels of the skin are not recommended. 

A chemical peel treatment is a procedure that involves the application of a chemical to the face, neck or hands. A predefined chemical solution is applied to the area to be treated to diminish imperfections by peeling away the skin’s top layers. It also stimulates the production of new collagen for a smoother more even complexion.

During pregnancy the cause of skin discoloration, acne and breakouts are pregnancy hormones which will continue to stay elevated in the bloodstream until after giving birth. Although there are no known negative side effects associated with chemical peels during pregnancy, if a chemical peel were to be performed, the skin issues would likely return soon after the peel due to the continued presence of the pregnancy hormones. Further, increased sensitivity of the skin during pregnancy can cause additional breakouts from the chemicals used during the facial peel process. 

For most women, acne and skin discoloration associated with pregnancy will last only a short while. If, after birth, the skin conditions persist, facial peels can then be used to treat the skin conditions. Typically cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists will ask postpartum mothers to wait at least one year after giving birth to seek a facial peel. This allows the body enough time to restore normal hormone levels and naturally heal skin conditions.To learn more about chemical peels in Phoenix or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or website today.

Kybella is a popular non-invasive treatment for fat reduction. It is the first and only FDA approved injectable treatment to reduce fat under the chin! 

Kybella is an injectable treatment that destroys fat cells under the chin, thus reducing the appearance of a double chin. A double chin is notoriously difficult to eliminate and can make you appear heavier than you actually are. With Kybella, submental fat cells are targeted and destroyed without affecting surrounding tissue. After these fat cells are destroyed, the body naturally absorbs and eliminates them and gradually the double chin will reduce in size.

Kybella is formulated with deoxycholic acid which is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps absorb and eliminate fat. Kybella has been thoroughly tested in clinical trials and found to be safe and effective. The procedure takes about 15 minutes. Most people will require 2-3 visits spaced a month apart to achieve the desired effects. It may take 4-6 weeks after each treatment to see results. Common side effects are swelling, bruising, numbness and redness.

Kybella treatments do not take long to perform and there is no need for anesthesia. In addition, there is no downtime necessary, making it a great option for busy people without time in their schedule for a lengthy recovery! 

Although Kybella is successful in destroying fat cells, it does not tighten loose skin. If a patient has loose skin as well as submental fat under the chin, Kybella plus a skin tightening treatment such as Ultherapy can provide great results and leave the patient with a tight, youthful neck contour.

If you are interested in fat reduction with Kybella, contact THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology today by calling 602-867-7546 or visiting website to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy.

Everyone needs sunscreen – no matter your background, gender or age. As long as you are older than 6 months — you need sunscreen. The sun contains ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer, which is why sun protection is so important. Today, about 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Sunscreen helps protect you from those harmful UV rays and can help reduce the odds of skin cancer. In addition, it can help make your skin look more youthful by protecting against the UV rays that cause wrinkles and discoloration. Consider the following sunscreen tips to help protect your skin:

Look for Broad-Spectrum on the Label – The sun contains two types of harmful rays that reach the earth: UVA and UVB. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. If a sunscreen is broad-spectrum, it will be specified on the label. Grab a bottle or container with broad-spectrum on it somewhere for maximum sun protection.

Choose SPF 30 or Higher – SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This number refers to the sunscreen’s ability to block the sun’s harmful rays. A sunscreen of SPF 30 will block 97% of the sun’s rays. A higher SPF will block slightly more UV rays, but there is no sunscreen that will block 100% of the rays. 

Reapply as Needed – Sunscreen only lasts for about two hours. A higher SPF rating does not increase the duration of a sunscreen application, either. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours, or as needed if it washes off.

Wear it Even on Cloudy Days and in the Winter – It is important to wear sunscreen all year long because the sun delivers harmful rays when it’s sunny and when it’s cloudy. On cloudy days, you can still get 80% of the harmful rays penetrating your skin. Snow, water and sand actually reflect the sun’s rays back onto your skin and increase your chance of sunburns.

Check the Expiration – Most sunscreens are good for three years and most will have an expiration date listed on the bottle. If the expiration date has passed, you should throw the sunscreen out. If there is no expiration date on your sunscreen, it should be affective for up to three years after purchase. 

The skin is our largest organ and deserves to be protected. Proper use of sunscreen will help protect your skin for years to come. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy, 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 ways:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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 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.