Moles are a common type of growth on the skin. They often appear as small brown spots and are caused by clusters of pigmented cells. Moles can develop anywhere on your body, including your scalp, armpits and between your fingers and toes. Moles are usually removed if they are thought to be cancerous but they can also be removed for cosmetic or comfort reasons.

Mole removal is usually a minimally invasive procedure with little discomfort and a quick healing time. There are some mole removal care tips to consider so that you decrease your risk for developing a noticeable scar or an infection after the procedure.

Bandages: After a mole removal, the treated area should be covered with a bandage. For the first week to two weeks, the area will need to be cleaned and the bandage changed once or twice per day. Keeping the wound covered and dry will help keep it from becoming infected.

Ointment: If your method of mole removal required stiches, you will need to keep the wound moist with antibiotic ointment during recovery. It is important to avoid having a scab grow over the stitches, so keeping the area moist with ointment until you have your stitches removed4-7 days later.

Scabbing: Over the first week or two after mole removal (or beginning after you’ve had your stitches removed), your skin will begin to form a scab. It’s essential that you continue to cover this area with a bandage and don’t pick at the scab. Let the scab fall off naturally. This will decrease your chances of visible scarring and infection.

Follow-up: You may need to return for a follow-up visit with Dr. Holy to check the progress of your healing or to have stitches removed. It’s important to keep all follow-up appointments.

Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology immediately if the following should occur during your recovery:

• Fever
• Puss coming from your wound
• Worsening redness, pain or swelling at your wound site
• Your wound will not stop bleeding

Your individual mole removal care instructions may vary slightly depending on the method of removal used by Dr. Holy. To learn more about mole removal or to schedule a skin evaluation in Phoenix, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

You may have wondered what the difference is between a chemical peel and microdermabrasion. Both treatments are a form of exfoliation of the skin. Exfoliation is the act of removing dead skin cells from the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. The easiest way to maintain healthy skin is by keeping it free and clear of dead skin cells. The difference between microdermabrasion and chemical peels is that they are two different types of exfoliation: microdermabrasion is a physical exfoliation and chemical peels are a chemical exfoliation.

While microdermabrasion works well on superficial skin imperfections (some acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and sun spots), a chemical peel is more effective on serious skin problems like deeper scars and wrinkles.

Microdermabrasion is a manual exfoliation of the epidermis to remove dead skin cells, debris and impurities. Normally, an instrument which combines suction and a wand made of diamond or small crystal particles is used to remove particles from the skin. Microdermabrasion produces instant results, but may not be a good choice for inflamed, sensitive or rosacea type skin. Microdermabrasion encourages collagen stimulation and a more rapid cell turnover in the skin. After microdermabrasion, skin will appear softer, smoother, brighter, clearer, fresher and younger looking. Although it is primarily used on the face, it can be used on other parts of the body from the neck to chest, to hands, etc. To maintain the healthy glow associated with microdermabrasion, it is recommended once a month for optimum results. Appointments made too close together could irritate and redden the skin.

Chemical peels use topical applications of peeling solutions to rejuvenate the skin, address fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, tone and texture. Chemical peels involve controlled removal of varying layers of the skin with the use of a chemical agent. Chemical peels are often categorized according to the depth of the peel:

• Light Chemical Peel: This kind of peel removes just the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) in a light exfoliation.
• Medium Chemical Peel: This type of peel removes skin cells from both the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and upper part of the middle layer of skin (dermis).
• Deep Chemical Peel: The chemical used for this type of peel penetrates down to the lower dermal layer. A deep chemical peel usually involves a pretreatment for up to eight weeks to prepare the skin for the peel and to speed the healing process.

To determine which exfoliating treatment is best for your skin, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Holy in Phoenix. To schedule an appointment, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Psoriasis is a chronic auto-immune disease that causes a dry, reddish and scaly rash. Originating from the Greek word psora, meaning being itchy, psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects millions of people in the United States. Normally, skin cells reproduce every 21-28 days. With psoriasis, skin cells reproduce at a much faster rate of 2-6 days. The accelerated cell production causes constant shedding of the skin as the older skin cells are replaced with new skin cells. There are various types of psoriasis that can develop from various triggering agents in all parts of the body and require specific treatment based on the severity of the psoriasis.

Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most common form of psoriasis, affecting 80-90% of patients who develop the condition. Characterized by dry, itchy raised and inflamed red lesions covered in silvery white scales, plaque psoriasis appears on the surface of the skin most commonly on the knees, lower back, scalp, nails and elbows, but can appear anywhere on the body. The flaky white skin cells build up on the inflamed area and over time are dislodged and shed.

Inverse psoriasis is found in skin fold areas that are subject to irritation due to sweating and rubbing of the skin such as the armpits, groin, under the breasts or other folds around the genital and buttock area. Bright red lesions, without the white flaky scales, that may appear shiny and smooth in texture are generally the first symptoms of inverse psoriasis.

Guttate psoriasis first appears in childhood/young adulthood and forms many small red spots on the skin, generally on limbs and the scalp.

Pustular psoriasis is a less common form of psoriasis characterized by white blisters of non-infectious pus that surround patches of red skin.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is the rarest form of psoriasis. Common among individuals who have unstable cases of plaque psoriasis and undefined lesions, erythrodermic psoriasis is an inflammatory form of psoriasis that develops on most of the body’s surface and causes extensive skin shedding, severe itching and pain.

Dermatologist Dr. Holy specializes in identifying and treating psoriasis and creating the best possible results for psoriasis patients in Phoenix. While there is currently no cure for psoriasis, proper treatment is dependent on the severity, type and location on the skin affected by the psoriasis. Topical treatments, phototherapy and/or systemic medications are common treatments recommended for psoriasis patients. To learn more about psoriasis or to find out how Dr. Holy can help you, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Micro-Needling: Micro-Needling is a form of collagen induction therapy intended to smooth wrinkles, improve depressed acne scarring as well as reduce the appearance of stretch marks. The micro-needling device slides along the skin, penetrating the upper layers of the skin to a depth of up to 2mm to create numerous tiny needle wounds. The procedure prompts the body to respond through the creation of new collagen and elastin fibers. In response to the stimulus, the skin plumps and thickens, reducing the appearance of scars, fine lines and wrinkles.

Fractional CO₂ laser: Fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing can erase years from your face and dramatically improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin pigment. Fractional CO₂ lasers excel at treating deeper wrinkles, more severe textural changes from sun damage, wrinkles, blotchiness, acne scars and surgical or traumatic scars. It can even be used on the delicate eyelid skin and around the mouth.

Fraxel® laser skin treatments: Fraxel is a laser skin rejuvenation treatment that resurfaces your outer skin, erasing imperfections. It also encourages the production of collagen which is instrumental in maintaining firm, youthful, healthy-looking skin. Fraxel is one of the most advanced laser wrinkle treatments for the face available today.

Radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening: Radio frequency skin tightening is an aesthetic technique that uses RF energy to heat tissue and stimulate subdermal collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines and loose skin. The technique induces tissue remodeling and production of new collagen and elastin. This technology involves targeting the energy which is from a radiofrequency source rather than a light source to heat up the deeper layers of the skin.

Chemical peel: A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to smooth the texture of your skin by removing the damaged outer layers. Chemical peels can improve the skin’s appearance. In this wrinkle treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin which makes it “blister” and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. A chemical peel is one of the least invasive ways to improve the appearance of your skin.

If you are experiencing facial wrinkles and would like to discuss treatment options with Dr. Holy, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule an appointment.

Wrinkles are the most common sign of aging. We all get them…and we all want to get rid of them. The gradual development of facial wrinkles, whether fine surface lines or deeper creases and folds, is a classic sign of accumulated skin damage and inevitable aging. Premature aging and wrinkling of the skin may be accelerated by various causes including excessive exposure to the sun and other elements, overactive facial expression muscles, the frequent use of tobacco products and poor nutrition. Dr. Holy in Phoenix offers multiple wrinkle treatments for the face.

BOTOX® Cosmetic/Dysport/Xeomin: BOTOX Cosmetic, Dysport and XEOMIN are different products that rely on the same active ingredient — botulinum toxin type A — to relax the facial muscles that are responsible for the formation of wrinkles. They work by selectively weakening these facial muscles, relaxing wrinkles and smoothing the overlying skin. The result is a youthful-looking, refreshed appearance that respects your own unique features.

Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers help to diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face. Dermal fillers are injectable gels composed from either natural or synthetically derived materials like hyaluronic acid. Dermal fillers gently lift and pump up the skin to restore the collagen that has been lost due to the natural aging process. Dermal fillers also enable the body to generate its own collagen which can help in giving a natural and youthful facial appearance.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) liquid facelift: The PRP Facelift is a procedure that uses your own blood to help boost the youthful appearance of your face. This procedure helps grow new tissue which smooths skin texture and encourages the growth of new blood vessels to provide a beautiful healthy glow! By activating and harnessing natural growth factors within your own blood, the Platelet Rich Plasma liquid facelift safely, comfortably and effectively restores the balance your skin needs to maintain a fresh, youthful look.

Wrinkle Treatments for the Face Part Two continued next week.

Chemical peels work to remove the damaged outer layers of skin through the application of a chemical solution to the face, neck or hands.  The chemicals will produce a controlled wound that allows softer and more even-toned layers of skin to regenerate.

Uses for Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can be used to reduce the appearance of:

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Scars
• Age spots
• Sun-damaged skin
• Acne
• Freckles
• Irregular skin color

Types of Chemical Solutions Used in Chemical Peels

There are several different types of chemical solutions that can be used in a chemical peel procedure, such as:

• Salicylic acid
• Glycolic acid
• Trichloroacetic acid
• Lactic acid
• Carbolic acid

If you are planning to have a chemical peel in preparation of a big event, allow enough time for your treated areas to properly heal. It may take anywhere between 3 days to 2 weeks or more to fully recover. It is also important to avoid the sun and wear sunscreen and protective gear during the healing process.

Most light and medium-level chemical peels must be repeated to achieve maximum results; deep chemical peels will typically have longer-lasting results and a much longer chemical peel recovery process.

If you would like to learn more about chemical peels and determine if the procedure might provide the facial rejuvenation results you desire, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology to schedule a consultation in Phoenix today. Call 602-867-7546 or visit mddermsolutions.com.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), consumers should be wary of sunscreens boasting a super high sun protection factor (SPF). SPF shows how much the sunscreen will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. For example, an SPF of 50 would theoretically allow a person to remain in the sun 50 times longer before getting burnt by the sun.

The EWG reports the problem to be that “people trust these products too much.” The protection difference between a 50 SPF and a 100 SPF is minor – you will get virtually the same amount of protection from both SPF values. People using the higher SPF products often get a false sense of security and end up applying less product and staying out in the sun longer than they should.

Most SPF products only block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and are not aimed to protect from ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. The UVA rays penetrate the skin deeper and are harder to block. Higher SPF products do not typically provide UVA protection.

Skin cancer is on the rise so it is absolutely necessary to wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin. Aside from skin cancer, overexposure to the sun can cause premature aging in the form of facial wrinkles/lines, skin discoloration and more.

If your skin is showing signs of sun damage, there are ways to combat the damage and rejuvenate your skin. Non-surgical treatments such as laser skin treatments, chemical peels, BOTOX, injectable dermal fillers are offered by Dr. Holy at The Center for Advanced Dermatology in Phoenix. A consultation can help you determine which treatment can revitalize your skin and make you look younger. Dr. Holy also offers skin screenings for skin cancer. Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology today at mddermsolutions.com or 602-867-7546.

To learn more about the sunscreen brands that EWG considers the best, click here.

Some cancer treatments: Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause hair loss. This hair loss is often temporary, but it can cause great distress.

Ringworm of the scalp: This disease is contagious and common in children. Without effective treatment, ringworm can cause balding.

Having a baby: After giving birth, some women have noticeable hair loss, caused by falling estrogen levels. The hair loss is temporary and re-growth usually occurs within a few months.

Menopause: Hair loss is common during menopause. This loss is often temporary. Hair re-grows with time. If a woman is 40 years of age or older, she should not expect her hair to have the fullness that it did when she was younger.

Stress: Experiencing a traumatic event can cause hair loss.

Protein: When the body does not get enough protein, it rations the protein it does get. One way the body can ration protein is to shut down hair growth.

Iron: Not getting enough iron can lead to hair loss. Good sources of iron are soybeans, pumpkin seeds, white beans, lentils, spinach, clams, oysters and organ meats.

Medications: Some prescription medicines can cause hair loss. These include:

• Blood thinners
• Medicines that treat arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems and high blood pressure
• Birth control pills
• Anabolic steroids

Hair care: Your hairstyle and even some of the products you use on your hair can cause hair loss. Frequent bleaching or permanents can cause the hair to break. Regular or improper use of dyes, gels, relaxers and hair sprays also can cause hair breakage. When used to hold hair tightly – hairpins, clips and rubber bands can break hair.

No matter the cause, hair loss can affect the way both men and women look or think about themselves and can have a huge effect on self-confidence. If you are in Phoenix and are experiencing hair loss and would like to schedule an exam with Dr. Holy, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Have you even wondered why, as you grow older, your skin doesn’t look as plump, tight or smooth as it used to? While there can be many reasons why your skin changes with age, one of the main reasons is the reduction of collagen.

Collagen is, quite simply, a protein found throughout the body. There are 25 types of natural collagen found in your bones, blood vessels, skin, tendons, ligaments and more. It is often referred to as the “glue” that holds us together and gives our body and skin strength and elasticity.

Unfortunately, as we age, collagen production naturally slows down. When this “glue” is reduced, the skin becomes weaker and less elastic…resulting in facial lines, wrinkles and looser skin. Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow and steady process that can have you looking much older on the outside than you feel on the inside.

At The Center for Advanced Dermatology Dr. Holy has helped hundreds of men and women combat the signs of collagen loss through dermal fillers. Dermal fillers, such as JUVEDERM® or RADIESSE®, are injected into specific areas of the face to add volume and smoothness to the skin. Certain types of dermal fillers can actually help stimulate the body’s production of new collagen.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your skin, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology today at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule a Cosmetic Consultation. Dr. Holy will analyze your skin and recommend the best treatment for your unique situation. You may look younger after just one treatment.

Medium Chemical Peels: For medium peels, the chemical trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is commonly used. This chemical works well for treating fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigmentation problems. Similar to the light chemical peel, medium chemical peels require less downtime than a deeper peel. TCA peels are the preferred choice for patients with darker skin. These peels are used to smooth moderate wrinkling and creasing, to remove or smooth deeper acne scars and to remove age spots and other discoloration. Some individuals with heart conditions and diabetes may not be ideal candidates for mild peels. In addition, some individuals with darker skin may experience lightening of their pigment in the treatment areas. Sedation is generally required for medium chemical peel procedures, and recovery time may last from several days to a few weeks as old skin is shredded and replaced with new skin.

Deep Chemical Peels: Deep chemical peels are the strongest of the facial peels. The chemical used for deep chemical peels is phenol acid. These peels are reserved for the deepest, most significant scarring, wrinkling, sun damage and other issues. While a deep chemical peel produces the most dramatic, longest-lasting results, the procedure takes longer than other peels (one to two hours) and requires the most healing time. Recovery can extend from several weeks to months, depending upon treatment. Individuals with heart disease, diabetes and some other health issues are generally not considered good candidates for deep peels. Darker-skinned individuals are also generally not good candidates for deep peels because they can cause permanent skin lightening.

The right type of chemical peel for you will depend on the skin imperfections needing treatment and the results you desire. If you would like more information about chemical peels in Phoenix, schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy. Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com today.