Chemical peels effectively treat a host of skin problems including acne, discolorations and fine lines and wrinkles. A chemical solution is applied to the face which removes the damaged outer layer of skin and leaves softer, smoother skin underneath. Most procedures take less than an hour to perform, with minimal discomfort during the treatment. There are several types of chemical peels offered today which allow you and your dermatologist to partner together to find the best formula for your specific needs.

Typically administered as a facial peel, a chemical peel enhances and smooths the texture of the skin. It is an effective treatment for facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. Chemical peels exfoliate the outer layers of dead skin, revealing a new skin layer with improved tone, texture and color.

Chemical peels are available in different strengths and use different types of chemicals to achieve specific results. The type of peel that will benefit you will depend on the results you’re looking for and your skin type, as well as any underlying medical conditions.

Light Chemical Peels: In Phoenix, Dr. Holy will use a specific formula for your chemical peel based on the characteristics of your skin and your desired result. Light chemical peels are used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation, light sun damage and acne. The solution used for light chemical peels is usually comprised of alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic, lactic, salicylic or fruit acids. Light chemical peels are ideal for people who want the benefits of a facial peel but do not wish to spend the time required to recover from a deeper peel. The chemicals used in these peels are mild and they remove only the uppermost layer of skin cells. As a result, these peels have few restrictions and most men and women are able to undergo treatment.

Whether we like it or not, our skin often gives away our age.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body that is made up of three layers: the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (middle layer) and hypodermis (bottom layer). Each layer has its own distinctive cellular structure and each layer is responsible for different physiological functions. It is your skin that protects you from your external environment, controls your internal body temperature, controls your fluid balance and has nerve receptors to aid in your sense of touch.

Most people are concerned with their epidermis their entire lives. Teenagers often wish to appear more mature by disguising their full faces, while older adults can become increasingly self-conscious about wrinkles, skin spots and sagging skin. People of all ages can become obsessed with getting the “perfect tan” to help them feel more attractive or appear thinner.

Just like other organs in your body, your skin is constantly changing. Over the years, the effects of certain lifestyle choices and genetic makeup will be shown on the skin.

Contributing Factors of Skin Changes

A combination of different factors leads to aging skin:

• Sun/ultraviolet exposure
• Stress (physical or psychological)
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Poor nutrition
• Pollution
• Hormone changes
• Muscle contractions in the face from squinting or frowning
• Genetics
• Loss of fibrous tissue and collagen depletion
• Loss in number of pigment-containing cells
• Changes in connective tissue, making the skin less elastic
• Less oil production in the sebaceous glands in the skin

You can combat some of the effects of aging on your skin by changing your lifestyle habits. However, for most people, especially fair-skinned/blue-eyed people, wrinkles and skin sagging are an inevitable fact of life.

The good news is that you have options for improving your skin. Cosmetic surgery procedures have proven very effective in reversing the effects of aging skin, helping people to feel more confident and self-assured. Non-surgical procedures, such as BOTOX®, skin lifting or dermal fillers can rejuvenate your appearance. The best way to determine which type of procedure can achieve the look you desire is by scheduling a consultation with a Dr. Holy in Phoenix.

If you would like to learn more about how cosmetic procedures can fool people into thinking you are as young as you feel, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology to schedule a consultation. Visit mddermsolutions.com or call 602-867-7546.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the rapid build-up of skin cells. Typically, skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface, eventually falling off. The typical life cycle of a skin cell is one month. For patients with psoriasis, this production process may occur in just a few days. Because of this, skin cells don’t have time to fall off. This rapid overproduction leads to the build-up of skin cells. This build-up of cells causes scaling on the skin’s surface. Inflammation and redness around the scales is a common symptom. Typical psoriatic scales are whitish-silver and develop in thick, red patches. Sometimes these patches will crack and bleed.

Psoriasis symptoms differ from person to person and depend on the type of psoriasis. There are five official types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. There are also subcategories of psoriasis types which appear differently depending on where it is located on the body. Scales typically develop on joints, such elbows and knees, although they may develop anywhere on the body, including the hands, feet, neck, scalp and face. Less common types of psoriasis affect the nails, the mouth and the area around genitals.

Symptoms of plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the disease, include:

• Red, raised, inflamed patches of skin
• Silver-white scales or plaques on the red patches
• Dry skin that may crack and bleed
• Soreness around patches
• Itching and burning sensations around patches
• Thick, pitted nails
• Painful, swollen joints

Not every person with psoriasis will experience all of these symptoms. Some people will experience entirely different symptoms if they have a less common type of psoriasis.

Most people with psoriasis go through cycles of symptoms. The condition may cause severe symptoms for a few days or weeks, and then the symptoms may clear up and be almost unnoticeable. Then, in a few weeks or if made worse by a common psoriasis trigger, the condition may flare up again. Sometimes symptoms of psoriasis disappear completely.

Psoriasis triggers include infection (such as strep or a cold), stress, cold weather, smoking, certain medicines and many others reasons that differ with each person.

If you have psoriasis symptoms it is important to seek treatment from a qualified dermatologist. Dr. Holy in Phoenix can help you treat the condition based on your individual symptoms and needs. Contact The Center for Advanced Cosmetology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Everyone loses hair; it is normal to lose about 50-100 hairs every day. However, if you experience bald patches or large amounts of thinning, you may be experiencing hair loss that requires a visit to the dermatologist for proper diagnosis and possible treatment. Dr. Holy in Phoenix specializes in treating skin, nails and hair. Most hair loss causes can be stopped or treated following proper diagnosis.

The following describes some hair loss causes:

Hair disorders: Hereditary thinning or baldness (also called androgenetic alopecia): this is the most common cause of hair loss. It affects men and women, affecting millions of people in the United States. There are other, less common, forms of alopecia:

• Alopecia areata: Researchers believe that this is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune means the body attacks itself. In this case, the body attacks its own hair. This causes smooth, round patches of hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body. People with alopecia areata are often in excellent health. Most people see their hair re-grow.
• Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia: This rare disease develops in otherwise healthy people. The disease destroys a person’s hair follicles. Scar tissue forms where the follicles once were, so the hair cannot re-grow. Treatment tries to stop the inflammation which destroys the hair follicles.
• Central centrifugal cicatricial (scarring) alopecia: This type of hair loss occurs most often in women of African descent. It begins in the center of the scalp. As it progresses, the hair loss radiates out from the center of the scalp. The affected scalp becomes smooth and shiny. The hair loss can be very slow or rapid. When hair loss occurs quickly, the person may have tingling, burning, pain or itching on the scalp. Treatment may help the hair re-grow if scarring has not occurred.

Disease: Hair loss can be the first sign of an underlying disease. About 30 diseases, including thyroid disease and anemia, cause hair loss. By treating the disease, hair loss often can be stopped or reversed.

Illness: Significant hair loss can occur after an illness. A major surgery, high fever, severe infection or even the flu can cause hair loss.

Hair Loss Causes Part Two continued next week.

Acne occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells, causing inflammation. Acne typically appears on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. Acne can be unsightly and uncomfortable, it can negatively affect a person’s self-esteem. When topical acne medications do not provide satisfactory results, a clearer, healthy-looking complexion may be achieved with a chemical facial peel for acne or acne scars. An acne chemical peel is performed by applying a chemical solution to the skin. The solution causes the skin to blister and peel over a period of several days. As the treated skin comes off, fresh new skin replaces it. This exfoliation caused by the acne skin peel eliminates or reduces the appearance of acne blemishes and scars. Acne chemical peel treatments provide benefits in addition to acne treatment by improving the skin’s pigmentation and make the skin smoother.

The best candidates for acne facial peel treatments are people with superficial acne or acne scars. Individuals with severe or very active acne may not be good candidates for acne chemical peels. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not good candidates for a chemical peel to treat acne. Light skinned patients tend to be better candidates for chemical peels. Some people with darker skin experience skin lightening which can be permanent.

Most people experience a sun burnt look with obvious peeling of the skin in the days after their first peel. This redness and peeling tends to be less pronounced with each consecutive peel. The number of treatments needed is dependent on the individual patient’s skin and the severity of their acne.

A facial peel for acne should only be administered by a medical professional, specifically a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist. Dermatologist Dr. Holy offers revitalizing facial peels for acne in Phoenix. Contact The Center for Advanced Cosmetology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com for more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy.

Moles are growths or lesions found on the skin and they come in various shapes and sizes. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, from the facial area, as well as arms and chest areas, in groups or by themselves. They can be present at birth or can begin to appear over time. Moles are bothersome to some people, and can even lead to dangerous health risks. Mole removal can help people wanting to improve their appearance and reduce associated health risks.

The mole removal process, whether for cosmetic or preventive reasons, requires a fair level of surgical skill to prevent unpleasant scarring. It is best to seek the professional services of a dermatologist. Never attempt to remove a mole on your own.

Concern over the presence of moles on the skin is mainly an issue of appearance for most people. In Phoenix, Dr. Holy can remove moles from skin using one of several techniques. If a mole is suspicious looking, Dr. Holy can run tests to determine if the mole is cancerous and/or should be removed. If a mole begins to crack, bleed, ooze or becomes itchy or painful, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology promptly to schedule an evaluation.

You may choose to remove a mole for health, cosmetic or comfort-related reasons. The type and size of mole being removed determines what technique is used.

Scalpel Excision: The most basic type of mole removal is the scalpel excision that can be performed quite simply in Dr. Holy’s office. This mole removal process begins with numbing the area with an anesthetic, cleaning the area to prevent infection and then using a scalpel to remove the blemish. Stitches are generally used with this technique.

Cauterization: If the mole is only slightly raised from the skin, Dr. Holy may choose to cauterize the blemish off your skin instead of using a scalpel. First, the area will be numbed and cleaned and then a burning tool will be used to burn away the blemish and its base. This procedure does not require stitches; the burned skin will heal over time, although it will likely leave a light scar.

Laser Excision: This method of mole removal is the least likely to leave noticeable scarring. This procedure is similar to scalpel excision only a laser is used in place of a scalpel to remove the mole and base. Lasers also decrease the chance of infection because they make cleaner cuts. This method does not require stitches; the laser will evaporate the colored cells of the blemish without cutting into the skin. While scarring is not an issue for this technique, it is important to know this is not a method used for treating deep moles because the laser does not penetrate deeply enough.

If you have a mole you would like evaluated for removal, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule an appointment.

Facial frown lines…crow’s feet…forehead lines…

If you feel that your face has become a road map, and you’re not happy with the direction it is taking, BOTOX® may be just the detour you need in your life.

BOTOX is a nonsurgical treatment that is typically performed by a cosmetic surgeon. A botulinum toxin medication is injected into the troublesome area to stop the contraction of small, targeted facial muscles by blocking the nerve impulses to these areas.

The injections take just a short time to administer (depending on the amount of injections needed) and they are virtually painless. There is no need for anesthesia, but the surgeon may numb the injection areas to reduce discomfort.

While every person’s BOTOX results will differ, many patients see improvement in their lines within a few days after the procedure. The medication continues to work its magic for 30 days, as you watch your facial road map become less visible. BOTOX results can last for up to four months and must be repeated to maintain your smoother appearance.

More BOTOX Magic

BOTOX is also used to help other medical conditions, including:

• Migraines
• Crossed eyes
• Jaw joint pain
• Excessive sweating in underarms or hands
• Incontinence reduction

Contact Dr. Holy at The Center for Advanced Dermatology to see if BOTOX might be right for you. Schedule a consultation by visiting mddermsolutions.com or calling 602-867-7546.

Dermal fillers have gained the name “liquid facelifts” because they can add volume and a youthful appearance to aging faces without the downtime of a surgical facelift. Dermal fillers cost less, but the treatments must be repeated over time to maintain the facial fullness.

The injection of dermal fillers can take years off your appearance and make you look as young on the outside as you feel on the inside.

There are several different types of temporary dermal fillers on the market today that can increase facial fullness, fill deep creases and frown or laugh lines and even stimulate collagen growth. Some are natural substances found in the body, while others are synthetic:

• Hyaluronic acid (natural): such as Juvéderm and Restylane
• Calcium hydroxylapatite (natural): such as Radiesse and Radiance
• Polylactic acid (synthetic): such as Sculptra
• Collagen (natural): such as CosmoDerm, Cosmoplast, Zyderm, Zyplast
• Human fat can also be harvested from your own body through liposuction and injected into different areas of your face

The type of dermal filler used will depend on how you want to improve your facial appearance. For example, you may need Restylane to fill facial wrinkles and folds around the mouth or Sculptra to treat hollow cheeks and the loss of facial fat. A qualified doctor can determine which treatment will be the most effective.

The injection of dermal fillers does not usually require long recovery times; most people can resume normal activities after the treatment. There might be a bit of swelling or bruising, but these typically fade within a few days. You’ll see results very quickly with most dermal fillers, except for Polylactic acid, which takes several months to produce results because it is stimulating collagen growth.

Note: BOTOX is not a dermal filler. BOTOX is used to relax the facial muscles to soften frown lines.

To learn more about the pros and cons of dermal fillers, please contact Dr. Holy at The Center for Advanced Dermatology in Phoenix to schedule consultation so we can determine if a dermal filler treatment might be right for you. Call 602-867-7546 or visit mddermsolutions.com.

The results are in! Our very own Dr. Adriana Holy has been named Best Dermatologist in Arizona Foothills Magazine’s Best of Our Valley 2017 poll. The Best in Health and Self 2017 category was extensive, ranging from personal training to cosmetic surgery doctors to blow dry bars to resort spas. The Phoenix area is lucky to have such amazing self-improvement options, and Dr. Holy is extremely honored to be voted as the best in the competitive dermatology category.

“At THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology, we instill in our patients that healthy skin is beautiful skin,” says Dr. Holy. “Every patient treatment recommendation – from skin cancer surgery to BOTOX® Cosmetic injections – is based on my 23 years of training and experience as well as rigorous scientific evaluation. Every product and procedure is fully customized to meet the needs of each individual patient and our results show it.”

Our patients often comment that the comfortable and welcoming atmosphere of our office helps set their minds at ease. We encourage patient questions and always provide honest, straightforward answers to allow every patient to make their own decisions about treatment options.

Now the entire Valley area will know Dr. Holy’s level of commitment and outstanding care, thanks to our patients and friends who voted for her as the best dermatologist in Phoenix.

The winners were chosen by residents of our area, making this all-encompassing list one of the very best recommendation resources for everything in entertainment, food and drink, arts, health, events, doctors, home design, weddings, kids, people, shopping and a whole lot more.

All of the contest winners will be featured in the April 2017 issue of Arizona Foothills Magazine. To see the full list of Best in Health and Self 2017 winners, click here.

Thank you, Arizona Foothills Magazine, for this honor!

Once upon a time…in the land of Phoenix, there lived a beautiful young woman. She had tight, plump, smooth facial skin that reflected her youth. She took these features for granted, expecting them to last forever.

This young woman enjoyed her time outdoors. She loved the sun and she loved her appearance with a bronze tan. She would look into the mirror and see the reflection of the “fairest of them all.”

As the years passed, this woman gained the knowledge that the sun had not been kind to her skin. While she was still a strikingly beautiful woman, she now looked in the mirror and only saw the lines and wrinkles that had become etched on her skin. No amount of makeup could restore the beauty she thought she had lost forever.

Then one day she heard about a doctor who could help restore youthfulness. She immediately called Dr. Holy at The Center for Advanced Dermatology to schedule a consultation. At her appointment she learned about Phoenix BOTOX, dermal fillers and other procedures that have helped thousands of men and women reduce the signs of sun damage in Phoenix and enhance their natural beauty. She and Dr. Holy selected the right procedure for her and the rest, they say, is history.

Today this beautiful woman can look in the mirror and see that she is, indeed, the “fairest of them all…” even though she was always beautiful to those around her.

Find out if an aesthetic procedure will help you live “happily ever after.” Contact Dr. Holy at The Center for Advanced Dermatology to schedule a consultation at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.