Toenail fungus is a chronic and potentially contagious problem that affects millions of people. Those who suffer from toenail fungus may experience a significant impact on their social life, particularly if the fungus spreads to their fingernails – a frequent occurrence.

There are several types of toenail fungus and as such, the symptoms can vary slightly depending upon the precise ailment that’s infecting the nail bed. The most common toenail fungus is called onychomycosis. Toenail fungus – onychomycosis – is an infection that is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. Though toenail fungus can affect anyone, it is more commonly found to affect older adults.

Toenail fungus often begins as a small spot of white, yellow or green that appears under the nail, typically near the edge. This is often paired with an array of other symptoms that worsen as the infection spreads deeper below the nail. Ultimately, the fungus can affect the entire nail, including the nail bed – the area where the new nail grows from; this causes all new nail growth to be infected as well.

Toenail fungus symptoms include:

• A white, yellow or green patch of discoloration under the nail, typically near the edge
• Painful or sore nails
• Thickened nails
• Discoloration, often yellow, green or black
• Crumbling at the edges
• Rough, abnormal nail surface texture
• Foul odor
• Fluid discharge from the affected area
• Distorted nail shape
• Scaly skin around the nail
• Inflammation, redness and swelling under and around the nail
• The nail may separate or lift from the nail bed

Toenail fungus can be very difficult to treat, especially infections which are in an advanced stage that are more stubborn and respond very slowly to any type of medication.

Toenail fungus may eventually cause your nail to fall off and there may be a subsequent growth of a deformed nail which may also cause a separate infection.

If you have toenail fungus symptoms, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy so that you receive proper treatment.

Acne is usually a temporary problem, but acne scars can be permanent. However, unwelcome they may be, scars are part of the skin’s normal healing process after it has been damaged by a wound or injury. Most superficial wounds heal without scarring. It’s when the dermis is damaged that scars form on the skin.

Acne scars are most often the product of an inflamed lesion. Inflamed blemishes occur when the follicle which grows out of a pore becomes engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. The pore swells, causing a break in the follicle wall.

The body perceives acne inflammation as a skin injury. To repair the damage done to the dermis layer of skin, it forms new collagen fibers. Collagen is the fibrous protein that gives the skin its strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, the repaired skin (scar) never looks as smooth and flawless as the original skin.

Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most common and most effective treatments used to treat acne scars today. Intensely focused, monochromatic light energy targets precise layers in the skin and treats them by stimulating collagen production to reconstruct the scar tissue. Various laser systems can be used to accomplish this.

Shallow scars may be diminished with one treatment, while deeper scars may require additional treatments to completely reduce to the best size.

For someone who has suffered from severe acne, dealing with the resulting scars can often take a toll on a person’s confidence, self-esteem and quality of life. Skin resurfacing for acne scars has the capability to correct your blemishes once and for all.

To find out more about skin resurfacing for acne scars or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Start Using a Humidifier. To remedy a dry home, bring in a humidifier and set the humidity level between 45% and 55% to infuse the air with enough moisture for your skin to reap the benefits.

Take Warm (NOT Hot!) Showers. A long hot shower may feel heavenly on cold mornings, but it strips out the water and natural oils in your skin, thus drying it out. Limit showers to 15-minutes or less using warm water rather than hot water.

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.

Use a Multitasking Moisturizer. After showering, blot excess water off your body instead of roughly rubbing your skin with a towel. Next, apply a body moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Look for a cream over a lotion in the winter months. Creams are typically thicker with a strong oily barrier that’s less likely to reduce water loss and more likely to hydrate the skin.

Give Hands Extra TLC. Moisturize hands every time after washing. Trade in traditional hand sanitizer for a combination sanitizer that contains moisturizer or lotion.

Don’t Ditch the SPF. So, you won’t see sunny skies as much—that doesn’t mean that UV rays have gone away. UV rays are almost just as powerful in overcast skies and the winter sun can reflect off the snow, particularly at high altitudes, so make sure you maintain a good sunscreen routine.

Don’t let cold, winter weather take a toll on your skin. Start planning your winter skin care routine now. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy in Phoenix, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com. Dr. Holy can analyze your skin type and recommend a winter skin care routine just for you.

With winter quickly approaching, it is important to know how to properly care for your skin during the chilly winter months. The change of seasons can be very stressful on your skin, especially when going from warmer summer months to cold, windy and drier winters. This transition most commonly makes your skin look dull and older than its years, but it can also spur flare-ups of skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Decreased temperatures mean a drop-in humidity levels, taking moisture not only out of the air, but also out of your skin.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with the change of seasons is neglecting to adjust their skin care routine, if they even have one in the first place. The good news is that there are simple changes you can make to prevent the stress of wintry weather from affecting your skin:

Maintain a Healthy, Balanced Diet. The best high-antioxidant fruits and vegetables will help feed your skin from the inside out and keep it looking its youngest, most beautiful best. Since dry winter weather robs your skin of moisture, it’s important to increase your intake of water and other fluids. Avoid caffeinated drinks like soda and coffee, which can have a diuretic effect. Some studies have also shown that dietary fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 may help dry skin by replenishing your skin’s natural oils, so consider incorporating these foods and supplements into your diet.

Don’t Crank Up the Heat. Turning up the heat indoors seems like a natural response to chilly winter weather, but raising the thermostat indoors dries the air and skin out even more. The result is dry, flaky skin that is itchy and uncomfortable.

Winter Skin Care Part Two continued next week.

Dermal fillers are generally considered to be an extremely safe and effective treatment. For the unlucky people that do experience any unwanted side effects, they are generally minor and short lasting. Dermal fillers are consequently considered to be one of the safest anti-aging treatments around and this is reflected in their increasing popularity over the past few years.

There are several types of dermal fillers and each has its own side effects. Side effects may show up at various stages. This will mostly depend on the type of dermal filler used and the length of time one is exposed to the product. The most common dermal fillers side effects are:

Bruising: This will affect just about everyone who has the procedure although the extent varies between individuals. The bruising is caused by the needle piercing the skin and is the same for any type of injection. This typically lasts for around 2-3 days and the healing time can be shortened by using a warm compress.

Allergic Reaction: Although uncommon, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to the dermal filler material. If you have a reaction, you can expect some swelling and redness to the treated area. Symptoms usually only last 2-3 days.

Tenderness: You can expect some tenderness around the treated area for a day or so.

Poor Results: Occasionally people do not respond to the treatment as expected and the effects may not be as good as was hoped.

Most patients find dermal fillers to be a painless, effective and safe treatment. Choosing an experienced practitioner can help reduce the chances of experiencing unwanted side effects because they will be able to choose the dermal filler product best suited for you. Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy.

Cosmetic 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, this product will temporarily relax the muscle and smooth facial creases.

The most common cosmetic Botox injection sites 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 take 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, cosmetic Botox injections do not require an anesthetic. Patients normally report a slight pinch during each injection.

No downtime is required after a cosmetic Botox treatment; 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 five to seven days. The full benefits from a treatment will appear in approximately two weeks. Results last between three to four months; after which time, patients will need a repeat treatment to maintain results.

Cosmetic Botox injection 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 should find that cosmetic Botox injections provide excellent results.

Cosmetic Botox injections 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 mddermsolutions.com.

Aging skin prevention is important but often overlooked. If practiced properly, it can reduce the amount of anti-aging treatments or aesthetic products needed to keep skin young looking.

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

Sun Exposure:

Properly dealing with sun exposure helps prevent many skin aging problems ranging from wrinkles to skin cancer.

• For maximum skin aging prevention, avoid sun exposure on the skin during the hours that the sun is most intense.
• Wear a hat, protective clothing and sun ray blocking glasses to guard against exposure, especially during peak hours.
• Use appropriate sunscreen offering UVA and UVB protection (broad spectrum protection). Sun Protection Factor (SPF) should be greater than 15 and applied at least 20 minutes before the skin is exposed to the sun; sunscreen should be reapplied after swimming or heavy sweating.
• Use antioxidant topical products (usually include ingredients such as vitamins A, C, E, selenium, coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid) to protect the skin from sun damage and premature aging; antioxidants neutralize free radicals which will cause damage to skin cells.
• Avoid using tanning beds.
• Avoid sunburns.

Diet and Health:

• Adequate fluid intake (6 to 8 glasses of water per day) is essential for hydrating skin, flushing out toxins from the body and for aging prevention.
• A diet with plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, use of healthy oils such as olive oil or flax seed oil and reduction of saturated fats helps protect the skin.
• Exercising regularly helps promote capillary functioning, bringing oxygen to the skin which is important for healthy skin as well as flushing out body toxins.
• Avoid stress.
• Avoid large weight fluctuations.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Quitting smoking is effective in skin aging prevention.
• Not smoking prevents the formation of skin wrinkles, yellowing of the skin, certain types of skin cancer and the breakdown of collagen in the skin.

Dry Skin and Itching:

• Clean the skin, exfoliate the skin surface gently to remove dead skin cells and moisturize the skin regularly especially in cold and dry climates to prevent dry skin.
• Avoid the use of fabric preservatives, harsh detergents, bleaches and harsh soaps in order to prevent allergic type itching.

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 these 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 in Phoenix at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Liquid facelift is a non-invasive cosmetic 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, liquid facelift with Dr. Holy in Phoenix may be a great option for you.

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 fewer treatments.

Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to learn more about liquid facelift 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.

Acne is one of the most common, damaging and challenging skin conditions for men and women of all ages. Even people who were fortunate enough to have clear skin throughout their teenage years can suddenly develop acne later in life.

Acne results from the obstruction and inflammation of the sebaceous glands, and it affects 80% of the human population. Acne typically begins in adolescence with hormonal changes. However, there are many older individuals who suffer from adult acne.

While for most of us, the odd zit here or there might not seem like such a big deal, for those who suffer or have suffered with moderate to severe acne, the damage is much more than just skin deep. The effects of deep cystic acne can affect your confidence, self-esteem and self-image to a degree far beyond what most people might even imagine. Even after the acne has subsided, many people remain scarred both physically and emotionally.

SilkPeel is a safe and painless skin care procedure that treats and improves the appearance of various skin conditions, including acne. The procedure provides non-invasive exfoliation and delivery of skin-specific topical solutions under pressure, leaving patients with fresher-feeling and better-looking skin. Compared to other skin care procedures that use chemicals, lasers or other invasive treatment, SilkPeel does not use crystals or other abrasive particles that can irritate or bring discomfort to the skin. The procedure is more comfortable with mild treatment that leaves the skin smooth to the touch.

SilkPeel is suitable for all skin types, including individuals that have sensitive skin. The treatment gently exfoliates dead skin and gets rid of impurities on the skin. In addition to improving acne scars, the range of services offered by SilkPeel includes treating excessively oily skin, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dull and dehydrated skin.

Although SilkPeel is a gentle and safe treatment, your skin will look slightly reddish during and after the procedure but this should disappear within a few hours. Your skin will also slightly peel off as a result of exfoliation of impurities and dead skin; it will feel smooth to the touch after.

To schedule a SilkPeel treatment with Dr. Holy in Phoenix, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

A common complaint from patients is the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Some dark circles can be the result of shadows from bulging under-eye fat (bags under the eye) or from under-eye hollowness. Under-eye hollowness can be caused by either a weak cheek bone and deficient orbital rim or from deficient under-eye fat.

Topical products can help, to an extent, with the appearance of this area (things like discoloration and crow’s-feet), but when volume loss is the reason for this less-than-desirable hollowed-out effect, fillers under the eyes may be the answer.

Under-eye fillers are an effective way of restoring volume to the eye area – reducing the appearance of hollow eyes, puffy eyes and dark circles. Fillers also hydrate the skin from the inside, leading to improvements in skin quality and collagen production.

Fillers can be permanent non-autologous (e.g. Sculptra, Aquamid) or permanent autologous (e.g. fat) or even temporary (e.g. Restylane, Juverderm).

Filler injections are usually painless. When treating wrinkles the filler is injected under the skin, for volume loss it can be injected on the bone or deep in soft tissue with a very thin needle or cannula. These injections give natural volume and a typical treatment takes about 10-15 minutes, with immediately visible results.

Side effects of under eye fillers vary depending on the type. Potential temporary side effects include:

• Bruising and or redness of the skin at the site of injection
• Lumpiness and or granuloma formation
• Swelling and or Overfilling
• Migration
• Blindness
• Skin Necrosis
• Allergic Reaction

Fillers under the eyes are not for people who have a known allergy to the product or lidocaine, have an active infection at the injection site, are pregnant or are breastfeeding.

To learn more about fillers under the eyes or to schedule an appointment in Phoenix, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.