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.

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

Micro needling benefits your skin in many ways, causing it to appear more vibrant, brighter, younger, and you will start to see wrinkles disappear as your appearance improves. In addition to stimulating the skin, micro needling 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 micro needling 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, finer wrinkles, fewer 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 micro needling 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 micro needling in Phoenix. Contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com for more information.

Kybella is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for the removal of submental fat (a double chin). Kybella is composed of a synthetically produced deoxycholic acid, a compound naturally produced by the liver to break down fat. You can now melt away your double chin without liposuction or surgical procedures, just a series of simple injections!

Kybella was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 as a treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe fat below the chin, known as submental fat. For our Kybella patients, a series of simple appointments in Phoenix can quickly produce a more youthful profile.

Unlike other injectable treatments, such as dermal fillers or Botox, the results from Kybella are permanent. When properly injected into submental fat, Kybella will permanently dissolve your double chin, with no need for any anesthesia.

Most Kybella patients will typically require 2 to 3 treatments, with 15 to 20 injections, according to the custom plan developed for you by Dr. Holy.

After your Kybella treatment, you should expect some swelling and redness. You may also experience bruising, pain, numbness and firmness in the injection site. This will normally last less than 5 days, and for some patients may last up to 14 days. You may have slight swelling of the area for up to a month.

• You can apply ice in the first 48 hours to help with the swelling and discomfort.  It is important to not place ice directly on the skin.
• Avoid strenuous activity for 3 days after your treatment.
• Sleep with your head elevated for 3 nights after your treatment to help minimize swelling.
• Do not scratch, pick at, massage or manipulate the treatment area.
• You may apply your normal skin care regimen to the area, including cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen etc.

To find out if Kybella treatment is right for you, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holy.

Most mothers-to-be know the basic do’s and don’ts of pregnancy: Get plenty of rest, no smoking and no drinking – but what about cosmetic procedures like Botox?

Botox, also called botulinum toxin type A, is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. When botulinum toxin is injected beneath the skin, it blocks nerve activity in the muscles or paralyzes them, causing a temporary reduction in muscle activity, lessening the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. The effects of Botox last about 3-4 months.

Despite little research to determine what, if any, effect Botox could have on pregnant women and their unborn children, obstetricians and cosmetic surgeons overwhelmingly recommend that their pregnant patients should not get injections of the popular drug.

Part of the reason there is so little research about cosmetic procedures during pregnancy is that in order to weigh the effects of the process, doctors and scientists would have to perform the procedures on pregnant women and there is no medical justification for Botox during pregnancy. The risk is just not worth the possible results. Natural skin changes during pregnancy, caused by the combination of hormones and increased blood flow, will make your face “glow” anyway.

During pregnancy, it is a good idea to avoid any non-essential services or procedures. In medicine, there are many unknowns and you don’t have 100% certainty as to all the interactions between drugs and the body. So, why take the chance? It is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to pregnancy and the unborn child.

If you are considering Botox in Phoenix and would like more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Holy, please contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com today.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that shows up in several forms. The two that appear most in children are:

• Plaque Psoriasis: This is the most common type of psoriasis in children. It is characterized by raised, red lesions covered with flaky, silvery-white scales. Plaque can show up anywhere, although it most often appears on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.
• Guttate Psoriasis: This type of psoriasis is more common in children than in adults. It isn’t as scaly or thick as plaque. Instead it appears as small, dot-like lesions, usually on the abdomen and limbs.

Psoriasis in children can be worrying, especially when you see your child struggle with itching or discomfort.

For most kids, psoriasis is limited to just a few patches that usually respond well to treatment. More serious cases sometimes require more aggressive treatment. But the good news is that there are many options to treat this condition. If one treatment doesn’t work, another probably will.

Psoriasis Treatments 

Topical treatments are creams, lotions and ointments applied directly to the skin. These include moisturizers, prescription corticosteroids and vitamin D creams, and shampoos made with salicylic acid or coal tar. Topical treatments can effectively treat many types of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Light therapy (phototherapy) involves using natural or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light to treat the psoriasis symptoms. Sometimes brief daily exposure to the sun can help, but too much sunlight can make psoriasis worse. More aggressive forms of light therapy include using controlled doses of UV light on the affected skin, laser therapy and therapies that combine UV light with medicines and topical treatments.

Oral or injected medications are used to treat severe psoriasis or psoriasis that resists other treatments. They include pills, shots and medicines given intravenously (through an IV into a vein). Some of these can have serious side effects and might be prescribed for short periods of time only.

Most psoriasis in children will respond well to treatment, but it’s important to stay on top of it. Your efforts, and your child’s, can help control psoriasis symptoms. To learn more about psoriasis in children or how Dr. Holy in Phoenix  can help treat your child’s symptoms, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com.

Nail fungus is a chronic and potentially contagious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Nail fungus occurs in about 10% of the adult population. There are several different types of nail fungus and as such, the symptoms, progression and treatment can vary slightly depending upon the precise ailment that’s infecting the nail bed. One of the most common nail fungus infections is called Onychomycosis. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about half of all nail abnormalities. This condition may affect toenails or fingernails, but toenail infections are particularly common.

Nail 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 will cause all new nail growth to be infected as well.

Symptoms of nail fungus 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
• Brittle or crumbling at the edges
• Rough, abnormal nail surface texture
• Foul odor
• Distorted nail shape
• Dull, with no shine
• Scaly skin around the nail
• Inflammation, redness and swelling under and around the nail
• The nail may separate or lift from the nail bed

Not all nail infections are fungal infections. Conditions with similar symptoms include eczema, psoriasis and Reiter’s syndrome.

If you notice any symptoms of nail fungus, it is important to have your nails examined by a professional. In Phoenix, Dr. Holy is familiar with nail fungus and able to treat many conditions. To schedule an appointment, contact The Center for Advanced Dermatology at 602-867-7546 or mddermsolutions.com today.