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Moeller Dermatology -
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
What causes Teen and adult acne?
Acne
is caused by several factors, sometimes in combination:
- Hormones
- Stress
- Bad
cosmetics
- Harsh
cleansers and cleansing practices
- Certain
prescription drugs, including steroids and oral contraceptives
Hormones
play an important role in the formation of acne, leading to
excess oil secretion, faulty closing of the hair duct and
infection. Stress stimulates the adrenal glands, causing an
overproduction of hormones. Certain cosmetics clog pores,
and using harsh cleansers or scrubbing the skin too vigorously
further irritates the skin. Some birth control pills, as well
as prescription drugs, also lead to acne outbreaks. Since
they alter a woman’s hormones, oral contraceptives sometimes
have the opposite effect, providing relief for acne sufferers.
"You can’t wash away acne and it isn’t caused
by diet," said Christopher A. Moeller, M.D. "Treat
your skin gently."
2.
What can be done for age spots?
Also
called solar lentigines, age spots are gray, brown or black
spots that vary in size. They develop over time on skin most
often exposed to sunlight, appearing on the face, hands, arms
and shoulders. Usually harmless, age spots can be lightened
with creams or completely removed with lasers. Treatment with
the Fraxel® laser is especially effective at removing
age spots, is approved for all skin types and has a quick
healing time.The best defense against developing age spots
is to protect skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Avoid
spending time in the sun as much as possible and use sunscreen
and a hat consistently when outdoors.
3.How
do I choose sunscreen for my entire family?
There
are two types of damaging ultraviolet rays: A and B (UVA and
UVB). Whereas UVB rays cause sunburns, UVA rays penetrate
the skin and cause wrinkles. Both UVA and UVB can cause cancer.
The sun protection factor (SPF) number refers to blockage
of UVB rays only. Make sure to use sunscreen with "broad-spectrum"
or "multispectrum" protection against both UVB and
UVA rays. Most people can safely use a sunscreen with a minimum
SPF of 15; for those with very fair skin, a family history
of skin cancer or certain sunlight-sensitivity conditions
(such as lupus), SPF 30 or higher is recommended. For UVA
protection, make sure that the sunscreen contains at least
one of the following ingredients: ecamsule, avobenzone, titanium
dioxide or zinc oxide. If you’re going to exercise or
be in water, buy a sunscreen resistant to sweat and water.
For children 6 months and older, look for a kid-friendly sunscreen;
it will be less irritating to their sensitive skin. The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies under 6 months
be kept out of the sun.
4.
I have seen tools that cut or shave calluses down. Is this
safe?
Although
home kits and tools are readily available, shaving or cutting
a foot callus is not recommended. If too much is shaved off,
the site can become painful and is prone to infection. Trying
to cut the callus can lead to bleeding, as well as infection.
The best defense against developing calluses, as well as healing
calluses, is to monitor the fit of your shoes. Watch for signs
of excessive or repeated rubbing or pressure. Your feet will
thank you for it.
5.
Are freckles dangerous?
Freckles
are clusters of concentrated melanin. They are genetic and
appear after sun exposure, acting as a form of sun protection.
Lasers are highly effective at removing freckles, but before
beginning the process, it is important to have them checked
by a dermatologist to ensure that none of the freckles are
cancerous or pre-cancerous. Once you are cleared, the freckles
are simple to remove because they sit on the top of the skin.
Bleaching creams can lighten freckles, although results are
not apparent for several months. To help prevent freckles,
apply a strong sunscreen and avoid sun exposure.
6.
What can be done about Unwanted Facial Hair?
Dermaplane,
waxing and laser treatment are three proven methods of removing
unwanted facial hair. Dermaplane is a skin resurfacing procedure
that scrapes away the top layer of dead skin cells, as well
as any peach fuzz. There is no downtime with the treatment.
Waxing is a popular, affordable choice and is especially effective
on the upper lip and side of the face; results last two to
six weeks. Laser hair removal is a more permanent solution,
achieving a 50%–70% overall reduction in three treatments."Genetics,
certain medical conditions and some medicines can cause prominent
facial hair growth," said Christopher A. Moeller, M.D.
"A licensed esthetician at the Skin Enhancement Center
can help determine the best method of removing unwanted facial
hair."
7.
Why do I keep getting ingrown hairs and what can I do to prevent
them?
An ingrown
hair occurs when the hair curls back or grows sideways into
the skin, sometimes accompanied by an infection. It most often
appears in shaved areas of the skin. Minimize the occurrence
by shaving in a different direction and not quite as closely.
Exfoliating the area and using products with salicylic acid
can also help treat and prevent ingrown hairs.
8.
My hair is very dry. What can I do?
Daily
shampooing strips hair of natural oils that protect your hair
and scalp. Try washing your hair less frequently — every
other day is plenty. Moisturize your locks with a conditioner
geared toward extra-dry hair; try a hair mask every week or
two to boost moisture. Blow-dry your hair less often, if possible,
and for shorter periods of time — air-dry your hair as
much as possible before using a blow-dryer. Limit the use
of products containing alcohol, and stretch the time between
visits to the colorist.
9.
Is Botox® for everyone?
Botox®
helps minimize facial expression lines, allowing you to look
and feel your very best as you enjoy the holiday festivities.
It temporarily relaxes the muscles that cause facial expression
lines, minimizing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. In
one 10-minute treatment, just a few injections produce a notable
improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the
brows. Results can last as long as four to six months."Botox
is wildly popular, and for good reason," said Christopher
A. Moeller, M.D. "It is a fast, safe procedure that produces
noticeable results within days."
10.
What is the best treatment for acne scarring?
Fraxel™
is a revolutionary new laser treatment that uses pinpoint
laser beams to penetrate beneath the skin’s surface to
eliminate old, damaged skin cells. Fraxel™ treatments
target 5 – 35 percent of the skin’s surface, leaving
the remaining areas available to quickly heal the treated
areas. One advantage of Fraxel™ over other laser treatments
is the overnight healing time. Fraxel™ is approved for
all skin types and is effective in the treatment of fine lines,
wrinkles, brown spots and acne scarring.
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