1. Dermatologists look EVERYWHERE.

Yes, everywhere.  From the top of the head down to in-between toes, including the groin area and buttocks.  Skin cancers and abnormal moles can come up where the sun doesn't shine, so it's important to have a thorough exam.  There's no need to feel shy or embarrassed.  Dermatologists are medical doctors who, in addition to completing four years of medical school, have had an additional four years of internship and residency training.  Our medical training and experience makes dermatologists the experts in skin conditions.

2. Skin exams should be done once a year.

Just like a yearly checkup at the internist, regular full skin examinations allow for earlier detection and treatment of skin cancer and abnormal moles.  People with a history of melanoma or multiple non-melanoma skin cancers may require more frequent exams, based on their dermatologist's recommendations.

3. Dermatologists are not concerned with hairy legs or non-pedicured toes.  Or non-matching undergarments.

Your doctor does not care if you haven't shaved all winter long!  Dermatologists are busy looking for suspicious spots when we conduct our exams.

4. Early detection saves lives.

Diagnosing and treating skin cancer such as melanoma in its earliest stages greatly improves prognosis.  In fact, for very early stage melanoma located at the site where it started, the 5 year survival is 99%.  When basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are found early, they can be easily treated in the office.  

5. Kids can get full body skin examinations.

Having family members with melanoma, being fair skinned, having light eyes, and a history of sunburns all increase the risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer.  Kids with many moles or with risk factors would benefit from skin exams.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones and schedule a full body skin exam! 

      

Although in South Florida we are super lucky and spoiled with beautiful weather during winter, many of us will travel up north to visit family and friends over the holidays.  With falling temperatures comes crisp white snow, the smell of firewood burning, holiday lights, and dry, chapped skin. Coming in from the cold and facing blasting heat doesn't help, either. So what's the best way to keep your skin in top shape? 

1. Ban the fragrance. Great smelling soaps mean dry, irritated skin. Look for body cleansers that are fragrance free and for sensitive skin, such as unscented Dove.  For face, gentle cleansers like EltaMD foaming cleanser or Skinceuticals' foaming cleanser are excellent.    

2. At night, a rich moisturizer for the face is key for maintaining the skin barrier.  At Premier Dermatology, MD, we love Skinceuticals' triple lipid repair. 

3. Repair: antioxidants and growth factors are essential.  SkinMedica's TNS Essential Serum or Clark's Botanicals' Youth Serum both contain ingredients that help to repair and replenish damaged skin.  Ask us about them at pdmd!

4. Turn down the heat - in the shower, that is. Hot water zaps moisture from skin. Better to take a cooler, shorter shower.  When your skin is still damp from the shower, put on a moisturizing cream - not lotion. Again, no fragrance here either.

5. Special spots: slather Aquaphor on hands and feet before bedtime for extra moisturizing. Glycolic acid creams also help with extra thick rough patches. 

6. Pay attention to clothing, to: avoid dryer sheets and make sure detergent is also fragrance free. Wool clothing can be irritating to skin.   

7. Of course, remember that even though the weather is cool outside, the sun's rays are still strong. A broad spectrum sunscreen that is at least an SPF 30 and contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide needs to be applied every two hours when outdoors. 

Keep your skin glowing all season long and happy holidays!

Donna Bilu Martin, MD, is a board certified cosmetic, medical and surgical dermatologist practicing at Premier Dermatology, MD in Aventura, Florida.

Dr. Donna Bilu Martin is always looking to stay on the cutting edge of aesthetics and carefully chooses procedures that are safe and effective for patients.  It is very exciting to offer Novathreads at Premier Dermatology, MD!  

Novathreads are needles that are preloaded with an absorbable suture (thread) made of PDO, or polydioxanone.  PDO is a safe material that is commonly used in surgery and is absorbed by the body within 6 months.  Multiple treatments may be recommended for optimal results.  The procedure is very comfortable and well tolerated, with minimal downtime.  It is performed in the office with topical and local anesthesia.  

There are two main ways that Novathreads are used:

1. Barbed threads are strategically placed under the skin and grips tissue to lift.  The skin builds new collagen to secure the lift.  These are especially useful in the lower face and neck.

2. Smooth threads are placed more superficially in wrinkles, like marionette lines, or along perioral lines (Smoker's lines).  Or, the smooth threads can be placed vertically and horizontally in the skin, creating a hashtag # or net.  This mesh stimulates collagen.  This works well in the lower cheeks and in the neck.  

Dr. Bilu Martin often will design a rejuvenation plan composed of several treatments, such as: neurotoxins for the upper face, fillers for the mid and lower face, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate collagen, lasers for texture and photorejuvenation, and now, Novathreads, too!  Her goal is always to achieve a conservative, natural result that looks like you, only more 

Schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Bilu Martin to see if Novathreads are right for you.       

There's a new player in the field of fillers, and it's a great one.  It's called Vollure, brought to you by the folks at Allergan, who make Botox, Voluma, Volbella, Juvederm, and Kybella.  Confused by all the names?  Don't be!

These fillers are all composed of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural sugar found in the skin.  Here are the main differences between them:

Voluma: lasts up to 2 years, and provides lift.  It has a high G prime, which is a rating of how stiff the filler is and how much it lifts.  It's best suited for areas like the cheeks and mid-face, where we lose bone and fat over time.  It is also injected off-label along the jawline. 

Volbella: lasts up to 1 year, and is soft.  Works great for fine lines around the mouth and lips.  It is also used in the tear-trough area under the eyes, although it is not FDA-approved for this location. 

Vollure (the newest filler in the group): lasts up to 18 months.  Has a lower water affinity than Juvederm, so won't cause as much swelling in the area of injection.  In fact, it absorbs about 2.5 times less water than it's brother, Juvederm Ultra Plus.  It has the second highest G prime in the group, after Voluma.  This is a great filler for nasolabial folds, although it is used off-label in other areas of the face.  Dr. Bilu Martin was one of the first physicians in South Florida to have access to Vollure.  It has become one of her most popular treatments!

Juvederm: the oldie but goodie in the group.  Still an excellent filler and can be used in multiple areas of the face, although it is only FDA-approved for nasolabial folds.  It doesn't last as long as the newer fillers in the group.

Botox is not a filler.  It is a neurotoxin that stops muscle movement: like those eleven lines between the eyebrows, forehead lines, and crow's feet around the eyes.  It's also used to relax bunny lines on the nose, a gummy smile, pebbly chins, and slim faces when injected into the masseter.

Kybella is an injectable that dissolves fat in the submental area (double chin).  It's done over a series of treatments to slim the jawline.

Since most people need a combination of treatments, Allergan has an amazing offer that Premier Dermatology, MD is pleased to offer through the month of June.

Purchase a syringe of Vollure and any ONE of the following (Voluma, Volbella, Botox, or Kybella), receive $100 off the treatment.  Get a syringe and any TWO, receive $200 off the treatment.  Get a syringe and any THREE, receive $400 off the treatment.  Come in for a complimentary consultation and see which combination is right for you!