LAVIV UPDATE

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

     Did our first LAVIV treatment today. All went well. Patient experienced slight discomfort along with some bruising and swelling. She will receive 2 more sessions at monthly intervals. We plan to post a video on our website so you can check it out.

Joel S. Shavin, MD

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Chocolate and Acne

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Roses and romantic dinners can only be topped by a box of chocolates.  While everyone loves candy, chocolate has the most notoriety for causing acne breakouts.  There have been numerous scientific studies that show that acne is not worsened by acne; only a handful have implicated that diet may play a role.

Typically, the amount of chocolate in a person’s diet does not play a role in the amount of acne developed; however, there are some individuals who are sensitive.  If you notice after consuming a particular ingredient that your complexion worsens, it is prudent to limit that in your diet.

Stephen Steiner, PA-C

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SHINGLES

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Dr. Shavin ” do I have shingles?”. This is a question all of us at Gwinnett Dermatology frequently hear. More often than not the answer is “no.” However, this is not a rare problem and we see many patients with shingles.

Let me spend a little time explaining this disorder. First of all the medical term is Herpes Zoster. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. When one has chickenpox the virus lies dormant in our nervous system for years. If there is a let down in our immune surveillance system the virus can activate and result in a rash that typically involves an area of skin on one side only. the rash lasts for 2 to 3 weeks and slowly heals often leaving discoloration or even scars.

Anyone of any age can get shingles although it is more common with advancing age. There is excellent treatment for the rash if we are able to see you within 72 hours of onset; however, the more serious problem is PAIN! Some patients develop severe and long lasting pain requiring pain control specialists.

Other factors that predispose patients to developing shingles are those who have weakened immune systems. This may include patients with AIDS,transplant patients, cancer, or people undergoing cancer therapy.

Shingles can be contagious and may even transmit chickenpox to an unvaccinated person.

The take home message is to be sure and get into our office with any painful rash on one side. Also, I would urge all patients over age 50 to get the shingles vaccine.

Joel S. Shavin,MD

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New Year Resolutions for Your Skin

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

With a New Year comes the opportunity to be proactive in your skincare.  Here are five resolutions to benefit your skin:

1. Use Sunscreen – the sun causes more problems for your skin than any other environmental factor – wrinkles, freckles, other unsightly blemishes AND skin cancers.  Use a moisturizer with sunscreen every morning and make sure to put on a full sunscreen prior to prolonged sun exposure.
2. Moisturize – Dry skin predisposes to a myriad of problems.  Use a good moisturizing cream once to twice a day, especially after showering.
3. Perform Skin Self-Examinations Monthly – Monitor your skin for changes in moles or new lesions, especially ones that bleed spontaneously or hurt.
4. Gently Cleanse Your Skin – Harsh cleansers and soaps can dry out the skin and cause eczema and other skin problems. Use mild/moisturizing soaps and cleansers in your daily skin care.
5. Don’t Procrastinate – If you notice a problem or suspicious lesion on your skin, seek care sooner rather than later to avoid complications or future problems.

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ABC’s of Skin Cancer

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

While skin cancer can come in all shapes and sizes, there are a few guidelines that may indicate a potential skin cancer.

A is for asymmetry. This means that the left hand side looks different from the right.

B is for border irregularity. A skin cancer often has a border that has notches or irregularity

C is for color. Any variation in color is suspect – skin cancer can be blue, red, grey, black, and even flesh-toned.

D is for diameter. Anything bigger than 6 millimeters merits evaluation.

E is for evolving. A skin cancer may change its appearance over time.

These guidelines allow an individual to assess risk for skin cancer. Unfortunately, some skin cancers do not follow these rules. If you have a spot that meets any of the ABCs or have a question, consult a dermatologist promptly.

Stephen Steiner, PA-C

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“Pale Is The New Tan”

Monday, January 9th, 2012

(image courtesy of GettyImages.com)

“Pale is the new tan”

Fashion magazines, runways and celebrities such as Marsha Cross, Nicole Kidman, Kristen Stewart and Scarlet Johansen are getting away from the tanned look. Tanning among these groups is no longer the “it thing” and a trend of “pale is the new tan” is being established. However, despite the trending away from the bronzed beach body look, many of us still buy into the old thought process that a sun-kissed tan looks healthy and beautiful and a good tan camouflages flaws leading to increased self confidence. The reality is that some simply cannot resist getting a tan.

 During the winter months, the quest for that sun-kissed tan leads women, men and teenagers alike to the tanning bed. Misconceptions given by the tanning industry that tanning beds are a “safe way to tan” because of the “control eminence of UV rays” cause many to thoughtlessly flock to tanning salons to get a little color.

 Research about the harmful nature of tanning is overwhelming and alarming. In fact, The World Health Organization has categorized UV tanning devices as among the most dangerous causes of human cancers. UV radiation is a proven human carcinogen and sunlamps found in tanning beds emit 12 times the armful UVA rays received from the sun. In individuals that use the tanning bed before the age of 30, the risk of melanoma increases by 75 percent. Those who tan indoors are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who do not tan. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer killing an estimated 8,790 individuals in the US annually.  In addition, tanning bed users are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinomas and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.

 In addition to the carcinogenic effects of tanning bed, UV exposure causes cumulative and often irreversible premature aging of the skin. Signs of this “photoaging” are fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, leathery or rough texture, blotchiness and sunspots. Quite the opposite of the “healthy glow” look that many tanners are trying to achieve.

 So, if despite all of the convincing facts that argue against tanning you still desire a little color and feel that the color “pale” does nothing for you, there is still good news!!! Sunless tanners are your answer. They give a very natural appearing tan without the harmful affects of tanning from UV rays. They come in a variety of formulations including creams, foams, gels, instant and gradual tanners. Many tanning salons and spas offer spray or airbrush tanning. Perhaps your tanning salon would even be willing to transfer your membership for credit towards spray tanning sessions.

 So, if being Snow white this winter has you feeling the winter blues and Pale is definitely not your new tan, consider the facts of harmful tanning and consider self/sunless tanners.

 Many of the statistic above are courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation. For more excellent information on the effects of tanning, tanning alternatives and skin cancer visit skincancer.org.

 If you have a history of tanning bed use and have never had a skin cancer evaluation we at Gwinnett Dermatology would love to see you for an appointment in our office. Please call the office at 770-972-4845 to schedule your appointment.

 Jennifer Sissom, PA-C

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INTRODUCING LAVIV

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

There is an exciting new injectable recently approved by the FDA-LAVIV. It is the first FDA approved personalized product for the treatment of facial lines.

Here is how it works: The initial step involves taking a small sample of skin from behind your ear. This sample is then sent to a lab where your cells are carefully prepared and cultured. Once an adequate number of cells have been grown they are formulated into a liquid which is then sent to our office. Your cells are then injected into the folds that run from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth. It generally takes 3 months to grow the cells and the treatments are given at 4 to 6 week intervals to a total of 3 sessions.

Doctor Shavin was involved in the early clinical trials for LAVIV and is an authorized trainer of other physicians for its use.  Dr. Brown is a very experienced injector and has been trained in the use of LAVIV.

To learn more please call our office at 770-972-4845 and ask for Cathy at extension 126 or Valorie at 138.

By Joel S. Shavin,MD

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Shaving

Monday, December 12th, 2011

A man’s beard has between 7,000 and 15,000 hairs.  This hair density is a function of genetics and cannot be changed.  Daily shaving is commonplace in our society today, but it has roots stretching back to prehistoric times.

In 1919 an MIT professor created the first lather-free shaving cream, which he named “Barbasol.”  It was considered such a necessity that its consumption hardly dropped during the years of the Great Depression.

Shaving irritation can be limited by using a high quality shaving gel or cream, using a sharp razor, and shaving with the grain of the beard.  Some individuals may benefit from prescription products. 

Stephen Steiner, PA-C

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“What can I do about this dry skin?”

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

As the heat and humidity of the summer leave us and cooler temperatures creep in, this is a common question heard almost daily in the office. Cooler weather and dry itchy skin go hand in hand for many individuals. The term Xerosis refers to an abnormal dryness of the skin and is a common problem. Dry skin can become scaly, rough, itchy, red and even cracked.

Skin barrier function plays an important role in the process of skin retaining moisture to stay smooth and supple. The skin barrier is made up of lipids and ceramides that essentially join together and function to protect from bacteria and irritants entering the skin and to keep moisture in. When there is a compromise in the skin barrier, moisture can escape and irritants can penetrate beyond this protective outer layer leading to dry, inflamed, itchy skin.

You can make changes in your daily skin care routine to help repair the skin barrier and prevent dry, itchy skin from setting in this winter.

Following is a list of some tips for your skin care regimen:

1. Avoid hot water when bathing and limit bathing to 10-15 minutes 

Hot water dries out the skin and bathing frequently or for an extended period will remove the natural oils from the skin causing dryness.

2. Avoid using harsh soaps

Gentle soaps such as Dove® sensitive skin body wash or skin cleaners such as Cetaphil Restroaderm® and Cerave® are great options. Deodorant soaps and antibacterial soaps tend to be very harsh and use of these products should be restricted to limited areas, i.e. armpits and feet.

3. Avoid vigorous rubbing when bathing and when drying after bathing 

This can further break down the skin barrier. Instead of rubbing, pat the skin dry with a towel.

4. MOISTURIZE!

This is a very important step in ones daily regimen. Moisturizer or emollients inhibit the evaporation of water and certain brands; can help to repair the skin barrier. The best time to apply a moisturizer is after bathing to slightly damp skin. Be sure to avoid fragranced lotions or creams. Applying an emollient a second time each day is also ideal. Cerave® cream and Cetaphil Restoraderm® are good options available over the counter. There are also a few prescription emollient creams and foams available.

5. Add a cool mist humidifier to the home 

Central heating systems can be very drying to the skin. Using a cool mist humidifier is very helpful in preventing dryness that can result from lower humidity levels seen most commonly in the winter months.

6. Avoid abrasive fabrics and fragranced laundry detergents and fabric softeners/dryer sheets

Wool, lace and other “scratchy” type clothing do not cause dry skin but can certainly irritate dry skin and cause inflammation and itching. For laundering try fragrance free, dye free products such as All Free® or Tide Free® detergent and Bounce Free® dryer sheets.

If you continue to struggle with dry, itchy, red skin we would love help. Gwinnett Dermatology has three locations to better serve our community; Snellville, Loganville and Houshton/Braselton. Give the office a call @ 770-972-4845 to set up your appointment.

Jennifer Sissom PA-C

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Loganville Office Renovation Nearing Completion

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

The renovation of our Loganville office is nearing completion.  Patients will experience a fresh new makeover, including an expanded waiting area.  Additionally, we have added a laboratory to process pathology specimens, expanded storage areas to accommodate more charts and have left some of the new space available to allow for future expansion.

We have undertaken this project to enhance the patient experience in our Loganville office.  Please share in our excitement and let us know how you feel about the upgrades to our practice.

Jonathan S. Weiss, MD

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