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A board-certified Dermatologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) that has completed 4years of medical school as well as 1 year of internship and a minimum of 3 years of dermatology residency. They are the experts in over 3,000 conditions affecting hair, skin, and nails. They can see patients of all ages and are able to address medical, surgical, and cosmetic concerns.

Most people see a Dermatologist once yearly for an overall skin check. If there is a personal or family history of skin cancers, abnormal moles, or other conditions such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis, the frequency of visits can be increased.

Dermatologists recommend performing a once-monthly self-skin examination to check for new or changing spots. You should examine all aspects of your skin, using mirrors or a partner as needed. Do not forget to try to examine your scalp, look between fingers and toes, check the bottoms of your feet, and examine the groin area. Please have any new or changing lesions examined by a Dermatologist to determine if any treatments are needed.

UV damage is the biggest skin aging culprit. Daily sun protection measures (even in the winter) is the best preventative step. Avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, other drugs, staying hydrated, and eating a well-balanced diet can all have positive anti-aging effects as well.

Topical vitamin A products (retinols, retinoids) are the overall most effective topicals for addressing skin aging concerns such as loss of elasticity, fine lines, skin texture changes, and dyspigmentation. There are various over-the-counter products and prescription products that contain these active ingredients. People with very sensitive skin can sometimes have a more difficult time tolerating these topicals as they can be irritating to the skin.

While food allergies and sensitivities can be found in higher percentages among patients who have eczema, we often do not find a direct correlation between food allergies and eczema.

There are several easy tips and tricks to minimize dry skin. Be sure to use warm, not hot water for bathing. Limit soap use to the face, armpits, groin, and feet (unless you are sweaty or dirty elsewhere).

Pat dry after bathing and immediately apply moisturizer while you are still damp to lock in moisture. Thicker moisturizers such as creams and ointments work better than lotions for very dry skin. Utilize humidifiers if needed, especially during the wintertime.

It is common that eczema can develop during childhood. Overall, eczema can change overtime in terms of what locations on the skin are most commonly affected. Many children do have their eczema improve as they get older, but it can persist into teenage years and adulthood.

Any time there is inflammation in the skin, whether from eczema or another condition, the pigment cells in those areas can become “leaky”. This can cause either areas of lighter color or darker color even after the inflammation has resolved. These areas of discoloration will improve overtime as long as the inflammation does not return, but it can take weeks, months, or even years to fully return to its original pigment.

Eczema is a multifactorial skin condition that is influenced by genetics and environmental factors. Eczema is part of a group of conditions including allergies and asthma so these conditions can commonly be seen together in the same patient.