Dr. Vegas’ Monthly Blog:
Dermatology notes from Dr. H.L. Greenberg
When we are young, we are invincible. I remember a professor of mine telling me during my dermatology training,”I’m not young enough to know everything”. While most of us are aware that smoking leads to lung cancer and drinking can cause alcohol related disease like liver damage; many of us fail to acknowledge the damage we are doing to our skin. While I expect to have debates with my teen age patients about tanning booths, I’m discovering during these cold winter months that even my more mature patients are bragging to me about how they are putting in tanning booth time to get a, “base tan” or are tanning while on vacation. All of us are aware of the risks that the sun poses- sun damage, wrinkles, skin cancer and premature aging- yet many of us do not take precautions when it comes to caring for our skin.
Living in the desert we have other factors besides the intense summer sun light that could lead to skin damage- particularly during the winter, dry weather can make the skin more sensitive. Dry cracked skin can quickly become irritated, rashy and infected skin. Intense and constant moisturization is essential to keeping the skin barrier intact and the body safe from cutaneous infections and many other dry skin related conditions, like eczema. I ask patients to moisturize within 5 minutes of a bath or shower after padding their skin dry. Are you aware that harsh soaps can peel away the lipid or protective fat layer that keeps our skin moisturized? You may be better off using a hand sanitizer in many cases when there is no need for soap, as sanitizers tend to be less harsh on the skin. After each hand washing/cleansing opportunity, I like for people to moisturize their skin in order to repair the affected barrier.
If you are doing nothing for your skin, there are many ways in which to improve your skin regimen. Basics include- sun avoidance, washing, and applying moisturizers as directed. If you are beyond basics, there are cosmeceutical products that can enhance appearance and reduce the signs of aging. Topical Vitamin A products and prescription medications can also be used for fine lines and wrinkles as can chemical peels. Fillers can be used to volumize the the aging face (typically below the cheeks), and Toxins (Botox & Dysport) can be used to lessen wrinkles (typically from the crow’s feet and above). Finally, there are many advanced laser services (from gentle laser facials to fractional carbon dioxide resurfacing lasers) that can also improve your look.
Whatever your skin care issues, having a yearly skin examination to rule out skin cancer and suspicious lesions is always a great place to start. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world- in fact there are more skin cancers each year than all other types of cancers combined. You only have 1 set of skin that must get you through it all, and you owe it to yourself to treat your skin the best way that you know how- no matter your age or activity level. If you need help, we are here to assist in getting your skin to look its best. At Las Vegas Dermatology®– a Healthier & More Beautiful Life is our goal.
