Each time we tan or burn, the DNA in our skin is damaged – and over time, this damage increases the risk of developing skin cancer. About 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer by age 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, and most cases are associated with exposure to natural sunlight, indoor tanning, or a combination of both.Nearly 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, every year, according to the American Cancer Society. But most of these cases would be preventable if we skipped tanning and achieved our “healthy glow” through safer cosmetic techniques instead.Skin damage starts with your first tan and builds up as you spend more time in the sun or using tanning beds. Not only can it lead to skin cancer, but UV exposure can also speed skin aging with the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and weathered skin. None of the consequences are good, and they might even be deadly.

Try these safer tanning techniques 

 Even when we know the truth about tanning, we still may want a tanned look. Several readily available products or techniques can help us get it safely at any time of year, Dr. Pratt says. These include:

• Bronzers or makeup:Want your face and upper chest to glow? Bronzers and similar makeup can offer near-instant gratification. Use a fluffy brush to apply these cosmetic products to wherever the sun would naturally hit your skin – the nose, cheeks, forehead and cheeks. Bronzer is wonderfully easy to apply, but the only downside is that it may wear off even before you wash it off.

• Self-tanner:This convenient, home-applied product has exploded in use over the last decade, with hundreds of options available on store shelves and online. Using a spray bottle or pump, you can apply self-tanner to whichever parts of your body you’re showing off, customizing it to your needs. Self-tanner also lasts at least several days, on average, so you don’t need to keep re-applying it. It may take some practice, but using self-tanner is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to fake an amazing tan.

• Spray tan booth:For about $25, you can get a fake tan at a commercial spray tanning booth, which encloses you in a confined space and unleashes spray tan mist all over your body (minus your hair, which is covered by a shower cap). You’ll apply lotion or cream to dry areas like your knees, feet, and elbows to prevent tanner from looking unnaturally dark in these areas, but otherwise, spray tans can offer fairly even coverage. It’s personal preference, but some people would rather use self-tanner in their homes, while others want the job done for them elsewhere. I’m not a fan of spray tan booths and I suggest avoiding them because of the potential of inhaling chemicals from dyes.

• Professional spray tan:The priciest option (running up to $100 per session), professional spray tans are available at many spas or tanning salons. This technique can also be more effective than a spray tan booth at applying tanner without creating streaks or blotchy areas on your skin. Some people swear by professional spray tans, especially if they’re about to attend a special event where they really want that healthy-looking glow. These types of tans don’t last longer than regular spray tans or self-tanner, but you do feel pampered getting one.

Whichever cosmetic method you choose to achieve a tanned look, you can feel satisfied you’re not damaging your skin or perhaps even risking your life. It takes only one blistering sunburn before adulthood to nearly double your risk of melanoma later in life, and anyone who tries to tell you now that indoor tanning is safer is mistaken.

Loretta Pratt, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and dermatology in practice with Advanced Dermatology P.C., in Chadds Ford, PA.  

Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. www.advanceddermatologypc.com   

Dating back to ancient China, microneedling involves rolling tiny needles across the skin to stimulate the growth of collagen, a protein that gives skin its texture and elasticity. Since ancient times, the deceptively low-tech cosmetic technique has been refined, with modern-day usage ramping up over the past three decades to treat a bevy of distressing skin issues.The origins of microneedling show that a simple tool can lead to dramatic changes in our skin’s firmness, smoothness and radiance. By boosting collagen production, which healthy skin contains in ample amounts, we can combat aging and other skin complaints that might otherwise sink our confidence and morale.

What skin problems can microneedling improve? 

By triggering fresh collagen generation, microneedling – also known as collagen induction therapy – can improve an array of skin concerns. These include:

• Wrinkles
• Loose skin
• Scars from acne, sun exposure or other injuries
• Dark patches called hyperpigmentation
• Stretch marks
• Enlarged pores
• Rosacea

Exactly how is microneedling performed? After applying a numbing cream to the face, a clinician moves a derma roller—a rolling tool covered with many tiny, sterilized needles – over the skin over a session lasting 10 to 20 minutes. The small skin pricks may bleed slightly at first, which will be cleaned away.Because sterile needles are a must, microneedling should always be performed by a qualified clinician. Don’t do this at home. You may be tempted by do-it-yourself microneedling kits that are widely sold, but you may end up injuring your skin or causing infection, which could be dangerous.

What to expect 

One big benefit of microneedling is that you’re able to go right back to normal activities after it’s performed. Since 4 to 6 follow-up visits are typically needed for best results, it’s ideal that no downtime is needed.While skin may remain a bit red for a few days post-treatment, this is also a good sign. The redness indicates the treatment is working as intended by boosting the skin’s collagen production. Your skin will be especially sensitive to the sun during this period, so applying generous amounts of sunscreen while outdoors is crucial protection as skin repair continues.Within 6 to 8 weeks after microneedling, you should begin to see visible skin improvements, Wong says. At that point, the procedure’s benefits will come full circle. When you see how much better your skin looks, you just feel better too. It’s extremely satisfying.Compared to some other cosmetic procedures, microneedling offers less downtime while still providing amazing results. Talk to your doctor about whether microneedling can help your skin problems and how many sessions may be right for you.Jennifer M. Wong, PA-C Physician Assistant. Ms. Wong has comprehensive experience in medical and cosmetic dermatology for all ages. Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. www.advanceddermatologypc.com 

Board-Certified Chicago, Illinois Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michael Horn breaks down the recent Tik Tok skincare hack and why you should steer clear of it.

 What is ‘Face Taping’?

Face Taping is when one uses a piece of tape of any kind, to “freeze” their face while they sleep. The idea is that the tape will keep the muscles in place throughout the night, limiting their motion and therefore minimizing wrinkles. During our sleep, it’s possible we can still make facial expressions and move around as we adjust, using tape is supposed to “keep it in place” preventing wrinkle formation.

Is it Safe?

Aside from being unrealistic to use a piece of tape to keep your face in place throughout the night, it can do more harm than good. Using a piece of tape, especially one that is “supposed” to hold your skin down for a whole night can damage the skin barrier when you take it off. This tape isn’t made to be safe on the skin and can cause redness, irritation, and acne breakouts. The adhesive must be incredibly tight and therefore, uncomfortable to use for an extended time to “hold” the muscles still.

Does it Work?

In theory, using tape to keep muscles in place while you sleep, not allowing them to wrinkle as you move throughout the night should work. However, it can have the complete opposite effect when it comes to reducing fine lines and wrinkles. When you tape your face to hold muscles still, you’re preventing them from doing what they’re supposed to, thus, adding resistance. In doing so, you’re training your facial muscles to work harder and, in turn, become more powerful. Over time they can get stronger, accelerating the formation of the fine lines and wrinkles you were hoping to avoid.

What can you do instead? 

If you want to minimize any fine lines and prevent wrinkles, there is always sunblock, adjusting your skincare routine, and even Botox. Dr. Horn recommends using sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher.  Including a retinoid in your daily routine, improves cellular turnover, reducing the appearance of fine lines. And if it doesn’t seem like enough, Botox is always an option to keep your skin looking smooth and reduce wrinkles.

Dr. Michael Horn

Board-Certified Chicago, Illinois Plastic Surgeonwww.lakeshoreplasticsurgery.comWith more than 10,000 breast augmentation surgeries performed during his career of more than 23 years, Dr. Horn is known in the Chicago land area as the authority on breast augmentation. His artistic eye, mastery and surgical skill in performing various face and body procedures, his dedication to patients’ safety, combined with his focus on unparalleled care and attention, make him one of the most sought-after surgeons in the Midwest.Dr. Horn earned his medical degree at Loyola University in Chicago. He completed a general surgery residency with the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as a sub-specialty training in plastic surgery with a second residency at Loyola University. Dr. Michael Horn is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Chicago Society of Plastic Surgeons.Dr. Horn is a frequent lecturer on the subject of plastic surgery and his work has been featured in several professional publications. He frequently attends national meetings to continue developing innovative plastic surgery techniques. His ongoing commitment to patient safety and satisfaction is evident in the personal attention and care he provides to each of his plastic surgery clients. From the initial consultation to the final follow-up exam, Dr. Horn provides compassionate treatment tailored to the specific needs and goals of each individual.

Despite accounting for nearly one-quarter of our bones, 18% of joints and 6% of muscles, our feet are often forgotten and neglected when considering our body’s health and maintenance.But with summer around the corner, it’s high time to tackle any leftover issues from the covered-up winter months that might prevent our feet from looking and functioning at their best.Of course we want our feet and toes to look amazing when we’re walking beside the surf and donning our favorite sandals. With some simple care and cosmetic attention, your tootsies can be ready whenever the sunshine beckons.

Take care of the basics 

Just as the first step in painting a picture would be readying a clean canvas, prettying up your feet starts with basic hygiene measures. A long soak in warm, sudsy water will loosen up dead skin, and using an exfoliating foot scrub can rid the surface of flaky cells.Try rubbing a pumice stone on your feet each day to remove tougher callouses, especially on your heels. Then add a thick, heavy moisturizer after your feet are clean and patted dry.Properly drying feet is crucial, by the way, since athlete’s foot – caused by a fungus prevalent in locker rooms, swimming pool areas and communal showers – thrives on moist skin. Summer-ready feet don’t match up well with athlete’s foot. If you’re in these humid, moist places, wear shower shoes or clean sandals to avoid picking up this itchy infection.

Attend to the details   

Beyond the basics, you can pick and choose from a series of next steps to prepare your feet and toes for the beach. It all depends on your goals and what you’d like the end result to look like. I suggest these measures:

• Trim toenails: Use nail clippers to cut straight across the nail, following the contour of your too. Don’t go too short or down at the corners, which can lead to painful and unsightly ingrown toenails.
• Choose a polish that “breathes”:A salon pedicure is great, but it’s almost as easy to apply the nail polish of your choice in your own bathroom, readying your toes for their summertime debut. Bonus points for using “breathable” nail polish versions that allow oxygen to pass through, which can help keep nails healthier.
• Try a massage:After a winter stuck in boots and hard shoes, your feet will “wake up” with a foot massage to improve circulation and relieve pressure on hard-worn areas. “You can give yourself a foot massage for 5 or 10 minutes at a time, adding warm coconut oil or a favorite moisturizer to make your feet feel like a million bucks.
• Buy new sandals:This tip is optional, of course, but summer’s arrival is the perfect excuse to shop for a new pair of sandals that show off all your dedication to making your feet look their best. Instead of flip flops, which offer almost no support, look for sandals that offer plenty of arch support, with cushioned soles that will stand up to all your newfound outdoor time.

Bio: Rebecca Sklar, PA-C is a certified physician assistant through the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants. Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. www.advanceddermatologypc.com.

2.     Don’t skip the conditioner. Use it after every shampoo.

3.     Do you have straight hair? Let your hair dry a bit before you gently comb it with a wide-tooth comb.

4.     Do you have textured hair or tight curls? Always comb your hair while it is damp, using a wide-tooth comb.

5.     Using a blow dryer, hot comb, or curling iron. Changes that can help prevent hair damage:

6.     Let your hair air dry when possible.

7.     Use the lowest heat setting.

8.     Limit the time a hot comb or curling iron touches your hair.Use these tools less frequently, aiming for once a week — or even less often.

9. Avoid products with “extra hold.” They can damage hair.

10.   If you swim, wear a swim cap. Wash hair with a specially formulated swimmer’s shampoo and follow with a deep conditioner.

Known medically as submental fullness, a double chin typically signifies excess fat in the area under the jaw or around the neck. While weight is often a factor, however, your anatomy or even the position of your airway can determine whether a dreaded double chin is part of your profile.Gravity also takes a toll, even if you’re not overweight, since sagging skin caused by aging can make a double chin more likely. Fortunately, an increasing number of minimally invasive or surgical approaches can minimize or even get rid of a double chin.

 Minimally invasive treatments 

 Recent years have seen a surge in minimally invasive techniques – which require at least one office visit – to target double chins. These options include:

Ultherapy:

Using high-powered ultrasound waves your doctor administers with a hand-held device, Ultherapy’s heat energy causes the skin under your chin and neck to tighten while also triggering collagen to develop. Taking only about an hour, Ultherapy is especially useful for those whose sagging skin is the culprit in creating a double chin, not accumulated fat. Research shows that 9 in 10 patients undergoing Ultherapy reported a tightened jawline.

CoolSculpting Mini: 

By freezing fat cells, which are then reabsorbed into the body over time, CoolSculpting Mini gradually tightens the jawline. A strap holds the device under your chin for about 45 minutes, and some patients require more than one session. Results typically take between 8 and 12 weeks to become apparent.

SmartLipo:

By rupturing and liquifying fat cells with laser-assisted liposuction – which are then suctioned out – this procedure can produce long-lasting results after just one treatment. Less invasive than conventional liposuction, SmartLipo removes fat cells with a small tube called a cannula, which is inserted through a tiny incision in the chin. Patients need to control their weight to maintain long-term chin improvement.

Pixel CO2 Laser:

By aiming a powerful laser beam at the chin area, Pixel CO2 treatment reveals a new layer of skin underneath and drives collagen production that can also firm the jaw. One session can reduce both jowls and double chins, and Pixel also has a lower risk of producing skin discoloration or redness than traditional CO2 lasers.

Kybella:

This highly touted treatment uses a chemical known as deoxycholic acid to melt fat in the chin after it’s injected into the area. Kybella typically requires between 2 and 6 sessions over several week, and it can take time for swelling to lessen as the body reabsorbs melted fat cells. But many patients notice dramatic improvement after 2 sessions, with chin fat eliminated after 6 sessions.

Surgical options 

Plastic surgery is also an option to fix a double chin, offering the advantage of also tackling other facial traits you’d like to tweak.  A neck lift can remove extra skin in the neck and/or tighten neck muscles. A face lift can also soften a double chin. However both of these procedures are invasive and may have extended recovery times.

Both types of surgery . . .

. . . produce temporary swelling and bruising that resolves over weeks, but plastic surgery is the most aggressive way to chisel the chin as well as other facial features.

A form of atrophic scarring that occurs when collagen under the skin abruptly stretches or shrinks, stretch marks typically show up on the belly, breasts, torso, hips, buttocks, arms or thighs. But although they don’t hurt, stretch marks can provoke emotional distress – especially when they’re highly noticeable or extensive

Girls and women are especially prone to stretch marks for a variety of reasons, including fluctuating hormone levels. Other circumstances that encourage their development include puberty-related growth spurts, pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss, steroid use on the skin, and bodybuilding. Your genetics may also place you at higher risk of developing stretch marks.

Depending on skin color, stretch marks can appear as red, pink, purple or brown bands running down skin areas. If you run your finger over a stretch mark that’s been there awhile, you’ll also feel a slight depression in the skin.

Treatment options 

You don’t have to treat your stretch marks – it’s purely up to you. Even if you do nothing, they will likely fade in time. But for those who wish to be more proactive about potentially banishing or fading them, several treatment options exist – including home remedies and in-office techniques.

These treatment approaches include:

• Retinoid creams, which stimulate collagen and elastin may diminish early-stage stretch marks but cannot be used during pregnancy.
• Hyaluronic acid-based creams, hydrate the skin and can make stretch marks less noticeable if applied early in formation.
• Laser therapy is the most effective modality to treat stretch marks. Types of lasers include Pulsed Dye, Fractional CO2, or Erbium. Depending on the type, laser treatments can boost collagen and elastin, smooth out skin depressions, fix pigmentation differences or reduce redness and blood vessels under the skin that contribute to stretch marks.
• Chemical peels, which use alpha and beta hydroxy acids to remove the top layer of skin and boost new skin growth.
• Microdermabrasion, which sloughs off the upper layer of the skin using tiny crystals or needles to fade stretch marks. This is sometimes combined with chemical peels to boost results.
• Radiofrequency energy, which creates heat and triggers your skin to produce more collagen.
• Ultrasound, which sends sound waves deep into skin to create heat, tightening skin and boost collagen production.
• Microneedling, will create microscopic injury to the skin also boosting collagen.

No treatment guarantees results, but this array of choices offers encouraging improvements to many people with unsightly stretch marks.

Tips for prevention 

You might be wondering if you’re able to prevent stretch marks before they form. Frustratingly, the answer isn’t black and white. “Scientific research has revealed that many products said to prevent stretch marks don’t actually do so. These non-performers include things like cocoa butter, almond or olive oil, and vitamin E.

However, that doesn’t’ mean all stretch mark prevention efforts are fruitless. Your best bets are lifestyle tweaks that benefit your overall health – including maintaining a healthy weight, even when pregnant.

Avoiding extreme ups and downs in your weight is the top tip for preventing stretch marks from developing in the first place. Using skin products containing retinoids, hyaluronic acid or Centella asiatica herb might help, but only to a limited extent.”

Suzanne J. Friedler, M.D. F.A.A.D., is a board-certified fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, with expertise in many areas of medical and cosmetic dermatology. She has been with Advanced Dermatology PC since 2002.

Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. www.advanceddermatologypc.com.

Some tattoos are more difficult to remove than others and results may differ based on factors such as skin tone. Older tattoos and amateur, single-color tattoos are easier to remove than newer, brightly colored designs that were applied in a professional tattoo parlor and in which the ink is deposited more deeply into the skin. Professionally applied, multi-color tattoos are more challenging to remove, and will require multiple treatments to achieve complete or even near-complete removal. The size of your tattoo, the kind of ink used, and your skin tone will all be taken into account in determining the best removal method. The most common techniques for tattoo removal are laser removal, surgical removal, and dermabrasion.

Laser removal is generally considered the most successful and cost-effective way to remove tattoos. Most removal procedures are performed with a “Q-switched” laser which emits a single, strong pulse that heats the ink in the skin and dissolves it, usually in multiple treatments over weeks or months. A complex, multi-colored tattoo may have to be treated with different lasers and wavelengths. Laser removal is most effective on lighter skin. Since the laser targets the pigment in the ink, it can also target the melanin in the skin making laser removal more difficult and results more unpredictable on darker skin that has higher levels of melanin. Amateur tattoos in which the ink is placed closer to the surface and older tattoos in which the ink has already partly diffused are easiest to remove with a laser. Risks with laser removal include scarring and skin discoloration.

Surgical removal cuts out (excises) the tattooed skin and stitches the remaining skin together. It is the most invasive technique for removal but also the one that will most assuredly remove all of the tattoo. Surgical removal will leave a scar and is most often used on small tattoos. Careful aftercare of the surgery site is important to minimize scarring.

Dermabrasion, which uses a sanding device to remove the tattooed layers of skin and allow the ink to leach out, produces unpredictable results and is the least often used technique for tattoo removal.  

If it is simply the design of a tattoo that is no longer wanted, it is possible to “cover up” a tattoo by adding more ink to the area to modify its appearance, essentially disguising the original tattoo with a new one. However, if you are intent on removing a tattoo, a dermatologist will help you determine the most effective treatment. As tattoos have become more popular and moved into the mainstream, removal techniques have also become more sophisticated and successful. Despite your original commitment to have a permanent tattoo, you don’t have to live with the consequences of that decision forever.

Rebecca Sklar, PA-C is a certified physician assistant through the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants.  

Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. www.advanceddermatologypc.com.

Advanced Dermatology, an Illinois-based company, recently surveyed 1,450 Americans who regularly spend time on video calls to better understand how they’re affected and what catches their attention on the calls.

The impact of seeing ourselves under the harsh scrutiny of Zoom is undeniable: 85 percent of respondents say that seeing themselves on video calls has made them more self-conscious about their appearance, and 73 percent say they’re less happy with their appearance now than before the pandemic. (Of course, it doesn’t help that many Americans have not kept up healthy routines over the past 18 months.)

Certainly, there are specific features people focus on, particularly on their faces. We asked everything that’s in view within a typical video call frame. People report they are most self-conscious about bags under their eyes, their forehead, and their teeth.

Zooming out from particular features, broader “looks” are also captured on video calls, which people find problematic. Sometimes rather than fixating on how their nose or hair looks, people are left feeling like they look more “tired” or “angry” on a screen.

The fact of the matter is, it’s very difficult to not look at yourself on video calls. Our screens effectively become mirrors. Imagine trying to sit in front of a mirror without looking at yourself. Of those we surveyed, 83 percent admit they stare at themselves “a lot” on video calls. People usually fixate on their own eyes, hair, and forehead more than anything else.

That’s not the only thing we’re staring at. Those who participate in virtual meetings for work are putting their coworkers under the microscope as well. Seventy-eight percent of respondents have compared their own faces to coworkers’ faces during a virtual meeting, and three in four workers admit they stare at people more in virtual meetings than they would in person, since no one can tell how much they’re being stared at.

Despite all the jokes about people not wearing pants to virtual meetings, the Advanced Dermatology data shows that most people don’t just show up casually, without consideration for how they look. Eighty-seven percent of those we surveyed check their appearance before joining any video call and 60 percent use the “touch-up” feature to enhance their appearance when it’s available. On top of that, 76 percent say they’re thinking more carefully about grooming and outfits on video calls now than they were at the beginning of the pandemic.

Finally, true to its name, many people are making bigger investments in their appearance as a result of the pandemic. Of those we surveyed, 59 percent say they’ve bought skincare products or changed skincare routines specifically because of what they’ve seen on video calls, and 61 percent say they are more interested in cosmetic procedures based on what they’ve seen on video calls.

For more information on Advanced Dermatology, click here.