Busting Myths on Acne! Myth 2 of 6

Myth 2: Tanning helps clear up skin.


BUSTED! While tanning may hide your pimples, it certainly does not help get rid of them. In fact, tanning may worsen your acne.

After a day in the sun your skin looks better because exposure to the sun helps to even complexion and dry up the surface of the skin, but the long-term damage isn't worth it. Not only are you exposing yourself to harmful UV rays that permanently damage your skin, leading to wrinkles, sun spots and skin cancer, but you are also irritating your skin when you are exposed to too much sun, which in turn aggravates acne.

Additionally, sun damage thickens your skin over time, which makes it harder to clear your pores of acne-causing bacteria. There is no evidence that sun exposure helps reduce acne, so why risk your skin's health? By wearing SPF 30 or higher every day, you are protecting your face from overexposure and the harmful effects of the sun.

If you suffer from acne, look for a sunscreen that is oil-free non-comedogenic, which means it doesn't clog your pores, or a moisturizer that doubles as a sunscreen.

It may be tempting to soak in the sun to disguise your acne, but the results are temporary at best. As I always say, sunscreen is your best ally. Not only does sunscreen protect your skin from premature aging but also prevents the sun from worsening your acne.

Schedule an appointment with me and we'll discuss sunscreen options that won't clog your pores or make you feel greasy. Call (864) 242-5872 today!

Don't forget about our Latisse® discount program going on now, just in time for the holidays! Patients who receive BOTOX® or JUVEDERM® until December 31 will be qualified to receive $100 off their purchase of Latisse®!

Busting Myths on Acne! Myth 1 of 6

Acne is extremely common and can be a very hard thing to deal with, regardless of your age. MedScape reports that more than 17 milion Americans suffer from acne, and 80-90% of adolescents experience some level of acne. There are a lot of myths circling acne and its causes, so I decided to begin a short series in which I debunk the myths one at a time.

Myth 1: Eating chocolate and junk food causes acne.

BUSTED! Eating fast food or high-fat foods does not cause or worsen acne. Doctors and scientists have extensively studied correlations between diet and acne, and have found no relation between junk food and acne.

On the other hand, studies have shown that people who consume dairy products are at a higher risk for developing acne. Similar studies have demonstrated a link between high-glycemic-index foods and acne, showing that people who ate foods with a high GI were more likely to have acne problems than those who ate foods with a low GI.

In conclusion, while dairy and foods with a high GI may worsen acne, your diet, whether healthy or unhealthy, does not cause acne. But it is important to note that while food does not cause acne, it can affect your skin, so don't start eating 10 candy bars every day! As the old adage goes, everything in moderation.

We have an exciting opportunity to share with you!

Just in time for the holiday season, the makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM® are proud to introduce the Latisse® Real Lash Growth, Real $100 Rewards program. From now until December 31, 2010, when qualified patients receive Botox® Cosmetic or Juvéderm®, they will be qualified to recieve $100 off their purchase of Latisse®!

Latisse® is proven to increase the growth of eyelashes, including length, thickness, and darkness.

Now you can get longer, thicker, darker eyelashes just in time for the holidays at a great price! Call (864) 242-5872 to schedule your consultation or appointment with us today!

World Psoriasis Day: Shedding Light on Childhood Psoriasis

This Friday,October 29 is World Psoriasis Day, a day to recognize people suffering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis worldwide.

This year the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations is focusing its efforts on childhood psoriasis. Currently there is no drug approved by the FDA to treat childhood psoriasis, and these children struggle with bullying and discrimination along with the physical and emotional challenges they already face.

You can help raise awareness by participating in a walk near you, signing a thank you note to legislators who support psoriasis research, or by sending an e-card to friends and family. For more information on these and other awareness campaigns, please click here.

If you or someone you know has psoriasis, we can help! At Greenville Dermatology we are currently treating 523 patients for psoriasis. We offer every treatment available, including oral medications such as methotrexate and soriatane, topical medications, light treatments both narrow UVB as well as an Eximer laser, and the more recent treatments seen on TV such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicaid and Stelara.

Call (864) 242-5872 and make your appointment at Greenville Dermatology today!

To learn more about World Psoriasis Day, please visit the website.

Not all anti-aging products are created equal

In 2008, Americans spent over $7 billion on anti-aging products. It may be tempting to buy the product that claims you'll look 10 years younger, but the product doesn't always deliver. You need to be educated on safe and effective anti-aging treatments before you go shopping. With some help from the American Academy of Dermatology, here is some advice you should follow as a consumer:

1. Do your homework. You could try a bunch of products and feel disappointed when you d0n't get the results you want and then call your dermatologist for help, or you could call and make an appointment with us today and avoid wasting your money, time, and energy. Greenville Dermatology is your best resource on anti-aging information and treatment.
2. Protect by day and repair by night. All dermatologists agree that wearing sunscreen daily is your number one anti-aging weapon. Using a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection that is SPF 30 or higher will not only protect your skin against sun damage but will also help repair damage your skin has already incurred. Moisturizers are typically the "secret ingredient" in anti-aging creams because it plumps up fine lines and improves skin's complexion.
3. Expensive doesn't always mean better. Sometimes you're just paying for the name. There are many over-the-counter products that work just as well or better than their pricey competitors.
4. No one product works for everyone. Your friend may swear by a product, but you may not experience the same results because you have different skin types or skin concerns.
5. "Clinically proven" doesn't necessarily mean effective. Oftentimes the product is given to a sample of people to try for a few weeks and then they report whether or not they saw improvement. Products tested in this way are not reviewed by the FDA.

Your dermatologist is your best ally. Schedule your appointment with me and we'll work together to find the right product for you. Call Greenville Dermatology today at (864) 242-5872 and make your appointment today!

The ABCs of Melanoma

Since the beginning of this year, Greenville Dermatology has diagnosed over 550 new cases of skin cancer, including one patient under the age of 30. Furthermore, 20 of those cases were classified as melanoma, the least common but most dangerous form of skin cancer. The best preventative for skin cancer is protecting yourself from the sun and avoiding tanning beds. In addition to visiting your dermatologist once a year for a full body exam if you are at normal risk, you should also perform regular self checks to look for lumps, discolorations, and changes in moles. The easiest way to determine if you may have skin cancer is as easy as your ABCs.

• Asymmetrical skin lesion
• Border of the lesion is irregular
• Color: multiple colors or changing color in a mole
• Diameter: moles greater than 6 mm are more likely to be melanomas than smaller moles
• Enlarging: enlarging or evolving

Make an appointment at Greenville Dermatology today for your skin cancer screening. Early detection is key for prevention!

Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite

It seems like you can't watch the news today without seeing a story about bedbugs. Despite all the recent buzz, bedbugs have actually been around for a long time and by the look of things, they are here to stay.

Bedbugs were common in the U.S. before World War II, but became rare after the pesticide DDT effectively wiped them out. Despite the chemical eviction from the United States, bedbugs did just fine in the rest of the world and since they can hitch a ride on clothing and luggage, international travel eventually brought them back.

Not exactly sure what a "bedbug" is? They are small, oval, non-flying insects, often mistaken for ticks or small cockroaches. Adult bedbugs range from 5-7mm in length, while nymphs (juveniles) can be as small as 1.5mm. With a reddish brown color, they feed by sucking blood from animals or humans.

The bites itch and in some cases can cause an allergic reaction, but they do not carry disease. While it may make your skin crawl just thinking about them, bedbugs are actually clean critters. The prevailing theory is that new bugs were introduced from overseas, because the ones found in cities now are resistant to different insecticides from those used on poultry or cockroaches. Visiting hotels and other infested homes are common ways to get the bedbugs. They hide in mattresses, pillows, and curtains, but have no problem climbing into your luggage or clothing and tagging along for the ride.

Today's bedbugs have now evolved to be DDT-resistant and bug killers around the country have learned quickly that one chemical alone will not eliminate these pests. Some of the innovative techniques used to get rid of bedbugs are heat treatments, steam, and vacuums. Bug-sniffing dogs, trained in a similar way as bomb- or drug-sniffers, can alert to an infestation at an early stage, when it's easier to manage.

Some people overreact, even developing delusional parasitosis, the illusion that bugs are crawling on them. It is smart to be aware, but not panicky. Despite the fact that they do not carry disease, the bites can become infected by too much scratching.

Experts say that if you don't have bedbugs now, there is a high likelihood you will one day. But you can minimize your chances with simple steps, such as learning what a bedbug looks like and then keeping your eyes peeled. So tonight, sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite!