Have you ever wondered why skin changes colors?

Why do moles have a different tint than other parts of the skin?

Are moles something you should be concerned about?

Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken. Sometimes, clusters of melanocytes and surrounding tissue form noncancerous growths called moles. (A mole is also called a nevus, or the plural, nevi.)

Moles are very common. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. Moles may be pink, tan, brown, or a color that is very close to the person’s normal skin tone.

People who have dark skin tend to have dark moles. Moles can be flat or raised and may darken during pregnancy or after sun exposure. Flat moles are called junctional nevi and  raised moles are called compound nevi. They are usually round or oval and smaller than a pencil eraser. They may be present at birth or may appear later on—usually before age 40. They tend to fade away in older people. When moles are surgically removed, they normally do not return.

A halo nevus occurs when the skin surrounding a mole loses its pigmentation or color.  This is benign and often the central mole and white ring will disappear with time.  Halo nevi are most common in children and teenagers.

Most moles are harmless and do not require treatment. If you have moles, keep an inventory of their number and appearance. Change in size, shape or color of a mole is cause for medical evaluation. Moles that develop in adult life should also be evaluated.

Sun protection with appropriate clothing and sunscreen are the best way to avoid mole development.

Public information from The National Cancer Institute

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Images courtesy of Gerald Goldberg, M.D.

This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your Utah skin care specialist or health care professional. Communicate promptly with any health-related questions or concerns.

As the weather turns colder in Utah, it robs you of the healthy glow you enjoy during the summer months. Your skin needs moisture to stay smooth and supple but the cold winter air holds less moisture. Cold weather not only makes your skin dry and itchy, it can also cause a number of conditions. Central heating of homes and work places further depletes the levels of moisture to worsen skin dryness. Dry skin usually gives rise to itching when environmental humidity drops and this dry, flaky, itchy skin interferes with sleep and other day-to-day activities.

Utah dermatologists recommend the following simple tips to keep dry skin, winter itch, unwanted wrinkles and other skin related symptoms at bay this winter.

1. Keep out of hot water. Hot water dries out the skin. Use lukewarm water and take a short bath or shower (of about 10 minutes). Avoid bubble baths and hot tubs and take your bath or shower only once per 24 hour span. Hot water causes your skin to lose natural oils. Switch to mild soaps that do not dry the skin and use a washcloth minimally. Limit use of deodorant soaps.

2. Apply moisturizers to your skin. Applying moisturizers (emollients) to your skin, especially after taking a bath or shower, traps moisture in the skin. If your skin is severely dry apply oil first to the moist skin after bathing and then apply a moisturizing cream. Oil based creams are most effective during winter. Honey can also be used on legs and hands and washed off after 10 minutes to say goodbye to the dry skin.

3. Dress smartly. Dress in layers of clothes with a cotton layer closest to your body. It will allow your skin to breath and keep you warm without irritating the skin. Wool is not very comfortable right next to the skin.

4. Drink plenty of water and other fluids to keep your skin moist from within. When you increase intake of liquids, it heals your skin from the inside out.

Follow these simple steps to nourish and rejuvenate your skin and keep glowing this winter.

We recently talked about what acne is, what causes acne, and gave a few tips about how acne is different for girls.

Now we’ll talk about treatments that are available for acne.

What kinds of Acne Treatments are Available?

The goal of acne treatment is to kill bacteria, remove dead skin cells, and lower sebum production. The dermatologist will choose a treatment based on the severity of the acne, which could be mild, moderate or severe.

Many mild cases may respond to the use of over-the-counter medications, but sometimes your physician will recommend something stronger to avoid prolonging the acne and the risk of scarring. In that case, you may be prescribed a topical or oral antibiotic, a prescription-strength topical retinoid, or both.

The worst cases of acne may call for isotretinoin (Accutane), an effective prescription medication that carries potentially serious side effects. The doctor will monitor you closely for such side effects if you take this medication. Pregnant women should never take isotretinoin.

Stick with It

No medication can do its job properly unless it is given time to work. It’s very important to be patient and take your medication as directed, for as long as directed. If you don’t see results right away, don’t be discouraged. Your medication is hard at work preventing new lesions from forming. Stopping treatment early will likely cause pimples and zits to reappear.

What should girls know about skin care products & acne?

In choosing cosmetics and skin cleansers, girls have many acne-fighting products to choose from. To kill P. acnes and other acne-causing bacteria, find a gentle cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid. See the prevention section below for tips on using a cleanser properly.

When shopping for makeup, hair products, moisturizers, and other cosmetics, avoid heavy, greasy formulations that could clog pores and worsen your acne. Choose products labeled noncomedogenic or non-acnegenic, as these are less likely to block your pores. Today, you can even find acne-medicated makeup and spot treatments, which conceal and heal your lesions at the same time.

What can girls do to prevent acne?

• Cleanse your skin twice a day with a mild soap; avoid scrubbing hard with a washcloth—it won’t help the acne go away and it may worsen the condition by irritating the skin.
• Choose oil-free cosmetics, preferably those labeled noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic. Remove makeup at the end of the day to prevent clogged pores.
• Teens tend to get acne in the T-zone of the face (chin, nose, and forehead), so use an oil-free moisturizer if possible, and use less moisturizer in those areas.
• Keep hair products away from the face, and if your hair is long enough to touch your face, keep it clean to keep oil away.
• Wash your face gently after working around oily substances (such as in a hot kitchen or gas station) and after exercising.
• Don’t touch your face, because the oil and bacteria from your hands can worsen your acne.
• Avoid the temptation to pick at or squeeze your pimples or zits—this can irritate them and cause scarring.
• If you are using a medication, give it time to work. Your skin may look worse before it looks better, and it may be 6-8 weeks before you see improvement. If you don’t see results after two months, talk to your dermatologist about switching treatments or adjusting your dosage.
• The sooner you treat your acne, the easier it will be to bring it under control. Virtually any case of acne is treatable, and it’s much easier to eliminate lesions in the early stages, which keeps them from growing and prevents scarring.

Let us know how you are implementing these tips in your treatment and prevention of acne.

Do you suffer from acne?

Are you sick of the day to day treatments you have to go through every day to take care of your skin?

To help cope with teenage acne, it’s important to understand what acne is, what causes it, and what you can do.

What is Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition affecting our teenage and adult patients. At Aspen Dermatology of Utah County we talk about acne myths, acne and diet, acne medications, and other acne treatments.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs because of clogged pores that result from an overproduction of sebum. Sebum is an oily substance secreted from the sebaceous glands under the skin of the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. Acne is most common in teens because of the hormonal activity of puberty, which stimulates sebum production.

How is Acne Different for Girls?

Since acne is most often a hormonal event in teenagers, it usually occurs with the onset of puberty. In girls, puberty typically starts at a younger age than in boys, which means girls get acne earlier in life.

In addition to the puberty-related changes experienced by all teens, girls must also contend with the hormonal swings of menstruation, so acne may flare at certain times during the menstrual cycle.

Girls also differ in their response to acne. Because they are more likely to use skin care products than boys, they are often more receptive to the topical treatments recommended for acne.

Stay tune for Part 2 of our blog post about acne tips for Utah girls.

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The best protection against skin cancer is to minimize sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you do go out in the sun, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB), making sure to cover the head, lips, hands, neck, and ears. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing. Not only will this dramatically decrease your risk of skin cancer, but it will prevent other sun-damaging conditions, like wrinkles and actinic keratoses.

While everyone should minimize their exposure to the sun, fair-skinned people, outdoor workers, and residents of sunny climates should use particular caution.

Another effective weapon against skin cancer is regular self-exams of your skin. Get to know the landscape of your skin, and take an inventory of all moles.

Because skin cancer can resemble other skin conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about unusual skin changes or lesions, especially these:

• A sore that comes and goes but never completely heals.
• A shiny bump or nodule, especially if it appears pearly or translucent (these can look brown or reddish and resemble a mole).
• A slightly raised pink growth with a crusted depression in the center, possibly with tiny blood vessels (capillaries) visible on the surface.
• A patch of skin that is red or irritated, especially on the chest, shoulders, or limbs.
• A white or yellow-ish waxy scar with poorly defined borders.

If you have any risk factors, such as prolonged sun exposure, family history, or a past cancerous lesion, you may benefit from having your skin checked regularly by your doctor.

Tanning booths increase the risk of developing skin cancer, despite any claims of their being a safe alternative to natural sunlight. The skin doesn’t tan unless it is first damaged by UV radiation. Intentional tanning should be avoided like any health hazard, such as smoking.

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Skin cancer occurs when skin cells start growing abnormally, causing cancerous growths.

Most skin cancers develop on the visible outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), particularly in sun-exposed areas (face, head, hands, arms, and legs). They are usually easy to detect by examining the skin, which increases the chances of early treatment and survival.

There are different types of skin cancer, each named for the type of skin cell from which they originate. The majority of skin cancers fall into one of the following categories:

• Basal cell carcinoma (also called BCC) comes from the basal cells in lowest part of the epidermis. 80-85% percent of skin cancers are BCCs.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (also called SCC) comes from the skin cells (keratinocytes) that make up the top layers of the skin. About 10% of skin cancers are SCC.
• Melanoma comes from skin cells called melanocytes, which create pigment called melanin that gives skin its color. 5% of all skin cancers are melanoma. Although less common, it is a very dangerous type of skin cancer and is the leading cause of death from skin disease.

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are sometimes referred to as “non-melanoma skin cancer” to distinguish them from melanoma.

Skin cancer is considered low risk when the affected cells remain clustered in a single group. It is considered high risk when the cells have invaded surrounding tissues. High risk forms of cancer require more aggressive treatments.

Almost all skin cancers start as a small, low-risk lesions, but can grow and become high-risk lesions if left untreated. Melanoma is the most alarming type because it has a higher risk of invading surrounding tissues or spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis) before being detected. Squamous cell and basal cell skin cancer are more likely to be detected and treated effectively before they become malignant.

If skin cancer is detected before it has spread to surrounding tissues, chances of a complete cure are excellent.

For more information on Skin Cancer in Utah, contact your dermatologist in Utah today!

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What is the largest organ in your body? Any guesses? Are you surprised to know it’s your Skin?

Skin is all over you, providing a protective covering to your muscles and tissues. In today’s Utah environment where the weather and air quality change on a daily basis, our skin needs protection from harmful UV radiation, pollution, and dust.

Unfortunately, our skin takes the beating and protects our muscles, tissues, and various organs from getting directly impacted. This direct impact can lead to dry and itchy skin.

To revive the skin and give it the proper protection it needs, it’s very important to understand the basics of dry skin care in Utah County.

When we talk about dry skin care most of us immediately turn our heads to moisturizers because we think it’s logical to moisturize. Before we even go there, let’s first understand what causes dry skin.

Cause of Dry Skin in Utah – 
Our body produces natural oils and moisturizer to maintain a balance. If this oil is lost for any reason our skin becomes dry. The loss of oil could be because of cold weather, pollution in the environment, and exposure to dirt. This oil is used to keep the skin moist and also helps our skin maintain natural nutrients. When this oil is lost our skin becomes dry and itchy.
Dry skin care in Utah is not a very complex process to follow. There are a few key things we should do:

1. Stay away from skin care products that are not natural. 
These products might be manufactured using harmful chemicals or harsh chemicals that can further make your skin dry. Instead use natural skin care products
2. Use natural ways to moisturize the body. 
Drink ample amount of water to provide natural moisture
3. Avoid dry and harsh weather. 
Protect your skin from weather. Cover it properly if you are going out.
4. Avoid unnecessary prolonged hot showers. 
Long exposure to hot water washes the natural oils of our body.
5. Work with a Utah dermatologist. We had to put this one in

Dry skin care is very easy if you follow these tips.

When a person looks at their skin, they should be very happy with how it looks. However, various habits such as tanning can lead to the skin not looking as good as it could be. This is because the ultraviolet rays from the sun (this can also happen in a tanning booth) can cause the skin to prematurely wrinkle, as well as incite irregular pigmentation.

This is where the field of cosmetic dermatology comes in. It is important to note that if a person is turning to cosmetic dermatology in order to correct pigmentation problems, the person should first be checked to make sure that these problems are not indicative of skin cancer. In that case, the person will need to see a regular Utah dermatologist for treatment

If skin cancer has not yet occurred, but the pigmentation is still annoying, cosmetic dermatology treatments often use laser technology. Specifically, irregular pigmentation is caused when the skin produces an excess amount of melanin in order to protect itself from ultraviolet rays. The laser heat breaks apart the skin molecules that have been affected by melanin and erases them.

In the case of premature wrinkling, cosmetic dermatology often uses injections such as Botox. The goal of these injections is to fill out the area of the skin, thereby erasing the wrinkle. Wrinkles prematurely can occur because the ultraviolet rays depleted the amount of hyaluronic acid that the skin produces. It will usually take a couple of treatment sessions for certain dermal fillers to provide optimal results.

“What is the largest organ of the human body?”

Upon first thought, people would normally think of the liver being the largest organ. As a matter of fact, the largest human organ is the Integumentary system. More commonly referred to as skin, its importance is often times overlooked. Skin is frequently associated with beauty, probably because it is the most visible part of our body. Any irregularities are often times found to be a turnoff, and aesthetically displeasing. However, the skin has a more useful function that that of deciding who is and who is not attractive. It is the first line of defense against bacteria and germs. For these reasons, it is essential to take care of one’s skin, and to find a good Utah dermatology center for the best treatment.

How to Find a Utah Dermatologist

• Referrals. Asking friends and family or even your family doctor is always a good way to find out basic information about Utah dermatology centers. They may also be able to discuss the conditions of the facilities and they can describe the health professionals working at that center.
• Advertisements. Magazines and newspapers may be advertising some dermatology centers. Usually, basic information is displayed in the advertisements, along with recommendations.
• Online Search. It is interesting to note that many dermatology centers have their own websites. A simple internet search can show the location of local centers. Going over their websites may also help in providing in-depth and simple data about the place.

Making a Commitment

What things should you be aware of before you make the commitment to a specific Utah Dermatologist?

• Personal experience with that establishment is a must. One can visit the dermatology center and ask an agent to provide a tour and answer any unanswered questions.
• It should be remembered that the information being gathered does not have to all originate from agent. Make use of observations made while exploring the center. For example, the cleanliness and sanitation of the hospital should be scrutinized.
• Professionalism of the workers can also be measured based on how they work and conduct themselves. Time can also be spent in examining the legitimacy of the health professionals working there. Licenses, permits, and even college diplomas of the doctors should be inspected to see how valid they are as health practitioners.

After all the research on the different dermatology centers, the client should decide which center is best for them. This includes setting one’s price range, and basic needs. If the client is looking for a dermatology center for simple skin care, like acne treatment, a high-end, exclusive center might not be necessary for them. However, if someone has a chronic skin disease that needs plenty of treatment, they should consider a more expensive, and qualified place to seek treatment.

Finding a good dermatology center means finding a company that fits the need of the client. In addition, it should be remembered that the most important aspects to consider is how safe, clean, and reliable the center itself and the workers in it are.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Isotretinoin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• red, cracked, and sore lips
• dry skin, eyes, mouth, or nose
• nosebleeds
• changes in skin color
• peeling skin, especially on the palms and soles
• changes in the nails
• slowed healing of cuts or sores
• bleeding or swollen gums
• hair loss or unwanted hair growth
• sweating
• flushing
• voice changes
• tiredness
• cold symptoms

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• headache
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• seizures
• slow or difficult speech
• weakness or numbness of one part or side of the body
• stomach pain
• chest pain
• difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
• new or worsening heartburn
• diarrhea
• rectal bleeding
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark colored urine
• back, bone, joint or muscle pain
• muscle weakness
• difficulty hearing
• ringing in the ears
• vision problems
• painful or constant dryness of the eyes
• unusual thirst
• frequent urination
• trouble breathing
• fainting
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• fever
• rash
• red patches or bruises on the legs
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

Isotretinoin may cause the bones to stop growing too soon in teenagers. Talk to your child’s doctor about the risks of giving this medication to your child.

Isotretinoin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• vomiting
• flushing
• severe chapped lips
• stomach pain
• headache
• dizziness
• loss of coordination

Anyone who has taken an overdose of isotretinoin should know about the risk of birth defects caused by isotretinoin and should not donate blood for 1 month after the overdose. Pregnant woman should talk to their doctors about the risks of continuing the pregnancy after the overdose. Women who can become pregnant should use two forms of birth control for 1 month after the overdose. Men whose partners are or may become pregnant should use condoms or avoid sexual contact with that partner for 1 month after the overdose because isotretinoin may be present in the semen.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to isotretinoin.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand name(s):

• Accutane®
• Amnesteem®
• Claravis®
• Sotret®

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