Freshen up your skin for Spring with Photofacials:

Dr. Marie Jhin, a dermatologist in the SF Bay Area's Premier Dermatology discusses how to freshen up the skin for Spring.

All the days of baking on the beach or frolicking in the sun can play havoc on our skin.  Too much fun in the sun can make you look years, even decades older than your real age. 

Why Does This Happen?

Ultraviolet rays are responsible for the breakdown of collagen fibers – that essential fiber that keeps skin looking young. These broken collagen fibers can lead to wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. Sun damage can also take the form of sun spots, and discolored patches. When our pigment producing cells, the melanocytes, become damaged by the sun’s powerful rays, they produce pigment irregularly, resulting in age spots and freckles. The combination of these unfortunate issues makes us look older than we need to. But, don’t get too discouraged. There is hope!

What Can You Do?

One of the quickest routes to removing sun damage and revealing younger-looking skin is the Photofacial or IPL (Intense Pulse Light).  Photofacials work in a couple of ways.  First, the high energy light waves are absorbed into irregular pigmentation and the pigment is destroyed. Second, the heat producing waves encourage skin cell turnover and increase the rate of collagen production resulting in plumper, fresher, smoother skin. This combination results in a more youthful appearance. Photofacialss can also treat broken capillaries and rosacea and can decrease the appearance of large pores. Photofacials are not just limited to the face. Intense Pulsed Light treatments can be performed on the chest and hands, or really anywhere that your skin is showing signs of sun damage such as your arms, shoulders, back and even your legs.

Does it Hurt?

A Photofacial is a little uncomfortable.  Most people tolerate it very well.  During the treatment, an intermittent and tolerable stinging sensation can be felt over the area that is being treated.  A typical treatment takes about 30 minutes. Once the treatment is over, there is no real discomfort – only a mild sunburn-like feeling that may last for a few hours. You may notice right away that the sun spots and irregular pigmentation is darker than before the treatment.

In the days following the treatment, your skin will probably be even darker and more “peppered” looking. In about 7-14 days, this pigment will exfoliate off revealing newer, more even toned skin underneath. Typically it takes several sessions(3 to 6)  to see the full results of the treatment. Your skin will continue to improve for months following the treatment as the collagen continues to grow, filling in fine lines and broken capillaries continue to fade. Many people notice pores decrease in size as well.

If you’d like more information on photofacials, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Robert, our Patient Mananger. He can be reached at info@premier-dermatology.com or 415-371-8600 (SF office) /650-551-9700 (Pennisula office)

“Baby it’s cold outside”…How to take care of your winter skin.

Dr Marie Jhin, a dermatologist in San Francisco Bay Area discusses skin protection.

Spring is almost here, just a few more weeks of winter fun. Even a cloudy and snowy day can damage your skin if it is not protected. Up to 80 percent of the sun's rays can pass through clouds and reflect off the snow.

Sunscreen is essential for a healthy body and to protect and maintain healthy skin. Sunscreen works by reflecting ultraviolet rays off your skin. Some people come back from a winter ski or beach vacation with skin damaged from sun exposure. Remember to cover-up by wearing protective clothing, as well as generously applying a water-resistant sunscreen. You should reapply at least every two hours. Also, seek shade where possible and use extra caution near water, snow and sand.  Sunscreen helps not only reduce skin damage, but also can also reduce the development of wrinkles and skin cancer.

There are many different types of sunscreen. Pick your preference and keep your skin safe!

Please call our office if you need any other sunscreen recommendations or would like to set up an appointment for help in keeping your skin healthier. 

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BRIGHTEN UP THESE LAST FEW WEEKS OF WINTER

 

Turn your home into a serene escape from the midwinter blues by picking up fresh flowers or playing your favorite music from days gone by. Before bed, soften winter-roughened hands and feet with a rich lotion that will make them soft while you sleep. Take advantage of your blank calendar pages and schedule a month's worth of appointments centered only on you including your trainer, hair stylist and masseur. Stress plays a huge part in the health of the skin. Create a peaceful surrounding and you may just notice your skin looks brighter and more healthy.

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If you’d like more information on sunscreen options, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Robert, our Patient Mananger. He can be reached at info@premier-dermatology.com or 415-371-8600 (SF office) /650-551-9700 (Pennisula office)

The Black Swan: Skin Gone Wrong…

Dr Marie Jhin, a dermatologist in San Francisco Bay Area discusses skin excoriations.

I saw the movie Black Swan recently and found it interesting on many levels. Though taken to the most extreme degree, one of the issues depicted in the film is a disorder called Neurotic Excoriation. There are certain skin disorders that can lead to or be the result of stress or anxiety. 

Neurotic Excoriation is a result of compulsive picking and scratching of ones skin to the point of damage, which can be permanent. This disorder is normally found on the back of the neck, lower arms and legs, shoulders and face. Skin picking can be anything from poking, prodding, squeezing, tearing or scratching the skin surface. Patients often report the sensation of something crawling or growing on their skin or a feeling there is something underneath or poking from the surface. Anyone is susceptible to this disorder, but it is commonly found in females, ages 30 to 40. When a person has the uncontrollable urge to scratch and/or pick at their skin, they can then be faced with the reality of overcoming this disorder. Though Neurotic Excoriation is underreported, it is serious and can be treated in a variety of ways.Two percent of patients who visit their dermatologist report to having this problem. In our office, we see this in young women who pick their acne on the face or body. This variation of the disorder is known as Acne Excoriee or "pickers acne" and can lead to severe scarring. If you've ever felt or noticed that picking your skin is or has become a habit, please reach out to us.

If you’d like more information on Skincare Treatment options, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Robert, our Patient Mananger. He can be reached at info@premier-dermatology.com or 415-371-8600 (SF office) /650-551-9700 (Pennisula office)

Why Do I Have Acne?

Dr Marie Jhin, a dermatologist in San Francisco Bay Area discusses acne.

 

Acne is one of the most common skin diseases affecting primarily adolescents and young adults.  It is estimated to affect over 50 million Americans each year.  For patients with acne, the psychosocial impact can be significant and thus proper evaluation and effective treatment is imperative.

 

Acne is well recognized to be a multifactorial disease requiring multifactorial therapy.  Acne can affect both men and women, all age groups and all ethnic groups.

 

Acne is a disease of the pilosebaceous unit and the production of excess sebum and proliferation of the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria driven by excess levels of androgen hormones and ultimately leading to the formation of the microcomedone, which is the progenitor of all acne lesions.

 

When diagnosing and managing acne, it is important to characterize the lesions as either inflammatory or non-inflammatory (comedonal) in nature.  Inflammatory lesions are papules or pustules that are red and inflamed.  Comedonal acne are characterized as blackheads or whiteheads.    Inflammatory lesions can lead to permanent scarring therefore accurate assessment is necessary to provide the proper treatment.

 

The diagnosis of acne can be straightforward with the presence of comedones and possibly inflammatory lesions.  Other conditions in the differential diagnosis includes rosacea, perioral dermatitis, bacterial folliculitis, keratosis pilaris, medication induced acne and possibly hormone imbalance.

 

Acne can occur at any age but most appearing during adolescence.  An estimated 85% of adolescents aged 15 to 17 years of age have acne.  Nevertheless, adults can have acne.  In fact, more and more women over 25 years of age have acne.   These adults represent those with persistent acne continuing from adolescence and then those with late-onset acne, with acne first appearing in adulthood.

 

Acne can affect all ethnic groups.  Special consideration needs to be given with patients with skin of color.  In these patients inflammatory acne can lead not only to scarring but put them at risk for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which can be quite distressing.  Patients with skin of color can have differing sensitivities to the acne treatments which also may aggravate PIH.  All these possibilities must be considered in the management of patients with skin of color.

  

In conclusion, acne is a condition that affects many people and the importance of diagnosis, treatment and care must be considered.

  

If you’d like more information on Acne Treatment options, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Robert, our Patient Mananger. He can be reached at info@premier-dermatology.com or 415-371-8600 (SF office) /650-551-9700 (Pennisula office)

View from the Bay - Common Skin Care Problems

Visit our youtube channel for videos on skin care advice from Dr. Jihn

Dr. Jhin’s Top Four New Year’s Resolutions for your Skin:

1) Get a skin cancer screening - Whether or not you have been directly or indirectly affected by skin cancer, you should get your skin checked annually for skin cancer. Skin exams are crucial  as skin cancer can form anywhere there is skin. It is done at a dermatology office and can save your life. Everyday I see more and more skin cancer in younger and younger patients.  If skin cancer is detected early, it is very treatable. Please don’t wait. Make your appointment today and mark it on your calendar.

2) Wear sunscreen daily - I ask patients regularly whether or not they wear sunscreen and a common response is “only when I am outside and it is sunny.”  Wear sunscreen everyday and make it a habit.  You may not realize this but driving in a car, sitting by a window or even 5 minutes outside still exposes you to the UV rays that can be harmful.  It is always important to be prepared; UV rays penetrate even when it is cloudy outside.  And, don’t worry you are still getting a sufficient dose of Vitamin D from UV rays absorbed through your clothes and hair.

3) Use skincare products that are right for your skin - There are SO many products out there and often we chose the skincare products not based on our skin type or needs but rather by the product’s packaging or based on it’s marketing.  It is important to visit to your dermatologist for a full skin consultation to determine what products may be best for your skin type and any skin conditions that you may have.  They can also prescribe medicated products that may be covered by your insurance plan.

4) Healthy skin = A Healthy YOU - Since our skin is our largest and most visible organ, it is not hard to believe that it’s appearance can affect our mood and how we feel about ourselves.  Often, we get discouraged when we have tried everything over the counter and our skin does not look it’s best or we feel that it’s too late to do anything. Don’t get discouraged and don’t delay, there are treatments out there that are effective and can reverse some of the damage already done. See your dermatologist to discuss what would be the best for your skin.

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