1.       What is Accutane? Accutane also known as isotretinoin is a synthetic retinoid, derived from vitamin A   a class of chemical found naturally in the body.  They were discovered in the 1950’s 2.       How does Accutane work to get rid of acne? Accutane is thought to benefit acne through multiple pathywys. It causes sebaceous gland to shrink.  It suppresses sebum production. It also reduces comedone formation and the stickiness of cells in the follcile.  It also decreases the popoulation of ac ..read more

1) Other than staying out of the sun for too long and using sunblock, how can the average person prevent skin cancer? I’ve read, for example, that some claim dietary changes can prevent skin cancer. Is there any truth to this? The most important factor is preventing excessive sun exposure.   There is more to avoiding skin cancer than staying out of the sun too long and using sunblock.   Sun protection can involve physical items  like a broad rimmed hat,  swimsuits and shirts that include sun protection,  for example from  Coolibar and Patagonia  (no conflicts ..read more

October is eczema awareness month Myth # 1 It is contagious. No, it is not contagious. Because of the way eczema looks, i.e. red irritated flaky skin sometimes with cracks or fissures, many believe it is contagious but this is absolutely not true. You cant give someone eczema and you can’t catch eczema from another person. Myth #2 Just change your diet and eczema will just go away. Diet is generally unrelated to adults with eczema. Some patients note flareups of their existing eczema after eating certain food such as dairy products or nut ..read more

  What is male pattern baldness? Male pattern baldness is a chronic condition which involves and thinning and gradual disappearance of hair on the scalp.  Male pattern baldness is controlled by a combination of genetics and hormones also known as androgenetic alopecia.  No hormones = no hair loss. Under the control of  your genes, certain enzymes turn on with age that convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone goes to the hair and causes it to diminish in caliber, ie. get thinner and eventually disappear.  This enzyme is typically found on the ..read more

Dry lips are one of the most irritating things about winter. The combo of dry air inside and outside can cause lips to start to flake and peel. Nasal stuffiness from viruses doesn’t help as it increases mouth breathing at night which can further dry your lips. Lips don’t have oil glands so they get dry and cracked sooner then regular skin. Lips have some of the thinnest skin found on the body. Heres what you should and shouldn’t do. For mild cases, the lip balm of your choice may be sufficient. For moderate to severe cases,  Aquaphor lip balm which is fragrance and preservative fre ..read more

Dermatologist refer to noticeable dandruff as seborrheic dermatitis which is caused by an over reaction of the body to commensal (normally present) yeast that lives on the skin and one can use steroids or other anti-inflammatory agents to suppress the immune system or anti-yeast medication to decrease the burden of yeast. They have done dietary studies to see if there is a correlation and found none. Some people’s bodies just seem to react to yeast that are found in everyone. You cant cure a person even with pills because everyone has yeast just like they have bacteria in their mouth and gut ..read more

  1. We often hear that regular bar soap shouldn’t be used to wash the face. Why is that? The skin has a ph close to 6 so it’s slightly acidic bae soaps have a higher ph which makes them an effective soap for diet and grease but this also strips the natural moisturizing factors from the skin. the skin only our face is typically thinner and more sensitive than other parts of the body and many people are using acne or anti-aging products which only make your skin more sensitive. Long term use of harsh soap can leave skin dry red and irritated. Hot water will exacerbate this.  Skin may ..read more

The skin is an organ. What does that mean? it means that skin has multiple functions in addition to its appearance.  the skin has essential function in protecting against external stimuli like ultraviolet light, bacteria and viruses as well as temperature regulation. it is integrated into vitamin D production in concert with other organs. maintaining intact skin so it can serve this functions is a goal of a dermatologist.  How does the skin protect us from invaders/help us with immunity? intact skin can prevent pathogen ..read more

Should Your Skincare Routine Include Slugging? Soft, hydrated skin can make you look younger and healthier, according to experts. A big beauty trend that promotes subtle skin is slugging. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #slugging has been viewed more than 200 million times. The trend comes from South Korea and is popular on the K-Pop scene. But what exactly is slugging and is it actually good for your skin? We consulted writer and beautician, Jennifer Wiley, for the latest.   What is slugging?   Thankfully, no slugs are involved in the slugging process. Instead, petroleum jelly ..read more

Two things that don’t mix well are flying and coffee, especially for your skin. Coffee suppresses antidiuretic hormone (ADH) so you are losing water while the extreme dryness of the air onboard makes a perfect storm. Dehydrated skin accentuates fine lines and looks dull. We recommend a 16oz water bottle for every 2 hours of flight. Also coordinate your coffee and water intake with the time zone to where you are flying. Don’t forget your moisturizer and lip balm and sunscreen. The post Coffee and Flying appeared first on Goldman Dermatology ..read more