Melanoma is increasing at a faster rate than any other preventable cancer in the United States. Between 1950 and 2007, the incidence rose 17- fold in men (1.9 to 33.5 per 100,000) and more than 9-fold in women (2.6 to 25.3 per 100,000).1 This year, the American Cancer Society projects over 100,000 new cases in the United States and about 8,000 deaths. Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25 to 30 and is second only to breast cancer in women ages 30 to 34 years. Some have attributed rising rates to earlier diagnosis, but melanoma incidence is rising among all categories o ..read more

If you’re like most people, chances are when you think about dermatologic care, lasers don’t automatically just come to mind! However, lasers are becoming an increasingly important part of our practice, as they can address a variety of different cosmetic conditions more effectively than other treatment options, and often with less downtime. Here at Pittsburgh Skin, we offer two different laser treatment options at both of our office locations. Read on to learn what they can do for you! TETRA COOLPEEL LASER Looking for that healthy summer glow all year long? Or perhaps you’re battling stubborn ..read more

Achieving the perfect skincare routine doesn’t need to be difficult! In fact, simple is often best. An overcomplicated skincare routine can sometimes break down the skin’s natural barriers, causing unwanted problems/complications for even the most well-intended user. It’s easy to get confused by all the marketing and social media influences. We often advise patients to review their current skincare routine and keep the following points in mind:\ ASSESS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE. DO YOU CURRENTLY INCORPORATE THE FOLLOWING? STEP 1 – CLEANSE. The base to any good skincare routine is everyday use of a ..read more

While we are excited to embrace the summer season, here at Pittsburgh Skin, we’re not quite as excited to welcome in one of Summer’s biggest nemeses: Ticks. In this month’s blog, we highlight some important facts regarding ticks, including how to prevent them in the first place, and how to remove them should your prevention methods fail. As always, don’t hesitate to call our office with any tick-related questions or to schedule a removal if needed. Tick Tips While more than 25 different species of ticks have been identified across Pennsylvania, four types of these ticks account for over 90% o ..read more

Skin growths, or moles, are extremely common – everyone has them! Often times we don’t think much of our moles, but if any moles on your body change, take fast action! Changes in skin growths can be a sign of melanoma. Here at Pittsburgh Skin, we take a lot of photos of patient moles to track any potential changes in their growth or appearance over time. This is a great way for us to identify subtle changes from one skin exam to the next. However, we also rely on the keen eyes of our patients to self-report any changes they may notice to their moles in between exams, and to inform the office i ..read more

A diagnosis of skin cancer can be both overwhelming and frightening. Fortunately, there are very good treatment options for the vast majority of skin cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinomas). Discovered in the late 1930’s and popularized in the mid 1980’s, Mohs surgery is the gold standard for treating most skin cancers. With a cure rate of 97-99% for basal and squamous cell carcinomas, most patients can leave the procedure feeling reassured they are cancer free. How does it work? Board-certified and fellowship trained Mohs surgeon Dr. Nicole Vélez walks us through a “day in the life” of a ..read more

Do you notice reoccurring breakouts popping up in the same location on your face? If you find yourself plagued by acne, you aren’t alone; over 50 million people each year suffer from acne. Often we think of acne as only affecting teenagers, but acne also occurs in adults too. Here at Pittsburgh Skin, we enjoy treating acne because we know that healthy-looking skin can have a great impact on a client’s self-esteem and well-being. While everyone is different, here are some tips for managing acne at any age: Find a gentle facial wash that you like and use it to wash your face at least twice dail ..read more

Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is the medical term for small, goosebump-like bumps appearing on the surface of the skin. Sometimes known as “chicken skin,” this skin condition affects approximately 50-70% of young children and 40% of adults, and has a tendency to appear on the backs of arms. While harmless, it can occasionally be itchy, irritating, and be a point of self-consciousness for those suffering with it. Why do some people have it while others don’t and how can it be treated? Dr. Vélez has the answers! Likely Causes of Keratosis Pilaris Keratosis Pilaris can result for a number of reasons. Fo ..read more

There’s nothing quite like a fresh manicure! Here at Pittsburgh Skin, we love to keep our nails looking their best. However, we often advocate against the convenience a gel coat provides. While a quick dry time and lasting set can be tempting, the UV-lamp drying process can be detrimental to your skin. The UV light emitted from a gel polish dryer is the same emitted from tanning beds. As you know from reading our past blogs, tanning bed use has been found to substantially increase your risk for developing melanoma, the world’s deadliest skin cancer. Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, e ..read more

Pennsylvania winters are beautiful, but they often don’t offer much sunshine. As such, many people seek out artificial tans to compensate. However, how you choose to tan during winter can have a detrimental impact on the health of your largest organ: your skin. Which methods are worth it? Dr. Vélez offers her expert opinion. TANNING BEDS Contrary to popular belief, tanning beds aren’t better for you than naturally absorbing sunshine, nor are they safe while wearing a light sunscreen. Tanning bed use has been found to drastically increase your chance of developing melanoma, one of the most dang ..read more