October heralds many things: the burst of fall foliage, the anticipation of Halloween, and the subtle shift from summer warmth to autumnal coziness. For those in the dermatological community and many across the globe, it also marks National Eczema Month. At Center for Dermatology, we believe it’s imperative to shed light on this common, yet often misunderstood skin condition. What is Eczema? Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by itchy, inflamed skin. It may appear as red, scaly patches, which can sometimes ooze or crust. While eczema is most common in children, it can strike at a ..read more

Thinking of making a dermatology appointment for the first time? Great! You’ve come to the right place. Routine skin exams are important for maintaining a healthy life and we’re glad you’re ready to start. But since this is all new to you, we understand it could be confusing initially. Here are the differences between medical and cosmetic dermatology. What is Medical Dermatology? We use medical dermatology to describe examinations of acne, rashes, warts, and more severe conditions including skin cancer and melanoma. Common circumstances that require medical dermatology appointments can include ..read more

MAY – A Meaningful Month at Center for Dermatology! May 1st Marks Center For Dermatology’s 17-year Anniversary. May 1st is Melanoma Monday. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. For 17 years, Dr. Robert Zabel and his staff at Center for Dermatology have enjoyed proudly serving dermatology patients in Lakeville and throughout the South Metro Area, including Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Farmington, Northfield, New Prague, Shakopee, Eagan, and Burnsville. We are grateful to our patients. Thank you for trusting us to provide excellent care for your skin!   May 1st is Melanoma Monday.  May is ..read more

Why Sunscreen? Become a Pro! The sun provides Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UVA rays are most responsible for aging your skin. UVB rays are most responsible for sunburn. Both negatively affect skin. UV radiation can cause skin cancer.  Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.  Over 3,000,000 people are affected by skin cancer each year.  The numbers are growing. Protect yourself from the sun. Don’t get a sunburn! Use sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and seek shade when possible.  What type of sunscreen is best? Be sure your sunscreen an ..read more

Of course, with the dawning of a new year comes the time-honored tradition of New Year’s resolutions. While people often make grandiose promises to transform starting January 1st, taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be a monumental decision. Why not start small? The minor adjustments and tweaks you make to your everyday life are the most important, especially when it comes to protecting your skin. To help guide you toward hydrated, healthier skin, consider these realistic goals to get you started. Learn About Your Skin Type You can’t stick to a skincare regimen until you know what type of ..read more

Wintertime is fabulous – we get to put up holiday lights, enjoy big comfy sweaters, and sip hot chocolate. In terms of caring for our skin, however, it can be less fabulous. One night we go to sleep with soft, hydrated skin, and the following day we wake up with our skin feeling dry and dehydrated.  When you think about dry winter skin, that makes sense – during the winter season, there’s less moisture in the air. Throw in factors like increased heat in your home, and it’s a recipe for dry, cracked skin. Luckily, you don’t have to tolerate dry skin. With these expert-backed tips, you can ..read more

Shingles is a rash from a virus that lives in the nerves and can affect the skin. It often breaks out on the torso, though it can also break out in other places such as the face. If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you already have the shingles virus in your system. It’s generally a condition experienced by people over 50 years old, but there are cases of people getting the shingles at a much younger age. Shingles Symptoms Many people experience a tingling or prickling sensation in their skin for several days. That area of their body eventually breaks out in a rash of blisters that can be extremely ..read more

Minnesota summers can’t be beat! The weather is beautiful and the scenery is gorgeous. People want to make the most of it by spending as much time outdoors making fun memories and getting important projects completed. But there is a drawback to being in nature—potential rashes and skin irritation from plants. Preventing Rashes From Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac can all cause skin problems ranging from mild irritation to a severe rash that leads to infection. Obviously, these are problems we want to avoid. Whether you’re planning a walk through nature or doing some lands ..read more