The telltale signs of aging skin—wrinkles, puffy eyes, age spots—may start to appear as we grow older. We can’t fight the aging process, but we can take steps now to help reduce and prevent wrinkles from appearing prematurely.  

Many factors can contribute to the onset of wrinkles, which are frequently produced by years of unprotected sun exposure in combination with each person’s unique genetic predisposition. Wrinkles are a by-product of the aging process. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, is less capable of retaining moisture and is slower to heal.  All of these contribute to the development of wrinkles and sagging skin.

How Can I Slow the Progression of Wrinkles?

Daily skincare and proper sun protection are important factors in slowing the aging process, diminishing fine lines and minimizing wrinkles.   

• Take your vitamins.  Many vitamins are good for the skin. Vitamin C, a natural antioxidant found in citrus fruits and dark green leafy vegetables, can help reduce the appearance of sun damage.
• Apply sunscreen.  Protecting yourself from sun exposure can help prevent the progression of fine lines. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 to protect against harmful UV rays.  
• Moisturize.  Dry skin causes the skin to look dull and aged. To prevent dry skin, apply moisturizer every day.   
• Get your beauty sleep.  When your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it produces excess cortisol, a hormone that breaks down skin cells. Keep your skin looking and feeling young by getting at least seven hours of sleep every night.
• Avoid tanning beds. Tanning beds emit harmful UVA rays and are never 'safe' alternatives to the sun.
• Take care of your hands. Our hands are often the first part of our body to reveal signs of aging, as they are the most used and exposed parts of the body. Protect the hands by wearing gloves, moisturizing and applying sunscreen.
• Quit smoking.  Smoking may damage more than your lungs—it causes skin aging and wrinkles around the mouth.

Like it or not, wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Even the most diligent skincare regimen or the most expensive wrinkle cream won’t totally eliminate your fine lines. You can significantly reduce the appearance of your wrinkles, however. Start taking care of your skin now, embrace your age and love the skin you’re in!

While acne can be annoying to those with occasional outbreaks, if you are someone who is dealing with chronic acne, then you know that it can lead you to feel quite frustrated and self-conscious. From blackhead and whiteheads to those painful, under-the-skin cysts, read on to learn both how to properly treat acne and when it's the right time to turn to our Peoria, AZ, dermatologist, Dr. Vernon Thomas Mackey, for treatment.

Can I treat acne on my own?

If you are dealing with minor acne, then you may be able to treat the problem with simple at-home care and over-the-counter products. Additionally, when it comes to treating acne, it’s important to give these medications and cleansers time to work—after all, it can take at least six weeks to notice effects. If you don’t notice any improvement in your skin after six weeks, then it’s time to raise concerns.

When should I see a dermatologist?

It’s time to call our Peoria office if:

You’ve never been diagnosed with acne before

While acne is a common skin disorder, it’s not the only problem that can lead to red bumps on the face or body. If you suddenly notice little red bumps when you never had this problem before, it could be folliculitis or another skin condition.

You have severe or cystic acne

If your breakouts are severe and cause serious inflammation and under-the-skin nodules, then you most likely won’t notice results with over-the-counter treatments. Instead of wasting time and money on these ineffective methods that don’t work, our dermatologist can help figure out the root cause of your acne and then decide how to best treat the source of your breakouts.

Your skin makes you feel embarrassed or depressed

Dealing with breakouts has the ability to cause patients to become depressed or avoid social situations because of their skin. If acne is negatively impacting you or your teen, then it’s time to see a dermatologist as soon as possible.

From retinoid and salicylic acid-containing topical medications to oral contraceptives and laser therapies, we have a number of ways to treat your acne and reduce the severity/frequency of your breakouts.

Give us a call!

Here at Advanced Desert Dermatology in Peoria, AZ, we can work with you to create an acne-fighting treatment plan that is effective and built for your lifestyle. If you want clearer skin, then call our office today at (623) 977-6700 to schedule a consultation.

Are Fillers Right for You?

Thinking about fillers? Dermal filler injections can give you a more youthful look for a fraction of what a facelift costs. Dermal fillers are soft tissue fillers injected into the skin to improve your facial appearance or reverse the signs of aging. Dermatologists offer a variety of dermal fillers to meet their patients' individual needs. Here are several signs that dermal fillers are right for you.

1. You want to erase facial wrinkles.

As people age, fine lines, folds, and wrinkles start to appear. The hyaluronic acid and collagen in the skin diminishes, causing the skin to lose volume and structure. Dermal filler injections eliminate wrinkles by adding plumpness to the skin and replacing the collagen lost due to skin damage or aging. The treatment will fill fine lines and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes with results that can last up to 18 months.

2. You want to smooth away laugh lines.

Don't be afraid to laugh! Nasolabial folds, also known as laugh lines, are nothing to laugh about. These creases and lines run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, and are the result of the loss of facial volume as we age. Dermal filler injections smooth laugh lines by filling in deep creases. For laugh lines, you should opt for hyaluronic acid fillers, like Juvéderm, Sculptra, Restylane, or Juvéderm Voluma.

3. You want to enhance your cheeks.

Wrinkles and fine lines aren't the only signs of aging. Over time, your skin may start to sag and your cheeks may flatten. This happens because volume is lost in the cheeks. Using dermal fillers, your doctor can improve the appearance of your cheeks without surgery. Injectable treatments add volume to correct age-related volume loss in the cheeks and help create a youthful appearance.

4. You want to get rid of acne scars.

While acne scars may fade over time, they often don't go away completely without treatment. Injectable treatment fades acne scars by adding volume to them. Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Belotero are the injectables for treating acne scars. They are able to reduce the appearance of certain types of scars and improve the texture of your skin.

5. You want to make your lips look bigger.

Some patients have thin lips and want to make them bigger. Other patients have noticed their lips thinning over time. Your dermatologist can use dermal fillers to increase volume in your lips. Juvederm can improve the appearance of your lips by adding volume, structure, and shape. The effects typically last up to one year. After that, more injections will be required to maintain your new look.

Say goodbye to those signs of aging. Search for a qualified dermatologist in your area right now and schedule an appointment for a dermal filler treatment. Dermal filler treatment is the secret to looking younger! With dermal filler treatments, you will look as incredible as you feel!

Warts are small, harmless growths that develop on the skin. You may notice only one or they may grow in clusters. While they are usually painless, sometimes they can develop in places like the soles of the feet (known as plantar warts), which can be uncomfortable. Common warts often appear on the hands and arms while flat warts develop on the face and forehead. Plantar warts are typically found on the soles of the feet. Apart from developing these skin-colored growths, there usually aren’t any other symptoms associated with this condition.

What causes warts?

Warts are caused by an infection known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 strains of HPV that can develop in different areas of the body, from the mouth and skin to the genital region. The type of HPV that causes warts on the hands, feet, or rest of the body isn’t the same type that causes genital warts.

How do I treat warts?

Warts usually go away on their own once the body fights the infection; however, it can take months to years for the wart to go away. Therefore, if you feel embarrassed by the wart or if the wart is in an awkward or uncomfortable place then you may choose to visit a dermatologist to have it removed. If you are a healthy individual you may also consider trying an over-the-counter wart removal option before turning to a dermatologist.

You should see a dermatologist if:

• Warts are spreading or getting worse
• Warts aren’t responding to at-home treatment
• Warts are developing on your face or genitals
• Warts are painful, bleeding, or itching
• You have a weakened immune system
• You have diabetes

When you visit your dermatologist, they will first need to make sure that the growth is a wart. Depending on the type and location of the warts, your skin doctor will talk to you about your treatment options. Common ways to treat warts include,

Salicylic Acid

This topical treatment is often used on warts of the hands, feet or knees, and you will need to apply the topical treatment daily for several weeks. After the solution is applied you will also use a pumice stone to file away the dead outer layer of skin from the wart. The acid treatment will continue to kill the wart layer by layer until it’s completely gone.

Freezing the Wart

This is another common method for removing a wart. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the wart to freeze it. This is also referred to as cryotherapy. More than one liquid nitrogen treatment session may be needed in order to completely remove the wart.

Other options for removing a wart include burning, cutting or removing the wart with a laser, and these treatment options are often used on warts that don’t respond to the other treatments above. If you are dealing with warts and want to turn to a dermatologist to have it removed, then call to make your next appointment.

Have over-the-counter creams and ointments failed to help your psoriasis? Your Peoria, AZ, dermatologist, Dr. Vernon Mackey, offer treatments that may offer real relief.

Topical medications

Prescription medications can be helpful if your psoriasis doesn't improve after using drugstore products. Your Peoria skin doctor can prescribe a variety of prescription-strength medications that relieve itching and redness and reduce the formation of unattractive scales. Retinoids, the same medications used to treat acne and minimize signs of aging, can also decrease inflammation caused by psoriasis. Corticosteroids may be prescribed to control itching, swelling and redness and also slow cell turnover, improving the appearance of your skin.

Your dermatologist might also recommend a vitamin D cream that flattens lesions, slows skin growth and relieves itching, or may prescribe Anthralin, a medication that makes your skin smoother and also slows cell turnover and growth. If unsightly scales are an issue, salicylic acid can be used to prevent or reduce scale formation and increase shedding of the scales. Topical medications may be used in conjunction with other treatments.

Phototherapy

Exposure to Ultraviolet A (UVA) or Ultraviolet B (UVB) lights may also decrease inflammation and scaling and decrease cell turnover time. Light treatment can be helpful whether you have small patches of psoriasis or your plaques occur over a large area. In some cases, UVA or UVB treatment may be combined with a light-sensitive medication or coal tar. Excimer laser treatment may also be beneficial in decreasing inflammation and scales. Laser beams only target areas of your skin affected by psoriasis and don't damage healthy skin.

Injected and oral medications

If these treatments don't adequately control your skin condition, your dermatologist may recommend injected or oral medications, including biologics, methotrexate, cyclosporine, or acitretin. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions precisely when taking these medications, as they can cause serious side effects in some people. Although the medications can be very helpful, you may not notice a change in your psoriasis for a few months.

Don't let psoriasis control your life! Call your Peoria, AZ, dermatologist, Dr. Vernon Mackey, at (623) 977-6700 to schedule an appointment.