May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month!

With the summer quickly approaching, skin cancer may not be in the forefront of your thoughts, but it should! More time spent in the sun, especially in Southern California, creates more risk of exposure to harmful skin cancer causing rays! The doctors at Goldman, Butterick, Fitzpatrick, Groff & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology want to share some ways you can protect yourself during National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and discuss cosmetic laser treatments in San Diego that can work wonders on sun-damaged skin!

Ways To Avoid Skin Cancer

UV rays from the sun can be the most harmful and detrimental to a person’s skin.

Some of the best recommendations to avoid skin cancer are:

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• Wear clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
• Avoid indoor tanning.

Following these guidelines and avoiding the sun during the peak hours of 10 am-4 pm will lower the risks of being diagnosed with skin cancer.

The Importance of Sunscreen

Sunscreen allows you to enjoy those hot summer days without worrying about skin cancer!Unprotected sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. More than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, affecting 2 million people! At this rate, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in his or her lifetime. Sunscreen can prevent this from happening because the active ingredients contain compounds that absorb, scatter or reflect UV light. Here are some tips for sunscreen application:

• Apply a generous amount to your skin! Use a tablespoon on the face and around 2 ounces for the body. Make sure your SPF is at least 15, but 30 would be better!
• Put on your sunscreen before you put on makeup or moisturizer. It is best if applied to clean skin!
• Use sunscreen daily! Even if the skies are cloudy, harmful rays can sneak through and heighten the risk of UV ray exposure.
• Apply sunscreen before you go in the sun! It takes about 20 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed into the skin.

Treatments for Precancerous Lesions

Skin cancer often starts as a subtle change to your skin. It can be a new growth that is not cancerous but could eventually become cancer over time. These lesions are caused by overexposure to the sun, particularly in fair-skinned people, and should be treated immediately. The team of world-renowned dermatologists at GBFG&F offer many innovative treatments for those who have been diagnosed with precancerous lesions. Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) is used to treat sun damage, pre-cancerous regions on the skin. This state-of-the-art procedure is performed by placing the topical photosensitizing agent Levulan on the treatment area, which is activated with a specific wavelength of light. This treatment corrects the damaged skin while being able to target specific areas. PDT in San Diego also decreases the risk of skin discoloration that is often caused by routine freezing with liquid nitrogen. The best part is that there is minimal downtown after a PDT treatment, so you can return to your daily routine with hardly any recovery time!

Contact Goldman, Butterick, Fitzpatrick, Groff & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology

If you have any questions about sun protection or any concerns with irregular growths or lesions on your skin, do not hesitate to contact the dermatologists at Goldman, Butterick, Fitzpatrick, Groff & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology. The caring and knowledgeable staff can answer any of your questions and help determine the safest and most efficient course of action to maintain a healthy skin! Call 858-657-1002 today and don’t forget to enjoy the sun safely!

Eliminating Scars

A scar is a natural part of the body’s reaction to wounding or injury and is correlated with healing. Skin scars occur when the dermis (the deep, thick layer of skin) is damaged. The worse the initial damage is, the worse the scar will generally be. Most skin scars are flat and leave a trace of the original injury that caused them.

Scars on the skin come in all shapes and sizes depending on the type/severity of the wound. A scar usually takes 12 to 18 months to fully mature, with some taking up to 24 months to develop a stable form and appearance. An injury does not become a scar until the wound has completely healed. Wounded body tissue grows too much collagen because the wounded collagen is not as strong as normal collagen. Scars form differently based on the location of the injury on the body and the age of the person who was injured.

For instance, scars on the face heal much better than scars on the chest or back. There are several factors that determine the level of scarring that each individual patient will encounter, including:

• Nature of the wound
• Depth and size of the wound
• Location of the wounds
• Age of the patient
• Ethnicity and heredity of the patient

How Are Scars Treated?

Treatment for scars can be with topical skin care, a variety of lasers and injectable medication. At our dermatologist practice in San Diego, our team of world-renowned doctors have several lasers that allow us to customize treatments based on the severity of the scar tissue that has formed meaning we have the capability to flatten raised scars and raise depressed scars. These types of scars often benefit greatly from the Active/Deep FX laser resurfacing treatment, which is a fractional CO2 resurfacing laser that works to penetrate deep within the surface of the scar and skin to bring rejuvenation.

The Affirm Multiplex is a fractionated non-ablative laser that can improve a scars appearance. The Q-Switched Nd:YAG, Alexandrite and Ruby lasers can remove the pigmentation in scars and are especially helpful in removing dirt from scars.

For red colored scars, we are able to use the Pulse Dye Laser (Cynergy or VBEAM) or the Intense Pulsed Light (Lumenis One or M22). They both use a beam of light at a specific wavelength and are specifically used for the vascular component of scars. In addition, they can also cause scars to flatten.

Schedule Your Consultation With A San Diego Dermatologist Today

Our office offers complimentary cosmetic consultations to any patient wanting to get a scar removed. If you’re interested in learning more about how our team of world-renowned dermatologists can develop a completely customized treatment plan for the removal of your scar, we encourage you to contact our office today by calling (858) 657-1002, during which we’ll be able to answer and address any questions that you may have.

Get Bathing Suit Ready With Laser Hair Removal!

With summer quickly approaching in Southern California, it’s just about that time of year to start thinking about getting ready to wear bathing suits, tank tops and shorts. However, this time of year can also bring self conscious concerns to many people with unwanted body hair. At Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff and Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, we pride ourselves in having the latest Laser Hair removal technology that will give you the results you are looking for in as few as 3-4 treatments.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Our doctors and hair removal experts have been performing laser hair removal for over 18 years and have both the experience and best lasers to give you the best results possible. In as little as thirty minutes (depending on the areas treated) we can provide patients with a significant reduction in body hair. Laser hair removal works by sending short pulses of light into the treatment area to deeply penetrate the skin and hair follicles. The light then heats the cells and hair follicle, which causes damage to the follicle and for it to eventually die off.

Laser hair removal can be performed on both men and women and on any area that has dark hair. Areas to consider treating include:

• Bikini
• Under arms
• Legs
• Chin
• Upper lip
• Chest
• Abdomen
• Back
• Neck

Why Undergo Laser Hair Removal?

One of the most common reasons for individuals to consider laser hair removal is if they’ve been struggling with in grown hairs. Laser Hair removal is an excellent way to put a stop to those incredibly irritating and unattractive hairs. After laser hair removal treatment with our experts, you will notice fewer in-grown hairs and a tremendous reduction of the scars they produce after only one treatment.

It’s also an ideal treatment for those who struggle with extensive hair growth to different body areas, which can cause a person to become self conscious. Laser hair removal is also an excellent and permanent alternative to both shaving and waxing, which will never have to be performed on the area ever again.

Schedule Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment in San Diego Today

If you’d like to learn more about undergoing laser hair removal in San Diego, we encourage you to contact our world-renowned medical center today to set up your complimentary consultation with our physician Assistant and Laser Hair removal Specialist Leysin Mahoney. To do so, please call our office at (858) 657-1002. During your initial consultation, we’ll be able to determine which laser will best suit your unique needs and goals and also develop a completely customized treatment plan just for you.

For more information, please contact our laser hair removal specialists in San Diego today.

Stressed? Your Skin Shows It!

If you believe that you’re good at hiding away all of the stresses in your life, think again. According to new reports, the amount of stress in your life can be reflected by one of the most important parts of your body—your skin! At Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego our team of world-renowned doctors and cosmetic surgeons want to help our patients understand just how this can be, and what procedures are best for combatting a stressful face.

Stress & Your Skin

Did you know there is actually a stress hormone? That’s right, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, your body actually produces more of the hormone cortisol, causing an increase in oil production in your skin that can lead to excess grime and acne. Aside from oil and perhaps more serious, stress has also been linked as a contributing factor to premature aging, cell degeneration, and one of the most deadliest forms of skin cancer—melanoma. In studies conducted on mice by Ohio State University researchers, skin cancer cells grew much more rapidly in mice that were stressed out than in those who were placed in a calm environment. In addition, past research has suggested that individuals suffering from melanoma had most likely experienced seriously stressful life events just prior to their diagnosis.

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Putting An End To Thread Veins

According to a recent study, more men than ever before are seeking treatment to diminish the appearance of small “thread veins” near and on the nose. Just a decade ago, men accounted for only 5% of patients undergoing the treatment, and today, that number has skyrocketed to a whopping 40%! At Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff, & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, our expert dermatologists believe the increase is not only a result of the ease of procedure, but also due to the negative connotations often associated with the condition.

What Causes Nose Veins?

Thread veins are small, spider like veins that can appear around the nose and near it’s tip. Though they aren’t very large in size, they can be extremely noticeable in some individuals. The new study indicated that one of the main reasons associated with the increase in men seeking treatment to rid themselves of these tiny veins is the fact that they can occur as a result of heavy drinking, among other things. As you can imagine, this negativity associated with the appearance of the veins has the chance to damage a reputation and cause speculation. However, drinking isn’t the only thing that can cause thread veins, as smoking, rosacea, and over exposure to the sun have all also been linked to their appearance. Read More

Facelift Without Fright: Ulthera!

Picture this—a facial rejuvenation treatment that can take years off your appearance, continue to promote collagen growth long after you’ve undergone the procedure, and tighten and smooth your skin all without ever having to make an incision. Sounds too good to be true, right? Think again! At Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, our team of highly-regarded facial plastic surgeon want you to know all about the benefits of skin tightening Ulthera treatment, or as we like to call it, a facelift without the fright!

How Does Ulthera Work?

Revolutionary new Ulthera has the ability to tighten and tone sagging facial skin, much like a facelift. However, the need for a surgical incision is completely unnecessary as Ulthera is 100% non-invasive. Because the treatment uses ultrasound technology to penetrate into the deepest layers of your skin, Ulthera can target exact facial areas responsible for aging on your face in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, and collagen loss.

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Bon Voyage, Lip Lines!

Moisturize & Exfoliate

Though lip lines most commonly occur due to the constant pursing over time, dry lips also contribute to these permanent age marks. It’s always a good idea to keep your lips as moisturized as possible using lip balm or chapstick that contains honey and hyaluronic acid. Exfoliating lips once a week will also help rid them of dead and overly dried skin.

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Deep, Deeper, Deepest–Laser Treatments!

Though Fractional CO2 lasers have always been used to deeply penetrate skin to correct scarring, the deep just got deeper. Recently introduced as a new setting to Lumenis’ SCAAR FX Treatment, fractional treatments can now delve 4 millimeters into the skin’s surface—double the previous amount of 2 millimeters. Because the laser can reach deeper portions of the scar tissue, better results and a smoother topical appearance can be seen.  Though scar tissue can range for each individual, with this new updated system, patients suffering from scars which have a thickness of several millimeters will have the ability to see much better outcomes from Fractional CO2 treatments.

Dermatologists Predict Top Procedures for 2013

It’s official—the new year is here, and at Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff, & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, our doctors are already looking forward to helping patients achieve the best ‘you’ possible through advanced anti-aging treatments. With 2012 just behind us, our team of world-renowned cosmetic dermatologists want to shed light on what non-invasive procedures we think patients are going to seek most in 2013.

1. Ulthera

At GBFG&F Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, our doctors believe that 2013 could very well be the year of Ulthera. This non-invasive skin tightening treatment has a plethora of benefits that patients love, including no down time, amazing results, and a natural ability to help rejuvenate and promote collagen growth. Ulthera is the perfect treatment to help a person overcome one of the initial signs of aging—losing elasticity on our skin. After your Ulthera treatment, results will continue to improve over the course of the following several weeks, and will eventually leave you with tighter, smoother, and firmer feeling skin.

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Dark Skin More Susceptible to Dark Spots

It’s well known that our skin’s pigmentation comes from melanin, and the amount in our bodies can vary as we age. However, new research suggests that people with darker skin are much more susceptible to hyperpigmentation problems as they get older. Because dark or ethnic skin actually has much more melanin than lighter skin, it is much easier to damage, which comes in many forms, including brown spots from acne, sun damage, and the natural aging process. At Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff, & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermaotlogy in San Diego, our world-class dermatologists have the ability to help combat dark spots in ethnic skinned patients with the help of several different treatments.