Luminous Dermatology

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Medical Dermatology

Melasma Treatment

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Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown patches on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip or chin. Melasma usually occurs in women and is most common in people with darker skin tones, including those of Latin, Asian, Middle Eastern, African and Mediterranean descent. Dermatological Studies show that sun exposure, pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone therapy and heredity factors are the most common causes of melasma. Any sun exposure can trigger melasma because the pigment-producing cells in the skin (melanocytes) are stimulated by ultraviolet light from the sun.

Sun Screen

The best way to prevent melasma is by using sun screen and staying out of the sun. A wide brimmed hat and application of sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every two hours will help to keep you out of the sun’s harmful rays and lower your chances of getting melasma.

Prescription Medication

Prescription medication may be recommended as treatment based on your needs and melasma symptoms. The common medications we recommend are hydroquinone to lighten dark patches, tretinoin to exfoliate and enhance skin lightening or corticosteroid cream to reduce irritation.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are an effective way to eliminate skin discoloration and restore a more even appearance of your skin. We offer many different treatments such as light, medium, or heavy depth chemical peels for various skin types. Our chemical peel treatments have also been known to cut down on precancerous lesions that may lead to the development of skin cancer.

Dermal Fillers

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About Dermal Fillers

What are they?

Dermal fillers are substances injected just below the skin to help restore a more youthful appearance. A natural substance like hyaluronic acid is the main ingredient in most dermal fillers because it easily synthesizes with your skin and body. Hyaluronic acid binds to the body’s natural moisture reserves for a natural-looking improvement to your appearance.

What to expect

Our practice is happy to provide both the Juvéderm and Restylane line of dermal fillers. The Juvéderm line includes Juvéderm XC (to reduce lines around your nose and mouth), Vollure XC (to minimize deep nasolabial lines), Volbella XC (to improve fine lip lines), and Voluma XC (to enhance and volumize cheeks). Meanwhile, Restylane is used to soften nasolabial folds and lip lines, while Restylane Defyne treats sturdy support deep facial lines and Restylane Refyne treats of moderate facial lines and creases. Regardless of the dermal filler used, the treatment is quick, pain-free, and results in no downtime.

After the procedure

Depending on your specific treatment area, dermal fillers can provide you with the following benefits: diminished frown lines between the eyes, reduced smile lines around the nose and mouth, enhanced shallow lines around the lips, plump lips, volumized cheeks, and a reduction of wrinkles and facial creases. Overall, your skin becomes firmer and more resilient because the fillers help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, important elements in your skin that help you look youthful.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

We realize that the effects of aging can impact your appearance and cause a loss of self-confidence, especially if you look older than you feel. We’re here to provide support and to offer a variety of treatment options to reduce the effects of aging and help rejuvenate your appearance. What distinguishes us from others is our focus on you as a person in customizing your unique treatment plan. Our caring neighborhood staff is ready to answer your questions and offer compassionate support, and our practitioners have the experience and skill to rejuvenate your appearance the way you want.
Healthy skin is our passion, so contact us to find out more about how we can tailor dermal fillers to meet your aesthetic goals.

Brown Age Spots (Sunspots)

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About Brown Age Spots (Sunspots)

What is it?

Also known as liver spots or sunspots, brown age spots are not always uniform; they can be tan or black, can differ in size and shape, and usually appear on areas commonly exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, arms, and shoulders. Although normally a cosmetic issue, brown age spots can develop into a medical issue if the spots rapidly enlarge, bleed, or change into unusual colors. If you notice these, please see your neighborhood board-certified dermatologist immediately.

What causes it?

Brown age spots are primarily caused by years of exposure to the UV rays of the sun (or to those of indoor tanning), which is why you may associate them with aging; however, brown spots can develop in younger people, as well. To be more specific, the spots result when the UV rays cause the buildup or clumping together of melanin in a localized area. Although brown spots can develop on any skin color, if you have light skin, you’re more susceptible. This is also the case if you have a history of sunburns or have spent a lot of time in the sun during your life.

Common treatments?

We understand that aging and years of fun in the sun can bring about changes in your skin, particularly brown age spots (or sunspots), which can have an effect on your self-esteem. As your community skin experts, we’re here to offer encouragement, answer questions, and provide solutions regarding this issue. Our skin experts offer a variety of treatments for liver spots, but they are based on your overall health and aesthetic goals. Options include prescription oral medications, prescription-strength creams, laser treatment, IPL therapy, dermabrasion, cryotherapy, and chemical peels.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

Our skilled dermatologists have the knowledge and experience to provide treatment options tailored to suit your needs and meet your goals. We’ll be with you throughout the process, providing compassionate advice and support. Your healthy skin is our passion. Contact us today if you notice brown age spots so that we can help you look your best.

Wart Removal

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Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by viruses and formed in the top layer of skin. Warts commonly form as rough, skin-colored patches on the skin, but there are several different types of warts, including:

  • Common Warts
  • Plantar (foot) Wart
  • Genital Warts
  • Molluscum

Different warts respond to different dermatological treatments, so it’s important to understand the type of wart you have before selecting a treatment option. We offer a wide range of treatment options and recommendations based on the severity and type of wart(s). For less serious warts, salicylic acid products (in the form of drops, gels, pads and bandages) may aid self-treatment of warts by dissolving the keratin protein that creates the wart and the dead skin above it. Other effective treatments for warts include cantharidin/ Podophyllin, (painless solution applied in office), cryotherapy (freezing) or electrosurgery (burning). These may be recommended for painful or more serious warts.

We will work with you to determine which wart treatment will provide you with best possible results. Read about a few of our treatment options below, then schedule an appointment with us to find the right wart removal treatment for you and your skin.

Cantharidin

Cantharidin is a potent blistering agent derived from the dried, powdered blister beetle. This liquid formula is applied to the wart which enables it to form a blister-like reaction underneath. The “blister beetle solution” is commonly used to treat warts and molluscum, especially in children for whom other treatment options may be too painful, traumatic, or have the possibility of scarring.

Podophyllin

Podophyllin is a solution with a painless application. This solution exfoliates, irritates and instigates an immune reaction for the removal of warts in sensitive areas. Podophyllin must be applied by our skin care professional followed by careful monitoring to reduce potential side effects.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is the most common treatment for warts among adults and older children. We utilize liquid nitrogen as a way to apply extreme coldness in order to “freeze” the wart as a method of elimination. This procedure may cause symptoms such as a feeling of numbness or tingling to the affected area for a short period of time.

Electrosurgery and Currettage

Electrosurgery is the burning of skin that contains the wart, through the use of an electrical current. After electrosurgery, treatment is continued by curettage, which involves scraping off the remaining wart with a small instrument. Often used together, electrosurgery and currettage are performed on areas that commonly develop warts such as the foot or hand.

Vitiligo Treatment

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Vitiligo is a non-contagious skin condition that affects 1-2% of the population, which is approximately 2-4 million people in the United States! Vitiligo is a patterned loss of melanin pigment resulting from the destruction of melanocytes. Melanin pigment defines color in the hair and skin and is produced by cells called melanocytes. If melanocytes die or can no longer produce melanin, the skin becomes lighter or completely white.It is rare for your skin pigmentation to return on its own without the help of a treatment. However, if your skin does return to its natural color, you many still have vitiligo. The loss of pigmentation and how the pigmentation takes its course differs between each person. There is no way to detect the severity of how much pigment a person will lose after diagnosis.  Many people try disguising vitiligo with makeup or self-tanning compounds to make their pigmentation appear less noticeable. While none of these methods help cure the disease, they can improve the visibility greatly. If you’re tired of simply covering up your skin pigmentation, make an appointment with us and we can work with you to find a solution. Below is a list of vitiligo treatments that we may recommend based on your symptoms and needs.

Excimer Laser

The XTRAC® Excimer laser is a targeted laser that we use to deliver a focused beam of UVB light, through a unique delivery system, and targets the hypopigmentated patch of skin. While avoiding harm to the surrounding healthy tissue, we are able to successfully bring pigment back to areas of the skin suffering from discoloration.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy, or UV light, is a successful way to help bring back pigmentation to the skin. Clinical studies have shown that UVB light is the preferential wavelength for stimulating melanocytes to initiate the repigmentation response in vitiligo patches, bringing the color back to your skin.

Vascular Birthmarks

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About Vascular Birthmarks

What are they?

Birthmarks are common. Research shows that about 10% of babies are born with a type of birthmark known as hemangioma (he-man-gio-ma). Vascular malformations are benign (non-cancerous) lesions, are present at birth and grow with the child. They do not have a rapid growth cycle and then suddenly stop growing, they continue to slowly grow throughout life. Birthmarks vary in size and can range in color from brown to blue to shades of red or pink. Although in some children a birthmark is a minor flaw that they can live with, some children with a birthmark will require treatment.

What causes them?

Currently, there are no known causes or risk factors for developing vascular birthmarks. Some initial research shows a potential genetic link, but this is inconclusive at this time.

Common treatments

Not every person or birthmark is the same. When you come to see one of our highly trained doctors you will get a personalized treatment catered to your specific needs. We will determine which method is the best to remove birthmarks and how we can minimize scarring. We may use a laser, IPL, or standard removal to remove your birthmark. When you come in for a consultation, we will assess you and provide our treatment recommendation.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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About Squamous Cell Carcinoma

What is it?

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer caused by mutations in skin cell DNA, which then spreads to surrounding cells. SCC occurs in the squamous layer found at the top of the skin’s outer layer (the epidermis). Symptoms of SCC typically include a scaly, firm reddish nodule on the skin or a flat, crusty skin lesion. It usually develops where the skin is frequently exposed to the sun, particularly the face, ears, hands, neck, and scalp.

What causes it?

If you have fair skin and/or spend a lot of time in the sun, the risk of developing SCC greatly increases, although there are other common risk factors as well. Some of these additional risk factors include living in sunny climates or high-altitude locales, having a family history of skin cancer, and having a history of frequent sunburns. Though less common than basal cell carcinoma and rarely life-threatening, SCC should not be dismissed. We urge you to contact your neighborhood skin healthcare provider if and when you notice unusual skin lesions, discolorations, bumps, and other abnormalities.

Common treatments

We know how apprehensive squamous cell carcinoma can make you. As your community skin cancer experts, we realize it can even be traumatic emotionally and physically, which is why we’re here with comprehensive advice and solutions to overcome this condition. Our skin cancer experts have the knowledge and experience to address squamous cell carcinoma. We urge you to undergo regular skin cancer screenings, especially if the above risk factors apply to you. If it is determined that you have squamous cell carcinoma, we offer an assortment of treatment options, including topical medications, superficial radiation therapy (SRT), excision surgery, electrodesiccation with curettage, photodynamic Therapy (PDT), and cryotherapy.

Providers

Our approach & expertise

What distinguishes our skincare from others is our attention to you as a person. Our expert practitioners are here to alleviate your concerns and provide compassionate support. With your input, we will find the solution that best addresses your condition.

Seborrheic Keratosis

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About Seborrheic Keratosis

What is it?

Also known as seborrheic verruca, most people will develop at least one seborrheic keratosis during a lifetime. Seborrheic keratosis is a common skin growth. It may seem worrisome because it can look like a wart, pre-cancerous skin growth (actinic keratosis), or skin cancer. Despite their appearance, they are harmless, benign, and don’t become cancerous. They are characterized as brown, black or yellow growths that grow singly or in groups and are flat or slightly elevated. Often they are mistaken for warts and generally no treatment is required unless the growth becomes irritated. However, because it looks similar in appearance to precancerous growths, your dermatologist might biopsy the tissue to confirm the diagnosis.

What causes it?

People who are prone to develop these harmless growths tend to have fair skin, and they can also be hereditary, so check with family members if you are worried. These growths also develop in people with medium to dark skin and tend to be smaller and around the eye area. If you are pregnant or had estrogen replacement therapy, people have been known to develop these. Most people develop seborrheic keratoses later in life. People who have had a lot of sun exposure tend to develop more of these. These are not contagious, and if you are getting more of them, it’s usually due to age.

Common treatments

Trust your dermatologist to tell if your skin growth is a seborrheic keratosis or skin cancer. If there is any question we will remove the growth and do a biopsy. Most seborrheic keratoses are harmless like skin tags, and might not need treatment. Talk with your dermatologist if you have any concerns, or if they are getting irritated from rubbing or clothing. A common way of treating these is with cryotherapy, your dermatologist will apply liquid nitrogen to the growth, and will tend to fall off in a few days. There are other ways as well, and depending on your skin type your dermatologist will recommend the best solution for you. After removal, it usually does not return. We offer treatment options tailored to your needs and aesthetic goals, and we’re here to address your concerns and provide support throughout the process. Call an office today and make an appointment if you are concerned you have seborrheic keratosis.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

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About Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

What is it?

Shingles is the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is a viral infection that causes a painful rash and can occur anywhere on your body but most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of your torso. The virus isn’t life-threatening, but it can be very painful. Early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles.
A few days before the rash appears, you may have pain, burning, or tingling on an area of your skin where the rash will develop. Some people say they felt an “electrical sensation” on their skin before getting the rash. Some people get more blisters after the rash appears, so it can seem that the rash is spreading and developing in other areas.

What causes it?

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus can go dormant in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. You can catch this virus again, but as an adult, it becomes the shingles. This virus is not a life-threatening condition, but it can be very painful and last for a long period of time. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles and it’s severity, also early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection. Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash and then can become blisters. Although shingles can occur anywhere on your body, it most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of your torso. If you think you have shingles, call us today for an appointment, as early treatment can lessen the effects.

Common treatments

The good news about Shingles is that it’s not life-threatening and can be treated. If you think you have this virus, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist as soon as possible. Catching the virus in the first 3 days can reduce the effects significantly like pain, lessen the amount of time you have it, and lower the risk of developing other health conditions. Prescription antiviral medication may be used and will reduce the severity of the rash, and possibly the length it stays active. Common medications that are prescribed can be acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir. If you are experiencing severe pain let your doctor know, and they will either prescribe medication to reduce the inflammation and pain or suggest over-the-counter medication like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Always check with your doctor first before using any medication.
The majority of people get shingles once, but it’s possible to get it again. If you are healthy and have a strong immune system, the blisters tend to clear in 7 to 10 days. Rashes tend to go away completely within 2 — 4 weeks, check with your dermatologist on how to treat the blisters so they don’t scar. The pain may last longer than the blisters but usually stops in a couple of months. Be sure to communicate with your doctor if you continue to have pain or blisters. The key to this virus is catching it as soon as you think you have it, this will reduce the effects of the virus. If you think you have shingles call an office today and make an appointment.

Rosacea Treatment

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Rosacea is a common skin disease that frequently begins as a tendency to flush or blush easily. As rosacea progresses, people often develop persistent redness and acne-like bumps in the center of the face. This redness may gradually spread beyond the nose and cheeks to the forehead and chin. The main symptoms of rosacea include:

  • Redness of the face
  • Blushing or flushing easily
  • Spider veins of the face
  • Redness and swelling of nose (bulbous nose)
  • Acne-like bumps (papules and pustules)
  • Burning or stinging sensation
  • Irritated, bloodshot, watery eyes

Overtime, the symptoms of rosacea tend to become more noticeable. The redness becomes permanent and your skin is more easily irritated by something as simple as water. Research suggests that rosacea tends to run in families who have previously encountered rosacea or severe acne.

Receiving the appropriate dermatological treatment for rosacea helps maintain discomfort, control redness, reduce acne-like breakouts and diminish the reddish purple veins caused by rosacea. Working with Arizona Dermatology to treat rosacea does more than just improve the visible symptoms, but increases your overall quality of life by giving you confidence in your skin.

There are many treatment options for rosacea that we provide at Arizona Dermatology, and we will work with you to find the best option. With all of the treatments we offer, we will educate you on various triggers that can cause rosacea flares and help you to not just treat your symptoms, but work to keep them from returning in the future.

Prescription Medication

Prescription medications are available as an effective treatment for rosacea. Medications we prescribe often include oral antibiotics with additional anti-inflammatory properties (Oracea, Doxycycline) or topical prescriptions that reduce redness, inflammation or pustules (Mirvaso, Metrogel, Finacea, Avar). This simple, yet effective, treatment for the symptoms of rosacea could be your answer to soothing your unwanted breakouts.

Skin Care Products

Skin care products are used as a preventative measure to treat the occurrence of rosacea and limit future inflammation caused by sun exposure. Skin care options may include gentle anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory cleansers (Epionce Lytic Cleanser) or gentle cleansers with active ingredients such as sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur (Sumadan or Avar cleanser). A sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher can also reduce the symptoms of rosacea by reducing inflammation. We will work with you to recommend the best skin care products fit for your specific rosacea symptoms.

Vascular Laser for Redness

Redness or flushing associated with rosacea is caused by small, dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin (telangiectasia). The vascular laser light targets, penetrates, heats and closes the blood vessel, diminishing redness and giving you confidence in your skin.

Resurfacing Laser or Electrosurgery for Enlarged Nose (Rhinophyma)

One of the more common symptoms of rosacea is an enlarged, bulbous nose. Resurfacing laser or electrosurgery can be used to diminish the excess swelling. Heat is used to debulk the nose by removing excess tissue with a laser or high-frequency electric current.