Dermatology, Cosmetic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Skin Cancer Surgery & Laser Surgery

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Category: Skin Care

Back to School and Looking Youthful

Look Younger with Cosmetic TreatmentsRight before the new school year, most moms take their kids shopping for new clothes so that they look their best when they go back to school. However, children aren’t the only ones who find themselves back at school in the fall. Being the mom of school-aged children means going to PTA meetings, participating in fundraisers, taking the kids to sports practice, and similar busy activities. All the running around can make you feel worn out and old, but by treating yourself to a few “back to school” professional skin rejuvenation treatments, you can look and feel young again. With the treatments offered by Dr. Sandra Lee and our other providers at Skin Physicians & Surgeons, you can be the hottest mom at the PTA.

Treating Acne and Discoloration

It would be nice if acne truly ended when puberty ended. As it is, acne vexes many adult women, leaving painful scars and damaged skin that doesn’t heal as well as it once did. Similarly, your freckled cheeks that were so cute when you were a child may now show sun spots and age spots, making you look weathered and old. With customized treatments involving acne treatments, chemical peels, facials, or laser treatments, our providers can resolve your skin discoloration or acne problems and completely refresh your complexion.  

Eliminating Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Each new school year makes a mom feel older as she drops her children off. As you sit in the car and feel old because you now have a sixth grader, a quick glance in the rearview mirror reveals a few new wrinkles to rub it in. However, just because you feel old with a middle school-aged child doesn’t mean you have to look old! Our expert cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sandra Lee offers the MiXto SX® Microfractional CO2 Laser and other customized treatments to effectively treat your fine lines and wrinkles so that you can look and feel younger again.

Skin Rejuvenation and Softening

With all that you have to do as a mom, taking time for yourself is a rare occurrence. Let one of our providers help you look your best with our customized chemical peels and facials. With the expertise of Dr. Sandra Lee and our other providers at Skin Physicians & Surgeons, your face can look younger and feel softer, helping you feel like a whole new woman.

When you treat your children to new clothes to help them look their best for the new school year, don’t forget to treat yourself as well. You can look and feel young and beautiful with customized skin rejuvenation treatments offered by Dr. Sandra Lee and our team of experts at Skin Physicians & Surgeons. Call us at (909) 981-8929 to schedule your personal consultation today. For your convenience, you can also contact us online using the mobile app Klara, a secure platform for medical communication.

Battling Sun Damage Head On: Protect Your Hair and Scalp

Almost everyone knows that wearing sunscreen is important for protecting your skin. But have you ever stopped to think about protecting your head? Wearing sunscreen on your face isn’t enough; your hair and scalp can also receive sun damage if they are not protected. It’s easy to forget this, but the risk of sun damage and skin cancer on your scalp is very real. Here is how to protect your hair and scalp using quality Skin PS sunscreens and skin cancer treatment.

Protecting Your Hairbikini woman in hat sitting in beach chair

The sun can damage your hair as well as your scalp. If you spend a lot of time out in the sun, you may have noticed your hair turning lighter. This is because strong UV rays dry out your hair, bleach it, break it down, and make it brittle and less manageable. Ideally, you should wear a hat to protect your hair and scalp when you’re out in the sun. However, if this is not an option, apply a leave-in conditioner with UV filter protection or a hydrating hair mask with UV protection to protect your hair from damaging rays of the sun.

Protecting Your Scalp

Your scalp is somewhat protected by your hair, but it is still vulnerable to sun’s ultraviolet rays. Before exposing your head to the sun, apply water-resistant zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sunscreens to your part line or over your whole head if you have fine hair or thinning hair. To prevent premature aging, dark spots, increased blood vessels, skin cancer, and more, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Apply this at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun and reapply it every couple hours, especially if it’s a hot day or if you’ve been sweating or swimming. At Skin Physicians & Surgeons, our experts recommend Melashade SPF30 and Antioxidant Facial Sunscreen SPF30 to prevent and reverse sun damage.

Treating Skin Cancer

If you already have signs of sun damage on your scalp, there’s a possibility you may have skin cancer. Know how to recognize the signs of skin cancer as well as what to do if you suspect a problem. At Skin Physicians & Surgeons, we can examine a concerning area or conduct a complete skin examination for you. If skin cancer is detected on your head or neck, Dr. Sandra Lee at our practice offers Mohs Micrographic Skin Cancer Surgery. This procedure is a specialized treatment created specifically for skin cancer on the head or neck, and it has an extremely high cancer cure rate (96 to 99 percent) with minimal skin removal.

For more tips on how to protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, to find out how to get our recommended professional sunscreens, or to schedule a cancer treatment consultation, call us at 909-981-8929 or fill out our online contact form.

What Is Skin Blading?

Skin Rejuvenation in Upland, CA

When we’re young, our skin rapidly produces new, healthy cells to replace the old ones. However, as we age, this process of cellular turnover begins to slow down. This can leave us with a dull complexion as dead cells build up on the surface of the skin because they haven’t yet been replaced by new ones. Dry patches of skin may accumulate, and damage to the skin, such as sun spots or acne scarring, can become more visible over time.

Skin blading safely and painlessly removes dead, dry skin from the face to reveal the new, supple cells underneath. This procedure allows you to finally eliminate recalcitrant skin problems and achieve a smooth, youthful complexion. This also stimulates the cellular turnover process, allowing for you to maintain more radiant skin over time.

Skin Blading Can Improve the Following:Radiant Skin Upland, CA

  • Dry skin
  • Rough patches
  • Acne scars
  • Fine lines
  • Enlarged pores
  • Unwanted facial hair

Treatment

Skin blading is carried out through manual exfoliation using a sterile surgical blade. The skin is pulled tight, and our esthetician will carefully glide the blade against the skin in a motion similar to shaving. Patients can generally return to their regular activities immediately after treatment.

Here at Skin Physicians & Surgeons, we offer skin blading with a facial to hydrate and soothe dry, rough skin. We can also combine skin blading with a chemical peel to further improve wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.

If you would like more youthful, radiant skin, call us at (909) 981-8929 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to helping you look and feel more beautiful in your own skin!

Anti-Aging Secrets for Beautiful Skin

Products for Preventing and Repairing Signs of Aging

Everyone wants to have healthy, beautiful skin, but it seems that biology and our environment are working against us. As we age, the collagen that gives our skin its elasticity and firmness deteriorates and leads to weaker, thin skin. Our rate of cellular turnover (shedding of dead skin cells and replacement with younger ones) slows down, leaving dead, dull cells on the surface of the skin. Environmental toxins and sun exposure attack our skin in the form of free radicals and cause degeneration. These are just some of the contributing factors that lead to lackluster skin with fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.

If your skin is anything less than radiant, consider incorporating some or all of the following products into your daily skin care routine.

Alpha Hydroxy ProductsProducts for youthful skin

These products contain ingredients similar to what you see in chemical peels, such as glycolic, lactic, malic, and citric acids. They are exfoliating agents that loosen and remove dead skin cells, which accelerates cellular turnover and allows for deeper penetration of the products applied after. Alpha hydroxy products can improve skin texture, sun damage (age spots), acne, and fine lines.

Oral Phytoceramides

The lipids in our skin that help retain water and give skin its plumpness are susceptible to oxidative degeneration over time. Phytoceramides are available as an oral supplement that replaces the ceramides (lipids) in our skin to keep it hydrated and make it more supple.

Vitamin C Products

Free radicals are unstable, highly reactive agents that cause damage and lead to premature aging when they come into contact with our cells. Antioxidants such as vitamin C help protect against and repair free radical damage to the skin. Vitamin C, in particular, is essential to the body’s production of collagen, but only a small amount of it gets to the skin when taken orally. Applying a topical product high in vitamin C will deliver this nutrient directly and help maintain firm, healthy skin.

Our MelaShade-E Anti-Oxidant Emollient Sunscreen SPF 30 contains a powerful combination of antioxidants, including vitamin C, to protect your skin from harmful free radicals and the sun while also hydrating the skin.

Retinoids (Vitamin A)

Retinoids are considered the gold standard in topical treatments for anti-aging. These are prescription vitamin A products that have been proven to accelerate the rate of cell turnover and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, regenerate collagen, and prevent future skin cancers from forming. Over-the-counter products contain retinol, a milder form of retinoids, but they do not produce as dramatic improvements as retinoid formulas. Our prescription-strength Obagi® retinoid products pack a powerful punch against aging skin.

We offer a variety of products in our skin care products store as well as many effective procedures to help you achieve beautiful, youthful skin. If you are interested in rejuvenating your appearance, call Skin Physicians & Surgeons in Upland at (909) 981-8929 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to helping you achieve healthy, youthful skin you will want to show off!

Gorgeous Skin at Any Age

Part 2: 40s and Beyond

A beautiful woman's face with white lines creating a grid on her cheek, on a white backgroundThere’s no doubt that your skincare regimen has a profound effect on how your skin ages. In your 20s and 30s, combating the many harmful elements that contribute to aging will help keep your skin youthful and vibrant, and there are specific products and treatments that are ideal for repairing and maintaining skin health later in life.

You may have seen our previous blog on the essential skincare tips to follow in your 20s and 30s, and here are ways to achieve and maintain gorgeous skin in your 40s and beyond.

In Your 40s: Brighten and Repair

Brighten With Antioxidants

As you get older, your skin’s cell turnover process and oil production slow down, which can lead to skin that is rough and dull. Antioxidants, such as vitamins and green tea polyphenols, help lighten dark spots and soothe the skin to make it brighter with a more even skin tone.

In addition to using our C Emollient Gel to stimulate collagen and even out your skin tone, washing your face with our C Emollient Cleanser first will help brighten and smooth the skin without stripping its natural oils and drying it out.

Repair With TNS Recovery Complex

If you didn’t notice them in your 30s, you will almost definitely see fine lines and wrinkles on your face in your 40s. Skin Medica’s TNS Recovery Complex provides your skin with growth factors, antioxidants, proteins, and collagen to rejuvenate all aspects of your skin, including discoloration, wrinkles, fine lines, and skin firmness.

In Your 50s and Beyond: Reverse Damage and Lift

Reverse Damage With Laser Treatment

People in their 50s and even those in their 30s and 40s may benefit from reversing skin damage with the Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser. This procedure tightens the skin to improve wrinkles, acne scars, and pores while lightening dark spots.

Lift With Cosmetic Surgery

After a certain age, the skin may be stretched out, and the damage done to it cannot be adequately repaired with lasers or products. For those who want significant improvement to the appearance of their eyes, eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) is available. This procedure eliminates drooping upper eyelids and bags beneath the eyes to restore an alert, rejuvenated appearance.

If you would like more information on how to have youthful, radiant skin at any age, please call us at (909) 981-8929 or fill out our online contact form. Our online skin care product store offers many rejuvenating formulas, and one of our board-certified dermatologists can help determine the best treatment or products for your individual needs. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you look and feel more beautiful in your own skin!

Gorgeous Skin at Any Age

Part 1: 20s and 30s

A woman with beautiful skin submerged in water to her shoulders with a green nature backgroundThe term ‘aging’ tends to conjure up images of wrinkled skin with uneven pigmentation, but this doesn’t always have to be so. Starting at the end of puberty, the cell turnover process slows down, which means that dead skin cells remain on top of the skin, and new, healthy cells take longer to reach the surface and replace them. Taking proper care of your skin can help maintain a youthful complexion, and it is essential to begin a healthy skincare regimen early on so that your skin will look younger for longer.

Here are some essential skincare tips to follow in your 20s and 30s to help achieve and maintain gorgeous skin.

In Your 20s: Prevent and Protect

Apply Sunscreen Daily

Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day is the best way to protect the skin and prevent dark spots, visible blood vessels, wrinkles, and other signs of aging from developing. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect you from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which can cause premature skin aging and skin cancers as well as suppress the immune system.

Our broad-spectrum SkinPS antioxidant facial sunscreens are great for preventing future sun damage while also reversing existing damage starting in your 20s, and it is important to continue using sunscreen to protect your skin no matter what your age.

Start Using Retinoids

Retinoids are vitamin A products that unclog pores, boost collagen production, and accelerate the cell turnover process. These products even out discoloration and improve fine lines and wrinkles to produce brighter and smoother skin. Retinoids are proven to prevent acne, which also prevents acne scarring that can appear as colored spots or indentations in the skin long after a blemish has healed. In addition, clinical studies show that retinoid products prevent wrinkles and even treat precancers and help prevent future skin cancers. People in their 20s should begin incorporating a retinoid in their skin care regimen and continue using it to maintain their skin’s health.

Our Topical Tretinoin (Obagi) products are prescription forms of vitamin A that have superior anti-aging properties compared to over-the-counter retinol products and are the gold standard in topical treatment for radiant, youthful skin.

In Your 30s: Treat and Moisturize

Treat With Antioxidants

Products that contain antioxidants, such as vitamins and polyphenols, help improve the color and texture of the skin by lightening hyperpigmentation and increasing collagen beneath the skin’s surface. They also protect your skin from future free radical damage.

Check out our highly beneficial C Emollient Gel and CEGA Eye Cream to stimulate the production of your skin’s collagen and reveal a brighter, more even skin tone and texture.

Moisturize

Moisturizing to hydrate your skin is almost as important as wearing sunscreen when it comes to preventing wrinkles. Moisturizers fight dryness, balance skin tone, and improve texture, and hydrated skin is able to retain its elasticity and ward off wrinkles and fine lines more easily.    

Our SkinPS Calming Cream provides enhanced moisturization with a lightweight, soothing feel to repair and soften the skin.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog on how to have gorgeous skin in your 40s and beyond.

For more information on the products we offer to keep your skin healthy and vibrant, please visit our online skin care product store. You may also call us at (909) 981-8929 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists to learn about the ideal products or treatments for your individual skin type and condition.

A Glass of Wine a Day to Keep the Doctor Away?

Grapes and a glass and bottle of red wine on a white backgroundThe aging process and environmental factors can cause the skin to lose its radiance, and wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots develop. Unfortunately, our skin doesn’t age like a fine wine, but studies show that drinking wine in moderation may help improve skin appearance and provide other health benefits.

 

Skin Health

Research has suggested that certain compounds, such as resveratrol and procyanidin, found in red wine may slow the aging of the skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. One study evaluated the effects of a dietary supplement containing resveratrol and procyanidin and found that the participants’ skin moisturization and elasticity had improved, while the appearance of roughness, wrinkles, and age spots had diminished.

Heart Health

Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to have many Two glasses splashing red wine into a heart shape on a white backgroundbenefits for the heart and circulatory system, including:

  • Lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol

  • Raising “good” HDL cholesterol

  • Reducing the formation of blood clots

  • Preventing artery damage

*Although red wine is believed to have these health benefits, drinking more than one glass (women) or two (men) per day has been shown to have detrimental health effects. Consult with your general physician before consuming alcohol on a regular basis.  

How the Doctors at Skin Physicians & Surgeons Can Help

Here at Skin Physicians & Surgeons, we offer nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, such as fractional CO2 laser treatment and chemical peels, to effectively improve wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and other signs of skin aging and damage. We also carry carefully chosen cosmeceuticals that treat a variety of skin problems for all skin types.

To schedule your consultation with Skin Physicians & Surgeons, please call (909) 981-8929 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to helping you achieve beautiful, healthy skin.

How to Get a Great Sunless Tan

A woman's tan legs on a white backgroundPopular culture has labeled tan skin as desirable, and many women go to great lengths to achieve a sun-kissed glow. However, those who achieve bronze skin from indoor tanning beds and the sun’s natural rays are putting themselves at a high risk for developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The ultraviolet radiation from sunshine and tanning beds causes DNA damage to skin cells, which can lead to genetic defects that develop into cancerous tumors. Not only is tanning detrimental to your health, it also leads to significant signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots.

Fortunately, a natural-looking tan can be achieved safely with sunless tanning products. Follow these simple tips to get a great sunless tan.

Choose the Right Product

When it comes to self-tanning products, all sunless tanners are not created equally.

Daily moisturizers, such as Jergens Natural Glow, are great for beginning self-tanners. Even if a moisturizer is not applied perfectly, any blotchiness or streaking will be subtle and even out more quickly than with more intense sunless tanning products. These moisturizers have less of the active tanning ingredient so that they gradually create a natural-looking tan, and they are great for taking the place of your daily moisturizer to hydrate your skin.A woman applying sunless tanning lotion with her hair up in a towel

Lotions and creams are fitting for people just starting a self-tanning regimen as well as for more experienced self-tanners. These formulas show a hint of shading when they are first applied so that you can see any uneven areas, and they easily blend into the skin without drying too quickly.

Mousses and gels are ideal for people who are more experienced with self-tanning products because these lightweight formulas dry faster than moisturizers and creams. Sunless tanning mousses and gels can be layered to create more intense tans and custom contouring.

Cleanse and Exfoliate

Before applying your sunless tanning product, be sure to prepare your skin by showering and thoroughly exfoliating your skin each time. This will remove dead skin cells so that healthy skin will absorb the tanning formula more evenly and last longer. Be sure you are completely dry before you begin applying your sunless tanning product.

Apply Evenly With Gloves

Use disposable, powder-free gloves when applying tanning products to avoid staining your hands, and the smooth surface of the gloves will help you apply the product more evenly. Be sure to spread the product over your skin evenly in a circular motion, using it sparingly around your ankles, knees, and elbows.

Buff Uneven Areas

If you notice areas that are blotchy or have too much color the next day, take a damp washcloth and buff the area to even out the color. For spots or streaks that are difficult to remove, create a paste from water and baking soda and use a washcloth to gently buff these areas with the paste.

Moisturize

Once you have achieved the faux glow you desire, be sure to apply lotion to moisturize your skin after every shower to help the tan last.

At Skin Physicians & Surgeons, we offer a variety of cosmeceuticals to protect and heal the skin from sun damage. These include face and body sunscreens like MelaShade™ Antioxidant Facial Sunscreen SPF 30, as well as the TNS Recovery Complex, the Skin Medica Lytera, and topical tretinoins to improve dyspigmentation, wrinkles, and skin firmness. Our medspa also provides chemical peels and microdermabrasion to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and acne, and we have a variety of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures to improve signs of aging.

If you have signs of aging, whether from sun damage or the natural aging process, Skin Physicians & Surgeons in Upland, CA can help you achieve a more youthful appearance. Please call (909) 981-8929 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation and discover the best treatment options for your individual needs.

The Dangers of Indoor Tanning

Summer is over and winter is almost here, meaning that the sun will be out even less in the coming months. With bikini season over, many teenage girls and young women are turning to indoor tanning beds to maintain their summer glow. Some may think they look more attractive and healthy with a tan, but the reality is that exposing their skin to harmful UV rays, whether from the sun or indoor tanning, causes serious damage that can make them extremely unhealthy and age prematurely.

A young girl laying down in a tanning bed, blue from the light

A consumer update by the FDA reports the serious repercussions of using indoor tanning beds. According to the update, people who use indoor tanning beds are 75 percent more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, compared to those who don’t use the beds, and the risk increases with use. A special article published earlier this year in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, stated that high-pressure tanning units may emit 10 to 15 times the dose of UV-A rays than the dose emitted by the sun midday. The lamps used in tanning beds can also be more dangerous than sunlight because they can be used at the same intensity all year, whereas the sun’s intensity varies depending on the weather and time of year. The FDA is proposing changes that would make the regulation of sunlamp products more strict, including premarket review, performance testing, and warnings against the use of them by minors.

The FDA also warns that exposure to UV radiation can cause eye damage, skin burns, and premature aging of the skin. Those who are concerned about having bronzed skin now will have more wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots later if they continue to expose their skin to this dangerous radiation. In addition, they will not only have more signs of aging, but these signs will appear sooner than if they had refrained from tanning. The choice to stay away from UV rays now will help keep your skin looking youthful and beautiful.

As an alternative to indoor tanning beds, we suggest trying spray tans or self-tanning lotions to achieve a truly healthy glow. With the winter and cold weather approaching, lotion that has bronzing qualities will work double time to keep your skin moisturized and glowing. Also, don’t forget that your skin is still being exposed to UV radiation even when the sun is behind the clouds. Be sure to use a moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF of 15 or higher every day, rain or shine, on your face, neck, hands, and any other area of your body that is exposed to the sun.

If your skin is already experiencing signs of sun damage, Skin Physicians & Surgeons has several treatment options to restore beautiful, healthy skin. We offer skin cancer examinations, skin cancer surgery, as well as nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, such as fractional laser treatment, to minimize wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, sun spots, and other signs of aging. Please call (909) 981-8929 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!

Banish Dry Skin With These Skin Care Tips

It’s that time of year when the weather starts cooling down and our skin starts drying out. Following these skin care tips can get your dry, flakey skin fast relief. 
 

1. Avoid Long Hot Showers– Hot water removes natural oils from your skin. Try to limit your showers to 5-10 minutes. Spending more time in the shower leaves your skin less hydrated than before you started. Choose a short warm shower for dry skin.

2. Apply your moisturizer right after the bath– To lock in the moisture from your shower apply your moisturizer when your skin is still slightly damp.

3. Soothe Chapped Lips: Choose a lip balm with 1% hydrocortisone for maximum relief like our Lipacort Lip Balm.

4. Use a Humidifier– Keeping the air moist in your home with a humidifier will also keep you skin moisturized.

5. Choose Ointments and Creams– When choosing a moisturizer for dry skin it is best to choose a cream or an ointment as opposed to a lotion. Creams are oil based where lotions are water based. For event better moisturizing choose ointments like Vaseline or Aquaphor. While ointments are not practical all the time choose them when you have some down time like watching TV or sleeping. Apply a layer of the ointment and cover the area with cotton gloves or socks for event better penetration.

6. Reapply, Reapply, Reapply!– Applying moisturizers once a day is not enough for dry skin. Apply you moisturizers multiple times a day for better results.

7. Make an appointment with your Dermatologist– Is your dry skin painful, itchy or not responding to moisturizers alone? You may have eczema. Eczema often times requires a prescription strength cortisone ointment. Your Dermatologist or Derm PA will be able to evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment.

8. Visit the Hardware Store– You might be thinking how does this fits in with skin care? Well, we had a patient tell us about a hand cream he found at Home Depot and once we tried it we’ve been sold ever since: O’Keefe’s Working Hands.

Watch Dr. Sandra Lee’s video on Skin Care Tips Here

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