Category: Skin & Nails

How to Remove a Cherry Angioma

Summer is the time for fresh, juicy, delicious cherries. Unfortunately, the tasty red fruit might remind you of a cherry angioma on your skin. Common, colorful skin growths, cherry angiomas can grow on most areas of the body. They’re recognized by their reddish color, which is caused by broken blood vessels, and although they are rarely dangerous, many people wish to remove them (especially if they are located in an inconvenient spot). Luckily, this is very possible with the advent of modern technology. Let’s discuss how to remove a cherry angioma . . .

How to Remove a Cherry Angioma

What is a cherry angioma?

Also known as a Campbell de Morgan spot or a senile angioma, a cherry angioma is a small skin growth that is red in appearance due to the broken blood vessels inside of it. It is made up of clusters of capillaries that have formed into a small dome. Cherry angiomas can grow in many different places (though the torso, arms, and shoulders are most common), and they tend to be circular or oval in shape. Their size ranges from a tiny speck (the size of a pinpoint) to one-fourth of an inch in diameter. Sometimes they appear smooth, and other times they are slightly raised.

Who is likely to have a cherry angioma?

Cherry angiomas are typically found on people over the age of 30, though they appear on younger people as well. Although we don’t know what causes them, they become more prevalent with age and vary in frequency from person to person.

Are cherry angiomas safe?

Yes, most cherry angiomas are perfectly safe. However, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your skin and its marks and growths. When clothes rub against your skin, the angioma may bleed. If you notice that the spot has changed in size, shape, or color or if it frequently bleeds, you should contact a doctor. A cherry angioma will not go away on its own, so if you dislike yours for cosmetic reasons, you may wish to have it removed.

How can a cherry angioma be removed?

Using laser therapy, you can have your cherry angioma speedily removed. A pulsed dye laser (PDL) will aim a concentrated yellow laser at the spot and its heat will destroy the skin growth. Although some bruising may occur (and last up to 10 days), this method of removal is simple and comfortable overall. Multiple laser treatments may be required, especially if you would like to treat more than one angioma. It is also possible to remove a cherry hemangioma using PDL laser treatment.

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Are you ready to remove your cherry angioma? If you live in or near Springfield, Missouri, give DermaHealth a call. We can quickly and easily remove that pesky red spot using a pulsed dye laser (PDL). This comfortable, in-and-out procedure will destroy the cherry angioma and only require a brief recovery period. To schedule a free consultation, please give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!

Preparing for a Spray Tan

If you wanted a beautiful tan thirty years ago, your only options were lying in the sun or hopping into a tanning bed. Although both of these methods are extremely harmful to your skin and can cause premature aging, sunspots, fine lines, and even skin cancer, they’ve remained popular for decades. The question is: why? Why would you knowingly harm your skin when we have so many great products available these days? If you want a gorgeous tan without ruining your skin’s health and beauty, simply invest in a sunless tanning product. We’ve come a long way since the streaky, greasy fake tans of yore. If you’re ready to get started, scroll down to learn all about preparing for a spray tan.

Preparing for a Spray Tan

WAX OR SHAVE BEFOREHAND. If you wax, do so at least two days prior to your spray tan appointment so that no wax residue remains. Any residue could impede the absorption of the tanner. Or, if you shave, do so the night before.

SHOWER THOROUGHLY. The tanning product will need to have thorough contact with your skin in order to work properly, so take your time in the shower and make sure that you’re really clean. Try using a bath scrub to fully wash away any dirt or grime.

EXFOLIATE WELL. For a rich and non-streaky tan, take your time with exfoliation. In addition to the scrub mentioned in the previous tip, try using a loofah or a body brush. Not only will this make your skin soft and smooth, but it will also buff away dead, dry skin cells. This will ensure that the tanner can fully coat your skin.

KEEP YOUR SKIN BARE. As we mentioned above, your skin needs to be truly bare. This means that even after you shower, you should refrain from coating your skin with products. Do not apply deodorant, makeup, other tanning products, moisturizers, or even perfume. If you must wear one of these on the day of your appointment, wash it off well before the spray tan is applied.

DRESS APPROPRIATELY. Your skin should not be restricted by tight clothing or shoes. Instead, you will need to wear dark-colored, loose-fitting clothing and a pair of flip flops.

Finally, after you receive your spray tan, maintain it by following some basic post-tan tricks. During the 24 hours immediately following your appointment, don’t wash your hands, take a bath, wear tight clothing, or apply lotion. You should also avoid activities that can cause heavy perspiration (including exercise) for 24 hours. After that, to maintain your tan, we recommend that you apply moisturizer daily, avoid exfoliating products, and refrain from wearing tight clothing (which can cause unintended exfoliation).

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Who wouldn’t want a safe, natural, and gorgeous tan just in time for summer? If you live in or near Springfield, MO, head to DermaHealth Skin Care Clinic for the perfect solution: Body Bronze tanning products. The unique formulations of these products will give you a lovely bronze color that is beautiful, believable, and not at all orange. Plus, they dry quickly without streaks or greasiness. To learn more, please give us a call at 417-447-7777 or click here to schedule your free consultation. We would love to help you achieve a safe and healthy tan this summer.

How to Remove Sun Damage

The first day of summer is right around the corner (June 21, to be exact), and most people are embracing the longer days, warmer weather, and brighter sun. However, I hope you’re also embracing sunscreen, which is crucial in protecting your skin from harmful UVB and UVA rays that can cause uneven skin tone, sun spots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Even if you currently lather on sunscreen on sunny days, your skin may show the harmful aftereffects of past days spent unprotected in the sun. To help you erase those unattractive symptoms and marks, today we’re discussing how to remove sun damage from your skin.

How to Remove Sun Damage

LASERS

Laser treatments can effectively reduce sun damage including sun spots and uneven skin tone. Sublative Rejuvenation treats fine lines and wrinkles caused by extended exposure to the sun. It’s a comfortable procedure that requires no downtime. Fotofacial or SRA treatments will reduce your freckles, sun spots, and irregular pigmentation. We find that patients with sun damage on their arms, chest, neck, or legs respond well to these treatments. CO2RE is also beneficial for sun-damaged skin. It requires 2-4 days of social downtime, but results will appear after just one treatment. Finally, GentleMaxPro is an extremely versatile laser that can remove sun spots as well as unwanted hair. It utilizes a DCD (Dynamic Cooling Device) for extra comfort.

CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemical peels exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and giving your skin a healthy glow. You can use a chemical peel to reduce the appearance of sun damage, including sun spots, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. A series of chemical peels is recommended for best results, and the type of peel will be based on your skin’s texture, color, and sensitivity. Chemical peels can be applied to the face, chest, back, or other areas of concern.

SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

Looking for a product you can use at home? You might be interested in an exfoliating, lightening, and brightening skin care product. Elure is an effective, scientifically-backed skin lightening treatment that reduces melanin to lighten your skin. It can reduce dark spots and provide a lovely glow. MelanoLyte Tx is another powerful brightening treatment. It will reduce unwanted discoloration and may be used in combination with our next skin care product: MelanoLyte PRO. This last product will boost the strength of MelanoLyte Tx. With all of these products, it is important that you apply them as directed for best results.

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In addition, to prevent future sun damage, we recommend that you use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, reapply your sunscreen every two hours, cover up your skin with a hat and clothing when outdoors, and avoid the sun when it is at its most intense (typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.).

Although we urge you to care for your skin year-round (and with extra caution in the summertime), we also know that you can’t change the past. If your skin shows symptoms of sun damage, consider using one of the treatments above to quickly and comfortably erase your skin’s flaws. To learn more about how lasers, chemical peels, and skin care products can help you reduce your skin’s sun damage, please contact DermaHealth today. Give us a call at 417-447-7777 or schedule your free consultation online. We look forward to hearing from you!

What Is Sebaceous Hyperplasia?

If you have small, soft bumps and lesions that occur primarily on your face, you may be suffering from sebaceous hyperplasia. What is sebaceous hyperplasia? Well, the good news is that it is benign and cosmetic, and it doesn’t require treatment unless you desire it. If you’re still confused, please scroll down for some helpful information that will hopefully clear up both your confusion and your face!

What Is Sebaceous Hyperplasia?

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a disorder characterized by soft bumps on the skin caused by overactive oil glands. These bumps tend to occur on the face (on the nose, forehead, and cheeks in particular), but they can also be found any place where you have oil glands on your body. The bumps occur when an overactive oil gland becomes clogged, and they can form clustered together or spaced apart.

If you suffer from sebaceous hyperplasia, you might develop one or more lesions, and the symptoms may progress as you age. The lesions often have a yellowish outer color, and their centers are depressed. While the lesions are cosmetic and harmless, they can become irritated and they may even start bleeding if you scratch your face or shave.

Who Gets Sebaceous Hyperplasia?

Sebaceous hyperplasia often affects people who have fair skin. The condition is hereditary, so if one or both of your parents has sebaceous hyperplasia, you are more likely to have it. Sebaceous hyperplasia sometimes becomes present as you near middle age, since your body’s hormone levels can affect the production and overall function of your oil glands.

Is Sebaceous Hyperplasia a Cancer?

No, sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign, cosmetic condition. However, because it can look quite similar to basal cell carcinoma, your dermatologist may biopsy one or more of your lesions to rule out the possibility of cancer.

How Do You Treat Sebaceous Hyperplasia?

Sebaceous hyperplasia cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Salicylic acid treatments and topical skin care products are highly recommended, as they can reduce the appearance of sebaceous hyperplasia while providing other skin care benefits. Plus, they’re noninvasive and easy to find. Laser treatments can also be used to control sebaceous hyperplasia lesions.

You might also choose to apply liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) or have the lesions excised. However, removing the lesions can result in scarring, so if the lesions are in a highly visible area, such as your face, you will want to carefully consider the potential outcomes before deciding on your course of treatment. Additionally, it’s important to note that lesions can reappear if they are not properly and thoroughly removed, so it is important to maintain a regular treatment program to preserve your results.

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If you’re wondering how to treat your sebaceous hyperplasia and you live in or near Springfield, Missouri, contact DermaHealth. At our laser and skin care clinic, trained professionals can use facial peels containing salicylic acid and topical skin care products to reduce the size of your sebaceous hyperplasia bumps and lesions. Additionally, our Ellman RF machine can help to remove and break down your lesions quickly. To learn more, please give us a call at 417-447-7777 or click here to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!

How to Identify a Cancerous Mole

Moles are incredibly common. Most people have them, though they vary in size, color, and shape. Although typically brown, moles can be black, tan, red, pink, blue, or even colorless! Some are flat, while others are slightly raised. Some sprout hairs, while others are bald. Although you should never be ashamed of having a mole, you should be embarrassed if you’ve never examined your moles for signs of cancer. Especially if you have a mole that is itchy, bleeding, or changing, it is important that you have a physician inspect your moles. Or, if you’re having a mole removed for aesthetic reasons, ask the skincare technician to send in potentially cancerous moles to a pathology lab. But first, you need to learn how to identify a cancerous mole . . .

How to Identify a Cancerous Mole

To identify potentially cancerous moles, remember your ABCDEs:

A is for Asymmetry. Is the mole symmetrical? Imagine that you’ve drawn a line through the mole: do the two halves match? If one half has developed differently from the other, you may want to have the mole checked.

B is for Border. Borders of moles should be smooth. If your mole’s edges are irregular, scalloped, notched, or poorly defined, ask your physician to examine it.

C is for Color. Moles come in a variety of colors, so don’t freak out if your mole isn’t a common shade (like brown). However, you should be concerned if the mole varies from one shade to another. The color should be uniform, and it shouldn’t change over time.

D is for Diameter. Small moles are not as likely to be cancerous as large moles. If your mole is greater than 6 millimeters (1/4 inch), have it inspected and keep an eye on it in the future. For reference, 6 millimeters is about the size of a pencil eraser.

E is for Evolving. A mole that morphs in size, shape, or color should be watched and inspected. These changes sometimes reveal that cancer has taken hold of the legion. Because an evolving mole is a cause for concern, it is important that you inspect your moles frequently and visit a dermatologist regularly.

There are three different types of skin cancer, and if found, all three require treatment.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common, and it tends to occur in areas frequently exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma also occurs in areas exposed to the sun, but it presents a greater threat because it can spread to other organs if left untreated (unlike basal cell carcinoma, which rarely spreads to other organs). Finally, the most well-known and serious form of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, and it must be treated early so that it doesn’t spread to other organs.

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If you would like to have a mole or another skin lesion removed, contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic if you live in or near Springfield, Missouri. We can safely and cleanly remove skin lesions and if necessary, we will send them in for pathology. To remove the mole, we will either shave it, excise it, or use the Ellman radio frequency machine. To learn more, please give us a call at 417-447-7777 or click here to schedule your free consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!