WestDerm

For a teenager, no time of year holds more promise than summer, when they have longer days and fewer responsibilities. They treasure the chance to relax, watching hours of TV or hanging out at the beach with their friends. Still, there’s one little assignment we’d like to suggest for this summer — and that is banishing acne and uncovering clearer skin!

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 85 percent of people between 12 and 24 have some form of acne. That’s a lot of self-conscious young adults for whom small changes could make a big difference. Teenagers can start clearing up their skin with a basic anti-acne regimen: a gentle cleanser, a salicylic acid or retinol serum, and a lightweight moisturizer. We recommend clinical brands like EltaMD and SkinCeuticals.

Fortunately, summer is the perfect time for a teenager to try a new skin care routine or treatment. They won’t have to go to school if they experience a skin purge—the phenomenon where acne gets worse before it gets better. Better yet, they’ll have a clear complexion in time for the school year, so they can truly have a fresh start.

When your teenager has already tried every skin care product at the drugstore, it can seem as though their acne is here to stay. It’s a discouraging feeling! If you’ve tried all the low-hanging fruit, or you’re tired of waiting for results, then it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist.

What can dermatologists do for acne sufferers that nobody else can? For one thing, practitioners like ours can work with teenagers to create a personalized skin care routine, complete with medical-grade skincare products. We can also do targeted in-office procedures, like laser treatments or chemical peels. These procedures are safe and nonsurgical, and they usually involve little to no pain. After a 1-3 treatments, our patients walk out the door feeling prouder of the face they show to the world, and that’s priceless!

We can’t wait to make a difference for your child’s skin—and self-image. Feel free to give us a call to schedule an in-clinic or TeleDerm visit for treatment, or click HERE to schedule your appointment today!

Yours in good health,

Your West Dermatology Team

We know that these times have been a huge change for most of us. With many people working from home for the unforeseeable future, we recommend (for the first time ever) spending more time outdoors. But hear us out. Spending time in your front yard, backyard, or patio for fresh air can create a feeling of freedom when you begin to feel uncomfortably confined.

However, these times may make you question your need for sun protection (sorry, but you can’t get out of putting on that SPF with us!). Listed below are three busted myths that explain why you should still be taking care of your skin while self-isolating.

While you shouldn’t forget to wear your hats and sunscreen when outside, you also should protect your skin with clothing or SPF when you are working near a window or driving in your car. This is because glass is great at blocking UVB rays that cause sunburns, but does not block out UVA rays, or the UV rays that cause skin aging, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

With most people staying indoors due to current circumstances, we understand the panic of not getting enough Vitamin D. Many people believe that sunscreen and sunblocks will prevent their body from absorbing Vitamin D, but this is untrue. Even when wearing SPF, small amounts of the sun’s rays penetrate the skin and allow for adequate Vitamin D absorption. (So don’t skip that sunscreen!)

While clouds shield our skin from intense sun rays, this is not a reason to not wear sunscreen. This is because up to 80% of the sun’s rays pass through clouds according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. 

So whether you are driving to the store, doing some home workouts in your backyard, or working by your window, we recommend using an SPF 50 sunscreen and/or UPF sun-shielding clothing to protect your gorgeous skin.

If you are struggling with skin related concerns, call your local clinic today so we can answer any questions you may have or schedule a Telehealth appointment for you. 

Yours in good health and happiness,

Your West Dermatology Team

Bears hibernate, plants go dormant and us humans, go go go. Until now, for the first time ever, we are being required to socially-distance ourselves from one another and limit our exposure to public places. It’s a new (albeit temporary) way of life, and while we all hope it won’t last long, we’ve been cookin’ up some ideas to keep stay-at-home life lively and productive. 

For all the introverts out there, this may be nothing new to your normal routine. For others, you may be itchin’ for some boredom busters at this point. So here’s what we recommend to keep that cabin fever at bay: 

 

We like to move it, move it: When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemical, which can help manage stress levels. There are many easy exercises that you can do right in your home, such as yoga and simple body-weight moves.

The Great Outdoors: It’s so important to get your daily dose of Vitamin D and fresh air but remember – sun damage doesn’t discriminate to world-wide pandemics, so don’t forget your sunscreen 😉 

Ommm: Different people relax in different ways, but if you feel particularly anxious you might try deep breathing and meditating, taking a warm bubble bath or baking cookies. 

Facetime Happy Hours: Did you know red wine has benefits for your skin? Packed with antioxidants, it protects the skin from aging by restoring collagen. So call up your pals and enjoy a glass (or two, we don’t judge!) together via Facetime.

News? What News? It may be hard to refrain because you want to know the latest updates on what’s happening but try to limit your consumption as much as possible. Ignorance is bliss, but to an extent. Catch your need-to-know updates, then flip the switch to Netflix.

LOL: Humor is a wonderful coping mechanism in times of crisis. Our staff love Netflix series like: New Girl, Friends, The Office & more!

Spark Joy and Marie Kondo it up (another great Netflix binge): Time to tackle that looming closet over there and play “Love it or Leave it.” Anything that hasn’t been used or worn in a year needs to go. Organizing and donating can be rewarding, while also diverting your attention from anxious thoughts.

Have a DIY Spa Day: There are many resources online where you can find some great recipes for DIY skincare. We love this one as a sugar-lickin’ good lip scrub:

Massaging this mixture on the lips will not only exfoliate dead skin cells, but will also hydrate your lips.

 

Self-isolate, but don’t self-sabotage. It’s more important than ever to take care of ourselves, mentally and physically. As always, we are here for you as a resource if you have any questions at all.

Yours in good health and happiness, 

Your West Dermatology Team