A lentigo (plural: lentigines) is a spot on the skin that is darker (usually brown) than the surrounding skin. Lentigines are more common among whites, especially those with fair skin.

What Causes Lentigines?

Exposure to the sun seems to be the major cause of lentigines. Lentigines most often appear on parts of the body that get the most sun, including the face and hands. Some lentigines may be caused by genetics (family history) or by medical procedures such as radiation therapy.

How Are Lentigines Treated?

There are several methods for treating lentigines:

• Cryosurgery (freezing it off)
• Laser surgery
• Creams that are applied to the skin but doesn’t permanently remove lentigines. These include retinoids and bleaching agents.

 Can Lentigines Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent lentigines is to stay out of the sun as much as possible, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more when outdoors, and wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid using tanning beds.

Excessive sweating Hyperhidrosis (hi-pur-hi-DROE-sis) is excessive sweating that occurs even when the temperature isn’t hot and you’re not exercising. In some people who have hyperhidrosis, the sweat literally drips off their hands. Hyperhidrosis usually affects the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and underarms. Besides disrupting normal daily activities, hyperhidrosis can cause social anxiety or embarrassment. One of the first options for treatment involves using prescription-strength antiperspirants on the affected areas. We are now able to treat hyperhidrosis by injecting Botox in the affected area.  In severe cases, your doctor may suggest surgery either to remove the sweat glands or to disconnect the nerves responsible for the overproduction of sweat. Most people sweat when they exercise or exert themselves, are in a hot environment, or are nervous, anxious or under stress. The excessive sweating experienced with hyperhidrosis far exceeds such normal sweating. Hyperhidrosis usually affects the hands, feet, underarms and sometimes the face. Rarely, the entire body is affected. The excessive sweat may soak through clothes or drip off your hands. Episodes usually occur at least once a week without an obvious reason.

When to see a doctor See your doctor if:

•  Sweating disrupts your daily routine
•  You suddenly begin to sweat more than usual
•  You experience night sweats for no apparent reason.

Sweating is your body’s mechanism to cool itself. Your nervous system automatically triggers your sweat glands when your body temperature rises. Sweating also normally occurs, especially on your palms, when you’re nervous. In hyperhidrosis, the nerves responsible for triggering your sweat glands become overactive and call for more perspiration even when it’s not needed. The problem worsens if you’re under stress or nervous. The type of hyperhidrosis that occurs primarily in your palms and soles may have a genetic component, because it sometimes clusters in families.

If you have excessive sweating all over your body, it may be caused by an underlying health factor, such as:

• Certain medications
• Menopause hot flashes
• Low blood sugar 
• Overactive thyroid gland
• Some types of cancer
• Heart attack
• Infectious disease

Your skin has two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands occur over most of your body and open directly onto the surface of your skin. Apocrine glands open into the hair follicle, leading to the surface of the skin. Apocrine glands develop in areas abundant in hair follicles, such as on your scalp, armpits and groin.

If you are suffering with Hyperhidrosis contact us now, assistance and treatment is an option!  Call us at 831-648-8005 today so you may set up your exam with one of our outstanding practitioners.

 Freckles are small brown spots usually found on the face and arms. Freckles are extremely common and are not a health threat. They are more often seen in the summer, especially among lighter-skinned people and people with light or red hair.

What Causes Freckles?

Causes of freckles include genetics and exposure to the sun.  Continue reading below…

Do Freckles Need to Be Treated?

Since freckles are almost always harmless, there really is no need to treat them. As with many skin conditions, it’s best to avoid the sun as much as possible, or use a sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher. This is especially important because people who freckle easily (for example, lighter-skinned people) are more likely to develop skin cancer.

If you feel that your freckles are a problem or you don’t like the way they look, you can cover them up with makeup or consider certain types of laser treatment.

Also know as atypical moles are unusual benign moles that may resemble melanoma. People who have them are at increased risk of developing single or multiple melanomas. The higher the number of these moles someone has, the higher the risk; those who have 10 or more have 12 times the risk of developing melanoma compared to the general population. Dysplastic nevi are found significantly more often in melanoma patients than in the general population.

Medical reports indicate that about 2 to 8 percent of the Caucasian population have these moles. Heredity appears to play a part in their formation. Those who have dysplastic nevi plus a family history of melanoma (two or more close blood relatives with the disease) have an extremely high risk of developing melanoma. Individuals who have dysplastic nevi, but no family history of melanoma, still face a 7 to 27 times higher risk of developing melanoma compared to the general population—certainly a great enough risk to warrant monthly self-examination, regular professional skin exams and daily sun protection.

People with dysplastic nevi and a family history of dysplastic nevi and melanoma tend to develop the cancer at an earlier age than melanoma patients who don’t have such nevi. Individuals who have dysplastic nevi but no family history of dysplastic nevi and melanoma may also develop melanoma at a relatively early age, but less often.

At times it is difficult to distinguish between dysplastic nevi and early melanomas. (Sometimes, melanomas will begin within a dysplastic nevus.) To establish the difference, a doctor will remove the entire spot or a portion of it for examination in the pathology laboratory. Some physicians recommend examining the mole with a dermoscope, which magnifies and allows visualization of internal structures and colors not seen by the naked eye.

Basal Cell Carcinona’s are abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). BCCs often look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars. Usually caused by a combination of cumulative UV exposure and intense, occasional UV exposure, BCC can be highly disfiguring if allowed to grow, but almost never spreads (metastasizes) beyond the original tumor site. Only in exceedingly rare cases can BCC spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening.

There are an estimated 2.8 million cases of BCC diagnosed in the US each year. In fact, it is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. More than one out of every three new cancers are skin cancers, and the vast majority are BCCs. It shouldn’t be taken lightly: this skin cancer can be disfiguring if not treated promptly. Are you at risk? We have the information you need about the prevention, detection, and treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Not to Be Ignored

BCCs are easily treated in their early stages. The larger the tumor has grown, however, the more extensive the treatment needed. Although this skin cancer seldom spreads, or metastasizes, to vital organs, it can damage surrounding tissue, sometimes causing considerable destruction and disfigurement — and some BCCs are more aggressive than others.

When small skin cancers are removed, the scars are usually cosmetically acceptable. If the tumors are very large, a skin graft or flap may be used to repair the wound in order to achieve the best cosmetic result and facilitate healing.

5 Warning Signs

1.  An Open Sore
2. Reddish Patch or Irritated Area
3. Shiny Bump or Nodule
4. Pink Growth
5. Scar-like area

There is nothing more powerful and important than patient education.  Begin your education today and protect the health of your skin.

  Actinic Keratosis (AK)- The Most Common Precancer

Scaly or crusty growths (lesions) caused by damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, actinic keratosis (AK) is also known as solar keratoses.  They typically appear on sun-exposed areas such as the face, bald scalp, lips, and the back of the hands, and are often elevated, rough in texture, and resemble warts.  Most become red, but some will be tan, pink, red, and/or flesh-toned. Untreated AKs can advance to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common form of skin cancer, and some experts believe they are actually the earliest stage of SCC.

This figure is generally accepted as the best current estimate of the number of Americans with actinic keratosis (AK). People with a fair complexion, blond or red hair, and blue, green or grey eyes (Identify Your Skin Type) have a high likelihood of developing one or more of these common precancers if they spend time in the sun and live long enough. Location makes a difference: The closer to the equator you live, the more likely you are to have actinic keratoses. The incidence is slightly higher in men, because they tend to spend more time in the sun and use less sun protection than women do. African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and others with darker skin are not as susceptible as Caucasians (Skin Cancer and Skin of Color).

How to Recognize Actinic Keratosis

Examples of typical actinic keratoses are shown here, so examine your skin regularly for lesions that look like them. But it’s not always that simple: Many actinic keratoses have quite a different appearance, so if you find any unusual or changing growth, be suspicious and see your doctor promptly.

We are proud to welcome Melinia Honjo, DHSc, PA-C to Barnard Dermatology.  Melinia joined the practice on September 1, 2013 and has been such an asset.  She is a board certified Physician Assistant who specializes in the practice of medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She has been in clinical practice for 11 years and specializing in the field of dermatology for 9 years.

Melinia received her Physician Assistant training at the University of Texas at Galveston. She completed her Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies with a specialty in dermatology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In 2013 she completed a clinical research doctoral degree at A.T. Still University in Mesa Arizona.

When she is not practicing in the clinic on Wednesday, Melinia works as an adjunct clinical professor at Stanford University School of Medicine PA program.

She is an active member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, The American Academy of Physician Assistants, and The California Academy of Physician Assistants.

Melinia is available for full skin examinations, office visits, follow ups, botox treatment, filler treatments and all cosmetic needs Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Barnard Dermatology.

It is time for your Botox and Fillers to look your best at your holiday events! Be sure to schedule your appointment with Melinia or Dr. Barnard so you will have plenty of time to maximize your outcome without having to rush. It is always best to have your Botox or Juvederm treatments 4-6 weeks prior to your special occasion.

While you are here be sure to look into our current promotion on Latisse.  This will allow you to have your new lashes with the New Year!  For a limited time only you can Purchase one 5mL Latisse and receive a 3mL for free with a TNS Eye Repair Cream; start treating the fine lines and darkness around the eyes.  As an added bonus you will receive an instant $20.00 off coupon applied to this offer by SkinMedica.  Your $400.00 value will end up being $160.00 (while supplies last).  This special is moving off the shelf quickly so be sure to stop by the office today for your supply!

Purchase your 5ml bottle of Latisse today and receive a 3ml bottle, a $20.00 off coupon AND a SkinMedica Eye Repair to treat your dark circles and fine lines. $395.00 value for $160.00 after your instant coupon is applied.

Prepare your skin for the holidays and pick up your Lytera System today. You will receive a travel size kit for FREE while supplies last! Begin the transformation of your skin to treat hyperpigmentation. While you are here at the office, be sure to schedule your cosmetic chemical peel. The clock is ticking….