Camelback Dermatology & Skin Surgery

WestDerm

How To Cure Dry Summer Skin 💧

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It can be more than frustrating to realize that dry skin is not just an issue during the colder months. Unfortunately, the summer not only brings sunshine, warm weather, and outdoor sports, but also sneaky triggers to our dry skin that most people are unaware of.
 
Desert Igloos: Air Conditioned Homes
Ah, the rejuvenating feeling of walking into a what feels like a freezing cold room after being outside in the heat. We love the air conditioning, too. Sadly, this sweet blessing of an invention can not only dry out your skin, but can also cause irritated eyes and headaches. Especially for those who live in hot desert climates, spending 40+ hours weekly in an air conditioned office only to go home to an air conditioned home can wreak havoc on dry skin.
 
Our tip? Use a humidifier! Humidifiers are an amazing way to relieve dry skin caused by air conditioning by adding moisture, or humidity, to your home and/or office space.
 
Over Doing Your Skin Care: Too Much of a Good Thing Can End in Bad Results
Foaming cleansers, toner astringents, and exfoliation. Too much of these skin treatments can end with bad results. You might be feeling a sense of doubt when we say that your skin care could be the cause of your dry skin. Summer heat usually equals oily skin. While this is true, you might be overdoing your skin care past the point of oil control.
 
Our tip? Be gentle on your skin. Use an oil-cleansing, yet non-drying face cleanser, and make sure to add light layers of moisture, even if you are oily. Our recommendation is a hyaluronic acid serum topped with an SPF 30+ sunscreen in the morning and a moisturizing face cream at night. 
 
The Best Parts of Our Week: Swimming Pools & Hot Showers
Okay. Don’t hate us for saying this, but your beloved swimming pool dips and glorious hot showers may be good for the soul, but are pretty terrible for your skin. Swimming pools contain loads of chemicals and the wretched chlorine that can do a number on dry, summer skin. Following your dip with a hot shower only causes more damage as hot water strips the skin of natural oils.
 
Our tip? Take a cool shower following a day in the pool using a gentle body wash to rid your skin of drying chlorine chemicals. Following your shower, rub a thick and moisturizing cream into your damp skin for the soothing relief of moisturized skin.
 
If your skin has become painful, irritated, or you think it needs attention by a professional, we are here to help. Schedule your appointment today!
 
Yours in good health,
A Family of Dermatology Practices

Cosmetic Dermatology of Orange County Joins the West Dermatology Network

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The West Dermatology family is delighted to announce that we are expanding our footprint in Orange County with the addition of Cosmetic Dermatology of Orange County, which provides medical, surgical and cosmetic services as well as laser treatments to patients from locations in Anaheim Hills and Huntington Beach, Calif.
Cosmetic Dermatology is led by Cheryl L. Effron, M.D., a board certified dermatologist who has administered advanced skincare in California for more than 39 years. After graduating from Stanford University, Phi Beta Kappa, and the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Effron completed a dermatology residency at Affiliated Hospitals, Veterans Administration Hospital and University of California at Irvine. She is a Fellow of the American Board of Dermatology and the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgeries (ASLMS).
Dr. Effron is joined by Jeffrey Lander, MD, Ph.D., who is a board certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. Dr. Lander is a native of Southern California who received his Ph.D. in 1998 in Biological Sciences at the University of California at Irvine before completing his medical school and dermatology residency in 2006 at the University of Minnesota. He completed an additional fellowship in Mohs, Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology in 2007. Dr. Lander is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The practice also includes Sandra Fantauzzi, MPAS, PA-C, who is a Certified Physician Assistant. Ms. Fantauzzi graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a bachelor’s degree in Education and Pre-med Studies, and then attended Western University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program in Pomona, Calif., to obtain her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. She is experienced in medical and surgical dermatology as well working with lasers.
West Dermatology is continuing to expand our platform throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada. The network of neighborhood practices is actively recruiting best-in-class dermatologists and established dermatology groups within its core markets. We seek providers who have a demonstrated track record of excellence in serving their patients and who embrace a culture of integrity, teamwork, and transparency.
To learn more about West Dermatology, contact:
Nina Jorajuria
Director of Business Development
(c) 415-254-9979 | (f) 949-783-2860
Visit our website: www.WestDermatology.com
To learn more about Cosmetic Dermatology of Orange County, visit

A Surfer’s Guide to Avoiding Skin Cancer 🏄

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We know the sun feels good when you’re out hanging 10, but all that UV exposure adds up. A new Surfline story, featuring our very own, and super rad, dermatologist-slash-surfer Dr. Chris Carlin in San Clemente, paints a grim picture:
According to a 2015 study, surfers are three times more likely than the general population to get melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. That’s daunting news if you love nothing more than riding barrels, but never fear. You can take steps to protect your skin while you’re out on the waves. See what Dr. Carlin recommends below:
+ Reapply sunscreen: It might be hard to remember when you are out on the water, but you should reapply sunscreen every two hours for consistent sun protection. Dr. Carlin recommends using a sunscreen stick, a format that typically adheres well to wet skin.
+ Use a broad spectrum formula: Only broad-spectrum sunscreens ward off both UVA and UVB rays, defending your skin against sunburn and long-term damage. Dr. Carlin suggests that surfers use an SPF 50 formula.
+ Join the dawn patrol: The sun is harshest midday, when it is straight overhead. Surf in the early morning or late afternoon to spare your skin–and ride better waves. 
+ Research your surf destinations: Some popular surf spots, like Australia, offer little atmospheric protection from the sun. Read up on your surf spot before heading out so you can prepare.
For more of Dr. Carlin’s skin-saving wisdom, read the full story on Surfline. As always, if you have any questions about preventing skin cancer while surfing (or doing anything else outdoors), just make an appointment and we will talk you through it. Surf’s Up ðŸ¤™
Yours in good health, 
Your Dermatology team

Toothpaste For Acne?

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Desperate times call for desperate measures and it’s safe to say many of us have put toothpaste on a pimple a time or two. While it may, at times, seem effective…it’s actually doing a lot more harm than good.
Let’s start with the reason why toothpaste may (sometimes) work on acne bumps: Many toothpaste formulas contain ingredients that help decrease bacteria and oils, and can shrink the appearance of acne lesions temporarily. And after-all, toothpaste is great for your teeth so it must be okay for your skin, right? 
Wrong.
In an effort to clear your acne the right way things up, we enlisted Dr. Jacquelyn Levin to give us the low-down on this oft-practiced DIY trick.
“Many toothpaste formulas once contained a chemical called triclosan that could work to kill the bacteria that causes and worsens breakouts,” says Dr. Levin. However, she also notes that “products today no longer use triclosan in their toothpaste formulas and according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some testing suggests that triclosan could negatively affect thyroid hormones. So even if you do find a toothpaste that still contains this chemical, using it on pimples may not be worth the risk.”
Yikes.
Some other ingredients commonly found in toothpaste, such as baking soda, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide, are known to be drying, which could help temporarily reduce the appearance of your acne lesions. The menthol in toothpaste can even create a tingly feeling that may temporarily reduce pain and swelling. While that tingly sensation may make it seem like it’s working, who wants just a “temporary” solution? 
Sodium lauryl sulfate is another ingredient often found in toothpaste and it can dry up oily skin and also decreases bacteria counts. It, however, “is also a very infamous irritant. So much so that most skin care and hair care formulas don’t use this ingredient anymore,” warns Dr. Levin.
Yikes, again.
So while there may be some rationale for using toothpaste on acne lesions, we recommend sticking with medical-grade and dermatologist-recommended products that are formulated for the sole purpose of treating acne. We also have a variety of laser treatments that work great to clear acne — and help prevent it, as well. Win-win!
Overall, while using toothpaste and other at-home remedies found on Pinterest are tempting, it is safer and healthier to visit a dermatologist instead.
If you have any questions or concerns, we are here for you and sincerely want to help clear your skin the right way. 
Yours in good health, 
Your Dermatology Team

A Par for the Course, but a Double Bogey for Skin Health ⛳

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Even if your golf game is strong, your skin health might be hitting every bunker. That’s because golf courses are open spaces, often without much shade cover, and that means a lot of direct sunlight. Courses with water features are even riskier for both your golf game and your skin health. The water features can act like a mirror, reflecting the sun’s rays back at you and intensifying your exposure. In the short term, those sun rays can cause a nasty sunburn, and in the long term, they can cause wrinkles and even skin cancer. So, how can you keep your skin from turning red when you’re on the greens? We rounded up a few tips to help you firm your grip (get it?) on sun safety.
🏌️‍♂️ Seek out shade: If you’re choosing between a golf course with lots of mature, shade-giving trees and one without any, let your skin health be the deciding factor and go for the shadier course. If you can tee off in a shady area or a sunny one, then choose the former. Who knows—maybe swinging the club from a different position will be just what you need to get a hole in one!
🏌️‍♂️ Cover up: The more you can cover your body with tightly woven clothes, the less harmful UV light will reach your skin. If you really want to improve your sun-safety score, find some athletic clothing with a UPF rating. (UPF is just like SPF, but for clothing.) The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a rating of 30 or above. 
🏌️‍♂️ Wear a hat and sunglasses: These easy-to-find accessories help to block the harmful UV rays that hit your eyes and face.
🏌️‍♂️ Golf during off-peak hours: Instead of getting in the golf cart when the sun is high, go during the early morning or at dusk. Your risk of sunburn is lower when the sun is lower. As a bonus, it may be cheaper to play in the morning or twilight!
🏌️‍♂️ Pile on sunscreen: We hope you’re wearing sunscreen every day because it’s the easiest and simplest way to lower your cancer risk. When you’re on the golf course, opt for a waterproof formula that will withstand your sweat. This way, sunscreen won’t go in your eyes while the ball is going in the 18th hole.
If you’re headed to the greens this summer, we hope you top your all-time high score and top your skin with sunscreen. For any questions you may have about skin health or sun safety, just make an appointment and we’ll share our insight. Good luck out there!
Yours in good health,
Your West Dermatology Team

Summer Sun-Safe Tips ☀️

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It’s time to dig out your swimsuit and shelve your sweaters: Summer is official here! We hope you have all sorts of fun plans for the season, like visiting the beach, strolling through a state fair, or taking a hike in nature. We have just one piece of advice: Make sure that you’re taking care of your skin as you enjoy the summer sun. Below are a few everyday tips for lowering your risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
👒 Wear a hat: A hat with a brim will keep sunlight from hitting your face directly, helping you to avoid UV damage. The wider the brim, the better!
👕 Cover up when you can: If you can comfortably wear long sleeves or long pants, the fabric will help to keep your skin from burning in the sun.
☂️ Pack a parasol: When you’re walking through an area without much shade cover, bring your own shade! If you want to be extra careful, choose a parasol with a UPF value. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor—like SPF, but for fabric. Parasols (and clothes) with a UPF value are proven to screen out harmful UV rays. 
👧 Slather on sunscreen: Sometimes, you can’t avoid the sun hitting your skin. You might not always want to avoid it! Just cover any exposed skin in sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. If you need to stock up, you’re in luck: We’re selling some of our favorite, dermatologist-recommended sunscreen brands at 20% off.
However you choose to protect your skin, we hope it helps you enjoy the season. If you have any concerns, or if you want a personalized plan for your skin health, just make an appointment with us. Happy summer!
Yours in good health,
Your West Dermatology Team

What Do Your Sunburns Mean?

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First things first: there are two types of sunburns, both caused by UV Rays, and the deeper the burn, the more severe the damage.
First-degree burns: reddens the skin and feels painful, but only affects the outer layer of skin.
Second-degree burns: turn bright red and produce blisters, causing harm to the nerves and the deeper layer of skin.
✔️For people between the ages of 15 and 20: 1-4 sunburns increase Melanoma risk by about 60%
✔️ 5+ sunburns increase melanoma risk by 80%
To schedule a skin check, click HERE

How Many Times Have You Been Burned?

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If you’ve ever had a sunburn, you know they’re sensitive and painful—unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage, and over time, they increase your odds of skin cancer. For Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we’re helping you recognize the types of sunburns, understand the risks, and stop them before they start.
Types of sunburns:
  1. SILENT + DEADLY
  2. FIRST-DEGREE BURN
  3. SECOND-DEGREE BURN
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70 and is the MOST COMMON cancer in the United States. Research even suggests that regular sunscreen can in fact reduce melanoma risk.
Avoiding a sunburn is EASY AS wearing protective clothingand slathering on sunscreen.(Don’t forget, our favorite sunscreen brands are 20% off this month!)If you’re concerned about your sun sensitivity or you have any questionsabout skin damage, just make an appointment.

Check Yourself Out

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May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and we have a favorite way to honor the occasion…GETTING SKIN CHECKS!
As a company, we’ve encouraged every single one of our doctors and staff to get their skin checked, and now we’re asking you to take the same painless step to protect your skin.
DID YOU KNOW? A 15-minute skin check could save your life. Early detection leads to prevention.
Lower your risk and wear sunscreen every day. We’re offering our recommended brands at 20% OFF!

Are Sunscreen Chemicals Dangerous? ☀️☠️

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Since CNN published a news story about sunscreen earlier this month, there’s been a lot of buzz in the media and we have been receiving a ton of questions. In a nutshell, the story says that the four main chemicals used in chemical sunscreens—avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule, and octocrylene—require more research before the FDA can label them “safe and effective.” The story also summarizes a new study showing that these chemicals absorb into the bloodstream at high levels, which has triggered a government safety investigation. 
That all sounds pretty scary, but rest assured that in reality, sun protection isn’t as risky as it may seem. There’s no conclusive proof that sunscreen chemicals harm the body after they are absorbed.
“These ingredients have been used for decades without any reported internal side effects in humans,” says Dr. Jessica Riley, a dermatologist at our Encinitas and San Clemente clinics. Plus, the participants in the research study applied about twice as much sunscreen as people do in the real world, so the results they saw probably wouldn’t resemble those of a regular sunscreen user. 
On the other hand, these chemicals haven’t been deemed innocent, either. “For a long time, no one thought that smoking was bad for you until it was scientifically proven,” says Dr. Riley. To be as safe as possible, use physical sunscreen, the kind that relies on zinc or titanium dioxide to deflect the sun’s rays. Dr. Riley always recommends that pregnant women and children use these kinds of sunscreens, which (as an added bonus) are the most effective.
Better yet, depend on something other than sunscreen for your main source of protection. “The first line of sun defense should be protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, and sunscreen should be the last line,” says Dr. Riley.
The important thing is that you don’t let stories like these scare you away from sunscreen altogether. UV rays are inarguably dangerous and, unlike sunscreen, are proven to cause skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the US. Choose a method of sun protection that feels right for you and stick to it! If you have any questions about how to keep your skin safe, from the sun or anything else, just make an appointment and we will talk you through it.
We even sell recommended sunscreen brands in our clinic (at 20% off this month!). See you in the sunscreen aisle!