Many people have had very good results from treating their acne with ProActive. The active ingredient in this treatment is benzoyl peroxide that has very good antibacterial activity. Bacteria, however, is just one of the factors believed to contribute to acne. Acne is thought to be caused by 1) increased oil production by the sebaceous glands, 2) increased number of bacteria, 3) blockage of the oil duct, and 4) inflammation. ProActive does not have the active ingredients to treat all of these factors. For example, if a person has a significant problem with blackheads, it is important that they receive a medication called a retinoid. (Differin or Retin-A are examples)This medication is available by prescription only.

Molluscum contagiosum is a virus that causes small red bumps with a white core on the skin of children and adults. It is contagious but not dangerous. It is important to treat because it can spread to other parts of the body and to any other person that comes in contact with the bumps. Treatments for molluscum include painting them with a liquid that makes them blister and go away. There are also creams that you can use at home to treat this problem. See your dermatologist for the best treatment for you.

The rash that you are describing sounds like seborrheic dermatitis. It is a very common condition and is thought to be caused by a hypersensitivity to a common yeast. For reasons that we do not fully understand, the yeast causes this rash in some people while others have no problem from it. It can be controlled well with topical medications available from your dermatologist.

It is dangerous and should be illegal. It just takes time for legislation to be put in place. Currently a ban on tanning for minors is before the California state legislature. It is important for parents to realize that tanning is dangerous and greatly increases the risk of skin cancer I as well as premature aging.

Accutane is a brand name of the acne medication isotretinoin. Is it an extremely important medication for the treatment of severe acne in children and adults. The medication has received a lot of bad press lately associating the drug with an increase in teen depression. A recently published study, however, did not find this association to be valid. Isotretinoin is a very safe medication that has been used in millions of patients over the last 20 years. If your dermatologist determines that isotretinoin is the appropriate treatment for you, she will monitor the potential side effects closely to prevent any problems from the medication.

Psoriasis is characterized by scaly plaques that can appear on any part of the body, especially the elbows, knees and lower back. Psoriasis can run in families and may also cause joint pain, nail problems and severe dandruff- like rashes on the scalp. There are many treatments available for psoriasis and there has recently been a very important breakthrough in psoriasis treatment that appears to be very effective and safe. These new medications are called "biologics" because they work by interacting with specific responses of your immune system. If you have psoriasis, see your dermatologist to discuss the best treatment for you.

Superficial or 'light' chemical peeling is a process of applying a light acid to remove surface cells which encourages new cell growth. Superficial chemical peels can be used to treat color irregularities, soften fine lines and improve the texture of the skin. These treatments are often helpful in treating acne patients as well. This procedure is safe and affordable and requires only a short office visit. Several peels may be required for optimal results. After the procedure, the patient may experience mild flaking, irritation or dryness. This is normal and will subside in a few days.

Male pattern baldness does tend to run in families, but inheritance patterns are poorly understood. Balding can follow father to son but may be less pronounced or skip a generation altogether. Even women can develop this type of hair loss. There are both topical medications (Rogaine) and oral medications that are available to help stop the loss and possibly promote regrowth of hair. For many men, hair transplantation may provide a more permanent solution.

Sunscreens are used to provide protection against the harmful effects of the sun. Sunscreens either absorb or reflect the light at the top layer of your skin to prevent absorption. There are many sunscreens on the market. My recommendation is to use a sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15-30. Sunscreens need to be applied 30 minutes before exposure and reapplied every 4-6 hours. The basic principles of photoprotection are: 1) use sunscreen routinely, 2) avoid midday exposure, 3) wear protective clothing (large hats, etc.).

Surgical procedures, such as face-Iifts, will help these deep lines, but many people are looking for less invasive ways of hiding these lines. Filling materials are available which are implanted under the skin to correct these defects. Standard filling materials are collagen and a new product named Restalyne. These fillers provide an immediate correction with a soft natural look. It lasts approximately 4-9 months and then needs replacement. See your dermatologist to determine which treatment is the best for you.

There are two treatment options available for removal of small (less than 1 mm in diameter) leg veins. The first option is sclerotherapy. This treatment involves injecting a small amount of a sclerosing agent in the vessels, which destroys them. The main side effects are burning, cramping, and irritation in the area. The advantages of this treatment are that it is safe, effective, and affordable. (Insurance does not usually cover this procedure) Another treatment for leg veins is laser therapy. This procedure involves sending a pulse of intense light through the skin that selectively destroys the vessels. The advantages of laser are that it can treat vessels too small for sclerotherapy and that it is virtually pain free. See your dermatologist to determine the best treatment for spider veins.

The development of acne has been blamed on a variety of foods such as colas, chocolate, shellfish, sweets, and fatty foods. There is no scientific evidence to support the value of elimination of these foods or any other foods or drinks to control acne. Four major factors believed to cause acne: 1) increased oil production by the sebaceous glands, 2) increased number of bacteria, 3) blockage of the oil duct, and 4) inflammation. Modern treatments are directed toward these factors. They include antibiotics, retinoids, and hormonal therapy. Examples include benzoyl peroxide, tetracycline, Retin-A, Accutane, and birth control pills.

An "AK" or actinic keratosis is a red, scaly area that is usually found on sun- exposed areas such as the face, neck, scalp, and arms. It is considered a pre-cancerous condition because it can develop into a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (a type of skin cancer). There are many treatments for AKs. The simplest and most common is freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen. See your dermatologist if you have places that you think may be AKs.

Unfortunately, yes. Genital herpes is a disease caused by a virus that affects one in five Americans (about 50 million people). Infection with genital herpes causes painful blisters or sores in the genital area and area around the anus. Although this disease has no cure, there are good medications available to suppress this problem (prevent outbreaks). It important to get treatment for genital herpes, because it is possible to spread the disease even between outbreaks. If you suffer from genital herpes, see your dermatologist for appropriate treatment.

It sounds like you may have rosacea. Rosacea is a form of adult acne that causes bumps on the face, redness and swelling. Rosacea can also cause a gritty sensation of the eyes. Women between the ages 30-50 are most commonly affected, but anyone can be affected by rosacea. There are many treatments for rosacea including creams and oral medications. The redness is best reduced by diligently wearing sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and laser therapy. While there is no cure for rosacea, early treatment and good control of the disease can be achieved with the help of your dermatologist.

Your daughter's rash sounds like a skin condition called keratosis pilaris (KP). It is characterized by tiny bumps usually found on the backs of the arms, thighs, buttocks and cheeks. KP is very common and runs in families. It is caused by a plug of dead skin cells that form within a hair follicle. KP can be itchy and uncomfortable. There are several treatments available by prescription for KP if it is a problem for you. If you have KP but it does not bother you, no treatment is necessary.

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox (herpes zoster). Shingles usually start as a burning pain and very sensitive skin usually limited to one side of the body. A red, blistery rash at the same site follows the pain. Any person that has had chicken pox can develop shingles because the virus remains in the body in an inactive state. Shingles is usually triggered by illness, trauma or stress. You aunt can only pass this virus on to people who have never had chicken pox. Newborn babies, people with a weak immune system, and pregnant women exposed to the shingles virus are at risk to develop a severe infection. If you think you may have shingles, see your dermatologist as soon as possible. Early treatment will help prevent or lessen scarring, infection and persistent pain.

The rash that you are describing is most likely a disease called hand dermatitis (eczema) or dyshidrosis. Hand dermatitis is very common and has many causes. Excessive hand washing (especially with liquid soaps), detergents, chemicals, and even rubber gloves may be the cause. Hand dermatitis is not an infection and cannot spread to other people. It is important to note however that a fungal infection of the hands can look almost identical to hand eczema, therefore it is important to visit your dermatologist to determine which problem you have because they are treated very differently .

Warts in the groin area and around the anus are called genital warts. A virus caused human papilloma virus causes the warts. This virus can be spread by close contact and are usually sexually transmitted.

Some types of warts can cause cancer of the external genital area, anal area and cervix. Women infected with the human papilloma virus or women with infected partners are advised to have regular pap smears. There are many effective treatments for genital warts. If you think you may have genital warts, it is important to see your dermatologist for treatment.

Your doctor is absolutely correct. Acne vulgaris is the term used for plugged pores (blackheads) as well as white pus bumps and deeper cysts. Acne can affect young children often as they begin to enter puberty as well as adults even into their 40's! This is a good time to begin treatment for your daughter's acne because she can probably be treated with a topical medicine. As her acne worsens, if left untreated, she would probable require systemic (oral) treatment. If controlled now, this may be prevented. For early treatment of acne vulgaris, see your dermatologist!

Toenail fungus is caused by the same organism that causes athlete's feet. The fungus lives in the nail and causes thick, discolored nails that can be painful. Treatment with creams is ineffective in treating fungus that involves the nail. Therapy with oral medications such as terbinafine (Lamisil) can be used to cure toenail fungal infections. In patients with diabetes mellitus, it is important to treat foot and toenail fungus because the fungus can cause cracks in the skin leading to a serious foot infection. If you have thickened, discolored toenails see your dermatologist to determine if you have a fungal infection of the nails.

Facial discoloration can be caused by a many factors. Sun or tanning bed exposure (ultraviolet light) is the major culprit. Women are susceptible to hormonal pigment deposition from birth control pills, pregnancies, and estrogens (melasma). Treatments for irregular facial pigmentation are available and can be extremely effective. Treatments include chemical peels, bleaching agents, laser, and retinoids (Retin-A). Avoiding further sun or tanning bed exposure is crucial to prevent worsening of your facial discoloration.

Laser technology has brought us many new treatments options for skin problems. Laser therapies are now available to remove pigmented lesions (such as brown spots on the back of hands) and birthmarks, tone and tighten the skin of the face and neck, minimize vascular lesions (such as facial blood vessels caused by sun damage or rosacea), and to remove tattoos and unwanted hair. If you are interested in laser therapy or have any questions about the procedure see your dermatologist for a consultation.

No. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is known to cause skin cancer I including malignant melanoma. Both tanning beds and natural sunlight expose you UV radiation. The only safe way to darken your skin is with the use of "spray on" tans or sunless tanners that are applied at home. It is important to know that darkening of your skin with these products does not protect you from sunburn. If you have had significant sun exposure, blistering sunburns, or have used the tanning bed please see your dermatologist for a skin exam.

There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Excess ultraviolet light that is found in both natural sunlight and tanning beds is the main cause of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma is second, and malignant melanoma is the third most common skin cancer. If any growth or mole demonstrates sudden growth, changes color, becomes tender, or bleeds, further evaluation is recommended. Early detection is crucial in the treatment of a skin cancer.

There are four visual clues that tell us that a mole may be dangerous. (ABCD's) A. Asymmetry-Normal moles should appear the same size and shape if divided in half by an imaginary line. B. Border-Moles should have a distinct, smooth margin separating it from normal skin. C. Color-Moles should consist of one evenly distributed color .D. Dimension-A mole should be 6 mm in size or smaller. This is about the size of a pencil eraser. Remember, if an existing mole changes or a new growth appears it is important to see your dermatologist as soon as possible.