Catch Skin Cancer Early
Use the ABCDE method to do monthly skin checks and detect changes in moles.
Protect Yourself in the Sun
Confused about UVA, UVB and SPF? Learn the best ways to protect your skin and stay healthy in the sun.
The Dark Side of Tanning
Tanning damages your skin. Learn safer ways to achieve a healthy glow.
Featured Articles
Help for Common Skin Problems
Discover preventive strategies and treatments for age spots, broken vessels and skin tags.
How to Catch Skin Cancer Early
Skin cancer is curable when caught early. Learn how to perform skin self-exams and when to get checkups.
Living with Psoriasis
Do you struggle with red, scaly patches or tiny bumps on your body? Here’s what you need to know.
Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have adult acne, but I'm also getting saggy skin now that I'm in my 40s. Would laser treatments help both?
The appropriate treatment for adult acne is medication prescribed by a dermatologist or primary care physician. These are medications applied topically to the skin surface and include tretinoin, benzoyl peroxid... continue reading about I have adult acne, but I'm also getting saggy skin now that I'm in my 40s. Would laser treatments help both?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
What causes broken veins around the ankles? Is there any preventive measures that can be taken?
Those small dilated veins around the ankle are very common (I have them too) and are called telangectasias or "spider veins." They are not usually a health concern and are most often asymptomatic. On occasion t... continue reading about What causes broken veins around the ankles? Is there any preventive measures that can be taken?
Karen Horton, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
Is a 68-year-old female a good candidate for breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a personal decision some women choose to make during their lifetimes. A breast augmentation will increase the size of the breasts, and may add volume that has been lost with breastfeeding... continue reading about Is a 68-year-old female a good candidate for breast augmentation?
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I recently read about the new "gummy bear" breast implants. I understand that it's a more cohesive gel, but does this make it a better choice than the regular saline or silicone types? Are there any side effects and how long do these last?
Today's breast implants are made from a variety of state-of-the-art materials including saline, silicone gel, and highly cohesive silicone gel. All of the breast implants currently approved by the FDA are consi... continue reading about I recently read about the new "gummy bear" breast implants. I understand that it's a more cohesive gel, but does this make it a better choice than the regular saline or silicone types? Are there any side effects and how long do these last?
Jane Varner, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
My son is in school all day, then jumps into a car to travel to an outdoor swim practice. He has about five minutes to get ready. If we apply sunscreen in the morning, is it still effective eight hours later? What sunscreens are best for his situation?
I'm SO glad that your family is remembering sunscreen! The most recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that approximately 70,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with melanoma... continue reading about My son is in school all day, then jumps into a car to travel to an outdoor swim practice. He has about five minutes to get ready. If we apply sunscreen in the morning, is it still effective eight hours later? What sunscreens are best for his situation?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
After I gave birth to my child, skin tags started to appear on my neck. At first they were on the back and the sides. Now they're spreading to the front and other places on my body. They get painfully snagged, are unsightly, and it's affecting my life.
The tendency to develop skin tags is a genetic one. Family members will often recall that their parents or grandparents were bothered by tags as well. It is possible that the high levels of estrogen that occur ... continue reading about After I gave birth to my child, skin tags started to appear on my neck. At first they were on the back and the sides. Now they're spreading to the front and other places on my body. They get painfully snagged, are unsightly, and it's affecting my life.
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I'm 37 and just had my second child. I exercise and eat well, but notice a lot of sagging skin on my body after this second pregnancy. I've heard about "Mommy Makeovers". Can you tell me more about this?
A "Mommy Makeover" is a series of procedures aimed at reversing unwanted changes associated with pregnancy.The process of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can be hard on a woman's body and cause a woman... continue reading about I'm 37 and just had my second child. I exercise and eat well, but notice a lot of sagging skin on my body after this second pregnancy. I've heard about "Mommy Makeovers". Can you tell me more about this?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have dry skin and have read that using coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer for my face and body. Does coconut oil really have moisturizing benefits? My concern is about oily breakouts.
Coconut oil consists of medium chain triglycerides which are saturated fats. It works like any oil-containing moisturizer and traps water in the skin creating a hydrating effect. Many people like the fragrance ... continue reading about I have dry skin and have read that using coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer for my face and body. Does coconut oil really have moisturizing benefits? My concern is about oily breakouts.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Is laser treatment effective in removing the telangiectasia associated with rosacea? Also, does the use of Metrogel (or similar products) reduce the incidence of the development of telangiectasias?
One of the most common side effects from long term sun exposure or from the chronic skin condition called rosacea is the development of tiny enlarged facial blood vessels. Although many people call them spider ... continue reading about Is laser treatment effective in removing the telangiectasia associated with rosacea? Also, does the use of Metrogel (or similar products) reduce the incidence of the development of telangiectasias?
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