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
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Help for Common Skin Problems
Discover preventive strategies and treatments for age spots, broken vessels and skin tags.
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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.
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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
Catherine Lenz, PA-C
Sutter Medical FoundationSutter Medical Foundation
What can be done about aging, thinning skin on the arms and legs as we get older? Is there a best ingredient in over-the-counter products? This is happening despite excellent nutrition and otherwise very good health.
This question undoubtedly is asked by patients every day. Truth be told, there are preventive measures that can slow down the aging process, but sadly there is no way to completely avoid or reverse the aging pr... continue reading about What can be done about aging, thinning skin on the arms and legs as we get older? Is there a best ingredient in over-the-counter products? This is happening despite excellent nutrition and otherwise very good health.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What causes dark hyperpigmentation in the skin on the knees? And what can be done for this?
Dark brown coloring of the knees is often also associated with some thickening of the skin. In most patients, it would be due to a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to friction from cloth... continue reading about What causes dark hyperpigmentation in the skin on the knees? And what can be done for this?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What are the best acne treatments for women over 35?
Acne is caused by heredity, hormones and stress. Years ago diet and cosmetics were blamed for acne, but current thinking downplays these factors. Often women who escaped teenage acne get adult acne, and it''s o... continue reading about What are the best acne treatments for women over 35?
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I've had my lips augmented with dermal fillers and like the results, but don't like the bruising. I read about a new technique using a "blunt-tip cannula" that replaces needles. Is it available in Northern California and is it better?
Facial fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, are injected using very small needles. Recently, an alternative technique for injecting fillers using blunt-tipped microcannulas has been developed. Yes, the tech... continue reading about I've had my lips augmented with dermal fillers and like the results, but don't like the bruising. I read about a new technique using a "blunt-tip cannula" that replaces needles. Is it available in Northern California and is it better?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I am a vegetarian. I have unhealthy hair, dandruff, and hair loss. A recent blood test indicated my testosterone is slightly higher than normal. I started including egg and ground flaxseed powder in my diet. Can you suggest a diet to promote hair growth?
The following can cause increased hair loss: poor nutrition, genes, hormones, age, certain medications, stress, rapid weight loss and some medical conditions.I will address the nutrition component. Listed are s... continue reading about I am a vegetarian. I have unhealthy hair, dandruff, and hair loss. A recent blood test indicated my testosterone is slightly higher than normal. I started including egg and ground flaxseed powder in my diet. Can you suggest a diet to promote hair growth?
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.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm 75 and have keratosis on my face and upper torso. My PCP is sometimes reluctant to take care of them using LN2, since Medicare regards this as cosmetic. Does the wart remover "Freeze Away" work sufficiently or is there a better product?
Your primary care physician is correct about benign seborrheic keratoses. They are considered by Medicare to be cosmetic unless they are causing irritation such as itching, bleeding, pain or get caught on cloth... continue reading about I'm 75 and have keratosis on my face and upper torso. My PCP is sometimes reluctant to take care of them using LN2, since Medicare regards this as cosmetic. Does the wart remover "Freeze Away" work sufficiently or is there a better product?
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
I'm a woman in my 20s who gets acne on her back and chest. What is causing this (as I rarely get acne on my face), and what can I do to treat and prevent it?
It is not unusual for an adult or a teenager to develop acne on the chest and back. However, it is important to be sure that hormonal problems are not the cause of acne in these locations. Although internal hor... continue reading about I'm a woman in my 20s who gets acne on her back and chest. What is causing this (as I rarely get acne on my face), and what can I do to treat and prevent it?
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