Catch Skin Cancer Early
Use the ABCDE method to do monthly skin checks and detect changes in moles.
Protect Yourself in the Sun
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The Dark Side of Tanning
Tanning damages your skin. Learn safer ways to achieve a healthy glow.
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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'm a 54-year-old African-American woman (menopausal) who is experiencing facial discoloration, especially around my mouth and chin. My complexion is normally brown/caramel. Since menopause I have light patches of skin in this area. What can I do?
It is not unusual for women to develop skin color changes around menopause. The skin is sensitive to hormone changes of the body at this time of life, in a similar way that the skin changes during pregnancy or ... continue reading about I'm a 54-year-old African-American woman (menopausal) who is experiencing facial discoloration, especially around my mouth and chin. My complexion is normally brown/caramel. Since menopause I have light patches of skin in this area. What can I do?
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?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have some ugly and large varicose veins on my legs. I've read about laser treatments to remove them, but would like to know how many treatments it takes, does the treatment hurt, and will my insurance cover the procedure?
I assume from your question that you are referring to the large veins that stick out from the skin surface as raised lumps and not small spider veins. Spider veins are a cosmetic problem and treatment for them ... continue reading about I have some ugly and large varicose veins on my legs. I've read about laser treatments to remove them, but would like to know how many treatments it takes, does the treatment hurt, and will my insurance cover the procedure?
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I remember a number of years ago, before dermal fillers, cosmetic surgeons would use a patient's fat to plump up areas on the face that had lost volume. Is this still done, and are there any advantages to this over using fillers?
Both dermal fillers and fat are excellent ways to plump up the face and restore lost facial volume associated with aging. Advantages of using one's own fat include longer lasting results, the ability to treat m... continue reading about I remember a number of years ago, before dermal fillers, cosmetic surgeons would use a patient's fat to plump up areas on the face that had lost volume. Is this still done, and are there any advantages to this over using fillers?
Karen Horton, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I'm considering breast implants. What should I look for (beyond board certification) in selecting my plastic surgeon?
For any surgical procedure, you should do your homework. This includes breast augmentation. Your plastic surgeon should be board certified in Plastic Surgery. Remember that any surgery, cosmetic or not, is a ma... continue reading about I'm considering breast implants. What should I look for (beyond board certification) in selecting my plastic surgeon?
Catherine Lenz, PA-C
Sutter Medical FoundationSutter Medical Foundation
Is there any way of removing moles other than surgery?
Moles appear just about anywhere on the skin. Sometimes a mole may be in an area on the skin that gets irritated from clothing or a hairbrush, or even shaved with a razor. In some cases one may not like the app... continue reading about Is there any way of removing moles other than surgery?
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?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Are there any safe oral supplements you would recommend for thinning hair? I believe this is happening because of hypothyroid medication.
There are a number of things that can cause hair loss. Diffuse hair loss - hair loss at the temples and the top of the head - is the most common type of hair loss. It tends to run in families and becomes more p... continue reading about Are there any safe oral supplements you would recommend for thinning hair? I believe this is happening because of hypothyroid medication.
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I've contemplated having a nose job because of a bump on my nose. I read about a non-surgical procedure that uses fillers, like Restylane, to reshape the nose. Can you tell me more about this? Are there risks involved? How often would I need to do this?
Non-surgical nose reshaping is a popular alternative to traditional nose reshaping surgery for patients who seek to correct mild to moderate nasal imperfections without having to undergo surgery. In non-surgica... continue reading about I've contemplated having a nose job because of a bump on my nose. I read about a non-surgical procedure that uses fillers, like Restylane, to reshape the nose. Can you tell me more about this? Are there risks involved? How often would I need to do this?
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