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.
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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
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I'm 53 and in menopause. Since perimenopause, my melasma has returned. I had it my 30s due to birth control pills. I'm using TriLuma and am fanatical about sunscreen. I'm Asian and dermatologists have told me laser or other procedures might worsen it.
Melasma is typically caused in women by exposure to estrogens. For this reason, any hormone replacement you are taking that contains estrogen can contribute, so I would refrain from using estrogens. Also, the h... continue reading about I'm 53 and in menopause. Since perimenopause, my melasma has returned. I had it my 30s due to birth control pills. I'm using TriLuma and am fanatical about sunscreen. I'm Asian and dermatologists have told me laser or other procedures might worsen it.
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 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?
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.
Kelly M. Gallego, M.D., FACS
Sutter Medical Foundation
What kind of anti-aging treatments are available for wrinkled hands? Of course, hands are always visible and mine have begun to look splotchy and wrinkled.
Many patients have concerns about the appearance of their hands. Patients frequently report that their hands make them look older than they feel. Like the face, neck, and superior chest, the hands are quite vis... continue reading about What kind of anti-aging treatments are available for wrinkled hands? Of course, hands are always visible and mine have begun to look splotchy and wrinkled.
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?
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?
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?
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