Torrey Pines Dermatology and Laser Center

Dermatologist La Jolla - San Diego Dermatologist

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Common Causes of Acne

Acne

Acne is a medical condition that causes inflamed bumps to appear on the skin. These bumps appear when the hair follicles on your body become plugged with oil and dead skin. Acne is most likely to appear on the face, back, neck and shoulders because these are the oiliest areas of the body. While teenagers are the most susceptible to getting acne, anyone can suffer from the skin condition.

The symptoms you experience with your acne will ultimately be determined by the severity of your condition. Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and painful lumps can all be present if you have this condition. Whiteheads occur when the pores become closed after they are plugged with oil. Blackheads are open plugged pores. Pimples are red bumps that become filled with pus at the tip.

While the severity of your acne will determine the symptoms you experience, every case is caused by the same four things. Acne is unable to form without oil production, dead skin cells, bacteria and clogged pores. The hair follicles are connected to the oil glands. These glands have to produce oil to lubricate your skin and hair. If too much oil is produced and combined with dead skin cells, then the hair follicles can become clogged.

The clogged pore creates the perfect environment for bacteria. Once these bacteria start to infect the clogged pore, inflammation of the skin will start to become visible in the form of acne. The exact appearance of your condition will ultimately be determined by how the hair follicle responds to the bacteria. Whiteheads and blackheads occur when there is no infection. If the bacteria start to infect the hair follicle, then red bumps and pimples will start to appear on the skin.

Large bumps may occur under the skin if your condition is left untreated for an extended period of time. These large bumps will be extremely painful to touch because they are filled with pus. They are also hard to treat because they form under the surface of the skin.

While acne is always caused by the same thing, there are several factors that can trigger the skin condition. Hormonal changes caused by puberty or pregnancy often lead to the condition because the body produces oil during these times. Eating a diet filled with dairy products and carbohydrates, taking certain medications and high levels of stress will also make you more susceptible to getting acne.

Treating acne is all about limiting the presence of oil, dead skin cells and bacteria on the skin. Luckily, there are several products available that are specifically designed to remove these things from your skin. There is no way to completely eliminate your risk of getting acne, so treatment is all about limiting the factors known to cause the skin condition.

Located in La Jolla, Torrey Pines Dermatology offers a variety of treatment options for acne, from Retin-A and antibiotics to hormone therapies, Accutane and lasers. Our office proudly serves the San Diego and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary appointment to learn more.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Acne

Look Years Younger with Juvederm®

Juvederm®

The aging process is subtle. It is difficult to pinpoint from one week to another what changes a person’s face as they age. However, if you look at a person over the course of years, you can definitely chart the changes that take place.

One of the biggest signs of aging is the loss of facial volume. For many people, dealing with the loss of facial volume is a lot harder than dealing with wrinkles. In fact, in some people, their wrinkles are the result of losing facial volume.

Gradually losing facial volume is just a natural part of the aging process. Our body produces less hyaluronic acid, less collagen and less of the compounds we need to retain moisture in our skin. Over time, our skin starts to get thinner, and our fat stores on our face deplete, leading to less support for the overlying skin.

Juvederm® is an excellent tool for addressing these issues. Some people who have Juvederm® treatments done say that they walk away looking years younger than they did before the treatments.

One of the nice things about Juvederm® treatments is that the improvement in lines are so natural that no one appears “done” after treatment. When a person looks at you after getting Juvederm® treatments, they will notice that you look younger, refreshed and more vibrant. However, you won’t have that drastic change in appearance that comes with cosmetic surgery.

Since dermal fillers are non-surgical, they are an outpatient procedure. Patients simply walk into our facility, get the Juvederm® injections done and are able to walk out and go back to their everyday life.

Another nice thing about Juvederm® is that hyaluronic acid is its primary ingredient. As previously mentioned, hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that is already in the skin. It is one of the compounds that helps the skin hold onto moisture. So when patients get an injection of Juvederm®, the area immediately looks fuller simply because you got Juvederm® injected into your skin. Over the course of the next few weeks, the hyaluronic acid will work with your body to help your skin attract and maintain moisture and build new collagen. This means that the benefits of your Juvederm® treatment are going to be seen for an extended period of time.

Juvederm® is a safe, FDA-approved way to restore your youthful appearance. It will not make you look like a teenager again, but it will definitely take years off your face and give you a happy, vibrant appearance you will be proud to show to the world. We encourage you to visit Torrey Pines Dermatology to learn all the facts about this injectable. Our office is located in La Jolla, and we happily serve the San Diego and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Juvederm®

Treat Dynamic Wrinkles with BOTOX®

BOTOX®

When we make certain facial expressions, wrinkles form around the eyes, between the eyebrows and around the perimeter of the mouth. These are called dynamic wrinkles because they form through the dynamic action of muscle contraction. As we age, these wrinkles become much more prominent because the skin now holds less moisture, is less elastic and contains less collagen.

BOTOX® is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and skin folds. It is an injectable fluid that allows the facial muscles to stay relaxed. We encourage all who are concerned about non-set wrinkles detracting from their appearance to learn more about how BOTOX® injections can help to keep their facial skin smooth.

How Dynamic Wrinkles Form

The muscles in our face receive information from the brain via the central nervous system. When we chew our food, our brain sends signals that cause muscles around the jaw to contract. The same thing happens when we want to smile or frown.

The skin on the upper part of the face is rather thin, and as we age and mature, this skin becomes less supported by the underlying tissues. The skin may become more brittle because it cannot hold as much moisture as before. Collagen production decreases, so the skin is less firm and even less elastic. Dynamic wrinkling occurs when the facial muscles contract, pushing two regions of the skin surface closer together.

How BOTOX® Can Help

BOTOX® is an effective muscle-relaxing agent. The product is injected beneath the skin. Over the next few days, it relaxes the facial muscles. The muscles no longer receive energy pulses from the nerves and cannot contract. This keeps the facial skin smooth, even when the person smiles, frowns or opens their eyes wide.

More Information About BOTOX®

Before administering BOTOX® injections, we examine the face closely and ask the client to make several different expressions. This allows us to see the severity of the dynamic wrinkling and also indicates to us where the injections should be made. During treatment, the BOTOX® is simply injected into the selected areas.

Over the next two days, the full muscle-relaxing effect becomes apparent. The effect lasts for up to six months. Subsequent injection sessions require less BOTOX® because the facial muscles are becoming trained to stay relaxed.

For further information about how BOTOX® can minimize the appearance of dynamic wrinkles on the face, schedule a consultation at Torrey Pines Dermatology, located in La Jolla and also serving the San Diego area. BOTOX® is popular because it involves no facial skin resurfacing, nor does it require surgery. Contact our office today to book your appointment to find out how BOTOX® can make you look younger.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: BOTOX®

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal

Almost everyone who has unsightly body hair they would like to have permanently reduced is a good candidate for laser hair removal. Although the results of the procedure will depend on the amount of hair in the area and the patient’s skin type, laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair.

Laser hair removal works by using laser to target the pigment in the hair follicle. The heat from the laser makes it so that the follicle is not able to grow any more hair. The laser light is absorbed as heat into the pigment in the follicle and kills it. The follicle gradually comes out and will no longer grow hair. Hair has three main growing stages, including the beginning, growth and falling-out stage. Laser hair removal is only effective during the growth stage, which is why multiple sessions are necessary.

You are a good candidate for laser hair removal if:

• You will follow the directions of our specialist for before and after care. This will give you the best results possible.
• You have reasonable expectations. Laser hair removal is not permanent hair removal. However, it may permanently reduce the hair, and any hair that grows back is thin and pale. It requires several treatments as well as follow-up sessions. Some people need follow-up treatments after three or four months, and others need them only after several years.
• You want hair removed from your chest, shoulders, arms, legs, armpits, back, upper lip, chin or bikini line. These areas of your body are considered safe for laser hair removal. It is a great option for large areas, such as the back and legs.
• You are tired of constantly shaving, waxing or plucking unwanted hair and want long-term hair removal results.

During treatment, the upper lip may take as little as 15 minutes and the back or legs may take several hours. The hair follicles may start to come out about one week after treatment, and may take up to two weeks to come out completely.

The best way to know if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal is to consult with our specialist at Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla. Our office also serves the San Diego and surrounding areas. During your consultation, you will learn about your options, and approximately how many sessions you need to completely remove the unwanted hair in your selected area. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to learn more.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: laser hair removal

Benefits of Deep Skin Exfoliation

Deep skin exfoliation

Just about any time a person talks about correcting issues with their facial skin, one of the things they are sure to mention is exfoliation. However, there are different levels of exfoliation. A person can get a light exfoliation from an esthetician such as a Silk Peel, or they can get a deep skin exfoliation, like a VI Peel or a Perfect Peel, or deeper still with a laser treatment. There are a lot of reasons why exfoliation is good for your face.

The first reason is that it is going to improve your skin texture. In addition to having skin that looks young, you undoubtedly want skin that feels soft. Deep skin exfoliation is the best way to get rid of rough or dry skin. It can revive your skin, remove its dull texture and give it a bright, attractive, invigorated appearance. In fact, many people are surprised at how smooth their face feels and how much better beauty products look on them after getting a deep skin exfoliation.

Most men and some women occasionally shave their face. Everyone knows that if you shave with a dull razor, you’re going to get horrible results. However, something that most people do not understand is that if you shave with dull skin, you’re also going to get terrible results. The best way for you to get a close and smooth shave is to have your skin exfoliated in advance. Freshly exfoliated skin will remove any dead skin cells that can get inside your razor blade and that can prevent you from having a clean shave.

Another reason to consider deep skin exfoliation is to fight back against aging. Every one of us knows that there is very little we can do to permanently prevent the aging process. Our skin is going to get old. The problem is that as we get older, our skin’s ability to get rid of old, dead cells diminishes. And so these dead cells accumulate on our face, making us look even older. They lead to fine lines, they make your skin look dry and they can lead to premature wrinkling. However, the answer is to remove these dead skin cells with exfoliation. Deep skin exfoliation will help you age in a graceful way.

Deep skin exfoliation is also a powerful weapon against breakouts. Everyone knows that having acne on your face is not considered attractive. It doesn’t matter if there are blackheads or whiteheads; they detract from your appearance. Deep skin exfoliation works by cleaning out your pores. If your pores are free of oil and dead skin cells, the likelihood of you getting an acne breakout is greatly diminished.

Deep skin exfoliation helps to even out your skin tone. You never hear anyone say they want blotchy skin. That’s because blotchy skin is considered unattractive. Deep skin exfoliation helps with this by not only getting rid of leftover dirt and makeup on your face, but also removing the external layers of dead skin that might lead to that blotchy appearance, giving your face the opportunity to show off that beautiful, young skin hiding just beneath the surface.

During a consultation at Torrey Pines Dermatology, you can learn more about the benefits of deep skin exfoliation. Our office is located in La Jolla, and we happily serve the San Diego area. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary appointment to get all the facts about this effective treatment.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Deep Skin Exfoliation

What is Ultherapy®?

Ultherapy®

Ultherapy® is a non-invasive procedure that tightens the skin on the face. It uses ultrasound energy to stimulate the production of collagen. The therapy session doesn’t take much time, and after repeated sessions, most clients notice improvement that continues for several months. Ultherapy® is recommended for those who suffer from sagging skin, non-set wrinkles and poor skin tone. It tightens the skin noticeably without the need for surgery or abrasive resurfacing. We encourage our clients to find out more about how this revolutionary treatment is a good alternative to the more traditional methods of skin rejuvenation.

How Ultherapy® Works

Our trained specialist can custom-set the controls on the device to deliver the proper amount of ultrasound energy. The energy passes through the dermal layers and concentrates in the layers of supportive tissue. The sound energy is absorbed by the tissue, and the body responds by sending nutrients to the affected area. Over the next few weeks after treatment, collagen production increases.

What the Client Should Expect

A typical treatment session lasts only about an hour. The skin is cleansed and a numbing cream is often applied prior to the use of the ultrasound instrument. The instrument is passed along a small section of skin and the energy bursts – which are quite short in duration – focus the vibration on the layers under the skin.

During the treatment, the sound energy is adjusted multiple times. This allows different layers of tissue to absorb the energy. By the end of the session, the skin, the supporting tissue and the underlying structural tissue have all been subjected to the energy bursts.

After the treatment is completed, normal activities can be resumed at once. There is no downtime, and the patient will not suffer from skin burns or notice any undue swelling.

Advantages of Ultherapy®

We highly recommend this skin tightening procedure because it is completely non-invasive. Unlike laser therapy or skin abrasion techniques, this treatment uses energy that completely bypasses the upper skin layers. Clients will therefore not have to worry about bruising, discolorations or burning of the skin.

Ultherapy® is a popular choice for those who are wary of surgical techniques, such as a facelift or neck lift. However, those who have undergone a facelift or neck lift can also benefit from this type of treatment because it can enhance the person’s appearance even further.

There is no required activity or skin care regimen before or after treatment. This is important for those who maintain a busy schedule. The effects of the treatment are gradual but continue for up to three months after the procedure is performed.

Get Tighter, Smoother Skin

Ultherapy® is a medically approved technique for tightening the skin without the need for surgery. To get all the details about this procedure, make an appointment at Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla. We also serve the San Diego and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Ultherapy®

Enjoy Longer, Fuller and Darker Lashes with Latisse®

Latisse®

Latisse® is a product that has been approved by the FDA to help individuals who have thin, short, light-colored eyelashes. After using this product for about two months, patients will experience fuller, darker and longer eyelashes. If you are looking for ways to safely and effectively improve the appearance of your eyelashes, then look no further than Latisse®.

How Does Latisse® Work?

This is an extremely unique product. It is the only product that has approval from the Federal Drug Administration to be used for growing fuller, thicker, darker eyelashes. Even though there are a variety of creams and medications that are available on the market to enhance a person’s eyelashes, the vast majority of these are used only as conditioners.

Latisse® has shown time and again that it can make your eyelashes longer, thicker and darker. Many women are using extraordinary amounts of time and money to have artificial eyelash extensions placed. Fortunately, there is a more natural, less expensive and less time-consuming option with Latisse®.

Latisse® works in two unique ways. For one thing, when a person’s eyelashes go through a growth phase, Latisse® helps to make that growth phase last longer. Another reason why this product works is that individuals will grow more hairs when their eyelashes are going through a growth phase giving you fuller, longer, and darker eyelashes.

When you come into our office for a consultation, we will give you full instructions on how to use Latisse®. This product should only be applied along the upper lash line. After using this product once a day for about two months, you will notice drastic improvements in the length, color and thickness of your eyelashes. Tests have shown many times that when a person uses Latisse®, they can experience more than 25 percent longer and darker eyelashes.

In addition, the thickness of their eyelashes will increase by more than 100 percent. After you begin to notice the results of the treatment, you will only need to apply the product two or three times during the week.

If you miss a day applying Latisse®, you do not need to worry. You can just resume using the product at the next scheduled time. You do not need to use the product multiple times during the next day.

Am I a Good Candidate?

Latisse® is a product that can only be purchased at a physician’s office because it is prescribed by a physician. For this reason, it is important for you to make an appointment with the professional consultants at Torrey Pines Dermatology for you to begin enjoying fuller, longer and darker eyelashes. Our office is located in La Jolla. Contact us today to schedule your Complimentary Consultation.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Latisse®

Bellafill® for Men – Get Immediate Results that Lasts for Years

Bellafill®

More and more men are concerned about how they look. A lot of this has to do with the change in occupational trends that has taken place over the past decade. As middle-aged men find themselves competing with younger men for the same job, they realize that they need to look their best to have a competitive edge in the job market.

This has led many men to turn to Bellafill® as a non-surgical way for them to regain their youthful appearance and give themselves a better chance to compete against younger men in the job market. An added benefit is looking less tired or tense, resulting in increased confidence in oneself.

If this is the first time you have heard about Bellafill®, you’re probably wondering what it is. Bellafill® is a dermal filler with collagen as its base. When the collagen is injected underneath the skin, it gives the skin immediate volume. As the skin’s volume increases, wrinkles and acne scars become less noticeable. Bellafill® has been designed to serve as a “biostimulant” injection, causing an increase in one’s own collagen which causes longer lasting improvements in volume and contour of the face.

Another advantage to using Bellafill® is the fact that professionals in the workplace can have the procedure done during their lunch hour, and then return right back to work and to their normal activities once the procedure has been completed. They do not need to worry about downtime. The use of a microcannula to inject Bellafill® drastically decreases the chance of bruising, discomfort, or other side effects.

Bellafill® is a relative newcomer to the world of dermal fillers. It has been on the market for around ten years. In 2014, it received FDA approval for use in the treatment of facial acne scars. Both men and women can benefit from this treatment.

The world of business and fashion has changed. Now, men are feeling pressure to look their best. Any defect in their appearance, any sign of aging or any facial scars caused by things like acne can detract from their ability to succeed in both their personal and their professional life. Bellafill® has been designed as a tool that will allow men to safely improve their appearance and have the confidence they need to succeed in all avenues of life.

To learn more about Bellafill®, make an appointment at Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla. Our team of cosmetic professionals is dedicated to helping both men and women achieve their aesthetic goals. Contact us today to schedule your Complementary Consultation.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Bellafill®

Reasons to Consider Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers

It is a completely natural thing to want to feel good about your appearance. Feeling good about yourself can help to boost your self-esteem and help you to be more productive and successful. If others make negative comments about your appearance, it can really hurt. In our very aesthetically-oriented society, the way you look affects the way others treat you. For all of these reasons, many of us work hard to maintain our good looks. Fortunately, dermal fillers are an excellent way to restore a more youthful you.

Why Dermal Fillers?

As we age, our faces lose lift and volume that we had in our younger years. The skin changes and loses elasticity. In turn, the muscles become more visible, which means that dynamic wrinkles are more easily seen. Dermal fillers can help to address this problem. They are injected very carefully under the skin to replace lost fat and to fill in lines.

As time progresses, our lips also become thinner. At times, it may even seem like a person’s lips completely disappear when they smile. Dermal fillers can be used to plump up thin lips. They can even be used for younger individuals who are looking to have fuller lips in order to improve their appearance.

Men or women who use dermal fillers enjoy a younger, more attractive appearance. They are able to enhance shallow contours in their face and also see fine lines and wrinkles smooth out and even disappear.

Before the dermal filler is injected under the skin, our medical professional can apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area. In addition, a blunt-tipped cannula is used to inject the filler which helps to avoid bruising and bleeding. All of these measures ensure the patient’s comfort during the treatment. The injections usually take only a short amount of time.

If you are unsatisfied with your appearance and would like to look fresher, younger and rejuvenated, dermal fillers may be right for you. These injectables are an extremely effective and beneficial tool that can be used to restore a more youthful lifted appearance.

The best way for you to find out if dermal fillers are right for you is to schedule a consultation at Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla. We will be happy to address your questions and concerns and customize your treatment plan. Contact our office today to book your appointment!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: dermal fillers

Reverse the Signs of Aging with the Vi Peel

Vi Peel

Chemical peels have been one of the best ways to regenerate, rejuvenate and tighten aging and sun-damaged skin without a lot of downtime. The major concern women and men have had with chemical peels is their harshness on the skin. However, the Vi Peel uses ingredients that are gentle on the skin and works on any skin type, including dry, oily, dark and lighter complexions.

Comfort and the Vi Peel

It’s just assumed by most of us that for a chemical peel to work properly, there must be a significant amount of discomfort involved. This is not the case with the Vi Peel. Its superior formula reaches deep into the layers of the skin while producing nothing more than a warm, tingling sensation that quickly diminishes.

Aging Skin

As we age, our skin tends to become less supple and firm. There is also a tendency for dark spots, uneven skin tone and dryness to occur. The Vi Peel removes the topmost layer of skin and reveals fresh, supple skin underneath. When the topmost layer of skin is affected, it encourages the body to produce more collagen. It’s the collagen production that restores the skin underneath and gives it a youthful glow and texture.

Skin Damage and Acne Scars

Even though acne scarring will fade over a length of time, the Vi Peel helps to speed up the process significantly. It also has a soothing effect that helps with flushing and inflammation involved with sun-damaged skin.

Hyperpigmentation and Sun Spots

When patches of skin turn darker than the surrounding areas of skin, it is called hyperpigmentation. Although this is a relatively harmless condition, it can still cause the skin to appear much less healthy and has been hard to treat in the past.

A Vi Peel can dramatically lessen the appearance of dark spots, age spots, sunspots and sun-damaged skin. Even if you have found the removal of these kinds of hyperpigmentation conditions a problem in the past, the Vi Peel will work wonders.

What to Expect After Treatment

As soon as treatment is complete, you may experience a slight tanning of the skin. This will continue for the first two days or so, but nobody will think you have had a chemical peel done. Instead, you might look like you have been at the beach getting a suntan. There will also be a tightening of the skin. By the sixth or seventh day, newer, younger and suppler skin is revealed.

Learn More Today

Located in La Jolla, Torrey Pines Dermatology offers the Vi Peel as a safe and effective way for men and women to reverse the signs of aging on their skin. During a consultation at our office, we can help you determine if this treatment is right for you. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Vi Peel

Say Goodbye to Excess Hair with Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal

There are parts of the body where we are very happy to have hair. Both men and women appreciate having a thick head of hair. When it is properly styled and well-maintained, it can add it to the aesthetic appeal of a person’s face. Most men also appreciate the ability to grow a beard or a mustache. However, there are other parts of the body where having excessive hair can be considered a drawback. For example, having hair between the eyebrows in a way that forms a uni-brow is not considered to be attractive.

Most women do not want facial hair. Some men find excessive hair growth on their back or chest to be frustrating. For individuals who are tired of shaving, plucking and waxing unwanted hair off their body, laser hair removal may be the perfect option.

Laser hair removal is extremely popular. In fact, it counts among one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States today. Lasers are used to transmit concentrated light to a person’s hair follicles. The pigment in the follicle absorbs the light, which affects the hair.

Lasers can be used on different parts of the body. They are most commonly used to remove unwanted facial hair, arm hair, leg hair and hair along the bikini line. There are a lot of benefits to using laser hair removal as opposed to manual ways of removing hair. For example, lasers are extremely precise. A laser can be used to remove hair while at the same time not damaging the underlying skin. This cannot be said of razors. Razors not only remove hair, but often damage the skin underneath the hair.

Another benefit of using lasers is that they are fast. Within a fraction of a second, lasers can remove hair in an area that is approximately the size of a quarter. This means that a person can have a laser hair removal treatment on their upper lip in less than 60 seconds. The same procedure can be performed on a larger area, such as the back or on the legs, in less than one hour. Laser hair removal is also very predictable. After multiple sessions, a patient is guaranteed to have permanent hair reduction.

Having a full head of hair is great. However, for women, having a full face of hair is not so great. For men, having an overgrowth of back and/or chest hair can also be seen as a negative thing. Laser hair removal treatments can effectively address these problems.

To learn more about how laser hair removal can benefit you, set up a consultation at Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla. Our team of experts will be happy to address your questions and concerns as we determine if this treatment is right for you. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: laser hair removal

Common Causes of Skin Cancer

skin cancer

One of the most common forms of cancer is skin cancer. It is caused when changes occur in the skin cell’s DNA. These mutations cause the cells to produce rapidly and then form masses of cancerous cells. There are quite a few types of skin cancer that can be prevented. The more a person learns about skin cancer, the more likely they are to protect themselves and those they love.

Sun Exposure

Most people enjoy feeling the warm sun on their face and body. It feels good, and the way it tans a person’s skin makes them look good. Unfortunately, this love affair with the sun can cause early aging. Ultraviolet light from the sun damages elastin.

When the elastin in the skin begins to break down, it weakens the skin and causes it to stretch and sag. It causes the skin to take longer to heal and bruise more easily. Exposure to the sun can cause precancerous and cancerous skin lesions. These mutations occur in the skin cells’ DNA.

Sun exposure also causes fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, benign tumors, discolored areas of the skin and the dilation of blood vessels under the skin.

There are three main types of skin cancer. These include squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. When non-melanoma skin cancers are treated early, they can be cured. Melanoma is the most serious form of cancer and even causes death. If it goes untreated, it can spread to other organs in the body.

Skin cancer is usually a result of ultraviolet radiation that comes from the sun. However, the UV light that is used in tanning beds is just as harmful to the skin.

Other Causes and Risk Factors

There are many factors that increase a person’s chances of getting skin cancer. Other causes include exposure to radiation and substances like arsenic.

It is important for individuals to be aware of risk factors. For example, individuals who have fair skin and sunburn easily are much more likely to develop skin cancer than individuals who have dark skin and hair. If a person has had blistering sunburns in the past, particularly when they were a child or teenager, their risk of developing skin cancer increases.

Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time in the sun or using tanning beds is at a higher risk. Having a lot of moles or abnormal moles increases a person’s chances since moles can become cancerous. It is important for individuals to monitor these moles for changes.

Learn All the Facts

When it comes to skin cancer, knowledge is power. This knowledge will enable you to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you have any concerns, would like a skin exam or have noticed changes in your skin, it is important to make an appointment as soon as possible with a medical professional at Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla. We can evaluate your skin and help you determine an effective treatment option if one is needed. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: skin cancer

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9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 460
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858-362-8800
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