Debunking 5 Common Misconceptions about Eczema

Living in a very hot and dry climate will often cause flare-ups of eczema to be much worse because the dry heat dehydrates the skin. Those who live with these itchy, red rashes may find them very difficult to cope with, but having a better understanding of the disease and your triggers can help you manage it more easily. There are still so many misconceptions surrounding this inflammatory skin condition. A common question that providers are asked is, “Can eczema spread from person to person?” Our Arizona-based Ironwood Dermatology team can explain the truth behind the myth that eczema is contagious, along with other popular misconceptions about this skin disease:

Myth 1: You Can Contract Eczema from Someone Else

You can rest assured that the myth that eczema is contagious is false. The disease cannot spread to people if someone who has eczema rubs against them or they make contact with their rash. Eczema is thought to have strong genetic and environmental links.

Myth 2: Eczema Sufferers Shouldn’t Do Activities That Involve Water

Regular baths, showers, and swimming won’t be an issue if you have eczema.

Myth 3: Eczema Causes Poor Hygiene

There is no proof to suggest that poor personal hygiene is associated with eczema. Its actual cause is much more complex. While the exact cause of the disease still is not fully understood, and there are plenty of unknowns, scientists believe that it is primarily associated with genetic factors and exposure to certain environmental triggers.

Myth 4: Moisturizers Are All You Need

While moisturizers are helpful, you may also need skin steroids or other treatments to manage this condition. Identifying triggers is also an important part of living with the chronic condition.

Myth 5: Eczema is not a Serious Issue

Although it is not a life-threatening condition, eczema can have a detrimental impact on a patient’s quality of life—depending on its severity. For example, the flares often get worse at night, which can lead to sleep deprivation. Eczema is more than just a skin condition. Other emotional issues like depression or mental health problems can develop because of this disease.

If you’re searching for an answer to the question, “Can eczema spread from person to person?” contact our Arizona-based Ironwood Dermatology team to learn more about this chronic skin condition. Call us at 520.618.1630 or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation with our team so that we can help you with diagnosis and coping with skin conditions.

Is Preventative BOTOX® Worth It?


Is it worth it to get preventative BOTOX®? Our Arizona
-based team at Ironwood Dermatology provides this injectable treatment to reduce wrinkles that have already formed, but it can also be used for other purposes.

Preventative BOTOX® is a cosmetic strategy that has gained popularity in recent years. Unlike traditional BOTOX®, which is used to reduce the appearance of existing wrinkles, preventative BOTOX® is employed to prevent the formation of wrinkles in the first place. Here’s how it works.

First, it’s important to understand what causes wrinkles. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and collagen, which are essential for maintaining a smooth, youthful appearance. In addition, repetitive facial expressions like frowning, squinting, and raising eyebrows can cause lines and wrinkles to form, especially on the forehead area and around the eyes.

Preventative BOTOX® works by targeting the muscles that cause wrinkles to form. This makes it ideal for patients who want to take a proactive approach to anti-aging treatments instead of correcting wrinkles that have become deeply etched in. When BOTOX® is injected into specific muscles, it relaxes them for months at a time. Using this injectable before wrinkles have a chance to form allows the skin to better maintain its elasticity and collagen, resulting in skin that has an overall smoother and more youthful appearance.

Preventative BOTOX® is typically recommended for individuals in their 20s and 30s, before wrinkles have become deeply ingrained in the skin. However, the treatment can also be effective for older individuals who are only just starting to notice the early signs of aging.

The procedure for preventative BOTOX® is similar to traditional BOTOX®. We will inject small amounts of the neurotoxin into the targeted muscles using a fine needle in the areas where deep creases are likely to develop.

This treatment can potentially slow down the development of wrinkles or prevent them from forming at all. Preventative treatments can be ideal for patients who are likely to get deep wrinkles or a high number of wrinkles. If you have family members with an excessive number of wrinkles or who have a very expressive face or thinner, finer skin, you may be a good candidate for this procedure.

Our Arizona-based team at Ironwood Dermatology can explain more about using injectable treatments to soften—or prevent—wrinkles on the upper third of the face. Call us at 520.618.1630 or submit a contact form if you’d like to learn more.

What Are the Most Common Skincare Mistakes?

It can sometimes seem like everyone is obsessed with skincare these days, but it’s more than just a passing trend. There are very good reasons behind this movement toward protecting and enhancing our body’s outer covering. It’s so important to give your skin the attention it needs consistently, not just for cosmetic reasons (such as making your pores appear tinier and defying the aging process), but also for the sake of your overall health. Even though we might think we’re doing our skin good, sometimes we’re actually harming it without knowing. Understanding where you’re going wrong can help you to keep your skin calm, avoid intense breakouts, and enjoy your most stunning complexion. At Ironwood Dermatology, our team provides aesthetic treatments like neuromodulators and injectable fillers for Tucson and Oro Valley area patients, and we can also assess your skin to help you develop a skincare routine that’s customized for your needs.

With that in mind, here are some of the most typical beauty mistakes most people make—most likely without even realizing it.

Overdoing Exfoliation Techniques

As any experienced skin professional will tell you, regular exfoliation is the key to maintaining clear, glowing skin instead of being left with a dull, washed-out, and uneven look. Exfoliation removes dry skin, dead cells, and dirt that clog the pores. Just remember that too much exfoliation with harsh mechanical techniques or chemicals can harm the skin’s moisture barrier.

Forgetting the Neck

The neck has thinner skin and is one of the areas that shows the most pronounced signs of aging. Don’t forget to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and use sunscreen on the neck area.

Skipping Toner

One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that toners are useless. Actually, toners can be a crucial part of your skincare routine because they help to close the pores after you’ve finished cleansing and prevent any remaining dirt or impurities from getting in. They also prevent your skin from becoming dried out and boost the effects of serums or moisturizers. If you’re not using toner, your skin might become dehydrated.

Looking for more advice on keeping your skin healthy and looking young? Call us at Ironwood Dermatology at 520.618.1630, or submit a contact form online to schedule an initial consultation.

3 Reasons to See a Dermatologist

Some skin conditions only cause minor symptoms and don’t have an impact on your quality of life, while others are more severe. Although many of us put off going to a dermatologist unless there’s an emergency—and plenty of appointments have been put on hold since the coronavirus pandemic began—it’s important to get the care you need for your health and prevent problems from becoming worse. Still wondering if it’s worth it to go to a dermatologist? The mid-20s and onward is the perfect age range to start seeing a skin-focused provider regularly each year. Here are the three top reasons to visit your nearest dermatologist if you haven’t already. Not only can we diagnose and treat skin conditions like acne for Tucson and Oro Valley-area patients, but we can also help you manage skin diseases and provide other ways to enhance the appearance of your skin.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer globally and can become deadly when it spreads. It’s also highly preventable, as well as curable when diagnosed in its earliest stages. Annual skin check-ups by a dermatologist are a critical component of this effort, especially for people who are high risk for skin cancer, such as patients who have numerous or abnormal moles, red or blond hair, light eyes, and fair skin that sunburns easily, who spend a lot of time in the sun, or who live in a sunny or high-altitude area.

Damaged, Aging, or Lackluster Skin

Dermatologists see many patients who are self-conscious about skin that has an irregular tone and texture, or even more severe signs of sun damage and wrinkles. If these are some of your concerns, you can finally get the treatments you need to repair your skin, such as injectables, microneedling, chemical peels, and laser skin resurfacing. A dermatologist can also advise you on the lifestyle changes you need to make to improve your skin health and appearance.

Something’s Bothering You

Many patients are unsure why they’re experiencing rashes, irritation, flaky or scaly areas, hair loss, or other symptoms. Dermatologists diagnose and treat conditions that occur anywhere on the skin, as well as nails and hair. Some of these symptoms can indicate more serious underlying health problems, so trusting your health to a specialist can be key.

If you need to see a dermatologist for a skin condition, the Tucson and Oro Valley-based providers at Ironwood Dermatology are available to answer any of your questions and guide you on what you need for healthier, clearer skin. Call us at 520.618.1630, or submit a contact form to request a consultation.

The VOLUMA XC® Difference

Allergan makes many products that dermatologists use every day to improve the look of patients’ faces. One of the most popular lines from this manufacturer is Juvederm®, which is a family of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers. Fillers are typically associated with smoothing out static wrinkles on the face, but the volume-adding clear gel can accomplish so much more. Case in point: VOLUMA® XC at Tucson’s Ironwood Dermatology.

A special process that links different “weights” of molecules together gives VOLUMA® XC some unique qualities. It is both smooth and hardy, able to flow easily into the skin when injected, but also robust enough to provide the structure and support so crucial to the midface.

Patients who benefit from VOLUMA® XC are those who have lost volume in the “apples” of their cheeks. So named because of their rosy roundness, the apples are signs of youthful health—and are especially apparent when someone smiles.

Unfortunately, the natural effects of aging on the skin can be particularly apparent on the apples. As volume decreases over time—a process made worse by regular exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun—the roundness can flatten into a gaunt look. As volume loss continues, it can progress into an aged, even skeletal look common to older people who have hollow cheeks.

To further the undesirable cosmetic changes, dwindling volume also leads to skin laxity. Tissue that slides downward without proper support from healthy amounts of collagen and facial fat creates jowls.

VOLUMA® XC counters all of these changes by restoring that vital volume. The gel is injected directly into the skin to replenish the apples. Using just the right amount, an injector creates a natural-looking symmetry that can make the apples “re-appear”—which also lifts away the slight look of volume-loss-related jowling.

Of all the available Juvederm® fillers, VOLUMA® XC lasts the longest. Studies have shown that its effects can last for up to two years—especially when injected by experienced providers who know how to maximize results.

Patients interested in smoothing out nasolabial folds or other creases are encouraged to learn more about other options available in the Juvederm® family. Signs of aging are not typically limited to just one area, so chances are good that diminished volume in the cheeks may accompany facial creases, thin lips, and other signs of retreating collagen.

Learn more about VOLUMA® XC at Tucson-based Ironwood Dermatology by sending a message online or calling 520.618.1630.

Breaking Down Laser Tattoo Removal

Arizona is known for its deserts and interesting geologic formations, so locals should feel right at home with the language commonly used to describe laser tattoo removal. Tucson-based Ironwood Dermatology offers the PicoSure® laser from Cynosure for treating unwanted tattoos, which are often described as being made up of “rocks” of ink in the skin.

Since ink is a liquid, many people may picture it as a black or otherwise colored fluid that flows into the skin and sits there, or perhaps dries, to form the image seen in a tattoo. It is actually more accurate to think of the pigment as tightly packed chunks of material. If someone no longer wanted their tattoo, these bigger chunks could be broken down into smaller pebbles, rather like a worker wielding a pickaxe to pulverize a rock.

This is the premise behind nanosecond lasers, which use light energy to attack the ink and break it apart. Unfortunately, the process generated a significant amount of heat, making the process uncomfortable for patients. There is also only so much the body can do with “pebbles” of ink. Though they are smaller than the original “rocks,” they can still leave visible evidence of a tattoo, which may look faded, but not cleared up.

The picosecond laser—known as PicoSure®—improves on both of those drawbacks. First, the increased speed of the laser means sessions can be shorter and not generate as much heat during a full session. Second, instead of achieving “pebbles” as an end result, the breakdown creates something more akin to “sand.” These significantly smaller particles of ink are far easier for the body to process and remove, making the tattoo that much harder to see.

Arizonans know: Sand can be a beautiful thing, whether it’s creating a beautiful landscape or referring to the fading of an unwanted tattoo of any color.

Learn more about laser tattoo removal at the Tucson-based Ironwood Dermatology by sending a message online or calling 520.618.1630.

BOTOX® vs. Dermal Fillers: How Long Do They Last?

There are many factors that set BOTOX® and dermal fillers apart—including how they work and what they treat—but a question patients frequently ask at Ironwood Dermatology is “How long will it last?”

Keeping in mind that BOTOX® Cosmetic is for inhibiting muscle activity and that dermal fillers come in a wide variety of volume-adding formulas, it can be wise to track which effects last the shortest and longest, especially for patients who want to maintain a more youthful-looking face for the long term. Scheduling maintenance visits is easier when you have a good idea of how long your forehead will appear smooth or jawline should have extra definition.

First, BOTOX®. Tucson-area women and men regularly choose this treatment for their forehead and frown lines, as well as their crow’s feet. After a brief session with one of our injectors, you can expect three to four months of smooth skin, worry-free. After that time, the targeted muscles will start moving again, leading to visible furrows and wrinkles whenever you frown or make similar facial expressions.

Dermal fillers, on the other hand, tend to be longer lasting. Juvederm®, for example, has several gel fillers that go the distance, including Volbella (which enhances lips and smooths out vertical lip lines for up to a year), Vollure (which reduces the appearance of nasolabial folds and more for up to 18 months), and Voluma (which adds volume to the midface and lasts up to two years).

With this in mind, you may have several BOTOX® sessions between visits for dermal filler injections.

A member of the Ironwood Dermatology team can work with you to ensure your schedule is as seamless as possible, which means you can enjoy an overall youthful-looking face with no interruption to the smooth look in just one area.

To learn more about dermal fillers, BOTOX®, and more, contact the Tucson-based Ironwood Dermatology online or call 520.618.1630.

Four Ways to Rejuvenate the Skin

The saying goes that beauty is only skin deep, but it should be updated to note that many times imperfections are similarly shallow. The fine lines and clogged pores that can make a face look older are often easily addressed by simply getting rid of the skin where they are found. The dermatologists at Tucson’s Ironwood Dermatology offer numerous treatments that do just that. Here is a brief look at four of them:

Chemical Peels

Within this category alone there are several variations, but all of them work the same way: A strong, acid-based solution is applied directly to the skin and left to work for a set amount of time. The outer layer will later peel away. This accomplishes two things: It gets dead cells and debris off of the face, and it promotes natural rejuvenation.

Microdermabrasion

As opposed to covering the entire face at once in a peeling solution, microdermabrasion involves buffing the dead skin cells away from top to bottom, cheek to cheek. The ultimate result is much the same, in that healthier-looking, younger skin is revealed and collagen rejuvenation is kick-started.

Dermaplaning

Similar to microdermabrasion, dermaplaning is a treatment that mechanically removes dead skin cells, but it involves manual action from a cosmetic professional. Working directly on the skin with a special tool, the dermaplaner will exfoliate to remove unwanted cells and encourage healing.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Short pulses of energy from a specially designed laser make this a non-invasive treatment that promotes collagen production without ablating—or removing—the skin. The resulting rejuvenated collagen can improve the look of everything from fine lines to visible scars and marks.

Patients are not expected to know which of these treatments would work best for their own skin. The Ironwood Dermatology team can suggest an ideal plan after a consultation tailored to the individual. Learn more by reaching out online or calling 520.618.1630.

Discover 2017’s Top Five Cosmetic Treatments

When it comes to nonsurgical cosmetic treatments, from microdermabrasion to BOTOX®, Tucson’s Ironwood Dermatology team noted with interest the recently released results of an annual report compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Published at the start of March 2018, the report details statistics from 2017, taken from medical databases and doctor surveys. Among the many items of interest is the overarching fact that nonsurgical cosmetic treatments on the whole are growing in popularity. The entire field grew by 2 percent from 2016 to 2017, with more than 15.7 million treatments performed on men and women across the United States.

That also represents a 186-percent jump from the year 2000.

Topping the list is—as usual—BOTOX® and its fellow injectables based on botulinum toxin type A, which collectively made up almost half of the total treatments performed. With 7.2 million treatments reported, this option is unquestionably the most frequently chosen cosmetic option in the country—surgeries included.

Next on the list, with more than 2.6 million applications, is soft tissue fillers, which includes the entire Juvederm® line. There are formulas for reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds, for adding youthful roundness to the apple of the cheeks, and for subtly boosting lip contours.

Chemical peels came in third with 1.3 million applied. Though they all accomplish the same thing—removing the outermost layers of dead skin for a brighter, fresher look—they come in a variety of compounds with different strengths. This treatment also makes the skin more receptive to revitalizing serums.

Fourth is laser hair removal, a versatile treatment that can be applied virtually head to toe. Statistics show that just more than a million laser hair removals were performed in 2017, proving that bare skin made smooth without the hassle of razors or waxing remains a popular choice.

Rounding out the top five is microdermabrasion, which essentially buffs or polishes away dead skin cells in the outermost layer. Though the mechanics are different, the results are similar to a chemical peel.

Learn more about any of these treatments by reading about them on the main Ironwood Dermatology website, contacting the practice online, or calling 520.618.1630 to arrange a consultation.

Why “Targeted Fat Loss” or “Spot Reduction” Cannot Be Achieved with Diet & Exercise

The internet is rife with certain “fitness gurus” touting claims of reducing fat on the arms, thighs, or belly through various kinds of focused exercises. Unfortunately, this is not how the body functions.

While eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly can yield significant physical and mental health benefits, and are key to maintaining a healthy weight, all they ultimately do are reduce the size of fat cells – they do not get rid of them.

As for focused exercises, the most they might do is improve muscle tone and definition in those areas to make fat look less obvious. While overall slimming down of the body is possible, it generally does not yield the extent of reduction we would like in specific areas.

This is part of what makes medical-grade, non-invasive fat reduction treatments so popular. CoolSculpting® offers Tucson, AZ, patients a pain-free alternative to surgery that is much more effective than diet or exercise at reducing fat in specific areas of the body.

The FDA-cleared device comes with a variety of applicators, each uniquely shaped and sized to accommodate almost any type of fat pocket on the body. The device cools down the area the applicator is attached to, causing fat cells to crystallize and die while leaving skin and other types of tissue in the areas unharmed.

Fat cells are much more sensitive to temperature changes, which is why they are much easier to damage with cold than other types of tissue. Once they die, the leftover matter from these cells is flushed out of the body through its natural processes.

With the right applicator, settings, and number of treatment sessions, CoolSculpting® is a quick, comfortable, and effective way to treat specific areas of fat. To learn more about the treatment, contact Ironwood Dermatology online or call 520.618.1630.