Posted on

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.

Posted on

Skin Resurfacing Explained

There’s a saying that beauty is only skin deep. The Ironwood Dermatology team knows that beauty is a lot more than that, but still, there’s something to be said about rejuvenating the face by focusing on the outermost layers. By working with an experienced dermatologist, Tucson-area men and women can enjoy a refreshed, revitalized look—all by merely “scratching the surface.”

Such a cosmetic change is possible because many of the visual annoyances and problems associated with aging and looking aged—like wrinkles, spots, redness, and visible veins—can be found on the surface of the skin or just below. Skin resurfacing, via a Cynosure® Focus treatment laser, does exactly what it sounds like it does: It creates a new, younger-looking surface.

The Cynosure® Focus treatment laser work by sending pulses of specific wavelengths of light into the skin where they trigger natural healing processes. The heat energy generated by these pulses damages unwanted lesions and areas of pigmentation due to the presence of melanin, which absorbs the light more than the surrounding cells do. When laser light impacts a spider vein, for instance, the dark red in the hemoglobin “absorbs” the energy, which ultimately causes the unneeded blood vessel to seal off and wither away. Soon, what was once a visible thin, red line—or, more commonly, a web of these fine lines—is no longer seen on the face.

In addition to impacting lesions, the laser energy also encourages the rebuilding of vital skin components, like collagen and elastin. Production of these can diminish over time, so firing up cells in the skin to begin new production means that over time, after one or more treatments, the surface-level problems can fade and the nourishing benefits of replenished elements can become more noticeable.

To learn more about skin resurfacing with our Cynosure® Focus treatment laser, reach out to Ironwood Dermatology in Tucson online or phone 520.618.1630.

Posted on

WINTER ITCH

Many people complain of dry, itchy skin that worsens in the winter. It can frequently progress to a diffuse, red, scaly rash that is so itchy that people can’t sleep at night and have difficulty focusing on their normal daily routine. The usual cause of this is xerotic dermatitis, which some people call “winter itch”. This is extremely common in southern Arizona because the climate is generally very dry and during the winter we are inside with heaters that lower the humidity even further. This causes the skin to lose moisture and results in a disruption of the normal barrier of the skin. Once this occurs, there is an inflammatory response (dermatitis) that is very itchy. Over time, with sun exposure and aging, the skin loses its ability to hold in moisture and this condition becomes even more prevalent.

The key to prevention and treatment of this condition is moisture. There are several ways to protect and replenish the barrier of the skin. The most important step is to use moisturizing creams daily. We recommend creams instead of lotions because they hold in more moisture and last longer than lotions. Some people do not like the greasy feeling of creams, but it is a small price to pay to prevent the development of xerotic dermatitis. Another helpful practice is to use soap-free cleansers in the bath or shower, because soap strips the skin of the components that create the barrier and contributes to dryness. Reducing the frequency of water exposure (baths, showers, pools, spa, etc.) and applying the moisturizing cream immediately after drying off will also help prevent flaring of this condition.

If you are disciplined about moisturizing and protecting your skin you can significantly reduce or prevent winter itch. If you have this problem and it is not controlled by the above guidelines, see your dermatologist for an evaluation. They may prescribe a topical steroid to get the condition under control in conjunction with daily moisturizers.

By Colin R. Trout, M.D.

Posted on

ROSACEA, A TREATABLE CHRONIC CONDITION

Rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha) is a common disorder of the facial skin that afflicts an estimated 14 million Americans, many of whom do not know they have it. It affects mostly adults, usually people with fair skin, between the ages of 30 and 60. Rosacea is an inflammatory condition characterized most typically by facial redness and/or acne-like eruptions of the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. Rosacea can also manifest as watery, irritated eyes or as small visible blood vessels on the face. Although rosacea is not harmful in and of itself, it is often progressive, and if left untreated can significantly impact one’s personal appearance. Surveys indicate that nearly 70 percent of rosacea patients report lowered self-esteem and difficulties with social and professional interactions.

The cause of rosacea is unknown, and there is no cure. However, medical intervention can control the signs and symptoms of this potentially life-disruptive disorder. Doctors often prescribe topical and/or oral antibiotics to treat rosacea, more for their anti-inflammatory properties than to kill bacteria. Azelaic acid, which reduces redness and inflammation, is another commonly prescribed topical medication. Because symptoms may recur when medications are discontinued, long-term treatment is often necessary.

With long-standing rosacea, the characteristic enlarged blood vessels and facial redness can become permanent. In these cases, laser surgery may be a more suitable treatment. Treatment with a vascular laser can significantly reduce the visibility of blood vessels, decrease redness and improve overall appearance.

By Robyn E. Glaesser, M.D.

Posted on

Acne – Definition And Treatment In Simple Terms

One of the most common reasons for seeking dermatologic care is for the evaluation and management of acne. Although primarily a disease of adolescence, acne can afflict infants, young adults and people in their forties and fifties. In simple terms, acne results from the action of hormones and other substances on the sebaceous (oil) glands and hair follicles. The sebaceous glands make an oily material called sebum that normally empties onto the surface of the skin via openings in the hair follicles (pores). Oil and cells that line the follicle (keratinocytes) can plug the opening. This, in turn, allows bacteria that live on the skin surface to grow and produce chemicals that attract inflammatory cells. The wall of the hair follicle can then rupture, spilling sebum, keratinocytes and bacteria into the surrounding skin. This results in the formation of “pimples”.

There are several types of acne. Comedones are plugged follicles without associated inflammation. Papules are small inflamed acne lesions that are red and tender. Nodules and cysts are deeper, painful inflammatory lesions that can lead to scarring.

The cause of acne is unknown and probably multifactorial; nevertheless, there are many myths on the subject. Chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne, nor does dirt on the skin. However, there are things that can exacerbate acne in those with the disease: changing hormones (in adolescence or before menstrual periods), stress, oil in skin products, pressure from sports helmets, squeezing acne lesions and scrubbing of the skin.

Just as there are multiple types of acne, many treatments exist. There are over-the-counter and prescription medications that are very effective in treating acne. Depending on the type and severity of the condition, your doctor may recommend topical therapies, oral medications or both. The mainstays of therapy are topical retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) to unclog pores and topical or oral anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics. For girls and women with acne, oral contraceptives and other medications that regulate hormones are used. The treatment of choice for scarring acne is isotretinoin (Accutane), and use of this very effective medication must be monitored closely by a dermatologist.

In addition to medications, there are cosmetic procedures which can improve acne. Chemical peels with exfoliating substances such as glycolic acid can be quite beneficial as an adjuvant to traditional acne therapy. Some relatively new, innovative treatments for acne using certain wavelengths of light and lasers are becoming more popular.

About the author
Doctor Robyn E. Glaesser is a practicing Dermatologist at Ironwood Dermatology located at 1735 E. Skyline Drive • Tucson, AZ 85718 • 520-618-1630 • Fax: 520-618-1636
www.ironwooddermatology.org

Posted on

WINTER SKIN CARE IN A DESERT ENVIORNMENT

Help your skin survive the desert winters

I am often asked by my patients “My skin gets so dry in this desert climate during the winter months. How can I keep it moisturized and healthy?” Here’s what I tell my patients who ask me this question.

The Sonoran Desert climate can be tough on your skin, especially in the winter months. The combination of dry air and lots of sunny days creates a challenge to keeping your skin looking and feeling good. Minimize the number of baths and/or showers you take daily and use a mild, moisturizing cleanser. Use warm to cool water only as very hot water can aggravate dry skin. Afterwards, lightly pat your skin dry and immediately apply a thin moisturizing CREAM to your skin. Reapply the cream several times daily as needed and before going to bed. Also remember to keep yourself hydrated with fluids throughout the day – your body, including your skin, will thank you!

Sun protection is another way to keep your skin in top form. Winter sun exposure can still cause significant damage and can lead to skin cancers in the future. Sun avoidance between about ten o’clock and two o’clock is ideal. Other sun protective measures include protective clothing (wide brimmed hat, long sleeves and long pants) and sunblock. Your sunblock should be at least SPF 30, contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and should be applied every three to four hours for optimum results. Moisturizing and oil-free sunblocks are available, depending on your skin type. The lips are especially sensitive to the sun and to dry climates so use a moisturizing lip sunblock often. Finally, annual skin checks by a dermatologist are important for skin cancer screening.

The winter season is a wonderful time in the desert. These simple tips will keep you and your skin healthy for many desert winters to come!

About the author…
Doctor Fiona D. Behr is a practicing Dermatologist at Ironwood Dermatology located at
1735 E. Skyline Drive • Tucson, AZ 85718 • 520-618-1630 • Fax: 520-618-1636
www.ironwooddermatology.org