News

The short answer is "yes," sunscreens are able to penetrate the skin. This fact is proven by the ability to recover sunscreen chemicals in the urine, but the amounts are extremely small.

Suturing is not always the best answer for closing a wound site, an expert says. Some newer materials may offer advantages over suturing and traditional protective antibiotic coverings for second-intention healing (SIH).

Early intervention will prevent the development of visible, linear scars. One of the increasingly common treatment modalities to prevent scar development is the use of lasers. Laser therapy is virtually painless and does not burn the skin.

Physicians have more options than ever available for wound dressings, and while many newer products come with a high price tag, their efficacy may make the cost worthwhile. One new product, honey, actually dates back to ancient times, and recent studies support some wound-healing benefits, specifically from manuka honey, produced in New Zealand.

Sweet's syndrome is not always a straightforward diagnosis, especially when extracutaneous manifestations dominate the initial clinical picture. According to one expert, a careful history and an open mind are key in reaching a quick and accurate diagnosis.

Combining LED therapy with laser or intense pulsed light can effectively treat rosacea and subsequent erythema, an expert says.

A newly formulated topical therapy appears to be significantly effective and well-tolerated in patients suffering from primary focal hyperhidrosis. The modified formulation offers a therapeutic option to patients who fail other topical therapies for their condition and/or where other treatment avenues are not an option.

International report - Indonesia's "Treeman," whose body is disfigured with tree-branch-like warts, is getting better - but he is far from being free of the chronic HPV-2 virus that has overrun his body.

Medical technology changes so often that sometimes it seems as if one hardly gets something new in the office before it's outdated and another bit of technology is on the horizon.

Not long ago, a dermatologist from the southwestern United States who works in a busy six-physician practice received a check in the mail from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It was his share of more than $36 million in bonus payments made by CMS for satisfactorily reporting quality information under the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).

Norman Levine, M.D., as evidenced in his Sep. 1, 2008, Dermatology Times Commentary (Commentary: Pharmacists, insurers limit scope of practice, prescription choices) is an articulate, caring and excellent physician, and I commend him for taking care of patients with delusions of parasitosis, a disease many of his colleagues elect to refer.

Dr. Head, a prominent dermatologist, has five years of experience using botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of migraine headaches. He knows that botulinum toxin injections are approved for the treatment of hyperhidrosis and hyperkinetic glabellar lines, but he also is very comfortable treating a variety of wrinkles and headaches with these injections.

Last year, I gave up my private practice to return to a full-time academic position. I finalized my decision after making a list of pros that outnumbered the cons.

National report - When it comes to performing required semiannual evaluations of fellows, both dermatopathology fellowship programs and procedural dermatology fellowship programs fall short, according to a recent study.

National report - Recognition from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) brings structure and standardization to surgical dermatology training, says a Mohs surgeon who has pushed for procedural certification.

National report - An over-the-counter compound with essential oils is not only superior in completely killing community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus organisms, it also acts faster than two other OTC products for the prevention of skin and soft-tissue infections, researchers say.

National report - Certification for procedural dermatology, now under consideration by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), could result in preferential treatment by insurance companies for Mohs surgeons who have earned such certificates, some dermatologists worry.

The doctors answer questions about bags under the eyes and fillers

We'd all love to have a "magic pill" - one that fixes all that ails us (or at least annoys us) and makes our lives perfect. That's pretty unrealistic, but the fact of the matter is that where youthful skin is concerned, help can be had simply by making use of the right supplements.

Use this expert advice to avoid or get rid of those embarrassing ­- and sometimes painful ­- imperfections.

Implant warranties?

Wish you looked younger? You're not alone, even Ponce de Leon was looking for the Fountain of Youth 600 years ago. Today, however, we have better options than those that were available to the Spanish explorer. In fact, some people might argue that the elusive fountain can be found in their cosmetic surgeon's office.

So you want to get breast implants. Whether it was a difficult decision or a no-brainer, you've got more choices to make related to the actual procedure, so we enlisted the help of Edward Pechter, M.D., F.A.C.S., board-certified plastic surgeon, based in Valencia, California, to explain. Here are the four basic - but critical - decisions you need to make when you choose to have breast implant surgery.

Prone to Rosaca? The antiinflammatory ingredients in Neova Day Therapy may just be your winter skin solution.

Get the moisture your winter skin needs with Vanicream or the NeoStrata line of products

Repair your skin with the human growth factors found in Neocutis skin cream. Www.lovelyskin.com, $130

Keep your lips hydrated and sun-safe with Jane Iredale Lip Drink SPF 15. Www.janeiredale.com, $11,60

Protect your skin from the winter sun with EltaMD Facial SPF 30+. Www.dermstore.com, $21

Moisturize this winter with the Glytone line of products (available for all skin types). www.glytone.com

Tips to keep skin conditions in check this winter