May 13th, 2014

Chances are you have been using the same skin care products your whole life. But without knowing it, you may be using products that are harmful on your skin. However, knowing how to keep your skin healthy is easy. We’ve put together a list of 5 bad skin care habits that you should avoid in your daily beauty routine.

1. Unprotected Sun Exposure

By leaving your skin unprotected in the sun, you are exposing your skin to damaging UV rays. This can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. Putting on sunscreen when outside will minimize the chance of developing skin cancer and will prevent aging as well. Having bronze skin is a feature many people want to have, but excessive tanning can be extremely harmful to the health of your skin.

2. Irritating Ingredients

Be careful when purchasing skin care products and avoid irritating ingredients, such as alcohol. Alcohol harms your skin and reduces the skins ability to protect against further damage. You should also avoid perfumes in your moisturizers as they can irritate your skin. Bar soap is also a product that can cause irritation. Even though it is alkaline and can remove oil and dirt effectively, bar soap strips the protective barrier from the surface of your skin.

3. Picking and Scrubbing

Picking your pimples can cause scarring and even spread the breakout. Seek professional advice when dealing with your blemishes as they have the tools to kill bacteria and dry out your pimples, without any damaging effects. Scrubbing your face too harshly can also have damaging effects on your skin. Too much force can cause redness and leave your skin looking blotchy.

4. Hot Showers

Many people love to relax in a boiling hot shower, but water that is too hot, or too cold, can be damaging to your skin. It can cause redness and inflammation, especially on your face. Also, when skin prunes the skin barrier is being damaged. So, don’t spend hours lying in the bathtub.

5. Go to Bed with Dirty Skin

Even if you don’t wear makeup, pollution, dust, skin cells, and oil accumulate on your skin throughout the day; which is then left on your pillow. Wash your face before going to bed every night to let your face heal and repair itself for the next day.

Need help with your skin care routine? Contact the trusted  Austin dermatologists at Four Points Dermatology and schedule an appointment today.

April 15th, 2014

In this changing weather, it’s important to update your skin care regimen and prepare your skin for some time under the sun.  Plus, you may not always be in sunny weather and might get caught in a few Spring showers that might do a number on anyone with dry skin or allergies. Lets get a closer look at some of the skin care products for Spring and Summer that will keep your skin glowing.

Elta MD Sunscreens

Elta MD sunscreen is the best product for your Spring and Summer weather. From sensitive skin to acne prone skin to post-treatment skin, Elta sunscreens provide premium care for your skin. Elta sunscreens come in a variety of SPFs from 30 – 40+, providing fine protection in a light sunblock. These sunscreens are highly recommended for people with acne prone or treated skin (fillers, injectables, peels, etc.).

Photo courtesy of Elta MD Sunscreens.

Obagi Skincare Systems

Refine your skin and keep away from signs of aging, sun-damage, acne scars and fine lines with Obaji prescription strength skin care line. Since these are medical formulas, only certified medical dermatologists may prescribe these skin care products. The Obaji Skincare System is the best solution for sensitive skin, look your best this season and give them a try.

Photo courtesy of Obaji Skincare System

Looking for the perfect skin care for Spring & Summer? See the best Austin dermatologist around and visit the professionals at Four Points Dermatology.

April 9th, 2014

When the weather begins to warm up, we look for any excuse to spend time outside. However, this means that your skin is being harmed by the dangerous UV rays of the sun. Exposing your skin to sunlight can damage it to make it look older and puts you at risk of skin cancer. So, before you step outside to enjoy the sun and warm weather, protect your skin by considering these tips.

Cover Up 

Most clothing worn during spring and summer don’t give very good protection from the sun, so make sure the clothing you wear outside most often is made of a fabric that blocks the sun. If your skin is extra sensitive to the sun, it may be a good investment to purchase sun protective clothing for the upcoming summer. When outside for long periods of time, create shade by wearing a brimmed hat or sitting under an umbrella. Avoid sunbathing, especially in tanning beds. If you refuse to give up sunbathing, don’t expose your skin to the sun for too long, especially during the hours of 10 A.M and 4 P.M. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

Use Sunscreen

Different skin types require different types of sunscreen. If you have fair skin, using a sunscreen with a higher SPF will better protect your skin. When choosing a product, take in account the function of the sunscreen. Some sunscreens are better than others for specific uses such as being water resistant, oil-free for acne prone skin, having protection for lips, etc. As this time of year rolls around, purge your old sunscreen and buy new bottles as they do have expiration dates.

Every time you go outside, you should apply sunscreen. Even on cool and cloudy days, the UV rays can still damage your skin. Apply sunscreen early and often. You should put sunscreen on 20 to 30 minutes before you plan to be outside and re-apply at least every two hours. You should re-apply more often if you’re swimming or doing other activities that make you perspire.

Know the Signs of Sun Damaged Skin

Detecting sun damaged skin early, will reduce your chances of long term damage or cancer. Some of the signs include: dry and flaky skin, mild or severe sunburns, appearance of new freckles, and developing wrinkles. If you notice any of these symptoms, you are not providing your skin with enough protection from the sun.

If you have any concerns about your skin or noticing any signs of sun damage, it is time to make an appointment at Four Points Dermatology. An Austin dermatologist will examine the damage and provide the best care for your skin.

April 1st, 2014

There are some amazing advancements in the world of technology, but they aren’t all for your smartphone. Many advancements help us learn more about our skin and about good skin care. So many interesting reports have surfaced over the last year that we thought we’d pull together a couple of the most fascinating skin-related findings.

Interesting Innovations for Skin

Bionic Skin

This photo is from the Someya-Sekitani Group, who is currently working on the bionic skin.

One of the most interesting medical technologies to be announced in the last year came from a research group in Tokyo, who developed a flexible electronic mesh that could read vitals on a patient when applied to the skin. Originally intended as a “robot skin” in which a robot could interact with a human patient and collect vitals by shaking hands, it was later discovered that this material could be applied directly to human skin to monitor temperature and pressure. This could also have huge implications for creating a smart, sensitive prosthetic limb. Of course the technology is a ways off from being economically viable right now, but the material needs to be flexible to work with the softness of skin and mobility of joints, while containing enough sensors to act as a human skin–and all at a price a patient can afford. We may not be there yet, but it’s exciting to know it’s on the way!

Skin Replacements

Skin substitutes for scarring and burn victims are also in the works. Serious research on the topic has been going on since the 1980s, though an article published by National Center for Biotechnology Information noted that “the clinical use of human skin allograft was first described in the manuscript of Branca of Sicily in 1503.” But what has our attention is a a report from just last fall discussing the current status of skin replacements. Medscape published a report which pointed out, “skin substitutes represent artificial, off-the-shelf alternatives to skin grafts that avoid the pain and potential complications of harvesting, are always available in any quantity needed, and can be applied in an office setting.”

It sounds like a dream for those who are suffering from severe burn-related scarring, and some advocate the skin-substitutes is a more holistic approach to healing, claiming that the skin replacement puts the focus on long-term healing and function. Of course the ideal skin has not yet been achieved, but in the meantime some very good substitutes have been developed, and the momentum is in the right direction.

Need to update your skin care routine? Call the dedicated and professional Austin dermatologists at Four Points Dermatology to learn more about the innovative skin treatments available.

Sources:

Spectrum
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Medscape

March 11th, 2014

Unwanted hair growth is common for women, but both men and woman can face unwanted hair loss. Hair loss, or alopecia, is a usually associated with older men, but can be a concern for woman and even children. Let’s learn more about the causes of Alopecia and how to treat hair loss.

Hair Loss Causes 

Some other causes of baldness include Alopecia Areata, which usually comes on suddenly and causes hair loss in patches, primarily effecting children and young adults. While this condition may lead to complete baldness, roughly 90% of people with the condition find it to be temporary and the hair returns within a few years. What most people think of when they think of Alopecia is Alopecia Universalis, which causes all body hair, including eyebrows and pubic hair, to fall out. Stress is another reason for hair loss, either because stress can effect keratin, which is produced in hair follicles, or because of Trichotillomania, a psychological disorder in which some, frequently children, pull out their own hair.

Available Treatments to Hair Loss

As you may have guessed, different causes of hair loss require very different approaches in treatment. Age-related baldness will most certainly have a different solution than Trichotillomania. While there are multiple reasons for hair loss, it is largely a genetic issue, making the treatments fairly limited and specific. Some of these treatments include medications such as Rogaine, surgery, and cosmetic approaches are common because they are non-invasive.

A cosmetic approach can improve the appearance of bald spots or thinning hair. Hair can be bulked up to make it look like there is more hair on the head and there are ways to camouflage the area of a bald spot.

Surgery often includes removing a patch of hair growth from the back of the head and attaching it in a more visible area. While recovery is often quick, sometimes as short as two days, many people prefer to avoid surgery and opt for cosmetic solutions, such as toupees, sprays, and styling that diminishes the appearance of thinning.

Are you experiencing hair loss, but unsure what your options are? Talk to one of the friendly professionals at Four Points Dermatology to learn what you can do to have full, thick hair again. The leading Austin dermatologists at Four Points Dermatology will provide effective advice on treatment methods that work best for each patients’ particular condition.

March 4th, 2014

It can be tough to remove make-up at the end of the day, not only are we tired and lackadaisical, we’ve deliberately filled our cosmetic bags with products that boast their longevity. While in reality an all-day lip stick might be reduced to an uneven smear on the outer edge of the lips and waterproof mascara may clump and flake. Those products seem to be more difficult to remove when we actually want to take them off.

How To Properly Remove Make-Up

But make-up removal is a vital part of a health skin care regiment. Leaving make-up on can clog pores, causing breakouts, and block your skin from benefiting from all of the other good things you’re doing for it (basic cleansing and moisturizing among them). To help you fine tune your makeup removal habits, here are a few useful tips:

1. Use an oil-based remover. It may seem contrary to logic, but oil is more effective and less damaging to skin than an astringent. This is similar to cleaning delicate wood furnishings with oil–it helps lift dirt while moisturizing the wood.
2. Be gentle. Mascara can be stubborn, but patiently holding a remover-soaked cotton ball against your lashes for ten seconds can loosen it and make it easy to wipe away. Being too rough and repeatedly stretching the skin around the eyes can lead to fine lines.
3. Wash up. Use your regular cleanser (matched to your skin type) to remove any remaining grime from the day. Especially if you live in a city, the things that are filling the air can be unsettling. Wash regularly with tepid water–not hot or cold–to avoid broken blood vessels and shocking the skin with extreme temperatures.
4. Use the right tool for the job. Make-up remover is great for removing make-up, and cleansers are great or washing away the day–they aren’t both great for both jobs. Unfortunately, neither are the wipes that claim to remove make-up and wash your face in one easy step. Often, wipes will just redistribute make up, rather than remove it, and leave dirt on the skin.

Want to learn more about cosmetic dermatology? Enjoy a free cosmetic consultation with with Jill Hude, Four Points Dermatology’s new certified PA. Contact Four Points Dermatology to schedule your next appointment.

February 25th, 2014

If you’re a smoker you’ve probably been told that smoking is bad for your lungs and heart. These particular organs are important to your overall healthcare and should be taken care of, but did you know that smoking effects your largest organ as well? The one that covers your entire body, your skin.

How Smoking Affects the Skin 

That’s right, smoking has been proven to take a toll on skin, primarily by aging it more rapidly.

So, how does smoking “age” your skin if you’re always the age you are? The same way overexposure to the sun can: causes it to lose elasticity, wrinkle, and lose moisture. This happens in myriad ways. A very direct correlation is that smokers regularly hold a flame next to their face–some of the most delicate skin on the body. This can lead to direct burns, or, overtime, a general drying of the skin. Just like going into a heated room in winter can cause your skin to dry out, so can keeping a cigarette nearby.

More Than Aging

One theory about the link between smoking and the appearance of aging in the skin, is that vasoconstriction, or a narrowing of the blood vessels, reduces the supply of blood to the skin and can cause loss of collagen and changes in skin elastic fibers. Effectively: wrinkles. While smoking effects the whole organ, it seems the effects are most visible around the mouth in what are called “smoker’s lines”.

This effect on the skin isn’t limited to wrinkles and acne–which it exacerbates as well–but can effect the skin’s ability to heal. Whether you have a scrap of a surgical wound, quick healing is important to staving off wound infections, graft failure, and blood clot formation. Again, the correlation is less clear, but its thought that these are a result of lack of oxygen reaching skin cells and delayed growth of new blood vessels.

Are you dealing with the effects of smoking on your skin? Call the friendly professionals at Four Points Dermatology to schedule a consultation today! They’re quality Austin dermatologists with a passion for serving their valued customers.

December 13th, 2013

Four Points Dermatology Looks To Expand Brand And Gain Clientele With New Mueller Office.

Four Points Dermatology is opening a new location in the Mueller area within Austin, Texas. These trusted Austin dermatologists hope to better serve their customers and expand their brand with their new office. Four Points hopes to become the trusted East Austin Dermatologist.

Four Points Dermatology is already a dependable local provider of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatological services. Our medical staff and patient-care experts are excited to meet and care for new patients in Mueller and the nearby neighborhoods.

Leading the Four Points practice is Dr. Roopal Bhatt, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Harvard University and Medical Degree from State University of New York. Dr. Bhatt and her staff pride themselves in putting family and community values at the forefront of their practice, providing a comfortable environment to their valued customers.

“This is an exciting time for our staff as we prepare to open a new location and serving new clientele in the Mueller and East Austin areas. Our success would not have been possible without our cherished patients, and we look forward to meeting new patients very soon.”

Patients can depend on our dermatological experts for the most effective care and state-of-the-art skin technology. Our staff is prepared to care for any skin issue you may have. Whether you’re looking for treatment for a difficult medical condition or considering cosmetic procedures, our expert medical staff is eager to discuss options with patients, old and new.

Four Points Dermatology also utilizes the best surgical procedures for quality treatment of any medical skin condition. We are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers and pre-cancers, including skin cancer removal, cyst excision and removal of moles.

Our staff prides itself in making you look as good as you feel with industry-leading treatments, such as Botox and Thermage treatments. Our medical and professional staff are dedicated to personal and comprehensive care of all patents of all ages and all skin types.

Need to visit the dermatologist? Contact Four Points Dermatology to schedule an appointment with the top East Austin dermatologists.

December 11th, 2013

Four Points Dermatology Looks To Expand Brand And Gain Clientele With New Mueller Office.

Four Points Dermatology is opening a new location in the Mueller area within Austin, Texas. These trusted Austin dermatologists hope to better serve their customers and expand their brand with their new office.

Four Points Dermatology is already a dependable local provider of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatological services. Their medical staff and patient-care experts are excited to meet and care for new patients in Mueller and the nearby neighborhoods of East Austin.

Leading the Four Points practice is Dr. Roopal Bhatt, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Harvard University and Medical Degree from State University of New York. Dr. Bhatt and her staff pride themselves in putting family and community values at the forefront of their practice, providing a comfortable environment to their valued customers.

“This is an exciting time for our staff as we prepare to open a new location and serving new clientele in the Mueller and East Austin areas. Our success would not have been possible without our cherished patients, and we look forward to meeting new patients very soon.”

Patients can depend on our dermatological experts for the most effective care and state-of-the-art skin technology. Their staff is prepared to care for any skin issue you may have. Whether you’re looking for treatment for a difficult medical condition or considering cosmetic procedures, our expert medical staff is eager to discuss options with patients, old and new.

Four Points Dermatology also utilizes the best surgical procedures for quality treatment of any medical skin condition. They are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers and pre-cancers, including skin cancer removal, cyst excision and removal of moles.

The Four Points staff cherishes itself in making you look as good as you feel with industry-leading  treatments, such as Botox and Thermage treatments. The medical and professional staff are dedicated to personal and comprehensive care of all patients of all ages and all skin types.

Need to visit the dermatologist? Contact Four Points Dermatology to schedule an appointment with the top East Austin dermatologists.

November 14th, 2013

Many people have heard of liposuction, a fat removal procedure where a vacuum cannula is inserted into a problem area and the fat is sucked out. But not many have heard of Liposonix®, a non-invasive treatment for fat reduction.

What Is Liposonix® Treatment?

Liposonix is a procedure where fat cells beneath the skin are destroyed by high intensity focused ultrasound. The dermatologist applies the ultrasound through a handheld device. The procedure lasts between a half an hour to an hour. The Liposonix treatment stimulates the body to reabsorb the destroyed fat cells, which gives the patient a slimmer silhouette.

This procedure is open to both men and women. Before the procedure, the doctor will take the patient’s medical history to make sure that he or she is a good candidate for Lipsonix. The dermatologist will ask if the patient is on any sort of medication, takes vitamin or herbal supplements, if he or she smokes, drinks alcohol or has any sort of pre-existing medical condition like hypertension or diabetes.

What to Expect from Liposonix®

As with liposuction, the doctor marks off the areas of the patient’s body that are to be treated. The patient might feel some discomfort during the procedure. He or she might feel sensations of heat and cold, prickling or tingling. Patients who are worried about discomfort might be given a sedative before the treatment. Afterwards, there might be some bruising or swelling, but these side effects are described by most people as mild and go away after a short period of time. Some doctors have their patients wear compression garments to keep down the swelling. Some studies have shown that people who had Liposonix around their waist area lost about an inch of fat without any invasive surgery. The results can usually be seen after two to three months.

A person who’s considering Liposonix should be able to pinch at least an inch of fat from his or her waist or other area or have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or less.

Benefits & Risks

The benefit of Liposonix treatment is that it helps the patient lose inches without the risks of even a mildly invasive surgery like liposuction. Besides the discomfort of the procedure and its aftermath, the risks of Liposonix are few. The fat that is removed from the treated area does tend to migrate to other parts of the body, but it can’t be easily seen.

Have you or a friend had Liposonix? Share your experience!

Interested in Liposonix treatment? If you’re in the Austin, TX area, you should contact Four Points Dermatology. Four Points Dermatology the leading Austin dermatology office, offering the friendliest customer service and latest treatments in skin care.