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What is the Best Treatment for Sunburn?
The summer is a beautiful season in Seattle. Going out for a socially distanced activity in the sunshine is a breath of fresh air right now. As you embrace the rays, we urge you to remember to practice safe fun in the sun: UV damage and sunburns not only increase your risk for skin cancer, but also cause wrinkles, sagging skin and brown spots.
Treatment for Sunburns
Sometimes you get a sunburn despite precautions. While we urge you to avoid sunburns at all times, here are some tips for sunburn relief should you need them:
- Apply aloe vera or calamine lotion. These moisturizers soothe burning skin.
- Cool off with a damp cloth. Dampen a wash cloth with cool water and gently hold it to the skin that is sunburned.
- Don’t re-expose your skin. Stay out of the sun while your skin heals.
- Hydrate from the inside out. Drink water so that you don’t further tax your skin with dehydration.
- Let blistering skin heal. Don’t scratch or break the blisters.
- Take a pain reliever. Over-the-counter ibuprofen may relieve any discomfort from the sunburn (always check with your doctor before taking a medication for the first time).
How to Practice Safe Fun in the Sun
Your risk of developing melanoma doubles if you have a history of 5 or more sunburns. Please practice safe fun in the sun:
- Use sunscreen. For basic daily activities in which you might be mostly indoors, wear a SPF-15 moisturizer and/or foundation. Grab a hat if you go outside for a walk. On the weekends or days in which you may be spending extended time outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum SPF-30 or higher sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin.
- Apply enough sunscreen. You should use about 1 ounce of sunscreen spread out over the areas of exposed skin. Apply every two hours or after sweating or swimming.
- Wear sunscreen on cloudy days. A percentage of UV radiation gets through the clouds. Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days when you’ll be outdoors.
- Wear protective clothing. Wide-brimmed hats, loose long sleeves and pants will keep direct sun off your skin. Consider covering up with clothing if you aren’t wearing sunscreen.
To learn more, or to arrange a consultation to discuss how you can reverse sun damage, please call Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle at 206-402-4797.
Next Page »How to Prevent Face Mask Acne
The latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asks the American public to wear facial coverings, particularly in crowded situations in which social distancing is difficult or impossible, to prevent spreading COVID-19. But what if your cloth face mask leads to the dreaded “maskne” – acne caused by the friction, sweat, heat and irritation that sometimes accompanies mask wearing? Nobody wants a fresh crop of pimples on their jaw, chin and cheeks. Here are a few tips for preventing breakouts:
- Find a mask that fits right. While medical professionals have to wear tight-fitting masks, the CDC has recommended non-medical grade, cloth face masks for the rest of us. While your mask shouldn’t be loose and floppy, it should not squeeze your face either. Masks that squeeze can lead to clogged pores and irritated skin, which may lead to acne and redness.
- Wash your mask. Washing is an important way to cleanse your mask of bacteria, debris and viral material. Not only can these things make you sick, they can also irritate your skin and lead to blemishes. You should wash your mask after each use.
- Clean your skin. Facial cleansing removes oil buildup, grime and impurities that cause breakouts. Clean your skin daily, and always remove makeup before going to bed. Limit exfoliation to no more than once weekly.
- Consult Dr. Greene about ongoing acne problems. Acne may be a recurring problem for you that is now aggravated by wearing a mask. Dr. Greene provides a range of treatments, including HydraFacial, laser therapy and intense pulsed light treatment.
Dr. Greene will help you develop an at-home care routine to complement the results of professional acne treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
Are you experiencing acne or another skin problem in Seattle or the surrounding areas? Dr. Steven Greene is a board-certified dermatologist and he will help you find solutions. For many people, facial masks can feel irritating to the skin, but it is an important step we all need to take right now. Thank you for doing your part! To learn more or to arrange a consultation, please call our staff at 206-402-4797.
Next Page »What Actually Are Blackheads?
Blackheads are hair follicles clogged by dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria and grime. Some people get blackheads and acne much worse than the rest of us. Popping them on your own is generally not a good idea because you could make the situation worse. Consult our experienced dermatologist Dr. Steven Greene to learn your treatment options. Dr. Greene has specialized extraction methods to remove the blackhead without damaging surrounding skin. More »
What You Can Do About Rosacea
April is Rosacea Awareness Month. Roughly 16 million Americans live with this condition. It can be particularly embarrassing because it’s very conspicuous. There is no cure, but physicians like Dr. Steven Greene can help you control the signs and symptoms.
See our Promotions for special Rosacea Awareness Month pricing! Get $500 off one of Dr. Greene’s rosacea treatments (expires April 30, 2020). More »
Aggravation of Skin Conditions During the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic
Causes of Stress
Loss of employment and loss of income.Working from home and trying to balance productivity with home life.
Responsibilities and distractions including home schooling, child care.
Loss of social and physical connections created by social and physical distancing.
Increased conflicts and disruptions in normal relationships. Fitness programs interrupted, but some alternatives are online now.
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Extractions and Blackhead Treatment
If you are curious about having a blackhead drained, call the Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle at 206-402-4797. Experienced clinical dermatologist Dr. Steven Greene has been helping patients eliminate these blemishes for more than 25 years. More »
Leg Veins: Why They Appear and How to Treat Them
Spider or varicose veins can appear unsightly and make you want to hide body parts that have them. They are more than just an embarrassing blemish, though. They can also be a severe health hazard. Veins can put you at risk of developing blood clots or open sores.
At Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle, our board-certified dermatologist Dr. Steven Greene has more than 25 years of experience helping rid his patients of unpleasant, potentially dangerous veins. We offer numerous treatments to help improve the appearance of mild to severe veins. Read on to learn about the causes of spider and varicose veins and how we can help you deal with them. More »
Next Page »How to Fade Dark Spots in Skin of Color
Dark spots and skin discoloration can happen to people of any skin tone. In fact, they’re one of the most frequently cited reasons why people with skin of color choose to see a dermatologist. In people with skin of color, they can be triggered by several causes. The ideal solution often depends on identifying the source of the issue.
At Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle, our board-certified clinical dermatologist Dr. Steven Greene has more than 25 years of experience helping resolve his patients’ medical and aesthetic skin issues. He has worked extensively with patients with skin of color. If you have medium-to-dark-colored skin, he is attuned to your unique needs and will create a treatment plan to help give you the results you want.
This blog breaks down some of the causes of discoloration in skin of color, what you can do about discoloration, and how Dr. Greene can help. More »
Next Page »Why Diagnostic Gaps for Skin of Color Are a Serious Problem
Most patients who experience dry, itchy skin or another skin complaint expect to be able to go to the doctor and leave with a diagnosis. Unfortunately, patients of color often struggle to get an accurate diagnosis for even the most common of skin disorders.
The skin care of patients who are people of color is truly a subspecialty of dermatology. More training is needed for physicians to better recognize common and uncommon conditions that present to both the primary care clinic and dermatology clinic. More »
Next Page »Skin Cancer in Skin of Color
There’s a common myth that people with darker skin aren’t susceptible to skin cancer, but that falsehood puts many people at risk. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 63 percent of black Americans reported never using sunscreen.
While it’s true that black-and-brown-skinned people are at a lower risk for skin cancers associated with ultraviolet radiation, they’re not invulnerable. In fact, certain forms of skin cancer are more common in that demographic. Skin cancers in Asian, black, and Latino people are also more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, and consequently have a higher mortality rate. More »
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