Avoiding Acne Scars: What you need to know

Pimples are bad enough as is, but scarring afterwards makes a pimple even worse.

The easiest way to avoid scarring is to keep your skin acne free to start. Use a gentle cleanser daily, and a topical treatment as soon as you feel a pimple coming on. If you can’t stop the pimple from surfacing, we have some great tips to help you avoid scars later on.

1.       Don’t pick at it. This one is hard (we know!), but popping and picking could spread the infection and make the area more prone to scaring later on.

2.       Use sunscreen on any inflamed region.  Inflamed areas are more prone to hyperpigmentation and scarring from sun exposure.

3.       Visit your dermatologist for a Cortisone injection which can help large pimples disappear quickly and safely, without leaving a scar.

4.       Use a brightening lotion to reduce the red or brown spots that might appear on the skin after a pimple has gone away.

Read more great tips at New Beauty.

April 18, 2013

Posted by DrJhin

Poison Oak and Ivy: What you need to know

Warmer weather and longer days means more time to get outside and enjoy nature!

To have the most fun this spring, be on the lookout for poison ivy and poison oak; it’s worth avoiding if you don’t want to have an itchy rash for weeks to come.

The rash from poison oak and poison ivy comes from an allergic reaction from direct contact with the urushiol allergen. You can also have a reaction if you touch something with the plant oils on it (like your shoes).

Your best bet when it comes to poison oak and poison ivy is to avoid the plant altogether. Start looking out for it on sides of trails. If you see three leaflets coming from a stem, walk the other way! If you do get in contact with it, wash the area with plenty of soap and water within five minutes to keep it from spreading.

If you develop the rash you will want to keep it as cool as possible to prevent further irritation. Apply cortisone cream to the rash, and check in with your doctor for a prescription strength cream if what you picked up over the counter isn’t cutting it. An oral antihistamine like Benadryl will help too.

March 29, 2013

Posted by DrJhin

The best kept secret to fighting acne

Tea tree oil is one of our favorite go to products for a host of skin conditions.

Tea tree oil comes from a native Australian plant that is used to make tea. It is antibacterial, anti-fungal and stimulates the immune system, so it is great for treating acne and infections.

Tea tree oil works slower than some other skin products (like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid) but use over time will result in clear, beautiful skin. It is great for sensitive skin and for use on a regular basis. You can buy tea tree oil at your local health food store to spot treat acne prone areas. Even though it is less harsh than other topical acne products, it can still burn the skin, so make sure you use a small amount, and wipe off and use a little less frequently if you notice burning or irritation.

Because it is antifungal, tea tree oil can also be used to treat a fungal infections like those commonly found on nails.

Check out this video from New Beauty to learn more about tea tree oil!

March 19, 2013

Posted by DrJhin

Do you worry that the first thing people notice about you is your dandruff?

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a form of skin shedding and is extremely common. Although it is pretty harmless, most of us would rather not have small flakes of skin in our hair or on our shoulders.

Treating Dandruff

Unfortunately, moisturizers won’t help the problem because dandruff is a rash, not dry skin, so grabbing your favorite lotion won’t help in this case.

The best bet is to use a mediated shampoo to treat the dandruff itself or the associated symptoms (inflammation, redness, flakes and itching).

Try a zinc shampoo and a scalp scrubber. The scalp scrubber will help the medicated shampoo lift oil and dandruff directly from the scalp (and give you a nice massage)!

If you have tried to treat your dandruff at home and can’t seem to get it under control, contact our Patient Manager to schedule an appointment at info@premier-dermatology.com or by phone at 415-371-8600 (SF office) or 650-551-9700 (Peninsula office).

March 13, 2013

Posted by DrJhin

Want to look more attractive with minimal effort?

Are you looking for an easy way to look more healthy and attractive to others? Amp up your veggie intake!

We all know that eating well is important to overall health and wellness but you might not realize that eating a diet high in vegetables can actually make you more attractive to others.

This article in Natural News explains that a diet high in vegetables results in a change in skin tone.

Carotenoids (the orange, red, and yellow pigments in fruits and vegetables) cause skin to be more golden.  The Scottish study referenced on Natural News offers further insight into this phenomenon. Based on this study, increasing the amount of vegetables to 3 servings a day (that’s still less than the recommended number you should get each day) can make you noticeably more attractive to others. Similarly, an extreme lack of vegetables can make you appear less attractive.

Carotenoids, a type of antioxidant, are also believed to protect your skin against the damaging effects of free radicals and can help slow down the ageing process.

Add more antioxidant-rich vegetables to your diet using this list of 20 antioxidant-rich foods from WebMD!

March 5, 2013

Posted by DrJhin

Is sagging skin getting you down?

Have you been keeping to your New Year’s resolution and losing weight?

If so, you might notice that you have some sagging skin that needs toning before you hit the beach.

One great option to tighten up sagging skin is Exilis, a non-invasive treatment that stimulates collagen growth and makes skin smoother!

Exilis use radiofrequency technology to get deep into the skin to reach the dermis and subcutaneous layers. Deep heating stimulates the development of new collagen at the deepest levels while cooling the top layers of skin, so they remain undamaged.

The deep heating technique reveals results you see instantly and will last for months to come. After  one treatment you will have smoother, tighter skin with improved tone and texture.

Learn more about Exilis by checking out this article on New Beauty and this past post about skin tightening procedures.

If you are interested in Exilis Skin Tightening, contact Robert, our Patient Manager, to schedule an appointment. He can be reached at info@premier-dermatology.com or by phone at 415-371-8600 (SF office) or 650-551-9700 (Peninsula office).

February 10, 2013

Posted by DrJhin

Get Rid of Dry Lips for Good!

Dry skin is an inevitable part of the winter months, but did you know that your dry lips should be treated differently depending on the kind of dryness you are experiencing?

Stop reaching for your lip balm every five minutes and learn how to treat your lips so they finally stop cracking!

Cold air has zapped your lips of moisture

The answer: Exfoliate! Rub a new toothbrush in small circles over your lips, then use lip balm. We like to do this nightly before we go to bed.

You had the cold or flu and now your lips are dry and cracked

The answer: Drink more water to rehydrate your dehydrated skin and lips.

The inner corners are dry and cracked

The answer: This could be related to low levels of iron, so start eating more nutrient–rich foods like kale, and consider adding a supplement.

Check out this article from bellasugar to read more!

January 21, 2013

Posted by DrJhin

Start the new year off right by cleaning out your medicine cabinet

Start this year off with clean bathroom cabinets and makeup drawers. It is time to throw out expired beauty and skin products!

We have talked before about tossing out old beauty products, and now is the time to do it!

Here is a quick list of when your makeup needs to be tossed out, read more on Allure.com:

Mascara, eyeshade and eyeliner  3 months

Any product you use near the eyes has a greater chance of bacteria that causes infections, styes and breakouts.

Lipstick and Lip gloss 1 year

Lipstick should be tossed  once a year, or after any illness.

Face Powder and Blush 2 years

Powders have less water for bacteria to grow in, so your powders only need to be replaced every 2 years.

Liquid Foundation and Concealer 6-12 months

The water content and close contact with fingers mean cream and liquid foundations and concealers need to be tossed out every 6-12 months.

Always use a brush as opposed to your fingers to prolong the life of your beauty products and keep bacteria at bay. Check out this great video from New Beauty for four more 2013 skin care resolutions!

January 15, 2013

Posted by DrJhin

Is it just me or is this pimple back again?

Ever feel like you are having déjà vu when the same pimple seems to come back again and again?

It’s likely that you have some areas of your face that tend to be more acne prone than others.

It might not be shocking to learn that the reason pimples keep sprouting up in the same place is because those areas might not be cleared of all bacteria and oil.

Whether you tend to get breakouts on your nose, chin or forehead, there is something you can do to prevent repeat breakouts.

Start with a regular exfoliating scrub at home. Use a mild scrub weekly to exfoliate dead skin, keep pores open and prevent breakouts. Regularly using a topical treatment with salicylic acid helps too.

If at home scrubs and ointments are not enough, visit your doctor and ask about mild peels for a deeper clean.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment at our Med Spa for a peel, contact Robert, our Patient Manager, to schedule an appointment. He can be reached at info@premier-dermatology.com or by phone at 415-371-8600 (SF office) or 650-551-9700 (Peninsula office).

December 31, 2012

Posted by DrJhin

Are you worried that you look less than your best because of under eye circles?

Unfortunately, because we are so busy around the holidays, many of us suffer more from under eye circles now than any other time of the year.  Under eye circles are caused by blood pooling close to the skin as a result of lack of sleep. Allergies and sun exposure can also make dark circles stand out more.

Here are some great tips to reduce the appearance of under eye circles:

  1. Drink more water—dehydration can make dark circles stand out more
  2. Increase Vitamin A both topically and in your diet.
  3. Opt for a gentle concealer to cover up the area under the eyes.
  4. Use a gentle SPF under the eyes and wear sunglasses to keep the area from being darkened by the sun.
  5. A hyaluronic acid filler will plump the area.
  6. Lower eye surgery is an option for those with extreme under eye circles.  In this procedure, the doctor will tighten the skin and remove the fat under the eyes, which will lessen the appearance of dark circles.

Check out this article in New Beauty to learn more.

December 11, 2012

Posted by DrJhin

Book Synopsis

With beauty and skin care a universal quest, find out some fascinating and fabulous Asian Beauty Secrets: Ancient and Modern Tips from Japan, Korea and China.

Written by Marie Jhin, M.D., Board-certified dermatologist and San Francisco’s Asian skin care expert, www.premier-dermatology.com, this book traces the history of beauty and skin care in the Far East - plus offers relevant and timely tips and treatments for today’s health and beauty regimens.

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Some secrets in the book

How a facial with nightingale droppings will nourish skin

Page 5

Using “V-steam” for the sweet spot or “chai-york” to stimulate hormones

Page 42

The art of using food products such as seaweed to grow long, lustrous, strong hair

Page 56

A Geisha’s beauty secrets

Pages 50, 51

Using Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture to increase energy flow and reduce puffy eyes and wrinkles

Pages 70, 71

The recipe for Bird’s Nest Soup, which helps skin glow

Page 73

Traditional Chinese medicine and herbs for beautiful skin

Page 76 to 78

Most popular modern skin treatments in Asia today

Page 82 to 87

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