Do I really have to wait 30 minutes after applying sunscreen to go in the sun?
The answer to this question involves a process known as dry-down time, which basically is the amount of time before the sunscreen no longer feels wet on the skin. When you apply sunscreen, it creates a film on the skin that interacts and mixes with the oil, sebum, and sweat molecules that are already present. […]
I have a greasy, shiny forehead. What should I do?
A greasy, shiny forehead can interfere with a person’s daily activities in life, such as meeting clients and giving business presentations. At Dana Point Dermatology, we also see these types of skin conditions hamper a patient’s confidence when going out with significant others, leading to a less satisfying personal life. Simply put, a shiny forehead […]
I have a new scar on my face. What should I do and will Mederma help?
This is a question that a lot of patients have on their minds, considering that almost all people have had a scrape, burn or surgery that has left a scar on their skin. Scars are the result of the normal wound-healing process the body uses to repair trauma to the skin. The more damaged the […]
I have more hair loss on the right side of my head than on the left. Is this abnormal?
Most people will have some hair loss during their lifetime. It is not uncommon to see patients with pattern hair loss (hair thinning/loss) who have more hair loss on one side of the scalp compared to the other side. This is an interesting phenomenon and is probably due to more than one factor. First, most […]
I get constant dandruff in my hair and scalp. Any tips?
Flaky scalp and dandruff are a frequent concern for patients, as the condition can result in white scales on dark clothing that can cause some embarrassment. This condition is not one thing, as many dermatologic diseases can lead to dandruff. Dandruff is nothing more than dead skin cells that result from increased cellular turnover. The […]
Does aloe help burns heal faster?
Aloe vera is a tropical plant grown in hot climates throughout the world. The active gel, found in the pulpy flesh of an aloe vera plant leaf, has been used since Roman times to speed up wound healing, including sunburn. Want to speed it up more? Aloe can help. Although the exact mechanism is uncertain, […]
I’m still getting acne in my 20’s and 30’s. Is this normal?
Acne is the most common skin condition known to man. According to the latest research, over 90% of people have acne at some point in their life. One of the main drivers of acne is excessively oily skin, which corresponds to increased sebum (oil) production. Since men produce up to 40% more sebum than women, […]
Can manscaping increase the chances of an STD?
Shaving pubic hair is pretty common among men and does present health concerns from a dermatologic viewpoint. Besides the danger of shaving in that area (according to a recent study in the journal Urology, men had over 750 emergency room visits related to using razors in the pubic region), shaving does increase your risk for […]
At night I itch like crazy. Is this normal?
Itching, or pruritus in dermatology jargon, can be caused by a plethora of skin conditions, not just one. This is a very common symptom and sometimes doesn’t have a rash associated with it. A key player in itch is a molecule called histamine. Mast cells, which permanently occupy the skin, produce and release histamine in […]
Do growth factors in moisturizers and serums really work?
Growth factors, peptides, and other macromolecules have become very popular in the cosmeceutical industry over the last decade (see blog on cosmeceuticals). Most of these cosmeceuticals are targeted toward females, however, there are a growing number of over-the-counter products (especially serums) that target men. Growth factors are normal signaling molecules that exist in all living […]