2017 has come.  Along with a host of New Year's resolutions.  Maybe some are on your list -- get to the gym, eat healthier, drink more water, sleep more, and of course, have your moles examined.  Didn't make that resolution?  You should.  Early detection of melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can be deadly, is essential.  When caught early, it is nearly 100% curable.

Do you check your moles at home?  Do they have any signs of the ABCD's?

This stands for:

A: asymmetry - when you draw a line down the middle of the mole, the sides do not match
B: border - the mole is not round; it has an irregular, jagged outline
C: color - there are different shades of brown, tan, black, red in the mole
D: diameter - the mole is larger than 6 mm, the size of a pencil eraser (although they can be smaller)

Moles that exhibit these signs may be dysplastic, or atypical, or Clark's nevi.  These moles themselves are generally benign.  However, people that have them are at increased risk of developing melanoma.  The more dysplastic nevi someone has, the higher their risk of developing melanoma is. 

So what does this mean?

People with dysplastic moles need to be seen more frequently by their dermatologist for full skin exams.  They (and everyone else) also need to check their moles for:

E: evolution - the mole is changing - size, color, shape, itching, bleeding, turning black, etc.

This could be a sign of a melanoma and needs to be evaluated right away. 
So pick up the phone and schedule a full body skin examination.  Tell your friends and family to do the same.  And start the new year off right.

We are excited to announce that Premier Dermatology, MD is one of the first practices in the country to offer Juvederm Volbella XC!  Brought to you by Allergan, the makers of Botox, Kybella (to treat submental fullness/double chin), Voluma (for midface volume), Juvederm, and Latisse (to thicken and lengthen eyelashes), Volbella is the first FDA-approved filler for lip fullness and perioral lines that lasts up to one year.

Traditional lip fillers usually last around 6 months.  But Volbella is the first filler to use Vycross technology, a special blending of hyaluronic acid (a natural sugar found in our skin).  This technology allows for lift and longevity of the product while also reducing swelling and down-time.  And our patients are loving it!

If you've been thinking about refreshing yourself before the holidays, now is the time.  Perfect your pout and profile with the following specials at pdmd, available for a limited time.  Call 305-521-8971 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Donna Bilu Martin.

 

Almost daily, I see someone complaining of "those hangy things" on their neck, in their armpits, in the groin, on eyelids.  They're annoying - they catch on necklaces, shirt collars, and become inflamed from rubbing.  What are those things, anyway? 

They're called achrochordons, or skin tags.  They can be brown, tan, or skin-colored.   And while they may be bothersome to the patient, they're actually totally benign.  Skin tags are more common in middle-aged and older people, as well as in female and obese people - but anyone can get one. 

Pregnant ladies may notice that they become larger or get more of them - which is normal.  Since these are benign growths, they don't have to be treated - and insurance usually won't cover their removal.  They can be snipped with scissors, burned with a little cautery, or frozen with liquid nitrogen.  What treatment modality is used usually depends on location, the number of lesions, and the appearance of surrounding skin.  Usually the tag doesn't return, but it doesn't guarantee that more won't appear.  Just a caveat -  it's always important to have a dermatologist check you from head to toe- they are the experts in deciding what is benign and what needs a biopsy.  And any skin spot that changes, bleeds, or itches should be check right away!

So if those "hangy neck things" are annoying, see Dr. Bilu Martin at pdmd- a quick treatment can leave you "hangy neck thing" free!

Premier Dermatology, MD is a full-service dermatology practice in Aventura, Florida specializing in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month.  In partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Bilu Martin was happy to perform free skin cancer screenings at Premier Dermatology, MD.  But we believe that every month should be Skin Cancer Awareness month.  Protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun should be a daily goal.  Wearing sunscreen and reapplying every two hours, putting on sun protective clothing including hats, staying in the shade, and not tanning or burning are so important for your skin's health.  Be on the lookout for spots that don't heal, new spots, or old ones that change.  There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.  BCCs and SCCs are directly caused by sun exposure and generally, do not spread beyond the affected skin.  Melanoma is caused both by sun exposure as well as genetics.  If melanoma is caught early, it is curable.          

Do yourself a favor and have your skin examined by a dermatologist.  Encourage your friends and family to do the same.  And please, please, don't use tanning beds.  According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, indoor UV tanners are 74% more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than those who have never tanned indoors.  That's a big increase.  And believe it or not, there are still plenty of people out there using tanning beds, despite all the info about how dangerous they are.  Protect your and your loved one's skin - this month and every month.