Healthy Summer Feet
Heed these tips to keep your feet and toenails healthy.
Protect Yourself in the Sun
Confused about UVA, UVB and SPF? Learn the best ways to protect your skin and stay healthy in the sun.
The Dark Side of Tanning
Tanning damages your skin. Learn safer ways to achieve a healthy glow.
Featured Articles

Help for Common Skin Problems
Discover preventive strategies and treatments for age spots, broken vessels and skin tags.

How to Catch Skin Cancer Early
Skin cancer is curable when caught early. Learn how to perform skin self-exams and when to get checkups.

Living with Psoriasis
Do you struggle with red, scaly patches or tiny bumps on your body? Here’s what you need to know.
Ask an Expert
Michael G. Cedars, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
Can you give me some information about dermal fillers? How long do they typically last, and are there side effects? Of all the dermal fillers currently on the market, which one do you think is the best?
Depending on the filler, they typically last six to 12 months, and most require only a single treatment to create their effect. They vary also in terms of stiffness, so the best one for, say, the lips would be ... continue reading about Can you give me some information about dermal fillers? How long do they typically last, and are there side effects? Of all the dermal fillers currently on the market, which one do you think is the best?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What causes dark hyperpigmentation in the skin on the knees? And what can be done for this?
Dark brown coloring of the knees is often also associated with some thickening of the skin. In most patients, it would be due to a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to friction from cloth... continue reading about What causes dark hyperpigmentation in the skin on the knees? And what can be done for this?
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I've had my lips augmented with dermal fillers and like the results, but don't like the bruising. I read about a new technique using a "blunt-tip cannula" that replaces needles. Is it available in Northern California and is it better?
Facial fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, are injected using very small needles. Recently, an alternative technique for injecting fillers using blunt-tipped microcannulas has been developed. Yes, the tech... continue reading about I've had my lips augmented with dermal fillers and like the results, but don't like the bruising. I read about a new technique using a "blunt-tip cannula" that replaces needles. Is it available in Northern California and is it better?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What is the best way to deal with dry, itchy skin in the winter?
The best way to deal with dry itchy skin during the winter is to take the time to moisturize your skin daily and minimize hot showers. As the temperature drops, we start to take longer and hotter showers, which... continue reading about What is the best way to deal with dry, itchy skin in the winter?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have dry skin and have read that using coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer for my face and body. Does coconut oil really have moisturizing benefits? My concern is about oily breakouts.
Coconut oil consists of medium chain triglycerides which are saturated fats. It works like any oil-containing moisturizer and traps water in the skin creating a hydrating effect. Many people like the fragrance ... continue reading about I have dry skin and have read that using coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer for my face and body. Does coconut oil really have moisturizing benefits? My concern is about oily breakouts.
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I'm 37 and just had my second child. I exercise and eat well, but notice a lot of sagging skin on my body after this second pregnancy. I've heard about "Mommy Makeovers". Can you tell me more about this?
A "Mommy Makeover" is a series of procedures aimed at reversing unwanted changes associated with pregnancy.The process of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can be hard on a woman's body and cause a woman... continue reading about I'm 37 and just had my second child. I exercise and eat well, but notice a lot of sagging skin on my body after this second pregnancy. I've heard about "Mommy Makeovers". Can you tell me more about this?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm 50 and don't spend a lot of time in the sun. I use sunscreen but I've noticed that I'm getting darker skin blotches, not like moles but damaged skin cells. My MD isn't worried, but I don't like the look. How do I get rid of them and protect my skin?
The most common skin blotches that appear after many years of sun exposure are called solar lentigos. These brown spots are smooth and do not have a rough texture. They are caused by years of unprotected sun ex... continue reading about I'm 50 and don't spend a lot of time in the sun. I use sunscreen but I've noticed that I'm getting darker skin blotches, not like moles but damaged skin cells. My MD isn't worried, but I don't like the look. How do I get rid of them and protect my skin?
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
What are the symptoms of athlete's foot and what is the best way to get rid of it?
Symptoms of athlete's foot can consist of itching of the foot and between the toes, and redness and peeling between the toes and/or around the foot in a mocassin distribution. Frequently people with athlete's f... continue reading about What are the symptoms of athlete's foot and what is the best way to get rid of it?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
After I gave birth to my child, skin tags started to appear on my neck. At first they were on the back and the sides. Now they're spreading to the front and other places on my body. They get painfully snagged, are unsightly, and it's affecting my life.
The tendency to develop skin tags is a genetic one. Family members will often recall that their parents or grandparents were bothered by tags as well. It is possible that the high levels of estrogen that occur ... continue reading about After I gave birth to my child, skin tags started to appear on my neck. At first they were on the back and the sides. Now they're spreading to the front and other places on my body. They get painfully snagged, are unsightly, and it's affecting my life.