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Use the ABCDE method to do monthly skin checks and detect changes in moles.
Protect Yourself in the Sun
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The Dark Side of Tanning
Tanning damages your skin. Learn safer ways to achieve a healthy glow.
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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
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm a 54-year-old African-American woman (menopausal) who is experiencing facial discoloration, especially around my mouth and chin. My complexion is normally brown/caramel. Since menopause I have light patches of skin in this area. What can I do?
It is not unusual for women to develop skin color changes around menopause. The skin is sensitive to hormone changes of the body at this time of life, in a similar way that the skin changes during pregnancy or ... continue reading about I'm a 54-year-old African-American woman (menopausal) who is experiencing facial discoloration, especially around my mouth and chin. My complexion is normally brown/caramel. Since menopause I have light patches of skin in this area. What can I do?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Since pregnancy and having kids, I've been getting stubborn-looking whiteheads on my face. They don't go away with exfoliation or being picked. They are clustered under my eyes and mouth. How can I eliminate the ones I have, and prevent new ones?
Anyone can be susceptible to getting the annoying facial bumps often called whiteheads. These small painless lesions are referred to medically as closed comedones. The presence of these whiteheads is one presen... continue reading about Since pregnancy and having kids, I've been getting stubborn-looking whiteheads on my face. They don't go away with exfoliation or being picked. They are clustered under my eyes and mouth. How can I eliminate the ones I have, and prevent new ones?
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
If I get liposuction to get rid of my belly fat, will I reduce the health risks associated with being "apple" shaped?
Liposuction is a great way to contour and reshape the body (including the belly) by removing unwanted fat. Unfortunately, liposuction is not a treatment for weight loss, nor does it appear to influence the risk... continue reading about If I get liposuction to get rid of my belly fat, will I reduce the health risks associated with being "apple" shaped?
Jane Varner, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
My son is in school all day, then jumps into a car to travel to an outdoor swim practice. He has about five minutes to get ready. If we apply sunscreen in the morning, is it still effective eight hours later? What sunscreens are best for his situation?
I'm SO glad that your family is remembering sunscreen! The most recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that approximately 70,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with melanoma... continue reading about My son is in school all day, then jumps into a car to travel to an outdoor swim practice. He has about five minutes to get ready. If we apply sunscreen in the morning, is it still effective eight hours later? What sunscreens are best for his situation?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have a seasonal reoccurring rash. Can this be related to allergies?
Usually when someone has a “seasonal” allergy, it means springtime symptoms caused by pollen. Although pollen allergy certainly can cause nasal, eye or asthma symptoms, it rarely would cause a rash ... continue reading about I have a seasonal reoccurring rash. Can this be related to allergies?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm 75 and have keratosis on my face and upper torso. My PCP is sometimes reluctant to take care of them using LN2, since Medicare regards this as cosmetic. Does the wart remover "Freeze Away" work sufficiently or is there a better product?
Your primary care physician is correct about benign seborrheic keratoses. They are considered by Medicare to be cosmetic unless they are causing irritation such as itching, bleeding, pain or get caught on cloth... continue reading about I'm 75 and have keratosis on my face and upper torso. My PCP is sometimes reluctant to take care of them using LN2, since Medicare regards this as cosmetic. Does the wart remover "Freeze Away" work sufficiently or is there a better product?
Steven Machtinger, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Group
What does it mean when a product is labeled “hypoallergenic?”
Here's a direct quote from the FDA about the term "hypoallergenic" as it relates to cosmetics:"Hypoallergenic cosmetics are products that manufacturers claim produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic... continue reading about What does it mean when a product is labeled “hypoallergenic?”
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I've contemplated having a nose job because of a bump on my nose. I read about a non-surgical procedure that uses fillers, like Restylane, to reshape the nose. Can you tell me more about this? Are there risks involved? How often would I need to do this?
Non-surgical nose reshaping is a popular alternative to traditional nose reshaping surgery for patients who seek to correct mild to moderate nasal imperfections without having to undergo surgery. In non-surgica... continue reading about I've contemplated having a nose job because of a bump on my nose. I read about a non-surgical procedure that uses fillers, like Restylane, to reshape the nose. Can you tell me more about this? Are there risks involved? How often would I need to do this?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm in my early 50s and I like the results I've gotten from Botox and fillers. However, my neck looks old and dry, and the skin is starting to sag. Is there anything I can do (short of a neck lift) to improve it?
The most popular treatment for the sagging skin of the neck is localized tumescent liposuction. After insertion of local anesthesia, small suction instruments are inserted under the skin. These metal cannu... continue reading about I'm in my early 50s and I like the results I've gotten from Botox and fillers. However, my neck looks old and dry, and the skin is starting to sag. Is there anything I can do (short of a neck lift) to improve it?
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