How to Prevent Staph Infections

Staphylococcus, or staph, refers to a group of bacteria. Staph often causes skin infections, like impetigo, boils, and cellulitis. The bacteria can also infect bone, muscle, or joints. Staph bacteria can live harmlessly in the nose and throat of many people. Normally, the skin provides a barrier to staph. However, if the skin barrier is broken by a small cut, scrape, or insect bite, or if the skin is irritated by conditions such as eczema, staph bacteria may invade and cause an infection.

Thankfully, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of acquiring a staph infection.

·         Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water.

·         Keep cuts and wounds clean and covered until healed. Some wounds may need to be covered with a bandage to keep them clean and dry. Change the bandage daily or more often if it gets dirty or wet.

·         Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and materials contaminated by wounds.

·         Don’t share personal items, such as towels or razors.

·         See your healthcare provider for treatment as soon as possible if a wound or sore shows signs of infection. Signs of infection include new or worse redness, swelling, pain, warmth, or drainage from the wound.

At Inverness Dermatology and Laser, we specialize in treating pediatric skin infections of all types. Our treatments can help improve the health and appearance of your child’s skin. Learn more at www.InvernessDerm.com

How to Avoid Sun Spots

Summer is here, and for those prone to sun spots and hyperpigmentation, it’s the time of year when these problems worsen. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to diminish unwanted dark spots on the skin.

Here are a few quick tips for avoiding sun spots:

• Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.
• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.
• Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more containing zinc oxide to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.
• Limit time in the heat. Research indicates that being in the heat can contribute to dark blotches on the skin called melasma. 

At Inverness Dermatology and Laser, we specialize in treating pediatric skin infections of all types. Our treatments can help improve the health and appearance of your child’s skin. Learn more at www.InvernessDerm.com

Important Skin Cancer Prevention Tips You Need to Know

Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma. You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here are a few tips to help prevent skin cancer:

• Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.
• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.
• Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more which contains zinc oxide to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Don’t forget to protect your lips. Wearing a lip balm containing SPF reduces sun damage to the lips.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.
• Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product or spray, but continue to use sunscreen with it. 

These key tips can help you to significantly reduce the chances of developing skin cancer. You should also be aware of the signs of skin cancer so you can act quickly and see a doctor who can help to stop the cancer before it worsens. See a dermatologist if you spot anything changing, itching, or bleeding.

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Are You a Good Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?

Are you tired of unwanted hair? In the past, your only options for getting rid of this unruly hair were shaving and waxing. Both of these are inconvenient, potentially painful, and most importantly, don’t provide a long-term improvement. In recent years, laser hair removal has becomea popular treatment due to its speed, effectiveness, minimal discomfort, and great results. But is laser hair removal for everyone? How can you determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment?

You may be a good candidate for laser hair removal if:

      ·         You have thick, dark brown or black hair.

      ·         You do not have a tan (including self-tanner).

      ·         You want a long lasting solution for drastically reducing unwanted hair.

While there may still be a few exceptions, the advances in laser hair removal technology are designed to allow anyone with dark hair achieve great results!

Want to learn more about laser hair removal? Inverness Dermatology and Laser offers laser hair removal treatment in a clean, professional clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more at www.InvernessDerm.com. 

5 Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer

In the United States alone, someone dies from skin cancer every minute. Across the world, the number of skin cancer cases is rising steadily. Skin cancer is a killer that must be taken seriously. We’re all at risk. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to reduce your risks ofdeveloping skin cancer.

Here are 5 skin cancer prevention tips that can go a long way to keeping you safe:

1.       Stay out of tanning beds. UV light from tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkles.

2.       Get in the shade when the sun is out. The sun’s harmful UV rays, which are most prevalent between 10 am and 4 pm, can do serious damage. Excessive sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.

3.       Use sunscreen. If you’re going to be out in the sun, make sure to apply sunscreen –use at minimum SPF 30—at least 15-30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours to stay protected.

4.       Wear clothing that shields you from the sun. Long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses can all protect you against excessive sun exposure.

5.       Get enough Vitamin D. A healthy diet and vitamins can help you get more Vitamin D safely.

      Inverness Dermatology and Laser offer skin cancer treatment from board certified dermatologists. Learn more at www.InvernessDerm.com. 

The Many Benefits of Chemical Peels

If you’re someone who is interested in refining and improving the appearance of your skin, then considering a chemical peel would benefit you greatly. Many skin imperfections are the result of sun damage, acne, scars, or skin aging. The face, neck, and hands are the parts of the skin that are most commonly and dramatically affected by these sometimes unpreventable flaws. Chemical peels can be applied to these areas of the body in order to remove dead, imperfect skin and reveal fresh, new skin. A chemical peel is a completely safe and non-toxic way to simulate new cell growth andcollagen production so that you can achieve the much sought after results of younger, healthier looking skin.

Just a few benefits of chemical peels include:

Smooth, even skin — Smoother looking and feeling skin is the first thing you will notice after your chemical peel. Skin that was once rough or dry will feel soft, just like new skin. If you have traces of acne scars, these will be reduced. Your skin will also appear much younger as fine lines and wrinkles will be gently removed to reveal the young, fresh skin underneath.

·         Even skin pigmentation — Irregular pigmentation of the skin is another notable matter that chemical peels can easily help fix. Sunspots, freckles, and dark circles are just a few things that may cause this irregular, uneven pigmentation. Chemical peels will reduce the signs of patchy skin tones and even enlarged pores, making your skin appear much more clean and clear.

·         Safe, non-toxic method of skin rejuvenation — Chemical peels work by applying a non-toxic solution to the skin in order to exfoliate and replenish it. The skin underneath this top layer of old skin is generally more even because it has yet to be exposed to any damaging factors like the sun, scarring, or anything else that can be harmful to your skin.

·         Different procedure lengths and options — The length of the procedure for receiving a chemical peel depends on which peel you choose for your skin. Some peels can last just 40 minutes while others such as deep peels can last up to 2 days. Whichever peel you choose, and however long the procedure takes, you will be able to see the before and after difference.

Everyone has a different skin type and this makes it necessary for a variety of chemical peels. Before choosing a peel, consult with a dermatologist to be sure your skin is right for a chemical peel. Types of chemical peels include:

·         Salicylic acid — This is the lightest of the chemical peels and it helps by lightly removing the top layer of the epidermis. It is effective in treating fine lines, age spots, skin discoloration and dryness. 

·         Glycolic acid — The medium skin peel penetrates the epidermis and the upper layer of the dermis and is effective in treating light wrinkles, acne, acne scars and pigmentation discoloration.

·         Trichloroacetic acid — The last and deepest of the chemical peels has the ability of penetrating the lower layer of the dermis. It can effectively treat deeper lines, wrinkles, and scars, and intense pigmentation discoloration.

Want to learn more about chemical peels? Contact Inverness Dermatology and Laser, your cosmetic dermatologist in Birmingham.  Learn more at www.InvernessDerm.com. 

3 Botox Benefits Most People Don’t Know About

In 2012, 6.1 million Botox procedures were performed across the United States. The minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure has grown in popularity by the year, thanks in part to the wide range of benefits it offers. Botox can help you achieve a smoother, more youthful complexion, these injections offer a whole host of other benefits that many people simply aren’t aware of.

While most people already know that

Here are 3 Botox benefits you might not know about:

1. Botox could reduce migraines — If you suffer from crippling migraine headaches, you’d do just about anything to get rid of them once and for all. Many clients have reported that Botox has helped reduce or even completely eliminate their chronic migraines.
2. Botox could help correct crossed eyes — Most people don’t know that Botox could be used to help straighten crossed eyes. By helping to relax your eye muscles, it helps them heal.
3. Botox helps decrease excessive sweating — Do you sweat excessively under your arms? Botox treatments can reduce the amount of sweat you produce to alleviate this problem. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of Botox, contact the experienced team at Inverness Dermatology and Laser. We offer Botox in Birmingham, and most of our patients experience little to no downtime. Learn more at www.InvernessDerm.com.