October 2020
Volume 4 Number 10
In this issue:
  • SkinCenter's Own Heros - Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • October is National Eczema Awareness Month
  • What is Microneedling with PRP
  • Ask Dr. G - Identity Theft
  • SCARY SAVINGS on BooTox, Voluma, CoolSculpting and CoolTone
SkinCenter's Heros
Breast Cancer Survivors Cindy and Awilda
Hot Topic
NATIONAL ECZEMA AWARENESS MONTH
WHAT IS IT?
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition which causes itchy, red, and dry skin. It can affect both children and adults. Often times patients with eczema also have a history of asthma and allergies.

WHAT CAUSES IT?
Eczema patients have a defect in their skin barrier function making their skin irritated by certain triggers including soap, weather, and temperature. Stress, genetics and endocrine disorders can also be a factor.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS?
The treatment for mild to moderate eczema is topical steroids and proper bathing instructions such as using gentle cleansers, avoiding fragranced products, short-warm showers, and moisturizing daily. 

Eucrisa is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory, topical ointment which decreases the symptoms of atopic dermatitis such as itchy, redness, and thick skin. It should not be used on children younger than 2 years of age.

For moderate to severe eczema your doctor may decide that an injectable such as Dupixent is right for you. This biological medication works by controlling the body's inflammatory response. Dupixent is administered every 2 weeks and should only be used by people 12 and over.

Phototherapy is the use of ultraviolet light to treat moderate to severe eczema. Typically, this therapy is recommended for eczema that is all over the body or for localized areas such as the hands and feet which have not improved with topical treatments. Phototherapy improves the skin gradually after several weeks of regular treatments (2-3 times per week). It is very important sessions are attended regularly to optimise the success of treatment. Skin Center has the only NB-UVB machine in east Broward County.
Tips for surviving Halloween if you have eczema
15 tips for surviving Halloween if you have eczema

Masks, makeup, and itchy costumes can make Halloween scary territory for people with eczema. We asked our community for their top tricks.

Read more
nationaleczema.org
Featured Procedure
MICRONEEDLING WITH PRP
"Vampire Facial"
WHAT IS IT?
Microneedling with PRP is a non-invasive procedure that gives a brighter more youthful appearance while improving fines lines, scars, texture and tone of skin by harnessing the healing and restorative properties of one’s own cells. Microneedling creates tiny injuries to your skin using a small handheld device with numerous small short needles. Microneedling with PRP couples microneedling with platelet-rich protein (PRP) derived from the serum portion of your own blood. This serum is high in platelets, the cells in the blood which help heal and grow new cells. When PRP is paired with microneedling it promotes new collagen growth and tissue rejuvenation to tighten and smooth skin.

HOW IS IT DONE?
A small sample of blood is taken from the arm and spun to separate the PRP from the blood, the PRP is applied directly to the face. Next, a microneedling device is passed over the skin to create tiny wounds on the skin. The procedure is quick, usually 30 minutes, with minimal downtime. Afterwards skin may appear red or flaky which will subside in 1 week. Products can be used with microneedling to decrease the downtime and improve the overall result.
Ask Dr. G
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAD YOUR IDENTITY STOLEN?


Most of us think it won't happen to us however, I had my identity stolen and it was very stressful. Keep in mind you are not alone and not the first one this has happened to. According to Identity Force "in 2019, 14.4 million consumers became victims of identity fraud — that's about 1 in 15 people". 
 
With that in mind I want to share with you a few steps that you can take to stop or slow the use of your identity.
 
Call the companies where you know the fraud occurred and have them close or freeze the accounts. Ask the business to send you a letter confirming that:
  • the fraudulent account isn’t yours
  • you aren’t liable
  • it was removed from your credit report
 
Get a copy of your credit report
  • ask for a free one-year fraud alert by contacting the three main credit bureaus:
Experian: 888-397-3742 or https://www.experian.com/help/
Transunion: 888-909-8872 or https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
  • review the credit report and have the bureau make any necessary corrections if there are any errors or fraudulent accounts
 
Report the fraud to the FTC 1-877-438 -4338 or https://www.identitytheft.gov/Assistant#
  • After gathering information from you the IdentityTheft.gov website will create your Identity Theft Report and Recovery Plan.
 
You can order a 7-year Extended Fraud Alert by contacting the credit bureaus with your police report
 
Until next time,
 
Dr G