Dr. Joel Schlessinger discusses melasma treatments for Beauty in the Bag blog

Dr. Joel Schlessinger weighs in on the different treatment options for melasma.

Beauty in the Bag is a skin care and beauty blog featuring hundreds of articles on skin, hair, makeup and healthy living. The article “Triluma’s Triumphant Return” discusses melasma, a skin care issue that affects many women.

Dr. Joel Schlessinger explains that melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that causes discoloration for many women due to an increase in hormones during pregnancy. This condition can also be caused by birth control pills, sun exposure and other hormone fluctuations.

TriLuma Cream, a melasma treatment product, is recommended by many dermatologists including Dr. Joel Schlessinger.

After being briefly unavailable, TriLuma Cream, which contains hydroquinone and tretinoin, is now available for consumers. These ingredients fade the appearance of discoloration while increasing cell turnover and calming inflammation for an overall healthier complexion.

“TriLuma is the gold standard for prescription products for skin lightening,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. At his dermatology practice, Dr. Joel Schlessinger sees many women who experience a reduction in their dark spots after treating the area with a product like this cream.

Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends other advanced products to complement TriLuma.

While this product offers many benefits for the complexion, it can only be used for a period of 8 weeks. “For this reason, there is the need for other methods after the use of TriLuma,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger.

After using TriLuma Cream, Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends products such as Elure Advanced Skin Lightening Lotion and Lumixyl Topical Brightening Crème. Both of these products are hydroquinone-free for less irritation and less side effects.

Dr. Schlessinger also notes the importance of sun protection while using these products. “It is incredibly important for any individual using these products to practice sun avoidance and protection if they are out in the sun.”

Joel Schlessinger MD warns consumers about the dangers of nail salon practices

Exposure to UV lights at the salon can lead to serious health risks, explains Joel Schlessinger MD.

In a recent article for the Dermatology Times, Joel Schlessinger MD discusses the dangers many people are exposed to while at the nail salon. More and more, he is seeing skin cancer on women who have been exposed to the UV light devices used to dry nails.

“We have to warn our patients about the possibility of this, especially if they have a history of skin cancer or if they have had significant sun exposure already,” says Joel Schlessinger MD.

Women who are exposed to this UV light on a regular basis are at a significant risk of developing skin cancer as well as visible signs of aging.

Joel Schlessinger MD reveals that proper hygiene is not always upheld at salons.

Many nail salons share tools and products between customers, which can contribute to the transmission of bacteria and infections.

“I was shocked to hear that the standard of practice is that the tools are reused from patient to patient, and that nail files are commonly shared,” says Joel Schlessinger MD.

Everything from chairs to water basins can be shared without being properly sanitized. Exposure to tools that have not been sanitized can cause mycobacterial infections and fungal infections.

Joel Schlessinger MD explains how to protect yourself while at the salon.

Women should attempt to find an alternative method for drying their polish rather than exposing their nails to UV light. You can also insist on newly sanitized tools and utensils to protect against contracting an infection.

Many dermatologist offices and spas provide nail services that adhere to medical sanitization standards. Consumers can use these services to ensure that they are receiving top quality care.

Questions about best practices at nail salons? Ask Joel Schlessinger MD in the comment section below.

Dr. Joel Schlessinger discusses Ultherapy in Dermatology Times

The February 2013 issue of Dermatology Times includes Dr. Joel Schlessinger’s expert commentary in an article titled “Assessing Ultherapy: Ultrasound device begins to make waves.” The article covers the evolution of Ultherapy and how recent changes have improved patient results. Dr. Joel Schlessinger also discusses his personal experience with performing Ultherapy in his practice.

Recent changes have made Ultherapy treatments more effective. Dr. Joel Schlessinger explains.

Ultherapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasound and the body’s natural healing process to lift, tone, and tighten loose skin. Since the device was introduced in 2009, experts have expanded to new treatment areas and improved treatment heads designed to address different tissue layers of the face and neck for optimal results.

“Just as most energy-based devices become more efficient and effective as time goes on and patterns of success are delineated, the same has happened with Ultherapy,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “This is contributing to its overall success as a new modality.”

Dr. Joel Schlessinger also notes improvements in patient comfort during the procedure.

“We’ve discovered that higher energy levels don’t always correlate with more success. Yet they clearly create more discomfort,” he says. “Therefore, many of the treatment parameters have backed off from the initial higher energy settings.”

Dr. Joel Schlessinger also highlights increased patient satisfaction with Ultherapy.

Thanks to its concentrated treatment with virtually no downtime, Dr. Joel Schlessinger has seen an increase in Ultherapy over competing laser or energy-based devices.

“The main difference between this device and all other energy devices is the fact that Ultherapy delivers the energy to the exact area we want to tighten,” he says.

Dr. Joel Schlessinger is pleased his patients are showing an interest in Ultherapy. He says the new treatment areas are “responding quite nicely” with Ultherapy leaving “extraordinarily limited” side effects.

“We’ve been very pleasantly surprised with the results and patient acceptance of the treatment,” he says.

Have you tried Ultherapy? Let us know in the comments.

Joel Schlessinger MD reveals how to fix thin or sparse brows in Elle magazine

This article featuring Joel Schlessinger MD addresses the common issue of thinning brows and lashes.

Women have been known to spend hundreds of dollars trying to find a product that will create fuller, longer and thicker lashes and brows. The March 2013 issue of Elle magazine attempts to get to the root of this issue with their article “Great Lengths.” Expert dermatologists, including Joel Schlessinger MD, explain what causes this issue and why it is so prominent among women.

Joel Schlessinger MD reveals the causes of lash and brow hair loss.

In this article, author Janna Johnson O’Toole explains how the growth cycle affects the thickness and fullness of your lashes and brows. Interrupting this cycle can cause breakage and hair loss that contributes to a thin and sparse appearance.

Joel Schlessinger MD mentions several common practices such as tweezing and waxing that interrupt the growth cycle. These procedures can cause trauma to the hair follicles and halt growth resulting in bald patches and transparent brows and lashes.

While this issue is common for many women, there are several short term and long term steps you can take to re grow your brows and lashes.

Many dermatologists, including Joel Schlessinger MD, recommend hair growth products for thin lashes and brows.

To halt hair loss, Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends applying a hair growth product. Latisse, a popular cosmetic product, has been shown to create lashes that are 25% longer and 106% fuller. Joel Schlessinger MD also recommends products such as Rogaine that include the active ingredient Minoxidil to stimulate growth.

You can also try several over the counter products to encourage a healthier and fuller appearance. Obagi ELASTILash Eyelash Solution conditions hair to prevent breakage and Jan Marini Lash Eyelash Conditioner protects lashes to encourage healthy renewal.

Have you tried any eyelash or eyebrow growth products? Comment and let us know which ones have worked for you!