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September 2016 Specials and Events

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September 2016 Specials and Events are here. Back to School Back to Skin in September: Ultherapy events & savings, acne treatments for all ages, 15% off clarisonics all month, schedule your September skin check, free liposuction and cellfina consults, and more! Learn more by reading through our specials, contact us, or RSVP for our September Events at 206-859-5777.


June 2016 Specials and Events

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June 2016 Specials and Events are here. Essentials for a Haute Summer: Get a FREE Elta MC sunscreen when booking with Ashley Miguel, get 10% off all sunscreens, 20% off all June laser hair removal packages, 10% off Ultherapy, 20% off Liposonix, and more. Learn more by reading through our specials, contact us, or RSVP for our May Events at 206-859-5777.


Skin cancer screenings are one of the most important reasons to visit your dermatologist

By Dr. Laurie Jacobson

Skin cancer screenings are one of the most important reasons to visit your dermatologist.  Why is doing this on an annual basis so important?

Skin Cancer ScreeningThe vast majority of skin cancers are treatable, especially when caught early.  There are over 3 million new cases of skin cancer treated in the US each year, and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime!  It is the most common cancer in the US.

When skin cancers are found late, they are more challenging to treat, especially melanoma.  In the case of melanoma, early detection can be the difference between life and death.

What does a full skin exam entail?

A full skin exam is exactly that; we need to examine every aspect of your skin so please take off your socks and wear your hair down so we can be thorough with your examination.  We provide a gown and a medical assistant is in the room with the doctor during the exam.

The visit typically takes 15-20 minutes and we examine everywhere where there is skin—between toes, behind the ears, and the groin and buttocks.  Please try to avoid wearing nail polish as skin cancer can sometimes present under or near the nail bed.  And, wear as little makeup as possible so we can thoroughly examine your face.

What happens if the doctor finds something concerning?

When you come in for the examination, be prepared to potentially have a biopsy that very day.  It’s a quick and straightforward procedure in which a small amount of local anesthetic is injected and a tiny skin sample is taken and sent to the lab.  The lesion is examined under the microscope and results are typically ready within a few days.

The biopsy is only for purposes of diagnosis and not treatment so if it is indeed a skin cancer, it will require further treatment to remove the entire lesion.   We provide the vast majority of surgeries needed for treating skin cancer in our office.

How can I prevent skin cancer?

  • Wear sunscreen daily with an SPF of 30 or more on exposed areas, including your lips
  • Wear protective clothing including broad brimmed hats and when in the water, wear rash guard shirts
  • Be alert to any changing growths on your skin (bleeding, itchy, painful, growing for example)
  • Visit your dermatologist annually for skin checks or whenever you have a concerning lesion
  • Perform a self-skin exam monthly and become familiar with the spots on your skin. Be alert for new or changing growths.
  • Avoid tanning booths!

May 2016 Specials and Events

Upload: April 28, 2016

May 2016 Specials and Events are here. Join Us for an Evening of Beauty! Come celebrate a night of Beauty with PD&CC with wine, bubbles, and light bites. Botox at $10/unit with a 25 unit minimum. May is skin cancer awareness month. All sunscreens 15% off in May! Learn more by reading through our specials, contact us, or RSVP for our May Events at 206-859-5777.


Phototherapy an Ideal Treatment for Some Cases of Psoriasis

 

The chronic inflammation and redness of psoriasis can be disruptive to your sense of confidence. The condition is not fully understood, though research has identified it as an autoimmune disorder rather than a clear dermatologic condition. The patches of skin that become noticeable are those on which cellular turnover occurs too quickly. T-cells, in particular, behave abnormally, leading to discomfort, itching, and embarrassment. In order to improve quality of life, it is important for the person with psoriasis to find solutions that will reduce inflammation and flare-ups.

PsoriasisAt Pacific Dermatology, patients receive care that is based on their unique condition. We consider the severity of psoriasis, the type, and its location and extent of coverage. The goal of treatment is to soothe irritation and promote healthier skin by reducing the risk of flare-ups. One of the ways we do this is with phototherapy, a modality that has shown promising results in clinical investigations. Treatment can be obtained in one of our comfortable Washington dermatology offices.

What is Phototherapy?

On a technical level, phototherapy is essentially light therapy. To treat psoriasis, narrow-band UVB light may be used. This is the same UV light that comes from sunshine, and the wavelength that produces the greatest positive effect on the skin. Many experts find narrow-band UVB ideal for patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.

Phototherapy is not the same as lying under the sun! This precision treatment is conducted at recommended intervals and for only short durations each time. The controlled delivery of specific wavelengths improves the condition of the skin without increasing the risk of skin cancer, like tanning or even certain other types of phototherapy. Narrow-band UVB is safe for patients of all ages, even children, and pregnant women.

How Phototherapy Works

The in-office phototherapy treatment is performed in a series. Depending on the condition, sessions may be scheduled every few days for a few weeks. Topical skin treatments may also be prescribed to improve skin health. During sessions, light waves target abnormal cells, slowing their growth. As a result, the existing flare-up has greater opportunity to heal, and further buildup of cells is reduced or prevented altogether.

To see the improvement you desire with your psoriasis, it is necessary to see a physician with specific expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of dermatologic conditions. To schedule a visit to Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, call 206-859-5777.

 


April 2016 Specials and Events

Upload: March 30, 2016
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April 2016 Specials and Events are here. Renew You! NEW Treatments. NEW Events. NEW ways to renew your skin and body for SPRING! Specials include Clear+Brillant, Halo, Laser hair removal, vi peels, and Ultherapy. Plus, sign up for events on Ultherapy, Obagi, and more. Learn more by reading through our specials, contact us, or RSVP for our April and May Events at 206-859-5777


Plan Ahead To Look Your Best For Weddings, Reunions & The Beach

By Cheryl Wells

If you are planning a little spruce up for a Spring or Summer event like a wedding or high school reunion, NOW is the time to start planning! While many of the most modern procedures don’t have any “down time” where you’re hiding behind big sunglasses, they do take some time to take effect. For example, Botox will give you a noticeable improvement in about a week, while you’ll need 3-6 months to see the maximum effects of Ultherapy as it spurs new collagen growth to smooth wrinkles and lifts your face. To time your treatments right, follow the chart below:

Upload: March 16, 2016
When to Schedule
(Minimum-Ideal)
Name of Procedure What it does
3-6 months Ultherapy – Face/neck & chest

Liposonix – Tummy, waist, thighs

Lift, tighten, tone and smooths wrinkles

Permanent fat cell destruction

4-8 weeks Fillers – Lips, cheeks, under eyes
smile lines and around the mouth
Adds volume
Softens wrinkles
3-6 weeks Botox – Crow’s feet, 11’s, forehead and other facial wrinkles Buys you “wrinkle-free” time. Softens wrinkles and decreases muscle movement
3-4 weeks IPL/BBL – Face, neck, chest, hands Diminishes brown spots, freckles, redness, veins, rosacea, sun damage and more
2-8 weeks Clear & Brilliant — Coming soon! Face, neck, chest, arms, hands Improves skin tone and texture, and gives your skin a more radiant, youthful glow

Ultherapy is a new and effective non-invasive alternative to a face-lift, with virtually no down-time. It is the only FDA-approved device that allows the provider to see an image of the layers of the skin in order to direct the ultrasound waves at the exact precise depth needed to cause neocollagenesis. This collagen growth will lift and tighten your face, neck, or chest. It really works! The price for Ultherapy usually runs anywhere from $750 to $3500 depending on the area treated. View more

Liposonix can help get rid of those exercise resistant fatty deposits by fully destroying the fat cells! Never to return again—once the fat cells are gone—they are gone forever. Liposonix uses HIFU Ultrasound waves at a specific depth and frequency with a unique large tip to accomplish this cell destruction. The price ranges from $500 to $3500 depending on the size of the area. View more

Botox & fillers are a great way to soften wrinkles and/or add volume to help you look younger. Botox is a purified protein that decreases muscle movement, which essentially gives you wrinkle free time. Fillers are used to add volume in areas such as the cheeks or lips and to help soften creases. They are also a terrific complement to your Ultherapy treatment. Use these spot treatments any time after Ultherapy and at least one month or two (see chart) before your special occasion. The average price ranges from as little as $250 and up to $1000, or more depending on what is needed. View more

IPL/BBL uses multiple light beams and wave lengths to target the problem areas. Both devices diminish brown spots, freckles, redness, veins, rosacea, sun damage and more. They are also terrific anti-aging treatments! They work at a cellular level and physically make the skin cells healthier. If your skin is healthier at a cellular level, then it acts looks and feels younger. Look up Forever Young BBL for more info. View more

As a nurse who has worked with lasers, fillers and injections for 11 years, I have helped many people plan and get ready for their special day and I would like to help you too! There is so much more to tell you when it comes to our fabulous no-downtime treatments, but space is limited. If you are looking forward to an important event, please book a FREE consultation (with me, Cheryl the Laser Queen) and I can help create your beauty plan for your special day!


Welcoming Spring

Ashley Miguel, PA-Cby Ashley Miguel, PA-C

The signs of Spring are appearing all around us! Days are growing longer, winter frost has disappeared, flowers are blooming everywhere, and we are seeing the sun more and more. These signs signal it’s time to shed the old and embrace the new! Why not start with your skin care routine?

Skin Medica Retinol ComplexPD&CC has an amazing array of quality cosmeceuticals and prescription grade skin care products that can aid in shedding the dull skin of winter so you can radiate the glow of spring. A cornerstone of any daily routine is to incorporate one of our retinoid or retinol products, which aid in exfoliating the epidermis, thereby brightening your complexion, smoothing rough skin and fine lines, and unclogging your pores. Stop in either our Northgate or Renton clinic and have one of our skin care professionals recommend one that suits your skin type.

Elta MD UV ClearAnother crucial component to daily care, especially as the sun becomes more intense, is sunblock. Even rays that penetrate car windows can contribute to skin cancer and pre-mature aging such as wrinkles, skin laxity, and sun spot formation on the face, neck, and hands! Try one of our physical sunblocks from the Elta MD line that work via Zinc and Titanium. They form a shield on your skin to block UV radiation from damaging your dermis. Elta MD provides exceptional coverage in formulas that are a pleasure to wear. Remember that Spring arrives March 19th Pacific Time so let us help you get ready.


Mohs Surgery an Innovative Approach to Skin Cancer

In recent years, we have been encouraged to learn more about protecting ourselves from skin cancer. The various forms of this condition pose a serious threat to health and wellness. However, innovative treatment options have emerged, one of them touted for its high success rate at removing basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. We are pleased to provide our patients the option of Mohs Micrographic Surgery for skin cancer removal.

A Delicate Approach

Historically, skin cancer lesions have been removed through cauterization, scraping, freezing, or surgical excision. Each of these methods is based on the same basic methodology of physical examination and removal. The success of these techniques depends on the accurate identification of the extent of abnormality. With Mohs, guesswork disappears.

Mohs Micrographic surgery is a step-by-step process of removal. It does not excise a growth in one fell swoop, but in stages. During surgery, one layer of tissue is removed at a time. After a single layer of cells is removed, it is immediately examined microscopically. The meticulous removal and examination of cells continues until no abnormal cells are seen under magnification. Mohs Surgery can take several hours, but patients know when they leave our facility that the margins of their growth are clear.

When to Consider Mohs Surgery

MOHSThere are two specific situations in which Mohs is an ideal procedure:

  • Visible skin cancers. Cancerous growths on the face or other area that cannot be hidden beneath clothing require careful consideration. Physical assessment of a growth does not typically return the most accurate data. For this reason, a small amount healthy tissue around a growth is also removed. The removal may lead to permanent scarring, which you do not want on your face or other obvious area.
  • Aggressive cancers. Some carcinomas are rapid growers, presenting a challenge to accurate assessment in terms of size and depth. Other difficult growths include those that have recurred after an initial removal procedure. The outcome of such cases improves with the precision and immediate verification of Mohs surgery.

The founder and director of Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, Dr. Reichel is a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon. The accredited ambulatory surgery center in which she performs  is staffed by nurses who have also completed specific training in this procedure.

We don’t leave your skin to chance. Call Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center for your skin cancer screening and treatment.


Introduction to Dermatoscopy

Ashley Miguel, PA-Cby Ashley Miguel, PA-C

After spending the past six months all bundled up, it makes sense to start a new season by having a full body skin exam. Many of us have a number of questionable skin growths that may have changed unnoticed over the winter months. At PD&CC Renton clinic, Dr. Erica Linnell and I both perform thorough head to toe skin exams utilizing a special instrument called a dermatoscope.

dermascopeThis hand held light device consists of a magnifier (typically x 10), by which questionable skin lesions can be examined in greater detail. The advantages of using a dermatoscope are numerous, but the most important is its enhanced accuracy for detecting melanoma. This means melanomas are found when smaller in size and earlier in their development, which correlates to a greater long term prognosis after treatment.

Dermatoscopes also help to rule out what does not need to be biopsied, thereby reducing unnecessary procedures on benign lesions. If you have any growths that have been changing in shape, border, color, size, or causing symptoms of itch, pain, or bleeding, I urge you to set an appointment to have a full body skin exam.

My name is Ashley Miguel, and I am a dermatology physician assistant with 5 years of experience using dermatoscopes as a daily part of my practice. I am currently accepting new patients and pride myself on in depth examinations and addressing all of my patient’s concerns. Make sure you are receiving the best care possible by seeing a dermatology medical professional who is trained in this technique.

You can contact our Renton office here or call 206-859-5777 to make an appointment.


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Thank you for choosing Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, we look forward to providing you with the very best skin care.