Restore a youthful, vibrant appearance to your face by booking an appointment for a dermal filler at South Shore Dermatology Physicians (SSDP) during the month of June 2012.

Enjoy great discounts on treatment with Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, or Sculptra Aesthetic in time for the summer season.

Take $100 off one syringe of dermal filler and $75 off each additional filler syringe.

Dermal fillers are an effective way to replace lost volume and restore youthful contours to the skin. Moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds are smoothed and softened with these rejuvenating products.

Schedule your appointment for a cosmetic filler today by phoning 508.535.3376, Option 7, or email us from the Contact Us page on the SSDP website.

*Please note: Offer is in effect from June 1 – 30, 2012.

SSDP put its heart – and soles – into supporting the work of School on Wheels on Massachusetts at the Outrunning Homelessness Race and Fun Walk on Saturday, April 28. Twenty SSDP staff members, family and friends participated in the 5K Race and 2-mile Fun Run at Borderland State Park.

Putting their best feet forward on SOWMA’s behalf were SSDP Doctors Leera M. Briceno and Jay M. Ritt, Office Manager Kristina Botelho, Anna Mills, Jessica Sartra, Joyce Weinstein, Jessica Burnham, Jenna Camara, Holly Fahey, Stephanie and Laporscha Hardmon, Leah Clifford Stephenson, Debbie and Kristina Secinaro, Karrol Setalsingh, and Andy Sullivan. “Junior” team members included RJ, TJ, Vanessa, and Alexis.

SSDP team members Leah Clifford Stephenson and the mother-daughter duo of Debbie and Kristina Secinaro competed in the 5K Race, with Kristina taking first place in her age division with a time of 26:13, and her mother, Debbie, taking second place in her age division with a time of 28:32.

Participating in the Outrunning Homelessness Race and Fun Walk is another way SSDP gives back to the community. In the past, the practice has generously supported many local, national and international causes, including the Sharon Soccer Association, Milton Public School, Share and Care Foundation, Friends of Shelter Associates, Handi-Kids Special Needs Camp, East & Alternative School PTO, Temple Sinai of Sharon, Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, and SOWMA. As a longtime SOWMA supporter, SSDP has maintained a vibrant relationship with the organization by donating new backpacks and school supplies for children living in transitional shelters and temporary housing, stuffing backpacks at SOWMA headquarters, and making generous financial donations. The 2012 Outrunning Homelessness Race and Fun Walk marked the first time SSDP team picked up its feet on SOWMA’s behalf and was a t-shirt sponsor of the event.

“As healthcare providers serving the residents of Easton, Brockton, Avon, Sharon, Stoughton, Randolph, Canton, Mansfeld, Norton, Taunton, and the surrounding areas, we believe a good education is key to helping children overcome the challenges of homelessness and be successful in life,” explains SSDP dermatologist Jay M. Ritt, MD. “South Shore Dermatology Physicians is proud to do its share to support SOWMA’s life-changing work on behalf of children experiencing homelessness and to strengthen the well-being of every community member.”

Before exposing yourself to UV radiation from tanning beds or sun lamps, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these facts from the American Academy of Dermatology.*

Are sunlamps and tanning beds safer than natural sunlight?

No. Most sun lamps and tanning beds emit mainly UVA radiation; these so-called “tanning rays” are less likely to cause a sunburn than UVB radiation from sunlight. Contrary to the claims of some tanning parlors, that does not make them safe, in fact, they cause deeper skin damage. UVA rays have a suspected link to melanoma, and like UVB rays, they also may be linked to immune system damage and premature skin aging.

A review of seven studies found a 75 percent increase in the risk of melanoma in those who had been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning before the age of 35.

What are the dangers of tanning?

While skin cancer has been associated with sunburn, even moderate tanning may also produce the same effect. UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps may cause skin cancer and can have a damaging effect on the immune system. It can also cause premature aging of the skin, giving it a wrinkled, leathery appearance.

Are people actually being harmed by sunlight?

Yes. The number of skin cancers has been rising over the years due to increasing exposure to UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. More than 1.3 million new skin cancer cases are likely to be diagnosed in the U.S. this
year.

Are the types of skin cancer caused by the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps easily curable?

Not necessarily. Melanoma, with a suspected link to UVA exposure, is fatal if not detected early. The number of cases of melanoma is rising in the United States with an estimated 47,700 new cases, and 7,700 deaths anticipated this year.

Does the skin of young people show these harmful effects?

Skin aging and cancer are delayed effects that show up many years after the exposure. Unfortunately, since the damage is not immediately visible, young people are often unaware of the dangers of tanning. It is estimated that cases of skin cancer will continue to increase as people who are tanning in their teens and twenties reach middle age.

*Information excerpted from The Darker Side of Tanning©, published by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Learn more about the connection between skin cancer and indoor tanning in the recent issue of Dermatology Daily.

Amy S. Chang, MD, has joined SSDP as an associate physician. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Chang earned her MD degree from the Tufts University School of Medicine. She did an internal medicine internship at the Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, RI, followed by a 3-year dermatology residency at the Boston University and Tufts University Combined Dermatology Residency Program.

Upon completing her specialty training, Dr. Chang was immediately recruited by Tufts Medical Center as an Assistant Professor of Dermatology and served as the Associate Residency Program Director. Licensed in Massachusetts and California, she is on the staff of the Good Samaritan Medical Center (GSMC) in Brockton and the Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Formerly a member of the Association of Professors of Dermatology and American Contact Dermatitis Society, Dr. Chang is a current member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology (MAD), and the New England Dermatological Society (NEDS). She is the sixth Board certified dermatologist to join the SSDP staff.

Katalin “Kate” Kovalszki, MD, has been named an SSDP partner. A Board certified dermatologist, Dr. Kovalszki has been in practice with SSDP since 2009.

A highly regarded physician who specializes in providing patient-centered care, Dr. Kovalszki earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and an MD degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She completed an internal medicine internship and a dermatology residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center, where she received the “You’re Super” award for Outstanding Patient Care.

On the staff of the Good Samaritan Medical Center (GSMC) in Brockton, she was a presenter at the AAD Annual Meeting in 2008 and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology (MAD), the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), and Phi Beta Kappa.

Harsh winter weather can take a toll on your child’s lips and skin. Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob your child’s lips and skin of their natural moisture and cause uncomfortable dryness and chapping.

To protect your child from winter-related discomforts, follow these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology:

• Increase the moisture: Keep the air in your home moist with a humidifier.
• Don’t lick: The constant wetting and drying that occurs with licking quickly causes chapped lips.
• Cover your face: In the winter, especially on windy days, make sure your child is covered by a scarf or hat that covers his or her lips.
• Use lip balm and sunscreen on your child’s lips and skin: Because the sun can cause chapped lips and make already chapped lips worse, use a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on your child’s body, even on cloudy days.
• Wash your child with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and soaps.
• Apply liberal amounts of moisturizer to your child’s skin after bathing.
• Exercise extra caution around snow which can reflect the damaging rays of the sun and increase the chance of sunburn.

Learn more about caring for your child’s skin from the American Academy of Dermatology at http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/childrens-skin-care. Have questions? Phone 508.535.DERM (3376) to schedule an appointment with one of our Board certified dermatologists.

Photo from http://www.skincancer.org

Rejuvenize Peel™

Reduce the visibility of sun damage, lines and wrinkles, acne scars, and melasma with the Rejuvenize Peel ™ from SkinMedica at SSDP. This non-invasive treatment works quickly and easily to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and rough skin texture, and improve the effects of acne, acne scarring and melasma. The Rejuvenize Peel™ produces noticeable improvement after just one treatment and significant results after three to six peels.

EltaMD Moisturizer

This safe, effective moisturizer provides relief from skin problems associated with diabetes, renal disease and medications such as tretinoin. The waterproof, fast-melting formula spreads easily and moisturizes deeply to soothe irritation, redness and flaking. Safe to use around the eyes, EltaMD Moisturizer is non-comedogenic, sensitivity and fragrance free, and safe to use around the eyes.

To learn more about these and other cosmetic products from SSDP, contact our office at 508.535.3376, Option 7, or by email at http://www.southshorederm.com/contact.php.

Think you know the facts about acne? Test your knowledge with this short quiz from SSDP.

1. Acne is caused by dirty skin.

False. All types of acne are caused by clogged pores in the skin. Pores become clogged by increased production of oil in the skin and produce different types of acne lesions.

2. Acne only affects teenagers.

False. Acne can occur from infancy through adulthood. A growing number of women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond are developing acne, although it is not clear why this is happening.

3. The best way to treat acne is by vigorously washing or scrubbing the affected area.

False. Excessive washing of the skin can dry out and irritate the skin’s surface and prevent one
from using some of the more effective topical acne treatments which may be somewhat drying themselves.

4. Teenagers don’t need to be treated for acne since they’ll eventually outgrow it

False. Treating adolescents for acne prevents additional breakouts and scarring, and provides
psychological benefits such as increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety and depression.

5. Avoiding certain foods can help prevent breakouts.

Controversial. At one time it was felt that diet played no role in the development of acne. Now a segment of dermatologists believes that certain foods may indeed play a role in acne. Our belief is that if you find a food that consistently triggers acne in your skin, it is best to avoid it.

6. If you’re prone to acne breakouts, using oil-free products may help keep your skin clear.

True. Look for skin care products labeled “oil-free,” “non-comedogenic,” or “won’t clog pores.” You may have to experiment with different products to find the ones that work for you.

7. Only people with severe acne need treatment.

False. All types of acne are best treated at an early stage in order to avoid scarring, reduced
self-esteem, and increased risk of depression. The best way to determine the right treatment for acne-prone skin is by consulting a Board certified dermatologist who can diagnose the type of acne and recommend the proper course of treatment.

8. Most cases of acne can be controlled.

True. Today, there are many effective over-the-counter and prescription medications for
acne. While not every treatment regimen will work for every patient, one can usually find a treatment that is well-tolerated and effective.

If you have a question about acne or another skin problem, contact South Shore Dermatology Physicians (SSDP) at 508-535-3376 to schedule an appointment with one of our Board certified dermatologists.

If you’ve ever had a sore that wouldn’t heal or a pimple that wouldn’t go away, chances are you may have wondered if it was basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC is often identified as a sore that doesn’t heal, but in truth, it can take many different forms.

BCC is also the most common and least serious of all skin cancers. While it almost never metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body), it can grow deep in the skin to underlying structures and cause significant local destruction. The good news is basal cell carcinoma usually grows slowly and there are several effective treatment options for it.

Most often, basal cell carcinoma occurs on areas of the skin that get a lot of sun exposure. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, BCC may appear as a:

• Reddish patch of dry skin that won’t heal
• Flesh-colored (or pink, red, or brown) pearl-shaped lump
• Pimple that just won’t clear
• Sore that bleeds, heals, and then returns
• Scar that feels waxy — may be skin-colored, white, or yellow
• Group of slow-growing, shiny pink or red growths — look like sores, often scaly and bleed easily
• Flat or sunken growth — feels hard, may be white or yellow

The best way to ensure that a growth on the skin is not BCC or another form of skin cancer is to have it examined by a Board-certified dermatologist. If you have a question about a lesion on your skin, contact SSDP at 508.535.DERM (3376) to schedule an appointment with one of our expert physicians.

Photos from the American Academy of Dermatology