What should I do with my face?
February 11th, 2013
Would Botox work for me? Should I get a chemical peel? What moisturizer should I use? Over 50% of our patients have questions regarding their skin care products and cosmetic procedures. It is often difficult to fully address these concerns during their regular medical visit. Therefore, we have decided to offer free consultations to answer the question, “What should I do with my face?” Once a month, we will offer free 15 minute consultations on skin care and cosmetic procedures. We will advise you on the benefits, side effects, and costs of treatments that would be appropriate for your skin type. If we recommend a service or procedure that we do not offer, we will do our best to refer you to the appropriate provider. Our first sessions will be Thursday April 11, 2013 by appointment only. Call now to schedule.  724-935-9133.
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Latisse…A New Cure for Balding?
May 13th, 2011
There is excitement in the medical community that a new product may be developed to treat scalp balding.  Latisse® is a solution that is used to grow eyelashes and has been on the market since 2008. Many physicians specializing in hair loss treatment and restoration have been using the generic form of the drug bimatoprost since 2007 to treat scalp hair loss. They have found that 70% of their patients had significant response.  The pharmaceutical company Allergan that produces Latisse® sees the potential for a FDA approved treatment for hair loss and just recently began phase 1 trials.
Let’s wish them luck and success in the trials.  Let’s also hope the price of the medication is affordable.  Latisse® currently costs $150 for 3 ml.  My own hair is thinning… genetic trait I inherited from my dear grandmother…so I decided to begin using it on my own scalp, sparingly. But how many treatments can you get out of a tiny bottle that costs $150? I wince at the price.  So we can only wish that if a new drug for hair loss is in the pipeline and proves to be effective that it will also be affordable.
There are several other options for hair loss currently on the market that are FDA-approved and range in price. Topical Rogaine® costs about $25 and can be used by men and women. Propecia® is an oral medication approved for men only and costs about $75 per month.  Hair transplants currently range from $7000-$10,000.  HairMax LaserComb® is hand-held device that uses laser energy to stimulate hair growth and costs about $500. What does the future hold?  Perhaps hair cloning will be the treatment for hair loss.  It is currently being studied at several academic centers and may be commercially available in ten years.
So what’s a girl to do with thin hair? I just love the thickening shampoo by Rene Furterer Paris called Forticea ($25). My hair feels like it doubles in size after each use. I also use the Rene Furterer’s Vitalfan dietary supplements ($40 per month).  My complete hair maintenance regimen also includes the use of the HairMax LaserComb® twice a week and Rogaine® topical solution daily.  Wish me luck. I can’t wait ten years!
Video Good Morning America video on Latisse for hair loss, featuring Dr. Alan Bauman, a hair-restoration specialist based in Florida who helped pioneer the use of bimatoprost in his hair loss patientsÂ
Video Dateline video following several men who suffer from hair loss and the treatments that they used to combat baldnessÂ
View New York Times article on Latisse for hair loss
Dear Dr. Abell: What is Mole Mapping?
April 29th, 2011
Mole mapping typically involves photography of the entire body. These photographs are saved digitally. These images serve as a baseline and assist the physician during the patient’s annual skin exam to see if any skin lesions are new or have changed. This is particularly useful in monitoring people at higher risk for melanoma. This may include individuals with numerous moles, a history of dysplastic or atypical moles, a personal or family history of melanoma, a history of multiple sunburns, or a history of tanning bed use.
The average dermatologist sees up to 10,000 patients per year. It is impossible for any medical provider to accurately remember whether any individual mole is new or has changed. If a mole is changing appearance or is a new lesion, it may be suspicious and require a biopsy to determine if it is a skin cancer. When melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is detected early, it is almost always curable. However, if the melanoma has spread, it is difficult to treat and can be fatal. Therefore, early detection is critical.
There are several advantages of mole mapping. The digital images can be used to determine whether a lesion of concern is new or has changed. The physician can then determine if the change necessitates a biopsy or continued surveillance. The patient and the physician do not have to rely solely on memory. The patient can keep an electronic file, CD, or prints of their photographs that can be transported to a new physician if the patient ever changes healthcare providers.
However, mole mapping has not yet been proven to save lives. There may be a melanoma in a hidden site that has not been photographed. Early melanoma may look like a normal mole or other benign skin lesion, and might be missed. Melanoma, particularly nodular melanoma, may grow rapidly; it may reach a dangerous size before the next planned skin exam. Thus, while mole mapping serves as a significant aid, it is not a substitute for annual full body skin examinations by your dermatologist.
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Welcome to Our Blog!
February 15th, 2011
Within this regularly updated feature of my website, I will provide visitors with practice news and specials, as well as information regarding the most recent technological advances and new treatments in dermatology.Â
I believe that patient education and open communication with your doctor are the keys to achieving healthy, aesthetically-pleasing results and patient satisfaction, which is why I strive to provide the highest quality of dermatologic care for patients of all ages. This is done by combining technical skill and broad experience with cutting-edge technology for impeccable medical and cosmetic results.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to visit my new blog. Please check back often to learn about the latest news, updates and additions to the practice and within the field of dermatology, and feel free to post comments and/or suggestions on any posts that you find of interest.
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