As a clinical professor of dermatology, Dr. Seth Matarasso has assembled some top tips on how you can use this extra time to keep up with your beauty routine and emerge from isolation ready to face the world.

Establish a Skin Care Standard

For people who habitually get cosmetic treatments such as laser skin resurfacing or microdermabrasion, take advantage of this opportunity to get into a regular home skin care routine. Contrary to what you might think, taking good care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated or involve multiple products. Cleanse your skin every morning and evening, and follow it up with a gentle, lightweight moisturizer. If you’re going outside or sitting near a window, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen if your moisturizer doesn’t already include it. Also, don’t over-exfoliate, as micro-tears in your skin will cause irritation.

Get Plenty of Sleep

There’s a good reason we call it “beauty sleep.” While you’re asleep, your body uses that time to repair damaged cells and replenish your energy. Give yourself the rest you deserve and help eliminate puffiness and dark undereye circles by getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Don’t Forget to Hydrate

Your skin needs moisture to retain its elasticity and help prevent the signs of premature aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to your daily application of moisturizer, drink plenty of water. If you’re thirsty, that means you’re already dehydrated, so always keep a glass of water within reach. You can also get water from moisture-rich foods such as cucumber, lettuce, strawberries, and melons. As a bonus, you’ll be eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables with this approach.

Go Makeup-Free

If you aren’t leaving the house, choose the bare-faced route and give your skin a break from pore-clogging makeup. Not only will this allow your skin a chance to breathe and reduce the potential for breakouts, but it will also reduce the number of potentially hazardous chemicals you expose yourself to.

Make a DIY Face Mask

For an anti-aging DIY face mask, combine yogurt with honey to gently remove dead skin cells and make your complexion look softer and smoother. Mix one tablespoon of honey with two tablespoons of plain, unflavored Greek yogurt. Smooth onto your face and let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

San Francisco’s Skin Care Expert

Whether your dermatological needs are cosmetic or clinical in nature, Dr. Matarasso is here to help you achieve your healthiest glow. If you live in the greater San Francisco area, schedule your consultation today by calling us at 415-362-2238.

Anyone of any age can develop spider veins – web-like blood vessels (capillaries) that appear just beneath the surface of the skin. However, some people may have a higher chance of getting them than others. Common causes of facial spider veins include genes, sun damage, weather changes, pregnancy, environmental pollution, alcohol use, and rosacea.

Broken capillaries are not harmful or painful, but they can be an unsightly and embarrassing cosmetic concern. If you feel your spider veins are detracting from your appearance, Dr. Matarasso offers a reliable remedy.

How to Get Rid of Spider Veins

Are prominent facial veins affecting your quality of life? The good news is that they are treatable. For example, photofacials with lasers or intense pulsed light (IPL) is an excellent way to stop spider veins and many other skin imperfections such as hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, scars, and enlarged pores.

IPL and lasers use rapid flashes of light to destroy broken blood vessels. They are a safe, non-invasive and brief way to get smoother skin permanently, with zero downtime. Photorejuvenation treatments are ideal for people who have a goal of refining skin texture and evening out skin discoloration caused by sun damage, aging, acne, rosacea, damaged blood vessels, enlarged pores, and fine lines. All skin tones and types can benefit from using IPL to correct these types of concerns.

Stop Spider Veins From Returning

If your broken capillaries come back, you can get additional laser or IPL treatments to stop spider veins from re-emerging. It is safe to have periodic maintenance treatments several times per year, as Dr. Matarasso recommends.

Additional ways to stop spider veins from re-emerging include the following.

Protect Your Skin From Sun Exposure

Sunscreen is the ultimate secret weapon against premature aging and damaged skin, but it’s especially valuable after laser and IPL therapy, both of which will make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays anyway. You will need to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every time you go outside. Since sun damage is one of the causes of broken capillaries, you can improve the overall quality of your skin and prevent the formation of new spider veins by using sunblock diligently.

Avoid Extreme Heat

Blood vessel dilation can result from overheating. Always wash your face in lukewarm water, instead of hot water. When you shower, try to keep your face out of the stream of heated water. If there is high heat in the forecast, stay indoors. Steer clear of spas or saunas.

Only Drink Alcohol in Moderation

Alcohol use can cause your blood vessels to enlarge. Heavy drinking can eventually lead to the development of spider veins on your face. Ask your doctor if you need alternative strategies to help you drink less often.

Exfoliate Gently

Elbow grease may be what the doctor ordered when you’re cleaning up kitchen messes, but it’s not good to go overboard when cleaning your face. Ease up on the pressure, and don’t use an overly gritty exfoliant to clear your pores of impurities.

Stop Spider Veins in San Francisco

Broken capillaries can put a dent in your self-esteem, but you can stop them from being a concern in your life with a visit to Dr. Matarasso. As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Matarasso offers some of the most sought-after procedures for treating skin concerns such as spider veins, discoloration, and uneven skin texture. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about how to put spider veins behind you.

Fall is finally here, and after a long summer of fun in the sun, you may be noticing a few new lines and wrinkles on your face. Sun damage is one of the leading signs of premature aging and failing to take care of your skin can make you look years older than you actually are.

The sun damage is already here. So, what can you do to reverse summer sun damage and start feeling more confident in your appearance? Here are some of our favorite suggestions.

Fraxel®

Fraxel is a specially designed fractional laser that treats skin in small segments. This FDA-approved laser can provide unparalleled skin tightening while removing flaws such as sunspots, uneven texture, melasma, scarring, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. The heat from the laser promotes gradual production of collagen and elastin, which means you will continue to see improvements in the months following your treatment.

Fraxel is effective for your face, as well as your sun-damaged neck, chest, and hands. Dr. Matarasso can customize the depth of your Fraxel treatment depending on your specific concerns and the imperfections you want to address. You may also wish to schedule more than one Fraxel session for even more dramatic results.

Downtime is minimal, and the most common side effects are redness, swelling, skin bronzing, and flaking. After a Fraxel treatment, you will need to be diligent about applying moisturizer and using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every time you go outside. 

Intense Pulsed Light

Intense pulsed light, or IPL, is another non-surgical option Dr. Matarasso offers for improving the quality of your skin. Unlike Fraxel which uses a single frequency of laser energy, IPL uses multiple frequencies of intense light to produce results. Applying this light energy in bursts rejuvenates damaged skin cells. However, IPL is akin to Fraxel in that it only affects targeted treatment areas, leaving the surrounding skin untouched. 

IPL is a no-downtime way to reduce sun-damaged skin and reverse many of the most common side effects of aging, including sunspots, freckles, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. It can also treat concerns like spider veins and unwanted body hair. IPL is safe for nearly all skin types and is more comfortable than some other options because of the cooling gel used during the procedure. 

Depending on your goals, you can schedule a series of several IPL sessions spaced 30 to 60 days apart. After IPL, your skin will be more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, so be sure to apply sunscreen before leaving the house.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing treatment that is excellent for sun-damaged, uneven, or dull skin. Instead of using light energy to produce results, the microdermabrasion technique uses a tool that gently exfoliates the skin with aluminum oxide crystals. Removing old, dead skin cells stimulates collagen production and helps improve both the texture and appearance of your skin. 

Microdermabrasion is mild enough to not require any anesthesia beforehand or downtime for recovery afterward. It’s an excellent all-around rejuvenation treatment that only takes about half an hour to perform. If you’re short on free-time, schedule your appointment for your lunch break and be back at work immediately afterward.  

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a unique, FDA-approved treatment that uses ultrasound energy to refresh the skin on the face, neck, and décolletage area. It can penetrate deeper than lasers, which makes it highly effective at promoting collagen production, tightening the skin, and making you look younger.

Because there is no healing time necessary after getting Ultherapy, it’s an ideal treatment for anyone who leads a busy lifestyle and isn’t willing to commit to the lengthy recovery process that often follows surgeries such as a facelift or neck lift. Ultherapy is also an excellent option for anyone who wants natural-looking results that gradually improve over time. 

Who Loves the Sun? Not Everyone

If you’re ready to reclaim your skin from the cumulative effects of sun damage, seek help from San Francisco’s leading skincare expert, Dr. Seth Matarasso. As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Matarasso is proud to offer many of the latest cutting-edge, non-surgical treatments available for sun damage. His goal is to get his patients looking and feeling their best. To learn more about how you can reverse the effects of summer sun damage, contact us for a consultation and put your best face forward this fall.

Celebrities live their lives in the spotlight – a glamorous lifestyle we’ve all daydreamed about having at least once. They get to jet-set around the world and wear clothes and jewelry from famous designers. Whether you see them on a talk show or rocking the red carpet at an awards ceremony, they always look like they just stepped out of the glossy pages of a magazine.

What can you do to mimic that refreshed, ready-for-anything look in your life? Read on for five simple celebrity skincare essentials.

1. Hyaluronic Acid

This naturally occurring molecule is nature’s perfect humectant. It has an incredible capacity to attract and retain skin-plumping moisture. If your skin is losing volume or beginning to show wrinkles and fine lines, hyaluronic acid might be the key skincare ingredient you’ve been looking for.

Many topical moisturizers and serums feature hyaluronic acid as a main ingredient, so if you’re seeking more of this miraculous substance, ask us for a product recommendation. For the most advanced anti-aging benefits consider having hyaluronic acid injected into your skin in the form of a product such as Juvéderm.

Dermal fillers like Juvéderm can provide volume to areas of your face where it is lacking, like your cheeks and the tear troughs below your eyes. They can also smooth out fine lines and make you look subtly younger and more refreshed.

2. Sunscreen

The existence of sunscreen isn’t exactly a secret to anyone, but many people don’t apply the correct amount of coverage or a high enough SPF. And let’s face it, you’ve probably been a bit lax in your sunscreen usage at times. Celebrities who want a healthy glow know there’s no safe or healthy way to tan, and that sun damage puts you on the fast track to looking older.

Embrace your inner celeb by applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more anytime you plan to go outdoors, even if it’s just a short walk to the mailbox. Put it not only on your face but any part of your body that will get exposed to the sun’s damaging UV rays. Don’t forget your neck, chest, and the backs of your hands – all areas that age just as rapidly as your face when exposed to excessive sun damage. By practicing healthy sunscreen habits, you will also help lower your risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

3. Regular Exfoliation

Factors like makeup and environmental pollution can clog your pores, making you more prone to breakouts and causing your skin to look dull and tired. If you haven’t already done so, add exfoliation to your self-care regimen of cleansing and moisturizing your skin. You can find exfoliating products at the drugstore, or you can take your exfoliation a step further with a procedure like microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion is a spa-quality treatment that safely removes the top layers of dead skin cells for excellent improvements to the overall tone and texture of the skin. It also stimulates collagen production for continuing results. The procedure is safe, painless, non-surgical, and requires no downtime for healing.

4. Hydration

We all know about the health benefits of staying hydrated, but many people don’t drink enough water throughout the day. Relying solely on sugary, caffeine-filled beverages for your hydration isn’t a smart strategy if your goal is to look younger for longer. The real fountain of youth is full of good old H2O.

If you have trouble remembering to drink water, there are plenty of smartphone apps you can download to keep you on track with your hydration goals. You can also get hydration from water-rich foods such as cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, celery, oranges, and grapefruit.

5. Exercise

Exercise is good for every facet of your mental and physical health, including your skin. You may not be able to afford a celebrity fitness trainer, but you can still carve out time from your daily routine to work up a sweat. As little as 30 minutes of physical activity, such as running, walking, biking, or dancing, can leave you with a healthy glow, improve your mood, and help you feel mentally sharper, as well.

Get the Look Without the Lifestyle

You don’t have to be famous to have beautiful skin that leaves other people enviously wondering what your secret is. You can take these top tips from celebrities and apply them to your regular routine to boost your appearance. To learn more about ways to keep your skin in tip-top condition, schedule your consultation with Dr. Seth Matarasso, a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco.

As we head into the dog days of summer, is your skincare routine keeping up what Mother Nature is throwing at you? You can’t keep using the same products year-round and expect them to work consistently well. Hot weather requires you to deal with both humidity and extra-strong UV rays, which can cause clogged pores, sun damage, premature aging, and even skin cancer if you aren’t diligent about protecting your skin.  

Summer Skincare Tips to Apply Today

Summer is a more laid-back time of year, but exposure to the heat, humidity, and sun causes your skin to suffer, especially if you don’t pay attention to the different needs this season brings. What are the best strategies to follow for your skin type? As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Seth Matarasso brings his expertise to advise you on the best ways to switch up your summer skincare regimen.

1. Avoid Heavyweight Products

In the winter, you need a thicker moisturizer to protect your skin from the cold, dry air, but using that same moisturizer in the summer heat will clog your pores faster than you know what hit you. Instead of sticking with the same cleanser and moisturizer, swap for a lightweight, oil-free lotion that will hydrate gently without causing summer breakouts and greasy skin. 

2. Wash Your Face Frequently

Is your “summer glow” a result of a restful vacation you took, or is it because your skin is sweaty and oily? Especially if you are prone to breakouts, make sure you use a gentle cleanser that does not contain any harsh chemicals, which can strip skin of its natural protective moisture barrier. You can also look for products that contain exfoliants, which remove dead skin cells and pollutants from your pores.

3. Wear Sunscreen Daily

Choose a sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF rating of at least 15 and put it on every time you go out in the sun. Reapply regularly, especially after swimming and sweating. For best results, check the label for the terms “non-comedogenic” — which means it won’t clog your pores — and “broad-spectrum” — which means it will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays. Remember, there is no safe or healthy way to tan. If you still insist on having a sun-kissed look, search for a tinted sunscreen that can double as a light makeup. In the future, you’ll be glad you were proactive about protecting yourself from against sunspots, wrinkles, and the risk of skin cancer.

4. Use Acne Facial Cleansers and Spot Treatments

We all sweat more when it’s hot or humid outside, though many of us are reluctant to admit it. Extra sweat and sebum can clog your pores and trigger an unfortunate acne breakout. To keep blemishes at bay, use a mild anti-acne facial cleanser, and keep a spot treatment handy for calming problem skin.

5. Look for On-the-Go Skin Protection

Having a busy schedule is no excuse for forgetting to follow your summer skin routine. We recommend buying travel sizes of your favorite sunscreen so you can reapply every couple of hours. You can also find small packs of moist towelettes that easily slip into a pocket or purse and pull out when you need a refresher throughout the day.

Summer Skin Starts at Our San Francisco Practice

Though this list is a good start of tips for switching up your skincare for the season, remember that taking good care of your skin is about more than just applying a lightweight moisturizer or buying an exfoliating cleanser. It’s also about understanding your skin type and how to maintain healthy skin to the best of your ability. You can have beautiful, glowing skin in any season if you take time to learn about your unique needs and adjust your routine accordingly.

Whether you have a chronic skin condition like acne or eczema that makes it more challenging for you to find effective summer skincare products, or you are looking for ways to refresh your skin in hot, humid weather, call our San Francisco office at 415-362-2238 to book a consultation with Dr. Matarasso. He can use his extensive training to recommend the best anti-aging treatments and procedures that also contribute to a healthy complexion.

Summer has finally arrived, which means it’s time to get out there and enjoy everything this season has to offer. However, you should be careful about how much sun you soak up. It only takes one sunburn to cause significant damage to your complexion that makes you look older than you really are. With that in mind, here’s our complete guide to sun and skin exposure to help you protect yourself from harmful UV rays year-round.

Who Loves the Sun? Not Everyone

Human bodies evolved to reap the maximum health benefits from Earth’s golden star. Sunlight helps you regulate your sleep patterns, keeping you awake during the day and signaling you when it is time to wind down at night. The sun also causes your skin to produce vitamin D, which is essential for good health. However, there’s a dark side of sun exposure: skin damage.

If you paid close attention in those high school science classes, you probably remember light travels from the sun to our planet’s surface in wave form. Ultraviolet, or UV, light, is the kind that damages your skin at the cellular level. There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. Over time, both kinds can affect the health of your skin. 

The more sun exposure you get in childhood, the earlier you will begin to see signs of aging such as uneven tone and texture, wrinkles, and less elasticity. However, UV damage is cumulative, and as a result, you will notice your skin has a harder and harder time bouncing back as you get older. 

A Brief Guide to Skin Cancer

In addition to showing your age sooner, excessive sun exposure can also increase your risk of developing skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the United States.

How do the sun’s rays cause skin cancer? When UV light hits skin cells, it can harm the DNA inside them. This damaged DNA can cause the cells to grow and divide rapidly, creating clusters of excess cells called a tumor. These may be either cancerous or harmless.

Often, the first sign of skin cancer is a tiny blemish or spot on your skin. A cancer that begins in your skin cells can also become more aggressive, eventually spreading to affect other organs in your body.

Dermatologists divide skin cancer into three categories: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Of the three, melanoma is the most severe type, with life-threatening potential. Warning signs of all three of these cancers include changes in the size, shape, or color of a mole or other blemish, a sore that won’t heal, or the emergence of a new skin lesion.

Because all three kinds of skin cancers are highly curable when you detect them and get them removed early, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends monthly head-to-toe self-screenings to note the location of new or changing moles that might be cancerous or precancerous.

Dr. Seth Matarasso offers innovative Mohs micrographic surgery, the most advanced and effective way to remove skin cancer and prevent it from recurring.  

Ways to Minimize Sun Damage

The most common-sense way to protect your skin from damage, including skin cancer, is to limit how much sun exposure you receive. Avoid spending too long in the sun. If you must be outside on a bright, sunny day, stay away from direct sunlight if possible. Wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and reapply sunscreen frequently between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which is when the sun’s rays beat down with the most intensity.

If your goal in soaking up the rays is to kickstart your body’s production of vitamin D, remember it only takes 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure to get the job done. You can also get vitamin D from foods and dietary supplements.

When you need to go outside, even if it’s cloudy, be smart. Before you leave your house, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your face and body, and reapply it every two hours. 

Sun-Smart in San Francisco 

Limiting the amount of time you spend outside is the best way to protect your skin. If you are worried about sun damage or your chances of developing skin cancer, contact our office today to make an appointment. Not only does Dr. Matarasso provide advanced surgery for skin cancer, but he also offers a variety of cosmetic treatments to help you look your best.

From bubble face masks to at-home facials, it seems there are new skincare trends popping up wherever you look. However, following some of these trends can do more harm than good. Not all products are safe to use on every type of skin, for example. You might be following a damaging skincare routine without realizing it. With that in mind, here are five trends to steer clear of.

1. DIY Skincare Products

You’ve probably read at least one article or blog post with recipes for making all-natural scrubs, moisturizers, cleansers, or even sunscreens with ingredients such as honey, oats, avocado, lemon juice, and yogurt. But you might not realize some of these ingredients are problematic for more than one reason. For example, lemon juice can cause extreme photosensitivity to skin, and there’s no evidence that yogurt causes any benefits when applied topically. Depending on your skin type, making and applying at-home skincare products could clog pores and cause breakouts. For these reasons, it’s best not to hop on board with this trend. 

2. Peel-Off Masks

Peel-off masks have exploded in popularity in recent years, but if you have sensitive skin, you may wish to think twice about using them. These masks can cause a great deal of irritation among people with conditions like rosacea, eczema, or acne. In addition, the act of peeling them off may get you plenty of likes on Instagram, but it stretches and pulls the skin, which can lead to a lack of elasticity and cause premature aging. Some of these masks contain harmful and even toxic ingredients. Also, peeling off the mask can remove the top layer of skin, stripping it of its protective layer of oils and leaving it more vulnerable to environmental factors like air pollution and UV rays.

3. Over-Moisturizing

The idea of layering oils like coconut oil onto your skin as a moisturizer has caught on thanks to many beauty bloggers. However, contrary to popular belief, when it comes to anti-aging benefits, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Your skin will only absorb what it needs, while the rest can sit on top and lead to breakouts and clogged pores. 

4. Overly Elaborate Skincare Routines

This beauty trend is another example of how it’s possible to go overboard with your skincare. If you have developed a complex routine that relies on tons of fancy gadgets and layering multiple products, you could be overdoing it. Applying too many products in the wrong order increases the chances that the ingredients in the different products could counteract each other. For best results, find a mild cleanser and a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that works well in tandem with each other. Skip toners, which can dry out your skin and lead to early aging.

5. Following Online Advice

The rise of social media has enabled many people to set themselves up as “experts,” even if they lack training or education on a given topic. Many of these people gain significant followings by posting regular blogs or videos where they offer beauty tips and tricks. While they are probably well-intentioned, the information they spread is often incorrect. When it comes to the health and quality of your skin, online advice is no substitute for visiting a qualified dermatologist who has years of study and practice as a skincare professional. There’s no harm in following your favorite beauty bloggers for fun, as long as you take their suggestions with a grain of salt. 

Improve the Quality of Your Skin

Whether you are seeking skincare solutions for medical reasons, or if you are looking to make cosmetic improvements with cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures, contact our San Francisco office today at 415-362-2238. Dr. Seth Matarasso is a leading expert in the field of aesthetic dermatology, and has also completed rigorous training in treating skin cancer with Mohs surgery. He is a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco and a frequent author and lecturer on topics of his expertise. 

When it comes to making a healthy skin care routine, your face takes priority. Not only is it the most visible and prominent area of your skin, it also develops wrinkles more quickly than other areas of your body due to the amount of fine muscle movement eroding its elasticity, so clearly, it needs the most attention.

Unfortunately, for many, their face is the beginning and end of skin care planning. However, since your skin is your largest organ and your first line of protection against the risks of the world around you, plenty of other places on your body need just as much attention to detail as your face.

Hands

Your hands are one of the most incredible parts of your body, and over your life, you will use them for hundreds of everyday tasks. However, we often take the skin on our hands for granted. When it gets dry, we often forget to moisturize until skin becomes painful and cracked. Many of us overlook the need to apply sunscreen to the backs of our hands as well, which means they could suffer more sun damage than the rest of your body.

If your hands are showing wrinkles, volume loss, age spots, and other signs of premature aging, don’t fret – you have options. For example, Fraxel is a laser treatment that can turn back the clock on your hands, erasing discoloration, uneven skin tone, and scarring. It will also stimulate your body’s natural collagen production, encouraging your skin to make more of this structural protein that is so essential to healthy skin.

Cosmetic fillers like those in the Juvéderm family can also help improve the appearance of the backs of hands that have become sunken or bony due to age-related tissue loss. With nearly immediate results, minimal risks and side effects, and no downtime for recovery, Juvéderm is undoubtedly a skin care tool to add to your arsenal.

Décolleté

It’s all too easy to overlook skin care for the chest, but it’s certainly an area that deserves protection and treating since it often gets just as much damaging UV exposure as your face. Décolleté, meaning “lower neck” in French, is a term that describes the skin stretching from your cleavage to your collarbone. Even people who have diligently followed a skin care regimen may have a dramatic difference in the degree of aging between their face and décolleté.

Some of this is because most people’s skincare routine doesn’t extend beyond their faces – but beyond that, this area often ages more rapidly than any other part of the body, even for those who take good care of the skin on their chest.

What’s the reason for this difference? The skin covering the décolleté is thinner and has fewer oil glands than most other parts of your body, making it more sensitive to irritation and sun damage. The thin skin on your décolleté is even more sensitive than your facial skin, so it requires at least as much attention. For patients who are concerned about premature aging on their décolleté, we recommend non-invasive procedures such as microdermabrasion and Ultherapy to smooth out skin and jumpstart collagen production.

Neck

Most of us know about the benefits of cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating, and applying sunscreen to our faces, but unfortunately, many people’s skincare regimen stops at their jawline. As a result, neck skin is often one of the first areas where the obvious signs of aging like sagging and wrinkling become evident. Unless you are a fan of turtleneck sweaters, most clothing doesn’t do much to cover up your neck, which exposes it to sun damage year-round. If you aren’t diligent about protecting the skin on your neck, you may wake up one morning to realize your neck looks several years older than your face.

In addition to making sure to start including your neck in your daily efforts to keep your skin clean, hydrated, and free of impurities, you can get laser treatments such as IPL to enhance the look of your neck and bring it in line with the appearance of your face.

Love the Look of Your Hands, Décolleté, and Neck

Are you ready to improve the quality of your skin without committing to surgery? Contact our San Francisco office today to schedule a consultation with the board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Seth L. Matarasso.

Botox is one of the safest, easiest, and most popular cosmetic solutions on the market today, and can address a wide range of issues when a trained physician administers it. However, despite its revolutionary success, the many misconceptions persistently surrounding this treatment have tarnished its reputation. Today, we are putting on our myth-busting hats to debunk these common fallacies.

1. Botox will “freeze” your face and make you look like a mannequin.

It’s a common movie and TV trope for characters to become expressionless after too many Botox treatments. While it’s true that Botox causes temporary muscle paralysis, a skilled practitioner will know exactly the right dosage to administer and where to place it so fewer wrinkles form in your face – not to the point that you can’t make normal facial expressions. “Frozen face” is the result of inexperienced practitioners administering too many units of Botox, and you can easily avoid this issue if you seek a provider who has the proper expertise and training.

2. Botox is purely cosmetic.

The benefits of Botox are far-reaching, and it can address several unfortunate real-life medical complaints. In fact, the FDA originally approved Botox to treat eye twitches and muscle spasms, and it did not become an aesthetic treatment until several years later. Since then, it has seen a wide range of uses, and today’s doctors now prescribe Botox injections to patients who suffer from issues like migraine headaches, hyperhidrosis, and acne.

3. Botox is poisonous.

While it is true Botox is based on botulinum toxin, it gets purified under laboratory conditions to the point where it becomes largely nontoxic. In addition, because your physician will inject the protein directly into your muscles to help relax them, it won’t get absorbed into your bloodstream. The dosage for cosmetic treatments is so small that it would take hundreds of times the amount of the protein to be toxic.

4. You can become addicted to Botox.

There is nothing physically or chemically addictive about Botox, though most people who receive it as a cosmetic treatment are so pleased with their anti-aging results that they wish to maintain them by getting follow-up injections a few times per year.

5. It will be too obvious that you had Botox treatments.

You may have read or heard overly dramatic “horror stories” that make it seem as if Botox injections will result in a massive change in your facial appearance. In reality, it has very subtle effects and gradual results. Botox will help you look younger and more relaxed, but it will not create a drastic change in how you look.

6. Botox injections are painful.

Because Botox is an injectable product, many patients worry about discomfort, but a mild local anesthetic numbs the injection sites and minimizes pain. In addition, the needles are small enough that you will barely even notice the treatment taking place. You may experience mild tenderness or slight bruising in the injection areas for a short time, but generally, Botox injections are a fast, easy, and virtually painless treatment that requires no recovery time.

7. Botox is only for one kind of person.

There is no such thing as an “ideal Botox patient.” Botox injections benefit younger patients and older patients equally well since preventative Botox for patients in their 20s and early 30s can stop lines from forming and reduce the need for future treatments. Men are also choosing to get Botox more today, often to maintain a youthful appearance as they re-enter the job market or dating scene.

Seek a Skilled Botox Practitioner in San Francisco

Unfortunately, misconceptions surrounding Botox injections are extremely persistent. That’s why Dr. Seth Matarasso works hard to provide results that speak for themselves. If you have any lingering doubts about the benefits of Botox as a natural-looking anti-aging treatment, contact Dr. Matarasso’s office for a personalized consultation.

Is your bottle of sunscreen in storage right now? Take it out. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean that your skin can take a break from sunscreens. Even if the weather is overcast or slightly cloudy, you should still protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

As you already know, UVA and UVB rays are strong and can cause as much damage to skin in the winter as in the summer. UVA rays, in particular, cause the skin to age significantly, as their radiation penetrates the deeper layers of the skin. Aside from wrinkles, UVA rays increase skin cancer risk. Although there’s a procedure that can detect skin cancer early on, it’s still better to take preventative steps to protect your skin from basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, and/or melanoma.

Why Wear Sunscreen?

While winter layers can provide warmth and coverage, the sun’s rays can still penetrate the exposed parts of your body, such as the hands, neck, and face. In addition to that, the harmful rays can still penetrate your skin through:

• Snow and Ice

Even though it’s gray and overcast outside, snow and ice can still reflect harmful UVA and UVB rays. You’ll never know when they’ll hit your skin so it’s best to put on sunscreen daily. If you’re going to the slopes to ski or snowboard, make sure to put on sunscreen with a stronger formula to keep windburn at bay.

• Thin Ozone Layer

The ozone layer is thinner in the cold months, so the exposure of UV rays in the earth’s surface is higher. With the atmosphere’s thin shield, it makes sense to use sun protection that has SPF30 or higher.

How to Keep Your Skin Protected?

Even if it’s cold outside, be sure to slather on sunscreen. Use these tips to keep your skin protected from winter sun damage.

• Beware of Sweat

You can still sweat even if you’re bundled up, so a one-time application is not enough. Reapply a moisturizer with SPF protection throughout the day to give you maximum coverage.

• Eat Nutritious Food

A healthy diet can add an extra layer of skin protection from the sun’s rays. Fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants will help your body fight free radicals and sun damage.

• Use the Right Sunscreen

Choose a product that offers a broad spectrum of coverage. In other words, select a product that contains both UVA and UVB blockers for total protection.

Prevention is better than cure, so don’t wait before skin damage becomes a problem. Protect your skin even if it’s winter, and you’ll thank yourself in later years. For more tips about skin protection, consult board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Seth Matarasso.