Sunscreen is safe and can protect your skin against skin cancer and premature aging. However, it is not as effective unless it's applied correctly. Follow these tips from dermatologists when applying sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water resistant, and provides

Although ear piercings are more common and can be less risky than other body piercings, they can still cause complications if not handled safely. For anyone thinking about getting their ears pierced, dermatologists urge people to follow these steps to avoid infection: Always wash your hands before

Boils are pus-filled skin infections that occur around a hair follicle or oil gland. This causes a red, painful lump to form as pus collects under the skin. A boil that occurs on the eyelid is called a stye. To treat a boil or stye at home, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Make a warm

If you have a cold sore – small blisters on the lip or around the mouth – you’re not alone. More than half of Americans ages 14 to 49 carry the virus that causes cold sores. The virus stays in the body even after the cold sores clear. If the virus reactivates, or wakes up, you could get cold sores. Cold

Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your skin. When diabetes affects the skin, it’s often a sign that your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. This could mean that: You have undiagnosed diabetes, or pre-diabetes Your treatment for diabetes needs to be adjusted If

  Hidradenitis suppurativa: This skin disease often forms on the underarm. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Overview Also called acne inversa What is hidradenitis suppurativa? Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a disease that usually begins as pimple-like bumps on the skin. The pimple-like bumps tend to develop

Atopic dermatitis: Overview Also called: Eczema This is a common skin disease in children. It is so common that people have given it a few names: Eczema (name most people use) Dermatitis Atopic (a-top-ic) eczema Atopic dermatitis To avoid confusion, we’ll use the medical term atopic

Fillers: Overview Also called soft-tissue fillers, dermal fillers, soft-tissue augmentation As we age, our skin loses its youthful fullness. Fillers help to restore lost fullness to the face, lips, and hands.  Fillers are popular for several reasons. Patients like that they can return to everyday

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP): Overview What is dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans?   Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: This raised, reddish-brown patch began as a small red lump that grew slowly. Dermatofibrosarcoma (dur-mah-toe-fy-bro-sar-co-ma) protuberans (pro-to-bur-anz) (DFSP) is a rare

How you wash your face can make a difference in your appearance. Follow these tips from dermatologists to help you keep your face looking healthy. Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser.

These basic tips will help you apply a self-tanner so you get even coverage and longer-lasting results. Follow these steps: Exfoliate. Use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin prior to applying a self-tanner. Using an exfoliating product also will help remove dead skin cells. Spend a little more time

  Contact dermatitis: Many health care workers develop an allergy to latex, as did this nurse. Her rash is due to touching her face while wearing latex gloves. Contact dermatitis: Overview Almost everyone gets this type of eczema at least once. We get contact dermatitis when something that our

  Dyshidrotic eczema on a patient's palm: The tiny, deep-seated blisters are often very itchy. Dyshidrotic eczema: Overview What is dyshidrotic eczema? Dyshidrotic (dis-hi-drah- tic) eczema (DE) is a common group of skin conditions in which the skin cannot protect itself as well as it should, so

Eczema is a common skin condition in children, which begins with very itchy skin. Scratching can cause a rash that can become infected. If your child’s eczema is frequently infected, your child’s dermatologist may recommend bleach bath therapy. Bleach baths can be helpful for many children who have

Most children’s atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, does not have a clear cause, such as an allergy, dermatologists say most eczema will improve with good skin care. Research shows that by treating the eczema, the better the skin can function. With eczema, the skin can become very dry, itchy, and

  Alopecia areata: This disease causes hair loss and often occurs in otherwise healthy people. Alopecia areata: Overview Alopecia (al-oh-PEE-shah) means hair loss. When a person has a medical condition called alopecia areata (ar-ee-AH-tah), the hair falls out in round patches. The hair can fall out

Adult acne: This 25-year-old woman has had acne for years and gets the typical deep, inflamed pimples and cysts common in adult acne. Why it happens and what you can do for it Acne can be particularly frustrating for adults. A treatment that worked so well during our teen years can be useless —

Do you know how to spot skin cancer? In this video, the American Academy of Dermatology used an ultraviolet camera to show people the sun damage hidden underneath their skin. While you can’t see all the sun damage on your skin, it’s important to check the spots you can see – before it’s too late. Everyone

Many treatments that enhance the appearance of your hair can actually damage it, causing your hair to become dry and brittle. Follow these dermatologists’ tips to prevent dry, brittle hair: When dyeing your hair, stay ‘on shade’. Choose a dye within three shades of your natural color. Typically

Cosmetic treatments may look easy. But knowing whether a treatment is safe for you and can deliver the results you want requires in-depth medical knowledge of the skin. Dermatologists have this unique training. Without this training, complications become more common. One woman had blisters, swelling,

  Before treatment: This woman disliked her deep frown lines. Botulinum toxin therapy: Overview Also called botulinum rejuvenation Brand names: Botox® Cosmetic, Dysport®, MYOBLOC®, and XEOMIN®   When you look in the mirror, do you see deep frown lines? These lines bother many people.   To

  Acne scar treatment: This woman's dermatologist treated her acne scars (left) with acne scar surgery and laser therapy. At 3 months (right), she has noticeable improvement. Acne scars: Overview If acne scars bother you, safe and effective treatment is available. Treatment can diminish acne

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Fortunately, acne can often be reduced with simple changes to a person’s skin care routine. It’s very common for patients with acne to scrub their skin and to use harsh products, yet doing so often makes acne worse. In order for acne to

Bedbugs: Overview Bedbugs are tiny insects that feed on human blood. They hide in dark places close to where humans sleep and usually crawl out to feed while people are fast asleep.   Bedbug bites: Most people who are bitten by bedbugs have welts that look like these shown above. Bedbugs can be

Adult acne: The number of adults who have acne is growing. Acne: Overview Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Although it's common, accurate information about acne can be scarce. This can make it difficult to get clearer skin. The information on this site can help you understand

A few people who used a non-prescription acne product have developed a serious allergic reaction. Between 1969 and January 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received 131 such reports. That makes this reaction extremely rare. All products named in the reports contained either benzoyl

  Acanthosis nigricans: This skin condition causes areas of skin to darken and thicken as shown here on this 15-year-old girl's hands. Acanthosis nigricans: Overview What is acanthosis nigricans? Acanthosis nigricans (ay-can-THOE-sis NIE-gri-cans) (AN)  is a skin condition that causes one

Chemical peels: Overview Also called chemexfoliation, derma peeling Do you wish that you could simply peel signs of aging from your skin? Dermatologists use chemical peels to do just this. A chemical peel can diminish many signs of aging on the face as well as the hands, neck, and chest. Chemical peels