As the universities and secondary schools are preparing for spring break, it is important that we are educated and educate our young patients on the dangers of ultraviolet exposure. I am going to focus this blog more specifically towards the use of tanning beds. As a dermatology specialist and a parent, I find it unconscionable that ...

It's ironic that I wrote my last post on October 15, 2012, the 1-year anniversary of my one and only job as an NP. What a year! Or, rather, what a year and a half! The worst of times, yes (the end of a 30-year marriage in June 2011), but also the very best of times (Duke MSN/FNP in May 2011, certification in September 2011, dream job in ...

Lately it seems a rash (no pun intended) of patients have asked me how it was that they contracted their Staph infections. Some had MRSA, others MSSA. Some suffered from bacteremia, others osteomyelitis, and others still were challenged by skin/soft tissue infections in the form of painful and unsightly abscesses. Some had recently undergone ...

This blog is brought to you by ADVANCE and DNA.  Editor's note: This blog post was written by Annette Fonteneau, MSN, RNP, DCNP, who practices at School Street Dermatology in Pawtucket, R.I. Although winter's end is approaching, patients are no doubt asking for advice about treating their dry, cracked, painful skin. The heat in ...

    This blog is brought to you by ADVANCE and DNA. Editor's note: This blog post was written by Bonnie Marting, DNP, ARNP, who practices at Anushka Cosmedical Centre in Jupiter, Fla. With the FDA approval of Restylane for lip enhancement and the anticipated direct-to-consumer marketing from Medicis, those of us in ...

Our skin is not only our largest organ, it is our first line of defense against harsh environmental conditions such as UV damage, pollution and irritants. So, have you thanked your skin lately? What better way than with an effective and inexpensive facial treatment? If you are looking to improve a dull complexion on a budget, a light (superficial) ...

My office distributes a questionnaire that asks patients to check off any cosmetic concerns that they may have. A pretty consistent concern is brown spots. Also known as sun spots, liver spots and age spots, the name doesn't really matter ... not a day goes by that I don't treat these pesky patches. A combination of hormones and photo damage are ...

We all need continuing education credits, and the deadlines for logging them arrive much faster than we would like. I just heard you sigh. Have no fear! In the world of dermatology and aesthetics, the opportunities for CME are abundant. With specialty-specific CME, we complete our necessary hours and we keep up-to-date on the latest technology ...

Where does the time go? Like an uninvited houseguest, Fall has arrived. As the month creeps forward, the upcoming school year looms larger on the horizon and thousands of 17- and 18-year-olds prepare to depart for college. Many of the young women I have seen in clinic this past month are actively culling together their vaccination ...

Calamitous topics of conversation to initiate with strangers include politics, religion and body weight. I multiply that degree of calamity by 100 when the stranger is my patient. So, I carefully avoid the bits about God and Country. However, avoidance of any weight-related topic is rather negligent. Nevertheless I address diet with the ...