Some of you from the Fort Smith area may know Meagan Matlock. She is one sweet, successful, beautiful person who is also the owner of Hazel’s Haven. Hazel’s Haven is one of Fort Smiths best fashion boutiques so if you haven’t checked it out, go! You won’t be disappointed and while you are there thank Meagan for this blog post. Meagan has a generous heart and was nice enough to open up and tell us all about her Melanoma experience. Without further delay, here are a few questions Meagan answered about her melanoma diagnosis in honor of Melanoma awareness month coming to an end.

How and when were you diagnosed with melanoma?

First, let me offer my background info leading up to the point where I am today… I tanned in tanning beds off and on year ’round from the time I was probably about 16 and could drive myself to them. Had I known better, like with many things as we grow wiser with age, I would have done this in moderation; instead, I was a regular. I did not feel pretty unless I was tan. And, I felt that it helped keep my skin clear. So…I tanned in a bed a lot and in the Summer we lived at the lake on the weekends or I’d be at a pool if we were in town. And you can probably guess…I rarely used a sunscreen. Mayyyyybeee like spf of 8 unless, of course, I got burned (which happened many times over the years) then the following day I would wear a higher spf or keep in the shade (I wasn’t completely ignorant!). But, all in all, I did not take care of myself like I should have. We ALWAYS think “it won’t happen to me…surely.” Ok, so cut to a few years ago. I was checking my back side on my way out to the pool and on the small of my back I noticed a new dark “freckle.” Over the course of a couple years it never bothered me. It was flat and never changed that I could tell. Randomly I would have my husband look at it but we never really thought much of it. I have had a lot of new, small little “freckles” pop up on my stomach/shoulder/arms/legs but that’s pretty much the only one on my back that really stood out – mainly because it was a loner and it was dark. Long story short (and a total God thing) I had a couple conversations this January and it made me think about that spot and that I should go just get a skin check since I never had before. Had it not been for the fact that I am a mother, I might not have even gone. Something about knowing you have a life dependent on you sure changes your perspective on many things. So I called my friend Nina and she had me come in her office in February. She removed that spot and another. A week later she called me and said that the spot I was curious about was, in fact, melanoma.

How did you feel when you had melanoma?

Honestly, at first, I didn’t know what to think. I guess I didn’t realize the severity of it and just how lucky I was that it hadn’t spread…and how careless it was of me not to have taken better care of myself and have checkups! I knew that people I had known distantly had died from it but I never really had been thoroughly educated on it. Nina helped calm me and explained it all very well to me.

How was your melanoma treated?

I had to go in and have them remove the parameters to make sure it hadn’t spread. Thank the Lord it had not. It was a simple procedure. They numbed my back and cut the skin out.

Has your lifestyle changed at all now that you know you have had a melanoma?

Yes! Absolutely. Now I will always, always coat myself in sunscreen. You can still get a tan by doing so–I’ve learned the sun is very strong. With age and maturity and confidence in who I am I have also learned that being tan does not make you beautiful. Sure, we all feel better with some color, but I am not nearly as obsessive over it as I used to be. I have a little girl who is observing my every move. I don’t want her to hear me say “I’m not pretty without a tan” because that is so false. I think pale skin is just as beautiful…I just had a hang-up for a very long time. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spray tan and I love a sun-kissed look, but I have learned that everything in moderation is key. And SPF and skin check-ups are a MUST!!!

What follow up do you have now that you have had melanoma?

I will go every 3 months for a year since I am considered high risk. Then, after that, I will go once or twice a year. Plus, I know now to just really watch closely myself and not wait 2 or 3 years when I am suspicious about a spot.

What would you tell the 12 year old you about melanoma?

Oh gosh… a lot of what I mentioned in question #4. There is nothing wrong with living your life, having fun at the lake or pool or beach. It just all goes back to moderation and common sense and the desire and knowledge to want to take care of yourself. Don’t bask in the sun from 11am-4pm during the strongest hours of the sun without reapplying a strong SPF– or an even wiser thing would be to NOT be in the sun THAT LONG. Ha!

What do you want people to know about the full body skin exam? The biopsy? The surgery? The scar?

I would encourage anyone (and you can bet I have encouraged my close family and friends!) to go. It is not a big deal at all. I am super modest, but my friend Nina and her co-workers made me feel comfortable. It’s a quick check that won’t take much time but could potentially save your life. Getting a mole removed is pretty much painless, same as the surgery..although I’ll admit I dislike needles and the tugging of numb skin makes me kinda wanna vomit, lol! But, truthfully, none of it was a bad experience. My scar is pretty large and noticeable. My surgery was in February and here it is May and it’s still pretty pink. They did offer a free laser treatment (that felt like a rubber band popping your skin with a burning sensation to it) and that has seemed to help. I do put healing oil on it to help as well. Hey, I can deal with a scar. What I can’t deal with is the thought of not catching it in time… telling myself it was nothing… and the likelihood that it could and would have spread had we not caught it in time. I plan to get 1 or 2 more laser treatments done to help with the redness of the scar.

As an influential business woman in our community does having a melanoma change how you role model to girls?

First of all, thank you for that flattering, humbling title you just gave me. I really appreciate your perspective–it’s funny to hear things like that! =) My heart goes out to girls and women of all ages and the pressure on us all to look and feel a certain way–it’s absurd. I have been in retail for most of my teen/adult life working around women every. single. day. I hear women cut themselves down every. single. day. I hear them point out their “flaws” that none of us would ever even recognize every. single. day. It truly makes me sad and hurts my heart for the things that Haven might go through and the skewed view she could possibly have of herself. I grew up hearing my mother speak of her insecurities my whole life and she is such a beautiful, kind, classy woman. Every woman does it. But we need to stop and think about how we talk about ourselves (and other women) in front of our children who are so easily influenced by the things they hear us say. Don’t get me wrong, I am not preaching TO anyone…I am just as guilty but I am definitely a work in progress, trying to be more mindful so that I can be uplifting and a positive example to not only my daughter, but to my clientele who shop in my store. I am lucky to have a husband who builds me up and calls me out when I say mindless, stupid, negative things about myself. I would want women and girls of all ages to learn though my experience of being in the fashion industry plus my melanoma scare that beauty does not equal tan skin. Beauty does not equal a size 0 or 2. Beauty does not equal a certain hair color or certain brand of clothing. Beauty is how you are behind closed doors & what’s really inside your conscience…not just some empty kind comment you put out there on social media. I’ve seen people post nothing but uplifting, kind things but have witnessed or heard from reliable sources of those people not acting in public to other people quite what they preach. We all have ugly moments and they do not define us unless you are guilty of those ugly moments more than not. Beauty is taking care of yourself, loving yourself and embracing the unique blessings that God gave only to YOU. Beauty is how you treat others and the true desires within your heart. Due to my experience I will never be a person who judges and nags someone else for practicing unsafe sun habits. All I can say, if asked, is be smart and do EVERYTHING IN MODERATION.

How did your family and friends react when you told them you had melanoma and how did that affect you?

I’d say they were shocked just because, like I said earlier, you never think of anything hitting close to home…until it does. Of course, they were supportive and I know of several who have had skin checks since I found out. I am so glad that my life experience encouraged others to take better care of themselves and maybe go for their first-ever skin exam. I’ll admit, there was a weak moment I had one morning where it hit me what I was dealing with and I got pretty emotional, but I snapped myself out of it and felt quite foolish because many people do not get as lucky as I did. Things could have been worse. Now I know that I am susceptible and that’s that. I will go for skin exams regularly. I will use SPF on myself and my family members. Everything in moderation.

Do you have a family history of Melanoma?

Nope

Thank you to Meagan for her insight!

Hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend! Happy Memorial Day, Nina

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My little girl is officially 3 weeks old. I have reached the point where my only daily hygiene goal is to brush my teeth. I have no idea what day of the week it is and when the barista at Starbucks gives me the evil eye as I order a double shot espresso with a baby screaming bloody murder in the back seat I just laugh crazily, like Cruella Deville. With that being said I’m a bridesmaid in a wedding on Saturday. Not just any wedding, Honey, my work sister’s wedding. She is not only a wonderful dermatology physician assistant to work side by side with, she has become one of my best friends. She is a good person who makes me a better person which is what makes friendships the best. I would do anything for her! So I gotta pull myself, and my two kids under two, together and get to Tulsa this weekend to help my girl celebrate the union of her and the love of her life! My skin has to look in tip top shape and I must admit my skincare regimen is kind of falling to the bottom of my list, I mean I can barely remember when my last shower was! Here are some simple tips to live by the week before a big event for having your skin look the best it can look!

1. No new products- Don’t go to the drug store and try a new acne treatment or new face cream. If you have a reaction to something you have never tried before, you’ll have to deal with a rash on your face which can be a bigger problem than what you started with.

2. See your dermatologist- Make an appointment with your dermatologist the week before your big event for any acute things you need taken care of before the big day. If you don’t need it you can call and cancel but don’t try to be rushing around to get it at the last minute. If you get that dreaded pimple there are some things we can do like inject it with steroid or laser it to make it go away in a hurry.

3. No facials- I know that manicure, pedicure and facial right before the wedding sounds like a fun thing for all the wedding party to do together or just a way to spruce up.  However, if you have any irritation from these products or any other complications you don’t have a lot of time to fix it.

4. Wear sunscreen- The last thing you want is for dark spots on your face and chest to get darker before the wedding. Tan lines look super tacky and a sunburn is just down right wrong if you are in the wedding party. Don’t be the one that looks a fool in all the pictures, be sun smart this week.

5. Don’t stress- Stress doesn’t necessarily cause skin conditions but it can make them worse. Relax, don’t worry, be happy.

6. Moisturize- You don’t want chapped lips or flaky skin that won’t take make-up well. Remember to use something really plain and simple that you have used before. No fragrances or colors. If you have never used a facial cream or lotion then do a small test patch over by your ear or somewhere that won’t be noticed.

It’s wedding season so I’m sure some of you will be able to put these tips to the test! I can’t wait to get back from maternity leave and see all your smiling faces but until then I would encourage you to go meet Honey and congratulate her on this new chapter in her life. She will take amazing care of your skin too!

Happy Wedding Week Honey, we love you! Cheers, Nina

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May is Melanoma Awareness Month and today is Melanoma Monday. 137,000 people will be diagnosed with Melanoma in the US this year according to the Melanoma Research Foundation(MRF). MRF has a campaign going on right now called #getnaked. It is all about educating people to get naked and do your self skin cancer checks at home. Did you know that you are more likely to find your melanoma then a doctor? That’s what the research shows! So it is important that you know your skin and keep an eye on it. I encourage you to visit http://www.melanoma.org/get-involved/advocacy-initiatives/get-naked and join in on self skin checks. They have some good info on how to do a self skin exam but I thought I would give you some tips here too.

1. Don’t be shy- Your skin is your largest organ so there is a lot of ground to cover. You need to get naked and get in front of a mirror which can be the hardest part for some people. You’re beautiful, you’re important, you’re smart. Be proud to check your skin over, don’t let your insecurities get in the way of checking your skin out.

2. Use a routine so you don’t miss any skin- I like to either start at the top and work my way down, head to toe, or start at the bottom and work my way up, toe to head. You just want to make sure you aren’t missing anything and if you skip around to different body parts it can be hard to remember what you’ve looked at and what you’ve missed.

3. Ask for help- Have your significant other, best friend, Mom or Grandparent check your back and those hard to see places. If you don’t have anyone to look at your skin with you then get a hand held mirror and try to look at those places the best you can. Or grow eyes in the back of your head.

4. Take pictures- Almost everyone reading this probably has a phone with a camera. When you do your skin exam every month take pictures of your moles/freckles that stand out to you. Each month compare your pictures to see if anything is changing or growing in any way (color, size, etc.). If you have growing, new or changing moles get in to see your dermatologist.

5. Don’t forget hard to check places- Under your breasts, bottom of your feet, scalp, behind your ears. Remember, anywhere you have skin you can have a melanoma, not just where the sun has hit you. Ask your dentist, gynecologist and hair dresser to check your skin in places they shine lights that you can’t see quite as well.

Don’t know what you’re looking for? Re-read my post about the hunt for skin cancer here http://www.theskinnyonskin.net/?p=94

You should all do a self exam monthly and let a dermatologist check your skin at least once a year. Melanoma can be deadly but when caught early it could save your life. Take care of yourselves and let us help you take care of your skin. Now go #getnaked for Melanoma!

Have a wonderful Monday, week and month! Stay skintastic, Nina

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I spend most of my day educating patients. What is common sense to me (someone working in healthcare) is often very foreign to the general public. My husband gets so irritated when I use medical jargon like he should know what I’m talking about. You say “mole”, I say “congenital compound nevus”, what’s the big deal?!?! Anyways, with Summer approaching I try to mention to all my patients to remember their sun smart behaviors, with emphasis on sun protective clothing and how to properly use sunscreen. Sunscreen is great but sun protective clothing trumps that. Think of sunscreen as your screen door that keeps most stuff out but sun protective clothing as your wooden front door that protects you from the outside elements even better. People always laugh at me when I say they should be wearing long sleeves and pants in August in Arkansas. But I don’t think they realize I do it in style. I might slightly stretch the rules, don’t we all? As I tell my husband often when he forgets to tell me, I make sun protective clothing look good. As you all know, I love local shopping. This Thursday, April 30th at 6:30 at TGIF’s (Friday’s Restaurant) Hazels Haven (one of my favorite local boutiques) is having a fashion show and those who attend get 25% off a new arrival item! I encourage you all to go have some fun and get a discount. I thought I would show you some of Hazels Haven pieces that I think are stylish and sun protective this Summer. Here are my go to Stylin Summer Sun protective picks.

1. A good wide brim hat. Protect your neck, ears and face with some shade in style. Hats are a perfect accessory to almost any summer outfit.

2. Maxi dress- I love maxi dresses during the hot summer months because they are cool and airy but protect your legs from sun exposure. If you pick one like this pink one from Hazels Haven shown below then just add a light kimono or get really fancy and carry an umbrella that can offer shade to your chest, face and arms. Anything not covered with clothing needs to be covered with broad band, water resistant, at least 30 SPF sunscreen every 2 hours while you are out and about.

3. Long sleeves and pants made with an airy material. These are so in style right now. I’m seeing them everywhere. Printed pants are cooler than jeans during hot days and make a statement.  Win-win!

4. Jeans- It amazes me that my step-sons will wear jeans in any weather. I mean he took jeans to the beach for Spring Break. I ain’t complaining either, my husband says  they are much cooler than they are sensible as teenagers.  I beg to differ, I tell myself they are protecting their legs from sun exposure because they are so smart and health conscience.  Pick a pair of “summer jeans” that are white or pale pink or just have a really worn look. Throw on a pair of jeans with a tee and a kimono or dress them up with heels and a tunic, either way you will be protected from sun exposure and looking hip!

All the pieces shown here can be found at Hazels Haven. May is Melanoma Awareness Month so go pick up some styling sun protective clothing to celebrate! Hope to see you all at the fashion show on Thursday, it should be a fun time! I would also like to take the time to mention that I have a 6 day old little girl and literally am having trouble keeping up with what day it is so you may find my posts over the next couple months don’t always fall on Sundays! haha, I’m sure you understand.

Until next time I can stay awake long enough to post on the blog, be skintastic, Nina

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I get induced on Tuesday with my second daughter. Our plan is for this to be our last (hopefully God agrees with our plan). It has been such a bittersweet weekend for me. I’m excited to give birth to another child but less than excited about the actual labor. I can’t wait for Charlee (my 2 year old) to have a sister but I’m sad she won’t get the attention of an only child. It’s amazing thinking about getting my body back to its old self but depressing thinking about how I will never feel a little miracle kicking and growing inside of me again. All weekend I have been trying to cherish every moment of just the three of us. I’ve been taking pictures of things that aren’t good photo ops just because I want to remember that exact moment. We went out to eat dinner last night just the three of us and as I watched my husband carry out my daughter I almost came to tears taking a picture of it, thinking we will have two next weekend, it will never be just the three of us again. Happy tears, but so bittersweet.

Change is difficult, it doesn’t come natural to us humans. We really are creatures of habit. The only way to get through change is to appreciate the bitter and then focus on the sweet. Because happy people always let the sweet outweigh the bitter. In dermatology we see this a lot. For example, in acne we get rid of all the “blackheads” and pustules and “bumps” but then once your acne is clear the discolorations or scarring are more apparent because they aren’t camoflauged with acne. Your acne is gone, SWEET! You have discolorations and scars now, BITTER. Happy people are just excited their acne is gone and that’s what they focus on while we treat their scarring with laser or whatever other treatment. Sad people just get discouraged that their skin doesn’t look like the Proactive infomercials and give up on their skin. We see it often after cosmetic procedures like Botox and Fillers. We fix the “big” problems like deep lines and then all the patient can notice is the tiny small fine line left behind. Happy people are so excited that the Botox and Filler fixed the big problems they came in for. Sad people just focus on the fine, tiny line they never noticed before and feel dissappointed. So this week when I have my baby I’m going to role model after all my happy patients. All my patients that know how to be satisfied, happy people just by how they deal with the bittersweet situations in life. I admire those positive thinkers that always make the sweet take control of the bitter. Part of why I love my job is being around all you people that inspire me to make my life better. I love all you patients that teach me lessons like how to deal with change and the bittersweet. I know you didn’t get a lot of skin advice this week but I hope you all will consider this post to be sweet.

This is my last post pregnant and I can’t wait to talk at ya next week with a wild sleep deprived post! See you Monday if you need any last minute skin stuff, Nina

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The time of year when tattoos are being shown off has approached. Tattoos have gone through phases over the decades in terms of popularity. It seems the young folks have a thing for them at the current time (my 20 year old step-son included). There are some risks to your skin that you probably never thought of that I think you should know before deciding to get a tattoo. Risks other than the idea that maybe you aren’t going to want your girlfriend’s or boyfriend’s name tattooed on your right buttock forever. Here are a few things to consider for your skin health before you tattoo it forever.

1. Infection- I think people are of the idea that if they go to a “clean” or “reputable” tattoo parlor then they don’t have to worry about infection. Here is the thing.  Any time you break the skin barrier you are opening yourself up for infection. Ever heard of CA-MRSA? It stands for community acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus which is a bacteria that lives all over our city and a lot of antibiotics don’t work at getting rid of it. If you come in contact with it and your skin is intact then you could probably be carrying it without any symptoms at all, then you get a tattoo and boom! Cellulitis or even an abscess (boil) in your tattoo that could then require drainage or antibiotics or worse, surgery. This could result in damage to the way the tattoo looks and likely a whole lot of unwanted pain.

2. Allergic Reaction- You could be allergic to the tattoo ink. And since every color and type of ink used is different you could have lots of tattoos and then all of the sudden get one to which you have a reaction. This can cause the tattoo to raise up and itch and get crusty and flat out miserable and ugly-not what you were going for I’m sure. Sometimes we can inject steroids into the tattoo to help this problem, sometimes we have to laser it to try to get the ink out of your skin. Sometimes they have to be cut out and replaced with a scar. If it’s a large tattoo this can be a real problem.

3. Skin cancer can hide in your tattoo- Think about it. If you have a black spot of melanoma arise on your natural colored skin it is going to be much easier to recognize than a black spot hiding in a black tattoo. It could delay diagnosis if hiding well enough. If you do have tattoos be aware of this and check them even closer for new or changing moles.

4. You change- Not only do your opinions, likes, dislikes and beliefs change with age but your skin changes too. Not only do you have to worry about the fact that you may not like the tattoo in 40 years, you also have to worry about whether or not a tattoo on your belly is going to look the same after 3 kids. I mean a stretch mark through a heart could actually look cool, turn it into an arrow or something. My eyebrows are lower than when I was 20 so keep this in mind when you ladies go get permanent make-up…. your eyelids most def will be lower in 30 years after all that gravity takes its toll.

5. They hurt- This isn’t a risk really, more like a fact. It’s just one of the main reasons I don’t have a tattoo, ouch! It amazes me how many people fear getting their blood drawn yet have multiple tattoos? huh?

I actually do like tattoos, on other people. I just feel for the people that have one of the above happen to them and feel helpless or feel like no one ever told them these things could happen. I’m for sure not saying don’t get a tattoo, I just want you to be educated on all the risks so you can weigh them against the benefits properly. IF you change your mind after a tattoo just remember, Johnson Dermatology has a laser to help you get rid of it!

“Just because the past didn’t turn out like you wanted it to, doesn’t mean your future can’t be better than you’ve ever imagined.”  -unknown

Have a happy week, hope to see you at the clinic this week because it’s my last week before maternity leave! Talk atcha soon, Nina

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Lasers are some of the coolest tools for skin spruce up…… when used correctly. The trouble is that there are so many “lasers” out there. It’s difficult for the public to chose which laser is best for them and where to go to find it because of all the options. At Johnson Dermatology we have 4 lasers, each one with its own unique purpose. As always, coming in for a consult is always best because often times people who want peels get lasers or people who want lasers get fillers or people who want creams get peels. We have lots of options and each individual might need a combination of treatments or one over the other. Since we are skin experts we are good at you telling us what bothers you and us suggesting a treatment plan that gets you results. With that being said, here is my JD laser run down for dummies.

1. Pulsed Dye Laser- Think of this as a laser for anything red. It works great for broken blood vessels on the face or those “red moles” called angiomas. We use it for small varicosities of the legs, acne, red or pink scars, stretch marks, redness of the face and red birthmarks. This is one of the least painful lasers in my opinion. There is no downtime. Sometimes, depending on how tough we set the settings, you can have some redness or even bruising. For most things we tell people to expect 3-5 treatments one month apart.  We use this laser if you have bruising that we want to go away faster than your body will get rid of the bruise.

2. YAG laser- We use this laser for skin tightening and hair reduction. For hair reduction it only works on dark hairs because the light is targeting pigment (dark) and if the hair is white then the light has nothing to target. We tighten stretch marks or that crepe-like skin of the neck, face, chest or abdomen. With this laser expect 3-5 treatments monthly to get expected results and then a touch-up about once a year (give or take). In my opinion, this laser hurts a little more than the PDL but it’s quick so you can do it.  We also have a “painless ” hair reduction laser. In my opinion this should be called a “less-pain” laser, it still hurts but less than the YAG for hair reduction.

3. ATV laser- This is our tattoo removal laser. It works best on black ink. If you have colored tattoos come in and let us take a look and we can tell you what type of results to expect based on the colors. This dude hurts! We generally numb you with lidocaine injections before your treatment. Number of treatments varies and cost is based on the size of the tattoo. We also use this laser for brown spots. Expect the area lasered to look pretty rough for a week or so. If you have a brown spot on your hand lasered with the ATV it will look like  a blistery sore and then as that heals it lightens and brightens and takes the spot with it. I have seen varying reactions after tattoo lasering but most people have some blistering or at least sore spots over the next week after treatment.

4. Sublative “laser”- This one isn’t actually a laser as in it doesn’t use light to work. This device uses micro-needling combined with radiofrequency. This treatment option can come with some down time. It is awesome for stretch marks, scars such as acne scarring and for tightening of fine lines. I have never seen acne scars improved like I have with this device. One of my favorite things this one does is lines and bags and drooping of the eyelids. Because this isn’t a “light laser” we can get very close to the eyes and it makes a huge difference in the tightness and wrinkles around the eyelids.  After receiving this treatment you can have some redness, swelling and little squares of red dots where the skin was penetrated for about 5-7 days. Some people have no downtime and others have a full week of recovery, each individual is a little different and each area of the body we treat is a little different in terms of reactions to the treatment. I usually recommend you add TNS growth factor to your aftercare regimen with this device to enhance results even more so we have some packages that include that skincare product.  This “laser” can be used on all skin types including dark colored skin.

I get a lot of questions about lasers so I hope this helps.  You can not be tan when you get treated or you run the risk of discoloration so if you are interested now is the time, before Summer hits. We have packages that make each individual treatment cheaper too.

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine. “-Dwight L. Moody

So this week let your light shine, or let us shine a light on you that helps your inner light shine! Either way, keep it skintastic! Happy Easter to all! -Nina

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Spring is officially here. Nights of freezing cold and snow storms are gone and fresh flowers, the smell of fresh cut grass and butterflies are here! It’s time to put away winter clothes and start transitioning into our summer looks. With this past week being spring break I’ve heard lots of people mentioning how it’s time to get tan. Well you can get a beautiful spring glow without having to damage your skin. One of my pet peeves is when people say they only tan in the tanning bed a few times so they don’t burn this summer. That’s like saying I only smoke a few cigarettes so I don’t cough when I want to smoke a whole pack. It’s still an unhealthy habit. Here are some of my tips to transition your skin this Spring and get Summer ready safely.

1. Get rid of heavy mascara and go to light Latisse- The key to the Summer glow is looking light and fresh. Don’t worry about being in the heat and water sports and heavy black mascara giving you “black eyes” or that “I went to sleep crying instead of washing my face and woke up like this” look. Start your Latisse now and your lashes will be longer, darker and thicker so much so that you don’t need mascara this Summer.

2. Good-Bye heavy make-up, Hello light, airy make-up- I’m sad to say “Adios” to my bright red lips and black eye-liner but excited to say “Aloha” to my hot pink smoochers and light butterfly-kiss-capable lashes. It’s time to “lighten up” your look. Try Jane Iredale “Country Weekend” collection. It includes a peach lip and cheek stain, a soft eye shadow kit and an espresso gel eyeliner.

3. Lighten up your sun protection- I go from a thicker Elta MD sunscreen to the BOB in the Spring. The BOB stands for Brush on Block. It is a powder sunscreen that goes on clear, you won’t even know you are wearing it. I keep mine in my car cup holder so that I see it every morning before I pull out of the garage and just brush it all over.

4. Add some tint to your routine- Change your moisturizer to a tinted moisturizer like Jane Iredale tinted moisturizer or change your sunscreen to a tinted sunscreen such as Elta MD physical sunscreen. The Elta MD tinted sunscreen is oil free and great for acne prone skin.  If you really like that “sun kissed” look, then I like the Tanwise self tanner from Sally’s. We have a lot of options at the clinic so just call and get a free skincare consult to learn what’s best for you from one of our experts.

5. Time to peel and laser- Now is the time to get your peels and laser treatments in. You can’t peel and laser your skin when it is sun exposed because you run the risk of hyperpigmentation or discolored scars. Chemical peels can help acne scars, uneven skin tone, dark spots, fine lines and uneven textured skin. Get your peel now and you won’t even need colored cosmetics this Summer. We have four lasers now at Johnson Dermatology, real lasers, not fancy flashlights, so they work. We can treat brown spots, red spots, sagging skin, lines, tattoo removal, acne scars and more! Come in for a consultation and get your skin spruced up for Spring!

6. See ya Cellulite- Try SkinMedica’s newest product GlyPro firming lotion. This product helps improve the appearance of cellulite by hydrating that oh so soft spring skin. Warning: This product should not replace a healthy eating and exercise routine… hahaha, I couldn’t help myself.

It’s my favorite season of the year. Spring flower smells are in the air, it’s wedding season, it’s not too hot and not too cold, it’s just blissful! I hope you all enjoy your Spring! I would love to see photos of all of you in your new spring make-up and skin looks, so as always tag them with #Johnsondermatology so I can see all you pretties! Happy Week to all!

Stay sweet, skintastic and sunless spring glowin’, XOXO, Nina

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If you live in Arkansas then today starts Spring Break 2015 which means a lot of you are hitting the beach or the slopes. I know all you spring-breakers probably don’t have sun protection at the top of your priority list so I’m here to remind you to be sun smart. Have fun in the sun, just protect your skin.  Here are some tips, some you’ve heard before and some probably new to you. Also, I’m sharing some of my favorite websites for sun protective clothing!

1. It’s not all about sunscreen- wear your sun protective clothing, seek shade, avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day and wear sunscreen.

2. Do sunscreen RIGHT- this is harder than you think. You need water-resistant, at least 30 SPF, broad spectrum and preferably a physical blocker. Reapply every 2 hours while exposed to the sun. This can be difficult to remember. I set an alarm on my phone to remind me. My favorite sunscreen is the Brush on Block or BOB, a clear powder that is applied through a brush.

3. Keep your kids sun protected- Less than 6 months old should probably just be kept out of the sun as much as possible, at least kept under an umbrella or in the shade and wear sun protective clothing. My favorite rash guard (think swim shirt) for my little girl is by Cabana Life (www.cabanalife.com). They have the cutest prints! If you’ve ever seen my daughter then you know she is very fashionable so you can trust these are for the fashion forward. Thankfully, they also have women and mens to get the whole family hooked up!

4. Stay Stylish with your sun protection- Big floppy hats aren’t just for the horse races, they are super in style right now and look amazing with summer dresses or a tee with bermudas and birkenstocks. I am very excited to try out my new Exostinger this year. It’s a 50-SPF “skin” that is made to protect your skin worn over a swim suit or under a wet suit, it’s total coverage. They come in awesome designs too! I struggled between the green leopard print and red leopard print. Can’t wait to show you my lake pics in my new suit!  Go to www.exoticwaterwear.com.au to find this australian based water wear company that ships free worldwide!

5. Don’t forget your sunglasses- Sunglasses aren’t just an outfit accessory. They also protect your eyes and eyelids from harmful UV rays. Did you know you can get melanoma in your eyes?

6. Add to your sun protection game with Polypodium leucotomos (PLE)- PLE comes from a fern and when taken orally it is thought to release antioxidants into the skin that reduce free radicals produced by sun exposure that can be damaging to the skin. In other words it helps fight sun damage of the skin, take it to help with brown spots, sun sensitive skin diseases and more just don’t replace your sunscreen with it. You can find a brand of this called Heliocare at www.heliocare.com.

7. See your dermatologist with skin problems- If you burn there are some sprays, creams and lotions that we can give you to help you through the pain and recovery process. Coming back from your vacay rashy? Let us help you. It’s not uncommon to get back from your trip with beach rashes, bug bites, contact dermatitis or even scabies from a hotel stay. I will be in clinic all week to help you out!

Hope you all have fun this week, enjoy yourselves!

See you soon, Nina

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We spend billions of dollars on skincare products every year in the US. There are so many products to choose from even I, the skincare expert, have trouble keeping up with them all.    Over the counter cosmeceuticals don’t have to be approved by the FDA which usually means their benefits and risks are not necessarily adequately tested. For example, the hottest fad right now is this Instantly Ageless cream I’ve been asked about. I have already had multiple friends on social media selling it and putting up “before and after” pictures of it. I’ve had more than one friend text me just this week asking me if they should try it. This prompted me to do a little research on the product. The active ingredient is argireline which is a peptide which claims to have effects similiar to that of Botox/neuromodulators. In 2012, Dr. Oz (the cardiovascular surgeon gone TV show host)said it’s an alternative to Botox. First of all lets just assume it does the same thing as Botox, works just as good at reducing wrinkles but is a cream. That sounds good to me. The before and after pictures and the videos look like amazing results, so far so good.  One application claims to last 6-8 hours and one vial claims to last 2-3 days. One vial cost $7.95. Botox lasts 3-4 months depending on the individual. So if you get 20 units of Botox at $12/unit (average cost when done by a professional expert) and it only  lasts the 3 months that’s $2.67 a day if you get the 4 months that’s $2 per day, both being cheaper than this cream you have to rub on every 6-8 hours. So without seeing any research at all I was thinking to myself pick your poison, getting some tiny shots once every 3-4 months or spending more money and having to apply a cream every 6-8 hours. Then I started searching for an objective double-blind, vehicle controlled study on argireline. I found a double-blind placebo controlled study done in China that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology which showed 10% argireline (I can’t find the percentage in Instantly ageless) was  about 50% effective in reducing wrinkles (that is VERY simplified). There were some flaws in the study such as a small sample size of only 30 patients receiving the treatment. Basically, verdict is still out, not enough research to really sway me one way or the other. Is this just another fad being sold in a pyramid fashion by people trying to make a buck or is this really the next best thing? I don’t know but I do know that I am going to stick to Botox right now due to personal preference. I do have multiple friends trying the product so when I get their report back I will let you know the review.  Picking what cosmeceuticals to use on your skin is complicated but here are some tips I think you should live by.

1.If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Natural isn’t always better nor safer. Some natural ingredients need to be chemically altered to be able to penetrate the skin and for effects to last longer.

3. Stick to dermatologist recommendations- The most studied and researched anti-aging ingredients are the retinoids/retinols and sunscreen. That’s your little black dress of skin care. Sunscreen in the AM and retinol/retinoid at night.

4. Stick with manufacturers you know- Big names usually have big money which equals big research. Example:Cetaphil, Cerave.

5. Expensive and more steps isn’t always better. It’s probably better for your skin to simplify your regimen.

6. Don’t let a dermatologist do your open heart surgery and don’t let a cardiovascular surgeon give you skin anti-aging advice. Okay so you don’t have to “live by” this one, just saying.

Good Luck in the world of cosmeceuticals and if you trust me with your skin then you should definitely schedule a free skin care consult with one of our cosmetic concierges this week. They are personally trained by Dr. Sandy, Honey and myself and they are pretty amazing at helping you fish through the world of cosmeceuticals. Just call the clinic and set up an appointment.

Hope you all have an amazing week and don’t get pinched on St. Patty Day!

Cheers, Nina

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