Dermatologist - Skincare Treatment Plano TX | DSA Dermatology

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WestDerm

Frequent Washing Drying Out Your Hands? Some Quick Ways to Stay Moisturized.

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Raise your hand if your (very clean) hands feel dry. 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ You’re not alone. In an attempt to keep ourselves and others safe, we’ve been sanitizing and washing more than ever. With all of the alcohol in hand sanitizer, harsh soaps, and warm water, our hands are more susceptible to extreme dryness, and it can get really uncomfortable. We thought we would give a lending hand with our tips to keep your hands soft and hydrated during this time. 
 
Seal in the moisture! Immediately apply a cream or ointment to the hands post-washing. Doing this will seal in the moisture from water and keep your skin hydrated. 
 
Use a fragrance-free cream or ointment instead of a lotion. This is because fragrances can be irritating to sensitive, chapped skin, and creams and ointments lock in moisture and protect the skin more so than a lighter lotion. 
 
Try to use a hand sanitizer with a moisturizing base. These types of hand sanitizers have emollient ingredients to nourish the skin and sometimes humectant ingredients like aloe vera.
 
Use cotton gloves. Before going to bed, apply your cream or ointment, like Vaseline or petrolatum product, and cover your hands with cotton gloves. This works similar to a mask as the ointment nourishes hands and the gloves protect your skin from external objects. This can be fun and relaxing to do while you’re on the couch watching Netflix at night. 
 
If you are struggling with extreme skin dryness or have any other skin related concerns, call your local clinic today so we can answer any questions you may have or schedule an appointment for you.

Dry Winter Skin Tips 🌾

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With chillier temperatures, you may be experiencing more skin dryness than usual. Environmental factors like low humidity and wind can draw the moisture out of your skin, leaving it dull, flaky, itchy, and even cracked. Turn on that indoor heating system and it will make those problems even worse. 
While, sadly, we can’t control the weather, we can give you our best dermatologist-approved advice on sealing moisture into
skin, even as temperatures continue to drop. Here are 5 simple steps: 
  
  • Cleanse gently, only when needed. If you wash your face twice daily in the summer, you might wash it just once daily in the winter. 
  • Choose a more hydrating facial moisturizer. The water-based formulas that fly off the shelves in summer might not cut it during these colder months. 
  • Use a humidifier. Reintroduce much-needed moisture into the air with a humidifier. Your skin (and your sinuses) will thank you. 
  • Apply lotion right after showering. It will give you the best chance of sealing moisture into your skin.    
  • Continue to wear sunscreen. Short winter days can still be sunny days, and your skin is still vulnerable to sun damage in the cooler months.  
 
If you have any questions about moisturizing your skin or you still don’t feel your best after following the steps above, just give us a call. Schedule an appointment today!  
 
Happy Hydrating! 

You’re Invited to our Festive & Flawless Holiday Event! 🌟

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You’re Invited to our Festive & Flawless Holiday Event from Nov 29 – Dec 10th! With exclusive deals on treatments and skincare running, those twinkle lights will have some serious competition against your radiant glow this season!
Schedule Your Appointment HERE
$50 OFF 30 units or more of Botox
$75 OFF 40 units or more of Botox
$125 OFF 2 syringes of filler
$25 OFF Each for referring a friend that is new to West Dermatology (Applicable to your next visit)
20% OFF All skincare products
RAFFLE PRIZES
Become an Alle Member!
With Alle, you can earn points on your favorite Allergan Aesthetics brands and a variety of other in-clinic treatments.
Sign up HERE!

Black Friday Sale Extended! 🎊

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We’ve extended our Black Friday Sale through this week! Come enjoy BOGO from Nov 29 – Dec 3rd!
BOGO Buy One Get One 50% OFF
All Skincare Products
*50% off on products of equal or lesser value
Use code BOGO at Check Out. Start your shopping HERE!
EARN Double Glow Points with every purchase when you’re a member of our Loyalty Program.
Sign up HERE.
online and in-clinic sale (participating clinics only)

Our Black Friday Sale is Here! 🎉

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Our online Black Friday Sale is finally here! Come enjoy BOGO from Nov 26 – 28th!
BOGO Buy One Get One 50% OFF
All Skincare Products
*50% off on products of equal or lesser value
Use code BOGO at Check Out. Start your shopping HERE!
EARN Double Glow Points with every purchase when you’re a member of our Loyalty Program.
Sign up HERE.
Online Sale ONLY

Start the New Year With 12 Healthy Skin Habits ✨

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The new year is here…And with it, we bring you 12 healthy skincare habits you can start making today. Adopt a new one each month and 2022 will be your best skincare year yet!   
 
1–Eat Fruits and Vegetables 
Fruits and vegetables nourish your skin (from the inside out) with vitamins and antioxidants that make it radiate health. Incorporate them and your skin will get glowing reviews. 
 
2–Stay Hydrated 
Sixty percent of your skin is made up of…you guessed it: water. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water each day to stay hydrated. 
 
3–Get Lots of Sleep 
Nighttime is when your skin repairs itself from the daily ravishes of pollution, sun damage, and free radicals. And you probably need more sleep than you’re getting. Teens need eight or more hours of sleep each night; adults need at least seven. 
 
4–Reduce Alcohol Consumption 
Your…skin…hates…alcohol. 
Period. Need proof? 
 
·       Alcohol is dehydrating, which makes your skin look aged and less supple 
·       Your skin is more vulnerable to the sun’s damaging rays after you’ve been drinking 
·       Alcohol triggers inflammation which makes you look puffy and bloated 
 
5–Avoid Smoking 
It wreaks so much havoc on your skin it causes it to be dull, wrinkled, and less supple. 
 
6–Manage Your Stress 
Cortisol, the stress hormone, causes inflammation in your body—including your skin. Inflammation can worsen conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Deep breathing, mindfulness, and exercise all make you feel more relaxed. So, try to do things that help you feel and stay calm. 
 
7–Wash Your Face Before You Go to Bed 
Maybe you already have the perfect nighttime skincare routine.. But if not, resolve now to do better this year. For starters, wash your face each night before you go to bed. Washing your face sends accumulated grime (pollution, sunscreen, makeup) down the drain and keeps it from clogging your pores. It also primes your skin for rejuvenating moisture. 
 
8–Moisturize 
Winter is a crucial time to moisturize your skin because it helps control dryness—and bonus—oiliness too. Choose a creamy moisturizer and apply it right after you wash your face. 
 
9–Exfoliate Your Skin 
Freshly exfoliated skin is primed to absorb moisture. Plus, it also looks nice and dewy. 
 
10–Use a Retinol Product 
Retinol is one of the most effective products you can put on your skin; it keeps it looking healthy and fresh. 
 
11–Buy a New Sunscreen 
Sunscreen expires, and when it does, it’s less effective. So, check the expiration date on your sunscreens (chances are you need some fresh ones). Treat yourself to two new sunscreens this year (one for your face, the other for your body). Ensure they offer broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and use them both daily. 
 
12–See Your Dermatologist 
If you have skin issues, see your dermatologist, and get them treated. Skin conditions can be anything from a red flush due to rosacea to something as common as acne. Many types of skin woes need special medical care to clear up. So don’t go it alone. Get the professional help your skin needs and schedule an appointment today. 
 
Pick up a new healthy habit each month, and 2022 will be your best skin care year ever! Remember to eat fruits and vegetables, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, reduce alcohol consumption, avoid smoking, manage your stress, wash your face before you go to bed, moisturize, exfoliate your skin, use a retinol product, buy a new sunscreen, and see your dermatologist.

Tips on How to Capture Fabulous Photos this Holiday 🌟

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We all want to capture picture perfect moments and why not look our best doing them. With the holiday season upon us find out the do’s and don’ts in looking your best in these fun, festive photos .
THE DO’S: 
Do Use Blush 
Blush might be the most photogenic makeup item you can use this holiday season. It does wonders to offset the camera flash that can make you look washed out.  
 
Do Exfoliate 
We can all use a little help shedding old, dull skin and ringing in the holiday glow. That’s why exfoliants are especially helpful this time of year when we want to combat winter flakiness and look our best in photos. We recommend SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub from our West Dermatology Shop. 
 
Do Eat High-Antioxidant Foods 
A glow that comes from the inside out is the best type of glow. That’s why we recommend eating lots of fruits and vegetables during the week that you want to look fabulous in holiday photos. The antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals and make your skin glowy. Although any fruit or vegetable will do the trick, foods especially high in antioxidants include avocados and sweet potatoes.  
 
Do Maximize Your Moisturize 
Plump, dewy skin will improve your holiday photos when you maximize your moisture on the days leading up to a big event. We recommend trying SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream. Shop HERE. Try switching out your light summer moisturizer to something richer and creamier to help combat the dry winter air. Running a humidifier is also helpful, especially next to your desk during the day or your bed as you sleep at night. Ditch the sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks for plenty of hydrating water instead.  
 
Do Strike a Pose  
Remember “arms up” in photos—whether they’re around someone’s shoulder or on your hips, anything is better than hanging down at your sides. Instead of facing head-on into a picture, angle your shoulders to the side. Stretch your head away from your neck and then tilt your head for a sharper-looking jawline. 
 
THE DON’TS: 
Don’t Use Shine Everywhere 
The holidays are about sparkle, which often shows up in the makeup pallets released this time of year. Glimmer is everywhere, from eyeshadow to lip gloss and everything in between. The problem is that shine can distort your features in a photo and make them look bigger than they are. This works if you use it sparingly by choosing to accentuate one feature. But avoid sparkly makeup all over your face if you want to look your best in photos.  
 
Don’t Use High-Definition Powders 
They’re filled with light-reflective particles that, when a flash hits them, bounce around wildly. These blurring powders are fine in natural light where they blur imperfections—but they are the enemy of the camera flash. In photos, they make your skin look white and chalky where you apply the powder. So, it’s best to avoid high-definition powders during the flash-happy holidays. 
 
Don’t Get a Last-Minute Procedure 
It’s a bad idea to get even a non-invasive procedure like fillers done in the same week as a major event (like a holiday party). Your skin needs time to settle after the inevitable bruising and swelling set in. The last thing you want is to cover up bruises while also applying your holiday makeup. The same is true for laser procedures. It takes time for your skin to heal, so plan those procedures a month ahead of time.  
 
Don’t Go Contour Crazy 
You don’t want your makeup to look too contoured. Instead, use a light hand to bring out the best in your features. For example, use a circular motion to brush on bronzer just below the apples of your checks and up toward your temples. This will bring out your cheekbones in a more natural way than a complete face-paint job.   
 
Don’t Forget to Shape Your Brows 
Your eyebrows do for your face what a frame does for a picture. They accentuate your facial features and help you look finished and polished. So don’t forget to shape and fill in your brows for holiday pictures.  
 
We hope you have fun with your holiday photo taking this season! As always, if you have any questions regarding your skin health or want to schedule an in-clinic appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists, don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

Your Best Winter Skincare Routine

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When the colder months approach and we start reaching for our heavy coats, the moisture levels in our skin drops. For many of our patients, dry and itchy skin is the most unpleasant part of the winter season. Everything from cold wind chill to hot water showers and baths can make our skin feel dried out.
For these patients (and anyone with dry skin), we recommend a few simple morning routine adjustments to get you back to feeling hydrated and comfortable. Some of our insights are a little surprising to some—for example, hot showers actually make dehydration worse! Read on to see our tips for keeping skin hydrated and happy all winter long. 
Take shorter, cooler showers: The last thing you want to do on a cold winter’s night is take a cold shower. We get it! Instead of turning the nozzle completely, consider adjusting it just slightly. Before you bathe, close the door to the bathroom so the steam gets trapped inside and you benefit from the extra moisture. Keep your showers to 10 minutes or less and use warm water instead of hot. When it’s time to lather up, use a gentle cleanser, but don’t use too much product, since that can dry skin. 
Moisturize right after showering: Your skin absorbs moisture most readily right after it’s been washed, so apply product right away. For dry skin, creams are more restorative than lotions, which tend to be on the thin side. We recommend West Dermatology Lipid Replenishing Cream. Shop HERE.
Wear a layer underneath wool clothing: Though it’s a time-tested material for keeping warm on cold winter days, wool can irritate your skin and cause itchiness. Wearing an undershirt beneath your favorite sweater can keep you from chafing. 
Apply sunscreen every morning: If you’ve been with West Dermatology for a while, then you probably saw this piece of advice coming. We suggest that everyone wear sunscreen daily, even in the winter. Sunburns are drying to skin, and a sunscreen with SPF 30-plus (along with protective clothing and sunglasses) is the best way to stave off UV damage. We recommend EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40. Shop HERE.
Drink more water: Hydration starts on the inside. Consider having a glass of water with breakfast instead of your usual coffee or tea, and your skin could reap rewards.
If you’re following the tips above and your skin’s still feeling dry, or if you simply want personalized suggestions, we’re here for you. Just make an appointment and we’ll help you take your skin from flaky and dry to firm, hydrated and smooth.

12 Days of Skin Tips for Glowy Skin ✨

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With the end of the year nearly here, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your 2021 health and skincare routine. If you find there’s room for improvement in your daily practices, fear not…simple adjustments can make all the difference! Take a look at our 12 days of skin tips, and follow along to boost your skin health in less than two weeks.
DAY ONE: Put a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher near your toothpaste. This way, you’ll see it first thing and remember to apply it every day. Limiting your UV exposure is a proven way to reduce your skin-cancer risk. We recommend ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50. Shop HERE.
DAY TWO: Perform a skin self-check. Look at every inch of your skin from head to toe for any dark spots with irregular borders or other suspicious marks. If anything seems out of the ordinary, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to get tested for skin cancer. Repeat the self-exam at least once every month—it could save your life. Outcomes are much better when patients get a cancer diagnosis early.
DAY THREE: Schedule a dermatology exam. If you’ve had skin cancer before or have a family history of skin cancer, then make a habit of seeing a dermatologist at least once a year. Your provider will check for any suspicious growths and biopsy as needed, so you have a diagnosis if necessary and a plan of action.
DAY FOUR: Buy a humidifier. Dry winter air leads to dry, itchy winter skin, and indoor heating can make the problem worse. Add some much-needed moisture back into the air and your skin will thank you.
DAY FIVE: Buy a gentler soap. Clarifying cleansers can strip skin of the oil it needs to stay smooth and supple. A sensitive skin formula could keep your skin from drying out. We recommend SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Cleanser. Shop HERE.
DAY SIX: Put your lotion next to the sink or shower. Your skin absorbs moisture most effectively after being wet, so make it easy for yourself to moisturize right after bathing.
DAY SEVEN: Dig out your warmest, loosest clothes. Loose clothes are less likely to cause chafing than tight ones.
DAY EIGHT: Cook yourself a fish dinner. If you don’t eat fish, try walnuts or chia seeds. The omega fatty acids in these foods help prevent dry skin.
DAY NINE: Read or look up the ingredients on your soaps and lotions. If they contain alcohols or fragrance, they might be drying out your skin. To minimize the risk of dehydration, you might try sensitive-skin or fragrance-free formulas.
DAY TEN: Drop lip balm in your purse or briefcase. Dry winter weather can lead to chapped lips. Take a balm or salve wherever you go to keep your lips hydrated. We recommend SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair. Shop HERE.
DAY ELEVEN: Swap out your laundry detergent. If you have sensitive skin, a harsh detergent can lead to irritation when your clothes contact your body. Opt for a fragrance-free formula instead.
DAY TWELVE: Sign up for a yoga class. If yoga’s not your thing, go for a hike or meditate. Stress relief benefits your whole body, including your skin.
You can use this tip list to pick and choose the best ones that work for you and your specific skin type and lifestyle. The important thing is to consider your health and give your skin what it deserves at year-end and year-round!

Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide 🛍️

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Part of the fun of holiday shopping is determining which items you’ll use as stocking stuffers. Still trying to figure out what to get? Well let us take out all the guess work for you! Some great things come in small packages, check out our top picks for stocking stuffers gift guide.
West Dermatology Clarifying Clay Mask $20.50
Effective and affordable, this mask effectively draws out impurities from deep within the skin while absorbing excess oil. Click here to shop now!
SkinMedica Facial Cleanser $38
One of our favorite cleansers this holiday season is this foaming cleanser that removes environmental pollutants, excess oil and makeup. One of its main ingredients is Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, which helps prevent free radical damage. Yes, please! Click here to shop now!
 
SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair $38
With winter here, the majority of us are suffering from dry, cracked lips. Bring some moisture back into your pout with this little miracle worker. This emollient treatment helps to rejuvenate, reshape, and replenish the delicate skin of the lips. Click here to shop now!
Isdin Uradin Podos Hydrating Gel Foot Oil $30
Who doesn’t want to walk into the New Year with moisturized, happy feet?! This lightweight hydrating foot oil will leave your feet feeling so jolly, you’ll want to dance around to holiday carols! Click here to shop now!
Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Tinted Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 $55
We couldn’t have a stocking stuffer gift guide without adding a sunscreen, of course! This one is one of our top choices because it’s a triple threat. It protects skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays, shields against environmental pollutants, AND provides a tint with a soft glow for perfect-looking skin. Click here to shop now!
Have fun with your stocking stuffer shopping and, as always, if you have any questions about any of the above products or you would like to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist, call us today! Wishing you all love and happiness this holiday season!