Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick (commonly the deer tick). Early symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, body aches, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.

Lichen simplex chronicus is a condition where repeated scratching or rubbing of a site creates a localized, itchy, thickened, leathery patch of skin. Lichen simplex chronicus can present as a solitary lesion or as multiple lesions—usually in areas that are easy to reach. The most commonly involved

Laser hair removal is a procedure used to remove unwanted facial and body hair. Lasers deliver concentrated beams of light which are absorbed by the pigment in hair follicles. The light energy is converted into heat, which ultimately damages the hair follicles, leading to decreased or absence of hair

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition characterized by rough, bumpy skin most often found on the back of the arms, thighs, and cheeks. It is a common finding in those with dry and sensitive skin. It typically affects children and teenagers and can improve or resolve over time. The condition is

Keloids are thick, firm, hard growths due to excessive scar tissue formation. They differ from ordinary scars and hypertrophic scars in that the scar tissue extends and spreads beyond the original wound margin. Rarely, these growths can occur spontaneously, even without any preceding skin injury. Keloids

Intertrigo is a common rash found in the folds of the skin. Common areas of involvement include the groin, in the folds of the abdomen, and under the breasts. Because of the friction, warmth, and moisture in the skin folds, the affected areas become red and raw. Symptoms can also include itching and

Intense pulsed light therapy is a non-invasive, non-laser therapy that uses high intensity pulses of visible light to achieve skin rejuvenation. IPL delivers light energy which is converted into heat energy, resulting in damage to targeted cells in the skin. The damage also stimulates new collagen production.

An infantile hemangioma is a kind of vascular tumor made up of blood vessels, commonly called a “strawberry birthmark.” The vascular tumor can be superficial (growing on the skin surface), appearing as a bright red, bumpy, lesion. It can also be deep (growing under the skin), presenting as a bluish

Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection that typically affects young children. It is most often caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Affected individuals present with sores that break open leading to honey-colored crusts and scabs. Though lesions can be found

A hypertrophic scar is a thickened, raised, oftentimes pink or red scar. Hypertrophic scars can be symptomatic - causing burning, itching, or discomfort. These thickened, raised scars are more likely to occur in areas where there is significant tension on a healing wound; examples include the back, chest,

Topical retinoids are available in many over the counter skin care products as well as prescription strength medications. They work to treat a variety of skin care problems ranging from fine lines and wrinkles to acne breakouts and psoriasis. Common side effects of using topical retinoids include: dryness,

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory condition which presents with deep, painful nodules or lumps under the skin. The painful nodules can rupture, leading to drainage of pus and blood. Over time, the painful nodules can connect, forming tunnels under the skin. The condition often results

Our body is continually growing new hair. As new hair grows, the old hair is shed. It is usual for an individual to shed or lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day. Hair loss occurs when excessive shedding (beyond the typical 50-100 hairs a day) or when the hair follicles become dormant or destroyed, resulting

Granuloma annulare is a harmless type of skin rash that often presents with ring-shaped lesions. Although the condition can appear anywhere on the skin, favored sites are the hands, feet, elbows, and ankles. It is typically found in children, teenagers, and young adults. Granuloma annulare is more prevalent

Gential herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of the herpes simplex virus- herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Either type can cause genital herpes, but HSV-2 is responsible for

Folliculitis is the medical term for inflammation of a hair follicle. It typically presents as pink bumps or pustules (pus filled bumps) centered around a hair follicle. The condition can appear anywhere on the body where there are hairs, including on the face, chest, back, buttocks, and/or legs. The

Fillers (examples: Belotero, Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, Voluma) are injectable treatments that help diminish the signs of aging. Fillers are composed of soft, gel-like substances that can either be synthetic or naturally occurring in nature. They can be temporary (absorbable) or permanent

Female pattern hair loss, known as androgenetic alopecia, is the counterpart of the more widely recognized male pattern hair loss. Unlike men with a receding hairline and hair loss on the top and front, female pattern hair loss presents with the widening of the part line, which can progress to generalized

Eczema refers to a group of conditions characterized by dry, inflamed, and itchy skin. The most common kind of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Other forms of eczema include contact dermatitis, irritant dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. The term eczema is often used by people to refer

Dyshidrotic eczema is a form of eczema that manifests as intensely itchy blisters that develop on the sides of the fingers, toes, palms, or soles. It can be caused by atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, or an id reaction (reaction to a skin infection or skin rash at another site). The condition is

Dermatomyositis is a rare disease that causes a skin rash and muscle weakness. The skin rash can present reddish to purplish, dusky discoloration and swelling of the eyelids, particularly the upper eyelids (heliotrope rash). A red rash may also appear on the chest, shoulder, neck or back. Affected individuals

Dermatofibromas are common, benign skin growths most typically found on legs of women. They present as a pinkish brown, firm, scar-like bump. Sometimes, their appearance is attributed to a preceding insect bite, ingrown hair, or other minor injury or trauma. As the skin growths are harmless, no treatment

Dermaplaning is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure where a small blade removes the outermost layer of skin and fine hairs on the face. As such, the procedure provides both exfoliation and hair removal yielding a brighter complexion and softer, smoother skin. Disclaimer: The information on

Cysts are one of the most common benign skin growths. A cyst consists of a sac or enclosed capsule filled with fluid or semisolid material. Typically, they are round or dome shaped, nodules or lumps on or underneath the skin. The overlying skin can be unchanged or have a small opening or punctum. They

Contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that develops after the skin comes in contact with a substance that acts as an irritant or allergen. The affected areas become red, inflamed, and itchy. Swelling, blistering, crusting, and oozing can also occur. Irritant contact dermatitis is the more common type,

Cherry angiomas are benign, non worrisome, vascular growths which typically appear in adults over the age of 30. These blood vessel growths can range in color from pink to red to purple. They can range in size from pinhead sized to 1cm in diameter. Most commonly, they appear as red, dome shaped papules

Chemical peels are cosmetic procedures that use various chemical solutions to exfoliate or peel away the outer layer of the skin. They are commonly used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, skin discoloration, dull complexion, age spots, or sun damaged skin. Typically, chemical peels are

OVERVIEW Do you have nasolabial folds? If so, you're not alone. Nasolabial folds are a common cosmetic concern for many people. Fortunately, there are treatments available that can help eliminate nasolabial folds. This article will discuss the various treatment options available and how they work. We

OVERVIEW It comes as no surprise that aging is accompanied by many changes in our skin. As we age, our skin becomes thinner, looser, and more frail. Even minor trauma can lead to bruising, scratches, or cuts which can take longer to heal. Accumulated sun damage can result in wrinkles, dryness, and the

OVERVIEW As you grow older, your body loses its ability to produce as much collagen as it once did. Your skin cells also divide at a slower rate, changing their structure and thinning. Wrinkles are a part of this aging process. If you don't like the look of your wrinkles, your dermatologist can help.

OVERVIEW Although there are no medical reasons why you should be worried about enlarged pores, many feel their appearance would be improved with less noticeable pores. If you have large pores affecting the way you view and feel about yourself, here are some tips to help shrink your pores. What are the

OVERVIEW Used to make your body's connective tissue, collagen makes up one-third of all the protein present in your body. Its strong fibers are used to connect ligaments, muscles, bones, and of course, your skin. Collagen is responsible for keeping your skin supple, resilient, and youthful. As you age,

OVERVIEW Aging, childbirth, and a change in your hormone levels can all affect the vagina and your sexual health. If this is beginning to impact your overall quality of life, scheduling an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist to discuss the options for vaginal rejuvenation can help. What

OVERVIEW Regret getting your last ink? You're not alone—according to WebMD, approximately 25% of people with tattoos experience regret after getting one. If you're looking for a way to remove your unwanted tattoo, talking to a board-certified dermatologist can help. Laser tattoo removal to remove tattoos

OVERVIEW Uneven skin tone happens when areas of your skin are lighter or darker than other parts. It affects your skin's overall pigmentation due to a pigment known as melanin. Disruption or damage to melanin-producing cells leads to changes in skin tone. Areas of patches that are darker have too much