Dear patients, friends and colleagues,
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. I wanted to share with you some experiences we have had in the past year in our practice. In the first six weeks of 2007 alone, we diagnosed 5 melanomas. That is quite a high number compared to what the trends have been! Moreover, the diagnosed melanomas have been found in all age groups. A 19 year old patient of ours, Laura Holloway, developed a melanoma on her ear and her neck last summer, just as she was leaving for college. She was willing to share with you a letter that she emailed to her friends and other volleyball players:

“I am a twenty years old and play volleyball for Penn State University. I was diagnosed with skin cancer, melanoma, at 19. That was one of the worst days of my life. Receiving a call from Dr. Taub saying I have cancer was so hard. I immediately thought, “no more volleyball, no more hair, no more of my lifestyle.” Luckily my cancer was caught early and I didn’t have to undergo any chemotherapy. I do though have a couple scars that help tell my story. An eighth of my ear was removed and I have a very long incision on the side of my neck. It is very noticeable. People ask me what happened all the time. I simply tell them to stay out of the sun. When I was younger I lived at the beach. I loved to lay out. My friends and I would jump one very opportunity to sun bathe on my roof (because the black tar helped attract more rays). My teammates and I use to live in the tanning salons. Volleyball players in general like their legs to be bronzed when our uniforms consist of a tight shirt and barely any bottoms. But my teammates and I have found other ways to keep our legs tan. We use lots of different lotions which you can find at almost any drugstore. My teammates and I love how our skin feels. After almost a year with no sun my skin feels so much healthier. It is hard to tell someone to stay out of the sun. It makes us feel good. But it is slowly aging our skin and killing us off. Protect yourself. Wear sunscreen everytime you go outside. Because your life is much more precious than a nice tan.”

Recently, Miss Maryland (from the Miss USA pageant) became a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology to raise awareness amongst teenagers to avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning booths. Also a melanoma survivor, she believes her condition was linked to her tanning bed usage as well. “Leitz was diagnosed with stage II melanoma when she was 20 and has undergone several surgeries, one of which left her with an eight-inch scar on her back.” (Dermatology Times December 2006)

It is obvious from stories such as these that excessive sun exposure and tanning beds ARE NOT SAFE. Please don’t go in them or allow your teenages to do so. A spray or applied tan is fine, if having the appearance of tan is a social necessity! These are inert dyes that are not absorbed into your system. Please remember to apply sun screen with SPF30 and zinc oxide daily to your face and body. In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, 5% of proceeds of sun screen sales will be donated to the Skin Cancer Foundation during the month of May.

We are beginning the build out for our new Skinfo® boutique which will be on the ground floor of the City Park mall between Lori’s Shoes and Ticklebug. We are hoping to open in May. Keep an eye out for an announcement with grand opening events, specials and new products coming soon.

Have a great spring, (Go Cubs!)
Amy Forman Taub, MD
And the Staff of Advanced Dermatology, Skinfo and SKINQRI

These specials are only valid during the specified dates, will not be combined with any other offer, and will not be applied to previous treatments.

April 1 – April 30, 2007 - Introductory Fraxel SR1500 Laser Treatment Special - Improve melasma, acne scars, photo damage and wrinkles with Fraxel SR1500. $100 off Fraxel SR1500 Laser Treatments performed within this month.

April 1 – May 31, 2007 - Get Fit for the Summer! - Strengthen your muscles, hydrate your skin, and boost your vitamins and antioxidants with the PanG™ Lift! The PanG™ Lift is an overall facial fitness program to improve your skin’s health from the surface down to the muscle. Call to set up your consultation to discuss how this treatment can benefit you and you will receive one complimentary PanG™ Lift treatment! *** This special is for first time PanG™ Lift clients only and some restrictions may apply.

April 4, 2007 - Fillers Event Day - Volume is the key feature in a youthful face. Plump fine lines, wrinkles, lips and hollowed lower eyelids with Restylaneand Juvederm. Build volume in sunken cheeks with Sculptra and Radiesse. Injectable fillers provided by Shannon Morrow, PA-C will be 10% off this day only! Please book your consultation in advance to benefit from this event day.

June 1 – July 31, 2007 - Due to popular demand, we have brought back the Aesthetic Special: Buy3, Get 1 Free! Buy 3 of any of the aesthetic facials and/or peels and you will receive 1 free. Great gifts for mother’s day, prom, and weddings!

June 15 – August 15, 2007 - Summer Laser Special 10% off Fraxel SR1500 Laser Treatment, Laser Photorejuvenation, Laser Hair Removal and Laser Leg Veins! Receive 10% off any individual laser treatment or laser treatment package! This is the best way to kick start your summer by reducing unwanted sundamage, hair, and leg veins. Book your consultation early so that you can enjoy the benefits all summer long!

June – August 2007 - Contour, Shape and Reduce your Cellulite this Summer! The VelaSmooth™ is the most effective FDA approved device for improving cellulite. Learn how you can benefit from this treatment program in a complimentary consultation and enjoy this summer’s VelaSmooth™ special. Purchase an initial treatment package of two areas and receive ½ off the third area, purchase three areas and the fourth area is free! ***This special is for first time VelaSmooth™ clients only, may not be used on maintenance packages and other restrictions may apply.

2006 - Dr. Taub was appointed to the research committee of the American Society of Derm Surgery.

October 2006 - Skin & Aging published an announcement about our open house in Sparking Interest in Your Medical Spa.

February 2007 - Dr. Taub was one of twelve physicians to present at the national media briefing at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting (AAD).  Dr. Taub presented “High-Tech Acne Treatments Light the Way for Future Long-Term Solution to Common Skin Condition”.

February 2007 - Dr. Taub was published in Practical Dermatology“A Rational Approach to Contemporary AK Management:A by-the-numbers assessment of therapies considers efficacy, convenience, cosmesis, and cost.”

March 23-24, 2007 - Dr. Taub is presenting at the Art & Science of Fillers and Injectables educational course for the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

April 11-15, 2007 - Dr. Taub, Erin DeVita, CST, CMLSO, CCRC and Suzanne Lombardo are attending the American Society of LaserMedicine and Surgery (ASLMS). Erin will be presenting “Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.”

April 20-24, 2007 - Erin DeVita, CST, CMLSO, CCRC will be attending the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Annual Meeting.

Fraxel Updates The Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatments results continue to impress us. Patients who have failed other laser and cosmetic treatments for melasma and acne scarring have had outstanding resultswith a series of Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatments. It is also a more global approach to Photorejuvenation improving not only uneven pigmentation but also providing more textural improvement. Schedule your consultation to see ifyou are a good candidate for Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatments and take advantage of our April special.

Combination Therapy Dermatologists agree that combination therapy yields the best results and highest patient satisfaction. Although individual treatments are enough for some people, combining different laser and cosmetic treatments together may give more dramatic results. Many patients benefit from BOTOX® Cosmetic and Restylane™ to gether to address wrinkles of the brow and forehead. Eyes by Thermage™ with Restylane™ to the tear trough is a option that greatly improves this are aaddressing both the laxity and texture of the eyelids and the hollowness and dark circles underneath. Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatments or Aurora Foto Facial™ RF treatments in addition to tissue tightening procedures (like Thermage®, Titan™ or ReFirme ST™) will improve both their regular pigmentation and surface texture in addition to skin laxity such as jowls and heavy brows. During your consultation, the cosmetic coordinator and provider will discuss all options available based on your specific concerns. If combination therapy is recommended they will help you with timing and scheduling to yield the best results.

Leg Vein Updates With spring just around the corner, now is the time to check your legs for any unsightly veins that you may want to have treated before it’s time to get into those shorts. At Advanced Dermatology we have recently incorporated sclerotherapy to our treatment options for both smallspider veins and medium sized blue veins. Sclerotherapy is the use of a tiny needle to inject a solution into veins, resulting in inflammation in the vein wall and eventualre absorption of the vein by the body. By using a combination of 1064 Nd:YAG laser treatments and sclerotherapy, we can harness the best of two worlds, allowing patients to maximize their results. Treatments are done by providers with years of experience treating leg veins, and our results have been phenomenal! Patients have reported improvement not only in the cosmetic appearance of their legs, but also in the discomfortand swelling that can sometimes accompany mild venous disease. Schedule a consultation to have your leg veins evaluated, and formulate a plan to get your legs ready for the summer.

Before (left) and 1 month after 3 Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatments (right) and topical skincare product therapy for melasma.

Skin Cancer Melanoma is the most serious of all skin cancers. If you have a brown, often flat, mole that has irregular pigmentation or shape and/or is not symmetric or is changing, make sure you see a dermatologist to get it evaluated. Non-melanoma skin cancer often starts with scaly flesh colored or red patches or “pearly” or scabby bumps that do not heal or continue to grow, or occasionally even pimple-like growths that never resolve. Melanoma is caused by sun as well as heredity, where as non-melanoma skin cancer is caused principally by excessive UV radiation. It is important to detect early as most skin cancer, even melanoma, is curable with surgery alone.

Actinic keratoses, which are pre-cancerous scaly growths can be treated with cryotherapy (freezing), chemotherapy creams (Carac, Efudex,or Aldara) or photodynamic therapy (PDT). We specialize in PDT at Advanced Dermatology but use all methods. PDT is great in that it removes the precancerous spots with good cosmetic results and there are usually only a couple of days of redness and peeling. It also appears to prevent skin cancer and treats the entire area instead of just one or two specific spots.

Call our office to get your first body check, if you haven’t already had one by a dermatologist.

Melasma Melasma is a skin condition that occurs on the face in the form of brown patches. A change in hormonal status (higher levels of estrogen) is thought to trigger and be the cause of the condition (i.e. birth control pills, pregnancy), although many women without these risk factors also have it.

UVA rays are the stimulant for melanin (brown pigmentation) to develop on the skin, and unfortunately UVA rays can even penetrate through car window glass. For this reason the most important topical to use everyday is a broad-spectrum sunscreen to block the UVA rays and wearing a hat when outdoors for extended periods can be helpful as well. An appropriate sunscreen would be that of an SPF30 or higher and also contains the active ingredient Zinc Oxide. We have many new facial sunscreens available in Skinfo® that are much lighter and non-greasy, perfect for the upcoming summer months.

There are prescription products and cosmeceuticals that can lighten or prevent worsening of the pigment. Most treatments contain hydroquinone, a chemical which impairs the cells from making melanin. A prescription strength hydroquinone works better than over-the-counter formulations and we have 3 products available in our skincare boutique: Glytone Clarifying Gel and Sun Vanish and Skinfo® Vital Repair Pads. There are also plant based products that contain Kojic acid, arbutin, licorice and other botanical lightening ingredients which are a more natural way to lighten the abnormal pigment, such as SkinCeuticals Phyto +.

If topical products aren’t enough, we have a number of procedures that are effective for melasma as well. BetaPeels (salicylic acid peels), used in conjunction with effective skincare, often help with unwanted pigment. Laser Photorejuvenation with the Aurora SRA has helped many with stubborn pigment. Our newest addition, the Fraxel® SR1500 Laser Treatments has been highly effective for melasma as well (see this month’s featured before and after).

Atopic Derm Many patients come to our office with dry, rough patches on their skin that don’t seem to resolve with their normal moisturizers. Winter is a time of year when this becomes an all too familiar problem in dermatology, and the culprit is a combination of our dry climate and a sensitivity of the skin called atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis, often referred to as eczema, is a chronic, relapsing condition that is thought to be caused by both a genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. It can be seen in infants, children, and adults, and it is more common in patients who have a personal or family history of asthma and seasonal allergies. Called “the itch that rashes” it can present as quietly as a chronic colorless rough patch of dry skin, but can develop into raised red scaly patches.

Treatment involves removing triggers that can make the skin more sensitive, such as products containing fragrances, using special emollient creams that help to improve the skin’s function, and using a topical steroid cream or immunomodulator to help reduce the inflammation present in the skin as a result of the chronic irritation at its surface.

Galderma Acne Study If you are 12 years of age or older and have acne, you may be able to participate in a clinical research study testing an investigational gel medication. Qualified participants will receive at no cost: Skin evaluations by a physician, an investigational gel medication for 12 weeks, reimbursement for time and travel. To qualify you should have acne on the face, be 12 years of age or older, and be in good general health. Contact us for more information.

Psoriasis Study You may qualify for this study if you have been diagnosed with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis by a medical doctor and are currently being treated with Raptiva or another biologic psoriasis treatment. Qualified participants will receive study-related medical evaluations at no cost. No medications will be provided as part of the study – all participants will continue with their current drug therapy. Reimbursement for your participation will be provided.

Psoriasis Study If you are aged 18 or older and have moderate to severe psoriasis, you may be eligible to participate in a new research study using Enbrel®, a drug that has been approved by the FDA that can be administered at home to treat the symptoms of psoriasis.

Eczema StudyThis study is enrolling patients ages 2-17 years old with atopic dermatitis (eczema) who have used Elidel for at least 6 weeks in the past 6 months (they do not need to currently be using Elidel). Participants will complete a short survey which will be mailed to your home every 6 months for the duration of the study. No office visits are required. Reimbursement for your participation will be provided for every completed survey.

Eczema Study Do you have eczema or atopic dermatitis? Have you used Protopic (tacrolimus) Ointment before you were 16 years of age to treat your eczema? Would you be interested in participating in a long-term program that will monitor your health? You may be eligible to participate in an observational research study. Please call us if you would like to learn more about this important program.

Skinfo® Acne Study We are recruiting 15 people who would be willing to try a new acne cream that we have designed with over the counter ingredients. We are looking for feedback on how well it works, how it feels, and any potential side effects like dryness or irritation. If you are interested, please contact our office.

PPx Acne Study The FDA recently approved a new laser to treat acne. The PPx Pore-Cleansing Acne Treatment™ also known as Isolaz combines light and suction to treat the acne bacteria and clear the pore. More severe acne may benefit by combining this treatment with PDT by having a greater effect on these baceous gland. This study is recruiting 10 patients, 5 with mild to moderate acne for laser treatments alone and 5 with moderate to severe acne for laser treatments will PDT. Subjects will receive four treatments at one to two week intervals and will be followed for three months after the treatment series.



Click here to fill out your information on SKINQRI.com.

New Products by skinfo®

Skinfo® Specialty Skincare Boutique is growing into a larger retail space this spring. We will be expanding our product selection by over 100 products! There are too many to announce all at once with full descriptions – but will be updating you with supplement mailers. Please call to pre-order any items as we will be taking pre-orders for these new items prior to our grand opening.

In addition, in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, 5% of proceeds of sun screen sales will be donated to the Skin Cancer Foundation during the month of May. We have a variety of sunscreen for the face and body, with and without moisturizing properties. Visit skinfo® to feel which one is best for you.

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Daily Moisturizer for the Face SPF30+ The new Blue Lizard Face offers superior UVA/UVB protection, is enriched with antioxidants green tea extract, caffeine, and vitamin E, and is oil and fragrance free. The anti-aging sunscreen is in a light, non-greasy moisturizer formulated for daily use – even under makeup.

Kinerase® Pro+Therapy UltraRich Day Repair is specifically formulated for dry, mature or sun damaged skin. This luxurious day cream provides intensive moisture therapy and delivers a proprietary concentration of kinetin and zeatin to improve the appearance of fine lines, skin texture, blotchiness and sun damage.

Kinerase® Pro+Therapy Ultra Rich Eye Repair is a deeply hydrating, velvet rich cream that smoothes and moisturizes the delicate eye area, prepping the skin for flawless make-up application. The proprietary concentration of kinetin and zeatin improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Kinerase® Pro+Therapy Advanced Radiance Facial Peel exfoliates and smoothes, unveiling a more radiant, clearer looking complexion with less irritation than traditional peels. Pharmaceutical grade Lactic Acid combined with skin soothers provide effective, yet gentle treatment. Technologically advanced, pre-moistened single use applicat or allows for controlled application.

April 11, 2007 - Cellex-C/Glo-Minerals Event 10% off  Spring into the season with new color – consult with a skincare specialist to update your makeup regimen and skincare at this event.

May 2, 2007 - Annual Skinfo® 15% off event Celebrate it’s Springtime! Celebrate with us and receive 15% off your purchase on this day only. Spring is the perfect time to boost your antioxidant protection and sun block to prepare for summer sun. Replenish your supply, stock up on your favorites, and try the newest products for your skin care goals. Raffles of free gifts, samples, door prizes and more! Please call to pre-order any items.

June 13, 2007 - SkinCeuticalsEvent 10% off Build up your antioxidant protection for the summer months with SkinCeuticals AOX products. These products will help defend against free radicals and UV exposure – allowing for more youthful skin for years to come. Also, introducing Intense Line Defense to reduce fine lines and stimulate collagen production.


Skinfo events are in-store only (please call if you need any products sent out to you if you can not come in). Discounts are not valid with any other offers.

Introducing our Spring 2007 Collection The Magic of City Life –featuring retro-elegant shades with contrasting shimmers that offer an artful blend of big city sheik colors! Experience a delicate wash of color with our new gloReflection cream shadows ingilded bronze, golden pearl, aqua chiffon and opulent pink, soft gloPrecisioneye pencils in silver lilac and antique gold, silky gloBlush in lilac silk, and glossy gloLiquid Lips in black cherry, a glossy deep berry and bougainvillea, a raspberry pink glaze, complemented by hot new gloPrecision lip pencils in crushed raspberry and cocoa. The spring calls for soft eyes and cheeks contrasted with bold lips. Capture the kind of reality we only see in our dreams.