Tag: dermatologist fortress

Clinical, Surgical and Aesthetic Dermatology

December Orange – Skin Cancer Prevention Month


December Orange – Skin Cancer Prevention Month

– What are the Most Common Skin Cancers?

Skin cancer can basically present in three most common types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

1.What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

It is the most frequent skin cancer, mainly resulting from exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation.

How Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Appear?

It presents as a nodular lesion or a skin-colored or erythematous (reddish) and sometimes dark-colored plaque that may bleed.

Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Serious? Can it compromise other organs?

It is a tumor that rarely metastasizes (involves other organs), but can be locally invasive.

What is the treatment of basal cell carcinoma?

Treatment consists of removing the tumor or using destructive methods, depending on the tumor characteristics.

How to Prevent Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Prevention can be accomplished with the use of sun protection.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Second most common skin cancer. It occurs most commonly in regions of the body exposed to the sun, with ultraviolet radiation being the most important factor in its occurrence.

In the oral region, SCC is related to the habit of smoking and the use of alcoholic beverages. While in the genital region, it is related to chronic infections by the HPV virus.

How Does Squamous Cell Carcinoma Appear?

Clinically, it is characterized by a nodule, ulcerated or not, or a vegetating or verrucous plaque. Metastasis can occur. Treatment varies according to tumor characteristics. Protection from sun exposure is of fundamental importance to prevent the appearance of the tumor.

3. Melanoma

It is a more aggressive skin cancer, with a high rate of metastasis (involvement of other organs).

Sun exposure is the main environmental risk factor for the development of melanoma. People with fair skin, eyes and hair that are more prone to sunburn than to tan belong to the group most affected by melanoma.

A history of sunburn with blistering in childhood, the presence of multiple melanocytic, atypical or dysplastic nevi, and a previous history of melanoma, as well as a family history of melanoma, are other risk factors for the development of the tumor. Melanoma can arise anywhere on normal skin as a pigmented lesion with irregular borders and symptoms of itching and scaling, or it can arise from a pre-existing nevus with asymmetry, irregular borders, change in color and increase in size.

Treatment depends on the characteristics

28/11/2019 / by Dr. Milvelena

Botox for Migraine

What do you need to know about migraines and botox?

We've all heard of Botox, responsible for generations of smooth foreheads in Hollywood, but Botox has also brought relief to many people suffering from chronic medical conditions. In 2010, Botox was approved for use with chronic migraines, and many patients are reporting success.

What do you need to know first? What type of headache responds best to Botox?

Botox is FDA-approved only for chronic migraines, which means headaches on 15 or more days a month. "The more frequent the headaches, the better the patient does with Botox." Botox is not recommended for patients who experience fewer than 15 headache days per month.


What is Botox and how does it work?

Botox is a form of botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria that causes botulism. When Botox botulinum toxin is purified and used in small doses on specific areas, it temporarily reduces muscle contractions for approximately 3 months.

Botox is injected around pain fibers that are involved in headaches. Botox enters the nerve endings around where it is injected and blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission. This prevents the activation of pain networks in the brain.

Botox prevents migraines before they start, but it takes time to work. A treatment course lasts 10 to 12 weeks, with patients reporting approximately 50% reduction in the number of migraines after two applications.


28/01/2019 / by Dr. Milvelena

Difference between Botox and Fillers

Filling with hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin (“botox”) are rejuvenating procedures that soften the signs of time, but have different functions. ?

Filling with hyaluronic acid is indicated to correct static wrinkles, which are those that can be seen even with a relaxed face. It fills in furrows such as the Chinese mustache, dark circles, restores the lost volume of the cheekbones and lips, restores the facial contour. That is, it fills in creases and restores volume in the regions that need it. – Lasts about 1 year to 1 year and a half. ?

Botulinum toxin ("botox") does not give volume or fill. It acts on dynamic wrinkles, that is, those that arise when we move the muscle and that generate expression marks. It relaxes the muscle, and without movement, there is no wrinkle formation. Thus, it smoothes the expression wrinkles of the forehead, sides of the eyes ("crow's feet"), glabella (between the eyebrows), nose ("bunny lines"), wrinkles of the orbicularis oris muscle ("barcode") , chin, vertical creases of the neck, in addition to other regions.
It lasts from 4 to 6 months. ✅ See that the two procedures complement each other!
Talk to your dermatologist and say goodbye to wrinkles?

??‍⚕Dr. MILVELENA SANTIAGO
Clinical, Surgical and Aesthetic Dermatology

24/01/2019 / by Dr. Milvelena

Alopecia Areata

It is a type of alopecia (hair loss) in plaque, non-scarring, of autoimmune origin.

It is most common on the scalp, but can affect any part of the body. Rarely, it can cause loss of all hair and body hair (alopecia areata universalis). When all the hair is lost, it is called alopecia areata totalis.

The diagnosis is made through dermoscopy of the affected area, sometimes requiring a skin biopsy.

Treatment is carried out by a dermatologist according to the degree of disease activity and the extent of the affected area. In general, patients have a good response to treatment with hair removal of the affected area.

Relapses of the disease can occur.

Consult your dermatologist.

14/01/2019 / by Dr. Milvelena

atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that has a cyclical course with periods of improvement and worsening. The cause is not exactly known, being influenced by multiple factors. It has a familial character and is frequently associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

It is not a contagious disease. It is characterized by inflamed, reddened, itchy, scaly, and sometimes moist skin lesions. It starts in the first year of life, in most cases it has a chronic course and most children have a reduction or disappearance of lesions before adolescence. In infants, lesions predominate on the face and on the outer surfaces of the arms and legs.

In older children and adults, the lesions mainly affect the body folds, such as the knees, elbows and neck. In the most severe cases, it can affect much of the body surface. Atopic dermatitis sufferers have a higher incidence of bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infections. Despite the gradual improvement of the disease with the progression of age, the patient with atopic dermatitis tends to maintain, throughout his life, a dry skin that is easily irritated.

Atopic dermatitis tends to appear or worsen when a person is exposed to certain substances or conditions. The triggering factors are: dry skin; dust; detergents; heat and perspiration; infections and emotional stress.

It is important to avoid or reduce exposure to triggering factors and treat acute attacks. It is recommended: daily and continuous use of a white, fragrance-free moisturizing cream; warm to cold bath, with an average duration of 5 to 10 minutes, without a loofah; Neutral soap should be used as little as necessary and in a single bath.

In addition to all the above precautions, it is not always possible to avoid an acute attack of atopic dermatitis. In crises, maintain skin care and look for a dermatologist.

10/01/2019 / by Dr. Milvelena
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