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Blog Archive

To Tint or Not To Tint? Aug 19th, 2024

We are frequently asked to sign waivers for the DMV to allow patients to have a darker tint on their vehicle windows. However, this is mostly inappropriate. Tinted windows only make the interior of your car darker by decreasing the amount of visible light that passes through the glass. Decreasing visible...

Sunscreens for Summer! May 24th, 2024

As the days get warmer, we know you'll be spending your days enjoying this wonderful, yet ever changing, Virginia weather. Now more than ever, sunscreen becomes vital for blocking those harsh UV rays, and we are here to give you our recommendations for the best, -loving sunscreens!  For our patients...

The Damage Is Done! Sun Damage and it's effects. Nov 30th, 2023

Actinic damage (or sun damage) is the change in the skin as a result of excessive, long term exposure to the sun. No, this is not due to your trip to Aruba last summer, but is probably from one too many stays at band camp without sunscreen in your teen years,...

Postpartum Care! Jul 14th, 2023

Congratulations! You finally get to meet your little bundle of joy after months of being pregnant! Our hair, skin, and nails may have changed during pregnancy and many women find that some changes linger or sometimes worsen (hair loss I’m talking about you!)    First, let’s talk sunscreen! There are...

The PITS! Jan 27th, 2023

Recently, it has been brought to my attention that my underarms are dark. I never really paid much attention to it, but with a vacation coming up, I could'nt help but feel self conscious. Unfortunately, a lot of women of color struggle with this, but that's why im here to...

Elta MD for U and Me! Dec 16th, 2022

Let’s talk about sunscreen! Though we should be applying spf daily, I know most people don’t and in that case, I hope you have your annual Skin Cancer Screening on the books. Whether it’s applied after or in your daily moisturizer, let’s just face it ladies the foundation just isn't...

Hard Working Products! Oct 17th, 2022

We all need a few time savers these days, amiright? It's hard enough to wake up early to do anything...exercise (who does that?), pack a healthy lunch, shower...so there's no need to make extra time for a long skin care routine.  From start to finish, here are some favorite products...

Sunscreen reviews by a sunscreen hater Mar 21st, 2022

When I think of sunscreen, the 1980s Coppertone SPF 8 in the brown bottle is what immediately comes to mind. If I could still buy that, I would 100% use it with zero complaints and happily walk around smelling vaguely like a chemical Pina Colada. BUT I’m pretty sure the...

POV: My sister is a dermatologist Feb 13th, 2022

Dr. O’Connor is my sister. And, sometimes I think she wants to go back to whatever the year of med school is where you get to pick your “major” and choose something weird and esoteric, the practice or research of which would not result in phone calls and (photographic) texts...

All about Mohs! In Dr. Gillen's words. Jan 23rd, 2022

For the record, it’s Mohs. Not an acronym. Mohs. Named for Frederick Mohs, a surgeon who pioneered the technique. It is a surgical method in which the smallest amount of normal skin is removed while still ensuring that the cancer is gone, instead of taking a larger “standard” margin. Because...

Kristen's Favorite Products Nov 18th, 2021

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to use professional skin care products? If so, this blog is for you! I tested a variety of products for a month and have given my honest opinions about each product. I am featuring ZO Skin Health by Zein Obagi MD products, which...

Pregnancy Skin Care 101 Oct 30th, 2021

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in your life, but it can also have its own challenges. You often hear about that “pregnancy glow” and see your friends with clear and flawless skin… but what if that isn’t you?   Pregnancy has a long list of Do’s and...

Back to School and Back to Routine Sep 13th, 2021

Summer is officially over! However, there are things that don’t change with the seasons. And as we all get back into routines (like writing blog posts…), this is a simple reminder that you should have some sort of regular skin care routine that involves the following steps:  STEP 1: Wash....

The Self Tanning Experiment May 3rd, 2021

Summer is here! And while I was convinced the twilight series would make pale, sparkling skin become in vogue, it’s been a decade and everyone still wants to be tan. But no one wants skin cancer, so to get that sun kissed look without the tanning bed and without the...

Common complaints. Easy fixes. Mar 16th, 2021

Common things I see and hear about all day. And things I think all day long. And hope that I can help fix easily. Patient: “My head itches.” "My head is scaling." "I have a dry scalp." "I think I have dandruff...what is dandruff?" "I CAN'T stop picking at my...

The less loved sites: Eyelids, Necks and Arms Feb 10th, 2021

Not all skin is created equal. But we tend to focus most of our attention..and dollars...on our faces. Duh. But if you can, give that surrounding and special skin some attention. The right attention. Because the wrong stuff will make you wind up with a rash. And then we’ll be...

It's 2021: Time to make SPF your BFF Jan 1st, 2021

While there seem to be endless steps and options for your skin care routine, if you stick with any step, make it sun protection. SPF should be worn all day. Every day. Rain, shine, summer, winter. Those UV rays can make it through any amount of cloud cover. Anyone else...

Holiday Gift Guide 2020 Dec 5th, 2020

Elta MD UV Clear SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic  Elta MD Pure SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Cream Elta MD UV Sport Elta MD UV Aero SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque Gift Cards! 

Correction, part 2: Tone and Texture Nov 9th, 2020

This entire series is about simplifying and breaking down the skin care aisle(s). Because there are so many products promising to fix so many things, we’re on our second post about correction. We’ve reviewed the best new and classic anti-aging products that focus on fine lines, but here we’ll talk...

Correction: Because we're all trying to #BYAB and BeYoung Oct 18th, 2020

There are a lot of products out there claiming to turn back time. Try to find one you like -something that doesn’t peel off your face or cause your bank account to send you an alert- with one or more of the following anti-aging ingredients in it.  *Retinoids: The classic...

Serum Skepticism Sep 28th, 2020

With serums having a moment, there is more product decision fatigue. Trying to figure out serums though is not unlike other products and goes something like: What does it do? Do I need it? Wowzers, that price….Is it worth the money? Is it worth the 10 seconds it will take to...

My hobby is skin care. Because I don't own a Peloton. Sep 14th, 2020

Moisturizing: while the word moist alone is cringe-worthy, don't avoid this step! Regardless of skin type (oily, dry, combination, mature, young, etc...). Any time you wash your face, your skin is drier afterwards. As water evaporates, your skin's water evaporates with it. While it may seem like a chore, locking...

Product Decision Fatigue? Aug 17th, 2020

It seems like there has been an explosion in skin care products. The skin care section of my Target has even been fanci-fied. TBH, I find it overwhelming... and I know what I’m looking for! So, in an effort to help, I’ll be starting a series of posts about skin...

Women Supporting Women Jul 31st, 2020

Whenever I have a question, I admit that my first instinct is to google. But after that, I rely on a number of group texts and chats with my mom, sisters, friends and colleagues. I don't know where I would be without these ladies. Thanks to all of the women...

Real Simple? Jul 17th, 2020

     

Wear Your Sunscreen Jul 2nd, 2020

  I always say, you know you're doing it right if you're embarassing yourself! Don't forget your back! Get a friend to help you out. The back is the most common site for melanoma in men (it's legs in ladies). The head and neck deserve extra attention. The ears and...

Welcome! Jun 25th, 2020