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Mohs Surgery: The Gold Standard for Treating Skin Cancer
Understanding Mohs Surgery If your dermatologist has recommended Mohs surgery for a skin cancer diagnosis, you probably have questions, and that's completely normal. Mohs surgery is widely considered the most precise and effective method for treating certain types of skin cancer, and it has one of the highest cure rates of any skin cancer treatment available today. In this post, we'll walk through what Mohs surgery actually involves, why doctors recommend it, what you can exp

SID
4 days ago4 min read


Drugstore Retinol vs. Prescription Retinoids: What's Actually Worth Your Money
If you have spent any time scrolling through skincare videos or wandering the beauty aisle, you have probably noticed that retinol is everywhere. It is in serums, night creams, even body lotions now. But if you have ever asked a dermatologist about it, you may have also heard the word "retinoid" tossed around, along with brand names like tretinoin or Retin A. The retinol vs retinoids question comes up constantly, and the real difference between drugstore retinol and prescript

SID
Aug 64 min read


The "Natural Results" Shift: Why Subtle Is the Biggest Aesthetic Trend of 2026
For years, the aesthetics world was defined by "more." More filler, more volume, more dramatic before and after's. But walk into any medspa consultation in 2026 and you'll hear a very different request: patients want natural results, not a new face. This shift toward subtle, refined enhancements is easily the biggest aesthetic trend of the year, and it's changing how providers approach everything from injectables to skin quality treatments. What "Natural Results" Actually Mea

SID
Aug 54 min read


The Rise of At-Home Skincare Devices: Which Ones Are Safe, and Which Should You Skip?
Walk down the skincare aisle of any beauty store, or scroll through your social media feed for more than five minutes, and you'll run into them: LED masks that make you look like a sci-fi extra, handheld microcurrent wands promising a "facelift in a box," and dermarollers covered in tiny needles. At-home skincare devices have exploded in popularity over the last few years, and it's easy to see why. They promise professional level results without the professional level price t

SID
Aug 34 min read


Should You See a GLP-1 Dermatologist Before Starting Treatment?
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have become some of the most talked about tools for weight loss and blood sugar control. If you are considering starting one, you have probably researched the nausea, the appetite changes, and the injection schedule. But there is one appointment many people skip that could make a real difference in how your skin, hair, and nails hold up through the process: a visit to a GLP-1 dermatologist before you begin. It mig

SID
Jul 313 min read


Anti-Aging in Your 20s: What Actually Helps
If you're already thinking about anti-aging in your 20s, you're not being vain, you're being smart. It's less about chasing wrinkles that don't exist yet and more about protecting the collagen, elasticity, and even tone you already have. The habits you build now do more for your skin at 40 than almost anything you could do later to fix it. Here's the good news: you don't need a ten-step routine or a drawer full of serums to get real results. A few consistent habits, done well

SID
Jul 303 min read


What Is Mohs Surgery, and When Is It Needed?
If your dermatologist has mentioned Mohs surgery after a skin cancer diagnosis, you probably have questions. Mohs micrographic surgery is one of the most effective treatments available for certain types of skin cancer, and understanding how it works can make the process feel a lot less intimidating. What Is Mohs Surgery? Mohs surgery is a precise, layer-by-layer technique used to remove skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Named after Dr. Frederic

SID
Jul 293 min read


Recurrent Acne Breakouts: Why Pimples Keep Coming Back in the Same Spot
If you've ever felt like a pimple on your chin or jawline is on some kind of monthly subscription plan, you're not imagining it. Recurrent acne breakouts, the kind that show up again and again in the exact same location, are one of the most common frustrations we hear about at Specialists in Dermatology. Patients often assume they're just unlucky, but there's actually a clear biological explanation for why breakouts localize to certain areas of the face and body instead of ap

SID
Jul 274 min read


EltaMD Sunscreen vs. Drugstore Sunscreen: What's Actually Worth Your Money
If you've stood in the sunscreen aisle wondering whether a $30 tube of EltaMD sunscreen is really worth it compared to a $10 drugstore bottle, you're not alone. It's one of the questions we hear most often at Specialists in Dermatology, and the honest answer is: it depends on your skin. Both options can protect you from UV damage, but they're not built for the same job. Let's break down the real differences so you can choose what's right for you, not just what's cheapest or m

SID
Jul 243 min read


Skincare Application Sequence: Does Product Order Affect Absorption and Efficacy?
Most of us have a shelf full of serums, creams, and treatments, but far fewer of us actually know what order to apply them in. It turns out the skincare application sequence you follow every morning and night can make a real difference in how well your products work. Apply things in the wrong order and even the best serum on the market may barely reach your skin. Get the sequence right, and you can boost the results of the products you already own, no extra spending required.

SID
Jul 233 min read


Why Dermatologists Are Seeing More TikTok-Trend Skin Damage (And What to Do Instead)
If your "For You" page has ever convinced you to layer six serums, slather on cinnamon and honey, or try a 10-step routine overnight, you are not alone, and neither is the skin damage that often follows. Dermatologists are reporting a real increase in TikTok skin damage, most commonly perioral dermatitis and a weakened skin barrier, as more patients arrive in the office trying to undo what a viral video convinced them to do. In fact, one recent survey found that nearly 90% of

SID
Jul 224 min read


Phone Wrinkles: Is Your Screen Time Aging Your Skin?
Think about how much time you spend looking at your phone every day. Now think about the angle you're holding it at. If you're like most people, you're tilting your chin down and hunching your shoulders forward for hours at a time, and that habit is leaving a mark on your skin. It turns out your phone might be aging you in more ways than one. Between the way you hold it and the light it puts out, your daily scroll could be contributing to phone wrinkles, along with sagging an

SID
Jul 214 min read


Game Day Skin: Why Sunscreen Belongs in Your Sports Bag This Season
Football season is almost here, and if you're anything like the rest of Tucson, that means tailgates, Friday night lights, and a whole lot of time back out under the Arizona sun. Whether you're cheering on the Wildcats at Arizona Stadium or coaching your kid's weekend league, one piece of gear gets left in the bag way too often: sunscreen. We get it. Sunscreen isn't as exciting as game day jerseys or foam fingers. But here in southern Arizona, the sun doesn't take a season of

SID
Jul 204 min read


A New Sunscreen Ingredient, Bemotrizinol, Just Got FDA Approval, and It Could Change Skin Cancer Prevention
For the first time in 25 years, the FDA has approved a brand-new sunscreen active ingredient for use in the United States. Its name is bemotrizinol, and you may also see it listed as BEMT, Tinosorb S, or PARSOL Shield. If you follow skin health news, this is a big deal. If you don't, here is why it still matters for you and your family. On June 9, 2026, the FDA cleared bemotrizinol as an over-the-counter sunscreen filter. Manufacturers can begin adding it to formulas starting

SID
Jul 164 min read
Could a Common Antibiotic Play a Role in Alzheimer's Research? What the Science Actually Says About Doxycycline
If you have ever taken doxycycline for acne, rosacea, or a stubborn skin infection, you might be surprised to learn that this familiar antibiotic has become a topic of interest in Alzheimer's disease research. Over the past few years, headlines have hinted that doxycycline could one day help protect the brain. It is an exciting idea, and one worth understanding clearly. So let's separate the promise from the proof. Here is what researchers have found, what they have not, and

SID
Jul 154 min read


Surprising Places You Can Get Melanoma (That Have Nothing to Do With a Sunburn)
When most people think about melanoma, they picture a suspicious mole on a shoulder, a back, or some other spot that has spent years soaking up the sun. And that mental image is not wrong. Sun exposure is a major driver of skin cancer. But here is the part that catches a lot of people off guard: melanoma does not only show up where the sun shines. It can appear in places you would never think to check, including a few that never see daylight at all. That gap in awareness matt

SID
Jul 144 min read


Your Sunglasses Are Doing More Than You Think (And Some Are Doing Nothing At All)
When we talk about sun protection at our practice, the conversation almost always starts with sunscreen. And it should. But there is one part of your face that even the most dedicated sunscreen users tend to skip: the eyes, and the thin, delicate skin around them. That is where a good pair of sunglasses becomes one of the most underrated tools in your skin care routine. Here is something that surprises a lot of our patients. The eyelids and the skin around your eyes are among

SID
Jul 134 min read


Melasma: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It
If you have noticed patches of brown or grayish discoloration creeping across your cheeks, forehead, or upper lip, you are not alone, and you are not imagining it. Melasma is one of the most common pigmentation concerns we see, and while it is completely harmless to your health, it can be frustrating to live with. The good news is that melasma is well understood and very treatable. Here is what you need to know. What exactly is melasma? Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation,

SID
Jul 104 min read


What Is UVB Phototherapy, and Could It Help Your Skin?
If you've been dealing with a stubborn skin condition that hasn't responded to creams or ointments, you may have heard your dermatologist mention UVB phototherapy. It sounds technical, but the concept is actually pretty simple, and it's one of the most reliable, well studied treatments in dermatology today. Let's break down what it is, who it can help, and how to get started. What Is UVB Phototherapy? UVB stands for Ultraviolet B, one of the types of ultraviolet light natural

SID
Jul 94 min read


Keloids: What They Are, How We Treat Them, and Why SRT Is a Game Changer
If you have ever had a scar grow bigger, thicker, or itchier than it should, you may be dealing with a keloid. Keloids are common, they can be frustrating, and the good news is that they are very treatable, especially when caught early and managed with the right combination of therapies. Here is what you need to know about keloids and how our practice uses Superficial Radiation Therapy, or SRT, to keep them from coming back. What Is a Keloid? A keloid is a type of raised scar

SID
Jul 74 min read
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