Getting a facial can certainly feel like a luxurious, relaxing, and pampering experience but did you know that a facial could also provide your skin with some amazing health benefits? Not only does turning to a dermatologist ensure that you get quality and comprehensive care to treat everything from sun damage to acne, but also a dermatologist has the knowledge, skills, and tools to be able to provide customized facials that can target and treat common skin problems.

A facial offers the skin a variety of benefits including:

• Deep cleaning
• Extractions
• Exfoliation
• Hydration and moisturizing

A facial can also be tailored to your skin type and the concerns or dermatological issues you are worried about. A facial can be used to treat:

• Redness and uneven skin tone
• Hyperpigmentation
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Dry, dull and flaky skin
• Acne-prone skin
• Rosacea
• Eczema
• Sun damage
• Enlarged pores

One facial won’t be able to address all skin issues you may have, but our dermatological team can work with you to create a customized facial and treatment plan that will be able to treat any and all problems you’re concerned about.

The products that we use during your facial will also depend on the results you’re hoping to achieve. For example, certain enzyme peels and products with glycolic acid can help to remove dead skin cells to produce fresh, radiant skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you have questions about the different products we use and their ingredients, or if you have any allergies, it’s important to discuss this first with your skin doctor.

Getting regular facials can be a great way to keep skin looking and feeling its best, and it should be a normal part of most people’s skincare routines. Along with keeping skin clean and hydrated, facials can also target problem areas when they arise. Have questions about facials? Ask your dermatologist today.

According to current statistics, in the U.S., more than 9,500 receive a skin cancer diagnosis every day. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent this condition, with the most critical being a thorough cancer screening. At The Belleville Dermatology Center, Dr. Joseph S. Eastern is committed to saving the lives of his Belleville, NJ, patients through these services—read on to learn more.

Preventing Skin Cancer

At The Belleville Dermatology Center, Dr. Eastern follows the Skin Cancer Foundation's guidelines for preventing this disease. For example, you should do the following to reduce your risk:

• Avoid the use of UV tanning beds
• Seek the shade between 10 AM and 4 PM
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month
• Visit your dermatologist annually for a professional exam
• Cover up with long-sleeved clothing when exposed to the sun

What is Skin Cancer Screening?

It's necessary to receive routine skin cancer screenings even if you're asymptomatic. It's especially advised by a dermatologist if you've had excessive radiation exposure, past sunburns, don't wear sunscreen regularly, or have a weakened immune system or family history of the disease. When you visit our Belleville, NJ, office for your appointment, you can expect Dr. Eastern to examine the skin for unusual moles, birthmarks, or other signs of abnormalities such as a change in size, shape, color, or texture. If any concerns are suspected, he will develop a treatment plan best suitable for your needs.

Skin cancer takes on several different forms, but melanoma is the most dangerous type. Cancer screenings are non-invasive and could potentially save your life. Some people are at a higher risk than others, and you should never neglect signs or symptoms. For more information about cancer screenings, conditions we treat, and other services provided at The Belleville Dermatology Center, visit our website. For appointment scheduling with Dr. Joseph S. Eastern in our Belleville, NJ, office, please call (973) 751-1200.

With the warmer months just around the corner you may be getting ready to plan some fun in the sun. The summertime always finds children spending hours outside playing, as well as beach-filled family vacations, backyard barbeques, and more days just spent soaking up some much-needed vitamin D.

While it can certainly be great for our emotional and mental well-being to go outside, it’s also important that we are protecting our skin against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. These are some habits to follow all year long to protect against skin cancer,

Wear Sunscreen Daily

Just because the sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean that your skin isn’t being exposed to the harmful UVA and UVB rays. The sun’s rays have the ability to penetrate through clouds. So it’s important that you generously apply sunscreen to the body and face about 30 minutes before going outside.

Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that also protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Everyone should use sunscreen, even infants. Just one sunburn during your lifetime can greatly increase your risk for developing skin cancer, so always remember to lather up!

Reapply Sunscreen Often

If you are planning to be outdoors for a few hours you’ll want to bring your sunscreen with you. After all, one application won’t be enough to protect you all day long. A good rule of the thumb to follow is, reapply sunscreen every two hours. Of course, you’ll also want to apply sunscreen even sooner if you’ve just spent time swimming or if you’ve been sweating a lot (e.g. running a race or playing outdoor sports).

Seek Shade During the Day

While feeling the warm rays of the sun on your shoulders can certainly feel nice, the sun’s rays are at their most powerful and most dangerous during the hours of 10am-4pm. If you plan to be outdoors during these times it’s best to seek shady spots. This means enjoying lunch outside while under a wide awning or sitting on the beach under an umbrella. Even these simple measures can reduce your risk for skin cancer.

See a Dermatologist

Regardless of whether you are fair skinned, have a family history of skin cancer or you don’t have any risk factors, it’s important that everyone visit their dermatologist at least once a year for a comprehensive skin cancer screening. This physical examination will allow our skin doctor to be able to examine every growth and mole from head to toe to look for any early signs of cancer. These screenings can help us catch skin cancer early on when it’s treatable.

Noticing changes in one of your moles? Need to schedule your next annual skin cancer screening? If so, a dermatologist will be able to provide you with the proper care you need to prevent, diagnose and treat both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

You might be surprised to discover that some of the most innocuous habits could actually be aging you. Preventing fine lines and wrinkles is certainly easier than trying to treat them once they form. While wrinkles are a normal part of life and aging, there are things you can do each and everyday to keep your skin looking young and healthy so you can knock a few years off your age and people will be none the wiser.

Wear Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen each and every day without fail is probably one of the best things you can do to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Not only does exposing skin to the sun’s rays cause sun damage and increase your risk for skin cancer, it can also cause premature lines and wrinkles. To protect your skin from the sun, always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 every day (even in the winter and on cloudy days).

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is so very important and yet not enough of us get quality sleep every night. Nights of tossing and turning won’t just leave you grumpy, tired and mentally foggy, it can also lead to wrinkles. That’s because a lack of sleep can actually accelerate the signs of aging and can also affect the skin’s ability to repair itself every night. Most adults require anywhere from 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Are you getting your beauty sleep?

Stay Hydrated

Did you know that as many as 75 percent of US adults suffer from chronic dehydration? This statistic is startlingly and could have a serious impact not just on your health but also on the health and appearance of your skin. If like most people you aren’t getting more than 2.5 cups of water a day, it’s important that you up your water intake to at least 8 8-ounce glasses per day (and even more if you’re active). Staying hydrated keeps the skin looking plump and radiant (and who doesn’t want that?).

Keep Skin Moisturized

Dry skin can also leave you prone to those early signs of aging, so it’s important that you keep skin supple and hydrated. Everyone should use a moisturizer every day, which can improve skin’s glow and also reduce the appearance of facial lines. Those dealing with more severe dry skin may need to turn to their dermatologist for more intense moisturizers.

Sleep on Your Back

If you find yourself snuggling with your pillow night after night you may soon notice fine lines developing on your face as a result. Just changing your sleep position alone can easily prevent these “sleep wrinkles”. If you want to reduce wrinkles on your face avoid sleeping on your side or stomach and sleep on your back instead.

Of course, a dermatologist offers a wide range of cosmetic treatments that can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. From Botox and dermal fillers to customized facials, laser treatments and chemical peels, there are many options out there to help you achieve a younger appearance. Talk to your dermatologist today about ways to prevent and treat wrinkles.

Discover helpful acne-fighting tips and trick to achieve clearer skin.

You’re trying to find the right way to get your acne under control, right? Well, there are certainly so many options out there that it can be a bit daunting. First and foremost, if you are just starting to deal with acne then you may want to tackle the issue from the comfort of your own home before turning to a dermatologist for help.

At-Home Treatment Options

The first line of defense is usually to try an over-the-counter acne cleanser or topical cream that contains an active ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. It’s important to be patient when it comes to seeing results. No acne product will work overnight. In fact, it can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks of consistent use before you start to notice results from commercial acne products, so don’t give up on a product too soon.

Other tips to follow include:

• Cleaning your smartphone with disinfectant wipes at lease once a day (imagine just how much bacteria your phone picks up everyday).
• Washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and at night before bedtime, and immediately after sweating.
• Being gentle with your skin. Harsh scrubs and being aggressive won’t get rid of acne; it will actually just make it worse.
• Using cosmetic products that won’t clog pores (look for words like “non-comedogenic” or “oil free”)
• Leaving acne alone (do not pick acne or try to extract it yourself, as this can lead to scarring)
• Washing pillowcases regularly to get rid of pore-clogging bacteria

When to See a Dermatologist

If you are having trouble getting your acne under control after weeks of trial and error, or if your acne is severe and painful then it’s time to enlist the help of a dermatologist who will be able to provide you with more effective strategies for getting rid of your acne. After all, there are different things that can cause acne and it’s important that your skin doctor figures out what’s causing your acne so that they can create the right treatment plan for you.

Dermatologist-Approved Acne Treatment Options

Depending on what’s causing your breakouts, a dermatologist may recommend these treatment options:

• Topical treatment: Prescription-strength cleansers, ointments, and creams containing glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids can target and eliminate acne.
• Topical or oral antibiotics: Antibiotics can reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria responsible for acne.
• Oral contraceptives: If you are dealing with breakouts that occur around your menstrual cycle then hormonal fluctuations could be causing your acne. There are certain types of birth control pills that have been FDA approved to fight acne.
• Isotretinoin: More commonly referred to as Accutane, this powerful oral medication is used for those dealing with severe cystic acne that can lead to deep scarring. This is often recommended when other treatment options haven’t been effective.

Have questions about getting your acne under control? Then it’s time to consult with a dermatologist.