Don't forget the skin check!

LET’S CHECK IN 

The response from the Melbourne and broader Victorian community during the COVID-19 second wave lockdown has been amazing. For the most part, people have obeyed the chief health officers orders and stayed home where they can.  Thankfully, the results so far are looking promising.

An unexpected and worrying consequence of this however, is that people are accessing health services significantly less than usual.  “Our concern is that we don’t want people to miss or ignore signs or symptoms which may be indicative of a serious health concern, and as a result have their health deteriorate,” says DIV’s Director, Associate Professor Greg Goodman. 

There may be a number of factors involved with this shift in behaviour, such as fear of catching COVID-19 or else an altruistic misconception that healthcare workers need to be freed up for fighting the pandemic. 

The reality at DIV is that we still available for a broad range of dermatology services and have taken strict infection control steps to ensure everyone’s ongoing safety in our clinic. 

LET’S TALK BUSINESS - SKIN CHECKS

Now that Spring has arrived and lockdown measures are slowly being decreased, the time is perfect to get back into the routine of skin-checks. 

A self skin check is simple; it takes around fifteen minutes and the only tools required are yourself and a mirror. It is vital however to understand what you’re looking for  - the difference between what is benign and sinister. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR -

-New spots, especially those occurring over months, rather than days or years
-Existing spots that have changed in size, shape or colour
-Moles that take on an outline that becomes notched
-A spot that becomes raised or has developed a lump
-Spots that have developed a rough, scaly surface

If you have any concerns, do not hesitate in getting in contact with us; we run a variety of services to help with the detection and treatment of skin cancer, including mole checking. 

OUR RAPID ACCESS CLINIC WILL RETURN ON FRIDAY 30TH OF OCTOBER.  

Yearly checks provide a baseline for mapping any changes in your body. This can lead to that all-important early intervention which can potentially mean the difference between health and illness.

Finally, remind your friends!

Once again, if you have any concerns, please give us a call on (03) 9826 4966  

Have you been forgetting an important step in your hand hygiene routine?

With the Covid-19 pandemic at the forefront of our minds and with the subsequent near-constant hand washing and sanitising, we may begin to notice our hands drying out or becoming itchy and irritated over time. 

Associate Professor Greg Goodman, Director of the Dermatology Institute of Victoria, says washing our hands with soap can have a drying effect because it removes some of the natural fat in our skin.  “Your skin is made up of flattened skin cells, the 'bricks', stuck together by a fatty substance, the 'mortar',” he says.  “If this is washed with soap repeatedly, the soap will interact with the fats in the skin, removing them and leaving the skin able to dry out.”  

Solid or liquid? Let’s break it down

This potential for drying applies to both solid and liquid soap varieties, though it does depend what exactly is in them. A ‘true soap,’ according to Professor Goodman, is a combination of a salt and a fatty acid.  This true soap can actually be quite caustic and can potentially also remove the skin’s protective acid layer.  Therefore it is important for people with either sensitive skin or an ongoing skin condition to seek advice from a medical practitioner such as a dermatologist, to see if a safer alternative to soap might be a good option for them. 

It might be worth considering too exactly what else is in the soap you are using. Liquid soaps for example often contain fragrances and preservatives in addition to their soap base, which can be inflammatory for particular people or else cause an allergic reaction. Remember, the more ingredients something has, the higher the potential for one of them to cause a reaction. 

So should we be using sanitiser instead?

Hand sanitiser can be gentler for most people while also helping to kill any viruses on the skin surface. However if you have sensitive skin or else if the skin barrier has been broken or damaged, hand sanitiser can actually be more irritating than soap, particularly if it has any added fragrances or colouring. 

So what do we do?

Whether you are prone to dry skin or not, adding moisturiser to your hand hygiene routine can help to keep your skin barrier in top condition, by restoring the aforementioned skin barrier. 

There are three primary types of moisturiser:

-Lotion: a lighter feel with quick absorption and little to no greasy feeling. 
-Cream: heavier, greasier and longer lasting product with a moderate absorption rate.
-Ointment: the heaviest product, usually sold in a tube. Ointments are best applied before bed.

Most people will find that using a light lotion during the day, and a heavier cream or ointment before bed works best. This will give your hands the most optimal protection throughout the day and allow for recovery overnight. 

Professor Goodman says that to avoid recontamination after washing your hands, don’t share moisturisers with others, and only touch the container of your moisturiser after washing your hands. 

Four Skin Myths Busted by the DIV Dermatologists

People sure do believe some crazy things about their skin - from the good old toothpaste on the pimple trick to believing pore size changes with temperature; some are old housewives tales while others have been propagated by magazine beauty 'hacks'. 

Let’s break it down

MYTH 1 - You can boost the collagen in your skin with a collagen-containing cream or serum

“Collagen is a protein found in the deep layers of the skin that make it elastic, supple and plump. Unfortunately when topically applied, collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin's surface, meaning you can’t boost levels in the skin with a cream.” 

“Collagen in your skin naturally weakens and unravels with age, however there are things to avoid that can cause further damage like sugar, the sun, smoking, pollution and stress.”

- Dr Katherine Armour, Dermatologist 

So is there anything you can do to increase the collagen in your skin?
Collagen-stimulating treatments like Pelleve, Venus Viva, Fraxel and skin needling are your best options.

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MYTH 2 - Toothpaste is an effective way to treat a pimple

"Chances are you've heard this at least once in your life but toothpaste is definitely meant for teeth and not skin! While it may be helpful in drying out a pimple, the fluoride in toothpaste can damage your skin, over-drying it, and even causing burning which can leave obvious red marks long after the pimple has gone.”

- Dr Lee Mei Yap, Dermatologist 

If you find that your skin is acne-prone, perhaps consider a visit to your dermatologist. Otherwise, a consistent, medical-based skincare routine should keep your skin clear enough to avoid toothpaste!

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MYTH 3 - Toning is an important step in your daily skin routine

While they are part of many skin care ranges, toners and astringents should be avoided by almost all skin types. This is especially the case for those with dry skin, as they strip the skin of all oils, both good and bad.

“Toners often contain harsh astringent chemicals that remove the remnants of the cleanser but simultaneously strip the oils from the skin completely and unnecessarily after the cleanser has removed what it can.”

“Depending on the ingredients, toners can even be too drying for those with oily complexions.” 

- Associate Professor Greg Goodman, Dermatologist 

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MYTH 4 - Blackheads are a buildup of dirt in the pores

"Despite sometimes looking like little grains of dirt, blackheads are not caused by dirt on the skin. They are actually a build-up of oil and shed skin cells that become trapped in the follicle on the way to the skin’s surface. This plug of dead cells and oil is called a comedone, another type of comedone is a whitehead. Blackheads get their colour because this plug contains dislodged melanin which are the cells that give our skin colour." 

- Associate Professor Greg Goodman, Dermatologist 

If you're prone to getting blackheads, there are many treatment options to clear the congestion and reduce the appearance of pores.

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A professional skin evaluation bridges the gap between beauty and science in addition to helping educate patients on the best ways to care for their particular skin. Not to mention, it helps a patient avoid any detrimental or ineffective myths!

DIV is still open for all medical dermatology concerns five days per week.  Note that we are not currently offering some treatments - for more information, call us on (03) 9826 4966 or send an email at dermatology@div.net.au

Five ways to treat undereye puffiness and dark circles

I’m well-rested. So why do I look so tired?

There is a common misconception among many people that dark circles or puffiness under the eye are the result of sleepless nights, stress or a little too much partying (pre-COVID, of course). There are three primary causes for under-eye issues -

• genetics affecting the underlying structure

• age-related volume loss resulting in under-eye hollowing

• dark pigmentation under the eye

• a combination of the three

The good news is, there are ways to treat this

-Let’s break it down

 1. Eye serums with Peptides 

Eye serums are tricky. We find that they are either highly effective or not at all - it depends entirely on the ingredients. 

The best advice is to ensure that the company you are purchasing from is medical-based and that they are using adequate concentrations of active ingredients. Active ingredients such as peptides and plant stem cells bring about cellular change in the dermis. 

Talk to your dermatologist or skincare professional about what will work best for you. 

 2. Pigment fading skin serums 

In some cases, the under-eye area is pigmented in addition to being sunken. Once again, medically active skincare is your best friend.  These serums contain tyrosinase inhibitors, vitamin C and peptides. Licorice root extract is also a powerful brightener of the skin.

3. Dermal fillers

Having a quality hyaluronic acid-based filler injected into what is called the tear-trough can lift the area under the eye, in addition to creating a slight light-reflecting surface which further assists in reducing darkness. 

For this particular procedure, ensure you see a skilled clinician with a good artistic eye to achieve option results. 

 4. Laser treatments 

Lasers treatments work by emitting one wavelength, a single small part of the light spectrum, which targets a specific colour in the skin. The target absorbs the light energy from the laser and converts it to heat.  This result is lighter and brighter coloured skin, with less pigmentation and visible redness. 

 5. Lower blepharoplasty 

With age, lower eyelid skin loosens and sags and the fat that supports and surrounds the eye shifts forwards. In this instance, this is what produces the eye bags and puffiness. The lower lid blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure performed on the lower eye region, where excess can be removed.

A lower lid blepharoplasty is usually only explored if the first four options have been deemed unsuitable for you by your medical practitioner. Note too that it does incur some significant costs comparatively. 

So, let's sort it out

During the Stage 4 Lockdown in metropolitan Melbourne, DIV is unfortunately not offering Cosmetic Dermatology, including both dermal filler and laser treatments. 

We can however offer Online Dermatology Consultations to assess the undereye area and recommend the best approach for helping you moving forward. In addition, our sister company Script Skincare is offering phone consultations with our Dermal Therapists, with free delivery of their broad range of medically active skincare. 

The good news is that DIV is still open five days per week and can be reached on (03) 9826 4966 or else by email at dermatology@div.net.au

How are we keeping you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Dermatology Institute of Victoria?

The Dermatology Institute of Victoria takes the health and safety of our patients and staff very seriously. Ongoing, we will maintain our strict guidelines that all patients need to adhere to in order to gain access to the clinic. These measures are necessary to protect the health and safety of you, our staff, and the wider community. They include submitting to:

• The signing of a COVID Declaration form

• Having your body temperature taken (anyone with a temperature over 37.4 degrees celsius will not be permitted entry)

• A short pre-screening interview
  
  -Have you had close* or casual** contact with a person who has been confirmed with COVID-19 in the past two weeks or live in an area where there has been a cluster of cases?
  
  -Are you suffering flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat or headaches; or have difficulty breathing?
   

• The use of hand sanitiser (supplied)
   

• Potential waiting in your car for your appointment at the discretion of reception or administrative staff

If you do not meet the requirements of entry as stipulated by Assoc Prof Greg Goodman and the Australian Government Department of Health, you will unfortunately not be permitted entry to the clinic.

Our staff will be disinfecting all surfaces between appointments. Furthermore, staff are required to wear masks or personal protective equipment, where applicable. There are several hand sanitiser stations available throughout the clinic which we encourage you to use.

Please note that you may be asked to wait inside your car, in the instance that safe social distancing is not possible within the clinic waiting rooms. 

We request, where possible, that you attend your appointment at DIV alone. 

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding the safety of your health at the Dermatology Institute of Victoria, our staff would be happy to address these via phone call on 9826 4966 during business hours.


* Close contact is having been face-to-face for at least 15 minutes or been in the same closed space for at least two hours, with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 when that person was infectious.
** Casual contact is having been face-to-face for less than 15 minutes, or in the same closed space for less than two hours, with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 when that person was infectious

There are some changes coming to DIV - COVID-19 Update

The Dermatology Institute of Victoria takes the safety of our patients, staff and the wider community very seriously.

While DIV are once again providing the majority of our treatment options, we have strict protocols in place to ensure both safety and compliance with government and DHHS advice. Please note that some procedures may be postponed and we highly encourage online consultations where applicable. 

If you have any questions regarding this, our team are happy to help you out on (03) 9826 4966

We have now recommenced all dermatology services at this time. 

Our reception team will be in contact very soon if you have an upcoming appointment affected by the aforementioned restrictions and are more than happy to answer your questions if you give them a call during business hours on (03) 9826 4966

How can I get adequate Vitamin D during lockdown?

Now that Summer has become a distant memory and with strict lockdown conditions, many of us may find that we become vitamin D deficient.⠀ ⠀

⠀ ⠀ ⠀
But what is Vitamin D?⠀

Surprisingly, it is actually a hormone responsible for controlling calcium levels in the blood, among other things. Out of the 13 core vitamins our body needs to stay healthy and thrive, vitamin D is the trickiest to absorb. While we only need very little, this vitamin is necessary for bone strength. ⠀⠀

So why is it such a challenge to get the recommended, daily amount?

Unlike the 12 other essential, organic compounds, vitamin D differs in the following ways:⠀
-It is produced in the body⠀
-It is absent from most natural foods with the exception of fish and egg yolks⠀
-When the body does obtain vitamin D from food, it must be transformed by the body before it can do any good⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

⠀
So What About the Sun?⠀

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is necessary for the production of vitamin D in the skin and is the best natural source of vitamin D. However, how much UV exposure a person needs depends on the time of year, UV levels, their skin type and their existing vitamin D levels. Further, as society has shifted to computer screens and air conditioning, our time outdoors is substantially less than it was a century ago. We have also been programmed to lather up with SPF since too much UV ray exposure can cause skin cancer, leaving us with the conundrum; risk brittle bones or evade skin cancer?⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

⠀
Here are some simple ways to get the vitamin D your body needs to keep your skeleton strong while eliminating skin cancer risk:⠀
-Vitamin D Supplements: Your doctor can recommend the daily amount needed if necessary⠀
-Fortified Foods: One can only eat so much fish and egg yolks, so look for foods that are fortified with vitamin D⠀
-Don’t Ditch the SPF: Diet and supplements are sufficient sources of vitamin D!⠀

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Interested in learning more about your skin? Give us a call on 9826 4966

6 Top Tips for Winter Skincare

Happy first day of Winter, Australia!

Now, let’s talk seasonal skincare and in particular, how exactly these brisk winter months can impact your skin. 

The most common skin issue during these months is the ‘winter itch.’ This dry, flaky, itchy condition can effect the old and the young; the oily and the dry -yes, more or less anyone.  It is primarily caused by the drier climatic conditions your skin endures through the winter months, through both cold and dry conditions outside (yes, even if it is raining, the humidity of the air itself is inherently drier) and the warm, albeit dry, air delivered through indoor heating units. 

Of course, as we move into this new Covid-19-induced normal, we’re also exposing our skin to harsher or at least more frequent hand and body washing too. 

So, how do we combat these circumstances and ensure we’re fresh and ready for when the warmer months arrive? Here are our top 6 Top Tips for Winter Skincare -

1. Moisturise, moisturise, MOISTURISE!

   Dryness generally indicates (unsurprisingly) a lack of moisture. So, the first logical step is to level-up your moisturiser game. A nice consistent (yes, daily) moisturising routine is the best trick to ensure your skin stays hydrated and nourished when the air is trying to rob that from you. It may be worth considering upgrading your moisturiser to a thicker product too - for example if your regular moisturiser is a lighter lotion or serum, look into a cream or ointment.
   
   Helpful hint - our sister company Script Skincare is located just downstairs from our clinic in South Yarra and the lovely team there will be more than happy to help you select a top-notch product!
   

2. It may seem counterintuitive, but sunscreen!

   Your speedos (toggs, swimmers, bikini, mankini- whatever your preference) are neatly folded at the bottom of your drawer and the summer sun is likewise folded in the back of your mind. It is however important to be sun-conscious year-round!  Adding a sunscreen to your daily skincare routine protects from both skin cancer and premature ageing and other sun-related skin damage.
   

3. The hardest step of all - avoid hot showers

   Yes, it sucks, but long hot showers can leech precious moisture from your skin. Despite it seeming like the perfect addition to a chilly winter’s day, hot water can be counterintuitive. Instead, turn the shower temperature down a notch and prepare a hot tea and blankets!
   

4. Try a humidifier

   Not always practical but beneficial nonetheless, adding a humidifier to your home or work environment will combat the drying effects of your heater (and keep your houseplants happy too). For those with a preexisting skin condition such as eczema, a humidifier can be particularly helpful.
   

5. Visit your dermatologist

   Alright, you’ve tried steps 1-4, plus you’ve even been pretty consistent with them but your dryness is PERSISTENT - that’s a sign that it’s time to see one of our lovely dermatologists. You may be dealing with a more concerning skin condition and no one is better qualified than a dermatologist to help you diagnose and treat this quickly.
   

6. Have you been thinking about trying some cosmetic dermatology treatments?

   Now this is one isn’t strictly a step for winter skin health but if you’ve ever considered trying one of the many in-clinic skincare options at DIV, winter is the perfect time to ensure you can recover optimally and enjoy the full effects of the procedure. Many cosmetic dermatology procedures such as chemical peels, skin resurfacing and the like require you to minimise sun-exposure after your procedure and this is much easier to comply with in winter. 

Lastly, a reminder that DIV is now open Monday to Friday and one again providing our full range of treatments after the reduction of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. For further information on what we’re doing to keep you safe during this time, please see here. 

As always, our team are happy to answer any questions you may have.

In the meantime, stay hydrated, stay warm and stay healthy!

Can I have dermal filler injections during the Covid-19 pandemic?

At this stage there is not an intrinsically higher risk of having fillers during this pandemic as long as a number of conditions are met.

1. The government and regulatory bodies are content for this to occur

2. The time course for patient practitioner interaction is kept as short as possible within the limits of a careful injection session.

3. The patient should not be suffering from any symptoms that are part of the Covid 19 complex and be willing to be temperature tested before clinic entry

4. The patient should not have been in contact with a Covid 19 patient within the last two weeks of presentation nor have come from overseas without two weeks of self-isolation

5. On entry to the clinic hand sanitiser should be used

6. The patient must be prepared to wash their full face and hands thoroughly with soap or cleanser and water immediately before treatment

7. Once this is done the patient should refrain from touching their face at all from that point on until treatment is completed

8. The practitioner should be wearing personal protective equipment including gloves, mask, eye protection throughout the procedure and assessment

This is a new experience for all of us. Beneficially however, the increased diligence it imposes on all to have strict adherence to an extremely high level of clean technique may actually have benefits and decrease some uncommon post treatment complications that have been linked with infection.