http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/health/research/01tanning.html 

New York Times Article: Hazards: Indoor Tanning Is Linked to Skin Cancer, May 31,2010

In response to the above article that appeared in the NY Times on May 31,2010, we firmly believe that there is a link between indoor tanning and skin cancer. We encourage our patients not to go tanning either inside or outside and to protect themselves from the sun with clothes, hats and broad spectrum appropriate sunscreen. We hope to see you soon for your skin cancer screening.

Rebecca Baxt, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist in Paramus, NJ

#201-265-1300

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/health/02latisse.html?scp=1&sq=latisse&st=cse 

Rebecca Baxt, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

201-265-1300

www.cosmedical.com

 

 

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/09/recession-no-barrier-to-cosmetic-procedures/?hpt=Sbin

 We agree with Dr. Gupta!  Despite the economy, we are seeing lots of patients for cosmetic procedures.  Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, Dysport, Chemical Peels, Laser Hair Removal, etc. are still very popular.  These procedures have great value for their price and give wonderful results.  In some cases, they help patients look younger and keep competitive in the marketplace.  For others its about lifestyle and investing in themselves. 

–
Rebecca Baxt

Is the era of the “Facelift” over? No…. but getting closer everyday.

Several years ago I realized that the “Facelift” as we knew it in the old days was rapidly fading into history. This was the time when several new technologies were emerging in both plastic surgery and dermatology. They have now matured and have become mainstays of our practice.  Saida Baxt, MD and Rebecca Baxt, MD ( Board Certified Dermatologists) offer the Fraxel Laser.  Sherwood Baxt, MD, Board Certified  Plastic Surgeon has introduced radio frequency technologyfor skin shrinkage and fat reduction - a non-invasive procedure. The fascinating aspect to both of these is that time in now working for the patient, rather than against. The improvement that we see initially continues to improve for not only months, but over a year. Our patients have combined both the Fraxel Laser and Radio Frequency and are seeing quite dramatic results. As the technology continues, we will continue to offer you the very latest updates. 

Sherwood Baxt, MD

Our commitment to high technology, to advance our medical and surgical practice, goes back well over 20 years. I can read off a list of firsts we introduced to not only New Jersey, but ofter the tri-state area. We were the very first to offer Computer Imaging, to help patients visulize what a post operative result might look like. What about Laser Hair Removal, ours was the very first in the state. Don’t think we stopped at that point. As the individual technology changed and got better, we waited, did extensive research, and then invested in the progress. This gave patients of BAXT CosMedical, the most up to date methods possible.

Think about the CO@Laser for facial skin resurfacing, the very first in NJ. As laser proliferated in Medicine, out dermatology side found an ever increasing number of therapies that we offered here first. It is hard to think back to a time before we could treat acne with lasers such as Smoothbeam and Photo Dynamic Therapy, or Rosacea with Intense Pulsed Light/Photofacial.

What is the bottom line? Our commitment to bring to our patients the best of the best. Each of these new methods are extensively researched and tested before they are offered to BAXT CosMedical patients. This often involves travel. We also have a large network of like minded physicians, around the country, who we share ideas and thoughts with. If they hear of something worthwhile before we do, the phone rings, and visa-versa. There was even time when a patient brought to our attention, a new treatment that we had not heard of. It did not take many phone called to find out what she was talking about and it became a staple in the practice. Let me leave with the thought that we are constanly looking for the next big breakthrough, and lets hear from you if you know of one that we do not have. It might well be that we have looked into it and discovered that the actual value was well less than the media hye. We look forward to your feedback on this.

I love commenting on the New York Times.  That is where so many people get their health care information.  Yesterday, they had a big picture of a sunburned young woman, and a long article about sunscreens.  Sunburns increase the risk for skin cancer.  Sun rays cause pigment, wrinkles and premature aging of the skin as well as skin cancer. 

Sunscreens can be so confusing.  We often see burns even when people are using sunscreens and here are where we find the pitfalls–

1. expired sunscreens-make sure your sunscreen is up to date

2. lack of reapplication-make sure you reapply every 2 hours, or more if in the water or wind or sweating

3. not using enough-apply liberally-grease it up!  most people only put on a tiny bit, which doesn’t work well. 

Other sunscreen advice–make sure its broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage and at least an SPF 30 or higher for summertime use.  There is a smaller difference between 30 and 45 than between 15 and 30, but the higher you go, the better the protection, as long as it is a good quality sunscreen.  Look for good ingredients such as Mexoryl, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide or Parsol 1789/Avobenzone.  

I find many people burn with spray sunscreens-not sure why.  Either the sunscreens don’t work as well, or people don’t apply them properly.  Personally, I stay away from the sprays.  On hairy surfaces, people sometimes like gel based sunscreens better.  Those are fine, but they don’t last in the water as well.  Also, anything that says waterproof or sweatproof is not correct.  There is no such thing as waterproof or sweatproof.  All sunscreens need to be reapplied. 

Sun safety also includes- seeking shade, wearing a hat preferably with a broad brim since a baseball cap only shields the upper face, wearing protective clothing, and trying to stay out of the brightest rays from 10-4 if possible. 

 Enjoy your summer! 

 

Rebecca Baxt, MD, FAAD

Yesterday, the New York Times front page had a very unflattering article in my opinion about dermatologists who have two separate waiting rooms and separate staff for medical versus cosmetic patients.  I can’t imagine such a system, but I guess it does exist.  We have one recently redone waiting room which our patients enjoy.  We have one staff, one phone number, one set of examination rooms, etc.  We treat our patients all the same-with respect and kindness–the same way we would want to be treated at a doctor’s office.  We encourage people to make follow-up appointments whether they are in our office for medical or cosmetic reasons.  We see medical and cosmetic as one unit–hence our name–cosmedical!  We offer our cosmetic patients skin cancer screenings, and if medical patients want to discuss cosmetic treatments, we give them the information that they need.  We treat people as human beings, not as one type of patient or another.  We know that you will have a great experience in our office!  That is why most of our new patients are referred by our current patients, and we appreciate that.  We are always willing to accept criticism, and we are certainly not perfect in running our office-sometimes there are emergencies and we run behind, etc, but we do our best everyday to serve our patient population.  We hope to see you soon. 

Again, the New York Times hits on some very important topics, and they usually do it well!  7/22/08 articles in the science section mention that Melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, is increasing at a rapid rate in young women.  This may be due to increased tanning with ultraviolet lights in the tanning beds, and increased tanning behavior in the sun.  Many young women still think tan is beautiful.  Unfortunately, ultraviolet sun rays cause skin cancer.  Melanoma skin cancer kills people.  It is so very sad to have a young healthy person die because of a mostly preventable disease.  It can usually be cured if it is caught early enough.  Yearly skin cancer screenings by a Board Certified Dermatologist are what we recommend.  For people at higher risk with light skin and a lot of sun damage, or with family histories of skin cancer and lots of moles, we see these patients more often.  We take photos in our office to document what a mole looks like so we can see if it changes and needs a biopsy.   We have a full selection of excellent sunscreens for protection that we recommend. 

The New York Times also talked about sunscreens.  The only problem with sunscreens that we see is that people don’t use them enough, or often enough, or a large enough amount.  People put a small amount on once or twice a day and think that it is adequate.  The sunscreen does help prevent them from burning, so they are able to stay out in the sun for a longer amount of time.  This pattern does not help them.  Sunscreen needs to be reapplied at least every 2 hours, more often if you are sweating a lot or swimming.  Sunscreen should be applied liberally.  I find that people who use spray sunscreens tend to get burned more often–either the people don’t apply it properly, or the sunscreens don’t work as well as a rub on sunscreen.  We recommend at least an spf 30, higher for people with skin cancer or severe sun damage.  There are lots of good sunscreens out there so buy them, use them liberally and frequently.  Also, use a hat, wear protective clothing, and try to stay out of the strongest rays in the middle of the day if possible.  Seek shade.  Do the best you can, and make sure you get a skin cancer screening.  Two patients yesterday gave me big hugs thanking me for saving their lives by picking up a melanoma early before it spread.  We hope to see you soon. 

 

Rebecca Baxt, MD, FAAD

Botox is one of the miracle medications of this and last century.  It was originally used years ago to help relax tightened muscles in patients with muscle conditions.  Now we have Botox Cosmetic from Allergan, which is used for cosmetic correction of wrinkles on the face.  It works great for lines between the eyebrows, forehead, crow’s feet, etc.  We do use it around the mouth and also under the arms to reduce sweating.  Botox changes patients lives.  People who always looked angry and tired, now look happy and well rested.  No one knows that they’ve had Botox injections.  It can help people with migraines be headache free, though its not yet approved for headache treatment.  People who have been embarrassed about sweating through their clothes daily, can now wear anything they want.  It is one of the safest medications on the market.  The press tends to report negatively on Botox because i think it sells stories.  People are jealous of the great results patients get with Botox and then want to bring them down.  Most of our patients are working people, who spend their hard earned money on self-maintenance such as Botox Cosmetic.  It makes them look good, compete in the workplace, and best of all they feel good about themselves.  It is done in a quick office visit with minimal discomfort.  The main side effects are bruising and a headache.  We have never had anything bad happen to any of our patients with Botox.  As I said, it is one of the safest products on the market.  The results can last anywhere from 2-6months, on average 3-4 months, depending on the area and amount injected.  Results get better over time, so most of our patients require fewer units and less frequent injections after a few years of treatments.  I tell people to look at it like getting your hair cut or going to an exercise class- budget it in as self-maintenance.  We offer free Botox consultations so call us 201-265-1300 x5. 

Dr. Rebecca Baxt

RESTYLANE

As I often tell my patients “the body doesn’t read the book”.

Last month I saw one of my patients who had not been here for 2 years. She came in to have her Restylane redone ( after all they recommend every 6 months). We looked at her photos together (see link below- Section: Fillers - Restylane # 3 photo). She looked as good as the day we had injected her 2 years ago.

We have been using hyaluronic acids (Restylane) since 2004 when they were 1st FDA approved. We have been extremely happy with the cosmetic results and find especially in our younger patients long lasting results.

http://www.cosmedical.com/gallery/bcm-before_after.htm 

Saida Baxt, MD