Dermatologist or Spa?

Today, many non-physicians are performing various cosmetic skin procedures in med-spas, shopping malls and walk-in clinics. While these locations may offer some convenience to consumers, the supervision of the person performing the procedure, as well as the training and equipment available to handle complications or medical emergencies, can jeopardize the health and appearance of the patient.

Choosing a dermatologist who has medical experience in skin conditions, not just cosmetic experience, is the answer.

Nobody knows your skin better than your dermatologist. At Windsor Dermatology, you'll receive the same types of cosmetic and rejuvenation procedures you would find at a med-spa, but from board-certified medical doctors with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions. Plus, every procedure is an FDA-approved, established treatment and performed in a medical facility. 

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery has warned consumers to be wary of med-spas claiming affiliations with “board-certified” doctors, because the certification could be in an unrelated field. The spa’s affiliated doctor may be board-certified—in gastroenterology. In other words, the spa is promoting their association with a doctor, while omitting the doctor’s irrelevant experience.

Even if your skin care need is purely aesthetic, Windsor Dermatology can provide any treatment a med-spa can—with greater expertise and the latest technologies. We work with you to develop the best treatment that is personalized to your specific skin condition, not a one-treatment-fits-all approach typical at a spa.

Let the healthy skin care providers at Windsor Dermatology help restore your skin to a healthier and younger-looking appearance. We offer a complete line of non-surgical cosmetic procedures and employ the latest techniques to leave your skin feeling and looking refreshed and rejuvenated.

Most of the cosmetic dermatology procedures we offer require only a minimum amount of time and involve little to no pain. Procedures typically only take a matter of minutes to administer, so you can visit our office for treatment over your lunch break and return to work with healthier, younger-looking skin.

Psoriasis: Differentiating Fact from Fiction

 In honor of National Psoriasis Awareness Month, Windsor Dermatology recently issued a press release announcing our list of top myths about psoriasis. Here is an excerpt from that press release below. Do you have psoriasis? Let us know what other myths you have come across and help us uncover the truth behind this disease...

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the U.S., affecting nearly 7.5 million Americans. Dr. Jerry Bagel, a leading provider in medical dermatological care for over 25 years and member of NPF’s Medical Board, dispels the myths about psoriasis and urges residents to help spread awareness and find a cure.

“People affected with psoriasis often feel emotional, psychological and physical strains that take a significant toll on their well-being,” said Bagel, who is Medical Director of the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey. “We need to make the public aware of psoriasis facts to help ease the fear brought on by fiction.”

The most common psoriasis myths are:

1.     Myth: Psoriasis is contagious.
Fact: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, not an infection, meaning you can’t contract the disease by being in contact with it.

2.     Myth: Poor hygiene causes psoriasis.

Fact: Psoriasis is a genetic disorder and is not caused by hygienic practices.

3.     Myth: There is no treatment for psoriasis.

Fact: The fact is, there is no cure for psoriasis but many different treatments are available to help lessen the symptoms. Biologic agents developed over the past 15 years have improved quality of life for patients significantly.

4.     Myth: Psoriasis is a skin or cosmetic condition.

Fact: Psoriasis has significant cosmetic concerns, however it is more significantly associated with systemic involvement such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, depression and cardiovascular disease.

5.     Myth: Red patches on your skin mean you have psoriasis

Fact: Red patches can be a symptom of eczema and other skin disorders. The only way to diagnose psoriasis is to consult with a dermatologist who will conduct medical tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Psoriasis Awareness Month provides an opportunity for people affected by psoriasis to directly participate in spreading local and national awareness to help find a cure. As “Citizen Pscientists,” psoriasis patients are encouraged this year to participate in ongoing research on the disease. For more information about Psoriasis Awareness Month, visit www.citizenpscientist.org.

Dr. Bagel is board certified in dermatology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. His practice in East Windsor, New Jersey is home to the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey, the only treatment center in the region. He has been named one of the top doctors in the state by New Jersey Monthly magazine and a Top Doc in the Castle Connolly survey of physicians every year for the past 10 years. A Senior Attending Physician at the University Medical Center at Princeton, Dr. Bagel is regularly invited to speak across the country about the treatment of various dermatological conditions.

For more information about Windsor Dermatology, please visit www.windsordermatology.com.  

Psoriasis Success Stories

It's Psoriasis Awareness Month, so we'd like to share with you a few Windsor Dermatology success stories in treating psoriasis...

Bowler Gets Back to the Lanes

Recently a 47 year old male with psoriasis on 40% of body complained of hand stiffness and finger swelling secondary to psoriatic arthritis. He was depressed, stayed home, had difficulty working and couldn’t bowl anymore due to swollen fingers.

He was treated in a clinical trial with amazing results. His psoriasis cleared completely, his fingers improved and he could go work—and bowl again!

Jerry Bagel, M.D.

From Painful Psoriasis to Enjoyable Summer

One patient presented in our office suffering with over 20% of his body covered in painful psoriasis. He was treated three times a week with light treatments in combination with Humira. Within three months, he only has a small plaque on his lower back. The patient is so thankful to have regained his quality of life—pain free! He has since discontinued light treatments and is enjoying his summer. The patient is extremely happy, along with the physician and nurses.

Crystal Snyder, LPN

Research Trial Helps Fight Psoriatic Arthritis

A patient presented in our office with debilitating psoriatic arthritis. He had difficulty holding a pen and writing. Within four weeks of being on a Humira research trial, the patient was able to resume his normal daily living functions. He is extremely happy for the difference we made in his life.

Elise Nelson, Clinical Trials Coordinator

Patient Has New Outlook On Life

A 20 year old patient came in to our office with no insurance. She had severe plaque psoriasis covering 80% of her body surface. She was a definite candidate for the Enbrel clinical trial. Within 12 weeks, her psoriasis became 75% better. She has a new outlook on life.

Elise Nelson, Clinical Trials Coordinator

Committed to the Community

Did you know?

Windsor Dermatology physicians are committed to volunteering their time and medical expertise to communities near and far as well as to dermatology professional associations.

This coming September, Windsor Dermatology physician Dr. Brian Keegan will be participating in a Free the Children dermatology mission to the Maasai Mara region of Kenya in Africa. This week-long humanitarian initiative provides volunteer care for the dermatologic needs of the local children. Free the Children funds mobile health clinics and basic medical supplies in disadvantaged areas to meet specialized healthcare needs.

Dr. Keegan, Dr. David Nieves and Dr. Wendy Myers all take part in free skin screenings at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro and many other locations throughout are region. Dr. Keegan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of the Princeton Fitness and Wellness Center which offers programs promoting the health and well-being of the Greater Princeton Community.

Windsor Dermatology is a sponsor of, and a participant in, Mercer County Woman magazine’s annual Head to Toe Woman’s Wellness Expo.

Dr. Jerry Bagel, Windsor Dermatology medical director has helped spearhead funding for National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) for psoriasis care and research. He has twice been honored by the NPF as the nation’s number one recruiter of patients with psoriasis and has also served as an advisor to the NPF’s Board of Trustees. 

The ABCs of Cosmetic Products: Cutting Through the Clutter to Determine Your Skin’s Needs

By Teresa Zawada, Licensed Aesthetician

Flawless summer skin without layers of make-up seems like a myth, but armed with the right knowledge, you can be even and glowing all while feeling fresh and bare-faced.

Let’s take a mental walk through the beauty aisle.  All of our old friends are there…foundation, concealer, primer, serums and SPF. But lately there’s a new kid on the block that is causing a lot of buzz.  Known as BB cream, (Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm), it’s advertised as the product to replace all your other products. BB promises to act like a foundation all while giving you anti-inflammatory (for you acne sufferers), anti-aging (for everyone), and sun protection (again everyone) with a near weightless feel!  

Sounds too good to be true?  Well, taking a look at the history of BB, you’ll learn that even though it’s in its infancy here in the U.S., BB has been used for over two decades in East and South East Asia (hence the limited shades) for those very reasons, PLUS skin whitening, which was left out of our western formulations. Like many things that lose their meaning in translation, BB also loses valuable properties in some brands, NOT ALL, becoming nothing more than a tinted moisturizer or a perfect primer under a foundation.

Next door to BB, there you have CC cream!  Yes, strolling down the alphabet are the “Color Correcting” creams. The next generation of the BB cream, CCs are known to be lighter, have a wider range of shades, all while having better sun protection and many including light diffusers, brightening skin tone.  CCs are usually sufficient to wear alone, or for added coverage, applied on top of a foundation, rather than the BB, used as a primer.

If you really want to get crazy, just keep going down the alphabet to the…drum roll please…DD Cream!  Yes, with only one formulation on the market, the DD or “Dynamic Do-All,” has the same claims as their lettered counterparts. One main difference is the marketing. Here in the U.S., they’re advertised as “heavy duty body and foot creams” according to CosmeticsDesign.com, where as in the U.K., Julep, the manufacturer of the DD cream, markets it as an all-around facial cream.

So where does it end and what to do?  First of all, DO NOT go and dispose of all the cosmetic products in your arsenal!  First, determine your own skin’s needs. If you’re simply on the dryer side, with no visible correction needed, stick to a tinted moisturizer with SPF or the BB creams. 

Anyone with normal to oily skin with some visible correction needed should aim for the CC.  Any of the above would be convenient for a beach day (remember to reapply the creams for sufficient SPF), when running late, or on a humid summer day.  They’re especially convenient for the woman who doesn’t want an entire regimen. I find that with using the right all-in-one cream, at least you’re getting a little bit of everything in 5 seconds! For the woman who likes to layer products, it’s a great addition to a regimen, or again, it’s available for convenience.

Still unsure about this makeup alphabet stew? Schedule an appointment at WindsorDermatology and we’ll help you determine the right skin regimen for your needs.

5 More Facts About Skin Cancer You May Not Know

Matthew Halpern, MD

As summer kicks into high gear, skin cancer remains a concern among New Jersey residents—down the shore or elsewhere. Before you hit the beaches, the park or even the backyard, keep in mind these facts about skin cancer—it could save your life.

1.  Skin cancers can occur on non-sun exposed parts of the body.  Although the majority of non-melanoma skin cancers occur on areas of the body that receive extensive sun exposure, skin cancers can occur on parts of the body that receive little  to no sunlight such as the armpit and groin.  In addition, the most common location for melanoma skin cancers is on the chest and back for men and on the legs for women.  For this reason it is important for at-risk individuals to undergo regular full body skin exams with a board certified dermatologist. 

2.  Skin cancers can occur on patients with darker skin types.  Although non-melanoma skin cancers occur 70 times more frequently in lightly pigmented skin than darkly pigmented skin, they can occur in patients of all skin types. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in darkly pigmented patients. Interestingly, two thirds of these develop in non sun-exposed sites such the lower extremities, old scars and the anus. 

3. Immune system impairment increases likelihood of skin cancer development. Individuals who have undergone organ transplantation or have any underlying condition that impairs their immune system have to be watched very carefully by a dermatologist for skin cancers which can behave more aggressive in this subset of patients.

4.  Sunscreen is important for adults as well as children. Although skin cancers result from childhood sun exposure, use of sunscreens now decreases the rate of occurrence and rate of progression of new skin cancers.

5. One treatment option for skin cancers is called Mohs micrographic surgery. For non-melanoma skin cancers on the head and neck, Mohs micrographic surgery is the treatment that offers the highest cure rate and minimizes scarring. Mohs surgery can also be performed for skin cancers that have certain high risk features or have recurred after more superficial treatments.

Find out more about preventative measures and treatment options by scheduling an appointment with Windsor Dermatology Board-certified physician. Call 609-443-4500.