Most patients with Hispanic or African American heritage are not aware of their risk for developing  skin cancers.

Malignant Melanoma, for example, is more common in white skin but can be more aggressive in back skin.  A recent article in the Journal of Surgical Oncology (Vol. 78, No. 1: 10 – 16) showed that when African Americans develop the disease, it’s deadlier.  African Americans have a 45% survival rate at five years compared to 69% in whites.

There may be several reasons for this: genetics may play a role and health care providers think of skin cancer less often in darker skin. These cancers may also occur in unusual places such as bottom of the feet, under the nails, or the genital area.

Think A,B,C,D,E

A mole that is Asymmetrical.

Irregular Border

Multi Colored

Diameter greater than 6 mm

An Evolving mole that stands out.

Make sure your provider checks you head to toe on a yearly basis.

Dr. A. David Rahimi

There is a wonderful article in the Cutaneous Oncology section of Dermatology Times (February 2010) by the veteran researcher Harry Rubin D.V.M.,D.Sc. that confirmed what I had been suspecting for some time: Skin and skin cells may act as early detector of internal cancers.

Skin cells contain fibroblasts which contain a copy of our genetic material. Flaws in the genetic material, which may lead to internal cancers such as Colon Cancer, can easily be researched in fibroblast cultures obtained from skin.

Many other internal conditions: Diabetes, Lupus, Hepatitis, Thyroid Disorders, etc. have skin manifestations that are often the way these conditions present themselves.

Other exciting research involves Stem Cells and their abundance in skin. Maybe one day harvested skin can help cure internal malignancies and forever change the course of medicine.

A. David Rahimi, MD, FAAD,

I truly believe that symmetrical faces have a distinct advantage when it comes to getting the best that life has to offer.  Consciously or un-consciously we all discriminate. We begin judging people the minute they enter a room. A first impression is made and it is often very difficult to change this impression.

An article recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences confirms that “People’s assessment of physical beauty is mostly about symmetry”.

Early this year I lost a dear friend to Malignant Melanoma. It was a terrible thing to see a good friend and fellow physician lose the battle with this terrible condition.

Melanoma rates are rising very fast; it’s an epidemic.  According to the most recent National Cancer Institute in 2009 there were 68,720 newly diagnosed cases of invasive melanoma and 53,120 cases of in situ (very early and confined to top layer of the skin) melanoma in the United States. These numbers are expected to increase in 2010.

The skin on the chest and the back of the hands are an often neglected and can give away your age. Until very recently the number of options to treat the chest and back of the hands were very limited. Now there is renewed hope….

I have devoted an entire section on my website to the rejuvenation of hands:

Age spots can be lasered, rough spots and pre-cancers can be frozen or cauterized, fine lines can be treated with the application of various acids and microdermabrasions and hollowness on the back of the hands can be filled with Radiesse or fat grafting.

Now we have a new tool in our armamentarium to treat the aging skin of the chest and hands:

The Mixto Fraxel.

Many of my patients ask me questions about touch ups on their facelift. Here are some of the commonly asked questions and their answers:

Will I have more scarring from a touch-up facelift?

The answer is NO. I usually take the old scars out, tighten the muscle from inside, remove excess fat and skin and place the incision inside the ear to achieve a near-invisible scars (see my before and after results). Facelift scars can also be treated with a chemical peel of Fraxel (CO2 Resurfacing) to reduce their appearance.

When should I consider getting a touch-up on my facelift?

Generally speaking facelifts need to be touched up every 10 years or so. In some people they last much longer. Excessive sun exposure or dramatic weight changes can loosen the skin and result in hanging neck and jowl area. In those instances, an earlier touch up may be needed.

Am I too old for a touch up Facelift?

You can have a touch up Facelift if you are in good health and have 2 weeks down time to heal. Age is usually not a limiting factor. A physical exam by your primary care doctor and a medical release is always performed to make sure that you can tolerate the procedure. I often talk with the internist if my patient has diabetes or is suffering from any chronic conditions. We also perform routine blood work before the procedures to check your kidney, liver and blood clothing status.

Hope to see you soon for a private and confidential consultation.

A. David Rahimi, MD, FAAD.

• I encourage my male patients not to shave too close in the neck area. In fact switching to an electric Razor often helps.
• Reducing the bacterial count on the skin also helps; this can be achieved by the application of prescription topical or oral antibiotics (Erythromycin and Clindamycin solution, oral Tetracycline, Minocin, Dynacin, Doryx, Oracea etc).
• Benzyl Peroxides (BP): Application of BP to the skin causes a significant decrease in the number of bacteria and helps lighten residual brown spots from previous ingrown hairs.
• Retin A, Tazorac and Differein Gel: These 3 classes of topical agents decrease sebum production and loosen up the clogged hairs. This, in turn, reduces ingrown hairs and smoothens the skin. The drawback is that they make the skin more sensitive to the Sun and getting facials.
• Microdermabrasions and light chemical glycolic peels help improve impacted pores and those white bumps called Milias.
• Scrubs: Neutrogena makes a great facial and body scrub. Once a week under the shower helps exfoliate the dead layers of the skin and reduce bacteria counts.
• Stronger acids such as Jessner and TCA (Tri-Chloro-Acedic Acid) can also be judiciously used to treat scarring and clogged pores.
• Lasers and Light sources: Resistant cases can benefit from Phodynamic Therapy and lasers such as the Cooltouch laser (see our menu of services).

Many patients with a darker skin complexion (Hispanic, Asian, African American, Armenian, Middle Eastern) are told that they have to simply live with their acne scarring and that nothing will help them.

There is hope and We can help...

The truth about aging of the skin is that both nature and nurture play a role. Everyone agrees on that! So, whats the contraversy?

Here is the real question: To what degree is the aging of the skin ingrained in our genes and what is the role of the environment we live in.

Well; its complicated (like most worthwhile things in life)...

Here are some facts; you decide.

I live and practice in Los Angeles, California. A significant portion of my patients have darker skin complexion. On a routine day I may see patients with varied ethnic backgrounds.  Asian, African American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Armenian and American Indian patients make up more than half of my prcatice.

Over the past 10 years I have developed special techniques to treat patients with a darker skin complexion. I usually use a combination of nutritional and lifestyle advice, topical and oral medications, chemical peels, and lasers to achieve my goals.

Here are 5 things you can do to make your darker skin even more beautiful...

Patients often ask me if drinking a lot of water or eating certain types of food can really make you look and feel younger?

The answer is YES.

Drinking clean water is very important. Recent data shows that 3 or 4 glasses a day, in conjunction with a healthy diet, is of paramount importance. The 6-8 glasses of water receommended in the past was not really based on any scientific data.

Certain foods are also high in vitamins A, D, and essential elements can promote a healthier appearing skin. I tell my patients that life is short and tommorrow is not promised to anyone. Eat everything in moderation but make sure to include fresh fruits and vegatables.

Here are some of my favourites:

Grapefruit, Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Almonds and Raisons. Fresh Youghurt with live culture is a great way to get plenty of protein, vitamins, and Calcium. The pro-biotic benefits are immense.

Green teas and even Coffee in moderation has now been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Most importantly: A great meal is not complete without a piece of dark Chochlate.

Zei Gesund

Dr. A. David Rahimi