Bruce P.Robinson, MD
Molluscum Contagiosum rarely causes pain and will eventually clear on its own if you have a healthy immune system. They may go away without a trace, but this takes time, during which they can spread. On average, the bumps clear in 6-18 months without treatment. Sometimes, this takes longer and they can re-occur.
Avoid spreading molluscum to other parts of your body by:
Until the molluscum bumps go away, take precautions to help prevent spreading the molluscum virus to others. Watch what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends here ... https://youtu.be/klkQ2YcJHaw
Dr. Robinson also recommends:
Dr. Robinson offers these tips and others every day to help his patients feel more comfortable in their own skin.
The best way to protect infants from the sun is to keep them in the shade as much as possible, in addition to dressing them in loose fitting long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat that shields the face, ears, back of the neck and sunglasses with at least 99% UVA/UVB protection. If you can’t find shade, create your own using an umbrella, canopy, or the hood of a stroller. Make sure they do not get overheated and that they drink plenty of fluids. If your baby is fussy, crying excessively, or has redness on any exposed skin, take him or her indoors.
Minimize sunscreen use on children younger than six months old. However, if shade and adequate clothing are not available, The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that all kids — regardless of their skin tone — wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that is broad-spectrum and water resistant.
For babies older than 6 months, when outdoors, sunscreen should be applied to all areas of the body, but be careful around the eyes. If your baby rubs sunscreen into their eyes, wipe their eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or immediately after getting out of the water. Sunscreens that use zinc oxide may cause less irritation and/or allergic reactions to their sensitive skin. If a rash develops please call our office.
Other elements of a sun safe strategy include: wearing clothing made with a tight weave. If you are not sure how tight a fabric’s weave is, hold it up to see how much light shines through, the less the better. You can also look for protective clothing labeled with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) and limiting your sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the UV rays are the strongest. Remember to set a good example by practicing sun safety yourself.
The sun gives energy to all living things on earth, but it can also harm us. Its ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage skin and eyes and cause skin cancer. One-quarter of our lifetimes sun exposure happens during childhood and adolescence. Even one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles your chances of developing Melanoma later in life. Since children spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in the summer, it's important to protect them from the sun.
Talk with your dermatologist if you have any questions about sun protection for your child.
Here are the pros and cons of both:
Physical sunscreens, more commonly known as “mineral” sunscreens, begin to work immediately after applying, by creating a physical barrier (a reflective surface) on the skin. Most mineral sunscreens contain micronized zinc oxide or titanium oxide, two ingredients recognized as safe by the FDA and often recommended for people with sensitive skin and gentle enough for children. The downside they can be chalky, and difficult to spread. Many physical sunscreens now use micronized or non-nano zinc oxide (meaning they have smaller molecules), effectively reducing that white cast appearance.
Now let's discuss Chemical sunscreens ... firstly as opposed to physical sunscreens they don't sit on the skin and block rays. Instead, they feature active ingredients that absorb UV rays, like a sponge. Therefore, it needs to be applied 20-30 minutes before sun exposure to allow for adequate absorption to protect you from ultraviolet rays. For instance, when getting out of the water and immediately reapplying a chemical sunscreen one should seek shade for at least 20-30 minutes to allow for the chemical sunscreen to be effective. This is of course in stark contrast to physical sunscreens.
If you see ingredients like:
You are dealing with a chemical sunscreen. Most chemical sunscreen's do not leave a visible film layer and they are easier to apply. Because they are designed for absorption, they go on smoothly without feeling sticky or greasy.
People with sensitive skin may experience unwanted reactions.
So, which is better? There is no clear winner. The most effective sunscreen is the one you will use consistently.
Skin Tags are growths that occur mainly in the folds of the skin such as the neck, underarms, groin, and beneath the breasts. Routinely found in families -- a father, mother or grandparent -- skin tags become more numerous with age. These growths, also referred to as barnacles, can easily be removed with an excellent and immediate cosmetic result.
If you are bothered by the moles or skin tags that occur on the neck, face, groin or under the arms or breasts then snip removal is an easy way to rid yourself of those annoying growths. It is often performed without anesthesia or pain and with a quick snip the excess skin is removed.
Psoriasis is a common, chronic, long term, relapsing skin condition where the skin cells are made to quickly often resulting in itchy silvery scaling patches that causes a rash, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp. It can be painful, interfere with sleep and make it hard to concentrate. The condition tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while.
Common signs and symptoms of psoriasis include:
There are several types of psoriasis, each of which varies in its signs and symptoms:
Many people who are predisposed to psoriasis may be free of symptoms for years until the disease is triggered by some environmental factor. Common psoriasis triggers include:
Anyone can develop psoriasis. About a third of instances begin in childhood. These factors can increase the risk of developing the disease:
If you have psoriasis, you're at greater risk of developing other conditions, including:
If you suspect that you may have psoriasis, see your health care provider. Also seek medical care if your condition:
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of cancer worldwide. In the vast majority of cases, it is thought to be caused by exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is becoming more common, perhaps because people may be spending more time outdoors. Some believe that the decrease in the ozone layer is allowing more ultraviolet radiation from the sun to reach the earth's surface. Basal cell cancer does not usually metastasize or travel in the bloodstream; rather it infiltrates the surrounding area destroying tissue. For this reason, basal cell cancer should be treated promptly by your dermatologist with dermatologic surgical techniques.
Basal cell cancer most often appears on sun-exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, chest, back, and legs. These tumors can have several different forms. The most common appearance of basal cell cancer is that of a small dome-shaped bump that has a pearly white color. Blood vessels may be seen on the surface. Basal cell cancer can also appear as a pimple-like growth that heals, only to come back again and again. A less common form called morpheaform, looks like a smooth white or yellowish waxy scar. A very common sign of basal cell cancer is a sore that bleeds, heals up, only to recur again.
If you have a sore that doesn't heal, or that looks like any of the growths pictured here, you should make an appointment with your dermatologist for evaluation. After the dermatologist examines the growth, he or she will decide whether or not to perform a biopsy. A biopsy is a simple procedure done in the office under local anesthesia. The dermatologist will first inject a small amount of anesthesia similar to the type used by your dentist. After the area is numb, the dermatologist will remove a small sample of the growth or use a small cookie-cutter device to do a "punch" biopsy. A bandage will then be placed on the wound and you will receive instructions on how to care for the wound. The area will heal over five to seven days. There are several different kinds of basal cell cancer. The biopsy results will indicate whether or not you have a basal cell cancer and what kind of basal cell cancer it is. In some cases, if the basal cell cancer is very thin and present only on the surface of the skin, your dermatologist may choose to perform the biopsy and treat the skin cancer at the same time.
Your dermatologist will discuss with you the various dermatologic surgical options should your growth prove to be a basal cell cancer. Your dermatologist may use a method called electrodesiccation and curettage. In this procedure the surface of the skin cancer is removed and the base of the skin cancer is gently burned or "cauterized" with an electric needle. When this is done there is often no need for further treatment. Simple surgical excision, in which the skin cancer is cut out and the skin sewn together using dermatologic cosmetic surgical techniques will often be recommended. In this case, the specimen is examined under a microscope after the procedure to determine that all the skin cancer has been removed. Other treatment methods, such as cryosurgery, radiation therapy, and laser surgery may be used in specific circumstances. In certain situations, your dermatologist may refer you for a specialized technique called Mohs micrographically controlled surgery. In this method, performed by specially trained dermatologic surgeons, the skin cancer is removed under local anesthesia in an office setting and microscopic sections are prepared on slides while you wait. Your Mohs surgeon examines the slides to determine if most of the cancer cells have been removed. If not additional layers are taken until the cancer is completely excised. The advantage of this technique is that a minimum amount of tissue is removed and all the edges of the specimen are carefully studied. This method has a high cure rate, but is not required for all skin cancers. In general, most dermatologists agree that recurrent skin cancers, that is skin cancers that were previously treated and have come back, incompletely removed skin cancers, large skin cancers, and skin cancers in cosmetically important areas, may benefit from the Mohs technique. After the skin cancer has been removed using this method, it maybe allowed to heal naturally or reconstructive surgery using a skin flap or skin graft maybe performed.
Because the vast majority of skin cancers occur on the face, many patients are understandably concerned about the cosmetic outcome. If the skin cancer is small, conservative methods usually produce an excellent cosmetic result. If the skin cancer requires more specialized treatment such as Mohs surgery, reconstructive options are available that, in most cases, result in an excellent cosmetic outcome.
Some people wonder whether it is worth treating basal cell cancer at all since it doesn't metastasize or travel in the bloodstream to other organs. It is important to remember that basal cell cancer is in fact a cancer, and will continue to grow locally unless treated. Basal cell cancer does not spontaneously go away on its own. In addition, if the skin cancer is located near important organs such as the eyes, ears, and nose, or is growing near a nerve, serious problems can arise if the skin cancer is neglected.
If you have already had one basal cell cancer studies have shown that you are at a 40% risk of getting a second basal cell cancer within five years. It is important to follow closely with your dermatologist and be alert to any non-healing sores that develop on your skin.
Individuals who have had multiple basal cell cancers or other skin cancers, such as squamous cell, are at an increased risk for melanoma. It is important to have a full body skin examination at least once a year to check for abnormal moles which could be precursors to melanoma or melanoma itself. It is also important to know that basal cell cancer does not turn into melanoma.
Because basal cell cancer is caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun in the vast majority of cases, proper sun protection may help to prevent the development of further basal cell cancers. Because 85% of lifetime sun exposure is acquired in childhood by age 18, careful sun protection in children may effectively prevent basal cell cancer later in life. Follow these simple steps from your dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon: 1. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or greater while outdoors 2. Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sun protective clothing 3. Avoid the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Many people wonder how often they have to reapply sunscreen. In general, if you are active outdoors, it is quite reasonable to apply sunscreen every 1 1/2 hours. As long as you practice good sun protection habits and enjoy the sun in moderate amounts you should be able to minimize the chances of developing basal cell cancer.
Heredity is the primary causes of unsightly and often painful varicose and spider veins. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, birth control pills, obesity and standing for long periods of time. As we age, more visible leg veins frequently emerge and our existing veins become increasingly noticeable. Sclerotherapy is a simple solution to this problem which includes a sclerosing solution and a cosmetic procedure.
Sclerotherapy, non-invasive vein treatment was developed over 75 years ago and is at present one of the most prevalent treatments for spider and varicose veins. During treatment, a sclerosing agent is injected into the vein through a tiny needle. Upon injection, the solution irritates the vessel walls. The body then starts a natural healing process and the vein begins to fade and eventually disappear. The treatment can last from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the number of veins treated in a particular session.
Gradual improvement will be noticed. Many patients experience 60% to 80% of the treated vessels resolved. During the consultation, you will be advised as to the number of treatments necessary to achieve the desired results.
In most cases, you will be able to resume regular activities immediately. However, excessive standing or vigorous activities are not advised for 24 to 48 hours. Following treatment, the affected veins may darken and the area may appear bruised. Support hose or a snug wrapping are applied directly after the treatment and is removed just before bed. This application of pressure will help reduce side effects and aid in more effective healing and treatment. After the treatment of larger vessels, the affected area may appear pigmented but this is temporary and will fade over time.
Dr. Robinson will determine if you are a candidate. During your consultation, a review of your medical history will ascertain the cause and severity of your condition. Depending on the types of veins, a combination of different treatment modalities may be suggested.
Several treatments may be required to achieve the optimum result. In some cases as few as 2 or 3 treatments will fulfill the desired outcome.
The vessels in question will be examined and reviewed with you by Dr. Robinson. A treatment strategy will then be decided upon to eradicate these veins. You may be asked to stand while the problem veins are marked and photographed. The sclerosing agent will then be injected into the targeted veins. Discomfort is minimal and no anesthesia is required. You may be asked to wear support hose or a supportive wrap for a short period of time following treatment. This precautionary post-treatment measure will apply compression to the treated vessels to prevent recurrence.
Dr. Robinson offers GentleLase and GentleYag hair removal options. The GentleLase Laser is the gold standard for hair removal in caucasians. The GentleYag laser is the gold standard for laser hair removal in patients of color or tanned skin and is also an excellent treatment for facial, leg, spider veins and hemangiomas. Laser Hair Removal can be treated in a lunch hour appointment. Hair removal can be treated every four weeks, and a typical six sessions treatment plan could be completed by June or earlier if the whole six sessions are not required
These treaments also provide excellent results in the removal of brown spots such as sun spots (liver spots) and flat benign brown keratoses. Candela's (the makers of the GentleLase) patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) technology protects the upper layers of your skin with a cooling mist. Together, the long-pulse laser and DCD cooling offer optimal treatment with minimal side effects.
Depending on the amount of hair being treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient. Generally, the treatment will include:
For Women:
For Men:
Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon your skin color, hair color and coarseness of hair and location of treatment. Everyone will require at least 2-3 treatments, as the process is only effective on hair during the early growing cycle. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they re-enter the early growth phase.
The laser creates a beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deeply into skin tissue, where it delivers a controlled amount of therapeutic heat to the targeted hair or spider veins. Canadela's patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) technology protects the upper layers of your skin with a cooling burst of cryogen. Together, the long-pulse laser and DCD cooling offer optimal treatment with minimal side effects.
Treatment will take place in Dr. Bruce Robinson's New York office. You will wear safety eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser light. Dr. Bruce Robinson will guide the laser to the treatment areas with a small handpiece. Each laser pulse may be preceded and followed by a short pulse of cooling spray. A treatment could take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the area being treated.
Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, sometimes described as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This discomfort resolves in several seconds and is minimized by Candela's DCD cooling. For some patients, a topical anesthetic may be used prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with Dr. Bruce Robinson before the procedure if applicable.
The number of sessions depends on the treatment you require and the condition of your skin. Multiple treatments may be required, but many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the severity of the condition being treated.
Your skin should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, removing any makeup, creams, oils, topical anesthetics or self-tanning products before laser treatment. If you have had a history of herpes simplex virus and are scheduled for facial vain or hair removal treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. The intended treatment area should not be exposed to sunlight or tanning booth light for 14 days prior to treatment.
A cool compress or gel pack may be applied for comfort following your treatment. If any redness or swelling should occur it resolves within a few hours.
After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above). In the first few days after treatment, don't scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers. Dr. Bruce Robinson may advise additional precautions.
Your risks are minimal. Although rare, effects may include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering and purpura (a laser bruise) in the treated area--these usually do not last more than a few hours to a few days. Permanent side effects are rare. Be sure to discuss potential side effects with Dr. Bruce Robinson.
Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. We offer a Cosmetic Consultation Reimbursement policy offered to all our patients. Come discuss your needs and goals with Dr. Robinson and the office visit cost will be applied to future costs for the discussed procedure. *Procedure must be completed within 30 days of your consult visit.
SculpSure® Transform your body in a series of 25 minute treatments. Non-surgical body contouring is a laser treatment that safely and permanently destroys up to 24% of stubborn fat cells per treatment that has resisted traditional diet and exercise. SculpSure® is a non-invasive treatment that targets stubborn problem areas such as the belly, love handles, back, and inner and outer thighs. There is no downtime so you can swim, spin, and get right back to the gym. Results are often seen as soon as six weeks after treatment.
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SculpSure® :
Treatments take just 25 minutes per treatment area
Treatments are customized for a variety of shapes and sizes
Contact Cooling Technology keeps the skin comfortable during the treatment.
Side effects are mild and temperary in nature, with the most common being tenderness.
The feathering of heat provides a natural - looking result.
Clinical studies have shown 83% to 100% patient satisfaction rate.
Every patient is different. Most patients see the best results when they have a series of treatments.
Most patients feel a tingling, warming, sensation intermittently throughout the treatment which is generally well tolerated. Breathe away pain and anxiety with PRO-NOX, Nitrous Oxide, relief is now in your control, empowering you to safely control your pain relief during in-office procedure(s) such as SculpSure®.
There is no recovery period or downtime with SculpSure®, you can have the during during your lunch hour, have the treatment and spin, swim or get right back to the gym immediately.
Patients may start to see results as early as 6 weeks following treatment as the body begins to gradually lose the targeted fat cells, with optimal results typically seen at 12 weeks.
Treated fat cells are permanently destroyed and will not regenerate.
What is the Difference Between Fat Loss and Weight Loss?
The number of fat cells in our bodies typically remain constant throughout our adult life. After the SculpSure treatment, the destroyed of fat cells will never return. However, as we lose weight, the size of the fat cells beome smaller, but typically do not decrease in number. Even with diet and excercise, many people have difficulty losing weight in these trouble areas.
View Dr. Robinson discuss SculpSure and treat a patient
The Fraxel® DUAL Laser system has the unique advantage of two treatment modes/wave lengths in one Laser which is an improvement from the original single mode Fraxel® Laser system. Fraxel® DUAL laser can treat a broad range of skin damage, such as age spots, sun spots, wrinkles and other signs of aging. The laser treats only a fraction of the skin tissue at a time, leaving the surrounding tissue intact, which promotes rapid healing. This stimulates your body’s own natural healing process replacing the old and damaged cells with fresh, glowing, healthy skin.
Fraxel DUAL Laser Modes/Wave Lengths:
This non-surgical procedure will be tailored to your desired outcome. You can enjoy the full benefits of both/or one mode/wave length. The Fraxel® DUAL Laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, leaving the surrounding tissue untouched to enable rapid healing. This stimulates your body's own natural healing process, replacing the old and damaged cells with fresh, glowing, healthy skin. The result is more youthful, radiant skin with minimal down time. Any area of the body can be treated: face, chest, neck and hands. Fraxel Laser protects against skin cancer while making your skin look young again.
New research has shown that, in addition to repairing your skin, Fraxel can actually help you defend against skin cancer while making your skin look young again. Fraxel triggers the healing process, producing collagen which will revitalize your skin with a smoother, younger look, but it also makes use of the older cells of your skin to produce substances that are protective against skin cancer.
Depending on the size, location and condition of the area to be treated, a Fraxel treatment can take approximately 20 minutes.
Dr. Robinson is improving skin cancer treatments with less invasive treatments. No scarring, no bleeding, functional & cosmetic results are superior to cold steel excision & MOHS. Patients on anticoagulant therapy do not have to stop their medication before treatment, therefore not increasing their risk for stroke and/or heart attack, quick healing, & no risk of post-operative complications! This is especially helpful with Infirm or older patients, great for professionals who can't afford downtime or a scar.
Using non-ablative fractional laser therapy offers a Gentle Approach to Treating Pre-Cancerous Growths and Overall Healthier Skin.
Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United States. More than 3 million Americans are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer(s), such as basal cell & squamous cell carcinoma each year. These two types of cancers are collectively known as keratinocyte carcinoma or (KC).
In individuals with a history of a prior KC, the risk of developing subsequent KC remains a significant concern.
In our study using non-ablative fractional laser therapy, including 4 sessions spaced at 2-4 week intervals, w/ follow-up assessments, 1-3 months after the final treatment session 60% had greater reduction of the development of KC and had improved overall health of sun-damaged skin. There was also a lower recurrence rate of MOHS. Lowering the rate of infection directly related to lack of having an open wound.
Non-ablative fractional laser therapy has already demonstrated remarkable success with minimal downtime & discomfort as a gentle yet effective treatment of actinic keratosis (AK), the most common type of pre-cancerous skin conditions. Other benefits to using non-ablative fractional laser therapy is it's ability @ ameliorating photo damage, utilizing precise photothermolysis to stimulate collagen and elastin production, promote dermal wound healing & decreasing and improving hyperpigmentation, telangiectasias, skin tone, skin laxity, and tactile roughness. Now we can add treatment of certain skin cancers to the list.
Most patients describe an increased sensation of heat during the treatment. Prior to the procedure we will apply a topical anesthetic cream, which helps minimize any discomfort during treatment.
The number of treatments needed depends on your goals and constraints. Typically, patients require a minimum of 2 treatments @ 4 week intervals.
Fraxel lasers can treat women and men of all ages and skin colors. Any area of the body can be treated: face, arms, legs, back. abdomen and buttocks. Fraxel treatments also work on delicate skin areas like the neck, chest and hands.
Your skin will feel softer, look brighter and improve skin tone. Other benefits of treatment include: reducing the appearance of acne scaring, treatment of actinic keratosis, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, smoother, fresher, younger looking skin, improved tone and texture, erase unwanted brown spots, age spots & melasma.
There are both immediate and progressive results. Soon after the treatment, the surface of your skin will feel softer, look brighter and show improved tone & texture. The next 3 to 6 months will bring additional improvement as the deeper layers of the skin continue to heal. Results can last for several years depending on your age and skin condition.
You will experience redness and/or swelling resembling a bad sunburn after the procedure that diminishes over the next 3-4 days. The evening after your treatment, your face will feel hot, applying cool compresses will provide comfort. We recommend using the prescribed ointments after treatment during the healing process. Usually by days 4-5 you will begin to peel, revealing smoother, younger looking skin. Total downtime is usually 5-7 days. Dr. Robinson will work with you to determine the best option within your lifestyle and work constraints.
HydraFacial MD is a godsend one week post Fraxel to speed up the shedding process that re-surfacing procedures inevitably induce while deeply hydrating the skin. Once healing is done, it is important to stay out of the sun as much as possible in order to maintain the results. The use of sunscreens, Retinol and skin brightening products will help keep hyperpigmentation at bay.
Fraxel Laser compliments other cosmetic procedures, such as dermal fillers, Botox, TempSure Envi & HydraFacial MD.
Our Cosmetic Consultation Reimbursement policy is offered to all patients. Come discuss your needs and goals with Dr. Robinson and the office visit cost will be applied to future costs for the discussed procedure. *Procedure must be completed within 30 days of your consult visit.
