24December
2011
Cold Sores: how to prevent and how to attenuate! Oral (labial) herpes is a viral infection characterized by vesicles or erosions that appear on lips or mouth angles, it is also known as “cold sores”. It is usually caused by one of the herpes virus (the HSV-1) which in most cases is not sexually transmitted). Once you have the virus this one remains in your organism, hence you could get this labial lesions on and off during your life. You can find here different ways to prevent these lesions (or avoid recurrence): ?Avoid contracting initial infection by not sharing lip balms o lip protectors, toothbrush or even drinks with persons who might be infected with the virus. The virus that produces the labial herpes is transmitted through the saliva and through direct contact with the skin. ? The people who have already caught the infection know it can be reactivated with sun exposure, by stressful situations or when the person gets ill (in some women it appears during menstrual period too!) Another good reason to exercise your body frequently, acquire good eating habits, get a good sleep and use sunblock! If you already have a labial herpes follow these tips […]
23January
2012
Myths about acne. You think you know everything there is to know about acne? You would be surprised to know that many things people say about acne, what’s it’s cause and how to treat it, are really wrong! Myth #1: Getting tanned improves your skin. Reality: Although a tan could mask temporarily acne, sun causes irritation and dryness in the skin, which leads to successive future acne outbreaks. As a matter of fact there is no link between acne prevention and sun exposure, worse the solar rays could cause premature aging and cancer. Protect your skin every time you go outdoors with a sunblock with a minimum SPF of 15 and that it doesn’t clog your pores (non comedogenic). Myth #2: Chocolate and greasy food cause acne. Reality: Well, eating sugars and fat is never a good idea, but research studies have demonstrated that no food has a proven effect of causing acne, but don’t forget everyone is different. Some people have notice they get acne after the ingestion of certain meals, and these vary with every person. For instance some people develop acne after eating lots of chocolate but some other after drinking several cups of coffee. If this […]
26June
2014
Dr. Lopez belongs to the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD). This international organization provides ongoing training for dermatologists to keep their professional skills sharp. It also provides good information about dermatology issues for the general public. Please visit the iTunes store to download a free iPhone app for information at your fingertips. More health tips at your fingertips Derm A-Z
10October
2015
While aging is a natural process, it’s also natural to wish for the skin of your youth. Our dermatology practice offers some medically sound cosmetic procedures that can help slow down the signs of aging and improve the overall health of your skin. The procedures are performed by Dr. Lopez himself in a private medical clinic. The cost of these procedures is outlined below. Causes of aging skin Intrinsic (internal) aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20s. Within the skin, collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. While these changes usually begin in our 20s, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. The signs of intrinsic aging are: Fine wrinkles Thin and transparent skin Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin Dry skin that may […]
10October
2015
Jellyfish stings can vary greatly in severity. Most often they result in immediate pain and red, irritated marks on the skin. Some jellyfish stings may cause more whole-body (systemic) illness, and in rare cases, are life-threatening. Most jellyfish stings get better with home treatment, but severe reactions require emergency medical care. Here’s Dr. Lopez’ professional advice about the topic. Causes Jellyfish tentacles contain microscopic barbed stingers (nematocysts). Each nematocyst is made up of a tiny bulb that holds venom and a coiled, sharp-tipped tube. The jellyfish uses the venom to protect itself and kill prey. When something comes in contact with the tentacle — a fish or a human — tiny triggers on the surface of the tentacle release the nematocysts. The sharp tube penetrates the skin and releases the venom, which affects the immediate area of contact and may enter the bloodstream. Jellyfish that have washed up on a beach may still release venomous stingers if touched. Prevention The following tips can help you avoid jellyfish stings: Wear a protective suit. When swimming or diving in areas where jellyfish stings are possible, wear a wetsuit or other protective clothing. Avoid water during jellyfish season. Stay out of the water […]
20October
2015
When we’re outdoors, we know we should protect our skin from the sun and it’s harmful rays. Of course that doesn’t mean you’ll spend your summer in your room when there are so many fun things to do outdoors. Besides, not everything related to the sun is bad. The solar light helps our body with the production of vitamin D. Don’t overdo it though; 5 minutes of solar exposure is enough. You can follow these advices to avoid the fotoaging on your skin: ?Use a sunblock with a solar protection factor (SPF) of 15 as a minimum, even if it’s cloudy or if you’re planning to go outdoors for just a while. If you get wet, swimming in a pool or at the beach for example, repeat the application of your sunblock every two or three hours (it doesn’t matter if it’s “water resistant”). ?Choose a solar protection cream which is able to retain the UVA rays as well as UVB. Look for “wide spectrum” protection or UVA protection with at least 15 SPF. Prefer a “non comedogenic” solar cream to maintain your skin’s pores clean. ?The solar rays are stronger between 10 am and 4 pm, thus during these hours repeat the application […]
20October
2015
More commonly known as sun spots, melasma has an asymptomatic and chronic evolution, with the appearance of light brown to darker spots mostly in the face area, and it is intensified through the exposition to solar light, pregnancy, anticonceptive pills and with the use of certain cosmetic products. It affects all races, but it’s more frequent in tropical regions. It’s more frequent in women between 30 and 45 years, but it can affect men and boys too. It occurs in 66% of pregnant women, and it diminishes or disappears after labour; one third of the cases it remains in an indefinite way. One can treat Melasma with different applied substances or even with chemical dermoexfoliation (peeling), but no treatment will be effective if the patient doesn’t protect himself from solar light with using physical (hat, cap) or chemical (sunblock) ways. An improvement can be observed in average after 3 months of treatment. The use of natural substances and other pharmaceutical products have a risk of causing contact dermatitis (burns), white spots or even darker spots; the guide and supervision of a specialist (dermatologist) is recommended. The Dermatologist should investigate the possible causes of the spots, the type of skin of […]
18June
2016
Healthier Skin for the Summer An interview with Dr. Lopez by Channel 5 Belize.
