Dr. Golomb Archives | Cynthia Golomb, MD

Actinic Keratosis: What is it & How Can it be Treated?

March 16, 2023 · Skin Cancer · Comments Off

Actinic Keratoses are the most common skin precancer

Actinic Keratoses (AKs) generally appear after the age of 40 on people with fair skin, blue or green eyes, or those who freckle or burn in the sun. AKs are also more common on people who live closer to the equator, regardless of skin type, as sun exposure is a significant factor in AK development. If you have actinic keratoses, you are not alone. Up to 58 million Americans have AKs.

actinic keratosis

You’ll find actinic keratoses on the face, back of hands, bald scalp, neck, shoulders and any other skin subjected to frequent sun exposure. AKs can be tiny or larger than a quarter. These scaly spots can sometimes itch or be sensitive to the touch. In some cases, they can also bleed. Generally, they are red but can appear pink or tan. AKs can also grow into a protruding bump called a cutaneous horn, which can be painful, get caught on clothing and jewelry and even get infected.

About 10% of AKs progress to squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer is very dangerous if left untreated, as it can spread to internal organs.

actinic keratosis

Treatment of Actinic Keratoses

We often treat AKs with cryosurgery (a pinpointed spray of liquid nitrogen or applied with a cotton-tipped swab). I recently treated a female patient in her 50s who had an AK above her lip. She complained that the scaly spot had cracked and was bleeding while she was eating. It was raised and a little painful. Days later, she was pleased to report that after I applied liquid nitrogen to it, the AK is now flat, the flakiness is gone, and there is no more bleeding.

Instead of freezing each AK with liquid nitrogen, there is another treatment option: photodynamic therapy, also known as blue light therapy. A recent study compared light therapy to cryotherapy and found that those who had the light treatment were 14% more likely to have their lesions eliminated. Because AKs are considered pre-cancerous, blue light therapy is covered by Medicare.

Early diagnosis and treatment of AKs are vital because of their potential to progress into skin cancer. One study has shown that most invasive squamous cell carcinomas originate from AKs.

Call Dr. Golomb today for a skin cancer screening appointment at 855-465-6621.

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Dr. Golomb is widely considered one of the top dermatologists in Hallandale Beach. She welcomes patients for skin cancer screening and treatment from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, North Miami Beach, Golden Beach, Pembroke Pines and Hollywood, Fl. Dr. Golomb is triple board certified in Dermatology, Dermatopathology and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (Mohs).

Botox Cosmetic Day

November 2, 2022 · Toxin (Botox, Daxxify, Dysport, Jeuveau and Xeomin) · Comments Off

Mark your calendar—#BotoxCosmetic Day is coming!

Don’t miss your limited-time offer to buy one $50 gift card and get one free.

It’s happening Nov. 16th at 12 p.m. Eastern, and it’s exclusive to Alle members.

Not a Member? Join Alle now—the official loyalty program of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Here’s how you can get ready:

Step 1: Set a reminder: BOTOX® Cosmetic Day is Nov. 16 at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Step 2: Before BOTOX® Cosmetic Day, join Alle by visiting Alle.com to be eligible to purchase the BOGO gift card offer.

Step 3: Purchase the offer on Nov. 16 starting at 12 p.m. Eastern at https://alle.com/botoxcosmeticday

Step 4: Book your appointment to redeem your gift cards.

You also can earn DOUBLE POINTS in Alle when you get treated Nov. 16 – 30!

Dr. Golomb is widely considered one of the best dermatologists in Hallandale Beach and regularly welcomes patients for Botox treatments from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, North Miami Beach, Golden Beach, Pembroke Pines, and Hollywood, Fl.

BBL HERO: Before and After

October 14, 2022 · BBL light therapy · Comments Off

BBL is the most powerful intense pulsed light device approved by the FDA.

A BBL HERO light treatment goes after all the signs of aging skin and sun damage: dark spots, spider veins and redness, and irregular texture.

photo of reddness on neck eliminated by two BBL treatments

After two treatments. Photo courtesy of James Wire, MD.

before and after photos of brown spots on hands eliminated by BBL treatment

Nine months after three treatments. Photo courtesy of Jody Levine, MD.

BBL HERO works on most skin types. It’s comfortable, gentle and a very quick procedure because the BBL HERO handpiece covers more skin area.

Most patients see improvement after just one treatment.

Use a Trusted Doctor For Your BBL HERO Rejuvenation

Call 855-465-6621 to make your appointment to regenerate and restore with no downtime.

To learn more, read about photo rejuvenation here, or watch my videos about the BBL HERO.

Before and after photos of brown spots on side of face eliminated by BBL treatment

Three weeks after one treatment. Photo courtesy of Teresa Mann, MD.

Before and after photos of spider veins on face eliminated by BBL treatment.

One month after three treatments. Photo courtesy of Robyn Siperstein, MD.

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Dr. Cynthia Golomb is a board certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and dermatopathologist. Dr. Golomb has practiced general and cosmetic dermatology for over 20 years.

Dr. Golomb regularly welcomes patients from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, North Miami Beach, Pembroke Pines, Hallandale Beach and Hollywood, Florida, for treatments to address the signs of aging skin. Request a consultation today by calling 855-465-6621 to schedule your appointment.

20% Off Sun Protective Clothing

September 30, 2022 · Skin Cancer · Comments Off

BloqUV is a North Miami company that offers sun protective clothing and is giving my patients a 20% discount. I am impressed with the softness of the fabric and how it wicks away moisture. I love the variety of fashionable styles in lots of vibrant colors.

I am not affiliated with the company, nor do I receive any compensation. I do believe sun protective clothing is an important part of protecting yourself from the damaging rays of the sun. In addition to sunscreen, wear protective UPF clothing, a hat and seek out shade, especially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Go to bloquv.com and enter this code: DERMBOUTIQUE20 to save 20% on your purchase. You may use this code three times. Shipping is free on orders over $100.

Simplifying Skincare for Men

March 11, 2022 · Skin Care · Comments Off

Some great skincare advice for men from DefenAge…

A man’s skin care routine doesn’t need to be complicated or confusing. Many guys steer clear of a skin care routine for these reasons. But, if you care about the common concerns that most men do—wrinkles, dullness, sun damage, or acne—building an effective regimen is an important step in meeting your skin care goals. A men’s skincare kit can address your various needs. Here’s one simple routine that, if done consistently, can pay off in the way your skin looks and feels over time.

DefenAge men’s skincare kit – available at Dermatology Boutique

Face Cleanser

Ditch the soap if that’s been in your repertoire over the years. Soap is extremely drying and strips your skin of its natural oils and protective barrier. A high-quality face cleanser will practically melt away dirt, sweat, excess oils, environmental stressors, and any other debris on the surface of your skin. A product with prebiotics will keep your skin’s natural barrier healthy and intact. Your skin should be left feeling hydrated and soft, not tight or squeaky clean. A great skin care routine always starts with an effective face cleanser.

Moisturizing Cream

Moisturizers help the skin stay hydrated, but your skin shouldn’t feel greasy when wearing one. The best moisturizers won’t have an off-putting smell either. Choosing a fragrance-free formula is important. A great product will absorb into your skin and you shouldn’t feel like you’re even wearing a moisturizer. With consistent use, your skin can look brighter and feel firmer. The overall tone and texture of your skin can also appear smoother and more even.

Serum

This is like a shot of goodness for your skin. The best serums are potent and designed to absorb effectively into your skin, imparting all the beneficial active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. A high-quality serum can help minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles, revive the skin’s natural moisture barrier, improve the look of visible firmness, and minimize the appearance of skin discolorations. With an anti aging cream and powerful serum, you’re well on your way to great-looking skin.

Exfoliating Mask

If you have two minutes to spare, you can do a weekly exfoliating mask. It’s really that easy—and it makes a huge difference for the overall look of your skin. A great formula can help renew your skin and remove dead skin cells that linger on the surface. The best exfoliating face mask will gently polish and refine the look of your skin with ingredients such as ultrafine sugar crystals and papaya, pumpkin, and pomegranate enzymes, which are natural exfoliators.

Those are the basic products that will help transform your skin, so that it appears smoother, more youthful, and healthier. If you’ve been looking for an ideal way to visibly improve exhausted-looking or damaged skin, start here.

About DefenAge

DefenAge, a premier skin care line with exclusive use of defensin molecules, is known for its award-winning and age-repairing products. Products are formulated to visually improve the look of aging skin for both men and women, including men’s skin care kits. DefenAge’s dermatologist recommended skin care products include the Clinical Power Trio: 8-in-1 BioSerum, 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream, and 2-Minute Reveal Masque. Proprietary use of Age-Repair Defensins is technology that wakes up dormant cells to make brand-new, healthy cells. Improve the appearance of visible skin’s density, fine lines and wrinkles, texture, and tone with DefenAge’s line, including eye cream, cleanser, exfoliating mask, serum, moisturizer, and more. Products are made in the U.S.A. and are available at my office, Dermatology Boutique.

Integrative Dermatology

July 18, 2021 · In the News · Comments Off

Integrative Medicine is now taking hold in the specialty of Dermatology. If you haven’t heard of it, Integrative Medicine makes use of a wider variety of therapies, some ancient, some alternative, along with conventional medicine, to help patients heal. The lifestyle and diet of patients are more closely examined and recommendations for changes are made to treat or prevent disease or symptoms.

For my field there are many interconnections between the gut and the skin. For example, we know that weight lifters who use whey protein supplements can worsen their acne. Dairy, or a high glycemic diet can also cause acne.

Recent studies have shown that the gut bacteria of patients with inflammatory skin diseases like acne or psoriasis is different—with less of the microbiota needed to control inflammation. Introducing probiotics to the gut may have some effect on improving acne. Probiotics may be considered a therapeutic option for acne, to provide a synergistic, anti-inflammatory effect when used in combination with oral antibiotics.

So what else can you do to improve your gut health? Reduce stress! Your whole body makes changes when it gets ready for “fight or flight.” If you are under stress for a prolonged period, that’s when the unhealthy bacteria take over in the gut and cause inflammation, which in turn can be exhibited in your skin as acne, eczema or rosacea.

A Melanoma Grew Large During Quarantine

April 25, 2021 · Skin Cancer · Comments Off

Back in January, I posted to social media this photo of my patient who developed a big melanoma during quarantine. After hunkering down for months, she finally went to get her hair done and her hairdresser alerted her to the growth. She came to see me immediately in December and the biopsy I did showed melanoma. She is now being treated by an oncology surgeon.

The melanoma was removed, but since her surgery, additional cancerous sites on her scalp have been found and removed. She has also started immunotherapy to treat the cancer. Patients with advanced melanoma have a better prognosis today because of immunotherapy.

Melanoma is a very serious cancer. Don’t delay your annual or bi-annual skin check! It’s better if we catch skin cancer before it grows this big. I take precautions in the office for COVID-19 to keep you safe during your exam.

When you’re checking yourself for new moles or growths, the one place on your body that is difficult to check is your scalp. Unfortunately, melanomas on the scalp are more deadly than on other locations of the body. This could be due to a number of factors including the anatomy or biology of the scalp and the fact that the melanoma can go undiscovered by the patient because it is hidden by hair.

A thorough skin exam by a board certified dermatologist is so important to locate hard-to-find skin cancers. In addition, on an ongoing basis, you can ask your hair care professional to let you know if he or she sees anything unusual on your scalp during your haircuts.

Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer because of how quickly it spreads in your body.

Symptoms and the appearance of a cancerous lesion can vary widely and sometimes they are not obvious. It could be painful or sensitive to the touch, but not necessarily. It might bleed. And it could be just about any color or a combination of colors: brown, black, white, red and even blue. It could be raised or flat. Look carefully because these spots can be very small.

A recurring theme I’ve seen in my career is even when a primary care physician refers a patient to a dermatologist due to a scalp lesion or any other suspicious spot, the patient delays a few months in making the appointment, and by that time the skin cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

My patient granted Dermatology Boutique permission to post her photo on my social media and patient communications. I am grateful that she allowed me to share her photo to help educate my other patients and social media followers.

View Recording of RHA Collection Virtual Event

March 2, 2021 · Fillers · Comments Off

Did you miss my Virtual Event?
No worries. A recording is on my YouTube channel.

When you watch, you’ll learn more about the RHA Collection of fillers. I tell you about this Swiss-made filler and I also treat patients, like Victoria in this photo, with RHA in the video.
Do you love fillers, but want a filler that looks even more natural and lasts longer?
Or, have you always wanted to try fillers but didn’t want to look “done?”
The RHA Filler Collection lasts longer than other fillers, up to 15 months. It was created to be more like the natural hyaluronic acid in your skin.
RHA is also designed to perform in the most dynamic areas of the face without looking stiff or unnatural.

The tragedy of misinformation

February 6, 2021 · COVID-19 · Comments Off

Allure magazine wrote a good article about all the misinformation out there about dermal fillers and the COVID-19 vaccine.

I think it is a tragedy that many filler patients refused to get vaccinated because of the misleading reports in the news media. Some reporting caused panic, confusion and concerns that were out of proportion to the actual, rare events that resolved quickly.

Yes, there have been a few, rare reactions to the COVID vaccine in filler patients, but these types of reactions are not new, nor are they unique to the COVID vaccine.

Click to read the Jan. 20, 2021 article: “Why You Should Still Get the COVID-19 Vaccine Even If You Have (or Plan to Get) Dermal Fillers.”

Festoon Update

February 1, 2021 · Lasers · Comments Off

Earlier I posted a video of the CO2 CoolPeel laser treatment to reduce the festoons under my eyes. Now with these photos, you see what I looked like pre and post-procedure.

Festoons appear below the “eye bags” as a mound or bump around the cheekbones. Or, a festoon could be sagging skin or folds of skin above the cheek.

I was red immediately after the laser treatment, but the CoolPeel has less downtime and less redness than older technology CO2 lasers. The CoolPeel’s new technology delivers energy more precisely, without a lot of thermal damage to the skin, so recovery is faster.

The laser can be set to mild, moderate or aggressive and the downtime increases with the intensity of the treatment.

The treatment I had was moderate and addresses fine lines, superficial wrinkles, dark circles and festoons. The cost for this treatment under the eyes is $850. The downtime is 3 to 5 days. You can begin wearing makeup in 2 to 3 days.

Laser resurfacing with a CO2 laser encourages the skin’s natural healing process and revitalizes the area by creating better support in the skin. It also tightens the skin by “shrinking” tissue.

My CoolPeel CO2 laser can be customized to your unique needs — it is powerful, fast and gives fabulous results. After your treatment, your skin will look smoother, tighter, fresher and more youthful.

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Dr. Golomb