What makes a face attractive and why do we have the preferences we do?

Since the beginning of humanity, man has sought to define beauty. Whether by philosophy, mathematical constructs, social studies, or biology, the fascination with and the study of beauty has consumed our emotions and intellect. Averageness, symmetry and sex-specific traits have been associated with attractiveness. Recent studies are shaping a new reality of beauty, one founded on evolutionary and biologic findings that link our fascination with beauty to our reproductive success.
It is proposed that beauty can be external or internal or both. External or physical beauty is immediately visible. Internal or inner beauty is not always immediately visible. Ideally both types of beauty are connected. The dermatologist needs many clinical skills, including an understanding of psychology, when addressing skin-related problems - appearance-related problems in particular.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and cosmetic dermatology is the science of beauty.

Best wishes from Brazil!

Dr. Érica Monteiro
Cosmetic Dermatologist
www.dermatologia.com.br

Melanoma is a cancer in melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) in the skin. Melanoma can spread to other areas of the body. It most frequently appears on the trunk in men and on the legs in women, but it can occur anywhere on the body.

The incidence of melanoma has been increasing faster than any other cancer over the past 20 years. The way to decrease your chance of developing melanoma is to recognize if you are at risk and take measures to decrease that risk or be more vigilant.

The following are risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the higher your chances are of getting melanoma.

- A mole that is changing
- Atypical nevus syndrome
- Having a mole that is >15cm in diameter and has been present since birth
- White pale skin
- A prior melanoma
- A close family member with melanoma
- Using a tanning bed ten times a year or more before age 30
- More than 50 moles on your body
- Suppression of the immune system
- The tendency to burn and freckle instead of tan

Preventing Melanoma
The best prevention is to recognize any risk factors you may have and prevent sun damage. Use a sunscreen that has at least an SPF of 15 anytime and everyday and avoid sun exposure.

Recognizing Suspicious Moles using the ABCD’s system:

- Asymmetry - Draw a line through the middle of the mole. If the halves don’t match, the mole is asymmetric and more likely to be abnormal.
- Border - The borders of atypical moles are not well defined.
- Color - An uneven color throughout the mole is a sign of abnormality.
- Diameter - Moles that are enlarging in diameter greater than 6 mm. This is about the size of a pencil eraser.

If you are concerned about a mole, you must see your dermatologist!

Best wishes from Brazil!

Dr. Érica Monteiro - Cosmetic Dermatologist
www.dermatologia.com.br

These are some treatments that can be prescribed by your dermatologist:

- Keratolysis, removal of dead surface skin cells usually using salicylic acid, blistering agents, immunomodulators, or formaldehyde, often with mechanical peel of the wart.

- Cryosurgery, which involves freezing the wart (with liquid nitrogen), creating a blister between the wart and epidermal layer, after which the wart falls off.

- Surgical curettage.

- Laser treatment using vascular laser (example: Dye Laser).

- Imiquimod, a topical cream that helps the body’s immune system fight the wart virus.

- Cantharidin, it can causes dermal blistering.

The wart can regrows after the skin has healed.

Your dermatologist can prescribe topical treatments containing salicylic acid to mantain the treatment at home.

I do not recomend you to use any medication without medical advice.

Best wishes from Brazil!
Dr. Érica Monteiro - Cosmetic Dermatologist
www.dermatologia.com.br

Warts are noncancerous skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Many different types of HPV exist that can cause warts. Warts are usually pink to flesh-colored and have a rough texture, but some have a dark color and a smooth feel.

Warts are contagious, but most only pose a very low risk of being passed to another person through direct or indirect contact.

Most warts pose no significant health risks and will disappear within a year or two of first appearing. However, because warts can be unsightly – and in the case of genital warts, may pose significant health risks – some patients may choose to treat them with medications or chemicals, or to have them surgically removed. However, it is not uncommon for warts to recur even after they’ve been treated effectively.

There are several different major categories of warts. The type of HPV a person contracts will determine the type of wart that develops. More than 100 HPV viruses have been identified. These viruses stimulate the rapid growth of cells on the outer layer of the skin (epidermis), causing the formation of warts on the skin and mucous membranes.

We can identify diferents categories of warts:

- Common warts: Typically appear on the fingers, especially in areas where skin has been broken around the nails and on the back of the hand.

- Plantar warts: they appear on the soles of the feet at pressure points (such as the balls and heels of the feet).

- Flat warts: smooth warts that typically grow in large groups more than 20 at a time, most commonly on the face of children and in areas irritated by shaving in adults.

- Genital warts: irregular, bumpy growths with the texture of a small cauliflower that can be transmitted through sexual contact or contaminated things. Beware, some types may cause abnormalities that can lead to genital cancer.

In WARTS part II you will learn more…

Best wishes from Brazil!

Dr. Érica Monteiro - Cosmetic Dermatologist
www.dermatologia.com.br

The Fitzpatrick´s skin type focus tanning ability. It has VI types:

Type I: Pale white skin, blue/hazel eyes, blond/red hair. Always burns, does not tan.
Type II: Fair skin, blue eyes. Burns easily, tans poorly.
Type III:Darker white skin. Tans after initial burn.
Type IV:Light brown skin. Burns minimally, tans easily.
Type V: Brown skin. Rarely burns, tans darkly easily.
Type VI: Black skin. Never burns, always tans darkly.

It is very important to protect skin from the sun damaging because exposure to ultraviolet radiation contributes to ageing skin and is the main cause of skin cancer. The pale skin people may need to take particular care because of photodamage.

The point is: no matter what the weather, or what you are doing, protect your skin. Take particular care in summer and make sure your children are appropriately protected as well as yourself. You must protect your skin in the winter.

Best wishes fro Brazil!

Dr. Érica Monteiro - Dermatologist
www.dermatologia.com.br

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects against heat, light, injury, and infection. It helps control body temperature, it makes vitamin D and stores water and fat. The skin reflects your general health and social behaviour. Situations which effect your health can have an important effect on your skin, for example ultraviolet sun exposure and cigarette smoking causes ageing and wrinkling of the skin with time.
The skin has three main layers:
Epidermis: The epidermis is the upper layer of the skin and it is mostly made of squamous cells. Under the squamous cells there are the basal cells. Melanocytes cells are located in the lower part of the epidermis and they make the skin´s pigments (color).
Dermis: The dermis is under the epidermis. It contains blood vessels, lymph vessels, and glands. Some of these glands make sweat, which helps cool the body. Other glands make sebum. Sweat and sebum reach the surface of the skin through tiny openings called pores.
Subcutaneous Fat: It is made mostly of fat and helps your body stay warm and absorb shocks.

The skin is a complex structure with many functions. So, it is important to know better your skin.
Next time we are talk about Fitzpatrick Skin Type.
Best wishes from Brazil,

Dr. Érica Monteiro
www.dermatologia.com.br

Hello everyone,

I am doctor Érica Monteiro dermatologist from São Paulo, SP- Brazil.
Brazil is the largest Country in South America and the only one that speakes Portuguese. I am Dr. Baumann´s friend and I have translated her book The Skin Type Solution to Portuguese and in Brazil the book is called PELE SAUDÁVEL.
Here we will talk about skin diseases and about cosmetic dermatology.
Best wishes from Brazil!

Dr. Erica Monteiro