Blog Articles

Warts are no fun. And while they’re not dangerous, there are several important reasons for not letting yours go without treatment. Here’s what you need to know.

Our list of trusted products you should know about that are both effective and at a great price point!

Actual image of Northstar Dermatology, Building 2 (February 2022)

Shalini Vemula, MD, FAAD

Amir Aboutalebi, MD, FAAD

Epidermoid cysts are benign, but they can still cause problems. While there’s no proven way to prevent one, you can take steps to ease any symptoms and prevent possible complications.

By: Christine Read, Certified Physician Assistant at Northstar Dermatology

By Dr. Nicole Strickland, Board-Certified Dermatologist at Northstar Dermatology

If you’ve been a patient at Northstar Dermatology, you’ve likely heard our providers preach that the backbone of good skincare is sunscreen every morning and a retinol at night.

We have the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Shalini Vemula to the Northstar Dermatology team of providers!

Alopecia causes hair loss that sufferers tend to feel pretty self-conscious about. Learn more about this condition and get the support you need.

Are you bothered by a wart? Appropriate medical treatment can help do away with it quickly, while keeping it from spreading. Here’s what you need to know.

A mole can start itching for a variety of reasons. While some causes are harmless, others indicate a potentially serious condition that needs treatment.

Ringworm can cause bothersome skin symptoms that spread, if it goes untreated. Thankfully, it’s treatable, and you can take steps to prevent future flare-ups.

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that can bring painful, itchy symptoms. And while all forms of psoriasis share certain symptoms, many specifics vary based on the type.

Eczema flare-ups are never fun, but they can be especially irritating during colder months. Understanding ways to best care for your skin through the winter can help minimize your symptoms.

The bumps, redness, and swelling of rosacea are no fun. Thankfully, an effective treatment plan can go a long way toward reducing your symptoms of this skin condition.

Summertime often means more fun in the sun and more damage to your skin. Thankfully, simple steps, such as applying an appropriate sunscreen daily, can help minimize these risks.

A rash is a sign that something’s not quite right within your body. While some causes are minor and fleeting, others reflect a medical condition in need of treatment.

Warts can be bothersome to look at and even cause pain or spread to someone else. For these reasons, you may want to seek professional care to ensure that yours go away quickly.

While some rashes are mild and temporary, others stem from a chronic condition in need of treatment. Understanding which chronic skin conditions are more likely to cause a rash may prompt you to seek the care you need.

If acne has you down, seeing a dermatologist may be your next best step, especially if your home care methods aren’t helping. Seeking the professional treatment you need can reduce your symptoms while staving off complications.

Psoriasis causes bothersome symptoms, from painful, itchy plaques to skin that peels away or bleeds. Knowing which of the five official types of psoriasis you have can help your dermatologist formulate the best possible treatment.

If you have an embarrassing mole, getting it checked out and removed by an expert can go a long way in providing emotional ease. Mole removal may also help protect you from serious health consequences, such as advanced skin cancer.

Patches of baldness or larger amounts of hair in your brush can be pretty upsetting. We can help treat these signs of alopecia through several noninvasive treatments, including light therapy and different types of medications.

While some rashes are quite mild and temporary, others require swift medical care. Getting care from a dermatologist when rash symptoms set in can help determine the underlying cause and your ideal treatment.

Chemical peels can enhance your appearance by bringing about new, healthy skin — but are they for everyone? Before scheduling a chemical peel, consider whether you’re a good candidate.

Do you notice unsightly age spots on your face, hands, and elsewhere? Your skin sustains sun damage that can result in age spots. Keep reading to learn about your options for professional cosmetic treatment to remove or reduce your age spots.

Have you tried face wash after face wash but still struggle with adult acne? You’re not alone. Thankfully, your dermatologist can provide comprehensive care. Keep reading to learn about the common causes of acne and what we can do to help.

Identifying and avoiding triggers, along with lifestyle changes to best care for your sensitive skin, is key to preventing rosacea flares. Partnering with a dermatology specialist is the best first step to calming rosacea flares.

While often common in people over 50, even younger adults can develop sunspots. Also called age spots, liver spots, or solar lentigines, these dark spots come from exposure to the sun. People with lighter skin, women, and...

Acne is an adolescent rite of passage that can leave behind a memorable mark well after the pimples go away. Instead of accepting a fate full of acne scars, individuals can take proactive steps to not only prevent acne scars...

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are tiny flesh-colored skin growths that are painless and benign. Skin tags can form in places in the body that experience excessive friction such as the armpits, eyelids, groin, thighs, neck, and...

Skincare can be trendy. With an overwhelming amount of products on the market, people often struggle to find a routine that works. Often, simpler is better with skincare. The key is to find the right products that work for a person’s specific skin type...

For people who struggle with acne, skincare is an involved process. Washing the face is more than just picking up a bar of soap and scrubbing. Certain ingredients and products will either help to clear acne or make the condition worse.

Any new lump or growth on the skin can be concerning. However, many skin growths are benign, meaning the growth is noncancerous. How can people know the difference between malignant and benign skin growths? Here’s what to know and...

As people age, there is a natural increase in fine lines and wrinkles. However, there are many treatment options for smoothing out skin and regaining a youthful complexion. One common option is Botox injections.

In the last few years, face masks have become more popular than ever. From anti-aging to acne cure-all, the skin product has boasted many benefits. But are these benefits real or merely a marketing ploy? Do face masks help to improve skin?

The concept is counterintuitive, but a dermatology treatment that uses needle pricks can help to treat acne. Microneedling involves pricking the surface of the skin with tiny sterilized needles. The therapy is used as a treatment for acne, scars...

Skin cancer does not get enough public attention compared to others. But skin cancer is common. There are more skin cancer cases than all other cancers combined. About 1 in 5 Americans are at risk of developing skin cancer.

Experienced this scenario before? Someone reaches over and dusts off white flakes off the shoulders of that black shirt. Those white flakes are a sign of dandruff. Dandruff is so common, 1 in 2 persons will have dandruff at some point.

When children are younger, the skin is more resilient. However, that doesn’t mean that children don’t need a skincare routine at all. The early years are an excellent time to start teaching children about regularly washing the hands and face.

No one likes waking up with a new pimple. Some patients, however, get frequent, uncontrollable breakouts. Most people assume this is a symptom of acne. However, a condition called rosacea can also cause pimple-like bumps.

For some, dry skin can be caused by harsh weather, soaps, or even water. This is nothing a little moisturizer can’t fix. But for others, dry skin could be the result of a more severe condition. Eczema and psoriasis are the main culprits.

Soap and water are not enough. Kids often resort to this basic form of skincare. However, parents should take skincare more seriously. Proper habits keep skin healthy in the longterm.

Dry and flaky skin can be a normal part of aging, but often, dry skin can result from temperature or humidity changes, skin conditions, bad washing habits, and dehydration. People can improve dry and flaky skin with proper skin products and...

Tiny hair follicles all over skin surfaces can quickly become clogged with oil, sweat, and dead skin cells. When that happens, acne develops in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and nodules. Blackheads and whiteheads are typically small...

There are few things better than smooth, glowing skin. Excellent skin health improves confidence, has fewer wrinkles, and adds to longterm health and wellness. So how can one improve skin health?

A good moisturizer is crucial to preventing dry, chapped skin. A sunburn, dry weather, and harsh skincare products can all strip the skin of natural moisture. When shopping for a new moisturizer, look for these ingredients that will pack a punch.

Dandruff is a common condition that will affect at least 1 in 2 persons in their lifetime. The small white flakes and irritation can shatter self-esteem and cost thousands in yearly treatment.

Acne is a rite of passage for most teenagers. During puberty, hormones called androgens stimulate the oily sebum production on the skin, which can clog pores. Genetics, cosmetics, and some medications can also worsen teen acne.

About 6,000 women reach menopause every day. Menopause is a normal and natural part of aging. This happens after a woman’s last period during the middle age. The process can also hit immediately, for example, after a hysterectomy.

Most people will deal with some skin imperfections at some point or another. One common complaint is dark spots on the skin. These spots are more common as patients age or in people with darker skin tones.

Many people think that choosing the right concealer is as simple as matching concealer shade to skin tone shade. To cover up acne, redness, or dark circles, different colors may be better for different concerns.

Most people know to lather on SPF before going outdoors. But what about UPF? Ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF, can be helpful for people who are in the sun for long periods of the day, such as when swimming, biking, hiking, or working outdoors.

Winter is a special time for adventure-seekers going skiing or on a refreshing walk through a frosted wonderland. Regardless of activity level, individuals should consider the damaging effects of dry air, bitter cold temperatures ...

Winter is here again, and with the new season comes warm fires, hot chocolate, and holiday fun. Winter also brings a drop in temperature. Many people stop using sunscreen in the winter as a result.

Although anti-aging products have come a long way, the best way to maintain youthful skin is to take preventive action. UVA and UVB rays don’t just lead to skin cancer.

Fingernails are a body part many people believe have little use. Nails look beautiful painted and manicured. About 30% of Americans cope with nerves though nail-biting. And nails help scratch that pesky itch.

Rosacea is an incurable condition, affecting over 14 million people. The condition causes sudden redness in various parts of the face. The red patches look like tiny veins or vessels on the face.

Indoor and spray tanning are popular methods of achieving a sun-kissed glow year-round. Tanning beds can be either horizontal or vertical and vary in intensity. Spray tans can be entirely customized.

Skin care is cumulative. The earlier proper skin care is started, the better the long-term results. Small changes such as using a daily cleanser and applying sunscreen will prove beneficial.

Skin is the barrier against the elements and reflects the health of an individual. Skin is the first line of defense for the rest of the body. Improving the look and feel of skin can be fun and simple. Good skin care does not need to take weeks.

Anti-aging creams and serums can work to clear up some signs of aging. However, the best skin care is preventive skin care. Creating healthy skin care habits now will help prevent signs of aging in the future.

Aging is inevitable. Bodies change and fitness levels decline. While getting older cannot be avoided, aging can be enjoyed in a happy and healthy way. Below are three habits for healthier aging.

People with specific skin problems like acne or rosacea often make regular visits to a dermatologist. But even people who do not have particular skin complaints can benefit from regular dermatology visits.

The largest barrier between the outside world and the body, skin has an important job. Not only does skin protect the body from the elements, but the state of a person’s skin also projects what is going on internally.

The benefits of microneedling are extensive, especially for individuals who are looking for rejuvenated skin. Although the process of pricking the skin with hundred of microneedles sounds counterintuitive, the results speak for themselves.

People often hear healthcare providers recommend 8 hours of sleep per night. Why is that? People’s bodies have internal clocks that tell the body when to sleep and when to stay awake. When sleeping, the body goes into a REM cycle.

We have the pleasure and honor of welcoming Dr. Nicole Strickland to the Northstar Dermatology family. Dr. Strickland has the distinction of serving as one of the chief residents ...

Rosacea is a common skin condition causing redness or flushness of the face. Patients often interpret the signs for sunburn at first. The average person takes years to get a proper diagnosis.

Blisters on the feet are small, fluid-filled sores that can vary in size. Blisters are common on the feet and can make walking and standing for long periods of time painful and difficult.

There’s no need for people to be afraid of working out outdoors in the sun. The trick is to apply sunscreen beforehand and keep applying sunscreen throughout daily activity.

A little humidity can keep the skin soft and hydrated. But when the humidity level rises to about 50%, this can leave skin shiny and sweaty and can result in acne breakouts.

Being itchy is a real pain. Especially if there is no sign of a rash, identifying the cause of itchiness can be difficult. Itchiness can be the result of so many different factors that finding relief may take a while.

A lipoma is a growth that develops under the skin due to overgrowth of fat cells. This type of tumor is non-cancerous. Many people who suffer from lipoma wish to have the tumor removed because of the appearance.

The sun can cause many types of damage to the skin, including sunburns, wrinkles, and sunspots. Sunspots are flat brown spots that usually show up on the face, neck, chest, or hands. Are these sunspots dangerous?

Microneedling is a dermatologic procedure that involves small pricks to the skin to generate new collagen production. The result is smoother, brighter, firmer skin. Many people have experienced the benefits of microneedling in improving aging skin ...

Botox is a purified protein made from botulism toxin. The protein is commonly used in cosmetic procedures to diminish signs of aging such as frown lines or laughter lines. In 2017, US adults had 7.23 million Botox procedures.

Every year, more than 5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer. But skin cancer is preventable. When detected early, skin cancer is much easier to treat. But how does a person detect skin cancer?

Though preventable, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. And the rate of skin cancer is continuing to climb. In fact, the number of people in the United States who have skin cancer is higher than the number of people who have all other types ...

Technological advances of today have made dermal fillers more natural-looking than ever before. Dermal fillers are soft, injectable tissue fillers which are commonly used in the face to reduce the signs of aging.

For people who have fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, or other skin imperfections, there are many aesthetic treatments available. Microneedling and dermaplaning are two treatments that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and ...

Want a tan right away? No beaches nearby to sunbathe? For many, the solution is the multibillion-dollar indoor tanning industry. With the ability to get a bronzed look, millions use indoor tanning daily.

After spring break many people like to bring home reminders of the vacation, such as post cards, sea shells, and souvenirs. One thing people don’t want to return home with is bed bugs. Bed bugs have been a household pest for centuries.

Vitamins are versatile compounds. Essential vitamins help the body function properly, from energy and heart health to cholesterol. Can a daily vitamin ease dry skin? Furthermore, are specific vitamins best for the job?

Essentially, dandruff occurs when the scalp sheds itself of dead skin cells. Sometimes, the cells go into overproduction and shed at twice the normal rate, which presents a problem for the scalp.

A cold sore or fever blister is an inflamed, fluid-filled blister which occurs on or near the lips. A cold sore is a very common viral infection and is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HVS1). Cold sore blisters are often grouped together in small patches.

People with dry skin have distinct needs for moisturizers. Products that hydrate and help the skin retain moisture are ideal. However, many products are labeled suitable for dry skin when they don’t contain the ingredients needed to ...

A widely accepted myth is that dry skin causes wrinkles. The reality is that dry skin only gives off the appearance of more wrinkles compared to oily skin. Natural oils or sebum in oil-prone skin help keep skin hydrated making skin appear more plump ...

Just because winter is here doesn’t mean sunburn isn’t still a risk. And every sunburn increases chances of further skin damage, including skin cancer. Follow these sun safety tips to decrease risk and protect skin this winter.

Many over-the-counter acne products make skin dry and flaky. For people who already struggle with dry skin, clearing up acne while keeping skin hydrated can be tricky. While dry skin doesn’t necessarily make acne worse ...

When the candles are lit, the romantic music is playing, and the table is set, the last thing a person wants is to have to go change a sweat-soaked shirt. Though sweating due to nerves is fairly normal, about 2-3% of people suffer from excessive sweating.

Though dry skin usually isn’t serious, it can be uncomfortable and frustrating. During the winter months especially, colder weather can cause skin to become dry, flaky, and possibly cracked or chapped.

There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) light that can adversely affect your skin. These are UVA and UVB rays. UVA is responsible for age spots, wrinkles, and premature aging. UVB is responsible for sunburn.

Most people know they should get a yearly check-up with a primary care provider. But how often should a person schedule a dermatologist visit? Yearly check-ins with a dermatologist are just as important as other annual exams.

In the winter months, colder air and lack of humidity can make skin dry and chapped. However, some simple beauty tips can help to keep skin hydrated, clear, and glowing. While they are particularly relevant in the winter, these tips can be helpful ...

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder for which there is no cure. It has a number of symptoms, such as a build-up of plaque on the skin particularly on the knees, elbows, and feet, itchiness, soreness and cracked skin.

Persistent itching can be uncomfortable and distracting. Continued scratching can lead to further irritation and possibly break the skin and cause bleeding, which can lead to infection.

Many people think they only need to use sun protection during the summer time. This is not the case. Over 90% of the visible changes in the skin are caused by sun damage, which is why sunscreen is important year-round.