Having beautiful nails is less a matter of luck and more a matter of caring for them correctly. Here are dermatologists’ top manicure and pedicure tips: Apply a cream to moisturize your nails, especially after removing nail polish since most removers contain chemicals that dry the nails.

Shaving can be a challenge for both men and women. Here are dermatologists’ tips to help you get a clean shave: Before you shave, wet your skin and hair to soften it. Taking a shower or bath is a great way to soften your hair. Next, apply a shaving cream or gel. Be sure to shave

Has your child broken out in an itchy rash? If so, it could be a case of hives. Fortunately, hives are usually harmless and temporary. Common symptoms of hives include slightly raised, pink or red areas on the skin; welts that occur alone, in a group, or connect over a large area; and skin swelling that

If you have ever had chickenpox, or been vaccinated for it, you are at risk for getting shingles – a painful, blistering rash. This is because after the chickenpox clears, the virus stays in the body. If the virus reactivates, or wakes up, you could get shingles. Although shingles is much less contagious

  Head lice: This magnified picture of head lice on a fine-tooth comb shows that these bugs are tiny. Head lice: Overview Also called Pediculus humanus capitis Having head lice does not mean you are dirty. Most people get head lice when they have head-to-head contact with someone who has head

  Herpes simplex: After clearing, herpes simplex sores can return. When the sores return, the outbreak tends to be milder than the first outbreak. Herpes simplex: Overview Herpes simplex is a common viral infection. If you’ve ever had a cold sore or fever blister, you picked up the herpes simplex

  Acne can diminish quality of life: Studies show that acne can decrease self-confidence and cause one to avoid social situations. Isotretinoin: Overview Brand names: Absorica®, Accutane®, Amnesteem®, Claravis®, Myorisan®, Sotret®, and Zenatane™ Isotretinoin (eye-soh-tret-in-OH-in)

  Hereditary hair loss: Millions of men and women have hereditary hair loss. This type of hair loss can often be successfully treated. Hair loss: Overview Also called alopecia (al-o-PEE-shah) Everyone loses hair. It is normal to lose about 50-100 hairs every day. If you see bald patches or lots of

When the temperature dips below freezing, it’s critical to protect your skin from cold-weather health risks. Frostbite occurs when the skin – and sometimes the tissue beneath the skin – freezes due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Depending on how long and how frozen the tissue, frostbite

More and more patients are asking their dermatologists for skin care tips that will keep a tattoo looking its best. Here are some tips from dermatologists for keeping tattooed skin healthy and vibrant: If your tattooed skin feels dry, apply a water-based lotion or cream to the tattoo. Petroleum-based

Dandruff is a common scalp condition in which small pieces of dry skin flake off of the scalp. If you have dark hair or you’re wearing dark colors, you may notice the flakes in your hair or on your shoulders. Dandruff may also make your scalp itch. Many people believe that dandruff is caused by poor

Everyone wants a happy, healthy baby, however, babies often experience discomfort from diaper rash – a condition that causes skin underneath the diaper to become red and tender. Help your baby by following dermatologists’ tips to prevent and treat diaper rash at home: Change dirty diapers as

  Genital warts: The warts appear in various sizes and shapes. Genital warts: Overview Also called condylomata acuminata Genital warts are warts that appear in the genital area. There can be 1 wart or a cluster of warts. People get these warts by picking up the human papillomavirus (HPV) from

Simple changes can soothe dry skin Following the same skin care routine year round may not work so well when the humidity drops. Without a change in your skin care, dry air can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Dry skin can itch, flake, crack, and even bleed.  To help heal dry skin and prevent

Dry skin can flake, itch, crack, and even bleed. To help relieve dry skin, dermatologists offer these tips: Keep baths and showers short. Use warm, not hot water, and a mild cleanser. Gently pat the skin dry. Apply moisturizer after getting out of the bath or shower. Ointments and creams

Consumers often spend hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars a year on skin care products in an effort to improve the look of their skin. From anti-aging serums to acne medications, many adults and teens regularly apply medications or treatments to their skin. But does the sequence in which skin

Sunscreen is safe and can protect your skin against skin cancer and premature aging. However, it is not as effective unless it's applied correctly. Follow these tips from dermatologists when applying sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water resistant, and provides

Although ear piercings are more common and can be less risky than other body piercings, they can still cause complications if not handled safely. For anyone thinking about getting their ears pierced, dermatologists urge people to follow these steps to avoid infection: Always wash your hands before

Boils are pus-filled skin infections that occur around a hair follicle or oil gland. This causes a red, painful lump to form as pus collects under the skin. A boil that occurs on the eyelid is called a stye. To treat a boil or stye at home, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Make a warm

If you have a cold sore – small blisters on the lip or around the mouth – you’re not alone. More than half of Americans ages 14 to 49 carry the virus that causes cold sores. The virus stays in the body even after the cold sores clear. If the virus reactivates, or wakes up, you could get cold sores. Cold

  Hives: An allergy to a medicine can cause hives. Hives: Overview Also called urticaria  Hives are welts on the skin that often itch. These welts can appear on any part of the skin. Hives vary in size from as small as a pen tip to as large as a dinner plate. They may connect to form even larger

Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your skin. When diabetes affects the skin, it’s often a sign that your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. This could mean that: You have undiagnosed diabetes, or pre-diabetes Your treatment for diabetes needs to be adjusted If

  Hidradenitis suppurativa: This skin disease often forms on the underarm. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Overview Also called acne inversa What is hidradenitis suppurativa? Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a disease that usually begins as pimple-like bumps on the skin. The pimple-like bumps tend to develop

Fillers: Overview Also called soft-tissue fillers, dermal fillers, soft-tissue augmentation As we age, our skin loses its youthful fullness. Fillers help to restore lost fullness to the face, lips, and hands.  Fillers are popular for several reasons. Patients like that they can return to everyday

Atopic dermatitis: Overview Also called: Eczema This is a common skin disease in children. It is so common that people have given it a few names: Eczema (name most people use) Dermatitis Atopic (a-top-ic) eczema Atopic dermatitis To avoid confusion, we’ll use the medical term atopic

  Basal cell carcinoma: This skin cancer often forms on skin that has received years of sun exposure. Basal cell carcinoma: Overview Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It’s also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Every year, millions of people

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP): Overview What is dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans?   Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: This raised, reddish-brown patch began as a small red lump that grew slowly. Dermatofibrosarcoma (dur-mah-toe-fy-bro-sar-co-ma) protuberans (pro-to-bur-anz) (DFSP) is a rare

How you wash your face can make a difference in your appearance. Follow these tips from dermatologists to help you keep your face looking healthy. Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser.

These basic tips will help you apply a self-tanner so you get even coverage and longer-lasting results. Follow these steps: Exfoliate. Use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin prior to applying a self-tanner. Using an exfoliating product also will help remove dead skin cells. Spend a little more time

Adult acne: This 25-year-old woman has had acne for years and gets the typical deep, inflamed pimples and cysts common in adult acne. Why it happens and what you can do for it Acne can be particularly frustrating for adults. A treatment that worked so well during our teen years can be useless —

Eczema is a common skin condition in children, which begins with very itchy skin. Scratching can cause a rash that can become infected. If your child’s eczema is frequently infected, your child’s dermatologist may recommend bleach bath therapy. Bleach baths can be helpful for many children who have

Most children’s atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, does not have a clear cause, such as an allergy, dermatologists say most eczema will improve with good skin care. Research shows that by treating the eczema, the better the skin can function. With eczema, the skin can become very dry, itchy, and

  Alopecia areata: This disease causes hair loss and often occurs in otherwise healthy people. Alopecia areata: Overview Alopecia (al-oh-PEE-shah) means hair loss. When a person has a medical condition called alopecia areata (ar-ee-AH-tah), the hair falls out in round patches. The hair can fall out

  Contact dermatitis: Many health care workers develop an allergy to latex, as did this nurse. Her rash is due to touching her face while wearing latex gloves. Contact dermatitis: Overview Almost everyone gets this type of eczema at least once. We get contact dermatitis when something that our

  Dyshidrotic eczema on a patient's palm: The tiny, deep-seated blisters are often very itchy. Dyshidrotic eczema: Overview What is dyshidrotic eczema? Dyshidrotic (dis-hi-drah- tic) eczema (DE) is a common group of skin conditions in which the skin cannot protect itself as well as it should, so