Dermatology is a very difficult specialty to master, requiring years of supervised patient care, knowledge of pathology, surgery, immunology, and cancer biology. In addition, as a cosmetic dermatologist, I need to know the physics behind laser and other energy-based devices, injectables, peels, and the science behind medical-grade skincare. My team sees how much time I invest in traveling to conferences in the U.S. and internationally to learn the cutting-edge techniques that I provide to my patients. Expertise is acquired by constantly learning, sharing, and refining your skills, which I have been doing for several decades.
I have also developed a wide network of skilled colleagues across the country, who I reach out to share in finding the best options for patients. Access to the expertise of the best and most trusted in the field is invaluable! It’s a truly unique community.
Focusing on the possible, the safe, and the achievable, I guide patients to find what treatment suits their particular focus. Everyone has a feature that they like, as well as a few that they don’t. I work to achieve balance and harmony in our faces and bodies – it’s really an art, and you have to have an eye and a deep understanding of it.
We are expanding our offerings in the aesthetic realm by growing our team of aestheticians to complement the medical and cosmetic treatments that we provide. We vet each procedure that we offer to make sure that the science backs up the claims. We hope to be able to help you have both the healthiest and most beautiful skin and to take care of all of your skin needs within one cohesive team.
For more information, visit Dr. Margo Weishar’s social media.
November 18, 2021 Springhouse Derm is an integrated skin health and wellness center led by double Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Margo Weishar, MD. We offer patients a comprehensive approach to skin including the most current technology in laser medicine, advanced use of injectables by expert physicians, and a team of experienced practitioners to provide your care. As dermatologists, we are uniquely able to care for all medical skin concerns as well as cosmetic needs, integrating the latest techniques and technology in skin wellness. Haute Beauty sat down with Dr. Margo Weishar to discuss what to do if you have skin pigmentation.
While the summertime is great for outdoor activities, many people come to us in the fall with one major concern: uneven pigmentation. Sun exposure is the #1 source of uneven pigmentation and brown spots, but Springhouse Derm is here to walk you through options for eliminating unwanted pigment, and for preventing it in the first place!
Pigmentation can appear on the skin in the form of sunspots, patches of discoloration, or marks left behind from damage to the skin. Some skin types are more prone to developing unwanted pigmentation, so they must pay extra attention to protecting their skin and treating areas when they occur.
The best treatment for unwanted pigment is prevention, by incorporating the right type of sunscreen into your regimen. The “right type” includes a zinc-based sunscreen with iron oxide. These sunscreens do not contain chemicals and will block both indoor and outdoor light. We also want to protect from the blue light that emanates off things like our computer screens, which can stimulate new pigment to form:
While over the counter topical treatments may provide some improvement, they rarely have enough power to truly eliminate uneven skin tone. Some of the topical products we recommend are prescription-grade ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid, or tranexamic acid.
Lasers must be used with care when treating pigmentation. Two of the safest and most effective laser treatments available are the PICO and Clear & Brilliant lasers. The PICO laser is one of the most advanced lasers on the market to treat pigmentation for people of every skin type. A typical brown spot treatment with the PICO laser has a 90% clearance rate with just one treatment. For diffuse pigmentation, which we refer to as melasma sometimes caused by hormonal changes such as pregnancy, several treatments may be necessary. Some patients treat as often as monthly, and we recommend a topical regimen to enhance and maintain the results. The Clear + Brilliant laser is a fractional laser that we use to deliver a topical treatment into the skin. The laser helps to break up the pigment in the skin and opens channels deep into the skin, which allows for optimal penetration of active topical ingredients.
Chemical peels of different kinds can also be effective in removing and maintaining different forms of pigmentation – an old standard. There are many different forms and levels of chemical peeling. Not all peels are the same, so a trusted expert is a must in selecting the right treatment for you.
To treat and prevent pigmentation, you have to be vigilant! Regardless of skin type, everyone needs a good zinc-based sunscreen in their life. We always recommend at least an SPF of 50, and if it is tinted that can help boost protection. If you are prone to pigmentation, daily sunscreen use is a must, as certain types of pigmentation – like melasma – can flare as a result of indoor light, computer screens, and heat. It takes time and commitment, but with the right.
For more information, visit Dr. Margo Weishar’s social media:
By now we are all familiar with one of the number one beauty ingredients out there: retinoids. This ingredient has been the gold-standard of topical anti-aging for years, and for a good reason! It’s unique properties promote skin cell turnover with amazing results. But there is variation between products including these ingredients, and everyone reacts a little bit differently. Let’s talk through the differences, and how to choose the right one for you!
Retinoids are a group of compounds that are derived from Vitamin A. When used in cosmetic products, these ingredients help to stimulate collagen, improve fine lines, smooth texture, and brighten the skin. Retinol and Retin A are both forms of retinoids, but what is really the difference between the two?
Retinol is an over-the-counter formulation of a retinoid and therefore is in a weaker form. When a product contains retinol, when it is applied, the retinol must go through a conversion process in order for it to become its active form and stimulate all of the wonderful benefits it has to offer. Retin A, on the other hand, is a brand name for prescription strength retinoid. Being that it is prescription and only available through a licensed physician or practitioner, this is a product that is stronger than retinol because it does not have to go through the conversion process once applied. It is already in its active form! Therefore, it is more potent and can work quicker.
Which product should you be using? This is where it can be tricky. All retinoids can induce dryness and shedding of the skin, because part of their job is to exfoliate cells quicker and keep pores unclogged. For some, this can be too much and can lead to excessive dryness, irritation, and shedding. We suggest meeting with one of our skin care experts at Springhouse Dermatology as we use a variety of medical grade retinol and prescription strength Retin A products based on your needs. If you have never been on either form before, it is never a bad idea to start with an over the counter product to see how your skin tolerates and adjusts to a retinoid before bumping it up prescription strength Retin A. Retinol and Retin A has been studied for decades and its benefits for anti-aging are well defined. It is one of those core products that almost everyone can benefit from as long as they find one that works well for them.
It is important to be using these products correctly as that can play a big role in how your skin tolerates it. Our skin care experts at Springhouse Derm perform consults where a thorough evaluation is done to give you a personalized skin care regimen and how to use everything to maximize their benefits and results!