Author Archive
What’s the Skinpact? By Dr. Katie Rodan
As temperatures rise so do our hemlines, so it’s no surprise that each spring I suddenly see a lot of patients eager to make their varicose veins vanish instantly. If you too find yourself wishing away those pesky veins, you are not alone …
What’s the Skinpact? By Dr. Katie Rodan
As spring approaches and the weather changes, we start to put away the sweaters and show a bit more skin…
The Doctor is in…How vanity can help your skin go the distance
Whether you’re 18 or 81, the desire to be desirable never goes way. The issues may change from acne to wrinkles, but the requirement to look good remains. That’s why we maintain that “vanity” is not a dirty word…
What’s the Skinpact? By Dr. Katie Rodan
Did you know that connectedness is a huge predictor of longevity? So what’s the skinpact here? Well, when we feel good about ourselves, we are more inclined to stay connected to others. Along with a nutritious diet and active lifestyle …
The Doctor is in …
In her book I Feel Bad About My Neck, Nora Ephron speaks about aging with wit and insight. One truth she shares is that there’s no such thing as a “neck lift.” Even though the book was a best-seller, read by women the world over, the misperception that …
The Doctor is in … Keeping the Glow Alive
As summer fades and autumn brings cooler temperatures and more overcast days, some of my patients complain of not looking or feeling their best. Some prefer the look of a sun-kissed glow. Others frequently observe that their mood is affected by the lack of sunshine, a phenomenon known as …
The Doctor is in …
By Dr. Katie Rodan
Last week, a patient came to see me, worried about a new mole she discovered on the bottom of her foot. After a careful examination, including a biopsy, I was able to give her good news that the mole was benign and not the cancerous melanoma she feared it was. Nonetheless, she was wise to check it out. Skin cancers on the feet, particularly on the soles, between the toes and under the nails often go undetected until it is too late. And there is no reason for this because skin cancer, especially the potentially deadly melanoma, is treatable, if discovered early. Therefore, getting to know what your moles look like and being aware of any change or new growth can be life-saving.
Although the bottoms of your feet are one of the last places most people think to look for moles, try making it the first place you check. As I tell my patients, “start with your toes, work your way up to your nose,” checking every square inch of your skin including your scalp. People assume that because the soles of their feet are not sun-exposed, melanoma is unlikely to form there. It is true that the most common forms of skin cancer –basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma– have a direct relationship to sun exposure. However, melanoma is different. It is commonly found in the sun protected areas of the skin, i.e. the buttocks, feet, scalp and back. The reasons are unknown but are correlated with a history of severe sunburn as a child or teenager. It is believed that intense sun exposure during a critical time in the development of a person’s immune system may predispose one to this increased risk.
Here’s a tip: While you are having your daily stretch, get up close and personal with your feet. Sit with your heels together and lift up each foot as you check for moles or dark spots … especially those of you with a darker skin type which can make moles harder to spot. Remember, you’re looking for the ABCDEs of melanoma—any spots that are asymmetrical, have an irregular border, are variable in color, have a diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser, or evolve/change over time. If you see anything suspicious, make an appointment with your dermatologist. The life you save may be your own … or the dermatologist may give you the great news that all of your moles are benign, as I did with my patient.
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