Blog Archive

We are frequently asked to sign waivers for the DMV to allow patients to have a darker tint on their vehicle windows. However, this is mostly inappropriate. Tinted windows only make the interior of your car darker by decreasing the amount of visible light that passes through the glass. Decreasing visible...

As the days get warmer, we know you'll be spending your days enjoying this wonderful, yet ever changing, Virginia weather. Now more than ever, sunscreen becomes vital for blocking those harsh UV rays, and we are here to give you our recommendations for the best, -loving sunscreens!  For our patients...

Actinic damage (or sun damage) is the change in the skin as a result of excessive, long term exposure to the sun. No, this is not due to your trip to Aruba last summer, but is probably from one too many stays at band camp without sunscreen in your teen years,...

Congratulations! You finally get to meet your little bundle of joy after months of being pregnant! Our hair, skin, and nails may have changed during pregnancy and many women find that some changes linger or sometimes worsen (hair loss I’m talking about you!)    First, let’s talk sunscreen! There are...

Recently, it has been brought to my attention that my underarms are dark. I never really paid much attention to it, but with a vacation coming up, I could'nt help but feel self conscious. Unfortunately, a lot of women of color struggle with this, but that's why im here to...

Let’s talk about sunscreen! Though we should be applying spf daily, I know most people don’t and in that case, I hope you have your annual Skin Cancer Screening on the books. Whether it’s applied after or in your daily moisturizer, let’s just face it ladies the foundation just isn't...

We all need a few time savers these days, amiright? It's hard enough to wake up early to do anything...exercise (who does that?), pack a healthy lunch, shower...so there's no need to make extra time for a long skin care routine.  From start to finish, here are some favorite products...

When I think of sunscreen, the 1980s Coppertone SPF 8 in the brown bottle is what immediately comes to mind. If I could still buy that, I would 100% use it with zero complaints and happily walk around smelling vaguely like a chemical Pina Colada. BUT I’m pretty sure the...

Dr. O’Connor is my sister. And, sometimes I think she wants to go back to whatever the year of med school is where you get to pick your “major” and choose something weird and esoteric, the practice or research of which would not result in phone calls and (photographic) texts...

For the record, it’s Mohs. Not an acronym. Mohs. Named for Frederick Mohs, a surgeon who pioneered the technique. It is a surgical method in which the smallest amount of normal skin is removed while still ensuring that the cancer is gone, instead of taking a larger “standard” margin. Because...

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to use professional skin care products? If so, this blog is for you! I tested a variety of products for a month and have given my honest opinions about each product. I am featuring ZO Skin Health by Zein Obagi MD products, which...

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in your life, but it can also have its own challenges. You often hear about that “pregnancy glow” and see your friends with clear and flawless skin… but what if that isn’t you?   Pregnancy has a long list of Do’s and...

Summer is officially over! However, there are things that don’t change with the seasons. And as we all get back into routines (like writing blog posts…), this is a simple reminder that you should have some sort of regular skin care routine that involves the following steps:  STEP 1: Wash....

Summer is here! And while I was convinced the twilight series would make pale, sparkling skin become in vogue, it’s been a decade and everyone still wants to be tan. But no one wants skin cancer, so to get that sun kissed look without the tanning bed and without the...

Common things I see and hear about all day. And things I think all day long. And hope that I can help fix easily. Patient: “My head itches.” "My head is scaling." "I have a dry scalp." "I think I have dandruff...what is dandruff?" "I CAN'T stop picking at my...

Not all skin is created equal. But we tend to focus most of our attention..and dollars...on our faces. Duh. But if you can, give that surrounding and special skin some attention. The right attention. Because the wrong stuff will make you wind up with a rash. And then we’ll be...

While there seem to be endless steps and options for your skin care routine, if you stick with any step, make it sun protection. SPF should be worn all day. Every day. Rain, shine, summer, winter. Those UV rays can make it through any amount of cloud cover. Anyone else...

Elta MD UV Clear SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic  Elta MD Pure SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Cream Elta MD UV Sport Elta MD UV Aero SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque Gift Cards! 

This entire series is about simplifying and breaking down the skin care aisle(s). Because there are so many products promising to fix so many things, we’re on our second post about correction. We’ve reviewed the best new and classic anti-aging products that focus on fine lines, but here we’ll talk...

There are a lot of products out there claiming to turn back time. Try to find one you like -something that doesn’t peel off your face or cause your bank account to send you an alert- with one or more of the following anti-aging ingredients in it.  *Retinoids: The classic...

With serums having a moment, there is more product decision fatigue. Trying to figure out serums though is not unlike other products and goes something like: What does it do? Do I need it? Wowzers, that price….Is it worth the money? Is it worth the 10 seconds it will take to...

Moisturizing: while the word moist alone is cringe-worthy, don't avoid this step! Regardless of skin type (oily, dry, combination, mature, young, etc...). Any time you wash your face, your skin is drier afterwards. As water evaporates, your skin's water evaporates with it. While it may seem like a chore, locking...

It seems like there has been an explosion in skin care products. The skin care section of my Target has even been fanci-fied. TBH, I find it overwhelming... and I know what I’m looking for! So, in an effort to help, I’ll be starting a series of posts about skin...

Whenever I have a question, I admit that my first instinct is to google. But after that, I rely on a number of group texts and chats with my mom, sisters, friends and colleagues. I don't know where I would be without these ladies. Thanks to all of the women...

  I always say, you know you're doing it right if you're embarassing yourself! Don't forget your back! Get a friend to help you out. The back is the most common site for melanoma in men (it's legs in ladies). The head and neck deserve extra attention. The ears and...