May 2023 Flipbook Newsletter

May 2023

Be Skin Smart + Summer Safe

May is Skin Cancer

Awareness Month

Cinco De Mayo

Watermelon Cocktail

Recipe Inside

Same Day Virtual Visits at Crutchfield Dermatology

Schedule yours now. Click here to schedule online or call 651-209-3600

Up-to-the-Minute Covid Updates

Stay informed and keep your masks on and make sure you vaccinate yourself and your children. This isn’t over.

Click here for up-to-date information

Scan QR code for entire archive of newsletters or go to www.CrutchfieldDermatology.com/newsletters

Editor-in-chief Design Production Support

Contributing Photographers Stock Photos

Contributors

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

Paul Matthews

Timothy Wayne

Olivia Crutchfield

Istock Photo

Katlyn Hauck, Kelly McGuire

Crutchfield Dermatology

1185 Town Centre Drive, Suite 101 Eagan, MN 55123 USA Phone: (651) 209-3600 Fax: (651) 209-3601

Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

www.CrutchfieldDermatology.com

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a Top Doctor, Click here to see his profile on Castle Connolly

Minnesota’s Black Community Project

An inspiring celebration of the accomplishments of Black professionals in Minnesota, highlighting the contributions of individuals and organizations in a wide range of fields.

Check it Out!

Click here to purchase online

Author Anthony R. Scott, Author Dr. Chaunda L. Scott, Author Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III, Foreword by Mahmoud El-Kati.

Brain Fact

It is a myth that humans only use 10 percent of our brain. We actually use all of it. We’re even using more than 10 percent when we sleep.

Be Skin Smart and Sun Safe

By Charles Crutchfield III, MD

Let’s face it: With summer comes the opportunity for all kinds of skin problems. This includes attacks by mosquitoes and ticks; sporting activities where bumps, bruises, cuts and abrasions abound; and the notorious ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

It’s always a good idea to be sun smart and sun safe. When it comes to taking good care of your skin, there are three key principles:

1) Gentle cleansing. This is extremely important to do for your skin to reduce irritation and increase cleanliness and hygiene. I recommend using non-detergent or low-detergent cleansing products such as Dove, Vanicream cleansing bar, Neutrogena products, Cetaphil and Basis. All of these work well to cleanse the skin without irritation.

2) Skin hydration. This is one of the most important things you can do for your skin. A little-known trick and one of the biggest things you can do to keep your skin hydrated is to use a gentle cleanser that won’t take away the natural oils in your skin. In addition to the cleansers listed above, it’s also important to use a good emollient, hydrating lotion or cream. I like to use CeraVe lotion or cream because it contains a technology called a microvesicular emulsion. This means there are little microspheres of moisturizing lipids in water that break down over several hours, constantly replenishing the skin’s moisture.

There are other over-the-counter lotions that contain ammonium lactate, which will actually penetrate the skin and assist in holding water in the skin. In summer the two most important things you can do for skin hydration is to use a gentle cleanser and to use moisturizers.

The most important time to use a moisturizer is immediately after bathing or showering. As soon as you finish the bath or shower, step out and gently pat your skin dry with a cotton towel and immediately apply the moisturizing lotion, cream or emollient.

This serves two important functions: Number one, it seals in all of the water your skin has absorbed during your bathing, and secondly, it adds another layer of moisturization to help replenish the water normally lost throughout the day. This is very important in the winter when humidity levels are low and the air extremely dry.

3) Protection from ultraviolet radiation. There are mainly three types of ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet C is almost totally blocked out by the ozone layer. Ultraviolet B and A penetrate the ozone and can have profound effects on our skin.

Ultraviolet B, “wavelength 290-320 nanometers,” is responsible for irritation and sunburns. Ultraviolet A, “wavelength 320-400 nanometers,” is a much longer wavelength and can penetrate much deeper into the skin. This ultraviolet A actually wreaks much more havoc on our skin than most of us realize.

When we use a sunscreen, the SPF number is really a sun protection factor indicating the blocking of ultraviolet B rays, the ones responsible for burning the skin. In the old days, if you could stay out for one hour without getting burned, an SPF of 15 theoretically means 15 hours. Although in actuality this doesn’t quite hold true, that’s where the SPF number calculation comes from.

Not so long ago, most sunscreens only had an SPF factor, but they didn’t block ultraviolet A. Ultraviolet A is responsible for sun freckles, the development of wrinkles, and most importantly the development of skin cancer. Ultraviolet A can actually penetrate and break DNA, causing all kinds of signs associated with aging skin.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He received his M.D. and Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Dr. Crutchfield was recognized by Minnesota Medicine as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations.

Win Free Botox for Life*

Be the Patient who receives Crutchfield Dermatology’s 1.5 Millionth Botox Injection and you’ll Win FREE Botox for life*!

*1 vial of botox/100 units per year

Riddle Me This...

I have four legs but never walk I may be covered in flowers but have no soil I hold food three times a day but never eat a meal. What am I?

Answer: A Table

Word of the Month: Xanthous

Which means “yellow” but also has the potential to make you sound even smarter than you already are? The answer is xanthous. English speakers borrowed xanthous from the Greek xanthós, which also means “yellow.” Originally, the term was used when talking about the yellow of light blond hair or a fair complexion. It has been in use in English since at least the 1820s.

Cat History

Smuggling a cat out of ancient Egypt was punishable by death.

Phoenician traders eventually succeeded in smuggling felines, which they sold to rich people in Athens and other important cities.

Monthly Sarcasm

They say women speak 20,000 words a day. I have a daughter who gets that done by breakfast.

New Treatment for Hair Loss

Crutchfield Dermatology Announces the Successful Treatment of Hair Loss using a Novel combination of Platelet Rich Plasma, Prostaglandins, Botox, Lasers, Essential Oils, Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Scalp Conditioning Treatments.

Crutchfield Dermatology Announces the Successful Treatment of Hair Loss using a Novel combination of Platelet Rich Plasma, Prostaglandins, Botox, Lasers, Essential Oils, Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Scalp Conditioning Treatments.

Charles Crutchfield III M.D., a nationally recognized Board Certified Dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology, has developed a new and successful system to treat alopecia using Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, in conjunction with several other leading-edge modalities for the treatment of hair loss and thinning hair.

As a non-surgical medical procedure to treat hair loss and thinning hair, PRP Therapy has been a

well recognized successful treatment over the past several years. Charles E. Crutchfield III M.D. has seen significant results in patients seeking treatment for hair loss (Alopecia). “Using the patient’s own blood, we create a concentration of Platelet Rich Plasma to promote hair growth and rejuvenation.”

Charles E. Crutchfield III M.D. explains the treatment and its benefits: “PRP therapy uses the patient’s blood to create the ideal formula of Platelet Rich Plasma. We start by drawing a blood sample and spinning the blood to separate its components: red blood cells, plasma, and platelet-rich plasma. Injecting the enriched platelet-rich plasma (containing concentrated amounts of growth factors, cytokines, and platelets), into the treatment area. This PRP treatment stimulates the inactive hair follicles into an active growth phase.”

“In addition to using PRP, we also treat the hair loss with a combination of other modalities that work synergistically. It is not “one size fits all”. We have developed a custom design a program for the patient for their maximum hair growth programs.

Crutchfield uses a combination of the following for maximal hair growth:

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Crutchfield Dermatology Hair Tonic (containing prostaglandins, finasteride, and minoxidil)

Botox injections

Hair Growth Vitamins and minerals

Essential Oils that promote hair growth

Keravive scalp conditioning treatments

Laser treatments for hair growth

Anti-inflammatory Scalp Program

We find that this combination of treatments works better than anything that we have tried in the past and we are stull refining the components.

Dr. Crutchfield has seen a significant increase in the number of patients inquiring about this therapy. Estimates are that nearly 100 million Americans suffer from hair loss. PRP for Hair Loss Therapy and the additional program of other modalities developed at Crutchfield Dermatology is a breakthrough treatment option because it is a safe, reliable treatment that is short and non-surgical. The recovery period is fast, and the results are natural.

“In our experience, although PRP and some of the other components are not yet FDA approved for Alopecia, we have a success rate of approximately 75% with our designer hair growth program.

I recommend a series of injections to be done monthly, for 4-6 months and our other programs. Once patients achieve the level of hair regrowth they are happy with, we recommend a topical

treatment program to maintain and extend the PRP treatment success and recommend a PRP treatment every 6 or 12 months for maintenance. “

The hair loss and hair thinning treatment program with PRP and the other components works well for both men and women. It is primarily designed to treat androgenetic Alopecia, but we have had success in alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, and hair loss associated with stress (telogen effluvium), also.

As the testing continues and the components are adjusted, we will submit a report.

About Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D: Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., is a graduate of the Mayo Clinic Medical School and a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He is currently the Medical Director of Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan and is a Benedict Distinguished Professor of Biology at Carleton College. Dr. Crutchfield has won numerous teaching and professional awards and is the co-author of a children’s book on sun protection, a dermatology textbook, and hundreds of medial articles. He is a member of the AΩA National Medical Honor Society, an expert consultant for WebMD and CNN, and a recipient of the Karis Humanitarian Award from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. He is the team physician for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves and Lynx professional sports teams. Dr. Crutchfield has over 25 years of clinical experience caring for patients.

Copyright CrutchfieldDermatology

Moon Temperatures

Because the moon has no atmosphere, its temperature ranges from less than -200° F to more than 200° F.

TikToks

Curated by Charles E. Crutchfield III MD

Fighter Jet literally flipping while in flight. “Please don’t attempt this at home...”

Matis vs. Spider. It’s almost like it isn’t even a fair fight. Can you guess who wins the deathly fight?

CAR-T Therapy: a New Weapon in the War Against Cancer

By Charles E. Crutchfield III MD

It has successfully treated a wide range of cancers

As many of my patients and readers know, I have been battling Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the past 2½ years. After many chemotherapy and radiation sessions, my treatments were successful, but not completely successful. My cancer has returned, and my fight continues. I am currently at the Mayo Clinic receiving CAR-T therapy.

I sincerely thank the readers for all their kind wishes and prayers.

What is cancer?

Cancer cells differ from other cells in two ways: They don’t respond to normal body signals to stop growing or die naturally. Usually, cells in the body grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion. If a cell’s growth isn’t kept in check, that cell can become cancerous and multiply, forming a tumor.

Many cancers originate from a genetic change in our DNA. Some common risk factors for cancer include smoking, exposure to ultraviolet rays, and certain chemicals, like pesticides. In fact, herbicides have a solid link to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Certain lifestyle choices can also increase cancer risk, such as being overweight, not eating healthily, and being inactive.

There are several types of cancer, but the most common types include breast, colon, lung, lymphoma, and prostate cancer. Symptoms of cancer vary depending on the type and location of the cancer and can include abnormal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, pain, and changes in skin color or texture.

Cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy. Each type of treatment has different goals, depending on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. Treatment may also include other supportive therapies, such as pain medications, nutritional counseling, and psychological support.

Cancer is a serious and life-threatening condition, and understanding cancer risks, types and treatments are essential for prevention and early detection. Awareness of family history and risk factors, having regular screenings and check-ups, and leading a healthy lifestyle is vital for reducing the risk of developing cancer.

What is Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, part of the body’s immune system. Lymphoid tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and other areas.

Cancer can start almost anywhere in the body—from the lungs to the skin—and spread to other organs. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell in the lymphoid tissue that protect the body from infection. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects these lymphocytes, causing them to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, which accumulates in the lymphoid tissue.

While the exact cause is unknown, certain risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, such as age, autoimmune conditions, herbicide exposure, and a family history of the disease.

Symptoms vary widely but may include swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, and enlarged organs. Treatment can consist of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and supportive care, depending on the type and stage of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

What is CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell) therapy?

CAR-T therapy is an advanced form of immunotherapy used to treat cancer. The therapy harnesses a patient’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

To do this, T-cells, part of the immune system, are removed from the patient and genetically modified to produce receptors on their surfaces. These receptors bind specifically to specific proteins found on or inside the patient’s cancer cells, allowing the re-engineered T-cells to identify them as foreign and attack them.

After modification, the T-cells are introduced back into the body, where they can seek and destroy the cancer cells. Car—T therapy has been used successfully to treat a variety of blood and bone marrow cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. It has had some excellent success rates and is currently being investigated to treat a wide variety of other cancers.

CAR-T therapy holds bright promise in the war against cancer.

Crutchfield Family Photo

Radiant Skin

This is Dr. Crutchfield’s daughter, Olivia. She is a 3rd-year student at New York University. She has a personal dermatologist, her father!

He treated her acne as a teenager. Olivia uses her father’s: “Dr. Crutchfield’s Natural Skin Cream” for her face, neck, and body in addition to regular HydraFacial treatments at Crutchfield Dermatology Medispa. Schedule your appointment now to get glowing, radiant skin!

Dr. Crutchfield as a young boy with both parents

Cinco De Mayo WATERMELON COCKTAIL

Ingredients

Watermelon Simple Syrup

2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed

1 cup sugar

Watermelon Juice

2 cups seedless watermelon

1/2 cup water

Margaritas

4 ounces silver tequila

4 ounces watermelon juice

2 ounces lime juice

1 ounce watermelon simple syrup

Garnishes: Coarse salt, lime wedges

Phobia of the Month

Anthophobia: fear of flowers

Featured Mandela Stone of the Month

Dr Crutchfield enjoys collecting Mandela Stones every month we will feature one of his favorites

“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”

-Oprah Winfrey

Why Changing Your Skin Color is a Common But Dangerous Move

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

There are few things in this world that have caused more controversy, confusion, social challenges, chaos, pain and suffering than skin color.

People seem enamored with the desire to change their skin color. Caucasians strive to darken their skin with the “perfect tan.” I see so many patients who are headed to a sunny vacation and proclaim that they are visiting the tanning salon “just to get a little color before I go,” not acknowledging that they are increasing their risk for skin cancer and possible death.

I can’t tell you how many times I have seen news reporters innocently, yet irresponsibly comment on how “white” their skin looks in shorts after a long winter without sun exposure. One reporter jokingly commented, “My skin is so pale, it almost glows.” Avoiding skin cancer is nothing to be ashamed of.

The problem of altering one’s skin color is not just for those with light or Caucasian skin. In fact, it is a much bigger problem for persons of color.

Why do people have different-colored skin?

Science has made the simple discovery that skin color is a reflection of how close you (your ancestors) lived to the equator. Ultraviolet radiation of the sun is damaging to skin and causes cancer. The close to the equator, the more ultraviolet one is exposed to and the more protection your skin needs.

Living farther away from the equator, like in Norway or Sweden, one does not need as much sun protection. Because families and relatives live close together, and people who live close to each other often have children, the skin color can also coordinate with tribes and people who are alike; but the skin color, which is a reflection of only our geography, has been confused and accepted as “race.”

Our bodies have employed a standard pigment called melanin to filter out ultraviolet rays and protect us from the sun, much like opening up an umbrella. In fact, melanin production and release is triggered by sun damage. A tan is not a sign of good health, but rather a sign of severe skin damage.

In the United States, dark skin color has been looked down upon. Back in the ‘40s and ‘50s, it was not uncommon on college campuses to have “brown paper bag parties” indicating if your skin was darker than a traditional brown paper grocery bag, you would not be allowed in. There was an old, atrocious saying: “If you are Black, get back; if you are Brown, stick around; if you are White, it’s all right.”

All of this ignorant and misguided thinking caused a significant market in products to lighten the skin. Although not as popular in African American culture today as it once was, skin lightening is extraordinarily popular in the Somali community. Skin bleaching or lightening is a prevalent practice in the Somali community.

Unfortunately, it is rarely discussed openly, and even worse, many of the products used to bleach the skin can contain toxic levels of heavy metals such as mercury and ultra-potent prescription-strength

steroids, causing a multitude of skin problems.

Another common ingredient in many lightening creams is hydroquinone. If this ingredient is applied too long to the skin, it actually has a paradoxical effect; that is, it causes dark brown-black stains on the skin! I have seen all of these described complications many times in my dermatology practice in patients who try to bleach or lighten their skin. These products are often sold at cultural stores with little or no regulation, no prescription, and no oversight.

Many of the concepts of skin lightening are related to slavery and social structures and colonization. The attitude that the lighter the skin, the better the person is a poison that has been insidiously embedded into the thinking and beliefs of many cultures and societies and seemingly accepted as true without reflection or challenge.

The issue of skin lightening is indeed a global problem. One recent study indicated that over 70 percent of women in Nigeria have used lightening products. Thank goodness, times are changing.

Amira Adawe is a public health educator and community activist who hosts a radio show on “Beauty and Wellness” for the Somali community on Saturdays from 2-3 pm, on FM 107.1 KALY radio. She often pulls back the cover on the topic of skin bleaching and discusses the dangers. She, too, admits that even some of her own family members have put pressure on her to lighten her skin.

The key is changing attitudes

Changing attitudes on skin color is a considerable challenge. Many of the perceptions about skin color have been ingrained for decades and are not easily adjusted. To make the issue even more complex, many women have been programmed, euphemistically, that lightening their skin only cleans and makes their skin look like it has a bright, healthy glow.

It has been socially ingrained that very dark skin is not beautiful. Some have drawn an analogy to haircare practices. Chris Rock’s controversial 2009 documentary film Good Hair looks at the attitudes that, in African American and other cultures, sometimes curly hair is not as accepted or desirable as “Anglo straight hair.”

In the 1960’s there was a push for skin color and hair texture acceptance with the politico-social declaration “Black IS Beautiful.” Many men and women wore their hair naturally, like Angela Davis.

Many Somali (and other) men admit that it has been engrained in them to prefer women with lighter skin. Sadly, in a National Geographic documentary, many women in Nigeria stated that if two women had identical résumés, they believed that the lighter-skinned candidate would get the job.

To break these perverse social attitudes and behaviors will take time and effort on all fronts. We must teach our children that all skin tones are beautiful. Media must portray all skin hues as beautiful. We need more people like Amira Adawe to keep the discussion going and make the truth available about skin lightening products: They are unnecessary and dangerous.

Product of the Month

Dr. Crutchfield’s Natural Face Cream

Thank you, Dr. Crutchfield! We are LOVING the Crutchfield face cream!! The new pump style is fantastic and the results are unmatched!! Skin feels and looks fresh, vibrant. Great product!

KL G. Dr. Crutchfied your face cream is amazing! I just love it!

Tina S.

Dr. Crutchfield, I Just wanted to share my appreciation for your face cream. It is truly amazing! I noticed a change the first week, but after a month my skin has substantially improved. Its more even-toned and has a healthy glow. The cream is a great enhancement to my organic skincare program!

Sincerely With Appreciation, Kim G.

Dad Joke

I drank a bottle of food coloring yesterday. I dyed a little inside.

Agate of the Month

Did you know Dr.Crutchfield collects agates? This is one of the many from his collection.

Crutchfield Dermatology Patient Reviews

BOTOX COSMETIC

We offer Botox wrinkle treatments to soften the appearance of wrinkles in your skin. All Botox Cosmetic treatments are performed by Dr. Crutchfield himself!

Baseball Fun Fact

When calculating the distance of a home run in baseball, they usually measure it from home plate to the point where the baseball leaves the playing field, either by landing in the stands or by clearing the fence. They do not predict where the baseball would have landed if it had not hit the fence or other obstruction. The distance is calculated based on the point where the ball lands or exits the field.

HydraFacial The Best Facial

You’ll Ever Have

Great for all skin types, the HydraFacial MD Treatment is highly effective at improving overall skin health. Only HydraFacial uses patented technology to cleanse, extract, and hydrate. HydraFacial super serums are made with nourishing ingredients that create an instantly gratifying glow. Schedule an appointment today, and get your skin in it’s best condition possible. Call 651 209.3600

Business of the Month Mperial Health

Mperial Health is a patient-centered Private Practice founded by Mark Holder, MD to create a paradigm shift to deliver high quality, affordable health services in Minneapolis, MN. The patient is the focal point of this service. We intend for our patients to stay well and to keep them out of clinics and hospitals, when possible. We further utilize technology to increase the access to care and improve health outcomes. We take a holistic approach and strive for the well-being of our patients.

Mperial Health is the alternative to the big Medical Complex and strives to provide high quality affordable health services in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. Our clients/patients enjoy the luxury of having a Medical Doctor on call, at lower prices than private insurance premiums. Patients treasure the access to care, positive outcomes, and the quality of care they receive at Mperial Health.

Do You or a Family Member Suffer with Eczema?

Restaurant of the Month BRASA

American creole cooking

Delicious, nourishing food inspired by the traditional ingredients and flavors of the southern U.S., Caribbean and Mexico. We feature fresh produce, 100% natural & regionally sourced meats, organic eggs, beans and fair trade coffee & teas.

Fact:

Tulips are actually a part of the lily family, which also includes onions, garlic, and asparagus. The petals are edible and have been used as an onion substitute and to make wine. Tulips were commonly used in food during the Dutch famine over the course of World War II.

Baby Fun Fact:

Research shows that a baby responds positively to the fragrance of its mother’s breasts and ignores breast pads used by other women. Even more striking is the discovery that a blindfolded woman has the ability to identify her own child from a host of other babies by scent alone.

Effectively Treat Psoriasis

Nationally recognized dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III MD explains the causes of psoriasis, a common skin disorder, and ways to effectively treat it.

Psoriasis is both a common and age-old problem. It presents as red, scaling plaques on the skin that often itch and bleed. Commonly, psoriasis occurs on the elbows and knees, but it can be found anywhere on the body, including the face and scalp. For centuries, it has affected people in all walks of life and all nationalities. It can be progressive and may appear at any time during one’s life. It is one of the most common skin diseases, striking an estimated five percent of the world’s population. Of those affected, approximately 25% percent can develop an associated psoriatic arthritis, which is both progressive and degenerative. Psoriatic arthritis can be debilitating.

Is Psoriasis Contagious?

Psoriasis is not contagious, but it can interfere with normal life and social relationships, and cause many sufferers to isolate themselves from friends and family. Heredity plays a part in the disease, with approximately 10 percent of all sufferers being able to identify a genetic relative

with the disease. Stress, injury, infection, medication, or trauma can trigger an initial episode or cause a flare-up of psoriasis.

I struggled with Psoriasis with unsightly patches on my elbows, knees, and forehead... All psoriasis areas are clear after a couple weeks of treatment. The staff is wonderful too!

- Cecile S.

How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed?

Dermatologists diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, nails, and scalp. If the diagnosis is in doubt, a skin biopsy may be helpful. My philosophy is to use a combination approach, utilizing many different compounds in the treatment of psoriasis to achieve a synergistic effect.

Debunking Common Myths on Laser Therapy in Skin of Color

By and Dr. Charles Crutchfield III and Alexis Carrington

Lasers have changed our lives. They play vital roles in many of our daily activities. They are essential tools used in the fields of entertainment, communications, construction, commerce, and medicine.

The term LASER stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” What that really means is that a laser is a device that can produce a single, pure wavelength of light. Each wavelength can target specific substances. For example, in medicine, some lasers can target red lesions (like blood containing vessels or birthmarks), some can target brown and black colors, like the pigment in liver spots or for hair removal, and some can target water, the major component in skin, so, in essence, they can act as a scalpel.

There has been a misconception that lasers won’t work or are harmful to skin of color. This is not true.

Laser therapy for procedures such as laser hair removal is growing in popularity. Laser therapy has come a long way since the 1990s, with the invention of new lasers to treat conditions in every skin type and gender. With the improvement of these therapies, it’s essential to realize that some common beliefs about laser treatment are not fact, but really myths.

We’re going to debunk the most common myths about laser therapy.

Myth: People with darker skin tones should not get laser treatments.

Believe it or not, this is still one of the most common misconceptions about laser therapy, especially for people of color. However, it could not be more incorrect. Laser therapy, such as laser hair removal, is an excellent treatment for common skin con-

ditions, like “razor bumps” (known as Pseudofolliculitis Barbae) rather than shaving, plucking, and waxing.

Myth: It’s for women only.

On the contrary, more men than ever before are seeking laser therapy. For example, men utilize laser hair removal, which is used to permanently eliminate unwanted hair, as well as issues like razor burn and ingrown hairs. Men receive treatment primarily on their faces, necks, and backs, and many men turn to laser hair removal to sculpt their beards and sideburns.

Myth: “If you have dark skin, you can’t have laser hair removal.” According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), laser hair removal can be performed on all skin types, with the condition that there is a contrast between the skin and hair color. It is true that people with darker skin are more prone to burns and hyperpigmentation (dark marks); therefore, it is crucial the doctor has experience performing laser hair removal on darker skin tones.

The AAD also says there are specific lasers for people with darker skin tones, and an experienced physician and laser surgeon can select the best laser for the desired outcome, and adjust the laser settings to minimize any unwanted effects. It is recommended to ask the physician which type of laser they plan on using, and how much experience they have.

Myth: It Hurts. This is an understandable fear but is also false.

According to the AAD, when performed by a board-certified dermatologist, laser therapy should result in little to no discomfort. Some have described it as “a slight

warmth to the skin.” The amount of pain varies among each person and how much pain they tolerate. Thankfully, topical anesthetic creams can be given before the procedure to ease the discomfort if needed, and many physicians are even using laughing gas, like at the dentist’s office. Lasers can be uncomfortable, but there are ways of making laser treatments very tolerable.

Myth: Laser therapy exposes you to radiation:

This is simply false. Laser therapy does not emit radiation. It is a therapy approved by the FDA. It does not emit radiation that is harmful to the patient.

Myth: Laser hair removal works on every hair color:

Unfortunately, this is a myth. The AAD reports lasers do not effectively work on light-colored hair. Lasers target pigment, which means it would not work on light hair such as blonde, white, gray, and red, because they lack pigment. Be wary of providers that say laser hair removal will work for all hair colors.

Myth: Laser hair removal causes more hair to grow:

Lasers work by removing hair follicles, which stops the hair from growing. It does not create new hair follicles. That being said, factors like hormones, medications, and skin types dictate the differing amount of laser sessions one may need. It is almost impossible to get rid of all hair in one session. It’s best to ask your dermatologist which therapy would fit you.

Laser therapies are safe and effective solutions for treating certain skin conditions. However, to prevent complications and assess which therapies are best for you, ensure your laser treatment is performed by a board-certified dermatologist with the proper education, training, and experience needed to provide the best treatment available.

Alexis E. Carrington, MD is a graduate of Pepperdine University undergrad and St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Carrington is currently completing her Internal Medicine preliminary year at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine Elmhurst

Program in New York City and currently applying to dermatology research fellowship with plans to match into dermatology residency.

No Mow May

To join in with No Mow May, leave the lawn unmowed. ‘Wildflowers that give nectar and pollen to honey bees will grow and bloom if we do not mow them down before they flower,

Suicide Prevention Hotlines:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text Hello to 741741

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Text “START” to 88788 or call 1-800-799-7233

National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-855-812-1001

LGBTQ Support- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

Drug/Alchol Abuse Support - SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

Dr. Crutchfield surrounds himself with the best staff in Minnesota

Crutchfield Dermatology

Eagan Dermatology Practice Tour

Watch: Reina Ozby Sings The Star-Spangled Banner

Click here to watch on YouTube

On A Final Note

Dr. Crutchfield is one of the leading aesthetic dermatologists in America. He affirms his dedication to excellence by being a founding member of the “Doctors for the Practice of Safe and Ethical Aesthetic Medicine. If you are thinking about having a cosmetic procedure done, make sure the doctor performing the treatment is a member!

For more information www.SafeandEthicalDoctors.org