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Medical Students give Thanks

September 21, 2011 by poliskyadmin

An important part of Elk Grove Dermatology is Dr. Polisky’s dedication to teaching medical students about dermatology. He has had students of Chicago Medical School and the Physician Assistant program of Midwest University come to the office for a rigorous and structured dermatology rotation. The rotation has received excellent reviews by the students. Read the thank you notes from two of Dr. Polisky’s latest students.

Dr. Polisky,

Thank you so much for the wonderful experience over these past four weeks! I’ve seen and learn so much and I truly appreciate your willingness to teach as well. It made this rotation that much more enjoyable, and I’m grateful I have to opportunity to learn about dermatology at your practice.

Sincerely,

Monica

Dr. Polisky,

Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your practice for the past four weeks. I really enjoyed my time at Elk Grove Dermatology and I feel as though you have made a lasting impact on my medical career. I truly appreciate everything and I with you all the best.

Thanks!

Chrissie

Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment »

Suncreen Picks

August 22, 2011 by poliskyadmin

I want to tell the readers about two good articles regarding recently rated sunscreens.  Consumer Reports, July 2011 and Bicycling Magazine did nice pieces on the topic of sun protection.

Bicycling Magazine says the most dangerous menace on your ride might be the sun itself. Their favorite sunscreens included Blue Lizard SPF 30 at $12.00 for a 3 oz size and Vanicream SPF 35 sport at $14.00.

Consumer Reports chose Coppertone Sweatproof spray SPF 30. Surprisingly CVS and Walgreens brands did just as well as the fancier brands.

Find out more information at consumerreports.org and bicycling.com.

Magazine Picks

Bicycling Magazine

Comment

Consumer Reports

Comment
Vanicream SPF sports 35 Lotion, good but tends to show on face Walgreen’s Sport SPF 50 Good value
Blue Lizard Sensitive 30+ Cap turns blue in presence of UV rays Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 30 Lotion spreads evenly
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 30 Has pina colada smell Coppertone Sport Ultra Sweatproof 30 Sweat proof designation will be banned soon

Polisky’s Personal Picks

Product

Comment
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 55 Ultra sweatproof and waterproof or Banana Boat Ultra Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick Smooth application to face, minimal running into eyes, virtually odorless. Can apply at stoplight or while bike riding! Can also be used as a lip block.
Bullfrog Gel SPF 30-50 Clear, good for acne prone skin. Careful, can bleach collars due to alcohol gel base.
Coppertone or Neutrogena Spray Excellent for wide area applications – great pre-swim.
Elta Block 32 Broad Spectrum Moisturizing, has new FDA approved labeling. Nice moisture and wind barrier for winter walks, snow shoeing or other cold weather activities.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Sunblock 70 Clear, liquid formula. SPF 50 and higher will be phased out by FDA.

Posted in Skin Tips | Tagged , , | 2 Comments »

As Seen On NBC: Dr. Polisky’s Sun Safety Tips

August 18, 2011 by poliskyadmin

At 4am the alarm clock sounded, and it was time to get ready to do a live segment on NBC at 6am. I drove down the very quiet roadways and fortunately arrived early enough to find the NBC studios. My plan was to speak about the sun protective clothing from Solumbra, to go over a variety of sunscreens and blocks purchased at Dominick’s, and to point out new features of the skin rejuvenating CO2RE laser. The producer set up a table to showcase the products I brought and after detailing the morning news, the show host, Kim, began the interview.

Dr. Polisky and Anchor Kim Vatis

I started off with sobering statistics:

  • 2,000,000 cases of basal or squamous cell carcinomas are present or recur each year. 
  • Alarmingly, melanoma is also on the rise with over 68,000 cases diagnosed each year. 
  • Someone growing up today has a 1 in 5 chance of developing skin cancer. 
  • On a hopeful note, an Australian study of 1,621 patients showed skin cancer risk could be cut more than half by regular application of sunscreen.

We discussed UPF (ultraviolet protective factor) clothing.  Using the gloves, shawl, and protective sleeves sent by Shaun Hughes of Solumbra, the point was made that sun protective garb that is tightly woven can be a great starting point for the outdoor person.

 Next, the crowded field of sunscreen products was reviewed.  The key buzzword for the FDA is broad spectrum which means UVA (wrinkles, skin cancer) and UVB (sunburn, skin cancer) are both blocked out.  The UVA can find its way right through window glass.  The SPF you are using should be at least 30, and according to the FDA, soon companies will not be able to claim that sunscreens are higher than SPF 50.  Other terms like “waterproof” or “total block” will also be prohibited.  I focused more on vehicles rather than catch phrases, demonstrating the newer wax stick products that are very clean and easy to use, the sprays for larger surface areas, and the places where gels or lotions have a good indication – such as gels for acne prone skin and lotions for dry skin. 

Finally, the idea that nanoparticles could be dangerous was set straight according to current research.  Using titanium dioxide or zinc oxide appears to be a great way of blocking UVA and UVB without the messy look that older blocks caused.  One comment I did not get to make was that most people are ½ to ¼ shy of the 1 oz application (a shot glass) needed to cover their skin with sunscreen.

We next moved to the topic of the CO2RE laser used for the repair of skin damage developed over time as well as by excess sun exposure or smoking.  An interesting picture of a 59-year-old set of identical twins was shown, one of whom was a sun worshipper.  It was easy to see the ravages of sun on the sun loving-twin.  We discussed how the laser, which we have been using in our office, can improve and rejuvenate skin damage.

The 3 minute live segment ended and my time at NBC had come to a close.

I was glad to hear from several patients who saw the live segment!  I didn’t realize we had so many early birds in the practice. Be sure the watch the interview!

NBC 5 Studios Chicago, Illinois

NBC 5 News Today

Posted in Media | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

Dr. Robert Polisky on NBC 5 News

August 17, 2011 by poliskyadmin

On June 26, 2011, Dr. Robert Polisky was interviewed by NBC 5 News Today about sun safety. Watch this informative interview about sun protective clothing, sun screens and ways to reverse sun damage.

Posted in Media | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

Learn about the CO2RE Laser

July 12, 2011 by poliskyadmin

Posted in Procedures | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

How to Recognize and Address Correctable Signs of Aging

July 11, 2011 by poliskyadmin

“Aging is a natural physiologic process of the body to the passage of time,” writes Dr. Joseph Niamtu in his text Cosmetic Facial Surgery. It’s much easier to spot a flaw than imagine a suitable correction. In fact, that’s the problem with many anti-aging treatments; they leave an unnatural result or a plastic look. The solution is careful facial analysis and an understanding of the patient’s desired goal.

The number one cause of aging: the underlying bone and fat supporting the face deteriorates overtime. This can be fixed by restoring lost facial mass with a filler. There are many different brands and types on the market, but the ideal filler is non-allergenic, immobile and non-reactive. Several types include hyaluronic acids, such as Restylane® and Juvederm®; hydroxyapatite bone crystal, such as Radiesse®; and the deep volumizer, Sculptra®. In order to figure out which filler is most appropriate for the area of loss, I view the face in thirds and scan for defects. I also note any indicators of aging skin, such as yellowing, fine lines, pigmentation and increased skin laxity.

The number two cause of aging: wearing out or degradation of the skin, usually in the dermal layer. Rejuvenate the skin with Retin A® and other topicals, such as Kinerase® or glycolic creams. More effective and longer-lasting deep wrinkle treatments are Obagi® peels and the CO2RE Fractional Laser. This deeper correction leads to a few more days of downtime, but much more is accomplished than with the so called, “lunch time” procedures.

The number three cause of aging: genetics, diet and lifestyle. Sun damage and cigarette smoking play a big role in the skin’s appearance.

The signs of aging have many variables and affect different facial types in very distinct ways. A good start to evaluating the treatment options for your particular case is a full facial analysis and consideration of the two major causes of facial aging. The solutions are aimed at restoring facial mass and improving skin texture.

This article appears in the Suburban Woman July/August 2011 Northwest Suburbs issue.

Posted in Media | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Summer Sun Safety

June 20, 2011 by poliskyadmin

Studies have pointed out the value of sun protection, especially in preventing non-melanoma skin cancer. Common sense suggests using the SPF (sun protection factor) as a guide for your skin type, activity level and type of activity. A 15 will screen out 93% of ultraviolet B and a 30 takes you to 97%. This slim improvement is very valuable for the fair-skinned lifeguard or person with a personal or family history of skin cancer. A block such as titanium or zinc oxide adds UVA protection, which not that long ago wasn’t even considered that important! This is why you need to stay informed on all things dermatology related. The key to staying on top of sun safety is having your sunscreen available at all times. Cloudy days are dangerously deceptive, which makes it easy to burn.

Another important factor in sun safety is sun protective clothing. Wallaroo, Sunday Afternoons, and Solumbra are some of the most common brands for tightly woven textiles that block out the sun’s rays. Clothing is given a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) score, which indicates how well the fabric shields skin from the dangerous rays. These brands also offer a variety of wide-brimmed hats, which is a great way to protect your face, ears and neck when out in the sun.

Elk Grove Dermatology is all about sun protective clothing, and Dr. Polisky likes to use SPF 60 Vanicream sunscreen. Whichever sunscreen you decide to use, make sure to apply regularly and reapply often.

Here are some helpful tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website:

  • Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
  • Do not burn.
  • Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
  • Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
  • Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
  • Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
  • See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

To learn more about sun safety, watch Dr. Polisky on NBC this Sunday, June 26, 2011. His segment will appear sometime between 6 am- 7 am. Dr. Polisky will also be talking about the CO2RE Laser.

Posted in Skin Tips | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

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