Are you disappointed with facial lines and wrinkles? Would you like to look younger and feel more like yourself? Here at North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, IL, Dr. Elizabeth Fahrenbach provides qualified patients BOTOX Cosmetic, an aesthetic wrinkle treatment that provides excellent results. Read on to discover the many benefits of this well-respected medication.

When our faces age...

Lines and wrinkles form in the skin as collagen content decreases. Collagen is a protein that provides youthful elasticity and plumpness. Without collagen, facial muscles crease our faces at strategic points every time we smile, laugh, or frown. Noticeable areas that exhibit these effects include:

• At the corners of the eyes (crow's feet)
• Between the nose and mouth
• Across the chin
• Between the eyebrows (characteristic double vertical lines)
• Upper lip lines

Make-up and moisturizers help hide these lines, but they're still mostly noticeable. What else could you do?

Discover the benefits of BOTOX

At North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, your dermatologist offers BOTOX Cosmetic injectables. Placed directly under the skin with a fine needle, BOTOX contains a highly refined botulism protein. It successfully limits the movement of facial muscles so your skin is not constantly creased and relaxed, creased, and relaxed. Lines formed by this repetitive motion are called dynamic wrinkles, but with BOTOX, the motion stops.

Dr. Fahrenbach will tell you if BOTOX Cosmetic treatments are right for you. Best results come to patients under the age of 65; plus your overall health must be good.

If you do begin BOTOX, expect a comfortable treatment (just a little needle prick), no downtime and only some minor redness and tenderness afterwards. You'll see some immediate smoothing of your lines and wrinkles, and results optimize in about a week. In four to six months, you likely will repeat your treatment so your face stays smooth and youthful.

Other uses for BOTOX

BOTOX Injectables have other therapeutic uses. Physicians often recommend it for:

• Migraine headache pain
• Strabismus (cross-eyed)
• Jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ)
• Muscle twitching
• Hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating)
• Overactive bladder

Find out more

Why not pursue the refreshed facial appearance you desire? Dr. Fahrenbach will tell you all about BOTOX Cosmetic and other available aesthetic treatments. Call the Chicago office of North Branch Dermatology for a consultation: (773) 763-6000.

Do you have a new mole or a long-standing one that suddenly looks different or acts oddly? If so, contact Dr. Elizabeth Fahrenbach of North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, IL, for a mole check, for changes in moles may indicate cancer—even deadly malignant melanoma.

What is a mole?

A mole is a slightly raised round or oval area of hyperpigmentation on the skin. While people may acquire moles in their later years, most moles appear by early adulthood, fade over time, or stay unchanged for a lifetime. Although moles can initially appear in clusters, healthy moles do not spread beyond their well-defined borders or multiply in number.

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in the United States, reports Healthline. It typically falls into three categories: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.

Sadly, malignant melanoma is deadly when undetected until later stages. Moles can evolve into melanoma, and melanoma can easily be mistaken for a healthy mole. That's why Dr. Fahrenbach recommends people over the age of 40 get yearly skin exams in her Chicago office, including checks of moles.

The ABCDEs

Your skin doctor in Chicago also advises monthly exams at home, too. Inspect all areas of your skin, including scalp, back and between the toes, looking for areas of change. Enlist the help of a family member for more hidden parts of the body.

To check moles, employ this mnemonic for cancer:

• A is for asymmetry. If you bisect a mole, each side should be equal in size and shape.
• B is for border. A healthy mole has a smooth border with no scallops or notches.
• C means color. Most benign moles are brown to black. Some are even pink or tan. A cancerous mole has variegated color, or the color may change over time.
• D stands for diameter. Benign moles are no larger than a pencil eraser.
• E means evolution. Moles should not grow in size, shape, color, or texture. A mole which begins to itch or bleed must be checked immediately. The American Cancer Society says if a mole begins to look different from other moles you have, see your dermatologist.

Be safe: get your mole checked

Know your skin. If you question the health of a mole or any other area, contact North Branch Dermatology in Chicago for a mole check. Dr. Elizabeth Fahrenbach and her team will help you and your skin stay healthy. Contact the office for an appointment: (773) 763-6000.

Skin rashes can be alarming, confusing, and extremely annoying. At North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, IL, your skin doctor, Dr. Elizabeth Fahrenbach, often sees and treats rashes. She will help you sort through your symptoms and get you much-needed relief.

Rashes and other symptoms

Frequently, skin rashes and other symptoms go hand in hand. You may notice reddened skin bumps, raised hives, scaling, oozing, discoloration, itching, and other problems. Their onset may be gradual or sudden, and they may resolve quickly or recur periodically for weeks.

Rashes and what to do about them

The American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology recommends a dermatological examination for rashes which come on suddenly and/or are accompanied by fever, oozing, bleeding, pus or other signs of infection. In her Chicago office, Dr. Fahrenbach will compose a treatment plan based on your rash and other symptoms, your past medical history and whatever is precipitating your rash.

Some rashes are simple allergic reactions to substances in the environment. For instance, contact dermatitis, with its red, raised bumps, often starts with contact with a new laundry soap, family pet or fabric. Other rashes occur due to food ingestion, insect stings, medications, metal, latex, or plants.

Still more rashes originate in auto-immune issues--that is, the body simply breaks out in scales and flakes or other skin eruptions. Psoriasis is a prime example of a rash which remains chronic in nature--that is, coming and going, escalating and subsiding, and never truly resolving.

Finally, rashes occur with acute infection. Athlete's foot, a fungal-based condition of the skin on the feet, causes redness, blistering, and intense itching. Yeast infections thrive in moist, dark places on the skin, such as under the breasts.

Common rash treatments

Some are topical treatments, and others are systemic. For instance, if your rash arises from an infection such as scarlet fever or shingles, Dr. Fahrenbach likely will choose a systemic medication. Rashes coming from allergies may need antihistamines or topical corticosteroids. Eczema may respond well to ultralight therapy or moisturizing creams. Your dermatologist's expertise will guide you on a path to overall wellness and skin which is rash-free, better looking, and has fewer scarring issues.

Love your skin

At North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, Dr. Elizabeth Fahrenbach and her team treat a wide variety aesthetic and medical dermatology services. Don't hesitate to call the office for a consultation on your rash. We are open Monday through Friday. Phone (773) 763-6000.

How your dermatologist in Chicago, IL, can help if you have skin cancer

If you are someone that spends a lot of time outside, it’s only natural to worry about skin cancer. Here at North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, IL, Dr. Elizabeth N. Fahrenbach offers several effective ways to treat skin cancer and help protect your health.

Read on to learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic:

What types of skin cancer are there?

The most common types of skin cancer include squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, both of which are easily treatable. Malignant melanoma is another type of skin cancer, although unlike the others, it can end up being fatal. Fortunately, it is less common.

Who is most at risk for skin cancer?

In general, people with fair skin and blue eyes are more at risk for skin cancer. Additionally, those who spend extended periods of time outdoors or have already had bouts of skin cancer, are at an increased risk of developing the condition

How can I protect myself against skin cancer?

Wearing sunscreen daily is the best way to prevent skin cancer. You should wear an SPF of at least 15 every day, and SPF 30 if you spend a lot of time outdoors. You should also try to stay out of direct sunlight between 10 AM and 4 PM, which is when the ultraviolet rays are the most damaging. Another important way to protect yourself is to check your skin for moles and abnormal areas of skin.

What should I look for when I examine my skin?

You should look for moles that have:

• A diameter greater than 6 millimeters
• An irregular, poorly-defined shape
• Ragged, uneven borders or look asymmetrical
• Bleeding, oozing, or open sores
• Regrown after previous removal

Concerned? Give us a call

To learn more about skin cancer and effective treatments including cryosurgery, excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, and other state-of-the-art treatments, call Dr. Elizabeth N. Fahrenbach at North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, IL, today—our number is (773) 763-6000.