by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
ABC Local 24-Memphis posted “Dr. Purvisha Patel with Advance Dermatology tackles COVID-19 | Part Two” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel, and Advanced Dermatology
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
Well+Good posted “Using castor oil for skin isn’t a bad way to DIY an at-home facial” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel, and Visha Skincare
When you think of castor oil, a bar of soap might come to mind. The vegetable oil has a slew of uses and benefits for the body (and hair), since its a rich fatty acid with antimicrobial properties, and it’s one that’s easy to buy as a stand-alone ingredient or in different types of soaps. Since it has so many beauty uses, we’ve asked dermatologists and other pros just what benefits you can reap by using castor oil for skin care in your routine.
“Castor oil is a vegetable oil that comes from the castor bean,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “It consists of important fatty acids such as ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid, steric acid, and oleic acid, all of which give it anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and moisturizing properties.” This is why it’s been used to make soaps for centuries, she says. To learn everything you need to know about the ingredient and its beauty uses, keep scrolling for the down-low on castor oil, plus how to use it in your skin-care routine.
Since castor oil is such a potent source of fatty acids, it has all sorts of health and beauty benefits. “Castor oil is most commonly used as an additive in foods such as candies or flavorings, as well in medications such as laxatives, along with skin-care products,” says Linsday Malachowski, esthetician at Skinney Medspa. The extract comes from a region in India called Gujarat, and is known to be the only commercial source of hydroxylated fatty acid, adds Dr. Patel.
The anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil make it an under-the-radar superstar for the skin. According to Caren Campbell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, studies have shown that the ingredient is incredibly anti-inflammatory and has analgesic effects. Topically, this makes it nourishing to both the skin and hair.
When applied to the skin, castor oil can be an effective solution for soothing any irritation. “Topically, it has been used in skin care to calm inflammation and pain,” says Dr. Campbell, noting that it can even help with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. “Given its anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil can help soothe itchy, dry, or sensitive skin,” adds Dr. Patel. “It can help fill in the cracks on the surface of the skin that can occur with dermatitis, which calms it down.”
Castor oil is also a rich moisturizer for the skin. “The fatty acids in castor oil give it emollient properties, which means that it can help with the skin barrier function and help the skin retain moisture,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. This is why you’ll often find it in, well, moisturizing beauty products (from face creams to even hair conditioners). “Castor oil is a useful treatment for dry skin, as it increases the moisture content of the skin, which improves its appearance and gives the skin better texture, helping to diminish the appearance of fine lines.”
If you have acne-prone skin, castor oil can be useful, too. “It has been used as a face oil for acne treatment,” says Dr. Patel. “You could also just spot treat with it,” she says. Plus, as Malachowski notes, the ingredient’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties have shown that it can help “reduce acne.” Cocktail it with tea tree oil to see an amped up effect.
To incorporate castor oil into your beauty routine, you can stock up on an actual product that features the ingredient in its formulation… or you can use the pure stuff itself in various ways. Here are the different ways to use castor oil au natural:
1. As a moisturizing soak: If your hands or feet feel extra-dry, Dr. Patel recommends soaking them in castor oil. “Castor oil would be a great natural oil to use on feet and hands under cotton gloves or socks at night,” she says. “It could help with hand dermatitis from frequent hand washing or hand sanitizer use.”
2. As a diluted face oil: Although castor oil can be used in its pure form on the skin, it should be mixed with something else before application. “Castor oil should be diluted in a one-to-one ratio with another oil, like peanut or tea tree, to use as a face oil,” says Dr. Patel.
3. As a skin-care product booster: You could also blend castor oil into your current fave beauty products. Malachowski recommends adding a few drops into your go-to skin moisturizer to help further smooth and plump the skin.
3. Treat sunburn: “Apply a few drops of castor oil with aloe vera and vitamin E to make a soothing balm that helps heal a painful sunburn,” says Malachowski.
4. Use as a body moisturizer: Malachowski also recommends adding about three tablespoons of castor oil plus one tablespoon of either jojoba or argan oil into a glass container with a lid or dropper bottle, then applying it daily to both your face and your body for moisture.
You could also stock up on one of the castor oil-spiked skin-care products, below.
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
Republic World posted “DIY Face Masks And Face Pack Recipes To Try Out During COVID-19 Lockdown” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare
DIY face masks might be the last resort to keep up with skincare routines during COVID-19 lockdown. Here are three homemade face mask recipes for healthy skin.
Approximately the entire globe has been affected by the COVID-19 lockdown leaving everyone inside their houses. This gives individuals a lot of time to get done with things. Hydrating the face using skincare routines during normal working hours could get difficult. Well, staying at home allows people to have more time to dedicate to skincare routines — but what happens when we run out of the regular products? We have got you covered with three recipes that will teach how to make a face mask with ingredients you likely have in your kitchen. Here are three recipes for a homemade mask.
The ingredients for this mask can be found in your fridge and will leave your face feeling soft and smooth. Purvisha Patel, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, spoke to an entertainment portal and claimed that homemade face masks from home items are certainly beneficial for the skin. She also has a popular recipe for a hydration mask that can be made with just with buttermilk and yoghurt.
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
Refinery29 posted “Everything You Need To Know About Online Dermatologists” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare
You can do just about anything online these days: shop for groceries, get a college education, find a significant other, even see a doctor. Technology is a huge boon to a busy schedule — and, for that matter, an extended period of self-quarantine. With health-care practitioners everywhere trying to keep non-essential visits to an absolute minimum, many patients are turning to virtual doctor’s appointments in their stead.
Not all forms of medicine are fit for a FaceTime call (you wouldn’t want to have a virtual appointment with a cardiologist, for example), but dermatology is one field where it makes perfect sense. Some practices offer video consultations to the same patients they’d see in-house, using applications like Google Hangouts and Zoom to address your concerns as they would in an office.
Companies like Apostrophe and Curology have also innovated in the space, modernizing traditional telemedicine into a more affordable way to treat conditions like acne and rosacea without insurance premiums or copays. You can simply start an account any time via their websites and answer a series of questions and upload photos of your face, after which medical professionals will recommend an appropriate treatment plan, including topical medications typically only available with a prescription.
Well, there is a chance that you might have to go into your dermatologist’s office after your virtual visit — which means two separate appointments, and possibly two co-pays. This only happens if a skin concern cannot be determined via camera, or if it seems more serious and will need to be checked out face-to-face.
“The skin is the largest organ of the body, with visual textures and a lot of 3D surface area. A skin examination can require touching and feeling the skin or skin lesion,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “Not all telemedicine visits may result in a diagnosis, and the patient may need to come in for a biopsy or future testing.” In the case of a website like Apostrophe, if a patient cannot be treated, they will be refunded their money. “If they believe you’d benefit from seeing an in-person dermatologist, they will let you know,” says the brand rep.
It’s critical to do your research and find the right professionals for your appointment no matter what service you’re using, especially since there are many “skin-care experts” who offer their services online at a premium without board certification or educational background. “There are no qualifications to setting up online visits, so make sure you vet out that you are seeing a board-certified dermatologist,” says Dr. Patel. That shouldn’t be hard to find, as Dr. Markowitz adds, “There are going to be plenty of board-certified dermatologists available for this type of visit.”
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
Newbeauty posted “When to Call Your Dermatologist About Hand Dermatitis” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel, founder of Visha Skincare
If you’re being compliant with washing and sanitizing your hands during the COVID-19 pandemic, chances are, they’re pretty dry, cracked and downright not in their normal state by now.
“Right now, going to the emergency room for something like this is not recommended,” stresses Germantown, TN dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD. “But hand dermatitis is becoming really common with the extra handwashing and hand sanitizer. If the rash persists after using over-the-counter methods, if you have fissuring or bleeding that is not healing, if you are not able to use your hands, or if you have oozing or swelling, it’s time to consult your dermatologist.”
“Setting up a telederm consultation is easier now more than ever,” she adds. “Let your dermatologist take a look and prescribe the best medication and treatment plan for you.”
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
Newbeauty posted “Neurotoxin Wearing Off? Here Are 7 Wrinkle ‘Filling’ Products Derms Say Make a Difference” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel, founder of Visha Skincare
If your biannual ‘toxin touch-up appointment is nearing or you’re noticing an extra worry line surfacing, don’t panic—there are topical creams and serums derms actually approve of that will help “fill” any unwelcome etches. Plus, as San Antonio, TX dermatologist Vivian Bucay, MD notes, this is all time we can use for some extra guilt-free self care. So layer on one of these wrinkle-busting potions, throw on your favorite show and do your best to relax. We’re all in this together.
“Revision Revox 7 ($130) is a great option as it contains peptides specifically designed to help with seven different types of expression lines including lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows, bunny lines, crow’s feet, laugh lines, lip lines and marionette lines,” explains New York dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. Another fan of the lightweight serum is New Orleans dermatologist Mary Lupo, MD, who says she routinely pairs it with toxin injections in her practice.
Germantown, TN dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD notes that nothing is the same as neurotoxin injections and a few months’ gap shouldn’t be too deleterious to our faces, but that Revox is the closest topical for the job.
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
The Spa Insider posted “Self-Care Tips From Beauty Industry Experts” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare.
Practicing self-care is an important part of managing our mental, emotional and physical health—yet many people tend to overlook it. Whether it’s ready a book, taking a relaxing bath, watching your favorite movie or meditating, we all have different ways that we like to unwind and enjoy some “me” time. By incorporating a little more self-care into your life, you’ll feel calmer, relaxed, more fulfilled, and more connected to yourself and the world around you.
We spoke to several beauty industry experts to get their tips on how to take care of yourself at home. Read on to discover ways to treat yourself to some much-needed self-care at home:
“At home my biggest self-care is shedding my work clothes at the door and taking a shower. This not only prevents me from bringing microbes home and cleanses me, but also the hot shower helps to lower my blood pressure, open my pores and relaxes me.” Purvisha Patel, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
The Beauty Experience posted “Beauty Experts Share their Home Self-Care Routines ” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel and Visha Skincare.
It’s easy for anxiety and stress to run rampant when every news outlet, friend and family member is talking about Coronavirus. Here, beauty experts share their at-home self-care routines that help them to relax and salvage some normalcy in their day-to-day lives.
“At home my biggest self-care is shedding my work clothes at the door and taking a shower. This not only prevents me from bringing microbes home and cleanses me, but also the hot shower helps me to lower my blood pressure, open my pores and relaxes me.”—Purvisha Patel, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare.
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
Based on current guidance and our own standards and practices, we remain open and ready to provide exceptional patient care experiences.
As the situation evolves, we are keeping up with and following the recommendations of the CDC, WHO and state and local health department.
We are permitting only one caregiver to accompany patients to our locations at this time. If you have traveled internationally, traveled on any cruise ship, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, we MUST reschedule your appointment for a future date:
Please call the office and our staff will reschedule your appointment.
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your primary care provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
As always, the wellness of our patients, staff, and community is our top priority. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns!
Effective for services starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for Medicare telehealth services furnished to patients in broader circumstances. These visits are considered the same as in-person visits and are paid at the same rate as regular, in-person visits.
Starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for professional services furnished to beneficiaries in all areas of the country in all settings.
While they must generally travel to or be located in certain types of originating sites such as a physician’s office, skilled nursing facility or hospital for the visit, effective for services starting March 6, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for Medicare telehealth services furnished to beneficiaries in any healthcare facility and in their home.
The Medicare coinsurance and deductible would generally apply to these services. However, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) is providing flexibility for healthcare providers to reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits paid by federal healthcare programs.
To the extent the 1135 waiver requires an established relationship, HHS will not conduct audits to ensure that such a prior relationship existed for claims submitted during this public health emergency.
by Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates
Well and Good shared “Got a rogue breakout? Try using turmeric for acne” featuring Dr. Purvisha Patel, and Visha Skincare.
People have been turning to turmeric for ages because of how healthy—and anti-inflammatory—it is for your diet. The ingredient is becoming a DIY beauty star for the same reason, and the ingredient is even trickling into skin-care products, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. Given that inflammation is at the root of breakouts, it’s no surprise than many people are turning to turmeric for acne.
If you’re not familiar, turmeric is a plant that is native to southeast Asia. “It’s commonly used as a spice. The powder comes from the roots of the turmeric plant, known as curcuma domestica, which is thought to contain medicinal properties,” says Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. People relate the plant to ginger, adds Purvisha Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “It is bright yellow because of the active ingredient curcumin,” she says.
It’s used in beauty products because of its bacteria-killing, irritation-quelling, and nourishing properties. “Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-neoplastic, and antioxidant, as it combats free radicals and free radical damage,” says Dr. Patel (free radicals can result in the skin aging more quickly). “It has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine to combat certain skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and acne.” Keep scrolling to learn more about how the ingredient is an acne-fighting superhero.
Acne is an actual inflammatory condition of your oil glands and your pores. “Acne is caused by follicular occlusion, microbial overgrowth, sebum production, and/or inflammation,” says Dr. Patel. Turmeric comes into play because, she explains, it works to decrease microbial growth (aka that bad, acne-causing bacteria), sebum production, and inflammation. And as an added bonus: “Topical turmeric also helps with discoloration or hyperpigmentation if it’s used over a long period of time,” she says.
Dr. Nussbaum points out that some studies have proven the ingredient’s efficacy in treating breakouts, though more need to be conducted to prove its conclusive benefits to the skin. “Recent clinical studies on curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, indicate that it’s an antioxidant and offers anti-inflammatory benefits. Think inhibiting inflammation signals in the body,” she says. “Some research suggests that curcumin, when combined with lauric acid, contains antibacterial properties that may help banish certain types of acne-causing bacteria—specifically, P. acnes.”
Turmeric isn’t going to quash all acne woes, though. Dermatologists note that it is more likely to be effective in treating mild to moderate acne, “not deeper cysts or nodules which have been present for days to weeks,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “Those will respond better to cortisone injections delivered in-office by a board-certified dermatologist.” That said, Dr. Patel says that ingesting turmeric orally—400 to 600mg per day—can help with deep cystic acne.
As is the case with many active ingredients in skin care, you’ll find all different concentrations and delivery systems of turmeric inside of beauty products. “Topical agents will vary in strength, sourcing of the ingredient, and permeability into the skin,” says Dr. Patel, who actually believes that using turmeric in a DIY paste is one of the most effective ways to go when treating acne. “It is best used directly on the skin in powdered form, mixed with water into the form of a paste,” she says, nothing that this can be an overnight spot treatment or used as a face mask.
Before you incorporate it into your regimen though, Dr. Nussbaum recommends consulting your dermatologist. “I’d discuss your acne concerns with your dermatologist, who will help guide you through the best holistic treatment plan,” she says. “Curcumin in turmeric can interact with some medications and there may be a risk of allergic reactions when applied topically. You should also avoid turmeric if you are pregnant or have issues related to blood sugar, blood clotting, stomach acid issues, or gallbladder issues.”
When you use turmeric on your skin, Dr. Patel says it’s best to use it like you would with other active ingredients: at night only. “The best time to use it is before bedtime, which will be the maximum amount of time a product can stay on your skin undisrupted, and can increase absorption as the body temperature rises overnight,” she says.
Even though turmeric can be a key acne-fighting spot treatment, derms say it’s fine to use all over your skin (even your body) too. “Just note that in its purest form, it may leave a stain, so it’s best to use on the areas that it is needed the most,” says Dr. Patel. But Dr. Nussbaum says that otherwise, it’s safe to use every single day if you’re seeing good results. Keep scrolling for turmeric-infused skin-care products to shop for your own acne-quashing routine.