Healthy Skin Is In

Dr. Jason Michaels is the founder of Aspire Dermatology. This month, we talk to him about skin care.

What inspired you to pursue a career in dermatology?
I was raised in Las Vegas, in the desert climate. There is quite a bit of emphasis on skin and protective measures growing up there and it shaped my interest in helping others with their health and overall well-being. I also had an exceptional mentor who showed me what an amazing specialty dermatology is as a career.

Why did you choose to relocate your practice here from Las Vegas?
I completed an internship at Brown University and fell in love with the East Coast. I am so fond of the beautiful seasons, sense of community, strength of education and breadth of activities available. In fact, our annual family vacations had been in Rhode Island for the last 10 years; it was easy to settle in immediately.

What do you feel is the most important information the general public needs to know regarding skincare?
Sunscreen should be worn daily, year-round and applied to hands and arms as well. In fact, some of the worst burns I’ve ever seen have been in the winter months. And, annual skin cancer screenings are imperative because so much can be done if skin cancer is caught early enough.

What can be done for skin cancer that people may not be aware of?
If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, there is a specialized treatment available called Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery gives the physician a precise means of removing the affected atypical cells with the highest cure rate of any other type of skin cancer removal. It’s particularly important in critical areas where there isn’t a lot of excess skin, such as on the face, where great cosmetic outcomes are very important.

That’s interesting. Any other surprising facts we should know about?
Another surprise to many is how much sun exposure you can get through car windows. We’ve seen many reports showing the greater the impact on the left side of a patient’s face from the window exposure in driving. This reiterates the need for daily sunscreen year round.

Are there any projects that you are working on currently?
I have spoken nationally and internationally on trends and techniques in cosmetic dermatology. My last presentations were in Chile and China just before moving to Rhode Island. Since relocating, my immediate focus has been on establishing my practice in the underserved areas around the East Bay. Our flagship office was opened in Riverside, and we just opened a second location in Newport for the people there.

After spending all summer in the sun, do new patients file in during fall?
I definitely see more patients after they’ve spent the entire summer outside taking in all of the amazing activities here with family. People tend to come in apologetically, but really it’s never too late to discuss how to reduce sun damage and prevent consequences further.

What is the must have skin care product we should have in our medicine cabinets?
My favorite over-the-counter body moisturizer is Nivea Cream. My favorite over-the-counter sunscreen is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 55. I really like the physician-provided Prescribed Solutions lines for photoaging and recommend Polysporin over Neosporin for cuts.

Looking ahead to the colder months, how do I keep my skin hydrated?
Coming from the desert climate, most of my patients in Las Vegas had dry skin, so I feel I know it well. It starts on the inside. Drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. Then, bathing habits are probably the most important component on the outside to staying hydrated. Bathe less frequently, take quicker showers with cooler water, and only use soap in the areas needed. Make sure you regularly lubricate your skin to maintain the oil layer it so preciously needs. And, I have to say, see your local dermatologist.