With the summer season right around the corner, some of you may be considering a suntan.  While you may be familiar with tanning beds and traditional tanning methods (i.e.: hitting the beach), a suntan isn't really the most ideal thing for your skin.  Sure, teenagers will soon be looking to glam up for prom but perhaps going “au naturale” may be a better option.

A Miami dermatologist will tell you that whether you opt for a tanning bed or setting up a towel and enjoying the Miami Beach ambiance, both methods increase the risk of developing melanoma which as you may or may not know, is the deadliest form of skin cancer.  Basically any form of tanning damages your skin, especially if you have fair skin.

If you insist on getting a tan, strongly consider going for a spray tan.  No skin cancer, no wrinkles and although it isn't the real thing, your youthful skin will thank you in the long run.

It's 2012 and that means you have a whole new year to not only accomplish whatever resolutions you've set but also to take better care of your skin.  Besides using sunscreen when outdoors, another simple way you can improve your skin is to watch what you eat, as any Miami dermatologist is likely to tell you.

As was mentioned last month, Miami doesn't get very cold but since we are in the winter season and there have been a few days where temperatures have dropped to numbers our bodies aren't really accustomed to, you may be inclined to drink hot chocolate.  This drink can worsen problems if you have acne or rosacea (chronic skin redness) but if you still wish to drink it, consider swapping whole milk for nonfat and try not to put too much sugar in either.

Coffee is an essential drink for many and since we live in Miami, so is Cuban espresso.  Try and use the most minimal amount of sugar and cream and again, opt for nonfat milk.  Coffee with caffeine causes dehydration which in turn has negative effects on your skin.

If you have any questions or concerns on what foods you should and shouldn't consume in order to maintain optimum skin health, consult a Miami dermatologist.

The winters we experience down here in Miami are nothing compared to the frigid temperatures experienced further north.  Most of us can do just fine with a light jacket or sweater but when it comes to protecting the skin, it's important to keep a few things in mind if you're going to be in an area where the weather is very dry and cold.

Taking extra hot showers to get warm is not recommended.  This is because the lack of moisture in the air which can in turn further dehydrate your skin.  In fact, you should try and lower the temperature of the water to about as lukewarm as you can tolerate.  Also make sure that you keep your skin moisturized during the winter season, even if you frequently drink water to stay hydrated since fluids can evaporate.

Finally, as any Miami dermatologist will tell you, make sure to make use of sunblock, especially if you're down here in South Florida.  Regardless of the season, lack of proper skin care can have many unpleasant long term effects that can range from premature aging to something as serious as skin cancer.

Coffee has managed to cultivate one of the most wildly varying reputations.  Its benefits and health risks change on a seemingly daily basis and depending on who you ask, it may or not be something you should be drinking.  And then there's something called basal cell carcinoma, a very common form of skin cancer that a Miami dermatologist deals with each year due to its prevalence.  What do these two things have in common?

As it turns out, coffee may actually be beneficial after all.  Recent research shows that consuming coffee may actually help to prevent basal cell carcinoma.  In fact, the amount consumed also contributed to a lower risk which means those of you who enjoy a daily cup of coffee may have dramatically reduced chances of developing the common form of skin cancer.

You should be aware that this finding does not apply for decaffeinated coffee nor does drinking coffee affect the odds of developing other forms of skin cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.  Also remember that excessive coffee consumption can have negative health effects due to the presence of the stimulant caffeine.  Always consult a Miami dermatologist if you have questions about your skin.

Two things about the month of August: it marks the final month of summer and, unbeknownst to many, is also National Hair Loss Awareness Month.  Hair loss affects over eighty million people in the United States alone and can cause feelings of anxiety or poor body image.  Ask a Miami dermatologist and he or she may tell you that in several cases the culprit is simply hereditary but what other causes might there be?

While there is no surefire method of knowing what cause sudden hair loss, a Miami dermatologist can detect certain triggers that range from the less common trichotillomania (an urge to pull hair out of your own scalp) to something a greater number of people recognize such as excessive use of hair care products and treatments like bleaching.  A lack of protein and iron in your diet can also lead to hair loss.

Always remember that you should consult a Miami dermatologist if you have any concerns about hair loss.  Early treatment can potentially prevent things from getting worse than they need to.

Skin cancer can happen to anyone, especially here in South Florida where the “sun and fun” lifestyle is encouraged since we do after all live in “The Sunshine State”.  Unless you're using the proper protection whenever you go outside or if you spend a great deal of time outside, the risk of skin cancer can increase significantly.  It's important to have your skin checked regularly by a Miami dermatologist, for many reasons.

The most important of these of these reasons is early detection.  Recent research shows that a dermatologist is capable of detecting melanoma which is classified as the deadliest form of skin cancer.  Why is this important?  The earlier that cancerous skin cells are detected, the better the odds of a Miami dermatologist to treat and prevent the cancer from getting worse.  Case in point: patients who were treated in the hospital for a minimum of three months, over eighty percent of the melanomas were discovered by doctors and not the patients.

While a Miami dermatologist may be in the best position to detect skin cancer at an early stage, don't disregard warning signs you may find on your own.  Pearl shaped lumps that are pink or reddish in color, a persistent patch of dry skin that's reddish in color, these can signal the early signs of skin cancer and should be checked out.