Christman Dermatology

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Now Accepting the BLUE VALUE Plan from BCBS of North Carolina

Raleigh dermatologist, Lisa Christman, accepts most medical insurance plans including Medicare and Blue ValueJune 15, 2017: Lisa Abernethy Christman, M.D., Dermatology, P.A. is proud to announce that our practice is now accepting the Blue Value medical insurance plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Our office is located in the North Hills area of Raleigh, NC. We welcome adults and children to our practice,  accept most insurance plans, and treat a variety of skin conditions. Please call 919-782-2735 to schedule an appointment or for more information.

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AAD Sunscreen Recommendations

What should you look for in a sunscreen?

This video, from the American Academy of Dermatology’s You Tube channel, explains why the following three items are important when choosing a sunscreen:

  • Broad Spectrum
    • This means it will help to block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays which can both cause skin cancer
    • UVA rays can also cause premature aging of skin
    • UVB rays cause sunburns
  • SPF 30
    • The sun protection factor (SPF) number represents the strength of the sunscreen
  • Water Resistant or Very Water Water Resistant
    • This means that the sunscreen is water resistant for either 40 or 80 minutes
    • Reapply after swimming

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Adult Acne. Shouldn’t that be an Oxymoron?

It just doesn’t seem fair does it?

Fair or not, on average, two out of every ten adults are dealing with adult-onset acne.

  • At what age do adults generally have acne?

    • Both men and women, ages 20-60 have adult-onset acne.

  • Are men or women more likely to develop adult-onset acne?

    • Although both men and women develop adult acne related to hormonal changes, on average, a higher percentage of women develop adult acne. Women may experience more breakouts during their monthly cycles, pregnancy, when they are peri-menopausal, or with birth control pill changes.

  • What are some other possible factors in the development of adult acne?

    • In addition to hormonal changes, stress is a factor in acne as well.  Stress causes your body to produce more oil, which may lead to more acne.  Other factors that can cause adult acne include some medications, cosmetics, and even an undiagnosed medical condition.

  • What is involved in good skin care for acne prevention and treatment?

    • A consistent and gentle facial skin care program is very important. Always wash your face twice each day. Remember not to skip your cleansing routine when you are tired or stressed. Wash with cool or warm — not hot — water and use gentle cleansing products.  Be sure your cleansing and moisturizing products are oil free and non-comedogenic, which means that they won’t clog your pores. Avoid using abrasive products, brushes, and cloths because the can irritate your skin. You can add some over-the-counter medications to your routine if cleansing alone doesn’t seem to clear up your skin. Do seek advice form a dermatologist if your acne is not improving or if it is getting worse. There are new medications and other treatment options that your doctor can discuss with you.

  • Do the foods I eat cause or worsen adult acne?

    • There is still much controversy regarding whether diet plays a role in acne.  There are some recent studies that suggest there are dietary factors that may play a role for some people.  There is ongoing investigation and discussion around this topic.

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Sponsor of the Running Over Cancer 5K Race – April 3, 2016

Dr. Lisa Abernethy Christman is a sponsor of Running Over Cancer 5K in Cary, NC

For the fourth year, Dr. Lisa Christman is sponsoring the annual race, Running Over Cancer 5K. It started three years ago when twelve local Ravenscroft High School students got together to figure out a way to raise money for cancer research and decided to organize the 1st Annual Running Over Cancer 5K. It was a huge success! More than 200 people came out, and they raised over $8,000 for the American Cancer Society. With growing support, the group did it again the next year and it was an even greater success with more participants and even more money raised for cancer research.

Now, the race is back for 2016, and it is turning into one of the major 5K events during the spring season for the Triangle area. They are hoping that more people will enjoy the race, and that they will raise more money for the American Cancer Society.

Raleigh Dermatologist, Lisa Christman, MD, is sponsoring Running Over Cancer in support of American Cancer SocietyThe race is organized by the Ravens in the Hood (Hood to Coast) relay team and Ravenscroft School Running Club. The race also wouldn’t be possible without help of the American Cancer Society, the generous corporate sponsors and the great community volunteers. The race will be held in Cary at the WakeMed Soccer Park on the afternoon of April 3, 2016.

We recommend that you remember to apply sunscreen whether you are a participant, volunteer, or supporter. The best way to prevent skin cancer is to take precautions and to visit your dermatologist for full skin exams.

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School Has Started Again, and so Has Bullying

Studies show that about 49% of children with skin conditions get bullied. The most common conditions are acne, exczema, birthmarks, and hair loss. Dr. Lisa Christman, a Raleigh dermatologist can help treat skin conditions in children.Are children with skin conditions more likely to be bullied?

Many schools in the Raleigh-Durham opened their doors this week for the 2015-2016 school year. We all know that there will always be a few kids who will bully some of their classmates, especially those who have visible differences. At the 41st Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, a group of investigators presented the results of their observational study about pediatric skin conditions and bullying. They found that almost half of the children enrolled in the study have experienced bullying due to their skin conditions including acne, birthmarks, eczema, and hair loss. The study revealed that only 10% of the children had ever been asked by a medical professional if they had experienced bullying.

While this information may not surprising, we do hope that it will serve as a reminder to medical professionals, teachers, and parents to be aware, to initiate conversations, and to answer questions as they arise. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) manages and funds Camp Discovery, a camp for children who can’t attend regular camps due to their serious skin conditions.