January Newsletter
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"Skin with Altitude" is a newsletter brought to you by Vail | Aspen | Breckenridge | Glenwood Dermatology. We are celebrating our 15th year! Our practice continues to grow by referrals from our loyal patients.Thank you for your trust in us. We would love to hear your questions, comments, and concerns - please email them to info@vaildermatology.com.  
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Visit us to hear about our specials and the latest in skin research.
In This Issue
Winter Skincare Tips
Julia Kreger, MD Offers Tips To Save Your Skin From Winter's Harsh Months

What's the best way to keep winter skin moisturized?

Dr. Kreger: Harsh winter weather calls for extra protection. When skin gets dry and itchy in the winter, switch your moisturizer to an oil-based cream (as opposed to water-based lotions). These are more effective at replacing the moisture in our skin. Maintaining our natural skin oils is also important. This can be achieved by reducing the frequency of bathing, limiting hot water use, and using natural fragrance-free soaps. Adding a humidifier to your home can help as well.

Do you have any favorite products for a winter skincare routine?

Dr. Kreger: Just like my closet, my skincare routine undergoes a winter remodel every year. I use a combination of products that you can find at the drugstore and through your dermatologist. Make sure they contain some of the hydration-boosting superstars, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and alpha hydroxy acids. Some of my favorites include:
What is one simple step locals can take to protect skin every day?

Dr. Kreger: Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! Even in the winter months, the Colorado sunshine is fierce. Be sure to choose a sunscreen with an SPF greater than 30 with broad-spectrum protection.

What special services does Glenwood Dermatology offer this season?

Dr. Kreger: Winter is a perfect time to correct hyperpigmentation, the cause of age spots and melasma. Cool weather and fewer hours of sunlight make this a great time for chemical peels, Fraxel laser, and intense pulse light treatments to reverse these dark areas on the face, chest, and arms.
Glenwood Dermatology Winter Specials
Now - January 31st

Oxygeneo Facial

A new skin rejuvenation treatment that utilizes microdermabrasion and ultrasound to exfoliate and give your skin a natural, healthy glow.

Winter Special: $150
Regular Price: $200
Perfect Peel

A revolutionary peel that will transform your skin into looking younger, healthier and clearer in just one week.


Winter Special: $225
Regular Price: $295
Microneedling

This collagen induction treatment involves a tool called a dermapen that make little holes in the top layers of skin to help with facial rejuvenation.

Winter Special: $325
Regular Price: $400
In-Office Prescription Program
Introducing Vail | Aspen | Breckenridge | Glenwood Dermatology In-office Prescription Program. It's a convenient medication dispensing program that allows our patients to get prescriptions in our office; no need to go to the pharmacy or hassle with insurance. Although these prescriptions would ordinarily come with a premium price, we will be offering them for less than the cost of your insurance co-pay.

This new option enables us to create a more convenient solution than sending you to the pharmacy, help control and minimize the out-of-pocket expense to you, and effectively prescribe medication without the interference of insurance companies.

As always, you have the freedom to choose. If you feel that this service is not right for you, please tell your provider that you prefer to receive your medications from the pharmacy.

Where does the medication come from?

We've partnered with a Federal Drug Administration (FDA) laboratory to customize the pharmaceutical prescription medications that we prescribe our patients. The FDA approved and HIPAA compliant company we are working with, Prescriber's Choice, compounds your medications specifically, using purer ingredients for superior products.

Is this program in the best interest of the patient?

Studies have shown that up to 30% of patients never get their prescriptions filled. When a patient leaves their provider's office with medication in hand, compliance rates dramatically increase. Not including travel time, wait times at many pharmacies can be hours. So the option to get prescriptions filled in-office is especially meaningful to patients suffering acute sickness, pain, or who are elderly or have young children.

What Medications do you dispense?

We currently dispense 22 of our most frequently prescribed medications for the most common dermatology conditions and they range in price from $35-65.

How do I pay for my prescription?

We accept cash, check, debit, credit card or HSA when checking out at the cosmetic desk. With this program we are not allowed to bill our patients' insurance, but you can submit your cost to your Health Savings Account for reimbursement. So immediately following your appointment you pay for any medication prescribed you and walk out the door with it in your hand. No extra trip to the pharmacy. Now you can take the medication right away, no waiting for prior authorizations only to be told by the insurance company they won't pay for your prescription.

What if I'm not satisfied with the medication I get through this program?

You will get your money back and we will prescribe an alternative. For a refund, patients simply go to www.prescriberschoice.com, click on Customer Service, and fill out the form with all required details to receive reimbursement in about three to four weeks.
Skin Tags
Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are painless, noncancerous growths on the skin. These growths are right on the surface of the skin and even seem to sprout from a thin stalk of skin and hang off the body.

Skin tags are usually flesh-colored growths but some may be darker in color. Skin tags are common in both men and women, especially after age 50. They can appear anywhere on your body, though they're commonly found in places where your skin folds or rubs together. These places include:
  • Armpits 
  • Neck
  • Eyelids
  • Under breast
  • Groin
  • Thighs
How do I tell it's a skin tags?

The main way to identify a skin tag is the way it sprouts out from the skin. Unlike most moles and other skin growths, these skin tags almost look like they are hanging off the skin from their thin stalk. Skin tags are usually smooth and smaller than 2 millimeters in size, although some can grow to several centimeters. These tags may be round and smooth or wrinkled and asymmetrical. Skin tags are usually flesh-colored growths but some may be darker in color.

How to remove skin tags

Skin tags are usually harmless and do not require treatment. In some cases, tiny skin tags will just rub off on their own. If your skin tag becomes irritated or bothersome, your provider can remove. Small skin tags usually do not require anesthesia. Your provider may use a local anesthesia when removing larger or multiple skin tags. 
  • Cryotherapy: Freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen.
  • Electrocautery: Burning off the skin tag with high-frequency electrical energy.
  • Ligation: Removing the skin tag by tying it off with surgical thread in order to cut off its blood flow.
What causes skin tags?

It's unclear exactly what causes skin tags. Since they usually show up in skin folds, friction may play a role. Skin tags are made up of blood vessels and collagen surrounded by an outer layer of skin. Skin tags aren't contagious. There may be a genetic connection. You may be at greater risk of getting skin tags if you:
  • are overweight
  • are pregnant
  • have family members who have skin tags
Skin tags don't become skin cancer. Irritation may occur if they rub with clothing, jewelry, or other skin. Shave with caution around skin tags. Shaving off a skin tag won't cause permanent damage, though it may cause pain and prolonged bleeding. If you develop a skin tag, it may not be cause for concern. For most people, skin tags are just a nuisance. If they don't bother you, and you're sure of the diagnosis, you can leave them alone. Keep in mind that where you have one skin tag, more may appear.

Is skin tag removal covered by insurance?

Skin tags, even if irritated are benign lesions that are not covered by insurance. We offer a cosmetic skin tag removal fee ranging from $250-500 depending on the amount of skin tags you are wanting removed.
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