Dermatologist Dr Rhonda Meys

On Wednesday 14th June, it's Humanitarian Day at DermaMed Dermatology clinic. Anyone who doesn't have access to health insurance can come and be seen by our Consultant Dermatologists for free. We even have some free medicines and Iftars (thanks to our sponsors) to give out to patients that need it. If you know any workers that have skin conditions such as bad acne, psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo or an undiagnosed skin rash and who should see a dermatologist - please encourage them to come to the DermaMed Clinic, 1st Floor Wafi Mall on Wednesday.

This is helpful to know for women with acne - that one of the mainstays of acne treatment, topical retinoids (such as Epiduo, Retin-A, Acretin) may be safe if inadvertently used as a topical cream during pregnancy.
However, dermatologists still advise to discontinue topical retinoids if there is even a small chance of pregnancy. There are safer alternatives for acne e.g. Azelaic acid (Skinoren) cream and topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide.
The oral acne treatment isotretinoin (Roaccutance) is still very much contraindicated during conception and in pregnancy.

Tada, Y. (2015), What is the risk of inadvertent exposure to topical retinoids during first trimester pregnancy?. Br J Dermatol, 173: 1117-1118. doi: 10.1111/bjd.14191

Increased hair fall is completely normal post partum but can be distressing.

After having a baby, many new moms start to experience excessive hair shedding. The good news is it’s temporary, but here are some hair care tips to try in the meantime: http://ow.ly/YLl3P

What are the causes of skin ageing in women? It seems that in non-smokers, weight (body mass index), chronological age and hormonal status are better predictors of biological skin age than measurements by a machine designed to quantify skin damage (arm skin autofluorescence).

Skin ageing is a growing topic of interest both from a medical and a commercial point of view. Skin ageing is caused by both intrinsic factors (meaning inbuilt, natural factors such as your genes) and extrinsic factors (meaning external and lifestyle factors, like smoking and sun exposure) causing some people to look old and others to look young for their age........

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjd.14211/full -sec-0007

Body mass index, chronological age and hormonal status are better predictors of biological... Psoriasis is a chronic (long term) inflammatory disease, and it mainly affects the skin. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's own defence system, the immune system, which usually fights off disease and infection, actually attacks healthy cells. Treatments for psoriasis include di…

Have you ever wondered about the meaning and implication of the SPF (sun protection factor) on the label of sunscreens?

Find out by clicking on the link below:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjd.14211/full -sec-0007

Plain Language Summaries - 2015 - British Journal of Dermatology - Wiley Online Library Patients and/or caregivers may access this content for use in relation to their own personal healthcare or that of a family member only. Terms and conditions will apply.

Fantastic news - the English version of the DermaMed Website is now up and running
http://dermamed.ae/en/

Home dermamed

SKIN CANCER AND ATHLETES
The UAE is an incredibly sunny country year round and it is very easy to accumulate excessive sun exposure either chronically over time or acutely with a red, painful sunburn.
There are some 'golden rules' for exercising in the sun:
1) Cover up as much skin as possible
2) Exercise early or late in the day (before 10am and after 4pm)
3) Apply high factor broad spectrum sunscreen - factor 30 or greater with UVA and UVB protection, at least every two hours - a shot glass full for the body and a teaspoon for the face.
4) Reapply at least ever 2 hours
5) Wear a hat.
For anyone who wants more information, this scientific article has been written by a Dermatology colleague of mine from Australia - whose brother incidentally is a red-haired triathlete.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445124/

Ultraviolet Light and Skin Cancer in Athletes The incidence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers is increasing worldwide. Ultraviolet light exposure is the most important risk factor for cutaneous melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Nonmelanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma and ...

Dr. Meys completed all of her Dermatology training (residency) in the UK, at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and at several prominent NHS teaching Hospitals in Central London (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, University College London Hospital, The Royal Free Hospitals)

Certifications
- Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) UK – Royal College of Physicians, London
- Fully Registered and Licensed to practice in UK with General Medical Council (GMC)
- GMC UK Specialist Register as Consultant Dermatologist
- MD (Res) Higher Degree by Research, Imperial College London
- Undergraduate Medical Degree, MB BS, University of Tasmania, Australia
- Membership of Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI), Dublin
- Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene London School of Tropical Medicine, UK

Current UK Position
Honorary Clinical Fellow and Locum Consultant Dermatologist, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK

Experience:
Dr. Meys completed all of her Dermatology training (residency) in the UK, at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and at several prominent NHS teaching Hospitals in Central London (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, University College London Hospital, The Royal Free Hospital) and East London (The Royal London Hospital, Whipps Cross Hospital).

Dr Meys has published numerous research and clinical papers in peer reviewed journals and co-written a book chapter on dermatological surgery. She has presented her papers at conferences in the UK and worldwide.

Areas of expertise:
General dermatological conditions in a wide variety of skin types, including: mole checks and skin cancer, paediatric dermatology, inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and blistering disorders, urticaria, hair and nail dermatology, acute and complex skin conditions, infective skin problems, warts and ge***al dermatology.