Welcome to this week's edition of the ​Above & Beyond Dermatology​ Newsletter.

Thanks for reading. Feedback is encouraged and appreciated. If there's something you'd like to see more (or less) of here, please let me know by replying to this email. I want this to be worth your time and attention.

If you have a dermatology or other health-related question that you'd like me to answer in the newsletter, let me know!

At a glance (for my skimmers — I see and honor you 🙏)

• 💈Did Tax Day Make Your Hair Fall Out?
• 🎙️Episodes #017, #018 and #019 of The Direct Care Derm​
• 🎤Dr. Lewellis on Episode #130 of Dermasphere​
• 🎗️Kicking Off Skin Cancer Awareness Month​
• 🚨Special Offer for Wisconsin Residents

💈Did Tax Day Make Your Hair Fall Out?

If so, you're not alone.

One of my favorite diagnoses to make is telogen effluvium, an abrupt, severe, and typically self-resolving form of hair loss that is associated with stressful events (think big surgeries, accidents, loss of a loved one or relationship, crash diets, etc). It can also be caused by certain medications.

This is one of my favorite diagnoses to make because it's often terrifying to people who are experiencing it, and I get to put them at ease and reassure them that this scary story will likely have a happy ending.

I also get to give some tips about how to optimize the regrowth process, and guide them through lifestyle changes that will make them healthier in general and could make them less likely to experience another episode of telogen effluvium in the future. Double win!

I like to direct patients with this diagnosis to an excellent article by Amanda Mull that initially appeared in the November 2021 issue of The Atlantic called The Year America's Hair Fell Out.
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The subheading says it all: "The pandemic has been a near-perfect mass hair-loss event."​
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Ms. Mull does an excellent job of describing the concept and experience of telogen effluvium from a lay person's perspective. I'm grateful to be able to share her work with my patients.

🎙️Episodes #017, #018 and #019 of The Direct Care Derm​

Check out some clips from the latest podcast episodes!
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Episode #019 features Dr. Miguel Villacorta of Galt Dermatology & Concierge Medicine, but there were some technical difficulties with the video feed on that one, so I'm only including clips from #017 (Dr. Susan Baumgaertel, founder of myMDadvocate) and #018 (Matt Ohrt, Co-Founder of Self Fund Health).

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🎤Dr. Lewellis on Episode #130 of Dermasphere​

I recently had the pleasure of joining Drs. Luke Johnson and Michelle Tarbox on their excellent podcast, Dermasphere, which they describe as a podcast by dermatologists, for dermatologists (and for the dermatologically curious).
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I've long been a fan of the show, and it was an honor to be a guest. Thanks in advance if you decide to check it out — you just might learn something.

🎗️Kicking Off Skin Cancer Awareness Month​

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and today (May 6th) is Melanoma Monday!

Per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

On Melanoma Monday, the AAD encourages all Americans to begin a lifelong habit of examining their skin for signs of skin cancer.
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The AAD began Melanoma Monday on Monday, May 1, 1995 and has observed it every year since. Melanoma Monday always occurs during Skin Cancer Awareness Month on the first Monday in May.

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This year, Melanoma Monday is Monday, May 6, 2024.
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​Key facts to know about melanoma​
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Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. In 2024, it’s estimated that more than 200,340 melanomas will be diagnosed and about 8,290 people will die of melanoma.
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That’s why the AAD encourages everyone to begin a lifelong habit of checking their skin by performing skin self-exams.
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​Here’s why these exams are so important: ​
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Caught early, melanoma is highly treatable.
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Melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin, including skin that’s had plenty of sun exposure and skin that’s usually protected from the sun.
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Melanoma can develop under or around a fingernail or toenail.
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You can find melanoma early by examining your skin for the ABCDEs of melanoma and checking your nails.
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Dermatologists encourage everyone to check their skin for signs of skin cancer. People of all skin tones develop skin cancer. By checking your skin, you can find signs early.

As a member of the AAD Media Expert Team, I'm doing my best to spread the word about Practicing Safe Sun. From the AAD:

Sun protection can reduce your skin cancer risk​
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Protecting your skin from the sun plays a key role in preventing skin cancer. However, a 2024 AAD survey found that more than 1 in 3 Americans (36%) said they had a sunburn in 2023. This is a significant increase over 2022.
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The 2024 survey also revealed that Gen Z adults were less likely than adults in other generations to know key facts that can help them protect their skin from the sun. Here are key facts to know:
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When you’re outdoors, protect your skin by seeking shade, wearing sun-protective clothing, and applying sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, and an SPF of 30 or higher. The AAD calls this
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Practicing Safe Sun
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​Sun protection is important every day of the year. You can get sunburned on a cloudy day and during the winter.
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You need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. It’s a myth that higher SPF sunscreens can be applied less frequently.
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To learn how to use shade, clothing, and sunscreen to protect your skin, go to Practice Safe Sun.

My big 3 when it comes to practicing safe sun are:

• Seek shade when available.
• Wear a hat with a broad brim and embrace other forms of sun protective clothing.
• Make a habit of applying SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to at least your face, ears, and neck every morning and when you expect to be outside for longer periods of time. Your 20-years-from-now self will thank you.

🚨Special Offer for Wisconsin Residents

I'm offering a limited number of virtual 60-minute (!) dermatology consultations to residents of Wisconsin (including minors if accompanied by a legal guardian) for just $97.

As if the price isn't crazy enough, I'm also offering a 100% no questions asked money back guarantee if you don't like what I'm serving as long as you ask for it within 7 days of your appointment.

If you've been struggling with something like eczema, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, warts, hair loss, perioral dermatitis (those crazy-making and mysterious little bumps and rashes around the mouth/nose/eyes), excessive sweating, dry/itchy skin, etc, consider grabbing this offer while it lasts.

Or, if you just want to talk about how you can better support the health of your skin, hair, and nails in an integrative, holistic way, I'm all about that and would be happy to help.

The price includes the initial consultation and ordering of any prescriptions and blood tests as deemed appropriate. You and/or your health insurance company would be responsible for the actual cost of any medications and tests/procedures that are recommended if you choose to pursue them.

You can also gift this offer as long as the recipient is a Wisconsin resident and is at least 18 years of age or would be accompanied by a legal guardian at the visit.

​Check it out here!​

If you have any questions about it, you can simply reply to this email or text me at 715-391-9774.

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to each of you for being one of my first 192 subscribers! It means the world to me. If you know anyone else who may enjoy or benefit from this newsletter, please share this note with them or send them here to sign up and get a free gift from me. Talk soon, Stephen P.S. — Above & Beyond Dermatology, my integrative dermatology practice is OPEN for virtual AND in-person visits (house calls, too!) to residents of Wisconsin and virtual visits for residents of Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska, and Alabama. If you or someone you know lives in one of these states and is looking for a dermatologist, simply email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com, text me at 715-391-9774, or fill out this short form and I'll be in touch. I know cost is always a concern when it comes to healthcare, so I'm happy to give you a no obligation, good faith estimate over the phone. ​​​​​​ ​ ​

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