The Doctors’ Choice Awards has listed Dr. Devgan in its annual list of top 100 doctors.
Doctors who make the annual list are “recognized for having attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.”
Dr. Devgan was selected from among 6,000 nominees this year. Check out the full list of winners here.
Dr. Devgan is featured on MindBodyGreen, a boutique online health and wellness magazine that has been featured in The New York Times and Vogue.
Image credit Shutterstock
by Dr. Lara Devgan
Most of us don't give a second thought to those pesky moles and freckles that crop up on our bodies over time. We're healthy, and we take care of ourselves, we think. They must be nothing, right?
Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than two million people diagnosed every year.
In fact, each year, there are more new cases of skin cancer than new cases of breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer COMBINED. One in five Americans will get skin cancer, and one in three Caucasians will get basal cell carcinoma (the most common form of skin cancer) over the course of their lives.
If it's new, different from other spots, or in any way concerning, see a doctor. Many people use the "ABCDE" rule.
If the spot is asymmetrical, lopsided, or uneven looking, it could be a cancer. Most normal moles and freckles are even circles or ovals.
If the spot has a jagged or irregular border, it could be a cancer. Most normal moles have a smooth straight-line border.
If the spot has a variable color or several different colors, it could be a cancer. Most normal moles are even in pigmentation.
If the spot is larger than 4 to 6 mm in diameter (about the size of a pencil eraser), it could be a cancer. Most normal spots are small.
If the spot is evolving, growing, or changing over time, it could be a cancer. Most normal moles, freckles, and birth marks are relatively constant over time.
Make this a habit with absolutely no exceptions, like brushing your teeth or putting on your shoes. Sunscreen is a must.
Try to avoid spending time outside between 10am and 2pm, when the sun's rays are the strongest. Almost half of our lifetime sun exposure occurs between ages 19 and 40, when it's common to spend a lot of time outdoors.
Do a monthly surveillance of spots on your body. Pay attention to any changes. See a dermatologist regularly for skin exams.
Skin cancers that are caught early are extremely survivable and treatable, and surgery to remove them is much less disfiguring. See your doctor right away for any concerns.
Click to read Dr. Devgan's piece "How to spot skin cancer"
Dr. Devgan is featured on MindBodyGreen, a boutique online health and wellness magazine that has been featured in The New York Times and Vogue. She shares her tips on how to look your best-- naturally.
Click to read Dr. Devgan's piece "Look Your Best Naturally: A Plastic Surgeon Shares Her 5 Top Tips"
by Dr. Lara Devgan
Whether you're in your 30s or your 70s, we've all had days when we look and feel tired, haggard, or upset. As a plastic surgeon, I can attest to the fact that medical treatments do work. But Botox and facelifts are not for everyone, and many people prefer simpler, less invasive approaches.
Here are a few ways you can perk up your look without ever setting foot in a plastic surgeon's office:
1. Give some love to your eyebrows.
The eyebrows frame the eyes and serve as a visual centerpiece of the face. Well-proportioned brows can help a face achieve aesthetic harmony. For a woman, classically attractive, youthful eyebrows share some important features: they are positioned slightly above the brow bone, they are a bit thicker than you might think, and they're arched above the lateral third of the eye.
For a man, the ideal brows sit lower, right on the brow bone, and they have only the slightest hint of an arch. Consider growing in or thickening your eyebrows with a brow pencil. Take a close look at where they arch, and make sure that point is above the lateral third of the eye. Also keep in mind that the ideal color of an eyebrow is about half a shade darker than the hair.
2. Hair: hold the highlights.
Highlights are fun in your twenties, but as you age, they can make hair appear more brittle and dry. The most youthful hair looks for women in their thirties and beyond are generally even, lustrous shades that complement your skin tone. Using an oil-based serum can smooth the hair shaft and keep hair looking silky. Of course, much about your hair depends on your personal style, genetics, and coloring, but many women find that wearing their hair slightly longer and darker helps maintain a fresher look.
3. Be vigilant about sunscreen.
There are literally thousands of sunscreens on the market, and even for the savviest shoppers, making the right choice can be overwhelming. Plastic surgeons believe that the best sunscreens contain both zinc and titanium — metal pigments that physically block UVA and UVB rays from damaging your skin. I wear SPF 50, which blocks 98% of the sun's rays from hitting your skin, every day, rain or shine, and I recommend that my patients do the same. There is no need to splurge on expensive department store brands — just carefully check the labels at the drug store.
4. Choose skincare products wisely.
I'm a big fan of skin care products with retinols, which increase the rate of cell turnover and improve the skin's texture. Many over-the-counter products contain retinols, but higher strength retinols require a prescription. If you decide to use a retinol to improve your skin, remember that they are not safe for pregnant or lactating women. They also make your skin extra-sensitive to the sun, so you should always wear sunscreen.
5. Remember your mom's advice.
Some of the best ways to keep a youthful glow are the tried and true long-term ones that our parents have been telling us about since we were kids: getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and eating a balanced diet rich in leafy green vegetables. It turns out that Mom was right, and these strategies are excellent long-term ones.