Dr. Marc Darst, MD

Acne Treatment Options
Acne is not a condition limited to teenagers. Many adults also experience acne for a variety of reasons. At its core, acne is caused when a hair follicle or pore fills with oil produced by the sebaceous gland. Acne can appear as whiteheads, blackheads, small red lesions, pustules, or cysts. Acne is most noticeable on your face, but it can also occur on your chest, back, legs, arms, or shoulders. Several medications can be used to treat acne. Benzoyl peroxide helps to break down blemishes a...

Rosacea Treatment Summary
Rosacea is a skin condition caused by swollen blood vessels located just under the skin’s surface, resulting in red blotches and dilated blood vessels on the central face. It may also result in acne rosacea – blemishes that look similar to acne. Rosacea isn’t harmful, but the reddish blotches and pimples can make people self-conscious. In ocular rosacea, swelling and redness occur in and around the eyes, which can potentially harm your vision. Dr. Darst offers a variety o...

Tips for Preventing Poison Oak & Ivy
Avoidance is the best prevention against the rash we get from coming in contact with poison ivy or its cousins, poison oak, and poison sumac. We are not born with an allergy to the oil in the poison ivy/oak/sumac leaft. After exposure to the oil, our body develops an allergy. This may take as little as one exposure or many exposures. Because it can take several exposures, you will meet people who brag that they can roll around in it and it does not affect them. (FYI- not the best idea!) So...

Mineral-Based Sunscreen. Is It Worth the Extra Cost?
There are two types of sunscreen, “chemical” and “physical” blockers. Physical blockers are made of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are small fragments of minerals that reflect the light, thus are protective against both UVA and UVB radiation. Chemical blockers are composed of several different chemicals that each absorbs various wavelengths of UVA, UVB rays, or a combination of both. These chemicals soak into the skin, thus need to be applied 20-30 minutes prio...

Doxycycline: "Low-Dose" vs. Regular. What's the Difference?
Doxycycline and minocycline are oral antibiotics that may be used to fight infections, but also have anti-inflammatory properties. The reason I use them in the treatment of skin disorders, such as rosacea and acne, is for their anti-inflammatory properties, not to kill bacteria. This is because the underlying problem for these skin conditions is primarily due to inflammation, not infection. Oracea is a relatively new “low dose” preparation of doxycycline. It has enough medicine...

Contact Dermatitis in Charlotte, NC
First, you must identify what has caused the inflammation. Dr. Darst may be able to identify the culprit by taking your history and examining the eruption. If the cause is not readily apparent, Dr. Darst may ask you to stop using several topical or oral products for a period of up to one month. If the rash clears, one product at a time will be added back until a product that causes the rash is discovered. That way, you ca...

Acne Medication Savings
Click on the medication image to access medication savings from the manufacturer. In most cases, this form must be submitted along with proof of having purchased the medication from the pharmacy. ...

Can I switch the biologic medications I’m using to treat my psoriasis?
Yes, you can switch biologic medications for psoriasis if one is not working effectively. Biologic medications are a class of drugs that target specific parts of the immune system that are involved in...

How is atopic dermatitis different from eczema?
Atopic dermatitis and eczema are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing. Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema.Eczema is a general term that refers to a group of condition...

What is the treatment for psoriasis on the scalp?
Treatment for psoriasis on the scalp typically involves a combination of topical and systemic therapies.Topical treatments include:Shampoos containing salicylic acid, coal tar, or sulfur, which can he...

What is the treatment for skin cancer?
Treatment for skin cancer will depend on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the location and size of the tumor, and the patient's overall health. The main treatment options for skin canc...