Derm 101  
Skin, Hair, & Nails

Learn about the basic structure of the skin by clicking on one of the posts.

Derm 101

Basic Structure of Skin : Part I

Basic Structure of Skin : Part II

Basic Structure of Skin : Part III

Basic Structure of Skin : Hair

Basic Structure of Skin : Nails

Your Guide to Scalp Health

Common Skin Health Concerns

Learn more about common skin health concerns

Abrasion

Acne vs Rosacea

Acne : Blackheads, how to extract a clogged pore

Acne : Body Acne

Acne : Cystic Acne & Accutane

Acne : ...Down There...

Acne : Subclinical Acne

Breast Size : The impact on your skin

Burns: A Quick Guide

Chapped Lips : Your Complete Guide

Dark Under Eye Circles

Eyes : How to soothe the delicate skin under the eyes

Hair Loss

Hair Loss : PCOS Related

Hair Loss : Home Remedies

Hair Thinning

Lice : When to see a doctor

Maskne : It's a thing.

Nail Biting : Onychophagia

Nail Hue : How the color your nails can reflect your health

Nail Texture : How the texture of your nails can reflect your health

PCOS : Hair loss

Perleche : Dry corners of the mouth

Photosensitivity, photoallergic, phototoxicity and autoimmune rashes

Psoriasis

Rosacea : A Basic Guide 

Rosacea : Foods and Rosacea

Scars : A Basic Guide 

Skin of Color : Special diagnostic clues

Stretch Marks

Sweating : from the neck up!

Sweating : Night Sweats

Ticks

Viral Rashes

COVID Rashes

Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

Other Skin Stuff

Learn about common skin related questions

Acne Scars

Body Odor: Can you identify the cause?

Breast Size : How his can impact your skin

Daily Skin Habit : Moisturizer

Medications : Generic vs Brand Names

Gross Bodiy Functions

Hair Removal : Sensitive skin

How to Wash your Face

Infant Bathing Routine

Jewelry : Rashes from your favorite jewelry

Lunchtime Beauty

Rosacea and Food Triggers

Self Care : Starts with Skin Care

Skin Care Routine : How long to see results?!

Skin Fatigue

Skin Myths

Does shaving make your hair grow back more?

Does skin of color have different skin care needs?

Does skin of color not get skin cancer?

Can cold water on your face shrink your pores?

Tattoos

Makeup coverup options

Tattoo Removal

Toxic Cleaning Combinations

Weddings : Get your skin ready!

Skin Care Products

Learn more about skin care products

Aftershave : How to choose the right one

Anti Aging : Best OTC Anti Aging Products

Basics of Skin Care

BB Creams

Body Wash

Deodorant

Can you develop an allergy to your deodorant?

Can your deodorant stop working?

Deodorant : Crystal Deodorant

Deodorant : Natural Deodorant

Drugstore Picks by Aisle for Acne, Anti aging, Sunscreen

Dry Brushing

Essences

Exfoliants : Physical and Chemical

Eye Creams : How to choose

Jade Rollers

LED Face Masks

Lip Balms

Loofahs

Magnetic Eyelashes

Mascara

Microdermabrasion at-home Kits

Moisturizers

Morning SPF 

Neutrogena MaskID

Razors : Straight, Cartridge, and Electric, A Complete Guide

Scalp Exfoliation

Serums

Shampoo : How to choose the right one

Shampoo : Clarifying Shampoos

Shampoo : Color Treated Hair

Shampoo : Dry Shampoos

Shampoo : Dry Scalp Shampoo

Shampoo : Natural Shampoos

Shampoo : Shampoo Bars

Sunscreen : How to choose the right one

Sunscreen : Reef Safe Sunscreen : What does this mean?

Youthful Glow - without Botox

Textiles

Learn more about textiles

Bamboo

Bed Sheets : A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Set of Sheets

Bra Hygiene

Body Surface Area : Parametric clothing design reduces the need for sunscreen products

Face Mask : Fit matters

Silk Face Masks?

Routine & Seasonal Considerations

Learn more about routine skin needs

Aging and the Skin : How our skin changes with age

Blue Light 

Fake Tan : How to shave with a fake tan

Fall skin : Do's and Don'ts

Hair Dye : At Home versus Salon Color

Hair Dye : At Home Color Mistakes to Avoid 

Hair Oiling : Indian Hair Oiling- Learn more about this technique

Hands : Dry cracked skin

Hat Head : Tips on how to avoid

High Heels and Your Toes

Holiday Skin Care Tips

Morning SPF 

Scalp health & Hair growth

Shaving : When not to shave

Showering : How often should we be showering?

Skin care trends in the age of COVID

Sun Safety Trends

Sunscreen: Why we should wear this year round

Wedding Day : Getting your skin ready for the big day!

Winter Skin : Must haves for Dry Skin, Breakouts, Static

Ingredients Matter

Learn about products and their ingredients

Aluminum 

Ammonia 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Bakuchiol | An alternative retinol

Bananas

Bees : Apitherapy

Caffeine

CBD

Charcoal

Coconut Oil

Cucumber

EGCG

Emu Oil

Henna

Hyaluronic Acid

Lead acetate

Niacinamide

Niacinamide + Vitamin C

Oxybenzone

Paraphenylenediamine

Peroxide

Potato Slices

Pumpkin

Rose, Rose Extract

Rose Hip Oil

Salicylic Acid

Tea Tree Oil

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Witch Hazel

Skin Recipes

Enjoy some skin recipes and learn about foods and your skin!

Cuticles : DIY Cuticle Cream

Face Mask : Avocado, Honey & Coconut Oil 

Foods Tied to Anti Aging

Deodorant: DIY Natural Deodorant Recipe

Hair Mask Recipe : Olive Oil Recipes

Hair Spray Recipe : DIY Sea Salt Hair Spray

Lip Plumper Recipe: DIY

Scalp Mask Recipe : Dry, flaky scalp

Scalp Treatment Recipe : Apple Cider Vinegar for folliculitis or dandruff

Shaving Cream Recipe : DIY

Sugar Scrub Recipe : Dry, flaky skin

Product Reviews

Check out our reviews

Aquaphor

Bare Minerals Brilliant Future Age Defense and Renew Eye Cream

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

Bare Minerals Skin Longevity Vital Power Infusion Serum

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment

Cerave Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe Retinol Serum

Clarins Tonic Body Oil Treatment

dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub

Drugstore Picks for Skin Care by Aisle

ELF Illuminating Eye Cream

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Advanced Anti Aging Smoothing Serum

Kiehls Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence

Missha First Treatment Essence Mist

Naturopathica Argan + Retinol Wrinkle Repair Night Cream

NIVEA Mens Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula

Origins: Eye Doctor Moisture Care for Skin Around the Eyes

Origins Original Skin Essence Lotion with Dual Ferment Complex

R+Co CROWN Scalp Scrub

Roc Deep Wrinkle Cream

Seventh Generation Hydrating Skin Serum.

SheaMoisture 100 % Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% plus EGCG

The Ordinary : Hyaluronic acid 2% + B5

Vanicream Lite Lotion

Glossary

Can't figure out what something is? Check out our glossary

Anti perspirant vs Deodorant

Eco Friendly Skin Care Packaging

Essences

Fingertip Unit

Non Comedogenic

Product Claims : 'Appear to have' vs 'Will have'

Product Claims : Botanical

Product Claims : ‘Maximum Strength’ vs ‘Clinical Strength’

Product Claims : "Patented Technology"

Serum

Our Journey

With years of performing thousands of skin cancer screenings annually I realized that our patients deserved better information and better choices to protect their skin.

Dr Erum Ilyas is a Board Certified Dermatologist outside of Philadelphia. 
She has been named Top Doctor for several years by Philadelphia Magazine and Main Line Today. 
She built a practice to serve her community over the course of a decade and wants to share her sun safe message with a wider audience.