Over 50% of women consider their skin to be sensitive and intolerant to many skincare products.  Their symptoms may include redness, scaling, tightening, and occasional tingling, or itching.  It does not help that cosmetics are some ofthe least regulated consumer products on the market.  Our cosmetic industry uses over 12,000 chemical ingredients in personal care products-the vast majority of which have never been tested for safety.  

Scientists are  increasingly linking chemicals in personal care products to skin allergies, even learning disabilities, or cancer.  Carcinogens like formaldehyde, neurotoxins like lead and mecury, endocrine disrupters like phthalates, may be found in cosmetics and personal care items. 

Many ingredients commonly found in makeup, hair care products, moisturizers, soaps, cleaning supplies, or disinfectants, commonly cause skin allergies.   Allergic contact dermatitis it typically diagnosed by performing patch tests.  At Dr. Sommerville’s dermatology practice in Chevy Chase, Maryland, we offer a T.R.U.E. TEST, a reliable, easy to use patch test.  T.R.U.E. test contains 28 different substances (allergens)known to cause allergic contact dermatitis.  These include such frequent ingredients of skincare products as parabens, fragrance mix, Quarternium-16, formaldehyde, imidazolidinyl urea, and others.

Cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Margaret Sommerville, offers many elegant, carefully researched, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and paraben-free skincare products at her Chevy Chase dermatology practice.  Dr. Sommerville personally designs an optimal, unique skincare regimen for all of her clients with sensitive, or allergy-prone skin.

Cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Margaret Sommerville, welcomes patients from the entire Washington, DC metropolitan area including Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Olney in Maryland, as well as Arlington, McLean, and Great Falls in Virginia.

Microdermabrasion improves the appearance of sun damage, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acne.  At our Chevy Chase practice located near Washington, DC, we utilize an advanced patented Swiss technology delivering gentle abrasion with genuine sapphire-coated tips attached to a vibrating probe.  This crystal-free, suction-free technique is painless, yet very effective.  It can be combined with vitamin infused exfoliation or red monochromatic and blue L.E.D. light therapy.  Our patients are delighted with the results! 

We generally recommend a series of 6 treatments spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart.  There is no downtime associated with sapphire microdermabrasion.  In fact, our clients find the procedure relaxing.   

Sapphire microdermabrasion is suitable for all skin types.  By exfoliating the superficial layer of epidermis, it accelerates cell turnover and allows for better penetration of topical skin therapies.  This gentle procedure is a great alternative to acid-based chemical peels which may not be appropriate for those with very sensitive skin.  Sunscreen and gentle lipid serum is applied after each treatment.  Make-up may also be applied following the procedure.

Cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Margaret Sommerville, welcomes patients from the entire Washington, DC metropolitan area including Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Olney in Maryland, as well as Arlington, McLean, and Great Falls in Virginia.

Latisse is the first and only FDA-approved product indicated to treat hypotrichosis of the eyelashes by increasing their thickness, length, and darkness.

Since its FDA approval in December 2008, Latisse has become one of the most requested beauty treatments in the U.S.  This prescription-only solution is applied nightly to the upper eyelid margin at the base of the eyelashes.

Allergan announced that actress Claire Danes will be the new face for Latisse!  She joins Brooke Shields who has been an effective spokesperson for Latisse since its introduction.

Latisse is the perfect compliment to Botox Cosmetic which is widely used for erasing or softening wrinkles around the eye area.  Botox Cosmetic is a proven treatment for the dynamic wrinkles such as the frown lines, crow’s feet, and horizontal forehead lines.

Cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Margaret Sommerville, welcomes patients from the entire Washington, DC metropolitan area including Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Olney in Maryland, as well as Arlington, McLean, and Great Falls in Virginia.