By Rev. Jill Carl
I first met Dr. Micki Ly when I was acting as the chauffeur for a friend undergoing a surgical procedure. She was as engaging and informative then as she is today.
During medical school, she became bored with the subject matter and took a year off. She spent her time in pathology research, learning everything there is to know about the inner body. While volunteering at a free clinic, she came to realize that dermatology was the only thing that ignited her passion. So, she returned to Ohio State and completed her medical degree, residency, and specialty.
About 11 years ago, Dr. Ly came to Maui to enjoy the sun, sand and surf. Like so many before her, she fell in love and asked herself, "What if?" She returned to Ohio, only to long for the glorious weather of Maui. She applied for and landed a position here with Kaiser Permanente. Five years later she started her private practice, which is thriving in Kahului today.
Dr. Ly finds dermatology quite unique, like "playing detective" and explains that Derm is the study of the skin, hair and nails. She can tell what is going on in a person simply by looking at those three things, since signs of problems will manifest on the skin first. This is why she suggests a yearly exam. She says treatment for most skin issues can be simple if caught early enough.
The skin is the body's largest organ and there are some simple dos and don'ts when it comes to caring for our skin, especially living on sunny Maui where there is a higher rate of skin cancer. Some sun is good, provides Vitamin D, but as with most things, a little goes a long way. Dr. Ly suggests we avoid the sun whenever possible, between 10am and 4pm and when it's not possible, wear sunscreen, preferably a SPF 30 "physical" sun block, zinc oxide, which blocks both the UVA and UVB rays, and can now be found in a cosmetically elegant form, meaning no longer white.
A chemical sunscreen needs to be applied 30 minutes prior to going out in the sun before protection begins, and then reapplied often. In addition to sunscreen, she recommends that to keep youthful skin, you drink plenty of water, moisturize with a water-based product, take anti-oxidants, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C as a topical, making sure it penetrates. And if you are over 30 , Retin A slows the aging process and also helps acne. Dr. Ly says that if you did not have acne as a teen, you can have a second chance in your 30s and 40s - lucky us!
Besides cancer, other things that can plague the skin are natural aging and volume loss due to weight loss. One benefit to a little extra weight is its "plumping" effect on the face. Short of this, there are "volumizing" procedures: filler is used to replace the collagen loss and can last six months to two years, or permanently, depending on the procedure chosen.
Healthy and aesthetically alluring skin can enhance your attractiveness and self-esteem. Dr. Ly has a busy, thriving practice due to her extensive knowledge, surgical experience with a specialty in eye lid surgery, personable demeanor and devotion to her patients, as well as her ability to make them feel as if they are in very good hands. If you have questions or concerns, you can reach Dr. Ly's office at 808.877.6526.
Rev. Jill Carl is an ordained Religious Science minister who lives in Kihei. To reach her call 808. 891.1688.
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