Cameron Rokhsar

Dr. Cameron K. Rokhsar, M.D., F.A.A.D., an internationally renowned dermatologist and laser surgeon, is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, and the founder and medical director of the New York Cosmetic, Skin & Laser Surgery Center.
Rokhsar is a fellowship-trained cosmetic and mohs surgeon, and is considered an authority in laser surgery, including laser resurfacing, and laser treatment of wrinkles and scars. He has been selected for Castle Connolly "Top Doctors" and "Top Cosmetic Doctors" for multiple consecutive years, as well as "Top Doctors" in U.S. News & World Report.

Education

Rokhsar completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University (1994), and attended medical school at the New York University School of Medicine (1998). After his internship at Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York City (1999), he completed his dermatology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he served as chief resident in 2002. Rokhsar received fellowship training in cosmetic, mohs, and laser surgery in California.

Career

Rokhsar is a dermatologist and laser surgeon, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, and the founder and medical director of the New York Cosmetic, Skin & Laser Surgery Center. He was selected for Castle Connolly "Top Doctors" and "Top Cosmetic Doctors" for multiple consecutive years, as well as "Top Doctors" in U.S. News & World Report.

He is a fellow of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cosmetic and mohs surgeon, and an authority in laser surgery, including laser resurfacing, and laser treatment of wrinkles and scars. He is also an authority on rashes from poison ivy, sun poisoning, Lyme disease, insect bites, and heat rash.

He has been instrumental in the development of a number of laser systems, and in particular the Fraxel Laser, FDA-approved for acne scar and other treatments, which can be used not only on mature scars but on new scars as well. He said "what we noticed in this ... pilot study, is that the scars that were resurfaced right at suture removal or within two weeks of suture removal, dramatically improved after a series of five resurfacing sessions with the Fraxel laser." He reported in 2004 on the initial wide application of the Fraxel Laser at "Controversies in Laser Surgery" at Mont-Tremblant in Canada. Rokhsar reported in 2005 on the first treatment of melasma with Fraxel in "The Treatment of Melasma with Fractional Photothermolysis: A Pilot Study." He has also published a number of other articles that cover Fraxel and Laser Resurfacing.

He is credited with the development of the non-surgical nose job, and appeared on Good Morning America in 2005 to demonstrate the procedure. He also published the first article evaluating the effects of nasal fillers in nasal contouring.

With regard to scars, Rokhsar notes that burn victims may seek the help of a dermatologist after they’ve healed, since they often have debilitating scars, and their "scars are painful, they’re itchy, they’re thick, and they cause loss of function" as a result of "contracture," in which the scar tissue constricts and lessens mobility. Rokhsar said: "One of the breakthroughs in the past couple of years is the use of fractionated CO2 lasers to release the tension on those type of scars, where people can actually get function back ... The laser evaporates tiny microscopic zones of tissue, almost like it drills tiny holes in the skin in a microscopic fashion, and that allows the scar to remodel itself."

He notes that "UV radiation causes the breakdown of both collagen and elastic tissue, causing wrinkling as well as [loss of] elasticity of the skin." On the subject of sunscreen "SPF myths," Rokhsar said "My impression is that it's a numbers game that companies play — and people are under the misconception that if you buy a lotion that advertises 100 SPF, it’s three times better than a 30 SPF. That’s just not true. I tell patients to buy a SPF 30 with broad-spectrum coverage.” He suggests that people apply sunscreen every two to three hours, even if it is a brand suggesting it need only be applied once a day. He also notes that SPF clothing is 100-percent effective, that "though you can’t get as badly burnt as you would in the direct sunlight, you can still get some level of UVA rays and should still wear sunscreen if you’ll be in the car on a sunny day," that "waterproof sunscreens are better if you’re planning on going in the water because they’re oil-based, but you should always reapply," and that "people with darker skin tones have SPF built into their skin and are better protected, but it's still necessary to protect your skin from the sun."

On the subject of pre-tanning for a "base tan" in a tanning salon before vacationing in the sun, Rokhsar says a pre-tan doesn't protect one's skin from damage caused by UV exposure, and that tanning machines are not safer than direct sun exposure.

He points out that "Smoking decreases the blood supply as well as nutrients that the blood supply provides to the deep layers of the skin," which can result in a loss of elasticity, additional wrinkles, and lines around the smoker's lips.

Speaking of acne, he says that squeezing acne spots (popping pimples) will not make them less noticeable and could actually make acne worse, leading to infection and permanent acne scarring that is difficult to treat. He also advises against trying to tan acne away (ineffective, and puts a person at risk for developing skin cancer), and simply letting acne run its course.

Commenting on a study that found irritant dermatitis rates rising in hospitals that employ strict hand washing policies, Rokhsar noted that the best solution may be to use a moisturizer, commenting that "The heavier the moisturizer the better it works.... ointments work better than creams, which work better than lotions. In severe cases, we can prescribe steroid medications...."

Speaking of sagging eyelids, Rokhsar said "The most common cause .... is genetics. By looking at your parents you will have a good indicator on whether or not you’ll develop large fat pads ... Blepharoplasty is actually the only way to remove protruding fat pads, especially for those who are overweight and have an increase of fat. But for tightening skin and filling in hollow under eyes, there are a variety of nonsurgical treatments available."

As to DIY 'stick-and-poke' tattoos, a method of tattooing that is increasingly popular among young and creative people, he noted that there are some serious health risks, and that "Especially with these inks from a pen – what else is in it? Nothing meant to be placed in the body."