Dr. Neil Sadick, M.D., founder and owner of Sadick Dermatology and Global Dermatology Associates, and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, answers the latest beauty and health trend questions in dermatology. He has offi ces on Park Avenue, in downtown NYC, and in Great Neck, NY.

Dr. Sadick has pioneered the Sadick Research Group and is currently involved in various research projects in the areas of aesthetic and medical dermatology. He has been a guest lecturer at more than 500 medical conferences, classes, and workshops worldwide.

What can I do to protect myself from sun damage, in addition to using sunscreens?

As it has been proven over and over again, the most signifi cant cause of aging and skin damage is sun exposure. Sunscreens are our primary defense against this type of damage, but it can be insuffi cient on its own. HelioCare supplements are the next best thing in addition to sunscreens. This supplement is derived from plants, and works in tandem with your sunscreen to provide greater sun protection and antioxidant activity. Combining the two provides the best sun protection there is.

How can I get rid of my unwanted belly fat without having to undergo invasive liposuction?

This is an exciting year for noninvasive fat removal and body contouring. New devices such as the Liposonix and CoolSculpting allow women to lose those last few inches from the waist. Liposonix is a new device that uses focused ultrasound waves to melt the fat forever in just one session. There’s no downtime, and you can literally walk into the offi ce and get it done on the spot if you are lucky enough to find an opening. CoolSculpting is another option for fat melting that works by freezing away the fat. Although it requires several treatments for optimal results, it is still one of the favorites among physicians and patients alike.

I’ve tried Minoxidil, but I still can’t control my hair loss. What can I do to prevent and reverse it?

Hair loss just so happens to be very close and dear to my heart. I have been involved with the latest research and treatments for hair loss my entire life. The answer is simple: The newest treatment regimen for hair loss is a combination modality that I have found to be highly effective. It consists of a low-level energy laser combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments. This combination targets the key to hair loss, which is the damage done to the hair follicle, stopping it at its tracks.

How can I get rid of my unattractive turkey neck?

One of the most common questions I am asked is how to get rid of the so-called “turkey gobbler neck.” Thankfully, there are a couple of answers. For an individual who has the neck sagginess as well as other areas of the face with skin sagginess, I recommend the Thermage treatment. This radiofrequency device helps tighten the skin around the whole face and neck, focusing on the areas of importance. For isolated and more severe cases of neck sagginess, I highly recommend laser-assisted neck rejuvenation. This procedure is the most effective one in its group, and, although it comes with a relatively higher price tag, it still is the most common treatment asked for by my patients.

What options are available for tightening the flabby skin on my belly, arms, and legs without having to go under the knife?

Newer technologies have emerged since this fi eld was started back when we were just pioneering the concept. Among my favorite advancements are the body contouring devices, which can produce great results with no downtime. They tighten the loose skin at different areas of the body. Ultherapy is the newest addition to this fi eld. It uses intense, focused ultrasound energy that stimulates collagen. Within a month, you see great tightening of the treatment areas. Another great option is the Venus Freeze, which uses radio frequency and magnetic pulses to tighten the skin. This is a great option, especially for areas like the arms and legs.

Summer is my favorite time of year, but it always focuses my attention on my terrible cellulite. What can I do to get rid of it once and for all?

Cellulite has proved to be the most stubborn problem out there. It is caused by a wide spectrum of triggers and other factors. Many have tried to help correct it and many have failed, until the release of Cellulaze. Although this is considered a minimally invasive procedure, it really is an outpatient one where you come to the offi ce and we introduce a laser fi ber beneath the superfi cial layer of the skin. This laser cuts the bands that cause the dimpling, and also melts the fat in that area. You are left with smooth skin that you can be proud to fl aunt at the beach.