Dermatology – When to See a Dermatologist, and When to Stay Home

All of us have minor problems with our skin from time to time, ranging from acne to irritated insect bites to itchy rashes that just won’t seem to go away. While the majority of minor skin complaints don’t warrant treatment, there are times when seeing a dermatologist is important, if not mandatory.
This is melanoma, or black mole cancer. If you have a lesion or mole that looks suspicious, see your dermatologist straightaway.

But how do you know when to just wait it out – or when to make an appointment?

A basic consideration to keep in mind is how long you have had the specific ailment. If you have a rash that doesn’t seem to get better within a few days, you might choose to see your primary care provider. If you still have no joy, this might signal the need to see a specialist. Similarly, a problem that keeps recurring may also make a visit to a specialist necessary.

Keeping in mind your own genetic history is important as well (see below). People with a history of skin cancer in their family, who are fair-skinned or prone to having a proliferation of moles on their face or body should also make regular appointments with their dermatologist to make sure they stay healthy.

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is someone who knows everything there is to know about skin care. He or she will not only be able to diagnose your problem, but can also prescribe creams, medicines and treatment to either cure it, or keep it under control.

There are many types of dermatologists who can treat conditions of the skin, hair and nails, and who have specific specialties in areas such as cosmetic dermatology, pediatric dermatology etc. Whether you need medical, surgical or cosmetic treatment, they should be able to help you.

According to the American Board of Dermatology, dermatologists can help with the following conditions:

* Diagnosis and treatment of all types of skin cancers, melanomas, moles, and other skin tumors.

* Management of specific inflammatory skin disorders such as contact dermatitis, when the skin reacts after being exposed to specific allergens.

* Recognition of the skin manifestations of certain infectious and systemic diseases.

* Dermatopathology, or diagnosis of skin diseases, such as infections, immunologic and infectious diseases.

* Surgical techniques used in dermatology, such as correction of acne scars, chemical peeling and laser surgery.

* Cosmetic disorders, including hair loss, skin, and aging-related disorders.

Why See a Dermatologist?

Reasons to see a dermatologist include:

* You suspect you may have skin cancer. Everyone should perform regular self-examinations of their bodies and be aware of what their moles look like. If you have a lesion or mole that looks suspicious, see your dermatologist straightaway. Moles that look unusual, have irregular borders or appear asymmetrical, have grown or bleed but do not crust over should be seen to immediately. Remember, with early detection skin cancer is often cured.

* You have risk factors for skin cancer. Some people are at high risk for developing skin cancer, and along with regular self-examinations you should also see a dermatologist regularly to make sure their health is not at risk. Factors include personal history of skin cancer; close relative with a melanoma; fair skin that tends to burn or freckle; history of bad sunburns or tanning salon use; more than 50 moles on face or body; having moles that look irregular, large, or asymmetrical (see above); past use of x-ray treatments for acne, and taking medications to prevent arthritis or organ rejection.

* You have a skin problem that just won’t go away. Many people choose to treat minor skin problems on their own. But if you have a rash that looks suspicious or does not respond to conventional treatment, it’s probably time to see a dermatologist. And if you successfully treat a skin complaint with an over-the-counter cream but it keeps coming back, it’s also a good idea to see a professional.

* Your chronic skin condition that doesn’t respond to treatment. If you have eczema, for example, you may be able to keep it under control with moisturizers, emollients or over-the-counter steroid creams. But if you find your skin does not respond well, or if indeed the eczema gets worse of becomes infected, then seeing a dermatologist is your best bet.

* You have a cosmetic skin problem which requires specialist treatment. If you have a skin problem that you think would benefit from medical intervention, seek professional help. It’s not advised to visit a med spa unless you are 100 percent positive that a dermatologist will be treating you. A licensed dermatologist is a physician certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and they have far more medical experience than cosmetologists and hair technicians!

What is Dermatologic Surgery?
Sometimes surgery is the only way to treat specific problems or cosmetic complaints. The purpose of dermatologic surgery is to “repair and/or improve the function and cosmetic appearance of skin tissue,” according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. It “deals with the diagnosis and treatment of medically necessary and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair, nails, veins, mucous membranes and adjacent tissues by various surgical, reconstructive, cosmetic and non-surgical methods.”

Dermatologic surgery today is a lot less invasive than it used to be, according to the Society, with less downtime and often no need for general anesthesia. This, it says, is largely thanks to breakthroughs in medical science, clinical advances and instrumentation innovations. Examples of dermatologic surgery today include:

* Dealing with aging-related issues, such as brown spots, lines and wrinkles

* Using injectable soft-tissue fillers

* Using implantable soft-tissue fillers

* Chemical peels

* Liposuction

* Laser surgery

* Treatment for skin caner

* Treatment for acne scars

* Treatment for moles, rashes etc

* Vein therapy (varicose veins and spider veins)

* Hair restoration techniques

* Reconstructive surgery

Our skin is the largest organ in your body, and taking care of it properly is important for our overall health, as well as our outward appearance. Our skin is our first line of defense when it comes to our immune systems, and regular care and maintenance helps us to ensure that we give ourselves the best chance we can of fighting off infection and staying healthy.

While the type of skin we have is determined largely by genetics, it’s up to you to make sure that you keep it in top form. Eating well, exercising regularly and enjoying a healthy lifestyle while using plenty of sunscreen is important, as are visits to the dermatologist when warranted. It’s all up to you!

How Hyaluronic Acid is Changing the Cosmetic Industry

We have never seen such a period of growth in cosmetic medicine. We live in an age where hair transplants; fat removal and breast augmentation have all progressed to the stage that they can be done without requiring hospital admission or even a general anaesthetic. It is a brave new world and one that will continue to progress into the emergent era of stem cell technology with new hair growth and breast tissue being prime examples of where this period will lead us. But at the moment we have Direct Hair Implants(TM) and Macrolane(TM).

Macrolane is a type of natural filler similar to some that we have been injecting into faces since 1996. It is made from hyaluronic acid, a compound that occurs naturally in the skin and connective tissue and is known to be present in every tissue of the body. Hyaluronic acid is an important cell constituent that retains water and also provides nutrients and removes waste from cells that do not have a direct blood supply, such as cartilage cells. Hyaluronic acid is found in the synovial joint fluid, the vitreous humour of the eye, the cartilage, blood vessels, extracellular matrix, skin and the umbilical cord.

It is extremely popular as an injectable skin filler for correcting the lines and wrinkles associated with aging, as well as acne scars and other skin conditions as its molecules bind to water in the skin, hydrating and firming its structure, and the loss of hyaluronic acid with aging is associated with skin dehydration and wrinkling. Because hyaluronic acid degrades rapidly in the skin, the commercially available version is cross-linked, or bound to itself chemically to increase stabilization.

The safety of hyaluronic acid has been clinically documented and supported by robust clinical studies, spanning over 10 years. The company that makes Macrolane has been making high purity stabilized Hyaluronic Acid gels in the form of an injectable dermal filler called Restylane since 1996. In this twelve year period over 8 million Restylane treatments have been successfully performed worldwide with a problem rate of about 1:20,000. This makes Restylane one of the most tried and tested dermal filler and is recognised in cosmetic dermatology as the benchmark for safety.

Pain, redness, itching, discoloration and tenderness at the point of injection are also common side effects that occur after a Restylane treatment. These effects usually subside within a day or two. Most side effects experienced by Restylane patients are classified as mild. However, roughly one in 2,000 patients suffer more serious reactions, such as tenderness, prolonged redness and acne-like skin formations. These side effects can last for only a few days after injection up to as long as four weeks after treatment. Hypersensitive skin is usually to blame for more serious reactions to Restylane.

There have been two pilot studies of body contouring with Macrolane(TM) to date that I am aware of. The first was done in 2002. It looked at using Macrolane to augment the breast of non-pregnant, non-breast-feeding females. These patients were watched for another 2 years to monitor safety and benefit. No serious adverse events were reported in the study. Treatment-related adverse events such as injection site pain and reaction were mild and transient in nature. The second study involved patients with concave body deformities following liposuction, surgical scars or post-traumatic fat atrophy.

Again no side effect were noted outside minor events noted on the day of injection. A study published in the February 2007 issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology indeed confirmed the safety of oral hyaluronic acid. It is used as a dietary supplement that supports health in joints and skin. Hyaluronic acid provides the matrix for the synovial fluid to retain moisture in the skin and cushioning in the joints. The research showed test subjects exhibited no toxicity, even at 33 times the recommended dose.

In the first breast study patient assessment data showed 95% satisfaction at three months, 79% at six months and 63% at 12 months. In the other one, more than 80% of patients reported improvements at three months and 69% at six months and some improvement was seen at 12 months.

I feel this related to the fact that a volume of 100ml of compound is injected into a protected space created by the doctor in the connective tissue in front of the pectoralis major muscle but behind the mammary gland. In this position Macrolane is intended to last for at least about 18 months. Each individual treatment programme will include a yearly top-up as required to maintain optimal treatment results.

We have already discussed the safety aspects of Hyaluronic Acid compounds but I feel there is more to it than this. We know patient demand for accessible non surgical, less invasive aesthetic treatments, which offer minimal downtime has being growing for some time. Personally, I feel this is the driving force behind this phenomenon. To be honest, cosmetic surgeons of late have not been bathed in glory in the press and patients are largely afraid to take the risk. Take barigastric banding. Obesity surgery not only helps people lose weight but also improves the associated co-morbidities of obesity such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), arthritis, joint pain, reflux, cardiovascular disease, stroke, various forms of cancer (including prostate, bowel and ovarian), and overall quality of life.

Dermatology – A Brief Introduction to Dermatology As a Branch of Medicine

Dermatology refers to the medical field that involves the study of the skin and other parts of the body connected to it. Dermatology itself is separated into a number of branches depending on specific conditions. For someone to deal with dermatology, he/she must be a professional who is well trained in that field because dealing with skin is delicate and it needs a lot of care and experience. For someone to qualify in dermatology, he/she must go through a 4-year course in a well known medical school and must be fully equipped with knowledge on such basics as physiology, anatomy as well as the general practice of medicine. On completion of the course, the needs to go for medical residency that will provide more specialized training. After that, he or she may be chosen to go for further residency to take even more specialized courses in dermatology.

Such thorough training is necessary in consideration of the important role that the skin plays for proper health. A dermatologist will check the skin to determine different problems to diagnose the root cause of the problem very easily because they are trained in a wide range of fields. Cosmetic dermatology is very profitable and important, especially when you consider how visible the skin is and many people look for ways to change the skin appearance in an effort to be more pretty or handsome.

Cosmetic dermatologists are specialists for all the skin treatments and solving all skin problems So if one has a problem with the skin or wants to change the physical appearance, the dermatologist will do all the tests and apply all treatments that he/she is sure of to change the appearance to the desired look. He can also make a significant difference by making the skin appear more natural and enhance movement if the patient had a problem of disfigurement such as port wine stain.

Dermatology is very important when you consider the that the skin acts as the body’s’ first line defense and should be well taken care of. It is also advisable to keep checking your skin’s condition and if there are any changes that are not normal, should be dealt with because they might actually be the cause of other skin problems.

This means that dermatology is not just for cosmetic purposes, but may be the best step to take in case you are suffering from some skin conditions.