Acne Acne
Vulgaris, also known as Acne, is a common condition that can manifest as inflammatory
lesions, painful cysts, and/or blackheads. Acne may also leave scars in the affected
areas. Acne can occur at any age. There are many treatments for acne including
but not limited to exfoliating creams, antibacterial creams, photodynamic therapy,
and laser treatments. Several treatments are usually required to completely eliminate
acne. Acne
Scarring Chronic acne can leave permanent scars on ones face. A scar is
formed as the natural part of the healing process. These scars vary from deep
pit scars to angular and wavelike scars. Fortunately, laser treatments are available
at our office to reduce the appearance of acne scarring. Lasers from Lumenis are
highly effective in removing these scars. Aging
or Sun Damaged Skin Over time as our skin ages, it shows signs of aging,
including dark spots or age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. While the sun can
feel good and produce a tan, over time sun exposure products cellular damage and
increases the risk of skin cancer. Smoking also rapidly increases the aging process
of the skin. Widely available are state-of-the-art anti-aging laser skin treatment
procedures that reduce wrinkles and help resurface the skin. In addition, plastic
surgery options are available which can help reduce the appearance of the effects
of aging. Back
to top Alopecia
Areata Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss. It occurs when your body
attacks your hair follicles by mistake. The cause of the immune system's attack
on the hair follicles is largely unknown. The
condition usually begins with loss of hair in clumps, revealing smooth hairless
patches on the scalp. Sometimes the hair thins instead of falling out in clumps.
There is a chance the condition will result in full body and scalp hair loss,
though this result is rare. The hair usually regrows in 6 to 12 months. 1 in 10
people with this condition do not regrow their hair. The condition can also cause
rough looking nails. Since
for most people, the hair regrows normally, many people do not treat Alopecia
Areata. For the best solution that works for you it is best to consult with your
dermatologist. Contact
Dermatitis Contact Dermatitis is a bodily reaction to contact with allergens
or irritants. Within minutes of exposure to the foreign substance, the skin develops
an itchy burning rash. Contact dermatitis will persist until the allergen or irritant
is removed. Full healing of the rash can take days. If a rash from contact dermatitis
is not healing, seek out a dermatologist for help. Back
to top Eczema Eczema
is a skin condition that can appear in many different forms. These include changes
in your skin pigmentation, redness, crusty & scaling skin, or dry and itchy
skin. In its early forms, it manifests and red and dry skin, but as the condition
worsens it involves scaly, crusted, and thick skin. There is not one primary cause
of eczema, but there are a collection of commonly known contributing factors.
Some factors include stress, diet, chemicals in soaps or conditioners, or allergies.
Eczema is actually a broad term that describes many different skin conditions,
so the term itself is often a source of confusion. It is generally advisable to
consult your dermatologist if you believe that you might have eczema. Treatment
depends on the type of eczema that you have. Eczema
can be hereditary in the case of atopic eczema, commonly found in
families which also have issues with asthma. The itchy rashes that appear with
this type of eczema can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from another form
called contact dermatitis. This type of skin reaction can occur from
either an allergen or irritating material which has come in contact with the skin.
Eczema can actually arise from very dry skin and cause itchy, red, or tender skin.
In addition to atopic and contact dermatitis conditions,
there are many other forms of eczema, each with different causes and treatments.
Because of these variations, eczema may be temporary, seasonal, or chronic for
different individuals. If you have itchy skin or areas that are raised, red or
crusty, scratching these areas may make the condition worse. It is best to consult
your dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Fine
lines and wrinkles As the body ages, collagen in the skin loosens. Wrinkles
and fine lines appear in areas of high activity such as forehead, cheeks, eyes,
and mouth. Back
to top Hemangioma Hemangiomas
are a clump of improperly grown large blood vessels that typically show shortly
after birth. They grow quickly during the first months after birth, and commonly
disappear or lighten with age. Hives Hives
are raised red patches of the skin that can appear in varying sizes and shapes.
Hives can be itchy and can occur anywhere on the body. Hives can appear and disappear
quickly. A bad outbreak of hives in the morning can vanish by mid afternoon. Hives
are fairly common and aren't usually medically serious. Most cases of hives clear
up on their own. Hives can be triggered by allergic reaction, though often times
no cause is found for the hives. Hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis
is a condition where the human body sweats more than is needed to regulate its
temperature. Hyperhidrosis can be localized anywhere on the body, but is most
common in the hands, feet, armpits, and groin due to the concentration of sweat
glands in the area. Treatment can take the form of injections, medications, and
surgery. Back
to top Nail
Fungus Nail fungus is a fungal infection in one or more nails. A fungal
infection usually begins at the tip of the nail and spreads deeper. Nail fungus
can discolor the nail, thicken the nail, and create rough edges to the nail. Nail
fungus develops more rapidly in warm, moist environments, it is important to keep
the affected area clean and dry. Nail fungus can be treated by a variety of medications.
Psoriasis Psoriasis
is a chronic disease of the immune system that has symptoms ranging from scaly
red patches appearing on this skin, to pitting and deformation of nails, to inflammation
of joints. Any part of the body can be affected by psoriasis. As many as 7.5 million
Americans have psoriasis, according to the National Institutes of Health. There
are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic.
Currently there is no cure for psoriasis, but there are treatment options. Rashes A
rash is a skin condition that can be caused by skin irritation, an infection,
or a chronic condition. A rash usually consists of redness, itching of the affected
area, and dry crusted skin. Rashes are usually a symptom of another condition
such as contact dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, or an allergic reaction. Treatments
for rashes vary based on the cause. Back
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Razor
Bumps Razor bumps, Pseudo Folliculitis Barbae (PFB), is a common condition
in which regrowing hair curves back towards and pierces recently shaved skin,
causing a pustule or papule. PFB is very prevalent for people with curly or thick
hair. Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition that leads to blotchy red skin, and occasional facial
pimples. The associated symptoms cause rosacea to sometimes be known as adult
acne. Fortunately, many treatments are available for rosacea. Please contact our
office for more information. Sagging
Skin As we age, our skin gradually loses elasticity. Over time, the skin's
underlying structure degrades, robbing our faces of their youthful fullness, contour,
and resilience. Skin also renews itself more slowly as we age. Other factors include
genetics, weight changes, and sun damage. The combination of these factors leads
to a sagging appearance of the skin. Fortunately, many treatments are available
to improve your appearance and reduce sagging skin. Back
to top Skin
Cancer The most frequently occurring types of skin cancer include basal
cell, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Because skin cancer forms
on the outer layer of the epidermis, it is detectable in its early stages. The
primary cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to the sun. Reducing ones
sun exposure by avoiding sun-bathing and tanning salons, wearing sun screen and
appropriate protective clothing, and being careful not to get sun-burned will
dramatically decrease your risks of getting skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma
is the most common, but least harmful form of skin cancer. This form of cancer
will damage the surrounding tissue, but is rarely fatal. Squamous
cell carcinoma cancers are more dangerous than basal cell carcinomas. They have
a significant risk of metastasizing to other areas of the body if untreated. A
malignant melanoma is an extremely dangerous form of skin cancer. If untreated
in the early stages, a melanoma is often fatal. While genetic factors play a role
in ones risk of getting a melanoma, sun exposure plays a huge part. One
should regularly inspect their skin for new moles, moles which change in appearance
or moles which have any of the ABCD guidelines for identifying a melanoma. These
include: Asymmetry, border is irregular, color not uniform, diameter larger than
half a centimeter or over a 1/8 of an inch. If a melanoma is discovered in the
early stages, it can be surgically excised, removing a section of the surrounding
tissue to ensure isolation. In this case of early detection and treatment, your
prognosis is very good (over 99%). However, if a melanoma reaches a certain depth,
it will metastasize to other areas of the body, and treatment options may include
radiation, chemotherapy and other serious treatments. Prognosis for later stages
of melanoma past early detected may range from a 9% to 40% chance of survival. Back
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Varicose
and Spider Veins
Varicose veins are blue bulging veins that typically appear in the thighs and
calves, normally developing after childbirth or with age. Common symptoms are
aching, pain, burning, itching, and swelling caused by poorly functioning vein
valves. The blood leaks back, enlarging the vein. Spider veins are caused by similar
conditions, but appear smaller and closer to the skin surface. They are typically
red, blue, or purple. There are many non-invasive treatment options. Warts Warts
are small rough tumors caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Warts are spread
through contact with the infected areas and can be passed through towel sharing.
Warts can form anywhere on the body. Warts can last anywhere from a few months
to many years. There are many treatment options for warts including over-the-counter
solutions, prescriptions, and in-office wart removal procedures. Back
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