Professional Skin Care
What is a Dermatologist?
Dermatology is the medical science that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails. A dermatologist is the medical professional you should consult if you have any questions, concerns, or problems with your skin.
Who Needs Professional Skin Care?
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It’s also the most visible, so both the health and appearance of the skin is very important. The health of the skin is a fairly accurate mirror of the health of the body. The skin also acts as a protective physical barrier against injury and harmful toxins. But the skin is highly susceptible to disease. At one time or another, nearly everyone, from infants to the elderly will have some type of skin disease. In fact, nearly 15% of all general doctor visits involve some form of skin problem.
What Skin Disorder Requires Professional Skin Care?
Skin diseases and disorders that require the evaluation of a professional include:
Cystic Acne is a common condition affects people of all ages. Most people can deal with the occasional blemish or breakout on their own. However in moderate to severe cases, a dermatologist may be able to help heal severe acne more quickly and prevent the development of acne scars.
Dermatitis, also known as eczema, is an inflammation of the skin that results in itchy, swollen reddened patches.
Skin Cancer is a potentially deadly condition. See a dermatologist for an evaluation immediately if you suspect that you may have skin cancer. The two most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Both of these skin cancers are slow growing and rarely spread to other parts of the body. Melanomas, on the other hand are an aggressive type of skin cancer that does spread quickly.
Common warts are non-cancerous skin growths that are typically harmless. However, they should be evaluated by a dermatologist to be sure that an underlying disease, such as skin cancer, is not involved. Warts may become bothersome or embarrassing, and you may need treatment to remove them.
Fungal infections, such as ringworm or athlete's foot occur commonly in people of all ages. A dermatologist can help prescribe medications to heal these conditions.
Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that affects 2-2.6 % of the United States population, or between 5.8 and 7.5 million people. This skin condition results in patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales. These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, and usually itch or feel sore. They most often occur on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms and soles of the feet; but they can occur anywhere on the body.
Rosacea is a chronic form skin condition that affects roughly 14 million Americans. rosacea is a skin disease that affects both the skin and the eyes. It causes consistent redness over the areas of the face and nose that normally blush, such as the forehead, the chin and the lower half of the nose. For those who are affected by this condition, the tiny blood vessels in these areas enlarge and become more visible through the skin, appearing like tiny red lines. Pimples are also frequently associated with this condition.
Choosing a Dermatologist
The health and appearance of your skin is critical to your overall health and self-confidence. It’s important for you to find a skin care professional that you can trust and communicate with comfortably. If you’re concerned about a particular skin disease or disorder, be sure to ask any potential dermatologists if they are familiar with this condition. You may also wish to know who your dermatologist will refer you to in the event of a more serious condition.
What to Expect at the Dermatologist's Office
When you go to your appointment, you can expect your dermatologist to take a complete medical and family history. This is a good time to bring up any concerns such as itching, burning or redness on your skin. Next, your dermatologist will perform a physical exam. He or she will look very closely at your skin for tender points, marks, and irregularities. The doctor will then test for anything that might relate to your skin disorder. This may include taking a sample of tissue, or a biopsy, for further analysis, finally, your dermatologist will explain any treatment options or medications that can be used to remedy your skin condition.
How Can A Professional Help Me?
A dermatologist can help to provide expert diagnosis, rapid cure, or good management means for your skin condition or concern. He or she can usually perform skin surgery to remove growths or discolorations, control or prevent skin cancer, or definitively diagnosis your problem. Your dermatologist can also help you establish a healthy skin care routine and recommend products, such as sunscreen, to better protect the health of your skin.
About the Author
Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop and sell exclusively high-end natural and organic skin care lines to support a wide range of skin conditions. The products he promotes are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives. For more information on skin care please visit www.skin-care-support.org.
