28 Apr Aesthetic Treatments for Medical Skin Conditions
What’s the difference between medical skin care and aesthetic skin care? Sometimes not much! RefinedMD is a holistic, comprehensive center offering diagnoses and treatments for both medical and aesthetic skin issues because we know that a lot of the time there’s plenty of overlap. Let’s take acne as an example. Almost every person will struggle with some form of acne (yes, there are many types!) at some point in their life. Acne is a real medical condition, and just because it’s common doesn’t make it any less troublesome and painful.
Treating and preventing actual acne breakouts is considered a medical concern and is usually treated by Dr. Lindsey Yeh at RefinedMD. Acne can range from mild, such as whiteheads, to severe forms, such as cystic acne. More severe forms of acne don’t just cause low self-esteem, but can also be very painful. All forms of acne can get in the way of a person’s social life, affect their confidence, and have a overall negative effect on a person’s emotional and mental health. In other words, acne is a big deal.
Tackling Acne
One of the first steps in treating acne is getting current breakouts under control and preventing future acne. There are many medical dermatological ways to do this, such as prescription topical creams or oral medications. Dr. Yeh will work with you to determine which approach is best. Our skin changes as we change, so it’s also important to continually reassess your acne control regimen if it doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to.
There is also an aesthetic aspect of acne. Acne can cause scarring, pitting, and hyperpigmentation that lasts for years after the breakout. This can be just as emotionally damaging as a breakout. Aesthetic dermatological treatments can undo lingering acne damage. Laser or light therapy, chemical peels, and microneedling are just some of the treatments available to erase old signs of acne. A customized plan will be put into place depending on your skin and specific concerns.
Dry, Flaky, Red Skin
Skin that’s dry, flaky, and red could be caused by all kinds of things, including a change in weather. However, sometimes it’s a sign of a dermatological skin condition like rosacea or eczema. Both of these conditions are harmless, but they can certainly cause discomfort and embarrassment. Although neither are “curable,” the symptoms of rosacea and eczema can be managed with the help of a dermatologist.
Rosacea and eczema can be exacerbated by triggers, and those triggers can change throughout your life. Your dermatologist will work with you to determine your triggers so that you can avoid them when possible—that’s the best form of preventing flare-ups. In some cases, prescription topicals may be recommended to help minimize flare-ups.
Rosacea and eczema also have a cosmetic component. After all, nobody wants to have skin that looks inflamed and angry. Aesthetic treatments can help to soothe rosacea and eczema flare-ups, including a variety of laser treatments. The exact plan for you will be individualized based on your skin, severity of the issue, and what you hope to achieve.
Mole Check!
Almost every adult has at least a few moles. Some people are bothered by their appearance and want them removed for aesthetic reasons while others don’t mind them at all. Moles and other forms of hyperpigmentation can certainly be removed or lightened with a variety of treatments, but don’t forget about what moles might be trying to tell you. Unusual moles are the leading visual cue of potential skin cancer.
Anyone can get skin cancer, but people with a lot of moles are more prone to this diagnosis. Most moles can’t simply be removed if they look suspicious, but should also be tested in a lab for any cancerous cells. An annual “mole check” is a must for everyone regardless of your skin tone or how many moles you have. It’s the best habit to catch and treat skin cancer early. Once a mole is removed, you can then treat the excision area if you’d like to reduce signs of scarring. Lasers work great for this!
For all of your skin care needs, medical and cosmetic, contact RefinedMD today via online chat or call the office to schedule an appointment.