10 Aug Why Can’t I Treat My Skin Issue Myself?
There are over 3,000 skin conditions, and a lot of them can be easily confused for one another. RefinedMD works with patients to achieve a correct diagnosis before treatment begins. You’ve probably noticed all kinds of over the counter products or items online to treat a variety of conditions including acne, rosacea, melasma, moles, and more. Each of these conditions requires a diagnosis before any treatment is started—and that definitely includes an over the counter or DIY treatment.
For starters, there are several different types of acne. Each of these acne types can also be confused with other skin conditions, such as a boil. Trying to treat a boil with an acne cream from the store is ineffective at best and could exacerbate the boil at worst. Unfortunately, a lot of common skin conditions (such as acne) are perceived as harmless because they’re so common. In reality, severe acne can be very painful, harmful to a person’s self-esteem, and lead to permanent scarring.
Treating the Skin We’re In
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It undergoes a lot of stress on a daily basis. As an organ, and especially an organ that’s so “exposed,” there’s a lot that can go wrong with our skin! From rashes caused by sensitivity to laundry detergent to psoriasis brought on by one of your unique triggers, taking care of our skin should be a priority. However, a lot of people don’t see their dermatologist as quickly or as regularly as they see their primary care physician. A dermatologist specializes in caring for your biggest organ, and with over 3,000 potential issues there’s a lot to take care of!
Trying to treat a skin condition yourself can be a waste of time, money, and can even make the issue worse. Even if someone does correctly identify a skin issue, the treatments available in stores simply don’t compare to medical-grade products from your dermatologist. Store products are not as potent, are not always dermatologist-approved, and medical-grade products online (especially if they are heavily discounted) have the potential to be tampered with.
Diagnosis First
Only your dermatologist can provide you with a diagnosis followed by medical-grade products or treatments designed specifically for your condition and skin. Not every person is a good match for a particular treatment. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in instances of people trying to purchase medical-grade products online. One example is the purchase of so-called chemical peels online with levels of ingredients so high that they are causing third-degree burns and permanent disfigurement. An in-office chemical peel can be a great way to treat light scarring, but should only ever be expertly applied. Plus, many chemical peels are not suitable for certain skin tones as they can cause unwanted lightening. This is an extreme example of DIY skin care gone wrong, but it’s a reminder of just how important expert care for your skin is.
For the layperson, a lot of skin conditions can look similar. Is it a rash caused by your new makeup or is it a rosacea outbreak? The two can look alike, but have completely different causes and treatments. In fact, rosacea is one skin condition that has no cure but does have treatable symptoms. Both a rash and rosacea can have their symptoms treated, but it’s a different approach for each.
Putting Skin Care First – See A Dermatologist At RefinedMD
Protecting your skin and preventing breakouts, rashes, and sun damage is also an important part of skin care your dermatologist can help you with. Just like products to treat skin conditions, the quality of sunscreen is very different at your dermatologist’s clinic. Sunscreen bought at the store is definitely better than nothing, but medical-grade sunscreen takes protection to the next level. That’s why RefinedMD has an online skin care products store where you can select the highest-quality skin care products including sunscreens.
A host of skin conditions are caused by excessive sun exposure and poor protection. This includes lines, wrinkles, burns, brown spots, and an increase in moles. From treating current skin conditions to preventing future issues, work with a skin care expert to keep your biggest organ safe and healthy. Contact RefinedMD today at (408) 688-2082 to start your journey towards a diagnosis and skin care regimen.