Signs of an Excellent Dermatologist

Finding the right skin doctor is a very important step in getting the right treatment.  Some dermatologists specialize in cosmetic dermatology, while another might specialize in surgical dermatology.  Sometime it is not clear upon initial consultation what the doctor is specifically qualified for – some will say they do surgery as well as cosmetic, but in actuality they delegate the surgical work to an associate doctor.  So asking the right questions is crucial to finding the right doctor.

When looking for a dermatologist Palo Alto, there are a number of signs to watch for in order to find the best doctor available.  These signs include:

Slow and Relaxing Appointments:  If the doctor is in a rush during an initial consultation, it is clear they do not have the time or interest in getting to the root of the issues at hand.  Appropriate skin treatment is never a simple one-time solution.  It’s important to work with someone that has the ability to offer a number of different interpretations and treatments, whether it is acne, rash, scars, wrinkles, or laser.

Amazing Credentials: Always look into the professional history of a doctor to make sure they have appropriate qualifications and a lot of experience in the field.  Dermatology is a highly competitive medical field that begins with an undergraduate degree, a four-year medical school degree, which should include a residency.  During the consultation, ask about the doctor’s history to get a sense of their experience and qualifications.  Because dermatology is so popular, a lot of doctors are in practice that are not a part of the American Board of Dermatology.  Make sure to avoid these doctors that pretend to be at the vanguard of their field but are actually unqualified for their position.

 Hands-On Lead Doctor: Aside from amazing credentials, the doctor should be hands on in all areas of treatment.  This is equally true if they are a cosmetic or surgical doctor, because both require consistent attention to ensure best results.  Like a standard GP, a cosmetic doctor should always be able to adapt their treatment plan to match the changing systems.  It’s far better if they are there to ensure the right changes are made rather than delegating to an associate.  Palo Alto is full of excellent hands-on skin doctors that grow and change with their patients.

A Holistic Approach: This usually means giving the patient a lot of options in terms of their treatment.  A great cosmetic specialist will give out a lot of samples to their patients to let them figure out for themselves which products work best.  This is a far more patient-friendly approach than a doctor who tells their patients what prescription to buy without even giving them a sample.

These four signs will make it clear which doctors are concerned for their patient’s skin care, and those that are just looking for a big paycheck.

Top 6 Reasons to Seek the Help of a Dermatologist

Many people visit their dermatologist on a monthly basis, and this is because they need their level of expertise when dealing with both complex and common issues. In many cases, dermatologist help their patients by supplying them with preventative procedures, or deal with more pressing issues. Dermatologists are in great demand in Palo, Alto, as there are many people suffering from skin, nails, hair, and other dermatology treated diseases.

Recurring Acne

Everyone has experience acne at some point in their lives, yet for some people, acne is something that never goes away. One of the most common reasons people visit dermatologist is to try and get rid of recurring cane. Since acne can create scars, emotional issues, and overall discomfort, dermatologist can attempt to treat acne with creams, chemical peels, laser therapy, and even oral medications.

Eczema

Eczema is a very common issue that people face, and it involves being susceptible to red, swollen, dry, and unbearable itchy skin. Eczema can occur in any age group and can be diagnosed by a dermatologist, who will then prescribe some creams or medications.

Psoriasis

When suffering from psoriasis, it is common to have mostly visits with a dermatologist, as they can track the autoimmune disease and attempt to soothe it. Psoriasis is most common on the scalp, elbows, knees, legs, fingernails, and face, and can easily be diagnosed by a dermatologist, who will in return, prescribe a cream that soothes the chronic condition.

Suspicious Growths

One of the most obvious signs that one should seek the expertise of a dermatologist is experiencing a skin growth. Since skin cancer is one of the most common and treatable cancers, taking immediate action when noticing a skin growth is very important.

Hair Loss

Losing hair is a normality for many people, as shedding is something that everyone goes through. However, when shedding starts to border extreme hair loss, it is best to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. There are many different issues that can lead to hair loss, while some can be as simple as stress and pregnancy, others can be a little more serious. Which is why seeking the help of a professional dermatologist Palo Alto, is recommended if unusual hair loss begins to occur. Once at the appointment, a dermatologist can take blood tests and examine their patient’s scalp to see if there are any abnormalities.

Aging

Aging is an inevitable part of life, but with the help of a dermatologist its course can be slowed down. To slow down aging, dermatologist have a handful of treatments they can suggest, many of which revolve around laser therapy, Botox injections, wrinkle fillers, and chemical peels.

4 Most Harmful Skin Care Habits

Skin is the soft outer covering that protects the internal functions of the body. Being such a delicate, vulnerable layer of tissue, skin needs regular, mindful care in order to be properly maintained. Unfortunately, the area of self-skin treatment is awash with pseudoscience, and most people tend to have their own subjective opinions on the best way to care for skin. This can lead to harmful skin care habits that might eventually necessitate a trip to the dermatologist palo alto office. Using Several Different Products In attempting to take proper care of their skin, people tend to overdo things by opting to use several different products in the same areas. From a dermatological standpoint, this is highly ill-advised. It’s normally much better to use one or two proven products than trying to use every skin care option under the sun.

The use of several products may lead to irritation, and the specific ingredients found in different products can clash together and cause further unforeseen skin issues. If a patient is adamant on using several skin care products, the dermatologist will commonly advise them to opt for natural products as opposed to abrasive chemical ones. Treating the Skin Roughly Dermatologists commonly cringe during consultations in which patients roughly point to irritated areas of the skin. In these cases, some patients might pull or stretch out the irritated areas with their fingers, which may cause the condition to worsen. Human skin is extremely sensitive, particularly when it is experiencing a certain issue. Therefore, it is always recommended that skin care patients treat their skin delicately when making contact with irritated areas

Laziness Toward Cleansing While many people apply great efforts to take care of their skin, many others don’t pay a single thought to skin care whatsoever. Certain people believe that a simple face wash in the morning provides enough skin care for the rest of the day, which is certainly not the case. In the cases of women wearing makeup, sometimes the makeup is left on the woman’s face overnight, which can lead to minor or even severe skin conditions in the future. Dermatologists advise regular, daily skin care, at least in the form of treating the face with proven cleansers twice a day.

Picking Pimples Picking or scratching at pimples can turn a relatively harmless irritation into a major condition. Most occurrences of pimples are benign, and would heal promptly if left alone. However, manipulating the infected area invites bacteria into the pores, which can unnecessarily augment the issue. Dermatologists would rather not have their patients deal with problems that could have been entirely avoidable, which is why they never recommend popping pimples, in any case.

Understanding Adult Acne

Acne can be as much of a problem for a 40-year-old as it is for a 16-year-old. Understanding why adult acne occurs and the options available to treat it can help reduce the stress associated with having this disorder. What Exactly is Adult Acne? For some patients, acne persists from their teen years through their 50s. For others, it appears for the first time in midlife. Adult-onset acne most frequently occurs in women undergoing menopause.

In general, females experience acne more than their male counterparts do. Among adults, more than 70 percent have outbreaks when they are between 20 and 50 years old. The cause is most often hormone- or bacteria-based. Comedones—blackheads or whiteheads—must be present to receive an adult acne diagnosis. Adult acne has four components: Sebum oil A bacteria called P. acnes A clogged hair follicle Inflammation caused by the immune system trying to kill bacteria

Researchers are still unsure of hormones' exact role in the development of adult acne. Another possible cause of the disorder is the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. Some individuals also appear to be particularly sensitive to specific foods. Others might have undiagnosed underlying medical conditions. Treatment Options The most effective treatment for adult acne is available from a dermatology practice. A dermatologist Palo Alto will identify the principal driver of a patient’s acne and create a personalized plan to treat it. Getting the upper hand often requires patience. Options include: Topical and oral medications: Dermatologists sometimes prescribe an anti-inflammatory retinoid applied topically. An oral version of vitamin A is available (brand: Accutane). Some patients use topical treatments that combine an antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide. Several new creams and other topicals are available that are less severe on the skin than their predecessors were.

Hormone blockers: Oral antibiotics are not effective for some adult acne. For these patients, oral medications that block hormones are sometimes a successful treatment. Photodynamic therapy: This treatment combines light therapy with a photosensitizing agent and is particularly useful for adult acne categorized as mild or moderate. Light activates a medication that kills bacteria and shrinks sebaceous glands. Most patients require several treatments. Surgical extractions: An aesthetician gently extracts plugs in blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pustules. Treatment includes restoring a normal environment to the patient’s skin in order for healing to occur without scarring. Aestheticians might also perform microdermabrasion, a chemical peel, or a silk peel.

Why Skin Cancer Happens To People Who Use Sun Screen

Sun tan lotion can help protect the skin while a person enjoys being out in the sun. But, if not used correctly, the skin can become as damaged as if the person had not used sun screen at all. Here is how the sun interacts with the skin and the proper way to use sun screen.

Sunlight and the Skin

Sunlight is made up of three types of ultraviolet rays:

• Ultraviolet A - These rays travel deep into the skin tissue. They can travel through glass and light clothing.

• Ultraviolet B - These rays affect the surface of the skin and do not penetrate far beneath it. These rays can be blocked by clothing.

• Ultraviolet C - These rays are normally blocked by the ozone layer around the planet.

The skin contains special cells which produce a dark pigment, called melanin, in response to the UV rays of the sun. This is the tan that people experience when they are out in the sun. While many people enjoy the darkening of the skin, the real purpose is to shield the skin from UV rays.

The skin can produce a limited amount of melanin and when that is exhausted, the skin becomes vulnerable to damage. The UV-B rays can cause the cells to change on the surface of the skin and become cancerous. The UV-A rays can create malignant tumors deep in the skin layers.

The Use of Sun Screen

Sun screen lets a person stay out longer in the sun because it blocks out part of the UV rays so the melanin-producing cells don't have to work as hard. Sun screen is only an effective block if properly used:

• apply liberal amounts over all of the exposed skin

• reapply to areas where the sun screen as been removed by perspiration

• reapply often as directed on the container to maintain the protection

Failure to reapply sun screen per the manufacturer's instructions is one reason that people who use sun screen still have skin damage.

Signs of Impending Skin Damage

Red skin is an indication that the skin is no longer protected. Applying more lotion at this point won't help. A person with red skin needs to get out of the sun. Covering up with a shirt also doesn't help as the UV-A rays can pass through clothing.

Ifthe redness doesn't go away after a few hours, it's time to see a dermatologist Palo Alto to determine if there is skin damage. If the skin becomes dry, then there is likely damage and the doctor will prescribe lotions to re-moisturize the skin. If left untreated, dry skin can result in scars and skin cancer.

By knowing how the sun and skin interact, and how to properly use sun screen, a person can enjoy the sun and protect their skin from the damaging ultraviolet rays.

Alopecia Areata, A Complex Condition

Alopecia Areata, a condition in which hair falls out in small quarter-sized patches, is thought to be auto-immune in origin, but what triggers it, causing the body's white blood cell's to attack hair follicles, remains uncertain.  Although scientists suspect that the nearly 2 percent of Americans who experience alopecia possess a combination of genes that predispose them to the condition, they still have questions about the role genes play.

Complicated Genetic Findings

Sometimes it appears that the more facts studies uncover, the less that is understood and the more tangled the genetic web becomes. The following is known:

• Alopecia is more likely to occur in families where autoimmune conditions like lupus, thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, Addison's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis affect members.
• Yet  while those who actually develop alopecia typically do not have the above mentioned autoimmune diseases, they often suffer from asthma, nasal allergies, and atopic eczema. 

• People with a close family member who had the disease have a slightly higher risk of developing it, and if that relative started losing hair before turning thirty, the risk increases.
• Unlike genetic conditions where if a parent has it, the child will have a 50/50 chance of developing it, in the case of alopecia, it seems that it is unlikely that such a child would inherit the combination of genes that would pass it on to him. In fact, most parents with alopecia do not have children with alopecia, and conversely children who do have it do not have parents who did. Even if an individual does have  the right combination of genes, she only has a 55% chance of  suffering the effects of the disease as found in studies involving identical twins, one of which developed the disease while the other one didn't. 

This last finding, complicated as it may sound, does point scientists in the right direction. They need to find the missing piece of the puzzle. Given the right combination of genes something  triggers an attack on hair follicles, but what is it? An environmental pollutant, stress, a virus? All are possibilities. 

Treatment for Alopecia

Alopecia does not hurt, and while it does cause  the psychological pain that comes from having one's hair fall out in patches, in most cases, those experiencing it are otherwise generally healthy. Although there is currently no cure for alopecia, a dermatologist Palo Alto can give a victim a steroid shot or prescribe a topical steroidal cream to lessen the autoimmune response.

As for the hair growing back, that is always a possibility but even if it doesn't minoxidil, a topical treatment can help restore a degree of temporary hair growth in 30% of patients.

Choosing a Dermatologist in Palo Alto

Anyone who needs a dermatologist Palo Alto will want to carefully consider their options. While many dermatologists can offer them skin care and information, some may be more well-versed on certain procedures and may have a personality and credentials that are more compatible with patient goals and desires. 

Skills, schooling, and experience all matter. So does bedside manner and how the dermatologist relates to their patients and the concerns those patients express. With the right dermatologist, a patient may feel more comfortable and be willing to see the doctor more often.

When a patient sees their dermatologist regularly, they may be more likely to get proper treatment for any skin conditions that are developing. That can include serious concerns such as skin cancer, and more insignificant issues such as dry or flaking skin. 

To select the right dermatologist, a patient will want to look carefully at the record of that particular doctor. By doing so, the patient can determine whether there are any concerns they would want to avoid. If so, that may not be the right choice for them. Additionally, they may have to see more than one dermatologist before choosing the one they feel best about.

Once a patient has chosen a dermatologist, that patient can return for care on a yearly basis or more often, depending on whether they need only regular checkups or there are worries that they must have addressed more frequently. 

It is very important to ensure that any dermatologist is serious about helping their patients have better care, and that skin issues are handled properly. By having a checkup from a good dermatologist, a patient can better ensure that skin cancer and other problems are not beginning. If anything is found, it can be treated quickly so it has less chance of spreading, as well.

Working with a dermatologist is especially good for people who spend a lot of time in the sun, or who may have a family history of skin cancer or certain types of skin disorders. For those individuals, a checkup that examines the skin at least once per year can save lives. 

However, even people with no history of cancer and those who wear sunscreen or limit their time in the sun can have problems with their skin. Seeing a dermatologist in Palo Alto regularly can be the best way to keep their skin as healthy as possible.