Posts for category: Skin Care
Find out the most effective ways to remove a wart.
The common wart is a small tumor caused by a virus known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts can occur anywhere on the body. They may come and go over the years. The HPV infection can produce everything from the common, noncancerous wart, to cancerous warts of the mouth or genitals.
Since a virus causes warts, these benign growths are also contagious. Sharing towels and clothing, or even just coming in contact with their wart can cause the virus to spread. The good news is that most warts often go away on their own without treatment; however, it can often take months or even years for them to go away. If the wart is unsightly or in an uncomfortable spot then you may want to have it removed. Here are some of the top ways to effectively remove a wart yourself.
Salicylic Acid Treatment
Salicylic acid treatment can come in several forms including pads or gels. They can be used to get rid of a variety of different kinds of warts from the small ones to the large, lumpier ones. Salicylic acid works by breaking down the protein that makes up the layers of the wart.
At Home Freezing
While your dermatologist is able to remove warts with liquid nitrogen, if you’re looking to remove the wart yourself, then you can also opt for aerosol wart removals that can be sprayed on the wart to freeze it. While the overthecounter products are nearly as effective as the freezing methods your dermatologist can use, many patients still find athome freezing to be just as effective.
If none of these athome treatments remove your wart, then it’s time to talk to your dermatologist about other treatment options. Keep in mind that even the most effective wart treatment can’t guarantee that the wart won’t grow back. This is because most of the treatments available only get rid of the wart but not the actual virus.
If you’re dealing with a painful or unsightly wart but overthecounter treatments aren’t working, then it’s time to call our dermatology office today.
Find out how your dermatologist can improve the appearance of your facial scars.
From traumatic injuries to acne, there are a variety of reasons why you may be dealing with facial scars; however, it doesn’t mean you have to live with them for the rest of your life. Your dermatologist offers up a range of cosmetic treatment options that can improve the appearance of your skin and reduce the look of your scars. If you’re ready to get newer, healthierlooking skin, find out more about what treatments could help you.
Dermabrasion: This cosmetic procedure uses a handheld device to remove the outermost layer of the skin. By abrading this top layer, we are able to remove dead skin cells and promote the growth of healthy new skin. Dermabrasion is used to effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, enlarged pores and acne scars. However, this treatment is not effective against deepset scars.
Laser Resurfacing: By using a highpowered laser, we can remove damaged skin and surface scars, helping to minimize the appearance of unsightly dermatological problems like lines, wrinkles, age spots, pigmented areas and scars caused by acne, injury or surgery.
Chemical peels: This treatment requires your dermatologist to apply a strong chemical solution over your skin to remove the top, damaged layer of skin and exfoliate the healthier, smoother-looking layer of new skin that is revealed. Chemical peels are another great way to dramatically reduce wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots and acne scars.
If you are dealing with superficial scars that are close to the surface of the skin, you will benefit greatly from this cosmetic procedure; however, those with deeper scars will not experience a significant improvement.
Injections: Your dermatologist is happy to offer both collagen and cortisone injections to help shrink and reduce the appearance of scars. By increasing the collagen in your face, we can give your skin more fullness to smooth out visible scars.
If you are interested in any of these dermatological treatments talk to your dermatologist today. Don’t let facial scarring affect your selfesteem. Make the choice to improve your skin and your confidence!
Find out how to care for your dry skin effectively.
Despite the fact that spring isn’t too far behind, we still have to put up with snow, cold temperatures and freezing winds. These winter elements can wreak havoc on our skin, causing it to become dry, chapped and red. If you are one of those people who are currently trying to find some way to alleviate their dry skin, then you’ve come to the right place. Find out the best moisturizer to help your chapped, cracked skin, and how to prevent this problem from happening to you next winter.
The Right Moisturizer for You
It can be difficult to choose the right product for your skin. After all, not all skin was created equally and there is often some trial and error when it comes to choosing the most effective moisturizer. So what kind of lotion should you look for? If you have sensitive skin, seek out a soothing, creamy moisturizer containing ceramide, which is gentle enough for delicate skin.
If you don’t have sensitive skin but you are suffering from severe dryness, then you’ll want to look for a richer moisturizer that contains urea, beeswax, or petroleum jelly, which help to lock in moisture and offer the skin a protective barrier against the drying elements.
Also, keep in mind that the skin on your face is different than the skin on your body so you’ll want to choose a different moisturizer for both. When it comes to choosing a moisturizer for your face look for a bottle that says that it’s noncomedogenic, which means that it won’t clog your pores and leave you prone to breakouts. Also opt for a moisturizer that acts as a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. This will also act as a protective shield against sun, wind, and cold.
Apply Your Moisturizer
How you apply your moisturizer is often just as important to choosing the proper moisturizer. We recommend applying a generous amount of moisturizer right after you step out of the shower and pat yourself partially dry. You want to apply your moisturizing cream to your skin while it’s still a bit moist to help your skin absorb more water.
If your skin needs some serious moisturizing then you may want to consider applying the cream before bedtime and then wearing breathable gloves or socks over the hands and feet overnight to offer a deeper moisturizing experience.
Don’t let dry skin drive you crazy. If you haven’t found a lotion that helps combat your dry skin, then it’s time to talk to your dermatologist today to find out what products are right for you. Call us to schedule an appointment and lets nip your dry skin in the bud.
Give your skin the TLC it needs while still enjoying your pool days.
If the swimming pool is a second home to you, then you may definitely label yourself a swimmer. Swimming is a wonderful and refreshing workout that can help us lose weight, maximize muscle and strengthen our core; however, whether you choose to swim in a chlorinated pool or natural water, all that time in the water can certainly take its toll on your skin. It’s important to know just how to care for your skin the next time you jump into the pool for your refreshing workout.
Shower Right Away
This is the most important rule you can follow after you take a dip in the pool. You need to wash the irritants of the pool or water from your body using warm water and soap. Chlorine found in the majority of pools sticks to your skin and can cause rashes and other skin problems. To minimize irritation, you will want to jump into a shower right away.
The same goes for those who swim in the ocean or lake. Saltwater, algae and bacteria from natural bodies of water can cause redness, rashes, and other irritation.
Wash Your Bathing Suit
Besides just washing your body, you’ll also want to wash your bathing suit with soap to remove any possible contaminants from the pool or seawater. Don’t wear the same bathing suit twice unless the suit has been thoroughly washed and is completely dry.
Apply a Moisturizer
The chlorine in pools is meant to kill bacteria to prevent infection; however, these pool chemicals can also dry out your skin. To combat this, we highly recommend using a thick, creambased moisturizer after your shower to keep dryness away. Most swimmers can get away with using an overthecounter moisturizer from their local drugstore; however, talk to your dermatologist if you need a stronger moisturizer to take on your pool dryness.
Hydrate Yourself
Sure you just spend a lot of time in the water, but how much water are you actually consuming each day? Working out alone takes water out of our bodies, so it’s important to replenish as much as possible. Furthermore, drinking water is a great purifier for our skin and it keeps our skin moist. Drinking more water will also help flush out pool toxins and keep you hydrated.
To learn more about how to take care of your skin, call your dermatologist today!
Chapped skin can happen at any time of the year, from the warmest climate to the coldest. Whether it’s harsh chemical soaps, cold temperatures, or overexposure to the sun, chapped hands are painful and inconvenient in any season.
What is to blame for this nasty problem? Unfortunately it has to do with a loss of moisture. Just washing your hands multiple times throughout the day can cause hands to peel and bleed. However, once you recognize your issue, then you can do something about it. Find out the best ways to care for your chapped hands to prevent this issue in the future.
Moisturize
If you want your skin to return to its once supple state, then you’re going to want to put back the moisture that you’ve robbed your skin of. Sadly, just drinking water just won’t cut it, although it is helpful. You must apply a moisturizer directly to your skin to combat this problem.
The best way to prevent chapped hands is to start a moisturizing regime even before your hands start to feel dry. This way it’s already a normal habit in your daily routine, and you can keep your hands from drying out.
Some people are dealing with such deep cracks and bleeding that a light moisturizer isn’t going to do the trick. In this case, using a thicker product can be very effective, such as petroleum jelly or a rich moisturizer that contains cocoa butter or beeswax as an ingredient. For an even deeper moisturizing experience, trying putting this product on at night, and then wearing cotton gloves to bed.
Washing hands
It’s vital to wash our hands, and no one is recommending giving up this healthy habit. It can, however, wreak havoc on your hands! It’s important to follow these steps when washing:
- Use a mild soap
- Avoid using hot water
- Pat rather than rub your skin dry
- Apply a moisturizer right away
While handwashing can be drying, hand sanitizer gels are even harsher on your skin. Try to avoid their use unless absolutely necessary, opting instead for a gentle wash.
If you are dealing with severely chapped hands and you can’t seem to find relief from your symptoms, then it might be time to see your dermatologist for treatment. Call us today!