Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I see a dermatologist?
| A dermatologist is a physician trained to provide medical
and surgical care for diseases of the skin, hair and nails.
If you suffer from symptoms linked to a disease of the skin,
hair or nails you should seek the services of a dermatologist.
You should also see a dermatologist if you are unhappy with
your skin's appearance, due to acne, visible veins, wrinkles,
scarring, dark spots, tattoos, etc. |
2. What role should my dermatologist play in the care of my skin?
| Not only can your dermatologist treat diseases of the skin,
hair and nails, but your dermatologist can also help you maintain
a youthful and healthy appearance through cosmetic treatments
and a skin care regimen. |
3. What can I do to decrease fine lines and wrinkles?
| Your dermatologist can recommend a treatment such as BOTOX®,
glycolic peel, Collagen injections, Restylane, microdermabrasion or Smooth
Beam laser to suit your individual needs. Skin care products
can help to maintain the results of a treatment and continue
to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. |
4. Is it possible to slow the signs of aging of the skin?
Protecting your skin from the sun is the most significant
thing you can do to prevent wrinkles, sagging and discoloration.
A daily habit of wearing sunscreen is of foremost importance
in slowing aging of the skin and decreasing the risk of
skin cancer. Smoking also ages your skin before its time.
It reduces blood flow to the skin, which leads to wrinkles
and interferes with the skin's natural defense against
free radicals. |
5. What are free radicals?
| Free radicals are the by-product of the burning of oxygen
by your body's cells to produce energy. These "by-product" molecules
are missing an electron, and will attack any nearby molecule
to get it. If they take electrons from important components
in your body, like DNA, protein or fat, they do damage to those
cells and precipitate health problems. Over time, the cumulative
effects of free radicals can contribute to premature aging
and diseases such as artery and heart disease, arthritis, cataracts
and cancer. Free radicals can also be caused by environmental
factors such as pollution, smoking and ultraviolet light. We recommend eating a healthy diet and taking high quality nutritional supplements to obtain adequate levels of antioxidants to fight free radicals. |
6. What are antioxidants?
| Antioxidants are a group of compounds that prevent free radicals
from damaging cells. They convert free radicals to harmless
waste products that get eliminated from your body before they
can do damage; some may even repair previous damage. The vitamin
supplementation of antioxidants, administered topically or
orally, nourishes the skin. This means that antioxidants, when
part of a healthy diet and skin care regimen, can actually
reverse the signs of aging. |
7. What is Alpha Hydroxy Acid and what does it do?
| Alpha hydroxy acid is derived from fruit and milk sugars.
The most commonly used alpha hydroxy acids are glycolic acid
and lactic acid because they have a special ability to penetrate
the skin. Alpha hydroxy acid works mainly as an exfoliant.
It also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. |
8. What causes adult acne?
| Adult acne is a result of stress and fluctuating hormones
that occur naturally as we mature. Approximately 90% of all
adolescents and 25% of all adults experience acne at some point
in their lives. It's one of the most extensive medical conditions
in the world, and is responsible for about 30% of all visits
to the dermatologists. |
9. What can I do to get rid of my acne?
| When over-the-counter products fail to work, prescription
gels, creams, and lotions can help control acne. Prescribed
oral antibiotics can also reduce the amount of bacteria in
the follicles as well as act as an anti-inflammatory. Treatments
such as microdermabrasion, laser treatments and glycolic peels
can also improve skin clarity. |
10. Can anything be done about acne scars?
| The appearance of scars can be minimized through microdermabrasion,
glycolic peels, and Smooth Beam laser treatments. Results vary
depending on the number of treatments and severity of scarring. |
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