Dermatologists, or skin care doctors, have expertise in the care and treatment of human skin as well as the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of skin conditions, including skin cancers. They can also diagnose and treat disorders of the scalp, hair and nails as well. After earning a medical degree and completing a hospital internship, a dermatologist receives three more years of special medical training to becoming an expert dedicated solely to the conditions of the skin, hair and nails. Some dermatologists get even more specialized training and expertise in a specific areas of dermatology, such as pediatrics, surgery, or cosmetics. Dermatologists treat many types of skin conditions, here are the most common.
Acne: Dermatology experts can help eliminate acne and acne scars with the use of different topical, oral medications and laser treatment options. These laser treatments control breakouts and significantly reduce acne difficulties. When diagnosing acne, Portland Dermatologists classify it into four grades. They evaluate the types of comedones present, amount of inflammation present, breakout severity, how widespread the acne is and what areas of the body are affected. Since acne has many different forms, your dermatologist will design an individual approach to care for the successful control of your acne.
Wrinkle Treatment: older folks can use wrinkle removal/reduction to make their skin appear years younger. Botox, Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane injections can all help smooth out wrinkles and prolong a persons beauty. The effects of aging on our body and especially on the dermal layer are significant. Not only does the dermal layer thin, but it also starts to produce less collagen, and the elastin fibers that provide elasticity begin to wear out. These changes in the building blocks of the skin cause the skin to wrinkle and sag over time. Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging.
Scars, Birthmarks, Stretch Marks and Tattoo Removal: Although complete scar and stretch mark removal is not possible, most scars can be significantly improved in appearance through one or more cosmetic techniques, including microdermabrasion, chemical peels, collagen injections, and fat transfer procedures. Your Portland dermatologist may also recommend a cream, gel, or bandage that contains silicon to help reduce scar visibility and pain. During a laser tattoo removal treatment, the laser’s high energy light breaks up the tattoo ink into tiny particles, which are gradually absorbed by the skin. Laser tattoo removal may cause slight discomfort, though a local anesthetic can be used to eliminate the pain.
Rosacea: This is a chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin. It causes redness similar to blushing, but can be extremely uncomfortable with itching an burning. There are a few different options available to your Dermatologist to treat this disorder. Your dermatologists will usually recommend a combination of treatments tailored to the individual patient. Many rosacea treatments are applied directly to the affected skin. Creams, lotions, foams, washes, gels, and pads that contain a topical antibiotic, azelaic acid, metronidazole, sulfacetamide, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids may be prescribed by your dermatologist.
Psoriasis: This is a common skin condition that causes rapid skin cell production which results in large red, dry, flaky, and extremely itchy patches of skin. It is said to affect more than 2.2% of Americans and 1% to 3% of the worlds population. Psoriasis is characterized by period flare-ups of red patches covered by silvery, flaky skin. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown and there is no cure as of yet, but most researchers believe that a combination of several factors contributes to the development of this disease.
Your Portland Dermatologist is trained to help you identify your condition and then help you design a treatment plan that will aid you to gain control over your outbreaks.