Self-Help Natural Skin Care Basics From Dermatologists

Going to a dermatologist is always prudent whenever you have a severe, puzzling or persistent condition, but, regardless of what other treatment is recommended, there are a few self-help basics that will go a long way when it comes to preventing and treating skin conditions. Healthy skin starts with a good basic natural skin care program of the type recommended by most dermatologists. Here are a few helpful hints:

1. Reduce the temperature of your bath and shower water. Although it?s hard to imagine that sitting in a bathtub could dehydrate you, extremely hot water does dry the skin and cause moisture loss.

2. Switch to natural skin care soaps and cleansing products, and use less of them. Even the gentlest cleansers can cause dry skin.

3. Eat well. Cut down on sugar and processed foods, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Good nutrition is a basic in natural skin care. What?s happening inside our bodies is directly reflected in our skin.

4. Take vitamins. It?s hard to get everything we need from our diets these days. Vitamins A, B, C, D E, and K are particularly beneficial to the skin. Trace minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids are also vital.

5. Exercise. It improves and maintains circulation so your skin is well-nourished and healthy.

6. Wash you hair only as often as needed, and use natural products. The chemicals in hair products cause a number of scalp conditions, and when your hair brushes against your face the chemicals cause facial skin conditions as well.

7. Wear sunscreen. There are several natural products available that don?t contain harsh chemicals.

8. Cut down on cosmetics and use natural cosmetics whenever possible. If you?re currently using foundation, you may be able to avoid it by implementing natural skin care basics that will give you healthier, glowing skin.

9. Use a shielding lotion. It protects your skin against the harsh, harmful chemicals and pollutants in our environment, and in the products we use. Hundreds of doctors now recommend them.

If you?re still having skin problems after implementing these suggestions, see a dermatologist to help diagnose and treat your condition. However, you may be surprised at just how far you can get with at-home basic natural skin care. Give it a shot!

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for The National Skin Care Institute. For more information, visit http://www.skincarenet.org.

 

Acne - Dermatologists

Dermatologists are skin specialists who treat disorders of the skin. But they don't just treat skin problems: they treat health problems of the hair and nail as wells. They are full-fledged medical doctors trained to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the skin, hair and nails.

The most common skin disease that dermatologists treat is acne. Acne is a skin condition that nearly all people have to contend with at some point during their teen years. The cases of acne vary from mild (the occasional pimple or zit) all the way to very severe (which consists of deep acne lesions and often extensive scarring). Acne is caused by the overproduction of oil from the hair follicles sebaceous glands, which combines with dead cells to clog pores. This can lead to whiteheads, blackheads, pustules and papules, or in the most severe cases, cysts.

Most acne cases don't require the services of a dermatologist, as a healthy skin care regimen and over the counter medications can control it. But for those persistent, moderate to severe cases, a dermatologist is almost always needed. These doctors can prescribe stronger topical medications as well as oral antibiotics, to help get a handle on difficult cases. They can also provide the medical means by which acne scars are reduced or eliminated.

Dermatologists also diagnose and treat other skin disorders such as skin cancer. Doctors will examine suspected skin cancer sites on the body and if need be, perform a biopsy to verify cancer's presence. There are a variety of types of skin cancer of varying degrees of seriousness. Needless to say, a doctor should examine any person who suspects that he or she may have some form of skin cancer, immediately.

Psoriasis is another skin ailment treated by these skin doctors. This is a chronic red scaly, sometimes itchy rash that affects a fairly large segment of the population. It can range in severity from barely noticeable, to needing hospitalization. Aside from the skin rash, a person may experience some degree of pains in various joints - which can be debilitating. It is thought that the immune system is involved in causing psoriasis, though this is not certain. There does seem to be a genetic predisposition to this disease. While there is no cure for it there are effective treatments that a dermatologist can provide after diagnosis.

Dermatologists also treat warts. These rough skin tumor-like growths can appear anywhere (but usually on the hands and feet), and are caused by viruses. Some warts go away by themselves but others can persist for many years. Dermatologists can treat warts in several ways. One option is to wait and see if it goes away on it's own. Also, they can use salicylic acid in liquid form or patch. This often will gradually make the wart disappear. They can freeze it, gently, over a period of time. They can also employ surgery, lasers, and chemical cautery to get rid of them.

Dermatologists can also treat patients to remove scars. They can use lasers of varying types to reduce, or completely get rid of scars. The types of scars that can be treated are those that result from injury, acne scars, keloids, and hypertrophic scars. With today's modern lasers, scarring can be reduced to a degree that it never could be before.

These are but a few of the many conditions dermatologists can treat. This is a field of many different specialties and areas of expertise and it is the state of the art in medicine.

Stephanie McIntyre and Wendell Bryant are Internet developers. Visit their site at http://acnesolutionsuniverse.com/acne-treatment/

How A Dermatologist Can Help With Acne Problems

While a mild case of acne isn't necessarily a serious problem, it's still a good idea to see a dermatologist. They can give you helpful information about what could be causing your acne as well as the best treatments.

Plus, there is another skin condition called keratosis pilaris that is sometimes mistaken for acne and a dermatologist can tell you if that is what you're dealing with, saving you the time and hassles of using the wrong treatment.

It's a good idea to prepare for your visit with the dermatologist by making notes about your acne - as much as possible. They will ask you about your background - things like how long you've had acne, how you've treated it and what form it has taken (lesions, whiteheads, blackheads, etc.) They might also ask if there is a history of acne problems in your family.

Be sure to tell the doctor if you are allergic to any medications. Females might be asked about their menstrual cycle and males might need to tell the doctor how often they shave.

You might be given a choice of treatments so it helps to know a little about the options before you make your choice.

Antibiotics are one treatment - they're used to kill the bacteria that leads to acne. They can be taken orally or as a lotion or ointment that gets applied directly to the skin. In severe cases, it may be necessary to use both forms.

Topical treatments include things like benzoyl peroxide and retinoic acid. They usually come in the form of a gel and can sometimes cause redness and dry skin.

In more severe cases of acne, the dermatologist may recommend a physical treatment. This could include removal of whiteheads and blackheads and possibly drainage of cysts.

Whatever type of treatment you end up choosing, it's critical that you follow the doctor's directions. Take the recommended dosage - no more or no less. And even if your acne clears up, you need to continue to take the medication for as long as the doctor tells you to or the acne may reappear.

Some of the questions you should keep in mind to ask the doctor include:

- What kind of treatment would work best for my acne?
- How long will it take before I see results?
- What is the best way to care for my skin?
- What can I do to prevent scarring?
- Is it okay for me to use makeup?
- Does this treatment have any side effects?
- How long will I need to take this medication?

As acne treatments can go on for some time, make sure you ask any questions you have each time to see your doctor. Being as informed as possible will make your treatment much easier to deal with.

John Lenaghan writes about acne remedies and other acne related topics on the Acne Squad website. For more information visit http://www.acnesquad.com