While many of the treatments at The Clinic for Dermatology & Wellness focus on skin issues and concerns associated with aesthetics and aging, we use some of those same treatments to effectively treat and manage medical dermatology conditions.
Below, we’ve addressed some of the more common skin concerns that our patients turn to us to help them treat, as well as the treatments we provide to ensure that you leave our care looking and feeling as beautiful and confident on the outside as you do on the inside.
At The Clinic for Dermatology & Wellness, we understand the impact that acne can have on your confidence, which is why our team includes providers that have a high success rate with acne treatments, focusing on methods that will rapidly decrease your symptoms during a flare-up. Some of the treatments we offer include:
- Obagi Cleanziderm
- Topical and Oral Medications
- Chemical Peel
- Laser and light-based therapies
- HydraFacial Therapy
Our acne treatments are completely customized to you and your individual needs, and offer a significant amount of flexibility and variability. You may choose to combine several procedures to increase the effectiveness of your treatment, all of which will be determined at your appointment.
Rosacea
A chronic skin condition that usually shows up after the age of 30, rosacea manifests itself as redness across your cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Despite the fact that more than 16 million Americans are affected by rosacea, doctors are unsure of what exactly causes this condition. What they do know is that while rosacea can affect anyone, it is more prevalent in women, as well as those with fair skin.
Many rosacea patients tend to have sensitive skin, and as this sensitivity and flushing worsens over time, small blood vessels develop in the prominent regions of the nose and cheeks. In some cases, prolonged pimples and bumps (papules) result in scarring of the cartilage structure of your nose, and the skin thickens, creating a “cauliflower” appearance known as rhinophyma. Rhinophyma can not only disfigure your nose and negatively affects your self-image, but can also result in significant discomfort. Other complications from rosacea include facial swelling, eye issues and persistent dry skin.
The redness associated with rosacea comes and goes, and patients often describe stinging, tingling or burning sensations, especially when aggravated or triggered due to several contributing factors that cause increased blood flow to your skin’s surface, including:
- Skin products that cause irritation
- Exercise
- Caffeine and alcohol
- Spicy food
- Sun or wind exposure
- Extreme temperature
- Certain medications that dilate blood vessels
At The Clinic for Dermatology & Wellness, we understand that unpredictable rosacea flare-ups can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem.
That’s why we provide several treatments that can keep rosacea symptoms at bay, allowing you to enjoy clear skin more often and prevent your condition from worsening over time. Many medications can greatly diminish papules and pimples in most patients, though the redness and blood vessels can be just as concerning and are less affected by medications. For a more permanent, lasting resolution of redness and flushing, laser or light therapy can often help a patient maximize the benefits of their treatment.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a common occurrence in which patches of skin become darker in color than the unaffected surrounding skin. This increase in pigmentation can have a wide variety of causes. Excess sun exposure over our lives may result in “age spots” or “liver spots”, which are known medically as solar lentigos. Melasma is a common skin disorder in which patches of darker skin appear on the face, and in some patients may worsen with pregnancy. In post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a pimple, a rash, or a bump that was red or purple may fade, leaving a darker patch of color behind.
Birthmarks and Vascular Lesions
There are two primary kinds of birthmarks: vascular lesions or pigmented lesions, both of which can present at birth or develop shortly after. Pigmented birthmarks are made up of a cluster of cells responsible for skin color that can range in color from light brown to dark brown or black, and sometimes even blue. Moles are included in this category, and are also considered birthmarks. The exact causes of birthmarks are unknown, but may be a result of genetics. Pigmented birthmarks such as café-au-lait spots, Nevus of Ota and Becker’s nevus can sometimes be improved with laser treatments, though in some cases (especially with moles), surgical removal may be necessary.
Vascular lesions may also present as a birthmark, often as a red flat area (patch), or raised and bulbous (nodular). The most common form of vascular lesion is a hemangioma. Hemangiomas can be present at birth; more commonly they appear later in life, typically after age 40 (known as senile angiomas). In both childhood and age-related varieties, hemangiomas classically occur more often in women, and about 60 percent are found on the head and neck (childhood) or trunk (later in life). All versions of hemangiomas are treatable using a variety of techniques ranging from radiofrequency (RF) ablation to laser therapy.
Vascular malformations are another common type of vascular lesion, made up of veins, arteries, capillaries, and/or lymphatic vessels. There are several kinds of vascular malformations, each named for the blood vessel it affects most. Vascular malformations appear at birth, and unlike hemangiomas (which can lighten or shrink with time), they grow proportionately as you grow.
Like pigmented birthmarks, no one knows what causes vascular lesions, but is usually a chance occurrence. It can also be an inherited trait. In most cases, vascular lesions are benign and harmless, but if they are large, they may affect the movement of your limbs or even your breathing or other large organ systems.
At The Clinic for Dermatology & Wellness, we can diagnose and treat vascular lesions using a variety of methods. There are multiple, mild therapies, including laser and light sources that are very effective at diminishing or altogether eliminating these lesions, which include hemangiomas, capillary vascular malformations, spider angiomas, broken blood vessels and scars, among others. All of our vascular lesion removal procedures are well-tolerated, using no anesthesia, and offer virtually zero downtime or side effects. Some patients may note post-treatment swelling or transient darkening of the lesion(s), although this is rare and will resolve within two to four days.