We all want beautiful skin that exemplifies those #nofilter tags on social media, but for most of us, the stark reality is that we aren’t born with picture-perfect skin. In fact, the vast majority of people have at least one skin concern, whether it’s visible signs of aging, continual acne breakouts, or other concerns that are negatively impacting our self-image. Fortunately, the dermatologists at Vibrant Dermatology & Skinbar MD in Dedham, MA understand that expert care is the best way to improve the appearance and health of your skin.
What Will the Best Dermatologists Do?
A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in conditions that affect the skin, as well as the hair and nails. Dermatologists are qualified to diagnose skin conditions, even medical conditions like cancerous lesions. Your dermatologist will be able to make recommendations on the best skin care products to use for your skin type, point you in the right direction for aesthetic services to help you achieve your skin goals, and give you advanced care that will fortify your overall health.
So, do you need dermatology care? While it may make sense to try to get your skincare under control in the comfort of your home, the fact of the matter is that the skin is the largest organ in the body and only a dermatologist will have the medical understanding of how to best treat your skin. In fact, there are a few signs that it might be time to visit a skin expert, such as:
Some skin conditions, like sunburns, only come around once in a blue moon – but other skin conditions can be more persistent and harder to take care of. One of the most challenging skin conditions to treat is acne, which must have some kind of continual treatment plan to reduce breakouts. Rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema also require specialized care to minimize and control symptoms.
If you have been dealing with a persistent skin condition for more than three to six months, then it’s probably a good idea to visit a dermatologist. Persistent skin conditions are difficult to manage by yourself, and since many of these conditions can permanently scar the skin, it’s important to get treatment sooner rather than later.
Some skin conditions, such as the natural progression of aging, can be managed on a day-to-day basis at home. At least, they can in theory. But while you may dole out money for expensive over-the-counter anti-aging products to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, you may not be getting the results you want. This is because not all over-the-counter skincare products will work with your skin – and not all products are made with high enough concentrations of active ingredients to make a true difference.
With care from a dermatology expert, however, you will have access to high-quality skincare products that will produce the results you are looking for. Because dermatologists partner with companies that produce skin care products with high concentrations of active ingredients, you will often be able to find better quality and more reliable results with dermatologist-recommended products.
Sometimes, you don’t necessarily need to have a skin condition to visit a dermatologist. In fact, the best strategy for your skin health is to be proactive. Even if you’re not battling acne or wrinkles, you can still schedule regular appointments with a dermatologist to stay on top of your skin health, learn ways to protect your skin, and even screen for potential skin health concerns.
For example, one of the most important tasks of a dermatologist is to perform skin cancer screenings. Because signs of skin cancer have many symptoms, it’s generally a good idea to see a dermatologist if you have a suspicious mole or other skin symptoms that aren’t “normal” for your average skin health. Dermatologists will be able to screen for medical conditions and help you stay a step ahead of your health.
Dermatologists see patients for a variety of reasons, and that means that these specialists also have a wide range of treatments that can be offered to patients. For example, medical dermatology treatments tend to involve prescription oral and topical medications that manage certain conditions, like rosacea and acne. Cosmetic dermatology treatments, on the other hand, focus on enhancing both the health and appearance of the skin.
In fact, cosmetic dermatology may be one of the most effective tools dermatologists use to treat your skin. Not only do cosmetic dermatology treatments rejuvenate the appearance of your skin, but they can also be used to regulate the natural cycles of your skin to bring challenged skin into balance. Some of our most popular cosmetic dermatology treatments include:
An aqua facial is a specialized three-step facial that can enhance your skin health and give your skin a radiant glow. People with all skin types and conditions can use this treatment to exfoliate the skin, extract unwanted dirt and oil from the skin, and infuse the skin with hydrating serums that can treat specific skin concerns. You can use this facial to promote better cellular turnover, collagen production, and a reduction in conditions such as acne or sun damage.
Both dermal fillers and neurotoxins are aesthetic services that are designed to improve the superficial appearance of your skin. In general, injectable treatments are primarily intended to reduce the visible signs of aging, although many younger patients use these treatments to achieve specific appearance goals.
Dermal fillers are typically injected into areas of the skin where volume loss has created skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, and hollow areas. Treatments such as Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, and Sculptra are all dermal fillers that can correct these problems, as well as acne scarring. Neurotoxins, on the other hand, are treatments such as Botox and Xeomin. These treatments relax the muscles in the face to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on various areas of the face.
Laser treatments can be incredibly beneficial for those who have acne, especially those who have persistent acne, cystic acne, and hormonal acne. NeoClear is a laser treatment that can be used by every skin tone and skin type to reduce acne breakouts by regulating oil production, reducing inflammation, and eliminating acne-causing bacteria.
Typically, patients who are seeking skin rejuvenation tend to be those who are concerned about sun damage, broken capillaries, red skin, rosacea, and fine lines. NeoSkin is another laser treatment that corrects the tone and texture of the skin by using a laser device that increases cellular turnover and collagen production to improve the appearance of age-related concerns.
Radiofrequency microneedling treatments are also common in cosmetic dermatology, especially for those who have fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, enlarged pores, and dull skin. RF microneedling combines the thermal energy of radiofrequency to increase collagen production with microneedling, which also increases collagen production. This simple treatment is an incredibly efficient option to enhance the overall look and feel of your skin.
SkinBar MD is a series of treatments that are designed around your specific skin types and skin needs. SkinBar combines science-driven cosmetic dermatology with skincare that has been customized to your exact needs so you can improve the overall health and appearance of your skin. Our dermatology experts work to build a treatment plan that will address all of your skin concerns so you can finally achieve your dream of perfect skin.
The first step of SkinBar MD treatments is assessing your skin with detailed skin analysis with one of our skin experts. From there, we will start the first phase of your treatment with a three-month regimen of cosmetic treatments that will tackle your skin concerns. After that, the final phase of your treatment will be an ongoing monthly maintenance plan to maintain your results.
“Good” skincare can mean a lot of things. For one, “good” skincare may be referring to your daily skincare routine, which should include cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection, along with occasional exfoliation. “Good” skincare can also mean using quality skincare products that will enhance the appearance of your skin.
For skin experts, “good” skincare generally refers to a treatment plan and an at-home regimen that will prioritize the health and appearance of your skin. Good skincare plans balance the treatment of skin concerns with ongoing maintenance that prevents future skin damage. We will help you design good skincare for your needs and goals.
Yes. African American skin has unique factors that require specialized skincare. For example, some laser treatments are too strong for African American skin, which means that medium and darker complexions will need to use different treatments to avoid pigmentation concerns. For another, because African American skin loses moisture more quickly than other skin types, moisturization must be a priority for skincare. A dermatologist will be able to craft a treatment plan that accounts for the unique needs of your skin type.
Yes. Sensitive skin is highly reactive to harsh chemicals, over-exfoliation, and other factors, such as diet. People who have sensitive skin, including those with acne and rosacea, have to be mindful of how they take care of their skin since using the wrong products or treatments can make your skin condition worse. A dermatologist understands the special requirements of sensitive skin and will help you work around potential triggers so you can enhance your skin health.
Most people are good candidates for expert care with a dermatologist. There is no ideal age to start seeing a dermatologist and you do not need to have a specific skin condition before you schedule an appointment. Dermatologists see patients of all ages, including children and younger teens. You are likely a good candidate for dermatology care if you have skin concerns such as:
It’s a good rule of thumb to visit a dermatologist sooner rather than later. Not only can expert skincare prevent your skin condition from worsening, but it can also be a way to further enhance the appearance of your skin. From cosmetic dermatology like facials and injectables to laser treatments and skin cancer screenings, visiting a dermatologist is a good strategy for protecting your skin health and appearance. Please contact Vibrant Dermatology & Skincare MD in Dedham, MA to schedule your consultation today.