It’s not hard to see that there are thousands of acne solutions on the market. From creams to pills, and everything in between, we see it advertised everywhere that we look. Even A-list celebrities share their stories about how this product or that treatment helped them beat acne. There’s no denying, though, that the best acne treatment for adults is working with a licensed dermatologist.

Why a Dermatologist?

While many people find great success dealing with acne on their own, there are others who struggle to banish their blemishes. Sometimes, the chemicals and ingredients in over-the-counter acne treatments can contribute to the problem.

For example, people with sensitive skin can break out more when exposed to benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient found in the vast majority of drugstore treatments.

Toners and cleansing wipes can dry out the skin, contributing to the problem. Your skin makes additional oils to compensate for the stripping away done by these treatments. More oil means more acne.

Your dermatologist has knowledge, resources, and experience that are used to craft the perfect plan for your skin. Some adult acne sufferers require rounds of antibiotics before they can start seeing improvements using topical methods. You would only know this by working with a dermatologist. Effective chemical peels can only be administered by those familiar with facial anatomy and proper skin treatment, including dermatologists.

In other cases, your dermatologist can use advances in medical technology to help. Laser treatments have proven to be one of the best acne treatments for adults. When your skincare routine doesn’t seem to be working, and you’re tired of living with adult acne, it’s time to consult with a skincare expert.

Your providers at Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Institute should be your first resource as you consider treatment plans that are right for you. If you’re in the Edina, Chaska, or Shakopee area, stop by for a visit and learn more about the value that dermatologists can bring to your skincare routine.

What Science Says

As of now, there have been no clinical trials done with the purpose of determining if Botox is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.  While there’s not enough evidence to claim that Botox leads to fetal harm, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Take a break from injectable dermal rejuvenators until your bundle of joy is born.

Healthy Alternatives

Pregnancy doesn’t mean that you have to let your skincare regimen fall to the wayside. There are other ways that you and your dermatologist can work together to keep that healthy glow long after the baby is here.

Pregnancy hormones have a tendency to increase the sensitivity of your skin. Pregnant women are more prone to breakouts, rashes, and issues with pigmentation. Continue to use sunscreen daily as pregnancy hormones make you more susceptible to darker patches known as melasma, which is triggered by sun exposure.

1. Eat, drink well and continue to moisturize. Dehydrated skin produces more oil, leading to more breakouts. Eating plenty of antioxidant-loaded leafy greens, like spinach, can also help minimize inflammation.
2. Keep up your skincare routine, but check with your dermatologist about which specific products are safe to use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.  It’s easy to get wrapped up in preparing for your newborn. Don’t do your skin a disservice by sleeping in makeup or not applying plenty of sunscreen.

Keeping your skin healthy during pregnancy means beautiful skin after the baby is here! Your providers at Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Institute are here to help you with your skin care concerns.

Summer is winding down, and your skin is bearing the consequences of too much fun in the sun. If you’ve slacked on the sunscreen, you might be noticing some major discoloration and uneven tones of your skin. What can be done to reverse this damage? A great place to start is with the GentleWaves Photomodulation.

What is GentleWaves?

GentleWaves is a treatment called “photomodulation,” which literally means “light control” to target your damaged skin with light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. These LEDs are used in a specific sequence and frequency of pulses to stimulate damaged cells to repair themselves and stop inflammation.  It encourages damaged cells to “act” like younger cells, producing more of the proteins necessary for firm, healthy skin.  Photomodulation can decrease inflammation in the skin resulting from sun exposure and pollution.

What are the Benefits of GentleWaves?

This treatment causes no damage to your skin. Unlike other light treatments, which often rely on thermal damage to encourage new cell production, GentleWaves provides a special light wavelength and duration to stimulate cells to repair themselves much like sunlight causes photosynthesis in plants.  It works with your body’s natural response to light to encourage increased protein production of existing cells.

What Can GentleWaves Do?

This treatment type is appropriate for a range of skin conditions, from head to toe! Some options include:

• Sun damage
• Rosacea
• Sunburn
• Dull skin
• Damaged skin

It can also be used to reduce the healing time associated with other light treatments. Receiving GentleWaves treatment following almost any kind of skin damage, especially that associated with light and thermal damage, can reduce the healing time and coax your skin back to its healthy, youthful tone. It can even reduce the time that it takes your skin to heal from a sunburn!

GentleWaves is a safe, delicate treatment for your skin concerns. While almost everyone is a great candidate, it’s still best to speak with your licensed skin care professional before using this system. They can help you discover a therapy plan that will give you the most benefits for your budget.

Shingles is an incredibly painful condition caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Unfortunately, those who suffered through chicken pox as a child are at risk of developing shingles later in life. This is because the virus can lay dormant, reactivating when the conditions are right for the virus to thrive. Because of those unique conditions, the question is often asked, “Are shingles caused by stress?”

What are the Risk Factors?

In general, shingles affect older portions of the population, as it depends on a weakened immune system to rear its ugly head. Those who have immune deficiencies, are currently undergoing cancer treatments, or are currently prescribed steroids are at an increased risk. Anyone who has had chickenpox is a potential candidate for shingles.

A great preventative, though, is receiving the chicken pox vaccine as a child or the shingles vaccine as an adult.

If you had chicken pox as a child, it might be appropriate to speak with your doctor about preventative measures.

What are the Symptoms?

Generally speaking, the first symptom of shingles is intense pain. This is usually localized to one area on one side of your body. Other symptoms include:

• Development of an itchy red rash
• Blisters
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue

Shingles can be particularly dangerous if the rash develops near the eyes. Untreated shingles near the eye can cause permanent damage to your vision.

Are Shingles Caused By Stress?

The answer to that question is… not exactly. Stress does not directly cause shingles, but it can be a contributing factor.

When you are stressed, your body’s immune system may weaken. This is especially true for those who experience intense stress, such as a major life change or a death in the family. Chronic stress also opens the door for shingles to re-activate. Reducing stress is one preventative measure that you can take to decrease your risk.

Caring for every part of your body is an excellent way to take a burden off your shoulders. Working with caring, professional dermatologists can help you avoid stress triggers, like acne breakouts and dealing with other frustrating skin conditions.

If you suspect that you have shingles, get in touch with your dermatologist right away. Together, you can craft a treatment plan that relieves symptoms and reduces pain.

Acne is one of the most common skin care problems.  Why treat acne as soon as possible?  According to the American Academy of Dermatology, without treatment, dark spots and permanent scars can appear on the skin as acne clears, treating acne often boosts self-esteem and there are many effective treatments currently available.  While working with a board certified dermatologist and following their recommendations, many patients may still have scarring from delayed treatment.  At this time, your provider may suggest a series of chemical peels for those scars. With a personalized regimen and chemical peels, you can end your skin woes. (more…)