People want to look and feel their best throughout life. As they age, they begin to see signs of sagging skin, wrinkles, and laugh lines. These changes begin as early as the 20’s and continue throughout life. The goal of cosmetic dermatology in Sterling Heights is to minimize the effects of aging and improve and revitalize skin through a variety of procedures and services.
Yearly Checkups Are Vital
Yearly checkups are vital to make sure the patient has no skin diseases or cancers, which can be the result of long-term sun exposure or even short-term reliance on tanning beds. In addition to cancers, which should be treated immediately, sun or tanning bed exposure can lead to wrinkles and leathery skin. These conditions can be treated by a Grosse Pointe dermatologist.
Taking Care of Skin
Dermatologists recommend drinking plenty of water and using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen every day containing zinc oxide or titanium. Sunscreen should contain at least a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, with SPF 50 or higher being the best for outdoor activities. Face creams that contain Retinol, Vitamin C Serum, or glycolic acid can also delay the signs of aging, but they cannot eliminate them entirely. A skin care doctor can give advice about other procedures to enhance a patient’s appearance, restore a more youthful look, and improve self-confidence.
Cosmeceuticals such as retinoids, often listed as Retinol, can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dark spots such as freckles, reduce facial oiliness, unclog pores to treat acne, and enhance a more youthful appearance. Vitamin C and glycolic acid can help with these issues as well. A Sterling Heights dermatologist might recommend stem cell extracts to firm skin and improve its strength. One advantage to stem cell extracts is that even patients with sensitive skin can use them. Hydroxy acids can safely remove dead cells on the skin’s surface, even out blotchy skin, and reduce dryness and rough-textured skin.
Treating a Common Skin Condition: Acne
Acne is a skin condition that can be caused by plugged pores, inflamed pimples, or even deeper cysts. Left untreated, acne can lead to permanent scars, so it is important to have it treated early. Products containing vitamin A can help reduce bacteria that leads to acne. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, corticosteroids, and oral antibiotics may be prescribed. Photodynamic therapy uses a topical agent which is applied to the skin and then activated using the correct blue wave-length of light to treat stubborn acne and rosacea. A board-certified dermatologist in Grosse Pointe will be able to recommend the best treatment in specific cases of acne, depending on the patient’s age, sex, and the type of acne the patient exhibits. Even if scarring has occurred, the dermatologist can use skin resurfacing with laser, dermabrasion, chemical peels, or electrosurgery to treat the scarring.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels improve skin’s appearance by applying a chemical to the skin, causing the top layers of the skin to peel off. Substances used include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or carbolic acid. The dermatologist will recommend the type of peeling agent, depending on a person’s skin type, where the peel is needed, and how deep in the skin the agents go. Chemical peels can be combined with soft tissue fillers or botulinum (Botox®) injections. Soft tissue fillers can be injected under the skin to improve appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen stimulators can be injected to fill areas where the patient has lost collagen.
Botox® Treatments Should Be Administered by a Detroit Dermatologist
Botox is the number one cosmetic injectable in the world; it is used by close to 20% of the American population, both male and female. Botox injections help maintain a youthful appearance without invasive surgery, which can be quite expensive. Botox injections eliminate the swelling and scarring associated with surgery, and the time spent recovering. Facial areas that may require Botox injections are fine lines around the mouth, laugh lines around the eyes, or forehead wrinkles. Botox can be administered in as little as half an hour, allowing the patient to return to work the same day if desired. These injections work under the skin’s surface to relax the muscles that cause facial lines and wrinkles from sun damage, collagen reduction, cellular changes, and repeated facial motions such as smiling, frowning, squinting, or raising the eyebrows.
Choosing the Right Dose and Frequency of Botox Injections
A consultation with the dermatologist is the first step, allowing the doctor to know where to inject Botox and the amount to be used. The dermatologist will then tailor the treatment to each patient’s specific needs. The correct dose will differ depending on the patient and the desired outcome. The important thing is to use a board-certified dermatologist to administer the injections to make sure the right areas are targeted, and the right dose is used for each person. The doctor has experience with treating many patients and understands different skin types. A dermatologist is best qualified to administer Botox. Each patient is different; the doctor who has treated others will be able to determine each patient’s needs. The effects of Botox injections last about three to six months, so additional injections will be needed to maintain the youthful appearance desired.
Why Choose a Dermatologist for Botox Injections?
It is important to consult with a board-certified skin care doctor in Detroit so the dermatologist can administer the right amount of Botox. The patient can be assured that the doctor will tailor the amount needed and the frequency of treatments for each patient, and the dermatologist will treat each patient as an individual. If a patient starts receiving Botox injections early, such as in the 20s or 30s, the treatment can prevent lines from showing up in the first place. For older patients, Botox can make lines and wrinkles virtually disappear!
Many Options Are Available with Cosmetic Dermatology
There are so many ways to reduce the effects of aging. Consulting with a Sterling Heights dermatologist is the best first step.