FAQ about Skin Health
What does a dermatologist do?
Dermatologists are doctors with added training that allows them to diagnose and treat disease of the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes. Dermatologists treat skin cancers, moles, warts, fungal infections, psoriasis, acne, dry skin, contact dermatitis and other skin conditions. Dermatologists are also surgeons to prevent or provide early control of disease and to improve how the skin looks.
How often should I go to the dermatologist?
For most people, a yearly skin examination is recommended. Those with a history of skin cancer or pre-cancerous growths should be examined more frequently.
What are the best moisturizers and soaps?
Petrolatum, an ingredient in many lotions, creams and ointments, is an excellent moisturizer. Other ingredients such as urea, alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid, and ammonium lactate help the skin hold water.
What are ways to protect myself from the sun?
- Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including lips.
- Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, if possible.
- Seek shade. The sun's rays are strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Use extra caution near water, snow and sand because they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, increasing changes of sunburn.
- Get vitamin D through vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.
- Avoid tanning beds.
What is the best sunscreen to protect my skin and how should I apply it?
Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Be sure to apply it correctly – studies show that most people don’t! A typical adult should use approximately one ounce to cover the entire body and a typical child, half an ounce. Apply it onto dry skin 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours. Wear it daily, even on cloudy days.
Use gels or aerosol sprays for oily or acne-prone skin – and lotions and creams for sensitive or dry skin. Sunscreen sticks can be used around the eyes, lips and ears. Some new products contain helioplex, an ingredient that allows sunscreens to last up to five hours on the skin if applied appropriately. For heavy sun exposure, don’t rely on makeup foundation that contains sunscreen.
SPF describes a sunscreen’s ability to block UVB rays (they cause sunburn and skin cancer), not UVA (they cause premature aging). But you need protection from both. Products made with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide physically block UVB and UVA rays – products with Parasol 1789 (avobenzone) and Mexoryl also cover the UVA and UVB spectrum.
What causes warts and how are they treated?
Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They are contagious and can spread by skin-to-skin contact. Warts are treated by a variety of methods, including destruction with liquid nitrogen and salicylic acid or with other medications that stimulate the immune system to “attack” the wart. Warts, which can be difficult to eradicate, often require multiple treatments over several months.
What is acne?
Acne is a disorder that causes outbreaks of skin lesions commonly called pimples. It is caused by the skin’s oil glands making too much sebum, an oily substance, which leads to plugged pores. It also can be caused by the rapid production of a bacteria P. acnes. Acne lesions occur mostly on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. It is the most common skin disease. Although acne is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfiguring and permanent scarring.
Is rosacea the same as acne?
Rosacea (ro-ZAY-she-ah) is a common skin problem often called “adult acne.” Faired skinned and menopausal women are more likely to have rosacea. Rosacea also seems to run in families. It causes redness in the center parts of the face and pimples. Blood vessels under the skin of the face may enlarge and show through the skin as small red lines. The skin may be swollen and feel warm.
Women with rosacea don’t have the same lesions as seen with common acne. They may have flushing of the face, when they are hot, drink alcohol, hot drinks, or eat spicy foods. This flushing causes the face to appear red. In the most severe form, this redness does not go away. The eyes may become swollen and nodules in the skin may be painful.
You can help keep rosacea under control by keeping a record of things that cause it to flare up. Try to avoid or limit these triggers as much as you can. Antibiotic lotions or gels can also help. Sometimes, you may need to take antibiotic pills.
What are the different types of acne lesions?
- Comedo (whiteheads or blackheads) or papules. The comedo is the basic acne lesion, which is a plugged pore. If the plugged pore stays under the skin, it’s called a closed comedo and forms a white bump or whitehead. Blackheads are comedos that open up and appear blackish on the surface of the skin. This black color is not due to dirt, but because the air reacts with the excess oil.
- Pustules or pimples. Pustules or pimples are acne lesions that contain pus and are red at the base.
- Nodules. These are more serious acne lesions. They lodge deeper in the skin, are painful, and can cause scarring.
- Cysts. Like nodules, these lesions are deep within in the skin, are painful, and are filled with pus, and can cause scarring.
How is mild acne treated?
There are many treatments for mild acne. Mild acne can consist of whiteheads, blackheads and small pustules. At home, you can wash your face twice per day with warm water and a gentle cleanser or soap. Your doctor may suggest you also try an over-the-counter lotion or cream. These medicines may make your skin dry if you use them too much. Be sure to follow the directions. If these medicines don’t work, your doctor may prescribe a cream or lotion with benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur.
- Benzoyl peroxide works to reduce oil made by the glands.
- Resorcinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur help breakdown whiteheads and blackheads.
If your acne does not get better after six to eight weeks, talk with your doctor about changing your treatment.
Can more serious forms of acne be treated?
Moderate to moderately severe acne. This type of acne consists of several whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules that cover from ¼ to ¾ of the face and/or other parts of the body. It can be treated with antibiotic lotions or gels, as well as retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is an altered form of vitamin A. It helps prevent whiteheads and blackheads. Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic pill, such as erythromycin. If you take birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, antibiotics can affect how well they work. Be sure to use a second method of birth control with the pill, such as a condom. Retinoic acid and antibiotic pills can make the skin sensitive to the sun. So, wear sunscreen and stay in the shade while using them.
Severe acne. Severe acne consists of deep cysts, redness, swelling, extreme damage to the skin and scarring. You should see a dermatologist to care for this type of acne. Scarring can be prevented with appropriate treatments. Your dermatologist can prescribe oral antibiotics and oral contraceptives. Large inflamed cysts can be treated with an injection of a drug that lessens the redness, swelling, irritation, and promotes healing.
Your dermatologist may prescribe Accutane®, if other treatments have not worked. This is a strong medicine that can help prevent scarring and treat active disease. But, Accutane also can cause birth defects. It is important that you are not pregnant and do not plan to get pregnant while taking this medicine. You must use two methods of birth control at the same time. This is done for one month before treatment begins, during treatment, and for a full month after stopping the drug. Talk with your dermatologist about when it’s safe to get pregnant. You and your dermatologist can decide whether this medicine is right for you based on the pros and cons. Use any prescribed medicine exactly as you are advised.
How do I monitor suspicious lesions on myself?
Periodic self-examinations aid in recognition of any new or developing lesion. Become familiar with your skin and your own pattern of moles, freckles and beauty marks. Make sure to look at your entire body every month or two. Watch for change in the number, size, shape and color of pigmented areas. Warning signs to look for include:
- A skin lesion that bleeds easily
- A lesion that does not heal
- Oozing or crusting spots in a lesion
- Appearance of a scar-like lesion with having injured the area
- Irregular blood vessels in or around the lesion
- A lesion with a central depression (a small “dip” in the lesion)
What are the warning signs of melanoma?
It helps to remember the “ABCDs.” These include:
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