Lifetime Dermatology Blog, Skin Conditions
Fun fact, did you know that the average woman pops 4,153 pimples in her life according to a survey by Study Finds? While we don’t recommend squeezing or popping pimples yourself, as that can cause more damage to your skin, we want to let you know you have more (better) options that can leave your skin glowing – and help keep acne at bay.
From a simple blackhead or whitehead extraction to an emergency intralesional steroid injection for cysts, Lifetime Dermatology has the tools to help keep your skin clear and lessen the pain of severe acne. We also have treatments specifically designed to prevent acne and leave your pores open and clear. Read our blog for more information, or visit our acne treatment page to learn more.
No one likes acne. At its mildest, it’s an unsightly blemish that goes away in a few days. At worst, acne breakouts can be severe, painful, and never-ending. Typically, breakouts begin around puberty and subside as we age. For some people though, acne doesn’t go away just because you’re past your teenage years.
Almost everyone gets acne at some point or another; it’s the most common skin condition in the world. It’s caused by a buildup of dead skin cells in your sebaceous, or “oil” glands. Dead skin gets caught in these pores, trapping the oil which then turns into blackheads, whiteheads, and even painful cysts.
Acne isn’t caused by a “bad diet” or poor skin hygiene, although these things can make it worse. Acne levels can also vary from person to person based on hormones, stress, and genetics.
Every case of acne is different, and that’s why so many treatment options exist. Most remedies are over-the-counter, but if these don’t work, prescription treatments or in-office medical procedures could be the right next step for you.
From a simple blackhead or whitehead extraction to an emergency intralesional steroid injection for cysts, Lifetime Dermatology has the tools to help keep your skin clear and lessen the pain of severe acne like cysts.
Lifetime Dermatology Blog, SkinMedica
You love your skin. You do your best to treat your skin right, either by stopping by our office or by investing in stellar products that enhance your skin and restore its radiant glow. That’s why we include SkinMedica products with our procedures – and include them in our after-care regimens.
Since 1999, SkinMedica has been churning out science-based skin care. SkinMedica’s mission has always been to create products that work with your skin’s naturally healing ability. Their rigorously tested ingredients work with your skin to restore its natural ability to hold elasticity and moisture, keeping you looking your best.
SkinMedica’s products have an effective formulation that helps them target skin cells that need the most help rejuvinating. Each ingredient is included based on multiple peer-reviewed studies proving that they can scientifically treat your skin. Their testing and formulation process goes above and beyond most skin care products.
Thus, we’re including SkinMedica products with certain Packages that will surely keep your skin vibrant and glowing. They are:
- SkinMedica Minis Collection: The Minis Collection includes a four to six-week supply of fan favorites, including Lumivive Day Damage Defense Serum, Night Revitalize Repair Complex, HA Rejuvinating Hydrator, and the Total Defense+ Repair Broad Spectrum SPF 34. This collection is perfect for travel, as each bottle is TSA-friendly and prepped for flight.
- SkinMedica Everyday Essentials System: SkinMedica’s collection of daily must-haves address sagging skin from the source, helping your skin bounce back. Everyday Essentials are designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, keep your skin hydrated, and enhance your skin’s resilience. This system includes one TNS Advanced+ Serum, one HA Rejuvenating Hydrator, Retinol Complex, and a Total Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 34. It’s made for all skin types, too!
- SkinMedica Procedure 360 System: This before-and-after system is especially designed for pre- and post-procedure support. It’s specifically designed to support scarless wound healing, reduce recovery time, and bolster your procedure results. This system includes a Post-Procedure Repair Complex, TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream, Essential Defense Mineral Shield SPF 34, Restorative Ointment, and 2 Facial Cleansers.
Are you an Alle rewards member? If so, you receive points with every purchase of SkinMedica products. And at Lifetime Dermatology, all repurchases of SkinMedica products are 10% off. Need a refill soon? Receive an additional 10% off within 45 days of your initial Package purchase.
Laser Services
Admit it: you don’t shave or wax as often in the winter. Since the weather’s cold and the shorts and swimsuits are packed away, it can be your little secret if you give your razor a break for a day or two – or even if you let it hibernate all winter!
What if we told you that you can ave the best of both worlds? Keep your silky-smooth legs, underarms, back or chest without having to break out the razor and shaving cream. Let us introduce you to laser therapy.
Laser hair therapy not only targets unwanted body hair, it can permanently remove body hair for good. That way, you can say good-bye to shaving, waxing, and tweezing without letting your unwanted body hair grow back. How does it work? Concentrated light zaps away pigmented hair. The unwanted body hair absorbs the light and disappears.
To make hair removal permanent, you’ll need to book several laser sessions, one every four to six weeks. Your skin may feel sunburnt for the day or two after your procedure, but ice packs and anti-inflammatory creams can help with the discomfort.
If you’re ready to retire the razor, wax, and/or tweezers for good, and keep your body free of unwanted hair, laser therapy could be right for you. Schedule an appointment with us today!
Skin Conditions, Skin Protection
Don’t let psoriasis flare-ups ruin your winter. Learn the triggers and how to treat this potentially debilitating condition.
Winter is the time where your skin dries up. Since the moisture in the air is low during the colder months, it’s easier for skin to get dry and crack. For most people, keeping some lotion or skin cream on hand is enough. For people suffering from psoriasis, it’s a different, more painful story.
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes dry, scaly, itchy skin patches. These skin patches appear in waves or cycles, flaring up for a few weeks or months before going away. The pain level from these flare-ups can range from slightly annoying to completely unbearable.
To make matters worse, triggers abound for psoriasis this time of year. The cold is a big one. Plus, flare-ups happen when you’re stressed, and all the running around and preparing for the holidays doesn’t help with stress levels one bit. Also, psoriasis is theorized to be an immune system issue, so any sort of infection can trigger a flare-up. Since winter is cold and flu season, you know what that means: winter is the perfect storm for psoriasis flare-ups.
Most people with psoriasis develop plaque psoriasis. The American Academy of Dermatology describes these as “patches of thick, raised skin called plaques” and scale, a silvery-white coating that covers some plaques. These tend to form on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, but they can flare up anywhere.
And as tempting as it can be, itching is a no-no. Itching can make the flare-up worse, causing the plaques to thicken.
Psoriasis isn’t contagious, and there’s a strong genetic component to who gets it and who doesn’t. There’s also no cure for psoriasis, but treatment can make flare-ups more bearable.
We offer the XTRAC laser to treat psoriasis. It’s the only FDA cleared excimer laser that clears skin of painful plaques. It works fast, and many patients see flare-ups disappear and go into remission longer after treatment. If you want to get fast, long-lasting relief for a flare-up that’s affecting your day-to-day life, learn more or schedule an appointment here.
Skin Conditions, Skin Protection
Even though summer is turning into fall, UV rays can still damage your skin. You already know that UV rays can cause permanent skin damage, unsightly discoloration, or even cancer, but did you know that protecting your skin with sunscreen should be part of your routine all year?
Although you won’t feel the heat, your skin can still suffer damage from UVB rays. Thanks to reflective surfaces like snow and ice, the damage from these rays can be worse in the winter. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, snow reflects up to 80 percent of all UVB rays, further increasing your chances of getting skin cancer and premature aging.
To protect your skin, clothing is the first line of defense, but you also need a good sunscreen that matches your specific skin type to protect your face. We also have tinted sunscreen that you can use as a foundation for all-day protection! Our sunscreens come in many different SPFs, and they’ll keep you from getting skin damage from UV rays.
Also, did you know that infrared light rays can inflame and damage skin in the winter, too? While its damage can be minimal, new research shows that when infrared is coupled with UV rays, it can maximize skin damage. Thankfully, sunscreens exist that also protect you from infrared and work to repair your skin, too.
If you become a LifeTime Dermatology VIP Member, you’ll receive 10% off ALL Cosmetic Services & Products, including sunscreen, for one year. You can even earn rewards points on your purchases!
