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Do you often look in the mirror and not like what you see looking back at you? It might be time to consult with a dermatologist in Southlake, TX, but if you have never been to a dermatology practice before you may be hesitant because you don’t know what to expect. Regardless of why you choose to see a dermatology expert, you can rest assured that they are just as professional as any other medical expert you may choose to see. They are completely discrete and will offer you advice based on what is best in your scenario.
However, before you go you need to think about whether you need medical or cosmetic dermatology. Some practices only offer one or the other while other practices are able to offer both medical and cosmetic services depending on how the doctors within the practice are licensed and what they choose to specialize in. If you are unsure of what type of dermatologist you need, you can always call the Southlake, TX practice you have in mind and ask questions. Our office is always happy to answer questions and would be glad to help you determine what exactly you need. This actually helps us out in advance because we can schedule a time that is appropriate for your needs.
Most people divide medical dermatology and cosmetic dermatology by what your insurance will or will not cover, but there is more to it than just that. Like most medical treatments, what your insurance will or will not cover changes based on what you need and what type of insurance you carry. There is no way to say one way or another in a short article whether or not your insurance will cover a service. Therefore, if you have any concerns it is best to schedule a consultation and talk to our practice and billing department about your specific needs.
What is Medical Dermatology?
Medical dermatology focuses on improving the appearance of skin and ensuring that it is healthy. The skin is the largest organ in the body and needs to be properly taken care of as you age. The main goal of medical dermatologists is to address medical conditions that concern the skin as they arise. Usually, these conditions first affect the appearance of the skin so it is not uncommon for people to first schedule an appointment with a dermatology expert because they are worried about how their skin looks.
The main difference here is that while cosmetic dermatologists treat a skin problem with the intent of making you look better, medical dermatologists only care that your skin is healthy. As you can see, there is a lot of crossover between the two since sometimes poor skin is a reflection of poor health and sometimes it is just a sign of aging. However, there are solutions that address each issue which is why it is always important to visit a dermatologist to see what can be done to improve the health of your skin.
Medical dermatology practices treat a wide variety of skin issues, but they tend to see certain conditions more than ever. For instance, among teens treatment for acne that is severe or scarring is very popular. Among adults, treatment for skin cancer is also common as skin cancer is on the rise and most people will at some point in their life have a basal cell carcinoma due to repeated exposure to the sun. As the ozone layer continues to deteriorate the damage is growing worse than it was before. Some people are also at high risk for skin cancer and should book an annual skin examination earlier in life than others.
These are just a few of the many, many conditions that are treated by medical dermatology practices. Others include eczema, psoriasis, warts, alopecia, and contact allergies. It is important to realize that skin conditions can occur at any age. Some people can live until their 60s without any skin issues and then suddenly develop skin diseases while other people might suffer from things like severe eczema from two months of age.
What is Cosmetic Dermatology?
Cosmetic dermatology on the other hand is based solely upon wants and does not have anything to do with medical needs. People who see a cosmetic dermatology expert traditionally want to reverse the signs of aging or want to improve areas of their skin that they don’t like such as non-cancerous moles or liver spots. Most cosmetic procedures involve the face since this is the area that most people feel shows the signs of aging first, but cosmetic procedures can be carried out all over the body.
In general, you see a cosmetic dermatologist if you simply want to improve the way you look, and apparently many people do as cosmetic dermatology is growing in popularity. In fact, every year more and more procedures are being performed making it a cutting-edge practice that is worth a second look. The demand is likely to continue to keep growing as people recognize how accessible cosmetic dermatology is these days. Some of the most sought-after cosmetic dermatology treatments include chemical peels, botox, laser rejuvenation, skin tightening, dermal fillers, laser hair removal, and skin tightening.
Keep in mind this is only a limited list, there are dozens of other procedures that can help you improve your appearance if you speak to a cosmetic dermatologist about your options. Whether you need to address your appearance or you need to address a medical issue that is affecting the health of your skin, Compassion Dermatology can help you. Give our Southlake, TX office a call today so we can make you an appointment with one of our fully licensed dermatologists.