What To Expect From Your First Time Seeing A Dermatologist | Southlake, TX

Written by

Photo by New Africa at Shutterstock

When you have a serious skin condition, it can be very damaging to your self-esteem. It’s particularly bad when other people can see it and judge you based on your appearance. If you feel nervous about setting up your first Southlake, TX dermatology appointment, don’t be! The right dermatologic team is caring and compassionate, two things that make you feel right at home when seeking treatment options.

It Starts with One Phone Call or Email

This guide is one that you’ll return to regularly because of the valuable information that it contains. It helps acquaint you with dermatologic services and prepares you for your initial consultation. It provides valuable insight into what to expect when meeting with a dermatology team and dermatologist for the first time. By the time you’ve finished reading it, you’ll be more than ready to tackle the task at hand by getting your very first appointment scheduled without delay.

Here is what to expect from your first Southlake, TX dermatology appointment:

  • Fill out the forms on the website to bring with you to your consultation with the dermatologist. There are two to six to complete. You can also email them to Compassion Dermatology. We must have them on file before seeing you and treating you. It allows us to build a medical history on you that we can reference at future appointments with your doctor.

 

  • If you’re an unaccompanied minor, please have the Minor Consent to Treat form available, too. It states that your parents have given their explicit consent to the treatment you’ll be receiving from the dermatologist. If you are underage, we cannot see you without the form. It, too, is available on our website under the category of ‘Your First Appointment.’ You’ll want to print it out and bring it in with you unless you have the option to scan it and send it to us by email three days before your appointment.

 

  • Arrive at our office at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. It allows us plenty of time to get you checked in so that we can make sure that you’ve completed all of the forms entirely before you see the dermatologist. It gives the doctor a chance to finish up with other patients, too, before seeing you.

 

  • Bring your insurance card with you to enter into the system along with the rest of your paperwork. When it comes time to bill you for your visit, we contact your insurance company to cover the portion of the appointment that your co-pay doesn’t cover. The receptionist often makes a copy of the card or enters it into the database for future visits. If your insurance changes for any reason between your first and follow-up appointments, you must let us know to bill the right provider.

 

  • Note that your initial consultation is a time for asking questions and seeking advice. If you have specific things you want to ask your dermatologist, it’s important that you know what they are in advance. That way, you get everything you can from your dermatology appointment. It may help to write them down on a piece of paper or create a note on your phone, so you don’t forget what they are currently. The more you know about the doctor and dermatology office, the more comfortable you feel having them treat your skin condition.

 

  • Once we set you up in the system, you can access the Patient Portal to read notes left by the dermatologist. If you’re the type of person that appreciates doing things online, you’ll love being able to access information after your appointment through the Patient Portal located on our website. It puts the power of patient advocacy into your hands. It also allows you to pay any remaining balance left on your account by debit or credit card after seeing the doctor. We make things as comfortable as possible for you so that you’re able to take care of all of your needs by visiting our website if it’s your preferred way of gathering knowledge from us.

 

  • We treat you with kindness and respect at all times. It’s vital that you feel like we treat you with care during every visit you make to our office. We know how much courage it takes to treat a skin condition that has been highly problematic for you. Know that you’ll get the care that you deserve when you schedule an appointment to see us. We get to know you as a person to help you achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself in treating your skin.

Having a dermatologist that you trust to visit is imperative to the health of your skin. It makes you more confident of the professional’s ability to help you with your condition. You don’t put off appointments because you’re nervous or feel like they don’t help you in any way. Instead, you get the service scheduled quickly, so you’re able to benefit from having access to the treatments and medications that you need to eliminate or reduce the effects of your skin problem.

Get the help that you deserve by scheduling your initial consultation with a dermatologist without delay. Putting it off only makes things worse. When you have a team of caring medical professionals by your side, it’s empowering. It allows you to get the help that you need and deserve when dealing with your skin.

Set Up Your First Appointment with a Caring Dermatological Team of Professionals Today

Compassion Dermatology in Southlake, TX, is here to help you with your request for assistance in seeing a dermatologist. We make scheduling your first appointment fast and easy. You can call 817-380-5911 or email welcome@compassiondermatology.com. Whatever way you choose to reach out to us, know that you’ll get an expedient response so we can get your initial consultation booked without delay.

It’s important that we’re able to assist you with your request on time. The sooner you reach out to us for a dermatology appointment, the better. Letting us know more about your condition helps us provide as much information to the doctor as possible before your visit. That way, they’re prepared to assist you in a way that feels comfortable and convenient for you.

Why Is My Acne So Bad? A Dermatologist Can Tell You | Southlake, TX

Written by

Photo by New Africa at Shutterstock

Acne is an unfortunate part of being human. There are very few people who can claim they have never had to deal with acne, and out of those few, at least a couple probably have had at least one blackhead. Some people are just luckier than others and only have to deal with a few stray pimples while other poor souls seem to be under attack. Acne is responsible for keeping dermatologists everywhere employed, as we see dozens of adults and teens who are afflicted with the skin condition.

While acne is not dangerous, it is extremely annoying and can have a large effect on the self-esteem of the person suffering from it. It can also be damaging due to scarring and hyperpigmentation that results from pimples that burst or persist despite treatment. People of color especially face hyperpigmentation and scarring issues so it is important to seek help for acne that does not clear quickly on its own. Dermatologists have an arsenal of tools at their disposal, and every single Southlake, TX patient has different skin which means it is hard to predict what will work best on an individual until they are seen in person.

For this reason, the best thing you can do if you are plagued by acne is book a visit with a professional. A lot of people feel self-conscious about treating something as seemingly innocent as acne, but those who have suffered through severe acne will tell you there is nothing innocent about this bothersome skin condition. While you are waiting to see a dermatologist, it might be interesting to learn more about the skin condition and what you can expect when you go in to see the doctor.

What Causes Acne?

A lot of people mistakenly think that acne is caused by not properly washing one’s face or by puberty. However, any adult who has woken up to a large zit on the day of an important meeting or presentation can tell you that this is not true. While hormones and stress can play a role in acne, the etiology of acne is very complex and usually includes a handful of factors that include stress and hormones along with diet, environment, genetics, and a little bit of just poor luck.

Acne Types

Given the different causes of acne, it should come as little surprise that there are different approaches to acne treatment based on what your doctor suspects are causing your issues. Mild acne is dealt with differently than severe acne while hormonal acne is treated separately from inflammatory acne. There is no absolute cure for acne, and most people will continue to suffer from breakout acne from time to time, but the goal is to keep it under control and identify an effective treatment plan for when breakout episodes occur so they can be quelled quickly.

Common Acne Treatments

As mentioned, every single person with acne will be treated differently based on their acne presentation and the likely influencing factors. A dermatologist will try to get down to the root of the problem, but sometimes it takes some adjustment and trial and error to get an effective maintenance program that works. Topical treatment is the preferred course of action for mild acne, but those who suffer from severe acne that is widespread throughout the body and face may benefit most from a mixture of oral and topical medications. This is something you will need to decide with the help of your Southlake, TX dermatologist.

Active Ingredients in Acne Medications

If you have ever been in the acne aisle in the beauty section of a department store, you know there are hundreds of products designed to treat acne. The sheer amount of products that promise you a clean complexion can be overwhelming, even more so when you look at the ingredients. It can be hard to know which way to even approach the problem, which is why just seeking help from a dermatologist can sometimes be the safest approach.

While acne medications that are available over the counter are designed to be safe and effective, when used too frequently or on the wrong types of skin, they can actually cause burning and peeling skin. Overuse or chronic misuse can actually leave your skin in worse condition than when you started, so you need to be very careful when attempting to craft your own acne care regime. While some people are able to handle the task, those with moderate to severe acne will benefit most from a dermatologist consultation and those with mild acne should still consider a professional visit.

The Goal of Professional Acne Treatment

While you may not see the same dermatologist as your friends, the goal should be the same: to keep your face clean and free of acne the majority of the time. As mentioned there is no cure for acne, so it is only reasonable to expect that breakthrough patches will occur. However, if you are prepared for this occurrence you can quickly and effectively treat the flare-ups and keep them at a minimum. Immediately giving your skin the boost it needs when it becomes susceptible to acne makes a huge difference.

With that in mind, when you first visit the dermatologist his or her goal will be to clean your face up. Once they develop a regime that cleans up your face, they will refocus your daily skin regime on preventative care. They will also give you a rescue plan designed to address flare-ups as they arise so that you never get in the same situation that led you to their office again.

Ready for clear and fresh skin in Southlake, TX? Compassion Dermatology has been helping people of all ages for years and we are ready to help you get a new lease on life.

What To Look For In A Compassionate Dermatologist | Southlake, TX

Written by

Photo by Robert Kneschke at Shutterstock

Self-care involves taking care of all parts of your body, including the skin. It involves a rigorous routine that fluctuates with the different seasons. Known as the body’s largest organ, your skin responds to stress, diet, and environmental factors. If you’ve noticed a change in how it looks and feels, it’s time to seek the help of a skilled professional known as a dermatologist.

If you’ve never visited a skin doctor before, don’t worry. There’s nothing to be afraid of today! Like any other medical professional you visit, a doctor of dermatology is available to help you overcome health challenges that cause your skin to react poorly. They get to the root of the problem so that you have long-lasting results. When looking for a skin doctor to work with, they should possess some characteristics that indicate you’ve hired the right expert in the industry to assist you.

The Best Dermatologists Do Things Differently

An excellent dermatologist has a track record of success that you can view online. They are well-loved by the community with patients who support their professionalism with the glowing reviews they write about the medical professional. The more time you spend researching a dermatologic practice, the more you find out how appreciated it is by the people that visit it regularly.

Here is what to look for in a compassionate dermatologist in Southlake, TX:

  • A dermatologist that is open to helping new patients. Getting the assistance that you need right away is imperative. If you’ve never worked with a professional in the area before, you’ll want to know that the doctor accepts new patients. That way, you’re not wasting your time by calling them and setting up an appointment. You’re aware that the professional can or cannot help you, so you’re able to move on to another option quickly. Getting an appointment scheduled is the first step in getting your skin problem addressed quickly and successfully. Once you’ve done that, you can sit back, relax, and know that you’ll get favorable results from the treatment plan developed by the doctor of dermatology for you.

 

  • Someone who takes your concerns seriously. The dermatologist that you choose to work with listens to you intently. They get to know your needs and worries by having open communication with you during your initial visit. The doctor takes a look at your skin and gives you a general assessment. Once you’ve had time to discuss potential treatment options and outcomes, you get to decide which option works best for you based on your needs. The dermatology expert always puts your needs first and goes out of their way to make sure that you feel informed and confident in the suggestions they’ve made for you. Once you do, you’ll want to use the medical professional’s services exclusively because of how good they make you feel about yourself and your appearance.

 

  • A professional well-versed in dealing with various skin issues. The longer a dermatologist has been practicing, the more experience they have working with people with different skin types. If you want to ensure that you get the best help possible, learn more about a skin doctor’s experience. Take a look at their website and get to know which credentials they have today. Ask questions about how long they’ve been offering services to the public. The more you get to know the dermatology doctor and their practice, the easier you’ll find it is to book an appointment with them. You’ll feel confident in the professional’s ability to assist you with your needs and provide you with the help that you deserve with your skin.

 

  • An expert that gets to know you as a person and comes up with a personal treatment plan that is easy to follow and results-driven. The right dermatologic practice treats you with respect as a valued customer. They go the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction and make sure that they meet your needs fully. The professional skin doctor is available to answer your questions and provide you with instructions that help you improve your skin’s quality and appearance. If a surgical procedure is necessary, they mentally and physically prepare you for it by giving you insight into what occurs during the process.

A compassionate dermatologist puts your needs first. They go out of their way to make sure that you’re happy with the treatment options they provide to you. The doctor schedules a follow-up visit to see how well your skin responds to the medication or procedure they initially recommended. That way, you can heal quickly and feel confident going out in public once again.

The right professional is one that you can envision yourself coming back to whenever you need help with your skin. You trust them to take good care of you and to listen to your needs as you communicate them to the dermatologist. You reach out to the clinic and get an instant response about the appointment you want to set up. Never do you feel like you’re being ignored or neglected by the staff because they go above and beyond the call of duty to make you feel comfortable and welcomed.

Who to Contact When You Experience Persistent Skin Problems

Compassion Dermatology is the place where Southlake, TX residents feel right at home. We provide a warm, welcoming environment for our patients to spend time in today. If you need to see a skin doctor for any reason, call 817-380-5911 with your request for assistance today. As soon as we receive your information, we’ll get you to put it into our schedule for an appointment.

Having a professional skin doctor take a look at your skin is something we highly recommend. They can diagnose the issue and come up with a custom treatment plan that benefits you. You no longer have to hide your skin because of breakouts or scarring. Let us know your situation to have a complete picture of your skin problems and get them resolved right away.

Dermatology Dangers Of Unregulated Injectables | Southlake Area

Written by

Photo by goffkein.pro at Shutterstock

Cosmetic procedures are popular in the area for many reasons. Some people want to look their best to improve self-esteem. A cosmetic procedure can even improve quality of life, especially when it provides help and comfort to people after traumatic experiences. Dermatology professionals also consider health and safety as the most important aspects of any procedure or treatment.

A wide range of products and treatments fall under the category of cosmetic injectables. Dermal fillers add volume and create facial contours. Neuromodulators, such as Botox, relax muscles in the face to smooth wrinkles. Cosmetic injectables should always be handled by a dermatologist. Amateur and DIY cosmetic injectables are dangerous.

Counterfeit Products and Unskilled Injections

Unregulated injectables are usually not FDA-approved substances and may even contain something very different than their labels claim. Counterfeit products are very common. Many counterfeits come from Asia and certain parts of Eastern Europe. Some counterfeit products from Asia have been examined and identified as viper venom.

Injectable fillers should be thought of as medical procedures. Our faces contain hundreds of blood vessels, over 30 muscles, and thousands of nerves. Dermatologists are doctors. They attend medical school and have years of education and practical experience before licensing. Injectables are safe when they’re administered by qualified dermatology clinicians. No one without the appropriate knowledge and training can safely perform an injectable procedure or any other type of invasive procedure.

Potential Adverse Effects

The most immediately noticeable effect of fake products or unskilled injection may be a lack of results. A procedure will not have the desired effect if it’s performed incorrectly using fake products. Disappointing results are often the best case scenario in such situations.

Illegal injectables have caused many severe adverse effects, such as infection, allergic reactions, disfigurement, blindness, scarring, and blood clots. Some people develop dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing or speaking. Another side effect, diplopia, can cause double vision and other problems with eyesight. Fake products contaminated with bacteria or fungi may result in a potentially fatal systemic infection known as sepsis.

Administration by untrained individuals or DIY procedures can damage nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. Some people have even developed gangrene and undergone reconstructive surgery to fix damage caused by illicit procedures and products. Vascular occlusion occurs when filler is injected into a blood vessel. This frequently results in necrotic, or dead, tissue around the site of injection.

People have lost parts of their noses due to vascular occlusion because it is so easy to inject filler into a vital blood vessel in the thin skin around the nose. Unregulated fillers sometimes cause irreversible damage. Nerve damage caused by unskilled injections is probably not fixable. Our nerves don’t regenerate, so effects of a damaged nerve can be permanent. Partial paralysis due to damaged facial nerves may cause drooping eyelids or an inability to smile or form other facial expressions.

At least one woman in the United States died after an unlicensed botox injection that was later found to contain cooking oil. A group of people in Florida experienced permanent paralysis after being injected with a highly concentrated solution of botulinum toxin that was never intended for use in dermatology clinics.

Why Are Counterfeit Products and Unregulated Injections Available?

Consumers sometimes believe unregulated injectables are safe because tutorials and personal testaments are easily found on social media platforms. Illegal products are sold by online businesses, which can foster a false sense of credibility or trustworthiness. It is actually very easy to establish an online business. A platform can be created and begin selling products in mere hours.

Massive e-commerce networks give individual vendors access to large markets instantly. Ebay and Amazon monitor vendors to some extent, but it takes time to identify and address vendors selling dangerous or counterfeit products. E-commerce sites operating outside the US may not have the same standards as American businesses, so consumers in the Southlake area must use caution when it comes to online marketplaces.

Businesses or individuals selling illegal products are shut down by various government agencies on a regular basis, but these agencies have limited authority over vendors operating outside of the United States. People trafficking in illegal products have also been known to create new online stores almost immediately after a previous site has been shut down.

These sites, and many tutorials, employ various strategies to appear credible. They may use common dermatology terms or claim to be licensed in medical fields. Organizations advertising or selling fraudulent products often pull quotes, names and even logos from legitimate sources of dermatology research and practical information. Analyzing packaging and comparing it to authentic products is not an effective method of verifying safety. Some counterfeit products are shipped in authentic packaging, and imitation packaging can be so similar to the real thing that it’s almost impossible to see any differences.

How to Find Credible Information

How can consumers know what sources of information or products are trustworthy? It is always worthwhile to contact your local dermatology clinic for information and questions about procedures. You can find trustworthy information online by searching for respected universities, medical providers and dermatology organizations. Search for specific websites on your own instead of following advertisements on social media or links provided by video tutorials.

If you aren’t sure if a source is trustworthy or not, don’t rely on it. Find verification from another trusted source. Always question isolated claims that seem to contradict information found on other sources. Sometimes dermatology professionals may disagree on the most appropriate products or procedures for specific situations, but they rarely ever disagree on safety concerns related to accepted procedures.

Contact Compassion Dermatology in the Southlake area if you’re considering a cosmetic procedure. Always ask a trusted dermatologist about procedures and products and avoid social media tutorials or questionable online stores.

Go To Compassion Dermatology For A Dermatologist | Southlake, TX

Written by

Photo by Robert Kneschke at Shutterstock

Many people underestimate the importance of skin. The truth is that the skin is an amazing organ. It is your first line of defense when it comes to disease. It also keeps you warm and cool when necessary, protects all of the other organs in your body, and communicates quite a bit to you about your health. This is why the health of your skin is very important, which necessitates a dermatologist in some cases.

If you are in need of a dermatologist in Southlake, TX, you should see what Compassion Dermatology has to offer.

What Does a Dermatologist Do?

A dermatologist is a type of doctor that specializes in conditions that involve the skin, nails, and hair. They are capable of identifying and treating over 3,000 different conditions. These include psoriasis, skin cancer, and eczema, as well as many other conditions that can affect a person’s health and well-being.

They have gone to school for a minimum of 12 years and have learned to diagnose all of these different types of diseases, as well as different cosmetic concerns. Many people do not believe that cosmetic concerns are significant, but the truth is that they can have a significant effect on a person’s self-esteem. When people experience issues with their skin, even if they are just cosmetic, it can have an impact on their self-worth, comfort level, and in some cases can pose a risk to a person’s life.

They have all the training necessary to address concerns having to do with your skin, nails, and hair. Before they can actually start practicing, they have to go through four years of college in order to earn a bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school, an internship that lasts for one year, and then three years of residency. During the residency, they will work with experienced doctors and complete 12,000 to 16,000 hours of patient treatment experience.

After successfully completing his or her residency in dermatology, they can become board-certified as well. This means that they have successfully completed a challenging exam on all of the skills and knowledge that they have acquired during all of their years of training. Board certification can be quite significant. If yours has a board certification from the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, the American Board of Dermatology, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, you will know that you are getting care from someone who has the highest qualification level and has received the most intense education in the field. It is important that if your dermatologist is board-certified, that it comes from one of these organizations. Other certifications will not necessarily reflect the same level of expertise and training.

You will be able to tell if yours is board-certified if you see the letters FAAD after his or her name. This is an acronym for Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Typically, if yours has a website, you will be able to see on the website whether or not this individual is board-certified.

Many people think that they can go to a general practitioner in order to seek help for skin issues. However, it is really better to go to a dermatologist. They treat many different skin conditions, and they treat a wide range of conditions from warts to deadly skin cancers. They can also see connections between skin issues and other issues within your body, such as problems with your immune system, allergic reactions to different substances in your environment, some sort of infection that is caused by a virus or bacterium, or some other issue. They can also help with cosmetic concerns in a more effective way than a general practitioner when it comes to your skin.

After they have become board-certified, in some cases he or she can continue his or her medical training. They can receive advanced training in one of the subspecialties within dermatology. These include pathology, Mohs surgery, and pediatric dermatology.

  • Dermatopathology. A dermatopathologist is a doctor who actually specializes in both pathology and dermatology. If yours sees some sort of concerning issue, they might take a biopsy. This means that they are going to remove a piece of skin and send it to a dermatopathologist in order to confirm whatever they think the diagnosis is. The dermatopathologist will examine and biopsy the skin and provide them with a written report that will tell whether any diseases were found and include any other information that can help them figure out the best possible treatment.

 

  • Mohs surgery. This is a dermatologist that performs a special technique that is referred to as Mohs surgery. This technique treats skin cancer. It involves the removal of thin pieces of skin and examination of each of these sections with a microscope. When they do this examination, he or she can be sure that they are actually taking out all the cancer cells. It can also minimize the removal of healthy skin tissue, since the surgeon is able to stop when they no longer see cancer cells under the microscope. There are many advantages to Mohs surgery, but it is not the best treatment for every skin cancer patient. They will consider many different factors when determining which treatment is going to be best for each patient. These factors include the type of skin cancer, where the skin cancer is located on the body, and whether or not the cancer has spread.

 

  • Pediatric dermatology. A pediatric dermatologist specializes in treating infants and children. Some diseases of the skin, nails, and hair are more common in pediatric patients, and some of these diseases only occur in children.

Conclusion

If you live in the city of Southlake, TX, and you are in need of a good dermatologist, you should feel free to contact the professionals at Compassion Dermatology. They will be able to answer any dermatology-related questions that you might have and potentially schedule an appointment for you in order to discuss your own skin health. If you have a skin issue, you should feel free to get in touch with these individuals at your earliest convenience, so that they will be able to help you or otherwise point you in the right direction.

How Can Dermatology Help With Scars? | Southlake Area

Written by

Photo by Elnur at Shutterstock

Almost everyone has scars. Scars consist of fibrous tissues that grow after a skin injury. Every injury doesn’t result in a scar. Wounds usually have to reach deeper than the skin’s outer layer to produce scar tissue. Sometimes scars are barely noticeable, but they can be uncomfortable or emotionally distressing in some cases. Fortunately, dermatology clinics in the Southlake area offer many treatment options for scars.

Types of Scars

The amount of melanin in a person’s skin and the type of scar often determines whether scars are white, red, or dark brown. Deeply red scars are described as hyper-vascular, while hyper-pigmented scars are very dark. Sometimes skin surrounding scars becomes darker due to inflammation.

Scars are a natural part of healing, but they can have negative effects. Highly noticeable or large scars can cause anxiety and lower self-esteem. Physical side effects of scars include tenderness, pain, and itching. Large or thick scars can interfere with flexibility and cause discomfort during certain movements. Wound healing can happen quickly, but large or deep wounds may need up to a year to fully heal. This means that the full extent of potential scarring isn’t always known immediately.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic and keloid scars are the two most common types. Frequent causes of hypertrophic and keloid scars include tattoos, acne, surgical wounds, piercings, and small skin injuries such as cuts or punctures.

A hypertrophic scar appears as thick, raised tissue that forms when too much collagen is produced at the wound site. Most hypertrophic scar tissue remains within the original wound borders. Although hypertrophic scars appear red or dark brown initially, the color often fades over time.

Keloid Scars

Keloid scars can be itchy or painful. They usually grow large enough to spread outside of the original wounded area. The most common sites of keloid scars include the chest, upper back, arms, shoulders, and earlobes. They’re normally round or have irregular shapes, and people with dark skin are more likely to develop keloids. Melanin gives keloid scars a reddish color.

Contractures

Contracture scars occur after damage to a large area of skin, such as a burn or abrasion. These scars can be very deep, and they pull and tighten surrounding skin. Sometimes contracture scars can limit movement.

Surgical Scars and Stretch Marks

Typical surgical scars can be thin, white lines or thick and wide raised lines. Pitting or small depressions occur when supportive tissue underneath the skin is lost or removed. Stretch marks are scars formed by rapid stretching of the skin. They’re often associated with pregnancy and weight gain. Although stretch marks aren’t surgical scars, but they share many characteristics. Dermatology treatments for surgical scars improve visual appearance by reducing redness and thickness.

Atrophic

Atrophic scarring is characterized by sunken areas and small divots in skin. It is commonly caused by acne or chickenpox. Acne often results in three types of atrophic scars. Rolling scars are wide raised areas. A boxcar scar has a hard, thick center and pulls on the skin around it. Icepick scars tend to be very narrow, but the scar tissue can be very deep.

Scar Treatment

Effective scar treatment depends on scar type, shape, size and location. Sometimes dermatology clinics combine multiple types of treatment to obtain the best results. Dermatology professionals can also help you minimize scarring during wound healing. It’s impossible to prevent scars, but keeping wounds clean and moisturized can limit production of scar tissue. Keep wounds covered to prevent excessive exposure to sunlight.

Dermatology professionals often recommend topical creams, collagen induction therapies, injectable fillers, and laser treatments to reduce the appearance of atrophic scars. The first step in reducing acne scars is treating acne itself. Attempts to reduce scarring while acne is still active can trigger a severe outbreak, and treatment isn’t very effective if new scars form immediately afterwards.

Retinoids and Injectable Fillers

Retinoids are a topical treatment meant to encourage cell turnover, which means the dead or damaged cells are replaced by new, healthy cells. This process can improve skin texture and encourage cells to fill divots. Injectable fillers, such as Bellafill or hyaluronic acid also fill in divots and depressions. Collagen induction is also known as micro needling. A series of very small needles make tiny wounds in the skin to promote collagen replacement. Micro needling may also enhance skin strength and elasticity.

Fractionated Laser Resurfacing

Fractionated laser resurfacing is another potential treatment for scars. Laser removal is noninvasive and tends to be very effective for reducing surgical scars. Dermatology clinicians use the intense light produced by lasers to reduce a scar’s color, size and shape. Laser resurfacing removes a layer of skin cells. The procedure reduces scarring by eradicating layers of scar tissue in small increments so new skin cells can grow instead. Sometimes radio frequency devices are used in a similar manner.

Surgery

Surgical procedures can reduce the size of a scar or graft skin from another area of the body onto the scar to make it less visible. Surgery is the most invasive type of scar treatment, so surgeons carefully evaluate scars and assess risk of possible complications before considering a procedure.

Chemical Peels and Dermabrasion

Chemical peels are done in dermatology clinics in the area. A clinician applies a chemical solution to an area of skin where scarring exists. The top layer of skin is lifted away when the chemical peel is removed. The procedure should leave skin smoother as new skin cells reach the surface. Multiple chemical peels are usually necessary, especially for thick scars.

A small machine resembling a sander removes the top layer of skin through a process called dermabrasion. The procedure smoothes over thick, raised scar tissue. Thick scars may need repeated treatments.

Contact Compassion Dermatology in the Southlake area if you’re concerned about scarring. Experienced dermatology professionals can answer your skincare questions and help you explore potential scar treatment options.

How To Locate Quality Dermatology Services | Southlake Area

Written by

Photo by Ihor Bulyhin at Shutterstock

Dermatology services in the area are easy to find. You just need to know where to look for the best and most reliable ones. If you’re new to the area or switching dermatologists for the first time, it can be challenging to know what to do next. Luckily, we’ve all been where you are at the moment and can provide a helping hand on the subject.

Where to Find the Best Dermatologists in the Area

This guide helps you discover the best dermatologist in the area to meet your specific needs. It provides you with valuable advice that makes your search fast and easy. By the time you’ve finished doing your research, you’ll be well-versed on the subject. You can help your friends and family find dermatologic services because of the experience you received from our guide.

Here is how to locate quality dermatologic services in the Southlake area:

  • Have someone refer you to a dermatologist. Your doctor can make the recommendation for you. You can also consult someone you know that has experience working with a dermatologist in the past. They can point you in the right direction so that you’re able to get the help that you need right away. You can get the assistance you require by working with a dermatologist exclusively once you know that their dermatologic services benefit you. When you have a referral, you know that the person referring you has checked out the services of the dermatologist they’re recommending. They either know them personally or have benefitted from being a patient of theirs. It can be a big help to learn what the skin doctor can do for you.

 

  • Get online and do some cyber-sleuthing. Use your favorite web browser and review site to get a comprehensive picture of the company you’re considering using. Take time to look up local businesses in the area and then read the reviews that people have shared about them. Get to know what makes one dermatology practice better than another. You can then start calling to see who is accepting new patients at the time of your initial inquiry. You’ll learn very quickly which service provider to use based on what you’ve read and heard about them online. It’s a very effective way of finding the right doctor to go to and get assistance.

 

  • Respond to an email or advertisement that you’ve read or seen. You can take advantage of a new service or a promotion offered by the dermatology clinic. It’s an effective way of knowing who in town is accepting new patients, too. You can hear an ad on the radio or see it on TV and want to know more about the company and what it has to offer you. You can mention that you read an ad or saw one on TV. It helps the dermatologist know which means of advertising are the most effective. It gives them a chance to perfect their brand’s messaging.

 

  • Use the local phonebook for inspiration. It’s a more old-fashioned approach to finding businesses in the area, but it’s still very effective. You can count on locating several companies in very little time that you’re able to reach out to right away. You can learn more about what they have to offer by calling them and speaking to a company representative. Once you have a feel for whether or not they can help you with your skin issue, you can book their dermatology services or move on to another company in the area.

Locating dermatology services in the Southlake area takes no time at all. In fact, once you’ve read through this guide from start to finish, you’ll be well-versed on the subject. You’re able to get the assistance that you need in record time and have your skin looking its best with a custom treatment plan offered by your dermatologist. Best of all, you’ll have a trained professional with years of expertise by your side whenever you need dermatological services.

Beautiful skin is achievable no matter what’s going on in your life at the moment. Investing in dermatologic services is something we highly recommend. You’ll feel so much better knowing that you’ve taken the time to take good care of your skin. You’ll avoid many of the problems people face as they grow older, too, with explicit instructions from your dermatologist.

How You Know You Hired the Right Company to Assist You with Your Needs

The right dermatologic company goes above and beyond what you need them to do for you. They take time to get to know you as a patient and your greatest concerns with your skin. The dermatologist provides you with many solutions to meet your needs so that you can have choices that make things easier for you. That means less stress and greater comfort when having treatments done. You’ll be able to get the help that you need without delay.

The best companies to get dermatologic services from take time to personalize every visit. The dermatologist treats you with respect. They get to know your needs, so they’re able to offer you the best options available. When you leave each appointment, you feel empowered to take good care of your skin per the doctor’s instructions.

Visit Our Dermatology Practice for a Variety of Services and Treatment Options

Set up an appointment today with Compassion Dermatology at 817-380-5911 with your service request. We go the extra mile to ensure that you and your skin are taken care of with the utmost care. We want you to feel comfortable with our services from the moment you walk into our dermatology practice. Let us know what we can do to improve your experience, and we’ll work hard to make it happen for you.

Beautiful skin needs TLC. By regularly visiting a dermatologist, you’re letting your brain know that all parts of your body deserve special attention. When your skin looks great, you feel great. It’s one of the many benefits of dermatology services because you ultimately get what you pay for each visit you make.

4 Ingredients That Treat Hyperpigmentation | Southlake Area

Written by

Photo by Gorlov-KV at Shutterstock

Hyper pigmentation is a type of skin condition that causes dark spots to appear on the skin. It usually isn’t anything that you have to worry about health-wise. However, some people simply don’t like the way that hyperpigmented skin looks. Fortunately, there are many different types of skincare products that can brighten your skin and treat uneven complexion.

With so many skincare products touting amazing results on the market, it can be difficult to find a product that actually works for you. In order to narrow down your search, you should look at the type of ingredients that each skin care product contains. Some ingredients are more beneficial for your skin than others.

We’ll look at several of these ingredients in this article. To figure out which ingredient may be best suited for your skin type, speak to a dermatologist. Some dermatologists may recommend different types of dermatology treatments in addition to the skincare products.

Vitamin C

One of the main ingredients that can treat an even complexion as vitamin C. Vitamin C works by preventing tyrosinase production, which is an enzyme that your body uses to produce melanin.

Regular use of a skincare cream that contains vitamin C will make your skin look brighter and smoother. In fact, a study published in 2004 found that just 5% of vitamin C in a cream is necessary to treat uneven complexions like hyperpigmentation. This vitamin is also an antioxidant and will help delay ageing and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The only issue with vitamin C is that it is a bit aggressive. When you apply creams and serums with this ingredient, you’ll notice some tingling. If you have sensitive skin, that tingling could be almost painful. At the very least, it’ll be uncomfortable. It can take some time to get used to this ingredient, and you will only see results if you use skincare products with this ingredient regularly.

Retinol or Vitamin A

Other than vitamin C, another ingredient that you should look for is retinol, otherwise known as vitamin A. Many dermatologists recommend retinol for treating uneven complexions. It’s also a great ingredient to have in your skincare products overall, as it can improve overall skin texture and vibrancy. It’s also a gentle exfoliant that can give your skin a beautiful glow and shine.

Unlike vitamin C, retinal will not block any enzyme production or action. Instead, it encourages your body to produce more skin cells. This means that healthier, newer skin cells emerge, effectively getting rid of any old skin cells that are hyperpigmented.

Retinol can be found in many different types of skin care products. Some dermatology treatments will also incorporate some type of retinol serum. For example, it’s not unusual for a retinol serums to be used in microneedling treatments. This allows the retinol to easily seep into your skin, which allows for optimal effectiveness.

Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid is particularly useful if your hyperpigmentation is caused by acne. This acid will not only reduce the amount of acne that you have, but it will also brighten your skin and reduce skin inflammation. It’s often studied in cases related to acne issues, and can be prescribed for anyone struggling with these types of skin disorders.

This type of acid can be found in over the counter skin care products. However, it’s most often used in chemical peels. If you’re interested in this ingredient, you should talk to a dermatologist first. You definitely don’t want to try out a new chemical peel by yourself at home. Rely on professional treatments, as misuse of this acid could end up damaging your skin.

Mandelic acid can also help exfoliate the skin and increase overall hydration and firmness. It promotes collagen production, which can greatly improve the overall texture of your skin. With that said, results will vary from one individual to another. Some people see results in just several days while others will see results after a couple of weeks.

Azelaic Acid

Last but not least, we have azelaic acid. This is an organic type of acid that is often found in barley and rye. Like vitamin C, it can control melanin production in your skin. This acid is sometimes recommended over mandelic acid because it’s gentler on the skin.

Unlike mandelic acid, however, this acid is not often found in chemical peels. In fact, you’ll often find it in creams and prescription gels. For a more concentrated serum, you’ll need to speak with a dermatologist who can come up with a personalized dermatology treatment for you.

One of the many benefits of this type of acid is that it is suitable for all skin types and can even be used by pregnant women. In fact, this acid is highly recommended to women who have pigmentation caused by hormonal changes from pregnancy. Although it’s not as recommended for acne, this acid can also kill off bacteria that cause acne.

Dermatological Services Can Help!

If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation, finding a dermatologist can help. The art of dermatology can not only figure out why you struggle with hyperpigmentation, but can also treat the condition. Various dermatology treatments may help. One of the most commonly recommended services by Compassion Dermatology, which services the Southlake area, is hydrafacial.

Hydra facial is suitable for all skin types. It not only gets rid of hyperpigmentation, but can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This type of dermatology treatment can also improve overall elasticity and firmness, as well as skin tone evenness and vibrancy. It’s definitely worth checking out.

The team at Compassion Dermatology offers a wide range of services for those who reside in the Southlake area. We build relationships with every patient to ensure that they get the personalized care that they need. To find out more about the types of dermatology treatments that we offer for those in the area, give us a call at 817-380-5911.

Why You Might Need A Dermatologist | Southlake, TX

Written by

Photo by wavebreakmedia at Shutterstock

When it comes to dermatology there are plenty of different services that you may want to look into. After all, there are plenty of different ways that you can choose to improve on your own look and to make yourself look the way that you want. Whether you want minor work to emphasize your current look or something major that will change the way you look entirely, there’s a dermatologist who can take care of those wishes for you. All you need to do is think about what you’re looking for.

Skin Evaluation

One of the first things that you’re going to want with a dermatologist is a skin evaluation. With this, you’re going to find out more about the quality of your skin and whether you already have any kind of moles, pigment changes or other negative conditions including inflammation. The plan is to find any area that might have imperfections and give you the opportunity to recognize those areas and decide what you may or may not want to do about them. After all, it’s entirely up to you which areas of your skin you decide to change.

Treatment of Conditions

Once those areas have been determined you can choose to treat any or all of them with your dermatologist. This is important with pre cancer or actual cancer spots. It can also include things like dysplastic moles and melanoma. What’s even better for you is there are several different types of treatment available for these types of marks including topical medications and Blue Light. With any of these methods you’ll likely be able to have a biopsy performed on the mark to see what it is. You can also get full surgical excision where required to make sure that it’s gone completely.

Cosmetic Procedures

When a lot of people think of going to the dermatologist the first thing they think about is cosmetic procedures. This is definitely a big part of what you can get done, but it’s not the only thing. If you are interested in minor or even slightly more extensive procedures you’re definitely going to want to look into this area. You can get chemical peels and Botox injections to help improve the look and quality of your skin. These can be less invasive but can give you good results on a more temporary basis.

On the other hand you can also choose from other procedures which can be a little more extensive. Such as sculpsure, which gives you a laser treatment to help remove some of the extra fat around the thighs and abdomen. This procedure is FDA approved and the first of its kind to be. It also takes very little time and it’s all about light technology, which makes it safer than other surgical methods of fat removal. And it works to permanently remove those targeted cells so they’re not going to come back and you can enjoy the look of your body the way you want it.

ICON is another procedure that you can have done that’s all about improving the skin. It can help with clearing vessels and pigments, acne cars, stretch marks, wrinkles and even help remove unwanted hair permanently. All of these different processes help you to get the look that you want and make sure that your skin is going to reflect what you want it to. The procedure uses a cooling process and a melanin reader that offers you the fastest treatments without getting too invasive and while providing you with excellent results as well.

HydraFacial procedures give you the improved skin healing and health that you’re looking for. They can help even out your skin tone, improve hyperpigmentation, decrease enlarged pores or oily and congested skin and even erase fine lines and wrinkles. All of this and they are designed to feel great at the same time. So why wouldn’t you want to get a great facial and see what kind of benefits you can get while you’re at it? Especially when it even helps with skin evenness and vibrancy and with the signs of aging that you likely don’t want.

For those in Southlake, TX who want some resurfacing but want as little invasive procedures as possible, there are different types of micro needling with a dermatologist. These can be used to improve the look of your skin and to reduce overall signs of aging. They can also help remove fine lines, acne scars and stretch marks as well. You can even add in PRP or platelet rich plasma while you’re doing micro needling, which can help to improve the collagen release and the healing time from the procedure. You end up with even better results, even faster by adding your own plasma into the mix. It even works for hair restoration and thinning hair.

Getting the Help You Want

When it comes to working with a dermatologist to get the results you’re looking for the most important thing is to think about what you really want. Do you want a procedure that’s going to be non-invasive but still give you good results? Or are you looking for something that is going to give you the absolute best results, even if it is an invasive procedure? The end result is going to be up to you and your dermatologist and whatever process you decide to choose. So why not make an appointment with a doctor and find out more about what’s available to you?

If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or if you’re interested in finding out more about the options, call Compassion Dermatology and set up an appointment with a dermatologist in Southlake, TX. You’ll be able to get all of your questions answered and find out which procedure is going to give you the right combination of what you’re looking for. You might even find yourself surprised with the different choices that are out there and the way that you can get the look that you’ve always wanted. With the right dermatologist, it’s all about pulling out the beauty within.

Should I See A Dermatologist For Poison Ivy? | Southlake, TX

Written by

Photo by Heidi Besen at Shutterstock

We’ve all heard of poison ivy. Many people have an allergic reaction, also known as contact dermatitis, after contact with poison ivy plants. Poison sumac and poison oak cause the same reaction. The resin of all three plants contains an oily substance called urushiol, which is responsible for allergic reactions. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are the most common cause of allergic reactions in the United States. The American Academy of Dermatology states that up to 50 million urushiol-induced allergic reactions occur every year.

Most dermatologists are very familiar with urushiol reactions because the causative plants grow all over the country, including Southlake, TX. Poison oak is more common than poison ivy in the western and southern parts of the country, but this is a relative comparison. There is no shortage of poison ivy in Texas. The roots, stems, and leaves of these plants contain resin, commonly known as sap, which means contact with any part can trigger a reaction. Sap is colorless or pale yellow with an oily, and very sticky, consistency.

Exposure and Allergic Reaction

Urushiol is present on the surface of intact plants, but much more of the oil is released when plants are crushed or damaged. Damaged plants may have black spots because urushiol turns black after exposure to air. Never burn poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac. Airborne urushiol particles from burning plants create an inhalation risk. A potentially life-threatening allergic reaction can occur in the trachea or lungs.

An allergic reaction to urushiol doesn’t usually result in rash immediately. Reactions generally occur within 12-21 days after the first exposure, but the rash appears only 12-72 hours after repeated exposures. This type of allergy is described as delayed-type hypersensitivity.

Allergic reactions vary between individuals, depending on sensitivity and strength of immune responses. Approximately 15% to 30% of people are not allergic to urushiol, so they don’t develop a rash or any other symptoms after exposure. On the other hand, approximately 25% of the population can experience a severe allergic reaction.

Common signs and symptoms of a reaction to urushiol include:

  • Intense itching
  • rash
  • red, swollen lines on the skin with streaks or patches
  • blisters
  • hives
  • small, fluid-filled red bumps
  • swelling

No one can ‘catch’ a rash or any other symptoms of an allergic reaction from another person. It may seem like the rash can spread to other parts of the body, but this is a misleading impression. Urushiol may penetrate thick or calloused skin at a slower rate, so a rash develops a little later. Talk to your dermatologist if new rashes appear and you aren’t sure of the source.

The most likely cause of new rashes on different parts of the body is fresh contact with urushiol oil that is still present somewhere. The sticky oil is easily transferred from one surface to another. Plant resin sticks to skin, clothing, tools, and even animal fur. Urushiol is an impressive, if extremely irritating, substance. It can stay active for over a year.

Prevention

There is no cure for a rash caused by poison ivy. Prevention is the best treatment. Anyone that spends a lot of time outdoors in Southlake, TX, should learn to identify potentially toxic plants. ‘Outdoors’ doesn’t just refer to camping or hiking. Poison ivy and poison oak can grow in an average backyard. Poison sumac could grow in a person’s yard, but trees are more noticeable than plants that blend into undergrowth or bushes. All three plants produce resin all year round, whether leaves are present or not.

Sometimes a rash can be prevented after contact with poison ivy. Remove oils from your skin immediately after contact with the plant. Ordinary soap is fine for washing exposed skin, but be careful with bar soaps.

Rinse your skin with lukewarm water before using a soap bar so the oil won’t stick to the bar and spread to other parts of your body. Use caution with wash cloths, sponges and loofahs that may pick up oil from your skin. Wash these items thoroughly or dispose of them immediately after bathing to make sure the oil won’t spread.

Alcohol wipes work when you don’t have immediate access to a shower or soap and water. Wash all exposed areas three times to make sure the sticky resin is gone. Even a tiny amount of urushiol may trigger a reaction.

Dermatologists recommend washing clothes, shoes and anything else you were wearing or carrying after contact with poison ivy. The same advice applies to poison oak or poison sumac. Regular laundry detergent removes urushiol from most clothing, but it isn’t effective for suede or leather. Bleach deactivates the oil on clothing and most surfaces.

Treatment Options

Most cases of poison ivy reactions don’t require a visit to a dermatologist. Leave blisters intact to heal on their own, even if they begin oozing or form a crust. Breaking blisters creates a very inviting entry point for bacteria that cause infection.

Unmedicated hand lotion, ice, and cold water aren’t effective against an allergic rash, but cooling the rash and surrounding skin might reduce inflammation and swelling. Most reactions heal within 10 to 14 days.

You can always visit a dermatologist for help. Burning and itching aren’t pleasant, and a dermatologist can help you manage symptoms. Dermatologists may recommend over-the-counter creams and baking soda or oatmeal baths. Other options include oral medications to counteract severe itching and steroid creams or injections to relieving itching, swelling, and inflammation.

Severe allergic reactions or an accompanying fever above 100 degrees F do require medical help. Always consult a dermatologist if bumps or blisters contain white, yellow or thick fluid that indicate infection. Untreated infected rashes can leave scars and may cause a systemic infection.

Contact Compassion Dermatology if you have a urushiol-induced rash. Sometimes we can brush up against a toxic plant or encounter sticky resin without realizing it. A dermatologist can help if you aren’t sure what caused a rash.