What Can You Do With Dermatology? | Southlake Area

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Dermatology is actually a very broad category of services that are designed to improve your skin. But those services can encompass both medical and cosmetic procedures that are designed to help you look and feel your best. With a dermatologist in the Southlake Area to assist, you can do a great deal to improve your skin and you can definitely change the way you feel about yourself in the process. Because it’s all about getting the look that you want to feel comfortable with.

Medical Procedures

Medical and surgical dermatology means things like diagnosing and treating skin cancer, precancer, melanoma, and dysplastic moles. Procedures can vary greatly and may be non-invasive, minimally invasive, or surgical.

Non-invasive treatments include things like topical treatments or Blu Light while minimally invasive treatments could include liquid nitrogen. Surgical procedures can include the removal of cancerous or precancerous lesions or suspicious moles, among others. All of this is discussed with the professional that you decide to work with.

The most important thing is that you have the opportunity to talk with a professional and decide what you need and what you’re comfortable with when it comes to your medical treatment. Biopsies and more can also be done to ensure you get the proper care that you need. All you need to do is start with a team that you trust to take a look at your situation and help you with creating a plan to take care of it.

Medical procedures are extremely important because failing to get them done in a timely manner could be dangerous for your overall health. Also, the longer a medical condition is left alone the more difficult it could become to treat or remove. That means a more intense procedure for you and a longer or more difficult recovery.

Contacting a professional early on will help you reduce these risks.

Cosmetic Procedures

Cosmetic procedures are those that are not required for your health but may be necessary to help you feel your best and look your best at the same time. These cosmetic procedures can be quite extensive as well and there are a variety of different types of treatments and procedures that you can get.

The first step is to talk with a professional about just what would make you feel the best about yourself. What kind of changes would you like to make in order to always feel like you’re presenting your best self, the self that you want to be? You deserve to look and feel great all the time, and that’s what dermatology can help you with.

Procedures can include topical products, BOTOX, chemical peels, SculpSure, ICON, and Hydra Facial. Each of these has different outcomes and different ways that you can use them to achieve the look that you want. Talking with a professional will help you figure out which one (or ones) would help you achieve the ideal results for you. Then, you can set up a schedule to get started.

A treatment plan for your cosmetic procedures will help you get where you want to be faster and ensure that you are happy with the end result as well. The key is always to work with someone who can help you really understand what you’re ideal is. Whether that’s a minimally invasive treatment process or a more extensive process to provide more dramatic results.

What Do You Need?

The best thing you can do when it comes to dermatology is to figure out what it is you really want and need. Talking with a dermatology professional will allow you to best understand all of your options. First, you’ll be able to evaluate any concerning areas of the skin to determine if there are medical needs such as precancers or suspicious moles. Then, you can discuss treatment plans for those medical conditions.

If you do not have medical conditions that need treating you can jump right into discussing any cosmetic concerns that you have. From there, you and your dermatology professional will be able to discuss your goals and your future treatment plans. This will help you create the right path forward that will get you where you need to be, but it requires an open and honest conversation with a professional.

What to Do Next?

The best way to start any procedure is usually to go from least invasive to most invasive. But keep in mind that you want your procedure to be successful. For skin cancers, this might mean moving immediately to minimally invasive or surgical procedures because this can help you be healthier faster.

In other situations, you may be able to start with non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures and slowly work your way up until you get the results that you’re looking for. This helps you get the best possible results with the least side effects or potential for complications. And that is definitely going to help you feel a whole lot better.

Once you go over your concerns with a dermatology professional you’ll be able to set up your ideal procedures as well. For some, the idea of a surgical procedure may be too much. In that case, you may want to stick to less invasive methods as long as possible before moving to anything else. Or you might want to jump right in and see results quickly. While it’s generally best to work your way up, for some procedures getting right to the more extensive option may be the best way to go.

When you’re ready to get started on any type of procedure the best thing that you can do is call a dermatology professional like Compassion Dermatology in the Southlake area. We can work with you to figure out what you want or need to help you look and feel your best. From there, we can work with you to set up a plan to get you from where you are now to where you want to be. Just like that, you’re going to be on your way to what you’ve always wanted.

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5 Aftercare Dermatology Practices For After Botox | Southlake Area

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If you want to stay young forever and sip from the Fountain of Youth, you want to speak to a dermatologist or someone who specializes in dermatology. There are so many treatments out there that will keep you looking forever young. One of the biggest breakthroughs in dermatology is Botox.

 

At its core, Botox is essentially a drug that paralyzes muscles. When injected to the muscles in your face, Botox can paralyze them for 3 to 4 months. This means that it can subtly transform your face. Botox can get rid of fine lines and wrinkles and can also make your face look slimmer.

 

Botox has become increasingly popular over the years because it is fairly non-invasive. The treatments only take several minutes to complete. You can get the injections done by a doctor who specializes in dermatology on your lunch break. To ensure that your Botox injections are effective, you must be careful with the aftercare procedures. This article will look at five of the best aftercare practices that should be followed.

 

#1. Avoid Exercising for a Full Day

Those who live in the Southlake area will know just how beautiful the weather is there. Many residents love spending their time running outdoors and doing other types of outdoor activities. If you live in this area, there’s a good chance that you enjoy exercising everyday. While exercising regularly is great, you should avoid exercising for a full day once you’ve gotten your Botox injections. Many specialists in dermatology will recommend taking even more time off.

 

Physical exercise will easily increase blood flow throughout your entire body. This could become a huge problem for someone who has just received Botox injections. The Botox may spread to unintended areas. This could lead to unexpected results, more bruising and loss of effectiveness at the injection area.

 

Surprisingly, most specialists in dermatology will recommend doing some face exercises, like raising your eyebrows and smiling. These face exercises may actually increase the effectiveness of the Botox injections.

 

#2. Avoid Rubbing Your Face

Many of us are always tempted to touch or rub our faces in some type of way. If you’ve recently received Botox injections, you really need to stop touching your face. If you rub the Botox injection site, you may accidentally spread the Botox to unintended areas. This may put a huge damper on the overall results that you get, and you may end up “freezing” muscles that you didn’t want frozen at all. Most specialists recommend not touching your face for up to 3 days after getting the injections.

 

With more advancements in dermatology, more and more people are getting Botox injections in other parts of their bodies. For example, some people are getting Botox injected at their shoulders or necks to help with migraines and headaches. If you’ve gotten Botox injected in other areas, make sure that you avoid touching those areas as well. Reschedule massage appointments for later dates.

 

#3. Stay Away from Liquor

One of the main things that the dermatologists will tell you is that you should avoid drinking liquor 24 hours before getting the injections. Liquor can increase the risk of bruising. This advice follows through to the aftercare as well. You should wait at least 24 hours before you take even a sip of alcohol. If you don’t, you also run the risk of bruising from the injections.

 

#4. Stay Out of the Sun

Even if you didn’t get Botox injections, you should still try to stay out of the sun as much as you can. UV rays from the sun can easily age your skin and cause you to develop more fine lines and wrinkles. Once you’ve received the Botox injections, you should try to stay out of the sun for at least that day. The longer that you can stay out of the sun, the better.

 

Heat from the sun can promote flushing. This means that your blood pressure will rise and that your blood will easily circulate throughout the body. This can cause you to become even more susceptible to bruising. It can also cause the Botox to bleed into other areas as well.

 

The sun is not the only thing that you should avoid. You should also avoid taking long hot baths and showers, getting an artificial tan and going to a sauna. Doctors specializing in dermatology can provide you with more information regarding what you can and cannot do.

 

#5. Watch How You Sleep

Many of us are more likely to sleep on one side of the body than the other. Most specialists in dermatology will tell you that the side that you sleep on is more likely to get wrinkles and fine lines. After all, your face is getting smushed together for many hours of the day.

 

To ensure that the Botox injections are as effective as possible, watch how you sleep. If you get Botox on your face, try to sleep on your back. The key is to avoid sleeping on areas that were recently injected with Botox. You want to minimize as much physical pressure on the injection site as possible. This will allow the Botox to better settle into its intended areas and muscles.

 

Speak to a Dermatologist in the Southlake Area Today to Learn How Botox Can Transform Your Face

Are you interested in what Botox can do for you? Speak to one of our dermatologists at Compassion Dermatology today! Our dermatologists will perform a complete evaluation of the condition of your skin to see what types of skincare treatments may be best suited for your situation. Our staff will walk you through the process and help you determine the type of changes that you want to see. Botox can treat certain health conditions, like migraines and headaches. They’re not only used for cosmetic purposes.

 

To learn more about getting Botox in the area, give us a call at 817-380-5911 or request an appointment online. One of our staff members will get back to you as soon as possible.

5 Reasons To Consider HydraFacial Treatments From Your Dermatologist | Southlake, TX

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For the few remaining humans unfamiliar with HydraFacial, we break down exactly what this in-office treatment does, who can benefit, and why you should work with a dermatologist at Compassion to get your next Hydrafacial treatment.

HydraFacial is an award-winning deep cleansing experience that detoxes skin and rejuvenates it with active botanical ingredients. Nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, zinc peptides, magnesium peptides, red algae extract, and horse chestnut seed extract are delivered to the skin, boosted by powerful antioxidants to counteract skin damage caused by sun exposure, stress, pollution, and more.

Dermatologists have long understood the benefits of including magnesium peptides in skincare regimens. “Magnesium helps improve your skin’s overall appearance, reducing acne and other skin disorders by lowering cortisol levels, stabilizing hormonal imbalances, and improving cellular processes,” said Dendy Engelman, a New York City dermatologist. Similarly, the benefits of red algae extract are well known, as it’s full of natural vitamins and minerals, lipids, and proteins that your skin can quickly absorb.

As for the HydraFacial machine itself, which is used to cleanse, exfoliate, and infuse serums, it’s a medical-grade hydradermabrasion device that’s designed to simultaneously dislodge and remove impurities while delivering its hydrating skin formula. It does this through its patented spiral design HydroPeel tips. The procedure balances finely between your typical spa treatment and dermatologist-supplied laser treatments.

Reason #1: It’s compatible with other cosmetic procedures.

Sometimes, if you’ve managed to hit pause on your busy lifestyle long enough to get yourself to a professional, you’ll want to combine the treatment with other procedures. Thankfully, it’s possible to undergo a Hydrafacial session on the same day as you get injectable fillers such as Botox, non-ablative laser treatments like V-Beam, and even intense pulsed light procedures used to treat sun damage. You can also request a Hydrafacial treatment as a post-Fraxel treatment to encourage the speedup of the shedding process that skin resurfacing devices naturally induce.

Reason #2: It’s suitable for all skin types.

Whatever your reason for looking into a facial treatment, whether you’re concerned about the spread of acne or just looking to help maintain healthy skin, the Hydrafacial treatment offers a simple solution. Its 3-step process cleanses and peels, extracts and hydrates, then infuses and protects your skin, regardless of skin type. With a Hydrafacial device, your friendly Compassion dermatologist in Southlake, TX, can treat:

  • Dull skin that looks tired and needs radiance
  • Dry skin that requires hydration to feel its best
  • Mild acne that needs diminishing to create skin that you’re comfortable with
  • Pigmentation that needs reducing to provide an even skin tone

For all skin types, including sensitive skin, the procedure is known to be soothing, non-irritating, and only mildly abrasive.

Reason #3: Instant, visible results.

Some skin procedures may leave you waiting impatiently for your desired results, particularly if you choose a treatment that requires multiple in-office sessions. Hydrafacial treatments are not one of these procedures. As the device has mild dermabrasion properties, you’ll see glowing, refreshed skin shortly after your treatment is over. The whole process isn’t too time-intensive, either. We simply uncover a new layer of skin through gentle exfoliation and relaxing resurfacing process, painlessly remove dead skin and debris from pores, nourish with a thirst-quenching antioxidant moisturizer, and then you’re ready to go.

There’s no downtime after a Hydrafacial treatment. Your facial can take as little as 30 minutes, and you can resume normal activities, including putting on makeup directly after the procedure.

Reason #4: We can target unique skin concerns with boosters.

With a Hydrafacial treatment, you can target the elasticity and firmness of your skin, fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, texture, vibrancy, enlarged pores, oily congestion, brown spots, and more. If your ‘problem area” isn’t seeing the desired results from the traditional 3-step Hydrafacial treatment that utilizes its vortex technology to both remove impurities and add nourishment, your dermatologist at Compassion will discuss with you additional measures that you can take.

We can offer a complete skin evaluation to complement your facial treatment, which will evaluate any moles, growths, pigment changes, and inflammation, to identify any medical, cosmetic, or aesthetic concerns that you have about your skin. We’ll formulate a treatment plan that will both enhance your appearance and improve your skin’s health.

Reason #5: Compassion Dermatology’s monthly Hydrafacial membership program

If you’re sold on the Hydrafacial experience and would like to take advantage of regular, non-invasive facial treatments, we offer a monthly Hydrafacial membership program that gives you access to special discounted rates. You can choose the frequency of Hydrafacial treatments with your dermatologist, and with our discounted rates can book a recurring monthly procedure at a lower cost than booking sessions individually.

Many customers report seeing an improvement in skin tone and refinement after the first treatment, with the results lasting up to 7 days, or longer in some cases. However, to get the most out of Hydrafacial skin therapy, it’s recommended to undergo one treatment per month. A monthly treatment plan will gradually improve the appearance of wrinkles, brown spots, skin tone, and refinement, and provide a healthy maintenance routine.

Compassion Dermatology offers a vast range of expert cosmetic, surgical, and medical services to improve and maintain skin, hair, and nail health. Your dermatologist at Compassion will be up-to-date on the latest skin care research, and well-versed in the use of the Hydrafacial hydradermabrasion device to give you and your skin the best experience possible. The clinic promises to treat every patient with care, respect, and kindness.

We’re happy to educate patients about any diagnosis we make, and we offer a range of innovative treatment options to improve your skin’s health. You can discuss more of the benefits of Hydrafacial with a dermatologist at any time.

Before booking a Hydrafacial treatment, consult your Compassion Dermatology expert in Southlake, TX. We’ll help you to determine if the Hydrafacial is right for you, and welcome you for your next treatment when you’re ready to book. As with all procedures at the clinic, payments can be made online through the customer portal.

Choosing the Right Dermatologist for You | Southlake, TX

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Exposure to sunlight increases the risk of skin cancer. This is relatively common knowledge, but skin is exposed to sunlight almost every day. People often forget sunscreen, and the sunny climate in Southlake, TX encourages outdoor activities.

Small growths on the skin are a common occurrence, but they should not be ignored. Consult a dermatologist to make sure growths are not cancerous. Dermatologists may recommend removal of benign growths to prevent skin cancer in the future.

Blue Light Therapy

Photodynamic, or blue-light, therapy is a medical treatment involving a photosensitizing molecule activated by light exposure. Dermatologists use blue light therapy regularly, and it is also used in oncology, cosmetic surgery, oral medicine, and ophthalmology.

Dermatologists in Southlake, TXuse photodynamic therapy, PDT, to remove actinic keratosis and other superficial skin lesions. The procedure reduces the risk of developing skin cancer in the future. PDT is not appropriate for people with light-sensitive medical conditions.

Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis, are small, scaly bumps on the skin. Lesions occur on skin that is frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the face, ears, head, forearms, lips, and hands. The bumps range can be as
small as a pinhead or grow to one inch across. Dermatologists remove these lesions because approximately 10% of precancerous keratosis become a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

People that spend a lot of time outdoors have a higher risk of developing actinic keratosis. Certain physical characteristics are associated with increased risk, including fair skin, red or blond hair, and gray, blue, or green eyes. People with dark complexions are also susceptible, especially if they spend time outside without appropriate sunscreen or protective clothing.

Levulan and BLU-U

Levulan Kerastick is a type of topical solution used with a BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Illuminator to perform photodynamic therapy. BLU-U does not emit UVA or UVB light. It works best for thin to moderately thick actinic kerosesis on the face and scalp.

The chemical solution applied to skin contains aminolevulinic acid. Photodynamic therapy, PDT, works because aminolevulinic acid reacts to the wavelength of blue light. Actinic keratosis weakens skin at lesion sites.

The weakened skin absorbs the chemical solution. Blue light hits aminolevulinic acid in the skin, and the reaction creates oxygen radicals that destroy cancerous or precancerous cells in the treated area.

PDT Procedure

Tell dermatologists in Southlake, TX if you are taking any oral medications or medication applied to the scalp before treatment begins. Wash the treatment area and gently pat dry. Do not apply lotions or moisturizer before the procedure.

Dermatologists apply a light-sensitizing chemical solution to skin in the target area. The length of time between solution application and blue light exposure is called the incubation period. Patients sit in a darkened room during the incubation period, which is approximately an hour for most procedures. Treated skin is exposed to blue light for approximately 17 minutes.

Some people feel a prickling or burning sensation during treatment, but this usually fades within a minute after light exposure ends. Only 3% of people in PDT treatment studies chose to discontinue treatment due to discomfort.
Solar keratosis usually heal within a week after treatment.

Side Effects and Aftercare

Many people experience sensitivity to sunlight for a short time after skin is exposed to blue light. Bring a hat, umbrella, or other protective clothing or
accessories to the appointment to avoid sun exposure on the way home.

Shield skin from sunlight or limit time outside to avoid exposure to bright lights for 24 to 48 hours. Sunscreen may not be sufficient to protect skin from photosensitivity to visible light during this time.

Do not expose the treated lesions to sunlight or any bright lights for at least 40 hours after the chemical solution was applied. This includes household lights at close range. Sensitivity to light is only temporary and depends on the length of treatment. PDT does not cause permanent or ongoing light sensitivity.

The most common side effects of PDT include skin discoloration, crusts or scaling over the destroyed lesions, and a slight itching, stinging, or burning sensation. Redness, swelling, and scaling may occur in the treated area immediately after treatment. These side effects usually subside within a few days and resolve completely within 4 weeks.

Liquid Nitrogen and Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is a traditional treatment that was first used over 100 years ago. Dermatologists use liquid nitrogen for cryosurgery to remove skin lesions such as precancerous growths, cancer, skin cancer, dysplastic moles, warts, and some skin cancers such as melanoma. Liquid nitrogen may be used to remove actinic keratosis as well.

Procedure and Side Effects

Cryosurgery works best on skin without thick hair cover. Liquid nitrogen is applied with a cotton-tipped dipstick or with spraying equipment. Both methods are fairly simple and effective for benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions.

Spray methods include timed spot freeze technique, the paintbrush method, and rotary or spiral patterns. Possible side effects, including bleeding, blister formation, headache, hair loss, or loss of skin pigmentation. These effects are usually very mild.

Cryosurgery vs PDT

Dermatologists perform cryosurgery and PDT as outpatient procedures without using injectable anesthesia. Cryosurgery has a very low risk of infection. Risk of infection is so low it is not listed as a possible side effect of PDT.

PDT only involves two steps and the procedure is completed within 24 hours. Patients experience very little downtime. There are no prescriptions to fill, and no need to remember a daily medication. Cryosurgery is often completed in 15 to 25 minutes. PDT requires more of a time investment, but it is still less than a day.

Blue light therapy is very flexible. People choose to have only a few lesions treated or treat several areas at once. The size of the treatment area is the most significant difference between cryosurgery and PDT.

Cryosurgery only treats a very small area with each application. It is usually targeted at only one growth at a time. PDT can be used over large areas. The dermatologists and professional staff at Compassion Dermatology in Southlake, TX advise clients and help them choose the most appropriate procedure.