Dermatologist in Southlake, TX

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The Signs of Aging Eyes

The eyes are one of the first areas to experience signs of aging. Aging can affect the pigment, elasticity, and thickness of the skin surrounding the eye. However, there are other factors that affect eye appearance, including bone and muscle which provide support. Any of these factors can contribute to the signs of aging, requiring a customized approach for each patient.  Schedule a consultation with a Compassion Dermatology, dermatologist in Southlake, TX today.

The following are the foremost aesthetic complaints involving the eyes, and what your dermatologist in Southlake, TX can do to address them.

Dark Circles Under the Eyes

While dark circles under the eyes are often hereditary, allergies and fatigue can enhance them. There are a number of causes, and each treatment requires an individualized approach. Some of these causes include:

The Loss of Collagen

Skin that appears thin and translucent allows blue veins to be more visible due to the loss of collagen. As we age, collagen production is reduced, leading to less elasticity to the skin.

The Loss of Bone and Fat

Volume loss beneath the skin can cause a concavity, which allows shadows to create the appearance of dark circles.

Blood Vessel Congestion

Allergies and sleeping on your stomach can cause this condition.

Hyperpigmentation

The darkening skin around the eyes can be a natural part of the aging process. This is especially true of individuals with darker skin. Consistent rubbing of the eyes and inflammatory conditions, such as eczema also exacerbate it. Chemical peels, light treatments, and skin lightening cream are two of the potential treatments.

Infra-orbital Fat Pad Protrusion

Often described by patients as “bags under the eyes”, blepharoplasty is the solution. For some patients, the problem is infra-orbital edema, rather than the downward migration of fat pads. Allergies, retention of fluids due to high blood pressure, excessive sodium intake, sinus infections and crying are common causes. Treatment of allergies and/or sinus infections or underlying medical conditions can reduce under eye edema. If puffy eyes occurred suddenly, see your doctor, It may indicate cardiac or kidney issues, for example. In addition, avoid sleeping in eye makeup, which can irritate the eyes and worsen under eye edema. Use an ice pack, cucumber slices or chilled tea bags to reduce periorbital edema.

Tips and Treatments

  • When sleeping, elevate the head and do not sleep on your stomach.
  • Talk to your doctor about using an antihistamine for allergies.
  • Visit a dermatologist in Southlake, TX for an accurate evaluation, and treatments that can thicken collagen. For example, a topical retinoid once or twice a week on the eyelids can thicken the skin, and reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and crinkly skin. Your dermatologist in Southlake, TX can assess the causes and provide the treatment you require.
  • Skin lightening cream and chemical peels can fade the effects of true hyper-pigmentation. Talk to your dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
  • The volume loss of bone and fat can be treated with fillers in the affected area. Your dermatologist in Southlake, TX will discuss the preferred treatment for your problem.
  • Wrinkles and skin sagging can contribute to dark circles. Resurfacing cream and laser are two examples of the treatments available.
  • Drooping eyelids result due to the loss of elastin production. For some, the condition may become so bad that surgery is required, called blepharoplasty or an eye lift. Excess skin is removed, tightening the eyelid for a more youthful appearance.
  • Repetitious movements such as squinting can cause crow’s feet in the epidermis at the corner of your eyes. Botox is an example of a product that helps to stop the repetitious movement, preventing creases from forming or getting deeper. Sometimes, crows feet are due to fat and bone loss. These patients often complain Botox is not effective. Wrinkles that remain even in a relaxed position may be a candidate for a filler to lift the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Wear 100 % UV protected sunglasses to prevent squinting and to filter out damaging UV rays.
  • Hollow eyes can be caused from the fat pads shifting downward with age as the membrane holding it weakens, and the bone begins to diminish. Filler can reduce eye hollows while giving the brow bone the appearance of a more youthful lift. Severe weight loss is an additional cause of the trough constituting hollow eyes.
  • Be gentle when cleansing your face, especially around the eyes where the skin is very delicate. When washing your face, always pat dry to avoid stretching the skin. Apply moisturizer to the eye area. The area around the eye is very responsive to specific products, injectables and laser. Our dermatologist in Southlake, TX can help you to look younger.
  • Avoid smoking, which causes premature aging of the skin with collagen loss. With its chemical effects and repetitious motions, smoking is one the top causes of premature aging. For many persons, the cessation of smoking results in the improvement of skin, and in some situations, an improved appearance of fine wrinkles. Consult your dermatologist in Southlake, TX for solutions to your skin problems.

At Compassion Dermatology, you can trust our dermatologist in Southlake, TX to provide professional and up-to-date treatments for a variety of skin issues, including cosmetic and medical treatments. Give us a call today.

Dermatologist in Southlake, TX

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Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer patients. Unfortunately, hair loss, dry skin and brittle nails are often the side effects of the treatments. The following will help guide you by providing tips to reduce the impact of these unwanted effects.  Compassion Dermatology offers a wide variety of services for your skin, hair, nails, and cosmetic needs. Call today to schedule a consultation with a dermatologist in Southlake, TX.

Hair Loss

One of the concerns the majority of patients experience is potential hair loss. However, not all chemotherapy treatments will cause it. The drug used and the dosage are two of the factors that will impact your hair. Your doctor can tell you whether to expect hair loss, and if you can expect it, knowing in advance enables you to plan ahead for wigs and coverings. A cold cap is sometimes used to reduce hair loss. A cold cap reduces hair loss by reducing blood circulation to the scalp. It is placed on the scalp before infusion and for up to 2 hours in the treatment center. However, many patients find the cold cap uncomfortable, and often choose not to use it. Other treatments are available. Talk to your dermatologist in Southlake, TX.

How Hair Grows

The hair follicles experience two phases during its life cycle. The Anagen phase is the growth phase. Matrix cells develop into the hair shaft by growing, dividing and keratinizing. During the time hair is keratinized, the hair dies and is formed into the protein keratin. At any given time, 90% of the 100,000 hairs are growing in the follicles of the scalp. The remaining 10% are in the non-growing phase called the Telogen phase. In this phase, they will eventually be shed. Chemotherapy affects hair growth by shutting down the follicles. The follicles, called matrix cells, are located at the deepest of the hair follicle. Hairs in the Telogen phase are not greatly affected by chemotherapy.

How Hair is Lost During Chemotherapy

The chemotherapy drugs that cause hair loss prevent the matrix cells from dividing and growing a shaft. This results in the hair breaking off. While chemo drugs prevent cancer cells from dividing, it also results in the stasis of hair growth. 

Hair Growth During Chemotherapy

Some chemo drugs are not as aggressive against hair growth. Your treatment may involve the use of different chemo drugs at different times. For this reason you may notice a regrowth of hair after starting a different treatment that is less aggressive against hair growth. Your doctor uses a number of factors in the decision of cancer treatment. How chemo will affect your hair will depend on the drugs and the dosage involved.

When Chemotherapy is Complete

While it is not fully understood, hair regrowth after chemo can provide unexpected surprises. Straight hair may come in curly, dark hair may come in white, etc…  As the chemo drugs leave your body, the matrix cells will slowly recover and begin the process of growing new hair. It is thought that the recovery of matrix cells is a complicated biochemical recovery, leading to the hair and texture ‘surprises’ for a while. The unusual changes are typically temporary. 

Tips

  • If your doctor says that your hair will probably fall out, decide before chemotherapy begins if you want to wear a wig. Shopping ahead of chemo will enable you to find a wig that best matches your normal hair color.
  • Hats, turbans and scarves are often used to camouflage hair loss during chemo treatments. However, if you opt to go bareheaded be sure to use sunscreen.
  • Never perm or color your hair during chemotherapy to prevent increased hair loss. Wait until the chemo treatments are complete and your hair has grown back. 
  • A short hair cut can help to reduce the emotional impact of hair loss.

Skin

Chemotherapy treatment often causes skin to be very dry. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 to prevent damage to the skin. If skin problems develop our dermatologist in Southlake, TX can help. 

  • Itching is common, and over the counter products are typically ineffective. See your dermatologist in Southlake, TX for an effective topical and/or oral medications that can help with itching. 
  • Color changes sometimes occur, causing patients to feel self-conscious. Your dermatologist in Southlake, TX can assist you with bleaching creams and exfoliates for more normal looking skin tone.
  • Avoid hot tubs to reduce the risk of inflammation to the skin.
  • If open wounds occur, see your dermatologist in Southlake, TX. Prompt attention to wounds can prevent infections, and is especially important during chemo treatment.

Nail Care

During chemo treatment nails may become dry and brittle, can become discolored, and may develop lines and ridges. Occasionally, some patients may experience separation of the nail from its bed. Specific chemo drugs are worse than others for nail problems. While the condition is temporary when they occur, the effects can last for months. For patients with nail problems, cooling gloves during the infusion may be of help to minimize the effects on nails. If signs of infection or other problems requiring medical attention occur, schedule a consultation with a Compassion Dermatology dermatologist in Southlake, TX.

Compassion Dermatology offers a wide range of professional services for your skin, hair, nails and cosmetic needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a dermatologist in Southlake, TX.