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The Guide to Cosmetic Lasers and Laser Hair Skin Treatments

The Guide to Cosmetic Lasers and Laser Hair Skin Treatments

The Guide to Cosmetic Lasers and Laser Hair Skin Treatments

People are always on the hunt for what will keep them looking younger. Laser skin treatments are not a new trend but seem to have gained popularity over recent years. Lasers are not a one-size-fits-all treatment, but there is a treatment out there for everyone.

How Does it Work?

Lasers use light energy to resurface the skin. This light energy is very precise, and targets damaged skin cells while preserving healthy skin cells.  Along with protecting the healthy skin cells, laser skin procedures also stimulate collagen growth.

Laser Treatments can help improve:

  • skin tone and texture
  • fine lines and wrinkles
  • acne scars
  • sun-damaged skin
  • unwanted hair
  • unwanted tattoos
  • birthmarks
  • uneven skin tone
  • spider veins

Importance of Laser Treatments

Collagen production decreases as we age. This loss in collagen production leads to those pesky wrinkles and fine lines.  Laser skin resurfacing treatments are proven to help improve those fine lines and promote overall collagen stimulation. Along with treating fine lines and wrinkles, laser treatments can also target different pigments. Lasers can treat brown and red spots and improve melasma.

While most people associate lasers with cosmetic procedures, lasers have been instrumental in helping to treat certain skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, and even skin cancer. Laser light therapy is combined with topical agents to treat skin cancer and precancerous lesions.

Understanding Common Children’s Skin Conditions

Understanding Common Children’s Skin Condition

Summertime is officially here, which means Summer camps are back in session. Below are some common children’s Skin Conditions that may arise during the Summer.

Hives

Hives are red raised bumps or welts on the skin that are moderately to extremely itchy. They can appear anywhere on the body and can range in size. Several factors could cause hives. Foods like nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, and milk are the most common. Medications such as penicillin, aspirin, and ibuprofen, vitamins, eye and eardrops, laxatives or other non-prescription items can also cause hives. If your child is exposed to dust, animals or molds, specific detergents, fabric softeners or hair sprays, they could all be responsible. In addition, some affected children develop hives during exercise.

To treat hives, it is best to avoid any of the provoking factors listed above when possible. Antihistamines are especially effective in certain cases. If the hives do not respond to medicine, there are several topical treatments that can help. Your dermatologist will recommend the best course of action to reduce hive flareup quickly.

Head lice

Lice are a common problem for children. Although they are not dangerous, they are contagious, annoying and sometimes difficult to get rid of. It’s best to treat head lice as quickly as possible once they are found because of these reasons.

Even though lice are very small, they can be seen by the naked eye. Lice eggs resemble dandruff before they hatch. Lice eggs hatch within 1-2 weeks after they’re laid. The adult louse is as small as a sesame seed and will be gray or tan.

Your child may start to complain about itching or comment that something is “moving around” on their head. If these symptoms are present, make an appointment with your doctor. They will most likely recommend a medicated shampoo, cream rinse or lotion to kill the lice.

To prevent reinfestation, wash all bed linens and clothing that has been worn in the previous days. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture, and soak hair-care items (brushes, combs, hairbands) or throw them away.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA, is a type of staph bacteria. Groups of kids who spend a lot of time together in close quarters (schools and camps) are at risk. It can spread through direct contact with infected skin or by sharing personal items like towels or clothing.

MRSA infections often develop around open sores, scrapes or bites. Red, painful bumps appear and some children experience a fever. In extreme cases, the infection can spread to the blood, lungs, bones or other parts of the body. Depending on the seriousness of the infection, your dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics or remove a skin abscess.

To prevent MRSA infections, there are several simple steps that you and your child can take. Washing hands for at least 20 seconds, keeping cuts and broken skin clean and covered with a bandage, avoiding sharing towels, uniforms, and athletic equipment or other items that come into contact with bare skin.

For more information on children’s skin conditions, contact your dermatologist.

Know your ABCDE’s and get your annual skin check

Know your ABC’s this Summer and get your annual skin check

Summer is almost in full swing! Before you start laying out this beach season, be sure get your annual skin exam. Skin checks for abnormal moles or growths are basic sun safety that should be practiced year-round. Spending time in the sun can bring out freckles and spots you didn’t even know you had. It can be hard to determine which spots are normal, or if they need to be checked out. However, it is imperative that when something odd does appear gets diagnosed and treated correctly.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and more people are diagnosed with skin cancer than any other form. Fortunately, checking our bodies for signs of skin cancer is as easy as singing the ABC’s.

  • Asymmetry: One half is unlike the other half.
  • Border: Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined.
  • Color: Varies from one area to another. Shades of dark purple, blue or black; sometimes red or white.
  • Diameter: While skin cancer varies and grows rapidly; melanomas are usually larger than the size of a pencil eraser (6mm).
  • Elevation: If your mole is not smooth or extremely raised, it could be a cause for concern.

Skin cancer tends to cause changes, so any visible change to the mole, especially over a short period of time, maybe cause for concern. If you have a concerning spot that meets any of these conditions, don’t hesitate to see a dermatologist.

Hives versus Rashes: Know the Difference


Spring offers a chance for our skin to breathe and renew itself. With your skin exposed, effects of airborne and contact irritants in the form of hives or rashes will occur if you have overly sensitive skin. These irritants come in the form of pollens, substances you are allergic to or semi-poisonous plants like poison ivy. It is important to note the difference between hives and rashes, as they mean different things for your body and are treated in different ways. Read on to explore the differences in hives and rashes and how to distinguish between the two skin irritations.

Hives

Spot the Difference

Medically known as urticaria, hives are red, raised and itchy patches of skin.  Hives can be found on the neck, chest and any other areas exposed to the trigger irritant. Cases of acute hives can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. However, some suffer from chronic hives which may last on and off for months or years. Hives are also connected to angioedema, which is the swelling of the deeper layers of the skin.

Know the Cause

Hives are typically triggered by irritants or allergens that come into contact with the skin, however it is difficult to determine the origin of a case of hives. Certain drugs, foods and bugs that you are allergic to may also cause a reaction. Even temperature, sunlight and exercise will help determine whether or not you will develop hives.

Treating Hives

When experiencing acute hives, apply cool, wet compresses to the area to relieve some of the heat. To avoid flair-ups, keep indoor temperatures low and use a gentle detergent. If you suffer from chronic hives, talk to your dermatologist about the number of treatments he or she can prescribe. Most commonly, treatment includes antihistamines or corticosteroids, which help calm the itch and soothe  the affected areas.

Rashes

Spot the Difference

The most common type of rash is eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. This is a condition that causes your skin to become itchy and red.  An eczema flare-up is different from a hives rash in that eczema flare-ups have fluid in their bumps and crust over when you try to scratch them. Symptoms also include dryness of skin, itchiness at night, red or brownish patches and scaly, cracked skin. Eczema is a chronic condition, unlike hives, and appears periodically.

Know the Cause

A rash is not a diagnosis of a condition, but a symptom of something more concerning. Eczema, poison ivy and athlete’s foot are all conditions that affect the skin’s ability to protect itself. This also decreases the skin’s effectiveness to retaining moisture, thus causing cracked, dry patches. In your skin’s lessened ability to protect itself, it becomes more vulnerable to environmental factors like changes in weather and exposure to allergens.

Treating Rashes

There are many ways to treat a rash. The simplest way is to use gentle products and make sure your skin is clean. Rinse exposed skin, change clothes and moisturize after a few hours outdoors. Eczema rashes often flair-up in the outdoors, as allergens, pollens and warmer temperatures are harsh on vulnerable skin. It is imperative to understand your triggers and the best ways to avoid them. You should make regular trips to your dermatologist to monitor the health of your skin – a dermatologist recommends more effective treatment options made specifically for you and can prescribe medications like antihistamines or soothing creams.

It is important to know what is ailing your skin to get the help you need. Whether it’s a rash or hives or you just don’t know where to start, visit the dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group today. The experienced staff can get you the help you need in no time.