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Skin Routine Post-Treatment: Do’s and Don’ts

Skin Routine Post-Treatment: Do’s and Don’ts

When it comes to skin procedures, the aftercare is as important as the treatment itself. Do you plan on undergoing laser treatment, microdermabrasion or even a facial peel anytime soon? Be sure to continue reading to understand the do’s and don’ts of a post-treatment skincare routine.

Don’t Overload Your Skin

Treatments and procedures are an exciting way to let your best face shine, but be cautious when taking care of your skin post-treatment. Avoid harsh chemicals, peels, waxes, or other laser treatments at least two weeks after your appointment. Avoiding these will allow your skin to heal and return its hardy barrier to its natural state. Your skin will be more inflamed and irritated than usual, so make sure to stick to the basics of washing, moisturizing, and leaving your skin alone.

Don’t Congest Your Skin

Once the skin is clear of dead cells, toxins, hair, or any additional skin condition the treatment is targeting, it’s time to give the skin a break. It is recommended to avoid makeup or any topical creams on the treated area. Applying these substances clogs the pores of the affected area, causing further irritation and damage to the skin. If necessary, apply makeup or creams in small amounts to see if irritation does occur.

Do Avoid Sun Exposure and Excess Heat

Post-treatment, the skin’s protective barrier is weakened. Since the protective barrier isn’t as strong, it leaves the skin more vulnerable and inclined to damage. After your procedure, it is crucial to stay out of the sun for at least seven days post-treatment. Direct exposure to the sun is detrimental to the skin due to the harsh effects of UV rays, which will slow down the healing process. This is due to the excess skin sensitivity from a treatment that leaves you more inflamed and irritated than usual. The vulnerability of the skin post-treatment calls for cold temperatures and reduced exposure to heat. Avoid excess heat from hot showers, tubs, heating pads, or saunas. A surplus of heat causes the pores to open up, which could cause further irritation and discomfort.

Do Use Sunscreen

Sunscreen is always a good idea, but it is imperative when you’ve just undergone a skin treatment. Recently, treated skin, such as laser removal and microdermabrasion, makes the skin extremely vulnerable and prone to damage. The sun and its damaging effects require you to stack up on the SPF. Even if exposed for a short amount of time, it is vital to wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Wearing sunscreen will ensure that your skin will stay protected, even in the harshest of conditions. It’s important to remember that being in the sun for a short amount of time still does some damage. With that said, don’t forget to layer up on the SPF and reapply every so often!

Do Know What You’re Getting Into

Facial treatments have an immense impact on the skin, so it is essential to know everything about the procedure in which you’re undergoing. If you want to address skin issues, such as wrinkles or acne, you should highly consider visiting a dermatologist’s office rather than a spa. Spas, unlike a skin professional’s office, focus on short-term improvements and the idea of pampering their clients. On the other hand, dermatologists have the power to go beyond skin treatments and evaluate their clients on a deeper and more effective level. They also go beyond cosmetic issues and look at your skin for signs of more severe problems such as skin cancer, which could end up saving your life.

Whatever treatment you plan to undergo, the experts at Knoxville Dermatology Group are skilled professionals who can provide various skin treatments, procedures, and consultations.

How to soothe a sunburn

How to soothe a sunburn

There’s nothing like a sunburn to ruin your fun on a vacation. With the coming of warmer weather, the rise of sun-related risks come into play. Learn how to soothe a sunburn so that it won’t ruin your fun. Even though a suntan is associated with vitality and beauty, the results of prolonged exposure aren’t so pretty. Soothing a sunburn is easy with the right steps and processes, continue reading to learn how to properly care for overexposed skin.

Hydration

When it comes to treating a sunburn, moisture is key. It is important to hydrate the body from the inside out, especially when exposed to the intensity of the sun. When you get sunburned, fluids retract from the skin’s surface and cause the body to become dehydrated. Be sure to increase your water intake to make up for the loss of fluids. As for the exterior skin, be sure to hydrate using a gentle, water-based moisturizer. Be sure to apply a thick layer when the skin is still damp and repeat over the next few days to keep the inflamed area moist.

Aloe

This herbal remedy is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, especially on sunburns. Additionally, the plant serves as a natural moisturizer for the skin, which is perfect for overexposed, peeling skin. Aloe vera is applied in various ways including through a gel, oil or from the plant itself. Placing this remedy in the fridge before use is a great way to add an additional source of cooling to the skin!

Control the Pain

Reducing the inflammation as quickly as possible is ideal. When you first begin to notice that sunburn is forming, try taking a quick dip into a cold pool or water source to cool down the skin. Remove yourself from the sun and take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Continue taking an NSAID until the sunburn has calmed down or when there isn’t any pain felt. Use ice water to drench a towel or cloth and gently apply the cold compress to the burn. This will cool down the area and reduce inflammation. Diluting vinegar or apple cider vinegar into a warm bath will tremendously reduce the sting from a sunburn.

Leave Your Skin Alone

If blisters and peeling skin begin to form due to overexposed skin- don’t pick at it. Picking at the skin will further the inflammation and could lead to infection. It is important to keep the burned area clean and moisturized at all times. If the blistered area spreads over a large area or if fever and chills develop, it is time to seek a medical professional.

The skin experts at Knoxville Dermatology Group are skilled professionals who are able to treat a wide variety of skin conditions, such as skin burns. To see how the experienced dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group will help you, call today at (865) 690-9467 or visit our website.

Understanding the Sources of Your Pigment Irregularities

Everyone’s skin is different. You may wonder why your skin isn’t the same even tone across your body. This could be caused by areas getting more sun than others. However, there’s a chance of developing more intense and noticeable skin pigment irregularities which appears in blotches, patches or specks. Pigment irregularities are caused by a number of things, some of which are helped with treatment. By understanding your pigment irregularity and what causes it, can better help you seek treatment and possibly resolve the tonal differences.

Melasma

Melasma is a condition that causes brown or grayish patches to appear most commonly on the face, but also on areas that are vulnerable to sunlight— such as the neck and shoulders. There are two common triggers for melasma, sun exposure and hormone changes. Pregnant women are more prone to developing melasma; although, during pregnancy, this is called chloasma.

To protect your skin against melasma, it is important to wear sun protection. If you are suffering from this pigment irregularity, a dermatologist can prescribe a number of treatments like topical medicine, corticosteroids or even procedures. Once a woman is no longer pregnant, they can begin to treat the condition through hormone therapy or any of the above treatment options.

Vitiligo

This condition is considered to be an autoimmune disorder, as there is no definite cause of vitiligo. Vitiligo causes patches of skin to lose pigment due to the death of pigment-producing cells. It is important to note that vitiligo only affects one’s appearance and causes no internal harm. If you have vitiligo, you can seek treatment through topical steroids or forms of light therapy. These treatments make your skin very vulnerable in the sun, so it is important to only treat vitiligo with the health of a dermatologist.

Solar Lentigines

These irregular, brown spots are more commonly known as “liver spots.” Solar Lentigines affects areas of the skin that are often exposed to the sun including the hands, face, shoulders and lower legs. To lessen the appearance of these dark spots, your dermatologist may prescribe a laser treatment, chemical peel or topical cream. Most importantly, you should always wear sunscreen and protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. This is the most effective way to prevent solar lentigines from appearing.

Port-Wine Stains

Named for their dark red or purple color, port-wine stains appear at birth and become thicker and deeper in color with time. These birthmarks are caused by tiny blood vessels that grow beyond what they are supposed to. A port-wine stain needs to be monitored by your doctor or dermatologist. Especially if it is located on the face, as this could potentially cause issues with eyesight. If you were born with this type of birthmark, it is no reason to be concerned. However, there are treatment options available to lessen or even remove the pigment irregularity.

This is not a comprehensive list of conditions that cause pigment irregularities. For more information about why you may have tone discrepancies in your skin, check out this blog and be sure to visit your dermatologist. To guard yourself against the potential of harmful pigment irregularities, wear sunscreen each day, especially on the face. If you have noticed or were born with a pigment irregularity and would like to seek treatment, it is time to visit the experienced staff at Knoxville Dermatology Group. To make an appointment, visit our website or call at (865) 690-9467.

Give Yourself the Gift of New Health This Year

health, beauty, resort and relaxation concept – beautiful woman in spa salon getting face treatment

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s hard to take a moment and care for yourself. The holidays are a time for giving, so why not give yourself a gift? It’s important to take a moment before the new year to take inventory of your skin’s health and pamper yourself as well.

Why take care of your skin? Your skin is actually your largest organ. It helps protect you from the elements and help regulate your body temperature. However, because of this, your skin is extremely vulnerable. Did you know that over 20 percent of the United States population is affected by skin cancer? This is why the American Academy of Dermatology recommends getting a skin exam once per year. This is a great way to care for yourself. A skin check not only checks for skin cancer, but also marks areas that are precancerous or are cause for concern.

Knoxville Dermatology Group

Getting a skin check is also an excellent time to notify your dermatologist of any other issues that may be bothering you, such as dry skin, irritation or the development of symptoms that could lead to a more serious skin condition. During this time, you can work with your dermatologist to develop a treatment plan for any number of skin conditions. The dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group are experts in over 3,000 skin conditions and have the experience to help you tackle your skin issues. This way, you can step into the new year as your best self.

MediSpa

Another way to gift yourself during the giving season is to book a pampering session at KnoxvilleDermatology Group’s MediSpa. The spa offers traditional day spa services as well as medical spa services. Traditional services include brow and lash tinting, facial waxing and facials. If you’re ready to put your skin on display in the new year, try out some of these phenomenal medical spa services, for gorgeous andlong-lasting results.

  • Juvedermâ: While Juvedermâ is mainly used to give the patient fuller lips, it has a number of great benefits to give you smooth, blemish-free skin. Benefits include a reduction in the appearance of scars, sagging and fine lines.
  • Pearl Laser: If you want those pesky sun spots and brown spots to go away, it may be time to get a Pearl Laser treatment. These treatments help lighten dark spots on the skin to give you a more even skin tone.
  • Chemical Treatments: Also known as chemical peels, MediSpa offers a number of medical grade peels, including a MediSpaprivate label peel. The treatments can improve a myriad of skin issues such as fine lines, aging, enlarged pores, acne and more.

This holiday season, take a moment to not only pamper yourself but care for your skin’s health. By having a skin check done, you can potentially save yourself from advanced skin cancer, as well as identify areas of concern. To make an appointment for a skin check, visit our website or call us at (865) 690-9467. For an appointment with ourMediSpa, please visit our website to learn more about the services provided, or call us at (865)342-5823. 

The Aftermath of a Sleeping in Makeup

Skincare-tips-for-your-30s-and-40s

A night out with the girls or just a long day at work can result in a no-fuss b-line to the bed – no changing or cleansing, just a quick crash into recovery. Under normal circumstances, it’s easy to follow a skincare routine. But crazy schedules and late nights can tempt us to skip the very things that we know we should do – and cleansing the skin is often at the top of that list. So what does occasionally sleeping in your makeup cost your skin?

Your pores collect dirt and oil from the environment and your skin’s normal oil production, along with the foundation, blush, etc. you apply on your face. So when you forget to wash your face at night, your skin doesn’t get a chance to breathe and renew itself. Leaving makeup on your skin all day and night can premature your skin – both in appearance and performance.

Your skin may produce more oil than normal to try to get rid of the dirt. The leftover makeup can increase the look of lines and wrinkles and make you look tired or even splotchy. Eyelashes become dry and brittle, causing them to fall out more frequently. Your eyes may become puffy and red from the excess oil around them. Overall, day-old makeup is just not a good look.

Cleansing wipes are a simple and great alternative to the full nightly skin treatment. Before purchasing any, please consult with your dermatologist about the products best suited for your skin. With an easy alternative cleansing routine, no one has to know you were out late the night before!

Resolve to Have Great Skin in 2015

Knoxville Dermatology Group clear skin

With every January 1, we strive to stick to our resolutions – be they mighty or small. And this New Year, we want to encourage you to make a resolution to achieve your best skin ever.

This is the year we will remember to wash our face, no matter how late the night or how tired we are. Sunscreen will always be applied before even thinking about walking outside. We will remain well-moisturized by drinking the daily recommended amount of water and using appropriate moisturizers, depending on the season. Our antioxidant game will be fierce by incorporating it into a healthy diet and lifestyle.

We will schedule and commit to our annual skin exam and perform monthly skin checks to stay aware of any changes. If our skin becomes irritated or infected, we will immediately call our certified dermatologist at Knoxville Dermatology instead of self-diagnosing or googling about it. And we will take at least five minutes a day to take a deep breath, relax and re-focus. So here’s to a happy and glowing 2015!

What You May Not Know about Winter Sun Exposure

spf30

This temperature drop really has us re-evaluating our time spent out of the comfort of our warm home. We make a plan of attack and run from our car to the grocery store, to work, etc.  But one thing we shouldn’t run from is our daily sunscreen application, EVEN on a cloudy and frigid day.

It’s easier to remember to protect your skin during the spring and summer. The sun’s rays hit your skin, and the warmth is a nice reminder to lather on the protective lotions. But when you’re bundled up and facing the polar vortex, it’s really hard to remember what that warmth feels like on your skin – and all too easy to forget that you still need some SPF defense against the sun’s harmful rays.

Your face and neck are still exposed to UV rays as the ozone layer thins out during the winter months. This causes UVA and UVB rays to become even more harmful to your skin. And if we get another bout of snow, the sun’s rays are reflected on the glistening white dusting and ice. So remember to protect your skin from sun and weather burn with SPF 30 at least 30 minutes before heading outside.

While our winter coats and layers are likely to protect most of our skin, we should still take care of the skin we’re in. Switch to creamier moisturizers during the dry winter months. Just because you go outside, away from the fireside’s glow, doesn’t mean your skin has to lose its healthy glow. We’ll help your skin look cozy, inside or outside, this winter.

Call us today at 865-690-9467 for help with your winter skincare routine or if you have any questions about your skin. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Aging Gracefully

Everything seems to change with age – our style, our hair, and especially our skin. With things like our hair and fashion sense, we change them when and how we want. But our skin changes due to genetics and our skincare routine.

Elastin and collagen are proteins that help keep your skin strong and elastic. As we age, production of these proteins slows down. The rate at which it slows down is strictly dependent on our genes. But external skin aging is in our control. Sun exposure and diet play a big role in how our skin appears. There are things you can do to protect your skin, no matter when you start.

Drinking plenty of water and using the right moisturizers can greatly improve the look and feel of your skin. Be sure to always protect your skin from overexposure with SPF 15 sunscreen or higher. Exfoliating once a week will help eliminate those dead skin cells that keep your skin looking dull. For dealing with things such as wrinkles or age spots, contact one of our board-certified physicians to put together a skin regimen that works for you.

If you have any questions about your skincare routine or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Traveling with Healthy Skin: Part II

While traveling can be an adventure, don’t let your skincare routine fall by the wayside. Use these tips for traveling with healthy skin, and you’ll start and end your trip with a healthy glow.

• If you can, avoid coffee, alcohol and salt. Traveling is dehydrating enough, but these substances will leave you feeling parched and groggy.
• Be sure to get a full night’s rest before your trip. This could help eliminate your need for coffee. Also, getting the recommended 8 hours allows time for your body to recuperate and reset.
• Oh no! Your flight or train was delayed. Don’t stress. If you prepare a “just in case” bag with facial cleansers, sunscreen or moisturizer, travel-sized makeup and extra clothes, you’ll still look fresh in the morning.
• Although one of the perks of staying at a hotel is the free shampoos and soaps, you should bring your own. A lot of these “freebies” are new and untested. You don’t know what kind of reaction your skin may have. Find travel-sized bottles of your current shampoo, conditioner, and cleansers for your trip.
• Last but not least, prepare for the weather. Be mindful of the weather while you’re traveling and at your destination. Cold mountain air will affect your skin differently than the moist salty air at a tropical beach. Cooler climates call for thick moisturizers and night cream. You should pack SPF 30 and lip balm if you’re heading to the beach. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours!

If you have any questions about skin protection or any changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

The Pain with Shingles

It’s well-known that once you’ve had chickenpox, you can’t get it again. What’s not as well-known, however, is that the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster, stays dormant in your nervous system for the rest of your life. The virus can then reactivate years later as shingles, often without warning.

The first sign that you may be suffering from shingles is an intense pain, often associated with a burning sensation, on one side of your abdomen. This pain will then be followed by a red rash and fluid-filled blisters a few days later. This rash is generally an individual strip down your side. Although rare, people may also experience a fever, headache and fatigue.
Shingles is contagious, but only to those who have never had chickenpox. If they come in contact with someone suffering from shingles, they can catch it and develop chickenpox. As long as your shingles rash is forming new blisters, you are contagious.

Most cases of shingles occur in people over 50 years of age, but there are other factors that can put you at greater risk. If you have any diseases or take medication that weaken your immune system, receive treatment for cancer or are taking a steroid regimen, you are more likely to develop shingles.

Currently, there is no cure for shingles. However, the use of antiviral drugs, if issued quickly after the appearance of symptoms, can help heal the rash more quickly and reduce your risk of complications.

If you need more serious help with skin issues or something else that is troubling your skin, we are here to help. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.