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Frequently Asked Questions About Physician Skincare
- What is physician skincare?
- At what age can physician skincare be use?
- What does a typical physician skincare consultation entail?
- How is physician skincare performed or administered?
- What should I expect posttreatment?
- Does physician skincare burn or sting?
- When will I be able to see the results?
- What are the risks of physician skincare?
- Are the results permanent?
1. What is physician skincare?
Physician skin care is a course of action for those who have skin and complexion problems and who do not respond well to over the counter formulations. It is skin care products and treatments that are available through a physician's office. Some individuals may need increased exfoliation to remove several layers of skin either all at once with deep chemical peels or through gradual applications of products such as Retin A (tretinoin) or alpha hydroxy acids. There are options that use manual exfoliation such as microdermabrasion or dermabrasion. More invasive measures use strong chemicals or laser (laser resurfacing) to remove several layers of skin at one time.
2. At what age can physician's skincare be used?
Physician skincare can be started from the early teens on up to whatever age you fee like it. Many men and women well up into their 80's use physician's skincare. It depends on your own needs.
3. What does a typical physician skincare consultation entail?
You will meet with a plastic surgeon or dermatologist and discuss your goals. The two of you will discuss your health and lifestyle; whether you smoke, what medications or vitamins you presently take, etc. You will discuss your skin problems and discuss the various techniques that can be used for you. He or she should discuss the risks associated with the products or treatment.
4. How is physician skincare treatment performed or administered?
Some treatments consist of prescribed products that you use at home. However, other choices include minimally invasive treatments such as peels and resurfacing. This is highly dependent upon your needs, your dedication and your budget.
5. What should I expect post-treatment?
Great skin isn't created overnight. Your results will take time and may take a lot of time. Be patient and be realistic in your expectations. You can have very mild exfoliations that have almost no recovery time (microdermabrasion) to exfoliation measures that you need a few days to recover from, such as laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, deep chemical peels, etc.. If you don't mind the downtime then you should consider the more invasive options that carry more risks but faster benefits.
Many treatments leave you red and peeling and even worse off than you were for a little while. Just remember that perseverance will get you where you want to be. Many patient stop before the benefits are seen and they are left with distaste for these treatments - often never going back and finishing. Please trust us, there is a silver lining if you stick with it.
6. Does physician skincare burn or sting?
This depends upon what you are using and can be very individual. Face it, some people have very sensitive skin that is irritated easily, while other people don't. Some stinging may just need a little cool air from a blowing fan. Even some products that you use at home can cause burning or stinging. During some aggressive home regimens of Retin A use, there may be cracking and bleeding of the skin around the mouth and corners of the eyes if you aren't careful. Follow your physician's instructions!
7. When will I be able to see the results?
Anywhere from right away to several months from now. The more invasive the treatment is, the faster it works, but the greater the risks and the longer the recovery time. Less invasive procedures or products will give you gradual benefits, but with little or no downtime.
8. What are the risks of physician skincare?
The risks, complications and contraindications vary significantly and depend a great deal on the treatment chosen. One risks factor for almost all types of skin treatments is that if you have oral herpes (cold sores or fever blisters) you must tell your physician. You will probably have to take an antiviral drug while you are being treated and while you heal. This is very important! It can significantly decrease your chances of a cold sore breakout. If you have a breakout during your healing period, it can spread to your entire face and result in severe and permanent scarring.
Patients with olive skin, brown skin or black skin (ethnic skin tones) may be at risk for pigmentation changes no matter what type of resurfacing method is recommended. Your surgeon should evaluate your skin characteristics and family history carefully before making any diagnosis for treatment.
Anyone who has used Accutane (isotretinoin) in the past year or so, who is prone to abnormal scarring or keloid formation, and who has frequent skin eruptions such as psoriasis, eczema and herpes may not be good candidates for laser skin resurfacing.
One rule of thumb is that the more invasive the treatment, the greater the risks. Deeper chemical and laser peels may inadvertently go to far and removing too much skin. Crusting or weeping skin can take longer than expected to heal and there is the small chance of an infection setting in.
Permanency depends on how dedicated you are to maintaining your complexion and what kind of lifestyle you lead. Sun damage can happen again if you choose to sunbathe and expose yourself to UV light. Skin damage from smoking will continue until you stop smoking. While skin care can dramatically improve skin tone and texture, and can reverse some signs of aging, it cannot stop the aging process.
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