Category: Health

Things Your Dermatologist Wants You to Know Before Booking Your Appointment

From treating blemishes and filling hollows to diagnosing skin cancer, a good dermatologist can help any patient pinpoint the underlying cause of their issues or help them with an extra boost of confidence in next to no time. But, like with any other appointment, you may leave your consultation feeling as though you haven’t gotten the most of your visit. Don’t fret: there are ways to ensure a more productive appointment. Below, tips to know before you book your next visit.

Do Your Injectable Homework

Different types of injectables address different concerns, and it’s important to understand the basics before you arrive to help facilitate a conversation with your doctor about which is correct for you.

Neurotoxins, including Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin and newcomer Jeuveau, block nerve perceptors in the skin that create wrinkles, lines and crow’s-feet.

Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane, Revanesse and Belotero Balance, on the other hand, don’t “freeze” anything. Instead, they restore plumpness to aging skin by “filling” the area.

Then there are the collagen-stimulating fillers, including Bellafill, Radiesse and Scluptra Aesthetic, that work stimulate the body’s own production of collagen for a longer period of time. (Popular treatment areas include the nasolabial folds, the backs of the hands, cheeks, lips and under-eye hollows.)

Bring in Some Photos

Understanding your skin can be a tricky thing, so bringing in some helpful photographs can be a great form of documentative evidence. Some skin conditions can be sporadic, and having photos on hand can definitely show your dermatologist just exactly what is going on.

Wear Loose Clothing When You Arrive

Dermatologist appointments can take some time, so you’ll definitely want to wear comfortable clothing upon your visit. But comfort aside, wearing loose clothing also makes it much easier to remove when given a gown for skin care exams. Oftentimes, patients tend to wear tight and complicated clothing, making it difficult to perform examinations.

Never Wear Makeup

You may rely on some foundation and concealer to get you through the day, but when visiting your dermatologist, it’s highly recommended to pass on the makeup. Your physician is definitely going to want to get a closer look at your skin, so going in sans makeup can help show what’s really going on when your dermatologist isn’t around.

Remove Your Nail Polish Before Your Appointment

Aside from treating a wide variety of skin conditions, dermatologists also pay close attention to the health of your nails, especially because some skin cancers tend to form on your nail beds. To help your dermatologist get a clearer glimpse of your nails, it’s wise to remove your nail polish before arriving to your appointment.

What to Expect from Your Visit to the Dermatologist

Visiting the dermatologist is an important part of maintaining your overall health. Your dermatologist can diagnose and evaluate a range of skin conditions, including skin cancer. If you’ve just scheduled your first dermatology appointment, you may be wondering what to expect. Here’s an overview of what will happen during your visit to your City dermatologist.

Beforehand

During your dermatology appointment, you’ll want to make sure that your dermatologist can easily examine all of your skin—including the skin beneath your nails! Remove any fingernail and toenail polish, and check over your skin yourself before your appointment. This will allow you to discuss any changes in your skin with the doctor.

During the Visit

When you arrive at your dermatologist’s office, you will be directed to a private exam room. If you will be undergoing a skin cancer evaluation, you will be asked to change into a gown. Your dermatologist will ask you a series of questions and discuss your concerns with you, and then she will look over your skin. The exam itself should only take about 10 minutes. During this time, your dermatologist will evaluate any moles, discoloration, and other skin issues on your body. If anything abnormal or concerning is found, your dermatologist may recommend a biopsy.

Afterward

Depending on your skin issues, your dermatologist may recommend specific treatments or medications. If you will be undergoing treatment to address a skin problem, you’ll be able to schedule your next appointment after your exam. If your dermatologist has prescribed any medications, you will receive an explanation of how to use those medications. It will then be up to you to follow your dermatologist’s instructions for medication use and daily skincare techniques.

Other Concerns

Screening for skin cancer

This type of screening is usually in the first part of your visit to the dermatologist. The screening may last for approximately 10 minutes and includes a visual inspection of all skin areas and all possible forms of skin cancer. A mole check may include checking your private areas and your scalp. Female patients can also request for a female dermatologist to make them feel more confident and comfortable during their appointment.

Skin care routine assessment

Dermatologists also want to know your skin care routine. They will ask you questions on how you take care of your skin at night and in the morning. After listening to your answers, they will recommend the best skin care routine for you and whether you should continue with your existing regimen.

Assessment of goals in aging patients

As people age, dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines tend to become more visible. It is important to be equipped when it comes to your skin’s needs as you age. Dermatologists will be able to recommend skin care products, certain ingredients to look for, and the best solutions depending on your age, skin issues, and lifestyle habits. Having annual visits to the dermatologist is also recommended to effectively address anti-aging goals.

Remove your nail polish

Aside from acne, skin cancer, and other skin conditions, dermatologists also need to see your nails because some types of skin cancer tend to form on nail beds. In some cases, skin rashes are caused by nail fungus. There are also moles that can be found under the nails, so make sure to remove your nail polish before your dermatologist appointment.

Showcase skin concerns through photos 

Pictures of your skin problems can be a great and helpful evidence that you and your dermatologist can document. If you have taken photos of your skin issues, make sure to bring them with you on your scheduled appointment. Sporadic skin conditions can be quite tricky to describe or identify, so having pictures during your appointment can help the dermatologist understand what you are trying to explain.

Some other basic questions you should be prepared to answer:

• How long you have had acne?
• Does anything make it worse (for example, menses in females or stress)?
• Did your parents have really bad acne?

Finally, have a list of any antibiotics that caused problems for you in the past, whether it was an allergy or just a bad side effect. Antibiotics are often used for treatment of acne, and knowing off the bat which ones you can and can’t take is very helpful.

And if you are a female and are pregnant or are thinking about getting pregnant in the near future, let your doctor know, because this affects what treatments are safe for you to use.

Being prepared with all of the above information will optimize your visit and help your dermatologist choose the best treatment for you.

Cosmetic surgery: An introduction

What is cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic surgery refers to a surgical procedure undertaken to reshape and change the appearance of a body part. It may change the structure, position, colour or texture of a body part or feature and is initiated by an individual who is unsatisfied with their appearance, rather than by a doctor who thinks the surgery will improve the individual’s health. There are also many other treatments undertaken for cosmetic purposes which do not involve surgery, but change the structure of body tissues. These are known as non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

Body parts or systems operated

Surgeons can change the appearance of numerous body parts through cosmetic surgery. Some of the most common body parts which patients modify through cosmetic surgery, either changing the size or shape of, are:

Breasts;

Ears;

Eyes;

Face;

Hair;

Nose;

Abdomen.

Cosmetic surgery techniques and procedures

There are numerous operative techniques used in cosmetic surgery including:

Lipoplasty (liposuction): This involves the removal of fat from the body through small cuts in the skin using suction techniques;

Augmentation: This involves the implantation of devices to increase the size of a body feature (e.g. the breasts);

Body contouring including lifts and tucks: These are procedures in which loose skin is removed and remaining skin tightened to give a more toned appearance;

Reshaping procedures: The contour or shape of a feature is changed. These procedures might involve implants or removal or reshaping of bone or cartilage;

Dermabrasion: This involves the scraping away of layers of skin; and

Hair replacement: Skin with good hair growth is grafted onto bald areas where hair growth is desired.

Non-surgical cosmetic treatments

Non-surgical cosmfetic treatments are those which alter the appearance by changing the structure of body tissues, without surgery. Such procedures may be offered in non-medical settings including dental surgeries and beauty salons. While these treatments do not involve invasive surgery, they nonetheless carry risks and individuals should fully consider the risks and benefits of these treatments before consenting to undergo them.

Non-surgical cosmetic treatments include:

Botulinum toxin injections (Botox): Typically into facial muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles;

Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers include collagen derived from human and cow skin. In Australia collagen dermal fillers include the brands Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast, Zyderm and Zyplast. These are injected into the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles for 2–4 months;

Chemical peels: In which chemical solutions containing phenol, trichloroacetic and alphahydroxy acids are applied to the skin in order the remove the outer layers of the dermis.

How to become a plastic surgeon

Plastic surgeons serve high-profile clientele, like movie and TV stars, as well as people recovering from accidents and illnesses. They also help people born with birth defects. Whether performing cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, plastic surgeons make big bucks helping people. If you are willing to put in many years of hard work, you can become a plastic surgeon one day too.

Here’s how to become a plastic surgeon:

Obtain your bachelor’s degree in a premedical major, such as biology or chemistry.

Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). You might want to consider taking an MCAT prep course so you get a good score.

Complete a four-year doctor of medicine (MD) degree from an accredited medical school [source: Education-portal]. Choosing a school with a plastic surgery residency program could make your next step easier.

Undergo surgical residency training upon completing medical school. This three-year residency is a general surgery residency.

Undergo a second residency specializing in plastic surgery. This is also a three-year residency. Some programs combine everything into one long residency [source: ABPS].

Become familiar with the role of a plastic surgeon through the rules and guidelines of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and connect with groups like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Choose a specialty upon completing your general surgery training, or during your second or third year of mixed training. Some possibilities include hand surgery, aesthetic surgery and cutaneous malignancy surgery.

Secure certification with the ABPS through examination and conformity with a code of ethics.

After completing your residency, you may decide to do a fellowship. This will help you further master your skills in your chosen area. After that, you will be ready to perform plastic surgery.

Why you should NOT get plastic surgery

Many of us are concerned with some aspect of our appearance. Maybe we don’t have the body we want, or we wish we could look younger. More and more, people are turning to cosmetic surgery to help them meet their goal of looking and feeling their best.

In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, patients increasingly come from all income levels and ranges, with more than 70 percent of patients reporting a household income between $30,000 and $60,000. Age ranges also vary widely. In my practice, I commonly see patients from 18 to 80 years of age, and this reflects national trends.

Seek plastic surgery for you —not to please someone else.

Plastic surgery will not change your relationships or save your marriage. You should have cosmetic surgery for yourself — to make you feel better about yourself or to change something you’re not happy about with your appearance.

Think twice before letting pop culture drive your decision.

You should not have a cosmetic procedure just because it’s the latest fashion. We all follow the stars and watch plastic surgery reality shows, and this may entice you

Looking for a quick fix to drop some pounds?

Plastic surgery is not a weight loss procedure. A sensible diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle are the keys to maintaining a fit figure. For extreme weight loss, bariatric surgery is the specialty of medicine that helps patients lose weight by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold.

Cosmetic surgery holidays

Cheaper, better?

A large international study, the Sun, Sea, Sand, Silicone Project, estimated that spend $300m a year on cosmetic surgery tourism, with an estimated 15,000 heading offshore each year to go under the knife. Dr M from the University of Technology, who worked on the study, told Associated Press, “Most people are attracted to it because it is cheap overseas but the agents are beginning to tell us that they are servicing people who are choosing to go overseas because they think they will get better work done.”

health insurer NIB is become a player in the market, offering  ‘NIB Options’. NIB Options is not a health insurance product but a fee-for-service which, according to their website, provides “safe and reliable choices for consumers wishing to undertake cosmetic and major dental procedures in overseas”.

Tourist traps

“Surgical procedures and tourism should not appear in the same sentence,” says Dr J, the ACCS’s chief censor. “Surgery used to be very well considered and a serious proposition. It’s not something that you can add on to a holiday and it’s not something you do simply because this is the cheapest way to go.”

Risky business

Surgery is a risky proposition regardless of where it’s done, but experts say there are additional risks to getting surgery in countries where regulation may not be as stringent as our own. The outcome could be results that you are unhappy with, or that cause a lot of pain and distress.

So, how much can you save?

Often in cosmetic surgeons do not list pricing on their websites, with the caveat that costs will vary between patients and procedures. There are many costs associated with surgery – not just the surgeon’s fee – such as hospital or surgical facility costs, anaesthesia fees, medication and medical tests.

Mini Lift Recovery – Helpful Things to Know

Many people refer to the mini lift as a “weekend facelift” due to its minimal invasiveness and quick recovery time. This title may mislead you, however, as mini lift recovery for some people may take longer than just a couple days. The choices a patient makes before and after the surgery can impact how long the recovery takes, but if done right, it can make the procedure easy and simple. Our experts want you to have all the information about what to expect after your procedure so that you can make an informed decision.

What is a Mini Lift?

A mini lift is the most common form of facelift performed today. It is a less invasive form of procedure than a full facelift and involves only a series of smaller incisions. Excess skin can then be removed. The procedure pulls the remaining skin tight across the face, eliminating sagging and reducing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. This helps users look like their younger selves without the involvement of a full facelift procedure.

A Closer Look at the Mini Lift Recovery

After the procedure, patients will be discharged and allowed to complete their recovery at home. The most important tip for speeding recovery is not to rush it; everyone’s bodies heal at their own pace, and trying to come back too quickly can cause further damage and set the process back days, weeks or longer.

Though patients can generally leave the facility the day of the surgery, they are typically advised to give themselves at least a week before needing to do any strenuous or public activities. Doctors also advise them to follow all their recommendations regarding aftercare.

Most doctors will do a follow-up meeting within just days to make sure that everything looks correct and your mini lift recovery is going well. They may perform another after one or two weeks although many patients recover quickly enough that this may not be necessary. It all depends on the unique situation.