Is it time to see a skincare specialist?

Your skin is your largest organ, so it’s important that you take care of it. That sometimes means turning to a dermatologist for specialized care. Whether you are dealing with skin problems or want to improve your skin’s appearance, a dermatologist can provide you with the cosmetic and medical treatments you’re looking for. Here are some reasons to turn to a dermatologist,

Your Acne Doesn’t Respond to Home Care

Yes, it will take time for acne to respond to treatment. There is no overnight fix; however, if you’ve been using the same over-the-counter acne treatments for twelve weeks or more and aren’t seeing results, it might be time to turn to a dermatologist. Over-the-counter options are only good for milder acne cases. A dermatologist can provide customized treatment options if acne is more severe or treatment-resistant.

You Want a Skin Cancer Evaluation

You don’t have to be fair-skinned or have a family history of skin cancer or tanning beds to benefit from turning to your dermatologist once a year for a skin cancer screening. Everyone can benefit. An annual screening with a dermatologist can catch melanoma and non-melanoma cancers early.

You Have a Chronic Skin Condition

When dealing with eczema, psoriasis or chronic dry skin, these problems require personalized care only a dermatologist can offer. If you are dealing with red, itchy, scaling or burning patches of skin and you’re not sure what’s going on, a dermatologist can provide you with a swift diagnosis and a customized treatment plan to help you get your flare-ups under control.

You Want to Look Younger

Apart from all the medical benefits of turning to a dermatologist, another reason to seek care from a skin care professional is that you’re looking to enhance your skin’s appearance. Whether you want to smooth away lines and wrinkles with Botox or improve skin tone and texture with microneedling or laser resurfacing, a dermatologist is an ideal doctor to turn to for safe, effective cosmetic treatments.

Are you dealing with skin problems that impact your everyday routine or self-esteem? Do you want to treat imperfections to get skin you feel more confident in? If so, call your dermatologist today to schedule a consultation and find out how this specialist can help you get healthy, radiant skin.

How your dermatologists in Honolulu, HI, can help with acne

Acne doesn’t just happen to teenagers–adults can be affected by acne too. If you have acne, it may be tempting to just ignore it, hoping it will go away on its own. This may not be a good idea, because acne can leave scarring. A much better idea is to visit your dermatologist, who is an expert at acne treatment.

The dermatologists at Dawson Dermatology Drs. Erin Fuller, Kevin Dawson, Douglas Chun, and Sarah Grekin provide comprehensive skincare services, including treatment of acne. They have two convenient office locations in Honolulu, HI, to help you and your skin.

Acne is caused by dead skin cells, excess oil, dirt, and debris clogging up your pores. It can also be caused by underlying bacteria. Acne blemishes can take the form of:

• Whiteheads
• Blackheads
• Cystic acne

Have you tried over-the-counter acne treatments and been disappointed? If so, you are not alone. Over-the-counter treatments are somewhat effective for mild acne, but acne often is caused by underlying bacteria, and requires professional treatment.

Professional treatments for acne include:

Products containing benzoyl peroxide, which are an excellent option for mild acne–they work by clearing blocked pores

Topical and oral antibiotics, which kill the underlying bacteria infecting your pores

Tretinoin products, which clear out material blocking your pores, to eliminate blackheads and whiteheads

Extraction treatment, which uses an instrument to completely remove whiteheads and blackheads

Laser light therapy, which uses heat and light to kill the underlying bacteria causing acne

If you have acne scarring, don’t worry. At Dawson Dermatology, you can take advantage of several treatment options to fade away acne scarring, including:

• Microdermabrasion
• Laser light therapy
• Skin resurfacing treatments

To learn more about acne treatment options and how your dermatologist can help you get relief from acne, call the dermatologists at Dawson Dermatology Drs. Erin Fuller, Kevin Dawson, Douglas Chun, and Sarah Grekin. You can reach them in either of their Honolulu, HI, locations by calling (808) 599-3780, so call now.

Find out how this simple injectable can take years off of your face.

So you want to get Botox but wish to learn more about this cosmetic treatment before turning to your dermatologist and taking the plunge. Botox can be a great option, particularly if you’re new to the cosmetic world, because it’s minimally invasive and temporary. Here's what you should know before you say “yes” to Botox,

Botox Smooths Dynamic Lines and Wrinkles

Not sure what dynamic wrinkles are? These wrinkles are the ones that are accentuated or pop when you make facial expressions. Smile in the mirror, and if the lines and wrinkles that drive you crazy are even more prominent, these can be treated with Botox. This means that Botox can typically smooth away,

• Crow’s feet
• Forehead wrinkles
• “11s” (lines between the eyebrows)
• Nasolabial lines (lines around the nose and mouth)

Botox cannot treat lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage or gravity.

Botox Only Takes a Couple of Minutes To Administer

Another bonus of getting Botox is that a qualified dermatologist can easily administer this in a matter of minutes. Even those with busy schedules can find time to schedule Botox. Some patients even choose to use their lunch breaks. Yes, it’s that fast, and discomfort is minimal. Worried about discomfort? Talk with your dermatologist about icing or numbing ointments before getting Botox.

Aftercare is Important After Getting Botox

Yes, getting Botox is minimally invasive. You can return to your regularly scheduled program fairly quickly; however, it’s important not to put on makeup, massage or touch the area for at least four hours. You should also avoid exercise or workouts for 24 hours after getting Botox. You also will not want to lie down for four hours after getting injections.

Results Last About 3-4 Months, on Average

Botox provides temporary results, lasting anywhere from 3-6 months. Age, the severity of your lines and other factors will impact how long Botox lasts for you; however, the good news is that if you love the results you get with Botox, a dermatologist can provide you with subsequent treatments to refresh your look once or twice a year.

Want to refresh your appearance with Botox? If so, talk with your dermatologist to discuss your cosmetic goals to see if Botox is the right option for you.

Learn more about your treatment options for getting acne under control

Dealing with acne? Want to know the different treatment options available so you can make a better and more informed decision regarding your skin health? A dermatologist can be the ideal medical specialist to turn to address questions or concerns about your acne. Here are some of the ways you can treat your breakouts,

Lifestyle Changes

If your acne is mild, you may wish to try your luck at changing your current lifestyle, habits and diet to see if that offers an improvement. Most individuals who may these changes do see an improvement in the number of breakouts,

• Quit smoking
• Stay hydrated
• Get an adequate 7-9 hours of sleep
• Avoid the sun
• Eat a healthy, clean diet
• Exfoliate two times a week
• Wash your face twice a day
• Schedule makeup-free days
• Get regular exercise (don’t forget to wash your face after sweating)
• Reduce stress
• Limit alcohol

Home Treatment Options

While a dermatologist should treat more severe or painful acne, if your acne is mild or moderate and you want to see if over-the-counter options work for you, it certainly won’t hurt to try. Look for cleansers and ointments that contain active acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Products containing tea tree oil, aloe vera or witch hazel may also improve acne-prone skin. Just know that no treatment will work overnight. It takes several weeks to see results, so be patient.

Treatments that Require a Dermatologist

Of course, if you’ve been trying to treat your acne for months on your own without success or your acne is deep, nodule or cystic, a dermatologist is the right specialist to turn to for care. Home remedies and lifestyle changes often aren’t effective for more severe cases. The treatment plan your dermatologist creates will be tailored to your needs. Acne treatments may include,

• Prescription ointments or creams with a higher concentration of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide
• Laser or light therapy
• Chemical peels
• Regular facials
• Steroid injections
• Antibiotics
• Hormonal bill control
• Retinoid
• Tretinoin

If acne impacts your appearance and self-esteem, you owe it to yourself to speak with a dermatologist who can provide you with more effective treatment options so you can feel confident in your skin again.

Learn more about psoriasis, its warning signs and how to treat it.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can impact a person’s appearance, health and quality of life. You should turn to a dermatologist if you suspect that you might be dealing with psoriasis. While there is no cure for this disease, there are ways for a dermatologist to help you better manage your symptoms and provide you with relief.

What is psoriasis?

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, more than 7.5 million adults in the US are living with psoriasis. This immune disorder causes widespread inflammation, particularly of the skin, which results in the development of raised, scaly red plaques on the skin. These plaques may also sting or burn and typically appear on the knees, elbows and scalp.

In some cases, some people with psoriasis may also develop joint stiffness, swelling and pain. This condition is known as psoriatic arthritis, and it’s essential that you turn to a doctor right away if you notice symptoms of arthritis and psoriasis.

What can cause psoriasis to flare up?

Psoriasis comes and goes, so it’s essential to recognize what triggers your flare-ups to avoid them as much as possible. Common triggers include,

• Stress
• Other infections, including skin infections
• Cold, dry weather
• Sunburn
• Injuries to the skin such as a bug bite
• Alcohol consumption
• Steroid use
• Certain drugs, such as high blood pressure medication
• Smoking or being around smoke

When should I see a dermatologist?

If you notice red, cracked or dry patches of skin on your body, it’s a good idea to have your dermatologist look to determine whether or not you could have psoriasis. Suppose you have already been diagnosed with psoriasis. You may wish to turn to a dermatologist regularly if your current treatment plan isn’t working or noticing new or worsening flare-ups.

How is psoriasis treated?

The fast turnover of skin cells leads to the formation of these plaques. To prevent this rapid turnover, there are a variety of lifestyle, topical treatments and therapies that a dermatologist can provide you. Common treatment options for psoriasis include,

• Topical steroids
• Retinoids
• Salicylic acid
• Phototherapy
• Biologics (for severe and treatment-resistant forms of psoriasis)

Suppose you live with psoriasis or think you might be dealing with psoriasis. In that case, it’s important that you turn to a dermatologist who can provide you with a proper diagnosis and customized treatment plan.