Your skin is the largest, most exposed organ you possess, so it endures a lot. From aging and the environment, to illness and injury, your skin can show the consequences of nearly everything that happens to you.
Even if you’re the most careful, attentive person when it comes to your skin, common skin conditions are unavoidable. The board-certified dermatologists and skin specialists at Gold Skin Care Center are experienced, skilled, and trained in dealing with the various types of skin conditions that can afflict adults in Nashville. They know that your condition and aesthetic goals are unique, so they are able to customize a treatment plan to fit your lifestyle and goals.
Let’s take a look at 5 common adult skin conditions and how Gold Skin Care Center can help treat or manage your condition.
The Five Most Common Skin Problems in Adults
Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a common type of eczema. The cause is not always clear but it’s thought to be related to genes, environmental stimuli, and/or issues with your immune system.
Atopic dermatitis is characterized by skin that’s dry, scaly, itchy, thick, and inflamed. While it can appear on any part of the body, it often develops on the hands and feet. Babies often develop on their faces.
Dermatitis can only be managed with injections and topical applications such as corticosteroid creams, it cannot be completely cured. A cleansing routine involving mild cleansers and lotions can also help alleviate the discomfort of dry skin.
Another type of eczema, contact dermatitis, occurs when your skin reacts adversely to something that you’ve touched, such as:
- Cleaning agents (detergents, bleach, soap, etc.)
- Plants (poison ivy or poison oak)
- Latex gloves
- Jewelry
Obviously, if you can avoid touching known agents that cause your skin to itch or become inflamed, it’s the best way to deal with your condition. However, if you’re not sure what your triggers are or you’ve touched something anyway, your condition could be managed with an antihistamine and steroids (topical or oral).
Acne vulgaris
Acne is the most common skin problem in the country, it’s estimated that nearly 9 in 10 Americans will have it at some point, whether it be as a teenager or as an adult. Though it can be incited by hormonal changes, acne usually forms due to the simple blockage of hair follicles and oil glands in your skin.
Acne breakouts usually consist of the following:
- Pimples
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Cysts
- Nodules
Effective treatments for acne can range from regular facial cleansing and medicated skin creams to oral medications containing isotretinoin (such as Claravis) or cream medications (such as Retin-A).
At Gold Skin Care Center, if your case is severe or if your skin has not responded to other treatments, we can perform a refreshing microdermabrasion or photodynamic treatment to help clear your skin.
Rosacea
Often forming in women over 30 (although it’s not uncommon in men, either), rosacea is persistent redness and even swelling of the face. Some even call it “middle-age acne” because it often leads to bumps that resemble acne that forms on the nose, chin, cheeks, and/or forehead. Severe cases of it can cause puffy cheeks, an enlarged nose, and even broken capillaries on the face.
It’s not really known what causes rosacea, which means it also has no known cure; many women are thought to get rosacea during menopause. Treatment at Gold Skin Care Center includes IPL (intense pulsed light), laser therapy, topical antibiotic creams, or oral antibiotic medications. If the condition is especially severe, a combination of treatments is recommended.
Moles
Although certain famous actresses have made moles beautiful, if you have one, you may not agree. A mole can appear anywhere and it can be any color, though the most common colors are:
- Brown
- Red
- Blue
- Gray
- Black
A mole can range in size (usually no bigger than a pencil eraser), shape (circular, oval, or square), and texture (flat, raised, smooth, rough, even hairy). Though normally harmless, certain moles can raise your risk of skin cancer.
If you have a mole (or multiple moles), you should monitor them for changes in shape, size, color, and texture. Always stay in touch with your dermatologist, as any change or formation of a new mole could indicate a risk of melanoma, (a potentially deadly type of skin cancer). A mole can be removed by excision and cauterization; a cancerous one may require surgery, such as MOHS micrographic surgery for complete removal.
Scars
After many years, your skin is bound to pick up a variety of scars from injury, acne, surgery, infection, and more. Scars are often an important part of any normal healing process.
However, if your body doesn’t respond well to the healing, the scar can become disfiguring and aesthetically unpleasing. This can lead to skin that’s firm or rough, itchy or tender, discolored, indented, or even raised. It can also cause self-esteem issues.
Gold Skin Care Center offers a variety of options to treat scars in Nashville, including:
- Radiofrequency laser treatment
- Fractional CO2 laser treatment
- Chemical peels
Dealing with a Common Skin Problem? Contact Gold Skin Care Center
To learn more about these and other common adult skin conditions, call our office or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
