Eczema & Atopic Dermatitis Treatment

Banish Itchy Skin

The terms “eczema” or “dermatitis” are used to describe a group of skin conditions characterized by inflamed skin. Eczema can be red, blistering, oozing, scaly, brownish, or thickened and usually itches.

Eczema shows up most often on the face, hands, feet, wrists and the back of the knees (though it can appear in other areas). The affected skin often appears dry, thick and even scaly.

The most common symptom is intense itchiness. Occasionally the skin will start itching even before the rash surfaces.

Eczema or atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition, where the skin thickens and roughens. It is typically itchy, and sometimes can be extremely itchy, creating a scratch-itch cycle that perpetuates the skin lesions.

What Causes Eczema

It’s still not known exactly what causes eczema. The most common type of eczema – atopic dermatitis – resembles an allergy. But the skin irritation, which is more often seen in children rather than adults, is not an allergic reaction.

It is currently believed that that eczema is caused by a combination of factors that include:

  • Genetics
  • Abnormal function of the immune system
  • Environment
  • Activities that may cause skin to be more sensitive
  • Defects in the skin barrier that allow moisture out and germs in

In eczema, the immune system is “overreactive” and hastens the production of new skin, thereby creating the patchy, thickened appearance, characteristic of eczema.

Certain food or environmental allergens may trigger a hyperreactive response from the immune system, which then presents on the skin. It is important to determine if and to what degree these triggers are contributing to your eczema.

Some people may have “flare-ups” of the itchy rash in response to certain substances or conditions. For some, coming into contact with rough or coarse materials may cause the skin to become itchy. For others, feeling too hot or too cold, exposure to certain household products like soap or detergent, or coming into contact with animal dander may cause an outbreak. Upper respiratory infections or colds may also be triggers. Stress may cause the condition to worse

Different Types Of Eczema

There are several different types of eczema. Unfortunate patients may have more than one type at a time. Here are the main types of eczema with a description of their characteristics.

Atopic Dermatitis – The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis is chronic and inflammatory. Atopic dermatitis is related to asthma and hay fever, but it is not an allergy. Still, the immune system overreacting to irritants, whether inside or outside the body, is behind the chronic flare-ups. The symptoms listed above are for atopic dermatitis.

Contact Dermatitis – When a person with contact dermatitis touches irritating substances or allergens, his or her skin becomes inflamed, causing it to burn, itch, and become red. Irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis are the most common forms.

Dyshidrotic Eczema – This form of eczema produces small, itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet. Twice as prevalent in women as men, dyshidrotic eczema may be triggered by stress, allergies, moist hands and feet, or exposure to nickel in jewelry, cobalt in metal objects and some paints, or chromium salts in cement, leather, paint, and other products.

Neurodermatitis – This form of eczema starts with an itchy patch of skin. These occur in commonly scratched areas, and scratching then makes the areas more irritated and itchy. This itch-scratch cycle causes the affected skin to become thick and leathery. Neurodermatitis occurs in areas that can be reached and scratched: the head, neck, wrists, forearms, ankles, vulva, scrotum, and anus. Treatment success depends on the patient being able to resist the urge to rub or itch the affected areas, but this can be difficult as the itching can be intense.

Nummular Dermatitis – This form of eczema looks much different than other more common forms. Patients with nummular dermatitis develop coin-shaped spots on their skin. These spots can be very itchy and difficult to treat. It is thought that nummular dermatitis can be triggered by insect bites, reactions to skin inflammation, or dry skin in the winter.

Seborrheic Dermatitis – Another chronic form of eczema, seborrheic dermatitis appears on areas of the body where there are a lot of oil-producing sebaceous glands, such as the upper back, scalp, and the nose. This form of eczema is common in infants and is known colloquially as “cradle cap.” In adults, it also commonly appears on the scalp. Symptoms may range from dry flakes (dandruff) to yellow, greasy scales with reddened skin. It’s thought that hormones play a role in this form of eczema.

Stasis Dermatitis – Also known as venous eczema, this occurs when the patient has a problem with blood flow in the veins and pressure develops. This pressure can cause fluid to leak out of the veins and into the skin, resulting in stasis dermatitis. This usually occurs in the lower legs. Symptoms include swelling around the ankles, redness, scaling, itching, and pain.

How We Treat Eczema

After checking your skin, discussing your symptoms, your health history, and your family history of eczema or allergies, Dr. Rao will be able to tell if it’s eczema. From there, treatment options may depend on the severity of your inflammation, and what type of eczema you have. Please fill in the form below to book your consultation.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic Dermatitis: Symptoms & Treatments

Seborrheic dermatitis, a type of skin condition that most often causes facial dryness and scalp itchiness, affects millions of children and adults in Canada.

It can be tricky to recognize or diagnose seborrheic dermatitis because the skin reactions it triggers mimic those caused by similar conditions like psoriasis, other forms of eczema or even allergic reactions.

Seborrheic dermatitis commonly affects adults between the ages of 30-60 and infants under 3 months.

What Is Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is defined as a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin condition characterized by erythema and skin flaking. It’s actually a form of eczema and is also known as seborrheic eczema.

It usually causes symptoms like itching, skin dryness or oiliness, and other common changes in skin texture, such as scalp dandruff. Unlike many people assume, seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious.

When an adolescent or adult has seborrheic dermatitis, symptoms can come and go for the rest of their life. Very few cases will clear up without treatment. Flare-ups come without warning, often triggered by cold, dry weather or periods of stress.

The parts of the body most likely to develop itchiness and other symptoms include:

  • Face – dryness, and redness usually form on the forehead near the skin folds, eyebrows and front hairline
  • Scalp – dandruff is regarded as a mild, noninflammatory form of seborrheic dermatitis. More than half of patients with this condition develop symptoms on the scalp.
  • Ears
  • Upper chest
  • Back
  • Near the neck or collarbone
  • Any bodyfold, such as near the groin

What Causes Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Doctors don’t know the exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis. It appears that many factors work together to cause this inflammatory skin condition, including genes, yeast that is normally present on our skin, living in a cold, dry climate, stress and a person’s overall health.
Seborrheic dermatitis is not contagious. It is not caused by a lack of hygiene and it is not an allergic reaction. Although this condition can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing, it is not harmful to your health.

Psoriasis Vs. Seborrheic Dermatitis

Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis can look similar. Some people may have both of these skin conditions, but the two disorders have some key differences.

Both of these skin conditions may affect the scalp, which is why they are often confused.

One of the major differences between seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis is their appearance. Scalp psoriasis appears powdery and has a silver sheen, whereas seborrheic dermatitis is more likely to appear yellow and greasy.

What Treatments Are Effective For Seborrheic Dermatitis?

While there is no cure for seborrheic dermatitis, the right treatment can ease symptoms and make flare-ups more manageable. The best type of treatment for each patient will vary based on age and where symptoms occur most often.

After checking your skin, discussing your symptoms, your health history, and your family history with seborrheic dermatitis, Dr. Rao will be able to determine the right course of treatment.

Book Your Consultation Today

Our team is committed to working with you to develop a synergistic approach for enhancing your skin’s health. Dr. Rao has extensive experience and expertise in skin care treatments in Edmonton. Book your consultation with us today!

Psoriasis Treatments

Treat The Symptoms Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a recurring autoimmune disorder characterized by red, flaky patches on the skin.

Even though it affects your skin, psoriasis actually begins deep inside your body in your immune system.

It comes from your T cells, a type of white blood cell. T cells are designed to protect the body from infection and disease. When these cells mistakenly become active and set off other immune responses, it can lead to psoriasis symptoms.

Even though there’s no cure, many treatments exist to ease the symptoms of psoriasis.

Approximately 1 million Canadians are affected by psoriasis. Psoriasis is a persistent skin disorder characterized by red, thickened areas with silvery scales, most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.

The outbreaks, severity, and the chronic nature of psoriasis can make it debilitating and embarrassing for those who have the condition. It is not contagious. It can affect both men and women and usually shows up in early adolescent years. Psoriasis is often mistaken for other skin conditions such as dandruff, eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.

Types Of Psoriasis

There are several common types of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis (the most common type), guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, nail psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It is a chronic condition that may feature periods of flare up and remission. The elbows, knees and scalp are the most common areas to be affected, however, psoriasis can present anywhere on the body

Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis, or psoriasis vulgaris, is the most common form of psoriasis. An estimated 80 percent of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. It’s characterized by thick red patches of skin, often with a silver or white scaly layer.

These patches often appear on the:

  • elbows
  • knees
  • lower back
  • scalp

Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis appears in small red spots on the skin. It’s the second most common type, affecting 10 percent of people with psoriasis. Most of the time it starts during childhood or young adulthood.

The spots are small, separate, and drop-shaped. They often appear on the torso and limbs, but they can also appear on your face and scalp. Spots are usually not as thick as plaque psoriasis, but they can develop into plaque psoriasis over time.

Flexural Psoriasis
Flexural or inverse psoriasis often appears in skinfolds, such as under the breasts or in the armpits or groin area. This type of psoriasis is red and often shiny and smooth.

The sweat and moisture from skinfolds keeps this form of psoriasis from shedding skin scales. Sometimes it’s misdiagnosed as a fungal or bacterial infection. The skin-on-skin contact can make inverse psoriasis very uncomfortable.

Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis is a severe form of psoriasis. It develops fast in the form of many white pustules surrounded by red skin.

Pustular psoriasis may affect isolated areas of the body, like the hands and feet, or cover most of the skin’s surface. These pustules can also join together and form scaling.

What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system and is thought to be a genetic disease that is triggered by environmental factors. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in the skin rise to the surface. Normally this process takes about a month, but in people with psoriasis it happens in days because the cells rise too fast.

Book Your Free Psoriasis Consultation Today

We are on the cutting edge as far as understanding all the medical treatment options as well as the more natural treatment options for psoriasis. Our individual psoriasis treatment is based on a patient’s health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis. Dr. Rao will evaluate your psoriasis on an individual basis and give you the optimal treatment plan for you.

Age Spots: How to Make Them Go Away

You don’t need to be “old” to have age spots. While these dark spots do tend to sprout up as you get older, if you spent lots of time in the sun, they can reveal themselves much earlier. Age spots can make you feel self-conscious, but thankfully, there’s much you can do to get rid of them.

Age spots are a result of the body producing excess melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, the body produces extra melanin to protect the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The more melanin produced, the darker the skin becomes. Age spots appear when excess melanin in the skin becomes clumped together.

Where Age Spots Appear

Age spots usually appear in areas of skin that are commonly exposed to the sun, including the:

  • face
  • backs of the hands
  • shoulders
  • back
  • arms
  • tops of the feet

Age spots can develop singly or in clusters. They vary in size and may range from 0.2–2.0 centimeters in diameter. Age spots tend to form in people aged 40 and over, though they can also develop in younger people who frequently get sunburns or use tanning beds.

Our Age Spot Treatments

We offer a number of different treatment types of age and liver spots that might be right for you including:

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

IPL is a photorejuvination treatment that focuses primarily on irregular pigmentation, sun damage, and discolouration or brown spots on the surface of the skin or face.  A broad spectrum of light is transmitted through a small, smooth, transparent handpiece which is gently placed over the skin. Cut-off filters in the handpiece change the wavelength range allowing it to be optimized for different applications and skin types.

Medical Facials (Treatments)The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by either the blood when treating vascular lesions or the melanin when treating pigmented lesions damaging them. The body’s natural processes then remove the injured tissue giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance.

You’ll need to have a few follow-up treatments but you should see those age spots fade away in the next few weeks or months.

Microdermabrasion

Think of this treatment as being like sandpaper to the surface of your skin.  The procedure at our state of the art Edmonton clinic polishes the skin and removes dead skin cells which are then vacuumed up into a filter.  The skin is left soft and supple while stimulating the regeneration of new thicker firmer skin.

Our Microdermabrasion procedures are most effective when they are performed as a series of treatments. However, even one treatment can make a huge difference in skin texture and appearance. It provides a full resurfacing effect, so your skin appears younger-looking, softer and more luminous.

Chemical Peel

A chemical peel is a skin treatment which is used to improve and smooth out the surface of the facial skin. A chemical solution is used to remove top layers of skin which allows the dead surface skin to peel off. The peeling process leads to new skin growth which is usually smoother, healthier and less wrinkled compared to the old skin.

With all of these treatments, it’s important to keep out of the sun. After you’ve healed, you must take proper care of your skin when you go outdoors or you’ll wind up with more age spots. Use broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50, even on days you’re not spending sitting by the pool or luxuriating on the beach to keep yourself protected.

Want to know which of these treatments for age spots is right for you? Come in for a consultation and we’ll let you know! You can book using the form below.

Sagging Skin

Rejuvenate Sagging Skin

Over time our skin loses its firmness as a result of the aging process and the long-time exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.

Loose and sagging skin is one of the most visible signs of aging and can occur anywhere on the body but people predominantly seek treatment for loose skin on the face, neck, chin, jowls, stomach, arms, buttocks and thighs.

With our powerful skin tightening procedures you can lessen the signs of aging, look years younger and feel great.

Get Rid of Loose Skin Without Surgery

Sagging skin is often one of the first and most noticeable signs of aging that people notice as they get older. Skin that was once smooth and firm slowly loses its definition, becoming lax, lined, and wrinkled.

That excess sagging skin you see in the mirror beneath your face can create the appearance of a double chin, even if you are slim and trim and maintaining a healthy weight.

Saggy skin that hangs off the arms may leave you feeling self-conscious about wearing short sleeves in warmer weather, and a pouch that droops of around the abdomen can make you feel uncomfortable in revealing clothing, or in intimate situations.

Why Does Aging Skin Sag?
Youthful skin is kept firm and supple by the elastin and collagen found in the skin. Collagen, which is produced naturally in the deepest layer of the skin, gives the skin cells the structure necessary for that youthful and tight appearance, while elastin keeps it smooth, flexible, and elastic. As we age, collagen is no longer produced at the same rate, and the decrease in collagen causes the skin to begin losing its firmness and structure.

What Causes Sagging, Lax, Loose Skin?
While gravity does take its toll, there are several other causes of sagging skin:

  • Sun exposure: The invisible ultraviolet rays of the sun penetrate into our skin and damage the elastic fibers that keep skin firm. On-going sun exposure causes wrinkles, and is responsible for sun spots and other pigmented areas on the face, chest hands.
  • Genetics: Regardless of lifestyle choices, some people are simply genetically predisposed to rapidly aging skin, and will notice wrinkles and sagging earlier than others.
  • Significant weight loss: Part of what gives skin its volume and tautness is the fat stored within the skin structure. Anyone who loses a significant amount of weight, particularly in a short period of time, may notice loose and sagging skin when the fat deposits diminish.

Our Sagging Skin Treatments

Rao Dermatology offers multiple methods to counteract loose skin that provides noticeable and long-lasting results including:

Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectables that use either natural or synthetic hyaluronic acid to plump up your skin. In contrast to neuromodulators, dermal fillers create volume and fullness which achieve a natural, youthful appearance and fill in thin lips, hollows around the eyes, or gauntness in your temples. The results with dermal fillers are instantaneous and long-lasting (three months to two years). We often use dermal fillers in combination with neuromodulators to achieve the best results since they each have different strengths. Our range of dermal fillers includes Juvederm®, Restylane®, Revanesse, and RADIESSE®.

Laser Skin Resurfacing
By directing short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin, precisely removing skin layer by layer, laser resurfacing can not only improve skin elasticity and produce a general tightening effect, but it also has the added benefit of simultaneously improving fine lines and wrinkles.

PRP
PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma. It is also known as the Vampire Face Lift. It involves blood being drawn from a patient, and the blood is then put into a centrifuge to separate the platelets and serum from the blood cells.

The resulting concentrated solution is enriched in platelets and growth factors. Once this solution is injected into the skin, it can dramatically aid in tissue repair and promote collagen.

Ultherapy
An increasingly popular treatment, Ultherapy is a safe, noninvasive treatment that addresses sagging skin right at its source. By emitting ultrasound waves into the targeted area,

Ultherapy naturally stimulates collagen production while also stimulating the surrounding muscle structure beneath to restore, so you can regain a more youthful appearance.

Book Your Free Consultation

At Rao Dermatology, we are dedicated to finding the best treatment option for your skin. During your consultation, we will get to know you and the unique needs of your skin, and we will work with you to develop a personal treatment that gets results.

Say Goodbye To Stubborn Fat With truSculpt 3D®

Sculpt Your Best Body

Rao Dermatology is excited to introduce truSculpt 3D®, a new dimension in non-surgical body sculpting.

This innovative body contouring treatment offers a comfortable, non-surgical option to improve overall body contours by reducing fat and tightening skin tissue without downtime.

This non-surgical solution is ideal for patients who are close to their ideal body weight but have targeted areas which don’t respond well to diet and exercise.

See A Slimmer You With truSculpt 3D®

The reality is that some area of stubborn fat just won’t disappear – no matter how much we diet and exercise. And for years we’ve been told the only way to permanently get rid of this troublesome problem is by way of liposuction, and, more recently, CoolSculpting and Kybella. But Rao Dermtology are proud to now share an updated technology called TruSculpt 3D® which changes everything.

The truSculpt 3D® Advantage

  • Results can be witnessed after one treatment
  • Treat up to 4 problem areas in one 1-hour session
  • No post-treatment discomfort or downtime

How does truSculpt 3D® Work?

TruSculpt 3D® uses a special tool to apply controlled monopolar radio frequency (RF) energy to the patient’s subcutaneous fat. The RF energy heats the patient’s adipose tissue until some of the cells within it break down. The patient’s body then starts to slowly excrete the damaged fat cells via the liver and lymphatic system leading to a more contoured appearance.

When it comes to effective fat reduction, truSculpt 3D® offers improved patient comfort over other radiofrequency (RF) devices. The truSculpt 3D® procedure operates at a different frequency that allows it to heat the fat more deeply and at a uniform temperature. This feature focuses heat on the fat instead of the patient’s skin. Therefore, the skin does not overheat, and patients avoid the burning sensation felt with other RF devices.

How Long does The truSculpt 3D® Procedure Take?
During the entire treatment process (which lasts about 30 minutes to one hour), the patient will be able to sit back and relax—TruSculpt 3D® is entirely painless thanks to the applicator’s ability to keep the skin comfortably cool.

What Areas Does truSculpt 3D® Treat?
truSculpt® 3D reduces fat and improves skin appearance on the back of the arms, bra line, flanks, abdomen and thighs.

How Many Treatments Do Patients Need Before They See Results?
It only takes one session to see noticeable fat reduction and body contouring. With one truSculpt 3D® treatment patients should see over 20% in fat reduction. Patients have the option to schedule more treatments after the first one, but they should be spaced out at least 6-8 weeks apart.

Is the truSculpt 3d® Procedure Painful and Are There Side Effects?
The truSculpt 3D® does not involve pain and there are very few side effects. When our patients get the truSculpt 3D® treatment they usually feel a warm sensation. This sensation is not painful and is very tolerable. After the treatment, patients may experience mild irritation and redness, which will gradually clear up.

Is There Downtime After the truSculpt 3d® Treatment?
No, there is no downtime after the truSculpt 3D® treatment. The truSculpt 3D procedure is non-surgical, so you are able to resume your daily activities without any downtime.

What’s the Difference Between truSculpt 3d® and Coolsculpting®?
truSculpt 3D® uses heat to reduce fat and CoolSculpting uses cold to reduce fat.

Although they are both non-invasive procedures that target and destroy specific fat cells that are naturally expelled by the body, truSculpt 3D uses radiofrequency technology to heat fat cells while CoolSculpting freezes fat cells for fat reduction and body contouring.

Book Your truSculpt 3D® Consultation Today
Book a consultation with Dr. Rao today to learn more about how the truSculpt 3D® procedure can effectively remove your stubborn fat. During his consultation with you, Dr. Rao will address your specific needs and goals and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Enlighten Laser Tattoo Removal

Your Tattoos Aren’t Permanent Anymore

Despite being around for hundreds of years, tattoos are still increasing in popularity with an estimated 18.25% of the population aged 18 years and older admitting to having some type of body art.

Unfortunately, despite thought and planning, for some people, the love of tattoos doesn’t always last and they come to regret getting inked for life.

The good news is that with advances in technology you no longer have to live with tattoo regret. The Enlighten™ system is an innovative new way to quickly get rid of that ink you would like to forget.

Enlighten™ provides patients with fast, safe, and effective tattoo removal in a fraction of the time compared with lasers of the past.

How Does Englighten™ Differ From Other Laser Tattoo Removal Systems?

Unlike older forms of laser tattoo removal, the Enlighten™ laser supplies dual wavelengths and multiple pulse speeds to increase its effectiveness at removing tattoos. The ‘picosecond’ laser pulses are extremely short and high powered which efficiently and quickly breaks down the ink particles in tattoos. These laser pulses have been shown to remove tattoos more completely and in fewer treatment sessions when compared to older laser removal systems.

Even if you have a very colorful tattoo that has a variety of ink colors throughout the design the Enlighten™ can effectively target these areas which many older tattoo removal systems struggle to do.

The great thing about the Englighten™ is that each session only takes approximately 15-30 minutes depending on the area and while tattoo removal is known to be typically painful, patients who have experienced the Englighten™ tattoo removal system often describe the sensation of the machine as stinging, or similar to a rubberband being popped against the skin and less painful compared to older treatment types.

How Many Sessions Does It Take to Remove a Tattoo With the Enlighten™ Laser?

How many sessions you will need to remove a tattoo depends on a variety of factors; most notably the size of the tattoo, the density, and the colors of ink used. With the innovative Enlighten™ laser, it is not uncommon to begin seeing results after 1-2 sessions; however many patients will need between 3 and 6 sessions for the most dramatic improvement.

We do schedule sessions several weeks apart to give the body time to clear the ink particles and heal. While the Enlighten™ Laser does the work of breaking the ink a part, the body takes over afterwards and works overtime to remove the ink from the skin. The best way to understand how many sessions you may need, is to schedule a consult with us.

Why Are Multiple Sessions Required?
Tattoo ink is deposited deep in the skin. In order to reach all of the ink in the skin, multiple treatment sessions are needed for clearance.

Will My Tattoo Completely Disappear?
In many cases, yes. However, it is important to know that some ink colors are more difficult to get rid of than others. Please schedule a consultation with us to determine if Enlighten™ is right for you and your tattoo removal goals.

Are There Any Side Effects Or Downtime Following The Treatment?
Most patients will experience some redness and swelling immediately following the treatment. These side effects are temporary and patients can return to regular activities immediately following the treatment.

Book Your Enlighten™ Consultation Today
Book a consultation with Dr. Rao today to learn more about how Enlighten™ can effectively remove your unwanted tattoos. During his consultation with you, Dr. Rao will address your specific needs and goals and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Whatever your reasons are for removing your unwanted tattoo you can trust Dr. Rao and his team to provide high-quality treatments in a comfortable environment. Book your consultation today using the form below.

Cellulite Treatment

Say Goodbye to Cellulite With Our truSculpt Treatment

If cellulite bothers you, you’re not alone. Cellulite is an exceedingly common concern for women, affecting up to 90 percent of women and approximately 10 percent of men. As you age, even if you are extremely fit and healthy you can still battle stubborn fat pockets and the unappealing appearance of cellulite, along with a loss of firmness on your face and body.

Our effective truSculpt procedure, a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure for cellulite removal uses warming radiofrequency energy to heat deep layers of skin and fat to improve your overall body contours.

What Is Cellulite?

Under your skin, there’s a network of connective-tissue strands, called septae, that keeps the fat in place. If the septae aren’t strong and tightly knitted together (which may be determined by genetics), the fat can protrude out between them, creating ripples on the skin’s surface—a.k.a. cellulite.

The reason women are more likely than men to have cellulite is they have fewer and less tightly arranged septae. Women also have thinner skin, as well as hormones that can affect the size of fat cells and the strength of the septae.

Hormones also play a role in the appearance of cellulite: As women age, their bodies produce less estrogen—a hormone that helps keep blood vessels flowing smoothly. Less estrogen can mean poorer circulation, which can also mean a decrease in new collagen production and the breakdown of older connective tissue.

Other contributing factors to cellulite include:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Slow metabolism
  • Dehydration
  • Poor diet
  • Fad dieting
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Hormonal changes
  • Total body fat
  • Skin thickness and colour

There is a misconception that weight gain or obesity can cause cellulite and that exercise can effectively eliminate cellulite. Exercise cannot address the underlying causes of cellulite; only specialized cellulite treatments can achieve this.

Our Treatment For Cellulite

Rao Derm offers truSculpt for effective treatment of cellulite. truSculpt is the new non-invasive way to reduce fat, decrease cellulite and improve overall skin tone. Using radio frequencies, the tissue is heated over large areas of the body and fat cells are destroyed, naturally broken down and disposed of by the body.

Unlike other body sculpting techniques that freeze the treatment area or cause it to go numb, truSculpt warms the tissue. Our patients feel a gentle warming sensation until the device reaches the ideal temperature that is to our patient’s liking.

Frequently Asked Questions About truSculpt

How long is a treatment session?
Our patients are usually in and out of our clinic within an hour. You can get a cellulite treatment during your lunch hour and go back to your business that same day.

How many treatments will I need?
In order to achieve optimal results, we typically recommend patients have between two and four treatment sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart.

Are there any side effects?
It is common for patients to experience some redness in the treated area immediately following a treatment session. This is a temporary side effect and typically subsides within a few hours of treatment.

Book Your Free Consultation Today

To learn more about our non-surgical, non-invasive cellulite truSculpt treatment in Edmonton, contact Rao Derm today using the form below to book your free consultation.

Sun Spot Treatment & Removal

A Radiant, Even Complexion Is Within Your Reach

Entering middle age brings with it a number of benefits, one of which is a clearer complexion. But as outbreaks of acne become a distant memory for most of us, other issues arise that may affect our self-confidence.

Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, granny warts – whatever name you use, these brown pigmented spots, are multiple, flat, discolored areas that appear on the skin and are caused by uneven distribution of melanin (skin pigment) as we age.

What Causes Sun Spots

As the name suggests, sun spots typically appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin, like the face, neck, hands, arms, and shoulders. Except for wrinkles, sun spots are one of the most telltale signs of a person’s age.

The melanin pigment in our skin absorbs sunlight and helps to protect our skin from UV rays. However, as we age, our skin’s natural ability to fend off UV rays slowly declines, and we see the development of sun spots and other signs of sun damage. They also most commonly occur in light-skinned people who have less melanin pigment that can protect the skin from sun exposure.

Apart from sun damage, a person may develop brown blemishes called melasma. Also referred to as the “mask of pregnancy”, this hyperpigmentation usually presents itself more commonly in pregnant women and patients with darker skin tone. Melasma can be aggravated by the effects of the sun and can often become darker or cover larger facial areas if not treated.

Our recommended prevention, treatment and maintainance approach is crucial to the management of these bothersome discolorations. Prevention with use of vitamin c serums in combination with sunblock is mandatory.

Our Treatment Options For Sun Spots

There are many over-the-counter skin creams that promise to eliminate sun spots, but many of them are typically ineffective. Rao Dermatology in Edmonton offers several different treatment options to minimize or eliminate sun spots including:

Laser Treatments
Our effective Halo laser treatment helps restore your skin’s youthful glow. Over time, sun damage and the body’s natural aging process can cause your skin to have sun spots, fine lines, and it can lose its natural, healthy glow.

Halo is the world’s first hybrid fractional laser, combining two lasers in one to take years of damage off of the face, and reveal your inner glow! The Halo laser is the most scientifically advanced treatment for sun damage, pigment, fine lines, texture, and pores, that doesn’t have the downtime of traditional ablative and fractional lasers.

You will see dramatic changes in overall tone, texture discoloration, skin reflectivity, lines, pore size, and glow.

Microdermabrasion
Quick and convenient, microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment that works beautifully to reduce the impact of sun damage. A clinical exfoliation method, microdermabrasion uses a diamond-tipped wand to blow air-driven diamond crystals over your skin, which removes the top layer of sun damaged skin, exposing the smoother, live skin cells beneath. By cleansing, abrading, and exfoliating your skin, microdermabrasion triggers collagen production, minimizes enlarged pores, improves scarring, and evens out skin tone.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Widely known as the “Vampire Facelift,” PRP uses the healing power of your own blood. For PRP treatments, your blood is drawn and put in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and serum from the blood cells. Afterwards, the platelets are enriched with growth factors then injected into your skin to accelerate tissue repair and stimulate collagen production. Your own platelets provide exceptional healing properties to reverse sun damage, that will help give you glowing, radiant skin again.

Intense Pulse Light
You might think IPL is a strange way to treat for skin damage from sunlight, but Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments are perfect for reversing ultraviolet damage and aging. IPL is a non-ablative (doesn’t cause injury) procedure that uses infrared light to rejuvenate the skin and stimulate collagen production. Improving skin tone and texture from photodamage and vascular conditions (think rosacea), IPL is a great treatment for sun spots as well as red and brown spots as well as tiny veins.

Different filters treat different skin conditions, so IPL can be adjusted to suit your unique skin concerns.

Book Your Consultation Today

Book your consultation with Dr. Rao today. He will take the time to address your specific needs and answer any questions or concerns you may have about the various sun spot removal treatment offered at Rao Dermatology. Also, he will make specific recommendations as to the best sun spot treatment plan for achieving your desired results.

Please fill in the form below to book your consultation now.

Scar Treatment & Revision Edmonton

Effective Scar Revision

Many of life’s moments leave a mark – some of which can’t be seen and others we’d rather live without.

A scarred face can have a severe psychological effect. Accidents, surgeries and acne can leave permanent scars on the skin. Your skin reacts to trauma by building scars made up of fibrous tissue. This tissue is not the same as your normal and healthy skin, making it appear discoloured, colourless, raised and/or indented.

Through an innovative menu of proven procedures, we can help patients reduce or erase the memory of acne, surgery or trauma, smoothing raised scars, restoring depressed marks and evening out irregular discolouration.

Tailored Scar Treatment Solutions

Facial scarring can be a source of low self-esteem for both men and women. Fortunately, your scars can be erased or greatly minimized with today’s advanced cosmetic technology treatments.

Facial scarring is usually a result of cystic acne trauma, burns, surgery, or a result of aggressive chicken pox. Scars typically result from a wound or injury. They are part of the skin’s normal healing process.

Typically superficial wounds heal without scarring. It is when the second layer of skin (dermis) is damaged that scars form on the skin. Acne scars come in many different shapes, sizes and even colors.

Each type of scar has its own unique characteristics and features. Because of those differences, the available treatments are not one size fits all and should be tailored to the individual.

Types Of Scars

There are a number of scar types that have each have their own unique characteristics including:

  • Icepick Scars – Characterized by thin but deep columns of missing skin tissues. Commonly arising from severe acne, icepick scars usually appear on the cheek or nose.
  • Boxcar Scars – Boxcar scars are round or oval depressions with steep vertical sides. Wider than ice pick scars, boxcar scars give the skin a pitted appearance.
  • Depressed Fibrotic Scars – If ice-pick scars are somehow aggravated, they can transform into large, hard, crater-like scars.
  • Macules – Flat pigmented patches. Typically the end result of severe acne, appearing and persisting after the original inflammation.
  • Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation – Appears anywhere on the body and varies in size. Often caused by hormonal changes, and/or acne inflammation.
  • Soft Scars – Generally small, these vary in depth and shape
  • Atrophic Macules – Soft and sometimes blue or white. These can appear on the body as well as the face.
  • Follicular Macular Atrophy – Small, raised, generally white bumps, usually seen on the chest or back.
  • Rolling Scars – Rolling acne scars are relatively broad depressions in the skin that have rounded, sloping edges.

Scar Treatment Options:

At Rao Dermatology we are pleased to offer both laser and dermal filler treatments that will successfully treat all types of scars from superficial to the deeper more noticeable scars. All our treatment plans are customized to the needs of the patient.

Laser Treatments

We offer a variety of laser treatments that can help enhance the look of scars including IPL, Laser Genesis, Nano Laser Peel and Sciton Profractional.

Our professional laser treatments offer a degree of control and efficacy that allows for highly precise sculpting of the skin. The laser can be used to target superficial to deep scar tissue and is ideal for patients who want dramatic results with minimal downtime.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are a powerful way to treat and potentially get rid of certain types of scars, being particularly effective for rolling scars and some less defined boxcar scars. They are safe and well tolerated, with great results to fill the depression associated with scars. They are excellent for volume loss caused by acne scarring.

Medical Facials

Medical Facials are a great way to maintain your skin and treat acne scarring. They are affordable milder forms of treatment that can still make a difference when done routinely.

Daily Advanced Skin Care Treatment

At Rao Dermatology, we truly believe that a proper skincare regimen is essential for healthy youthful skin. Every regimen should effectively address the 3 core steps: prevent, treat, and maintain.
To treat skin imperfections and scarring, a custom home program tailored to your skin can act as a continuation of our office treatments.

Book Your Scar Treatment Consultation

At Rao Dermatology we work closely with patients to determine the best course of treatment for their unique needs. We encourage anyone suffering from scars that are affecting their self-esteem to contact us to set up their complimentary consultation, where they can learn about the many treatment options available to help them achieve the beautiful, glowing skin they desire. Fill in the form below to book your free acne scar treatment consultation now.