Common Skin Conditions

The skin is funny. Not in an “LOL” way, but in the sense that it is unusual, unpredictable, and easily misinterpreted. This “funniness” is culpable, to a certain degree, in the ongoing ignorance, andRosacea Treatments Edmonton misdiagnosis of some of the most common skin conditions. Some rashes are minor, but others are quite telling and require further medical attention. Skin discolouration too, is easily blown off as a simple bruise. It is fair to say, many individuals have a difficult time trying to decipher between minor and major skin conditions. We’ve compiled a short list of common skin conditions to help you determine what is urgent and what is not!

 Acne

Acne is easily the most common skin disorder, occurring primarily in teenagers.

It is formally defined as “an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands, characterized by comedones and pimples, especially on the face, back, and chest, and, in severe cases, by cysts and nodules resulting in scarring”. It is often wrongfully labeled as pimples. However, acne is the combination of pimples, blackheads and cysts. Acne should not be remedied by a simple over-the-counter formula. Instead, it should be treated by a dermatologist, especially to avoid severe acne, which results in permanent scarring.

Eczema

Although not as common as Acne, Eczema is more physically abnormal and therefore, more apparent. Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin attended with itching and the exudation of serous matter. Further characteristics include scaly, dry skin. It can materialize in both children and adults. In fact, Atopic dermatitis is the frequent form of eczema that plagues young children. Although its origin is unknown, dermatologists believe there are both genetic and environmental factors at work.

 Hives

Hives can be classified as any of a series of eruptive conditions of the skin including wheals of urticaria. The relevant area may be red, raised, and itchy.  They can derive from numerous dispositions such as bites, stings, food, and medication.  They don’t tend to last beyond four hours. However, a person with chronic urticaria has hives for months or years.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic form of acne whereby facial blood vessels enlarge resulting in red pustular lesions.  Although no official cause has been determined, researchers have attributed the skin condition to the immune system and the environment. Although Rosacea is most common among women over 30, individuals outside this demographic can be affected as well, at less frequent rates.

While this list is not exhaustive, we hope it functions as a useful guide for categorizing your skin condition. If you’ve observed anything about your skin that does not quite meet any of the above criteria it can be serious; contact our office as soon as possible.

Overview of Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic disorder of facial skin. It is mostly observed as redness and broken blood vessels on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead, often with pimple-like bumps in later stages. It can easily be mistaken for a rash, acne, or allergies, so here are some ways to tell Rosacea apart.

Rosacea affects both men and women, though women tend to be diagnosed more frequently. Men often see more severe symptoms as they tend to delay seeking medical advice until the later stages of Rosacea.

 

What does Rosacea look like?

Signs and symptoms that you have Rosacea include:

  • Bumps

Solid, red bumps start to develop. They are small in size and can appear to resemble acne (without blackheads). Stinging and burning might occur.

  • Flushing and Persistent Redness

Those who have a history of blushing / flushing may have early Rosacea. This is usually the first sign that you might have it.

  • Blood Vessels

Small, visible blood vessels may start to show on the skin.

Rosacea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symptoms that are a potential indicator of Rosacea are:

  • Burning or Stinging

You might feel a burning or stinging sensation on your face, in addition to feelings of tightness.

  • Dry Appearance

If the skin around the center of your face is rough, it might also appear dry.

  • Eye Irritation

Ocular Rosacea is the term for when eyes appear to be bloodshot or watery. Damage to corneas may occur as well as potential vision loss (this is a severe case). Eyelids can also be affected, showing signs of redness and swelling, along with styes.

  • Plaques

Plaques appear as isolated, raised, red patches. The surrounding skin is not affected.

  • Around the Face

The symptoms of Rosacea can also appear on the neck, chest, scalp, or ears.

  • Thickening of Skin

Extra tissue can cause skin thickening and enlargement. This is called Rhinophyma, which can cause the skin of the nose to grow and swell.

  • Swelling (Edema)

Edema, also known as swelling, causes fluid to collect in cavities and tissues of affected areas. It might appear along with other symptoms, or on its own.

 

Rosacea Treatment

Rosacea cannot be cured completely, but it can definitely be controlled. If you feel that you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of Rosacea, we encourage you to fill out the form at the bottom of this page for a consultation to learn more about treatment options.

Dr. Jaggi Rao is a double board certified dermatologist and a certified cosmetic surgeon who is eager to help you feel and look your best!


 

Source:

www.rosacea.org

Excel V Laser

Award Winning Laser

The Excel V Laser System is a powerful state-of-the-art laser for treating vascular skin conditions such as Rosacea, spider veins, red scars as well as pigmented lesions on both the face and legs.

This award winning laser uses a high power green laser to target abnormal blood vessels and pigment with ultra precision in the skin.

As these vessels or pigment cells are targeted, they are eliminated and skin is returned to its natural color and tone.

About The Award-Winning Excel V Laser Treatment

Vascular concerns like blushing, flushing, vessels, and veins on the face or legs can be obvious and unwelcome.

The Excel V laser leads the charge in treating these skin concerns and conditions. Targeting red, purple and blue facial and leg veins, the medical-grade Excel V laser treats all of your vascular concerns.

The system uses a unique high power green laser that is absorbed by abnormal blood vessels in the skin. This laser heats the abnormal vessels, ultimately restoring normal skin tone and color. The system, incorporates the latest innovations in cooling technologies to ensure patient comfort, and there are no long-term side effects or downtime.

In as few as 1 to 3 treatments, unwanted and unsightly vessels and veins are reduced, and symptoms like flushing and blushing are managed.

Conditions Treated with Excel V:

  • Rosacea
  • Telangiectasia
  • Leg Veins
  • Facial Veins (red and blue)
  • Venous lake (purple lesions on lips)
  • Diffuse redness of the face and neck skin
  • Scars and keloids
  • Sebaceous hyperplasia (dilated oil glands)
  • Port Wine Stain
  • Hemangiomas
  • Cherry Angioma
  • Freckles
  • Sun damage pigmentation
  • Warts

What Are the Benefits of Excel V

The benefit of Excel V is that the treatment can be highly adjusted to ensure that you are getting the level of treatment that specifically matches the patient’s skin condition.

The system contains various wavelength modes, allowing the delivery of both short pulses for superficial blemishes, such as small lesions and skin discoloration, and longer pulses for deeper vascular conditions, such as leg veins and nodular port wine stains.

It also offers a wide range of laser spot sizes to ensure that small treatment areas can be targeted at greater precision and larger areas can be treated in a shorter period.

This high level of customization is what makes Excel V so effective at treating, often in one session, so many different conditions, which, in the past, would have required several different systems or procedures.

How Many Sessions Are Needed to Achieve Results?

The number of treatment sessions required will depend on the specific condition being treated as well as on the patient’s individual skin and amount of downtime the patient has to offer.

Some patients will see results after just one session, while others may require more. Dr. Rao will let you know during your consultation approximately how many sessions you can expect to see optimal results.

Is the Treatment Painful?

Similar to other lasers, The Excel V laser is fired as a quick pulse of light that typically feels like a rubber band snapping on the skin.

However, Excel V has a built-in cooling system that reduces this discomfort so an anesthetic is not necessary and treatments are more comfortable.

Many patients feel the Excel V with a built-in cooling system is one of the most comfortable laser treatments available. If you are concerned about potential pain, talk to Dr. Rao before your treatment so that she can help try to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

What Are the Side Effects of Excel V?

Excel V has minimal side effects. The most common side effect a patient might see is redness or swelling on the treated areas. In rare cases, bruising may occur. These side effects should not be serious, and often resolve themselves within a few day.

Book Your Free Consultation

If you think an Excel V laser treatment is for you, book your appointment with us today by using the form below.