What Kinds of Procedures Does a Cosmetic Dermatologist Perform?

Just as each person is anatomically different, so it is that each person might have a different skin condition. Skin conditions can affect a person because of age, genetics, or lifestyle. While sometimes the skin conditions can go away on their own, sometimes the self esteem of a person is so affected that they seek the intervention of medical technology.

For people who want to their skin to look as optimal as possible, they seek out the services of a cosmetic dermatologist. Some people might wonder what the difference is between a regular dermatologist and a cosmetic dermatologist. Well, the answer is that the latter specializes in various procedures that are purely elective.

In order for a person to find the best cosmetic dermatologist for their situation, they must first do some research. Their primary care physician might be able to refer them to a good dermatologist, but if not, there are some basic guidelines that the prospective patient should be looking for.

First of all, this kind of dermatologist should be fully certified, with years of experience in their chosen area (many of these kinds of dermatologists specialize in a particular procedure). Additionally, the cosmetic dermatologist should have an extensive portfolio of photographs paired with verifiable testimonials.

Since medical technology is advancing regularly, so too are the kinds of procedures that a cosmetic dermatologist can perform. However, one of the most prevalent categories of procedures involves wrinkles. Wrinkles come from a variety of different sources, not just the onset of aging.

One of the most common causes of wrinkles is sun damage. Too many years spent out in the sun not only can lead to irregular pigmentation, but also absorb much of the natural elasticity of the skin. While one of the most important things that a person can do in order to stop this from happening is to wear an SPF, many people prefer to get a tan instead because they consider it to be more fashionable.

Once they realize how damaged their skin has become, they turn to various cosmetic procedures to correct the problem. If the most extensive damage has been done on the face, then a procedure that might be done is a facial chemical peel. In this procedure, a special chemical solution is gently applied to the skin to dissolve the top skin layers (where the damage is most prevalent) revealing the smoother and healthier skin layers underneath.

Yet another way that wrinkles can be treated is in the form of Botox injections. While these injections only last a few months at a time, the procedure itself is short (many people elect to get them during their lunch hour at work) and the wrinkles are immediately erased.

Wrinkles are just one reason why people might elect to have cosmetic work done. Acne and irregular pigmentation are two more examples of things that people want fixed. In order to find the best procedure, the prospective patient will need to schedule a consultation. With the proper planning, the person will be well on their way to getting clear, firm skin.