Common Skin Ailments

Common Skin Ailments

/in /by

Skin ailments are more common than you’d imagine. We have come up with a few common skin ailments that warrant a visit to a dermatologist.

ACNE

Acne is a condition that occurs when dead cells and oil get accumulated in hair follicles. It appears as whiteheads, pimples, and blackheads on the face, shoulders, chest, and upper back. Though it affects teenagers the most, it can also occur in people of other ages.

Acne can bring out emotional issues, especially among teenagers because looks is a very important aspect of their life. In fact, a study shows that 96% of people with acne have reported feeling depressed because of their condition.

In some cases, acne can also cause a permanent scar on your skin. It is best you start acne treatment at the earliest to reduce the risk of such problems. An adolescent dermatologist is someone who specializes in treating the skin conditions of teenagers and adolescents, and he/she can help you in this area.

DULL SKIN

Your skin is constantly exposed to different forms of pollution and this leads to the accumulation of dirt and dust. In addition, dead cells also pile up and all of these together make your skin look dull and lifeless.

SKIN CANCER

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and one that can be cured completely if found early. Current estimates show that one out of every five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. This goes to show how common this ailment is, and at the same time, it is serious enough to head to a medical dermatologist with the right experience and knowledge of advanced dermatology.

VARICOSE VEINS

Another common skin ailment is varicose veins, which are nothing but enlarged and twisted veins that appear just under the skin of your legs. These varicose veins look ugly and in some cases, can even be painful. A varicose vein should never be ignored as there is always a possibility for bleeding or superficial thrombophlebitis, both of which can be life-threatening.

You may have to undergo a varicose vein therapy for this condition and this requires the right cosmetic dermatology specialists.

To conclude, these are the most common skin ailments though there are a few others too such as allergies, rashes, and more. The rule of thumb is, to head out to a Shinagawa Aesthetics if your skin condition doesn’t go away in a few days or if it affects you physically or emotionally. 

After all, looking attractive is an innate human nature and it begins with healthy skin that requires the services of a cosmetic dermatologist.

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Thinking Laser Hair Removal

Thinking Laser Hair Removal? Know More!

/in /by

Laser hair removal is a safe way to remove unwanted face and body hair that provides long-term results. Learn more about how this makes life smoother and easier for you.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a safe way to remove unwanted body hair with long-term results. It’s an in-clinic procedure that can treat unwanted hair on the back, bikini area, chest, face, neck, arms and legs. 

Although laser hair removal is not entirely permanent, it provides a great option to remove unwanted hair. If the hair eventually grows back, it is less in volume, lighter in color and has a finer texture.

The laser, used for hair removal, is a pulsating beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicles. The heat of the laser causes damage to the hair follicle, which inhibits hair growth. At Shinagawa Aesthetics we use advanced devices for our laser hair removal procedure. 

What do I do before a Laser Hair Treatment?

Before scheduling a laser hair session, it is highly recommended you schedule a cosmetic consult with our dermatologist. It is essential to choose a provider/clinician who is very experienced with laser hair removal to maximize the benefit of your treatment and, most importantly, provide you with a safe treatment to avoid any injury like burns, blisters, infection or dark spots. It is essential to determine if you are a good candidate for laser hair before your treatment and answer any questions you may have and what the treatment plan may look like. Laser hair removal works best for people with light skin and dark hair. Not everyone is a good candidate for laser because it cannot see white, gray, red or blonde hair, making it difficult to target the follicle. 

Leading up to your procedure, you should stay out of the sun and avoid sunless tanning products for six to eight weeks. A tan increases the risk of skin lightening, scarring and pigmentation changes. You should also avoid waxing, electrolysis, and plucking.

What should I expect during a Laser Hair Treatment?

When you arrive for your laser hair treatment, it is recommended you come to your appointment with the area shaved. Our Clinical Cosmetic Specialist will clean the area you plan to treat and you will be given protective eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser.

As the procedure begins, you will feel a quick sensation similar to the feeling of snapping a rubber band against the skin as the laser moves across the skin.  

The laser system used at Shinagawa Aesthetics has a patented Dynamic Cooling Device™. This device protects your skin by delivering a cooling mist to it during your treatment.

Additionally, you may notice a sulfur smell, which is the laser vaporizing the hair. A laser hair removal treatment time is based on the size of the area being treated. 

Following your treatment, you will be given an ice pack to apply to the treated area to aid with any discomfort. This discomfort is temporary and will subside in a short amount of time. It’s also recommended you wear sunscreen as it is crucial to avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds until your skin has healed.

A follow-up treatment plan based on your situation will be discussed. Our laser system allows for reduced treatment time. 

What are the long-term results?

Results for laser hair removal vary from patient to patient, but they’re usually visible within a few weeks.

After the first treatment, you can expect a 10 to 25 percent reduction in hair. Most people need four to eight treatments to achieve their desired results; however, individual results vary based on your particular situation. You may also require maintenance treatments from time to time, depending on your circumstances. 

Laser Hair Removal at Shinagawa Aesthetics

Laser hair removal is an excellent option for many looking to get rid of unwanted hair. At Shinagawa Aesthetics, we are dedicated to providing our patients with top-quality care. Laser Hair Removal services should be done with a qualified and experienced dermatologist, nurse, or cosmetic clinician. 

If you are ready to discuss laser hair removal or have any questions, reach us!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Minimizing Pores Causes & Treatments

Minimizing Pores: Causes & Treatments

/in /by

Enlarged pores are more common than you may think. They affect both men and women of all ages. 

Pores are the small openings at the top of our hair follicles that cover the entire body. Our pores release sebum, our body’s natural oil, to naturally moisturize our skin to help keep it supple. Although large pores can be frustrating, pores are necessary for maintaining healthy skin.

Usually, genetics determine larger pores. But, oily skin, sun damage and aging can be other factors that make your pores look bigger.

While you can’t change the size of your pores, you can minimize the appearance of enlarged pores. Read on to learn the proper steps to take to minimize pores.

 

WHAT CAUSES ENLARGED PORES

GENETICS

Your genes are the greatest determining factor in your pore size. People with large pores often have family members with large pores.

AGE

As you grow older, your skin loses it elasticity, which causes your skin to stretch and sag, making pores appear larger. Your skin also thickens as you age, which causes miniscule skin cells to gather around your pores, making pores look bigger.

SUN DAMAGE

Years of sun exposure can make pores appear larger. Sun damage can thicken the skin, which leads to bigger pores. Prolonged sun exposure can also remove collagen, elastin and water from your skin, which causes the tissue beneath your skin to shrink and pull at the edges of your pores, making them sag and look bigger.

CLOGGED PORES

An excess amount of oil and dead skin cells gathering in your pores can cause pores to appear larger than usual.

 

HOW TO MINIMIZE PORES AT HOME

WASH YOUR FACE DAILY

Washing your face daily removes dirt, oil and other unwanted debris, which usually lead to clogged pores. It is best to choose a cleanser that matches your skin type — acne, combo, dry, normal, oily, and sensitive. If you have oily skin, salicylic acid cleanser work to reduce oil and pores as opposed to dry skin alpha hydroxy acid cleansers help moisturize while exfoliating and reducing pores.  

USE MASKS WEEKLY

Clay masks absorb oil and restore a natural looking glow.

An example of clay is kaolin, a natural clay that is added in skin formulations to help draw out excess sebum (oil) from the skin while gently exfoliating. This results in smaller looking pores.

Clay masks can be combined with other ingredients to best fit your skin concerns.  For example, sulfur a natural antibacterial can fight acne, charcoal powder draws up oil, Vitamin E micro beads to replenish skin moisture, and pumpkin enzymes to help regenerate skin and refine pore size. To avoid skin irritation, masks should not be used more than twice a week. We offer different masks and scrubs to fit your skin type — acne, combo, dry, normal, oily and sensitive.

EXFOLIATE 

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the upper skin layer. Exfoliation brightens skin as well as leaves you with a smoother texture.

If you are routinely removing the dead skin cells that clog your pores, your pores won’t stretch out and look larger.

There are two types of exfoliants:

Physical Exfoliators: This is a cleanser that has tiny scrubbing particles that you can feel with your hands. Usually labeled as face scrubs, these granule-filled formulas help to buff and slough all the dead skin cells off of the surface of your face.

Chemical Exfoliators: Chemical exfoliants have two subcategories, AHAs and BHAs:

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are mostly derived from natural ingredients, glycolic acid from sugar cane, lactic acid from milk, malic acid from apples, citric acid from citrus and tartaric acid from grapes. These acids are water soluble and capable of enhancing our skin’s natural moisture levels, decreasing the look of wrinkles and fine lines, smoothing rough skin texture and improving dull, uneven skin tone.  Beta Hydroxy Acids usually refer to salicylic acid. BHAs are similar to AHAs but work more deeply within our skin, inside the lining of our pores. They are also oil soluble, meaning they are ideal for oily skin. They are also a great ingredient for calming red skin, even those who have rosacea. 

You do not want to over exfoliate your skin though. This can strip the skin’s protective barrier and result in dehydrated and inflamed skin. If this occurs, decrease the frequency, strength or type of exfoliation.

Choose the exfoliator that fits your skin type – acne, combo, dry, oily, normal, oily, sensitive. 

MOISTURIZE DAILY

Moisturizing your skin everyday can reduce the chance of developing dry or oily skin — both which can cause acne. 

The best moisturizers for enlarged pores should complement your skin type. Choose the moisturizer that best fits your skin type.

USE COLLAGEN PRODUCING PRODUCTS

Retinol is a type of vitamin A that makes pores smaller by increasing cell turnover unclogging pores.  

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that boosts collagen production in addition to protecting for photodamage which causes enlarged pores.

Glycolic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps regenerate collagen as well exfoliates dead skin.

USE SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen is a must. Constant sun exposure will result in pores that will begin to stretch and sag around the edges, which makes them look bigger. For everyday sunscreen use, view our products here.

Read our in-depth blog about the differences between sunscreen and sunblock here.

 

IN-CLINIC PROCEDURES TO MINIMIZE PORES

At Shinagawa Aesthetics, we offer many different in-office procedures that can help minimize your pores. These options include laser treatments, among others.

Let us help treat your enlarged pores so that you can feel comfortable again in your own skin.

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

How Can Anxiety Medication Affect Your Skin

How Can Anxiety Medication Affect Your Skin?

/in /by

It is a consensus that emotions affect the health and appearance of our skin—what about anxiety medication and other antidepressants? 

Learn more about antidepressant side effects and dermatological treatment options.

What are antidepressants?

Antidepressants are prescription medicines to treat depression, a common but serious medical illness affecting a person’s mood and general mental health. 

What are some common side effects of antidepressants?

Antidepressants may introduce any number of unwanted side effects, and while there are several different kinds of antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine or bupropion), these are generally seen as the most common. 

More common

Hives, itching, or rashes

Restlessness

Less common

Chills or fever

Joint or muscle pain

The real culprit behind antidepressant-related skin problems is acne (including hives, itching, and rashes). While the antidepressants themselves cannot damage your skin, these will. 

What are some side effects of acne?

Acne can cause more than problems for your skin. Acne could leave a person feeling sad or uncertain about their appearance and rejects a toll on one’s emotional health. Researchers have discovered that the presence of acne breakouts can cause: 

Depression

Anxiety

Low self-esteem

Poor self-image

Decreased quality of life

Scarring

Unfortunately, the effects of acne can create a cycle of depression and antidepressant usage that can become burdensome to the suffering patient. 

Can acne be treated?

There is good news. With early treatment, acne can be prevented, provide clearness to the skin, and prevent acne from worsening in degree or damage. Of course, some people will need to continue treating their skin to prevent future breakouts, but this can be a relief to someone who has dealt with emotional distress and permanent acne scars.

How do dermatologists treat acne?

A dermatology-approved acne treatment plan depends on a few considerations:

Type of acne (i.e., blackheads, pimples, etc.)

Location of acne

Previous treatments

Timing of breakout

Age

Treatment will include anything from a retinoid, Benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, steroids, or laser treatment and corticosteroid injection in more severe cases. A dermatologist may also recommend a healthy diet to help with mental fatigue and emotional wellness. 

Why does skincare matter?

Even if you follow your treatment plan from beginning to end, new breakouts may reappear over time without the right method and approach. Be sure to apply gentle skincare products to clear acne and avoid rougher forms of treatment like several face scrubs a day. 

Skin care is linked to a healthy and confident life and can lend itself to a more holistic life of health, wellness, and happiness. 

Although acne and other related skin problems are common health conditions, they can be avoided. Are you suffering from acne? Shinagawa Aesthetics is here to help you understand your skin and find the proper treatment. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Reasons to See a Dermatologist for Mole Removal

Reasons to See a Dermatologist for Mole Removal

/in /by

A mole is a brown or black skin lesion caused by skin cell overgrowth. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups. As time passes, moles can slowly change, becoming raised or changing color. Since some moles are cancerous, patients should inform their dermatologist of any mole changes; this way, the mole can be monitored, biopsied, and removed if necessary.

There are important reasons why patients should always see their dermatologist for mole removal. Let’s take a closer look at them.

A dermatologist can determine if a mole is cancerous.

Skin cancer affects millions each year, making it the most common type of cancer. It occurs when the DNA in skin cells is damaged, causing an out-of-control growth of abnormal skin cells. Skin cancer can appear on the skin in various ways, including a dark lesion, a changing mole, a new growth, or a scar. 

If our dermatologists think a mole is cancerous, they will biopsy it and send it away for further testing. If the biopsy shows cancer, they will utilize various treatment techniques depending on the type and severity of the skin cancer.

If a patient removes a mole at home or in a non-medical setting, they will not be able to discern if the lesion is cancerous. If it is cancerous, microscopic cancer cells will remain in the surrounding areas of the skin, even after the mole is removed. These cancer cells can multiply and spread to the tissue beneath the skin. If the cancer is melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, the cells can spread through the bloodstream to other areas of the body and become life-threatening.  

A dermatologist can help lower the risk of infection. 

Like any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection when having a mole removed. Knowing this, our dermatologists pay close attention to the sanitation of their tools and their patients’ preoperative and postoperative care. 

If a patient removes a mole at home or in a non-medical setting, there is a greater risk of infection, which can delay wound healing and cause a trip to the local emergency room. 

A dermatologist can help minimize scarring.

Even though our dermatologists are highly trained in mole removal and try to avoid scarring as much as possible, scarring can and does occur. Scarring largely depends on the patient’s age, type of procedure, and the mole’s location. 

If a patient removes a mole at home or in a non-medical setting, they significantly increase their risk of scar development, including bumpy, chicken pox-like, or indented scars. 

A dermatologist can help prevent loss of movement caused by scarring. 

If the mole is located on a joint, like the knuckles, our dermatologists take extra care to avoid scarring in the area so as not to impact joint movement. 

If a patient removes a mole located on a joint at home or in a non-medical setting, they risk developing a scar that could limit motion in their joints. 

A dermatologist can control blood loss during the procedure. 

Before removing a mole, our dermatologists ask patients about their medical history and any medications they take, as some conditions and medications increase the likelihood of blood loss. Furthermore, our dermatologists are highly trained in mole removal and try to cause the least amount of injury to the site as possible. 

If a patient removes a mole at home or in a non-medical setting, they increase their risk for uncontrollable blood loss; this could occur from a current medication, condition, or an accidental injury to the site, like nicking a blood vessel or a vein.

Before attempting a DIY mole removal or trying out the latest mole removal fad, we encourage you to make an appointment with one of our dermatologists at Shinagawa Aesthetics.

Our expert team of dermatologists can determine if you are a candidate for mole removal and walk you through safe mole removal options here at our clinic. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.