Visiting a dermatologist on a regular basis is something that everyone can benefit from. Our skin is one of the most sensitive organs that we have, and many people don’t consider the broad range of potential ailments that come with it.

With many skin conditions ranging from mild to more severe, only a skilled dermatologist has the expertise to discern the true health of your skin. Over a million Americans are suffering from melanoma, and there are roughly 9,500 people diagnosed with skin cancer on a daily basis. We’re here to discuss why it’s crucial to find a dermatologist you can rely on.

The Importance of Protecting Our Skin

As we go through our everyday lives, it isn’t always common to see significant changes in our skin. Over the course of years, maybe so, but in general, most people disregard minor changes to their skin. Some are more common than others, such as acne, blemishes, and minor discolorations. However, even the smallest changes in our skin could be a precursor to a bigger problem down the road.

You also have to take into consideration that we can’t see every inch of our body with our own eyes. It’s easy for various changes in our skin to slip past us and go unnoticed. In the same vein, a dermatologist has the training and expertise to identify changes in our skin that we may not think twice about.

You don’t need to visit a dermatologist on a monthly basis, but it’s a good idea to keep a consistent schedule with one or two visits per year. This is because some developments on the skin can be pretty rapid, and it’s best to stay ahead of the curve regarding your health. Although a dermatologist is more than equipped to evaluate the health of your skin, there are many common changes that you can identify yourself at home.

What to Look Out For

Throughout our entire lives, our skin will constantly be changing, and there are some changes in our skin that we all have to deal with at some point. It’s no secret that some people struggle with skin health more than others. There are also certain individuals who have excellent skin health due to a number of reasons, whether it’s diet, genetics, or a consistent skincare routine. Nevertheless, it’s important to review some of the most common changes that can happen to our skin.

Acne

Dreaded by many individuals in their teens, acne is something that can affect almost any age group. It’s actually quite common for those in their early teens all the way up into their 30s. This is due to several factors, but you don’t have to let it run rampant if it’s something you’re struggling with. Seeking a dermatologist for acne treatment is a good place to start if over-the-counter solutions don’t seem to help.

Your dermatologist will be able to provide numerous suggestions from a medical standpoint that can help you improve the quality of your skin in the long run. They might also make dietary or skincare suggestions, as each patient’s situation is unique. Many people search online for an “acne dermatologist near me,” and we’re here with open arms to anyone who needs a dermatologist they can rely on.

Warts

Another common development on our skin, warts can pop up in many different areas. Some people may never experience a wart in their life, while others struggle with them on and off. For the most part, warts develop on the hands and fingers. They feel rough to the touch and may also include small black dots, which are clotted blood vessels.

In most cases, they’re relatively painless and pretty simple to remove as well. You can visit a dermatologist for wart removal services. This usually entails cryotherapy, which focuses on using liquid nitrogen to destroy the wart virus directly. Depending on the wart’s size and location, this can take one or multiple sessions to be successful.

Eczema

With this specific condition, the skin can become dry, scaly, red, and irritated. Likely to be the most troublesome aspect of the condition is how itchy the skin can become. It can put people in a vicious cycle of constantly scratching to satisfy the itch while furthering their skin complications.

Eczema can be hard to manage as it can pop up on nearly any part of the skin. Some people find solace in over-the-counter treatments, but most need the professional help of a dermatologist. This can require special medications that have to be used until the condition alleviates. It’s also known to be a rather stubborn skin condition that can persist through your whole life.

Skin Cancer

This may be less common than many other skin conditions, but it’s important to cover the different types of skin cancer. Considering that our skin is constantly exposed to outside elements, such as sunlight, pollution, viruses, and bacteria, it’s susceptible to many different types of illnesses, diseases, and conditions.

There are three well-known types of skin cancer your dermatologist will look for. These include basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. If left unchecked, these types of cancers can develop into more serious health issues. From another angle, if you’re proactive about your dermatologist appointments, they can identify and take care of it before it becomes a serious health complication.

Most skin cancers develop from exposure to UV rays, but family medical history, immune dysfunctions, and chemical exposures can also cause them. It’s something that can be managed at an early stage, but it requires the help of a dermatologist to be able to identify it.

If you can’t remember the last appointment you had with a dermatologist, it’d serve you well to schedule an appointment for a standard skin cancer screening. In many cases, your skin will be entirely fine, but on the off chance your dermatologist discovers an abnormality, you can take action right away and protect your health.

General Dermatology Consultation

The Dermatology Institute of Boston is recognized as one of the best dermatology providers in Boston. Our team of board-certified specialists are capable of treating a wide range of general dermatology issues.

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