Category Archives: Medical Dermatology

What Can You Do to Avoid Acne Scarring?

Acne, Medical Dermatology, , ,

If you have acne-prone skin, you may notice that the condition is likely to flare up a lot during the summer. When the weather is warm—as happened over the summer—acne breakouts tend to get worse. That’s because the high temperatures and humidity ramp up the skin’s production of oil and sweat, which can stick to the surface and lead to blocked pores. There’s also the added friction from damp hair and clothing, which is likely to irritate the skin. Although acne is a fairly harmless condition that’s usually just uncomfortable and embarrassing, it can leave some lasting marks on the skin when inflammation occurs in the blemishes and pores rupture. The skin attempts to rebuild the damaged areas, but can sometimes produce too much or too little collagen, causing scars to form. A combination of treatments for acne from Albuquerque NM’s The Spa @ Western Dermatology Consultants may be the best way of managing the symptoms and reducing prominent scars to create a more even complexion. 

However, the best way of treating acne scars is by preventing them from occurring in the first place. It helps to be aware of and avoid certain habits that make scars more likely. 

• Wear Sunscreen

Even if you’re afraid it will make your acne worse, sunscreen is a necessity if you’re trying to keep your skin clear. Not only do acne medications make your skin more prone to sun damage to begin with, but the sun exposure is more likely to delay healing and cause discoloration, making your scars more pronounced. 

• Avoid Heavy Makeup 

We often use heavy foundation and cover-up to disguise acne, but if the pores become blocked, it can cause irritation and worsen scars. 

• Don’t Pick at Your Skin

Though it might be tempting, don’t pop, pick, scratch or squeeze your skin. This is likely to spread bacteria and cause further damage, resulting in inflammation and potential scarring. Try to allow your skin to heal naturally. If acne lesions are large, deep, painful, and lasting, contact us to help.

Find out more about effective treatments for acne to restore more even and clear skin in Albuquerque, NM, from Western Dermatology Consultants. Give us a call at 505-855-9267 or submit a contact form to request a consultation if you’re interested in learning more. 

How Does Mental Health Affect Your Skin?

Blog, Medical Dermatology, ,

Is stress acne getting you down? You’re not alone. Since the quarantines and lockdowns began, dermatologists have been seeing many adult clients who have had breakouts due to the stressful situation. Patients are often confused about why they’re having these sudden flare-ups when they’re not spending much time outside, so they aren’t being exposed to grime and pollution in the way they were in previous years. What you may have noticed is that when you’re feeling nervous and tense, your skin seems to also go through a tough time. Although your mental state doesn’t cause conditions like eczema or acne, your body does unfortunately release hormones when you’re constantly in a stressed-out state. This can lead to the development of visible conditions. Cortisol, for example, can trigger or worsen your breakouts. For conditions that result in blemishes and pimples, our Albuquerque-based team believes that learning techniques to manage stress can help you to soothe your skin more effectively and prevent breakouts.

We know that having skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema can be more than just bothersome because of the cosmetic issues. They can also be a lot to deal with mentally because they may seem unpredictable—and some can’t be cured. These skin problems have a major impact on patients’ lives and are linked to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Although it may not be fully possible to stop any kind of stress, here’s what you can do to help:

  • Get Enough Sleep

Sleeping is one of the most effective stress reducers. When you’re sleep deprived, your exhaustion not only puts you in a worse mood, but also gives you bad skin. Try to get enough quality sleep—preferably seven to nine hours each night—and regulate your sleep schedule.

  • Try Relaxing Activities

Whether it’s watching TV, reading a book, painting, or chatting with friends, try to make a little time each day to do something that puts you in a better mood.

  • Meditate

Mindfulness meditation and transcendental meditation have been shown to help people focus on the present, build self-esteem, and reduce levels of cortisol in the body.

  • Stay Active

Exercise is well known for improving your physical and mental health. The gentle, relaxing movements of tai chi and yoga can help you to release tension.

Find out more about treatments for chronic skin conditions like acne from our team at Western Dermatology Consultants. Call us at 505-855-9267, or submit a contact form to learn more about how emotional stress and anxiety can affect your skin.

Western Dermatology Consultants Was Named Albuquerque Readers’ Choice for Best Dermatologist in 2020!

Blog, Medical Dermatology, Skin Care

The skin plays various important and complex roles in the body, including everything from protecting you from germs to keeping your temperature regulated. It’s difficult to hide anything about this highly visible part of the body from others—and usually your complexion is one of the first things others will notice. Regardless of your bone structure and features, having healthy skin is also considered important for a wide range of cosmetic reasons. The appearance of the skin says a lot about what’s going on beneath the surface, and if you’re concerned about the way it looks or feels, it’s always best to talk to a board-certified dermatologist directly, as they’re experienced in diagnosing and treating an extensive range of conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. Our Western Dermatology Consultants team provides general and cosmetic dermatology services in Albuquerque—and we’re especially proud to announce that we took the 2020 Albuquerque Reader’s Choice Award for Best Dermatologist!

As a practice committed to continually providing top-quality dermatology services, our team, which specializes in both medical and cosmetic dermatology, provides treatments for common skin concerns including acne, scarring, skin cancer, dry skin, and nail fungus.

We also offer effective treatments for improving wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture, and a wide variety of other skin irregularities. Patients can explore aesthetic options such as injectables, laser and light treatments, skin rejuvenation techniques, and more. These procedures, when used together with a good, daily skin routine, can give your skin the extra fine-tuning it needs to become brighter, smoother, and more supple.

There are many reasons why patients should consider seeing a dermatologist:

  • While some conditions might seem straightforward and harmless, they affect individual patients differently, and you’ll get the best advice from an in-person consultation.
  • Dermatologists have an in-depth knowledge of thousands of conditions affecting the skin, nails, and hair, thanks to their extensive training.
  • Dermatologists offer acne treatments that are more effective than over-the-counter products.
  • Dermatologists can diagnose life-threatening skin cancers and rashes in their early stages.

Find the cosmetic or medical dermatology option that’s right for you—and learn why locals readers agree that we’re the best!—at Western Dermatology Consultants in Albuquerque. Want to maintain glowing, healthy skin throughout your lifetime? To talk to a dermatologist directly. Give us a call at 505-855-9267, or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation.

What Condition Is Your Skin In This Season?

Cosmetic Treatments, Medical Dermatology, ,

It’s winter in Albuquerque. Our board-certified dermatologists see a wide range of both cosmetic and medical conditions during this time, which may surprise some people. The darker season is known for cooler and often wetter weather—not something that would seem to be associated with dry skin. Unfortunately, winter conditions are ideal for drying out our protective layer, leading to a range of problems.

This is because despite the occasional rain, humidity actually drops in the winter—both indoors and out. Dry air leads to dry skin.

Winter is also the time when many people notice the effects of their sun-worshiping summer. Maybe a string of days at the pool contributed to the cumulative damage that causes wrinkles to form, spots to develop, and increases the risk of skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation can wreak havoc on sensitive cells, causing everything from mutations that form tumors to the hastened breakdown of vital collagen, elastin, and more in the skin.

No matter the problem—or the condition of your skin—Western Dermatology Consultants is here to help. With fair-weather days a fond memory or distant hope, our team can assess the current state of your skin and make recommendations for treatments, procedures, and at-home regimens to promote both beauty and health.

Why not use the post-holiday lull to schedule a full-body exam to check for early signs of skin cancer? Or find out what you can finally do about that pesky cellulite that’s been bugging you for years? From dark circles you first noticed after a procession of parties throughout the holidays to a desire to altogether ditch the shaving you’ve been putting off (since you can get away with wearing pants instead of skirts or shorts), there is always something our dermatologists and their carefully selected and trained team can do to help.

Call Western Dermatology Consultants at 505-855-9267 or request a consultation online to arrange a visit and get started on some winter skin care.

Detecting and Treating Skin Cancer

Medical Dermatology, Skin Cancer

Skin is human body’s largest and most visible organ. Partially because of that, skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the United States. It is also highly preventable, with information regarding sun protection more accessible and widespread now than ever before. Western Dermatology Consultants specializes in medical dermatology services in Albuquerque, addressing conditions like skin cancer, in addition to cosmetic dermatology.

Skin cancer is associated with the out-of-control, abnormal growth of cells in the epidermis of the skin, caused by problems with DNA. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can spread beyond its place in the skin, moving to the internal organs with fatal repercussions.

To help lower your risk of a bad outcome related to skin cancer, it is important to become familiar with your skin and routinely examine the entire surface for anything that seems out of the ordinary.

One of the best guidelines for spotting signs and symptoms of skin cancer is the ABCDE rule. Watch for moles with these factors in mind:

  • Asymmetry: Irregular shapes
  • Border: Unclear margins
  • Color: Unusual colors (such as red, white, pink, or blue)
  • Diameter: Larger than a pencil eraser
  • Evolving: Recent changes

You can contact us if anything concerning crops up. Our board-certified dermatologists can perform a skin cancer screening and take a biopsy if necessary.

In cases where basal or squamous cell carcinomas are identified, one of the most effective, innovative ways of treating the condition is Mohs surgery—an option with one of the highest cure rates of all methods.

A surgeon specifically trained in this area will gradually, systematically remove tissue layer by layer, examining each sample under a microscope. This is continued until the tumor is gone and no additional cancerous cells are found. Mohs surgery allows you to preserve a large amount of the surrounding, healthy tissue, making it a great choice for features like the ears, nose, and area around the eyes. At the end of the session, the treatment site is cosmetically repaired.

While early detection is important, prevention is ideal. Taking sun protection seriously is the best way to safeguard your skin in the long term, while also minimizing the development of wrinkles. We advise seeking shelter indoors and avoiding going out in the sun during its peak hours. Additionally, you should apply sufficient amounts of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before going out each day. Cover your skin with sun-protective clothing and wear darkly tinted sunglasses.

Albuquerque’s Western Dermatology Consultants can help you identify and plan a treatment for skin cancer. Get in touch today by calling 505-855-5503 or filling out a contact form.