If you have problem skin, it’s likely that you have considered making an appointment with a skin dermatologist to discuss your treatment options. Currently, there are an estimated 7,575 dermatologist clinics in the United States, comprising an industry that has generated an estimated $11 billion in revenue. The dermatologists that work in these clinics are well-versed in providing care for a wide variety of aesthetic and medical skin conditions, from laser varicose vein treatments to different forms of treatment for melanoma skin cancer, and have the knowledge and experience to devise a plan for relieving your individual case or symptoms.
One of the most common skin conditions skin dermatologists treat is acne, which nearly 85% of people will experience at some point in their lifetime. Of this number, and estimated 40 to 50 million Americans are believed to suffer from this problem. Many people experience acne during their teenage years, with more than 40% of adolescents reporting acne or acne scarring by their mid-teens. However, people of all ages can be affected by this condition. Skin dermatologists can treat acne with a number of different methods; often, they will prescribe acne treatment products, procedures such as laser acne treatment, or even a combination of several of these options. Their diagnosis and prescription will depend on the severity of the acne, the afflicted areas of the skin, and the patient’s overall health, as well as several other factors. For this reason, dermatologist acne treatments are often far more effective than common home treatments and drug store products.
Dermatologists also treat a number of more serious skin conditions, including skin cancer, which affects an estimated one in every five Americans at some point during their lifetime. There are several different treatments for skin cancer, with the most common being surgery and radiotherapy, though the procedure used will depend on the severity of the cancer and the patient. Skin dermatologists also often treat conditions that develop as a result of serious illness. Candida infections, for example, which can affect the patient’s lungs and liver in addition to the skin, commonly develop in people with cancer, HIV, and other conditions that weaken the immune system. Likewise, Kaposi’s sarcoma, dark or purplish lesions that form on the skin, form as part of the weakened immune caused by contracting the AIDS virus and can spread to the organs. Dermatologists are able to help treat these conditions when they manifest on the skin, reducing the patient’s experience of the full extent of their sickness.
Skin dermatologists treat a wide variety of aesthetic and medical skin complaints every day, from performing laser hair removal to diagnosing a possible case of skin cancer and prescribing treatment if necessary. For this reason, if you have a problem with your skin, whether it is a case of acne or a Candida infection, a dermatologist may be able to help you. Contact a dermatology specialist in your area today to schedule an appointment.
