Skin Conditions Commonly Experienced

Acne

Many patients tell us how much happier and more confident they feel after being acne-free. Dermatological products such as ours can help provide this freedom & confidence once again.

Acne is an inflammatory disease that affects the hair follicle channel and the associated sebaceous glands that produce sebum or oil. This is a very common condition that affects people of all ages although it's most frequent in adolescents (80%) and young adults (20-30 years). Teenage acne is a common phrase used to describe this condition. Fortunately, acne is curable. With timely and effective treatment, it's possible to prevent the development of acne & undesirable scars while improving skin complexion and overall physical appearance. As our Clinical Director, Jackie, is a Nurse Prescriber, we may also recommend combining treatment with antibiotics following consultation.

Some patients with acne have small scars (dimples, reddish spots), particularly on the face and back. These scars can be improved through a chemical peel with TCA or salicylic acid (SaliPeel). Deeper, older scars can be improved with a suitable peel or with Genuine Dermaroller. We can also provide a retail Anti-Acne pack for home maintenance for Acne sufferers. This is available from our premises at 13-15 Church Hill Place, Morningside, Edinburgh EH10 4BE or by email at info@dermalclinic.co.ukor by telephone on 0844 800 7786.

Folliculitis

What is Folliculitis?

Sometimes it's called "razor bumps" and "barber's itch" as it is commonly seen on areas that have been shaven resulting in what appears to be a shaving rash. Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles of the skin. Most of our skin is covered with small hairs which grow out of hair follicles. Generally Folliculitis is due to an infection with a bacterium germ called Staphylococcus aureus. The affected hair follicles swell into pus-filled pimples and display redness associated with infection.

Each pimple appears like a small, round, white-headed pimple around one or more hair follicles.

Often occurring in groups, the pimples usually appear where hair follicles are damaged by shaving, irritation etc or where the hair follicle is blocked. Sometimes steroid creams can trigger folliculitis. The most common area affected is the facial shaving area of men especially when the hair is coarse. Other areas for folliculitis are arms, legs, armpits and buttocks.

Folliculitis should not be confused with acne or boils- boils are normally single and larger. Acne can look like folliculitis but often with folliculitis you can see a trapped hair underneath but if you're not sure come and see us to find out. This condition can be improved with an Azelac peel.

Pigmentation

Skin pigmentation disorders affect the colour of our skin. Skin cells produce melanin which gives our skin colour and when these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders affect smaller patches of skin while others can affect our entire body. If our body makes too much melanin our skin gets darker and examples such as pregnancy, Addison's disease and sun exposure can all affect the darkness of our skin. Conversely, if our body makes too little melanin, our skin gets lighter, and examples of the causes of this are infections, blisters and burns. Melanin increases when we sunbathe to produce tanning and it does this in an attempt to protect us from the UV light.

Typical Hyperpigmentation

A skin condition that occurs when the body has too much melanin, or pigment.

• Sun burn or tan - commonly encountered in fair skinned people due to excessive sun exposure.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - may be seen after healing has occurred, like in acne.
• Drug-induced pigmentation - due to cosmetics, especially containing fragrance.
• Nevus or 'Birth mark' - Usually seen at birth but may also appear at a later age.
• Melasma - brown patches on the face, more common in females and particularly during pregnancy.
• Peri-orbital melanosis - or 'dark circles' or `eye circles' may be hereditary and/or due to stress or eye strain.
• Freckles and Lentigenes - tiny dark spots on the face and are genetic in origin.
• Photomelanosis - increased pigmentation due to sun exposure.

We have various peels suitable for the various types of hyperpigmentation.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a condition affecting facial skin, especially the area where we blush. According to Wikipedia famous people with rosacea include Bill Clinton and Lisa Faulkner. Rosacea usually starts with redness on the cheeks and can slowly worsen to include one or more additional symptoms and areas, including the eyes. Rosacea can be difficult to recognize in the early stages as changes are so gradual.

A lot of people mistake rosacea for sunburn, a change of complexion or acne, and they don't consult a specialist. Rosacea cannot be cured, but it can be controlled.

The first signs of rosacea look like a blush or sunburn but the redness gradually becomes more noticeable and fails to dissipate. Later, pimples often appear on the face. These inflamed pimples can be small, red and solid, called papules, or pus-filled pustules like juvenile acne. The difference between acne and rosacea is that in rosacea there aren't usually blackheads or whiteheads. When the person blushes the small blood vessels on the face become bigger, eventually showing through the skin. These enlarged blood vessels look like thin red lines on the face and are known as telangiectasias.

When rosacea isn't treated some people, particularly men, may eventually get small knobbly bumps on the nose. As more bumps appear, the nose looks swollen and this condition is called rhinophyma.

Rosacea can be controlled and treatments include systemic antibiotics, and topical and dietetic treatments are also important. Products containing azelac and salicylic acid are very useful and a topical application of Vitamin K may reduce the size of these small blood vessels. At Dermalclinic we can help determine which treatments are better for you and your lifestyle.

 

Contact us at 13-15 Church Hill Place, Morningside, Edinburgh EH10 4BE or please call: 0844 800 7786, or e-mail: info@dermalclinic.co.uk to arrange your consultation.