When it comes to treating skin problems like acne, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some patients benefit from antibiotics or specific creams while others need more advanced treatment. Understanding these treatments will give you a better idea of how skin problems can be treated. And if your goal is to help other people, there are ways of receiving the training you need in order to do so.
Learning How to Treat These Issues
If you want to help others who have skin problems, you might consider becoming a dermatologist or entering a similar field. You will receive hours of training to learn the job responsibilities and work with many patients before opening your own practice. You will need to get your graduate medical degree to be a dermatologist. While medical school can be expensive, you can take out loans for medical school to help pay for your education.
Light Therapy
Acne can cause swelling and redness, and this is often caused by a specific kind of bacteria. Exposing the skin to the light can kill this bacteria. As a part of your personalized skincare plan, the dermatologist might place a medicine on the skin so it is more sensitive to the light, and this might require multiple treatments. The options include red light, blue light, or both types together. A dermatologist might also choose to use heat energy or pulsed light to kill the bacteria. They might try to shrink the oil glands at the same time, which can reduce the amount of oil being produced during the day.
Getting Steroids
Steroids are used when patients have cysts or nodules under their skin, because without treatment, it can take many weeks for these issues to clear up. Getting a steroid injection can reduce pain, help the lumps flatten out, and offer results within days instead of weeks. Most often, steroids are only used on an as-needed basis to temporarily fix the issue or target more stubborn problem areas. They can have some side effects, which is why they are not used as often as other treatments.
Chemical Peels
Mild issues, like mild acne, can often be resolved with chemical peels. In the past, chemical peels have also been used to reduce sun damage, fine lines, and scars. However, it can only be used for mild scars since the treatment is not as effective on skin that has exaggerated scars. Patients can’t get these treatments over the counter, so they will have to see a dermatologist. The doctor will begin by applying a solution of mild chemicals to the skin, which can remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reduce the number of blackheads and whiteheads.
Chemical peels can also help new skin generate in the area. Patients might need more than one treatment to get the best possible results. Because this only treats the surface of the skin, many patients do not find the results last for a long time. And patients might find they experience crusty skin, scabbing, or swelling shortly after the treatment has taken place, but these usually clear up after a short while.