Stop Struggling with Rough Skin & Stubborn Bumps on your Arms

 

Keratosis Pilaris on the Arm

As the Marketing Manager for a Dermatologist and Cosmetics office, I am always asked questions by my friends and acquaintances, like: “Is this thing on my leg... normal?”, “Do you think your doctors could fix this?”

There is one thing that I am constantly asked and it is probably one of the first questions I asked my co-workers,  “What are these little red bumps all over my upper arms?” Many of my friends have been in the same boat and many of them have struggled with the same concern. This concern is why, no matter how much lotion they apply or how smooth the rest of their skin is, they can’t seem to ditch those unsightly, red, “goose bump” looking things on their arms?

Now you are probably asking… “So what are they?” The providers at Atlanta Dermatology & Laser Surgery gave me one answer, Keratosis Pilaris (KP). What is Keratosis Pilaris you might ask? KP is a very common skin condition, where keratin (protein) in the skin gets trapped within the hair follicles. KP is harmless and can run in families. This skin condition is most common in people with very dry skin or patients who have Eczema.  

Curious as if you are a victim of these stubborn bumps? KP bumps often look like “goose bumps” on the back of upper arms or thighs. The bumps often feel very rough and are often pink or skin colored.

You are probably wondering what to do if you have these bumps. As KP is benign, it is not necessary for you to worry about treatment for this stubborn skin condition. However, if the bumps are bothersome or do not get any better with over-the-counter lotions, it is advised that you schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. The dermatologist is able to prescribe skin creams that contain; lactic acid, glycolic acid and other ingredients that can help to improve Keratosis Pilaris. Steroid creams can also be prescribed to help reduce redness of these bumps, making the bumps less noticeable.

It’s time to ditch those stubborn bumps that cause you to wear sweaters and constantly cover up your arms, and say hello to beautiful, smooth skin.

For more information on Keratosis Pilaris or any other skin concern, please call Atlanta Dermatology & Laser Surgery at (404) 296-8000 or visit our website.  

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Written by Mackenzie Stratton, Marketing Manager at Atlanta Dermatology & Laser Surgery.

How to Fight Winter's Attack on your Skin

As the summer is coming to a close and the winter is itching closer and closer, our skin starts itching too. Winter’s cold blast equals dry, itchy, red, skin caused by the lack of humidity in the air. It’s important to keep your skin moisturized to prevent your skin from chapping or cracking. In addition to applying daily moisturizers to your skin, it’s also important to stay hydrated and to protect your skin with protective clothing from the weather.

Severe cases of chronic dry skin, such as Eczema are also more likely to flare up during the cold weather season. This chronic dry skin condition can affect both children and adults alike, but it is very common amongst children.  Symptoms of Eczema include: dryness, cracking and/or peeling of the skin that cannot be cured by regular moisturizer, redness and itchiness. Our dermatologists recommend that if a patient is suffering from any of these symptoms to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist.

Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery recommends that if a patient’s Eczema symptoms get to a point where it is unbearable, painful and/or appears infected that the patient should come see a Dermatologist, immediately. It’s recommended to see a Dermatologist for Eczema symptoms because if Eczema is not treated properly it can lead to infection, pain, permanent skin damage or scarring. Dermatologist can provide patients struggling with Eczema with prescription lotions and medicine to treat the dry skin condition and can offer advice on how patients can help maintain and prevent their Eczema.

For more information on Eczema, skin conditions or Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery call (404) 296-8000 or visit our website: www.atlantadermatologyexperts.com


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Written by: Mackenzie Stratton, Marketing Manager, Atlanta Dermatology & Laser Surgery

Know Your Skin Cancer Facts

ABC's of Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer is quickly becoming one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. In fact, rates of Melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, have climbed by 800 percent among young women and 400 percent among young men, in the past 40 years.

The Skin Cancer Foundation credits tanning beds to be a possible reason for the spike in melanoma among young women. Indoor tanning bed users are subjecting themselves to a greatly likelihood of developing Melanoma and other forms of skin cancers. Indoor tanners are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned before, 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinomas and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carinomias, all potentially deadly forms of skin cancer.

 

Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery's dermatologists recommend annual skin exams as an aid to monitor sun spots, moles and suscipious lesions. Patients should also monitor their skin in between skin exams to watch for any changes in moles, these changes could be in size, shape or color.

 

There are many preventative measures patients should take in order to help protect their skin from sun damage and skin cancer. These measures include: daily sunscreen to be apply on all sun exposed areas, monthly self skin checks and wearing proper hats and spf clothing to protect skin when sun exposure can not be avoided.

 

Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery is committed to promoting skin cancer awareness and often sponor Free Skin Cancer Screenings at our office or nearby locations. During the free skin cancer screenings we are able to look at the areas that are most popularly touched by the skin to look for any spots that may be of concern. If an area is found, we recommend the patient to schedule a follow up appointment to have the area looked at more in depth and possibly removed for biopsy.

 

Skin Cancer effects everyone, as Melanoma is the 5th and 6th most common cancer among men and women, respectively. Don't forget to schedule you annual skin exam with your dermatologist and to spread the importance of mointoring and protecting your skin.

 

For more information on skin checks, skin cancer awareness or Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery, call (404) 296-8000, visit our website: www.atlantadermatologyexperts.com , follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Written by: Mackenzie Stratton, Marketing Manager, Atlanta Dermatology & Laser Surgery

 

Say Goodbye to Brown Spots

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As if getting older wasn’t enough of a worry, as we get older we also have to worry about it showing on our face. Our face is invaded by lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and worst of all, dark spots. We try to cover it up with; make-ups, lotions, powders but nothing can seem to really hide those irritating age spots.

Now, you are probably wondering, “Where do these irritating age spots come from?” According to Atlanta Dermatology and Laser Surgery's very own Physician Assistant, Juliena Gigon, these brown spots are caused by multiple factors including: over activation of pigment cells (hyperpigmentation) in the skin and damage caused by the sun.

I bet you are now regretting those years you spent out in sun lathered up with tanning oil, aren’t you? While we can't help you handle your regrets, we can help you to end the hassle of covering up those pesky brown spots and actually say goodbye to them, with Photorejuventation.

Photorejuvenation works by sending light energy into the skin, stimulating the production of collagen in your skin and softening the appearance of aging skin and reducing or eradicating brown spots.  The amount of treatments necessary for each patient varies but most patients need between five to eight treatments.  Treatments are tolerable but topical anesthesia may be applied to minimize patient discomfort.  After treatments, patients can go back to life as usual, there is no downtime. Photorejuvenation is also great for patients that struggle with red/flushed skin, enlarged pores, or rosacea.

It’s time to stop covering up your brown spots and show off your beautiful skin. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit our website: www.atlantadermatologyexperts.com or call (404) 296-8000.  

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Written by: Mackenzie Stratton, Marketing Manager, Atlanta Dermatology & Laser Surgery