The Benefits of Regular Dermatological Check-Ups
How often do you visit your local dermatologist to examine you for possible skin conditions? Regular dermatological check-ups are essential in detecting and managing skin diseases and conditions, whether minor or severe.
Unfortunately, too many people ignore their skin health until the signs of a problem are noticeable on the surface. By then, it might be too late to prevent the skin issue from escalating further.
Early detection of skin issues increases the likelihood of effective management and reduces complications.
Do you still need more convincing to make regular dermatological check-ups? Here are the top eight benefits of doing so.
1) Prevent Severe Acne
Everyone gets acne at some point in their lives. However, some people’s acne will become too severe if left untreated. Severe acne can lead to scarring and emotional distress, both of which can impact your quality of life.
If you visit a dermatologist when your acne is in its early stages, they can recommend personalized treatments to slow down or eliminate the acne. These customized treatments usually involve prescribing specific skin medications formulated to address the acne issue you are dealing with.
In addition, the dermatologist can give you some sound advice on how to prevent acne from developing further. These prevention tips may include avoiding sugary foods and washing your skin with warm water and hypoallergenic soap. The doctor may also address any hormonal issues that could be causing your acne.
'' We combine topical retinoids with oral antibiotics to manage moderate acne, enhancing outcomes while minimizing scarring.''
2) Detect Skin Cancer Early
Perhaps one of the most important reasons to get check-ups with a dermatologist is to detect early signs of skin cancer before it worsens. Dermatologists have the necessary knowledge and training to recognize the early visible signs of skin cancer, such as melanoma.
For instance, a layperson might panic when they see a dark mole on their body by assuming it is skin cancer. In most cases, people overreact when they see dark moles by assuming the worst about them. With that being said, it is still a good idea to have a dermatologist check out those moles to confirm they are non-cancerous.
Remember that skin cancer is more treatable if detected early. Dermatologists can prescribe medications and administer advanced treatments to slow down or eliminate the skin cancer before it progresses further.
'' When melanoma is detected at an early stage (localized), the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 99%. This means that nearly all patients diagnosed with localized melanoma can expect to survive at least five years.''
Dermatologist Meltem Şentürk
The people most susceptible to getting skin cancer are those who frequently use tanning beds or spend much time outside under the sunlight.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies tanning beds as carcinogenic, with a 75% increased risk of cutaneous melanoma when their use begins before the age of 30. Skin cancer can also be hereditary if any of your family members suffer from it.
Anyone who falls into either of these categories should get regular check-ups with a dermatologist because they have a higher risk of skin cancer.
3) Manage Chronic Skin Conditions
There is no cure for chronic skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. All you can do is undergo regular treatment to contain the symptoms of these conditions so that they don’t become too inflamed or visibly embarrassing.
The best treatments for chronic skin conditions are only available via prescription by a dermatologist.
Most over-the-counter skincare products are not effective enough to treat such conditions.
For this reason, it is better to make regular appointments to see your dermatologist so that they can frequently monitor your chronic skin condition and continue to prescribe the treatments needed to manage its symptoms.
If the dermatologist detects a potentially cancerous mole, they will want to actively monitor the mole to see if it grows any larger. Any unusual moles or skin growths must remain under constant management and supervision to contain them properly, even if it means getting skin surgery.
4) Cosmetic Improvements
Are you worried about wrinkles, age spots, or fine lines on your skin? If so, you are better off making ongoing visits to your dermatologist to advise you on the best skincare routines.
Dermatologists are the best skincare advisors because they know the best anti-aging treatments to use for eliminating uneven skin tones and textures.
The general recommendations might include chemical peels and laser therapies. In severe cases, the dermatologist might suggest injectables or fillers to smooth out the wrinkled skin. These kinds of cosmetic improvements are never permanent, which is why you need to keep going back to the dermatologist to get them. It is the only way to retain the youthful skin complexion for the long term.
5) Seek Skin Protection Tips
Dermatologists can serve as designated skin counselors to advise you on various aspects of your skin health.
For instance, they can advise you on how to change or improve your lifestyle habits to lower your risk of developing skin conditions, such as wearing hats outside under the sun and avoiding chemical-based shampoos. Little tips like these can go a long way to improving your skin health.
6) Post Surgery Recovery
If your dermatologist performs any skin surgery on you, such as surgery to remove a mole, they will have to monitor your recovery closely.
Make regular appointments with your dermatologist to ensure your recovery is going smoothly. Otherwise, if there are any issues with the recovery, the dermatologist will identify and resolve those issues right away before they turn into something worse.
7) Identify Other Related Health Issues
Did you know that your current skin health can indicate underlying health issues such as thyroid conditions and diabetes, with examples including yellowish skin for diabetes or brittle hair for thyroid issues?
So, if your primary care physician has not diagnosed you, your dermatologist could recognize an internal health issue based on the condition of your skin.
8) Improved Self-Confidence
Many people’s self-confidence depends heavily on their skin health. If you look good on the outside and don’t suffer any skin problems, you are bound to feel beautiful and healthy. These feelings can go a long way in boosting your confidence and reducing your depression and anxiety.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is very important to make regular dermatological check-ups with your dermatologist or skincare specialist. They can help you prevent or detect skin conditions or cancers before they become too severe to treat.
