Health & Fitness

Do you have a scar that troubles you so much that you always use some form of cream or foundation to conceal it? Scars can be detrimental not only to physical health but also mental health. If you plan on getting rid of or reducing the appearance of your scars, then Dr. Laura Riehm of skin laser MD has got you covered.

Scars are a result of your body’s response to injury. Some people are usually not bothered by their scars to a point where they perceive them as a badge of honor. Other people experience discomfort, especially if the scar is painful or itchy. Additionally, a scar could make you feel less confident about your beauty if it’s located in visible areas.

Note that each scar requires a different technique of removal or reduction. There are two main types of scarring, namely regular and abnormal scarring.

A regular scar appears at the end of an undisrupted healing process of a wound. Proper closure techniques help to accelerate normal wounds. The size of the scar will depend on the location and depth of injury and overall healing conditions.

Abnormal scarring happens when healthy wound healing is disrupted or when complications occur after surgery, and a wound increase in size or develops an enclosing tissue growth. If this happens, the scar moves from being a hypertrophic scar to a keloid.

Keloids are scar tissues that overgrow the original injury either spontaneously or after several years. They may grow on shoulders and cheeks and can, at times, be painful. Keloids are associated with people of color, ranging between 10 and 30 years.

Prevention of Scars and Keloids

Now that you know about the population prone to getting keloids, you could take a few preventive measures. You could start by taking excellent care of your wound by covering it with hypoallergenic paper or silicone gel sheets to ensure proper healing.

The most basic prevention measure is to avoid any injuries whenever possible. In case of injuries and you need surgery, make sure you inform the surgeon that you are prone to keloids. This will ensure he takes precaution on the precision as well suturing by using a polypropylene suture.

Additionally, your surgeon will start you on postoperative treatments such as pressure dressings and corticosteroid injections as soon as possible.

Treatment of Keloid and Scars

Radiation

This treatment approach, although useful, has been subject to many controversies due to the fear of harmful radiation waves that are linked to cancer. Radiation is more effective when done immediately after surgery. Studies have shown that this therapy prevents recurrence in 75% of keloid cases. Possible side effects include malignant tumors, ulcers, and hyperpigmentation. As a result, doctors warn against using this treatment on children as well as pregnant women.

Cryotherapy

Your surgeon may choose to freeze the lesions of the keloid, making it easier to administer the intralesional medication. Cryotherapy can be very painful, so one has to receive local anesthesia. The good thing with this treatment is that it does not cause depigmentation.

Laser

Traditionally, surgeons used CO2 or Erbium YAG laser for ablating the keloid lesions, but they proved to be ineffective. This prompted the shift to the pulsed dye laser (PDL), which has proven to be successful in reducing the height, color as well as symptoms of keloid scars.

Finally, Keloids and scars are no longer a life sentence due to the innovations in the surgical world. So, if you have a scar that makes you feel uncomfortable, plan your visit to an experienced specialist that will provide the right treatment for you.

 

 

Beautiful skin will always be your haven. It is incredible how various people will welcome you into their lives after they fall in love with this skin. It will always happen, regardless of what belies the beauty. But have you ever imagined how things would be when you have a far-reaching scar? Sometimes, accidents happen. And there is a chance that you will end up with a scar on your face. Or maybe you already have one. There is no reason to worry when in such situations. In the wake of advanced medical technology and practices, handling this problem will be no issue. Besides, we have reputable experts in skin & scar resurfacing in Tucson.

Laser treatment has become one of the most effective ways of handling scars. But unless you understand some of its basics, you might not make suitable decisions in the long run. Well, it is in this regard that we highlight critical elements regarding this process. Join us on this ride.

What is Laser skin scar resurfacing?

It is a therapy that relies on beams of light to correct damaged areas of your skin. Usually, this light will be focused on the affected area. Whether it is a tumor or growth, it will surely come in handy.

Some of the most common scars this procedure handles include acne, surgical scars, and those from injuries. However, it is imperative to remember that this treatment does not obliterate the wounds. Instead, it will ensure that they become less noticeable.

In most cases, this will be an outpatient procedure. The expert will aim at moving the beam of light around the scar until the scar diminishes. This implies that the involvement of light and heat will be inevitable. For this reason, the procedure might not be ideal for those with light sensitivity.

While at it, the results of this procedure will often depend on the skills of the expert. It is in this regard that you should always consider the services of a reliable medical expert. Besides, there should be a medical consultation prior to the procedure. It will be essential in highlighting all your worries.

Types of procedures to consider

· Non-ablative

This process involves the penetration of heat lasers into the inner layers of your skin. It will be vital in stimulating collagen production and replacing damaged skin cells.

· Ablative resurfacing

It will often come in handy in improving the appearance of wrinkles, scars, and even warts on your face. It is critical in removing the outer layer of the skin.

· Fractioned laser resurfacing

It will be crucial in removing dark pigmented cells. It will also come in handy in renewing your skin cells too.

However, it will be prudent for you to remember a few things too. After this procedure, you will need to avoid direct sunlight for at least four weeks. You might also need to take OTC drugs whenever necessary. And did you know that applying moisturizer will be valuable too?

The skin and scar resurfacing procedures are some of the most vital considerations to make. It will always be valuable in improving the glow of your skin and giving you irresistible beauty. It is what you need this period.

Dr. Ana Treviño Sauceda is highly skilled in various advanced dermatology treatment procedures. She leads a team of dermatologists using Alamo City Dermatology technology, PLLC, to practice these dermatology procedures. These procedures offer treatments for patients suffering from any skin disorder. This medical facility has its locality at Zapata and San Antonio in Texas. Using their extensive knowledge of dermatology treatment, Dr. Ana focuses on providing up-to-standard treatments for her patients by ensuring that she complies with their needs.

About Dr. Sauceda

Dr. Sauceda has dual board certification in the practice of dermatology. Dr. Ana pursued a medical degree at the University of Texas after completion of her undergraduate degree. After graduation, she did an internship in San Antonio at the Universities’ hospital. Her vast knowledge in Dermatology earns her recognition as best in the field by her peers and patients. Her dedication to offering extensive care and treatments to patients of all ages receives recognition from people in San Antonio and surrounding counties.

How do dermatologists offer treatment procedures?

Dr. Ana leads the team using a state of art technology known as Alamo City Dermatology. This technology provides high-quality treatments to patients. The dermatologist at Zapata and San Antonio centers incorporate this treatment practice to their skills and knowledge in dermatology to offer treatments for acute and chronic skin conditions. Performing these procedures requires proper evaluation of the skin’s condition to ensure that the treatment stays on track.

What are the services offered?

Alamo City Dermatology offers treatment and restoration procedures for any skin conditions. Some of these procedures include Fraxel laser treatment, psoriasis treatments, rhinopehyma treatment, botox, chemical peels, eczema, microdermabrasion, mole removal, and even skin cancer screening. These treatments aim at meeting the individual needs of each patient.

How to contact the medical center

A patient can easily reach the center through the direct mobile lines provided by the center on their website. Depending on the patient’s accessibility, one may choose to either book for an appointment at the dermatology center in Zapata or San Antonio. Patients or the general public can also ask any queries to Dr. Sauceda should send a message to her through the facility’s website.

Insurance and the Patient portal

The two dermatology centers accept insurance covers from various agencies, such as Humana, hence relieving the patient the burden of paying the medical fees. A patient should check the facility’s website to check on the insurance covers acceptable. On the other hand, the patient’s portal offers follow-ups on the patient’s medical records.

Reviews and blog articles

The team of dermatologists appreciates feedbacks from patients. To date, the facility boasts a good review of about 4.91 out of 5 stars. This review is a reflection that the center administers up-to-standard treatments, thus fulfilling the client’s needs. Blog articles posted by Dr. Ana on the facilities website, such as ‘Birthmarks,’ serve as education tools on skin conditions to both patients and the general public.

The incorporation of Alamo City Dermatology in skin treatment procedures is vital. Treating skin conditions boosts one’s confidence by making you look more vibrant. Dr. Sauceda’s dedication in the field of dermatology aims at patient satisfaction offering up-to-standard treatments to patients.

 

 

Radiofrequency ablation is today the most common invasive technique used to treat thyroid pancreas, bone, liver, kidneys, and lung cancer. It is an intricate procedure done by highly experienced Interventional Radiologists. In the US, for instance, the Austin radiofrequency ablation clinic in Texas has been attested. This is due to their high patient survival rates.

What is Radiofrequency Ablation?

If you or your loved one has cancer, then you’ve probably heard the doctor say that surgeries are, at times, not an option. This usually happens when the patient’s malignant tumor is at an early stage or is in locations that can’t be surgically removable. Other times the patient is unable to afford the cost of surgical resection of the tumor.

Radiofrequency ablation involves the application of a high heat current through the tumor to kill the diseased cells.

How is it done?

Four key stages are followed to ensure a successful radiofrequency ablation.

Preoperative Evaluation

This is the first stage taken to examine the candidacy of a patient to the treatment. It involves taking CT scans as well as MRI tests. These tests help in determining the size of your tumors as well as their location.

Patients whose tumors are located close to vital organs might not receive the treatment. Ablation of a tumor that’s close to the gallbladder or diaphragm could result in severe pain during and after the procedure.

Choosing an Approach

The most common choice of treatment is the percutaneous approach. The reason being that it’s the least invasive approach, relatively inexpensive, and can be repeated as many times as required to treat recurrent tumors successfully.

Conscious sedation of patients is sufficient for this approach, unlike a laparoscopy or open surgical treatment, which requires general anesthesia and is more expensive and invasive.

Needle Placement and the Treatment Strategy

The success of radiofrequency ablation is dependent on proper needle placement. The process is carried out under MRI, sonographic, or CT guidance.

The radiologists must plan the point of entry as well as the safest trajectory before inserting the needle. Confirmation of the needle entry point is done using a contrast-soaked cotton pad.

The treatment strategy differs depending on the tumor size. Large tumors require overlapping of multiple ablations to ensure the heat currents are sufficient in killing cancer. Doctors begin ablations on the deepest parts of the tumors and finish with the superficial parts to prevent obscuration of the lesions

Follow Up Stage

This is the final stage that involves evaluation to ensure that your tumor has been successfully removed. Follow up is done at 1, 3, 6, and 18 months intervals to determine whether there is any residual tumors.

Should I Be Worried?

As mentioned earlier, this technique should only be done by experienced interventional radiologists. This is because of the complications that may occur if done wrongly. Too much heat current could lead to death as a result of severe injuries caused by overtreatment.

Additionally, a lower survival rate can be the outcome of a mismatch of the size of the lesion, leading to under-treatment, which causes a recurrence of the tumor.

Clinical experience is, therefore, crucial in ensuring a high survival rate of patients undertaking a radiofrequency ablation treatment.

 

Migraines are more than headaches; these troubling incidents can leave people incapacitated and lead to even worse conditions. Getting treatment for migraines is crucial in establishing the best base of care, but a doctor can’t be around when each migraine strikes. When one does occur, there are some steps anyone can take in their own home or office. If the situation gets worse or someone has additional questions, it’s important to call a Santa Monica, CA family medicine physician right away.

Get Comfortable

The pain of migraines requires an optimum sense of comfort to handle the worst of the worst. Find a place to sit down and make sure it is comfortable enough for someone to ride out their symptoms. If a chair or similar seating area is not around, sitting on a bed or even laying down is just as good. Make sure that pillows behind the head are propped up and that the body itself is not completely flat on the mattress. Those with ocular migraines are especially in need of a place to be until the condition passes as they could become totally or partially blind during the event. Their faculties and eyesight should return shortly after the event ends.

Find A Heating Source

Heat can help to reduce the symptoms as well as the pain associated with these periods. Try to find a cloth that can be heated or put into hot water. The water should not be scalding, instead pleasantly warm enough to touch the skin without burning. Place the cloth against the forehead to calm and soothe the most affected parts of the body. It can also be placed against the back of the neck. Some eye pads can be heated in the microwave and they prove especially helpful for ocular issues. Another choice is heating pads that can be placed under the body or on top of selected areas. The heat on these types of pads can become too much and may burn if left on a spot too long so caution is always warranted with these choices.

Take Medication

Many patients with migraines may be put on medication if all else fails in their treatments. These medications are usually taken on a daily basis and have no merit on treatments needed for an actual attack. For these situations, it could help to add a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The choice often depends on other medications in the body and the recommendations of a doctor with knowledge of medical history. Some people choose medications that contain a dosage of caffeine to relieve the symptoms. For some patients, the use of caffeinated medications and drinks have improved their symptoms quickly as well as safely. Coffee can be used in much the same way as well as certain energy drinks. In terms of energy drinks, make sure that other ingredients may not interact with other medications as well as physical health. Herbal supplements may also serve to quell the symptoms but there are no studies that they are effective and the potential drawbacks may make these choices a problem for patients currently under the care of a doctor.