Health & Fitness

The biggest organ in the human body is the skin. It measures around twenty square feet and has the crucial task of providing protection from the elements. Your skin also aids in the regulation of body temperature and protects you from microbes. It is also the part of the body that allows you to feel sensations like heat and cold. It’s important to take good care of your skin. Remember that it needs professional care from a physician just like any other organ. The team at SkinDC Dermatologists in Arlington, VA is a dermatology practice that specializes in skin health. Your SkinDC dermatologist offers a comprehensive range of services to keep your skin in great shape.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal can get rid of the unwanted body hair that makes you feel self-conscious. The procedure focuses on the melanin in the follicles. Using specific wavelengths, the melanin absorbs the laser’s energy and heats the hair follicle, destroying its ability to produce hair. When every follicle in the area has been treated, the hair will be completely removed.

Botox

Botox is a cosmetic treatment that uses diluted botulinum toxin to soften the look of wrinkles. The way it works is when it is injected into the affected area, it relaxes the muscles. By carefully injecting Botox into the wrinkled areas, such as laugh lines, the contracting muscle relaxes and the skin smooths out on top of the tissue.

For optimal results, Botox treatments are often combined with other kinds of cosmetic procedures. Botox and similar products are the most frequently chosen cosmetic procedures worldwide. Patients rarely experience an adverse reaction from the process and are generally out and about soon after treatment.

Micro-needling

The human body loses about one percent of its collagen each year after the age of about twenty-five. It does, however, retain its ability to create new collagen. It simply waits until an injury triggers a healing response. Micro-needling involves the use of very thin needles to create fine channels in the top layer of the skin. This triggers the healing response needed to produce more collagen, without damaging the skin.

The collagen lays deeper in the skin, to support the outer layer. When too little collagen is produced, the skin will lose some of its fullness. The signs of aging begin to become more and more apparent without enough collagen. The micro-needling process spurs the collagen production in the area being treated, which attracts elastin, hyaluronic acid, and other proteins. Micro-needling treatments induce the body’s natural process to rejuvenate the skin and give it a younger, firmer look.

Hair Restoration

Unwanted hair loss can be a devastating event for men and women. Alopecia is a condition that causes excessive hair loss. There are many types of alopecia, each causing hair loss in a specific area of the body. There are several hair restoration treatment options available from SkinDC in Arlington, VA, including growth stimulation and hair transplantation.

Laser Tattoo Removal

If your colorful tattoo from your youth is not aging well, you don’t have to live with it forever. Laser tattoo removal services give you the chance to start over, removing all colors of tattoos safely. Using a new ultrashort pulsed picosecond laser, your physician can get rid of a tattoo from any type of skin. Because of its ultrashort pulses, there is a lower risk of scarring.

Keep your skin in the best shape of your life with help from the dermatologists at SkinDC in Arlington, VA.

 

It’s easy to overlook how important our teeth are; more than a smile itself, they serve a crucial function by chewing food and preparing it for digestion. Practicing good dental health is one of the best ways to keep teeth at their optimum shape. In conjunction with Richmond periodontics, these habits could give you a lifetime of great teeth. Ask yourself these simple questions and discover if the answers are really what you thought they would be.

How Long Do You Brush Your Teeth?

There are several types of brushers out there and most can be attributed to how long they brush each day. Some rush through it to save time and leave behind a lot of plaque that might otherwise have been removed. On the opposite end of the scale, some overdo it with repeated brushings that take far too long and are not productive to oral care. The rule of thumb for brushing is roughly two minutes, but the number changes if other aspects such as veneers or dental implants come into play. For those situations, a minute more should be added since you want to take your time with these areas. A great way to keep up is by using your digital assistant to set the timer or find a smartphone timer that is easy to start and stop,

Do You Floss On A Regular Basis?

A lot of people skip flossing and their reasons vary from no time to no use in doing it. Whatever the reason, flossing should not be ignored when it comes to a dental care regimen. Don’t hurry this step, instead take time to get into the areas otherwise unreached by traditional brushing methods. The proper flossing method should take into account not only the act itself but minimizing possible damage to teeth. A tip that many dentists recommend is taking the floss itself and pulling it out between teeth instead of pulling downward to remove it from its location. You should also have enough floss to move with ease between each tooth; that ensures you will not get stuck or hit a snag that might otherwise damage dental appliances.

Are You Using Mouthwash To Take The Place Of Brushing?

Mouthwash may have its place when used with brushing or flossing, but it should never take the place of those two key actions. Look for mouthwashes that work to remove plaque and debris, not just cover up bad breath. For those who want to go away from alcohol-based options, there are products in this category that do well without the harshness that comes from those Ingredients.

Are You Having Professional Teeth Cleanings At Least Twice A Year?

A professional tooth cleaning is one of the key components to having the best smile. The cleaning starts with x-rays and scans that can reveal any dental issues hidden from view. A hygienist will also go through with a cleaning that includes flossing as well as polish. The polishing portion goes from tooth to tooth and features flavors that anyone will like. Some dentists even give patients a choice on which flavor they want. More importantly, it gives you a dentist’s professional experience and knowledge as they inspect your teeth for possible problems. If you have any issues leading up to the exam, be sure to let the dentist know. You also get some great essentials for dental care at the end of the visit such as toothbrushes and toothpaste samples.

 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder that features patterns of unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The obsessions and compulsions frustrate daily activities and cause great distress. OCD does not go away on its own but can be resolved by seeking treatment. OCD in Rancho Cucamonga provides you with the best treatment plan to prevent OCD from disrupting your day-to-day life.

What Are the Common Obsession Symptoms?

OCD obsessions are recurrent, persistent and unwanted urges or thoughts that are intrusive and cause anxiety and distress. These obsessions often intrude when you are trying to think of something else or when going about your activities.

You often find yourself ignoring the obsessions or getting rid of them by performing compulsive behaviors or rituals. The intrusive thoughts are not often settled by reasoning or logic. Typical obsessions include:

• An excessive concern of dirt and contamination
• A great need for exactness or symmetry
• Horrific or aggressive thought about harming yourself or others
• Unwanted thoughts involving religious or sexual subjects

Obsessive symptoms include fear of being contaminated by objects touched by others and intense stress when objects are disorderly. Doubts of not having locked the door or turning off the stove, for instance, are also obsession symptoms of OCD.

What Are the Common Compulsion Symptoms?

Compulsions are recurrent behaviors or mental acts that you feel driven to carry out in response to obsessions. Such behaviors are aimed at reducing or preventing the distress caused by a fearful situation or obsession.

In severe cases, the constant repetition of specific behaviors or rituals may be the order of the day. Although the compulsions bring some relief to your worry, they make it difficult for you to have a normal routine. Examples of compulsion symptoms include:

• A thorough cleaning to eliminate germs and dirt that will contaminate you. To the extent of spending hours washing yourself or cleaning your surroundings.
• Repeating certain tasks in order to dispel anxiety. You may find yourself uttering a name or phrase repeatedly to guard against fear.
• Constantly checking yourself or your surroundings. For instance, to confirm whether you have locked the door or turned off the stove.
• Thorough arrangement of items in order to reduce discomfort. You may find that you put certain objects, such as books or household items, in a particular order.
• Mental compulsions characterized by activities such as shouting obscenities or murmuring phrases to reduce anxiety.

When Should You See a Doctor?

As soon as you realize that you are unable to control unwanted thoughts or urges, chances are you may have OCD. You should consult a healthcare provider if such thoughts take up at least an hour of your day.

You should see a doctor immediately if you notice interference of your daily activities by your fears, thoughts or responses. A psychological evaluation of your fears, feelings, obsessions, and compulsions will then be done.

The diagnosis process may also involve a physical exam to ascertain whether your symptoms are caused by a health condition. Blood tests may also be done to check your blood count and to examine drugs or alcohol in your body system.

 

Different cosmetic dentistry procedures can help to improve the appearance of your mouth, teeth, and smile. The procedures are also used to treat patients with teeth that are chipped, discolored, misaligned, stained, or broken. A team of professionals at PK Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is helping the residents of Sterling, Virginia, to achieve good oral health care.

Here are the common cosmetic dentistry procedures that the practitioners perform.

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding involves the use of materials that resemble your tooth enamel to repair discolored teeth. It is a cost-effective procedure that can help to cover the damaged teeth effectively. When performing the procedure, the dentist drills out the decayed tooth then applies composite on the gap before molding it into the right shape. Finally, the composite is cured using a high-intensity light.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is the cheapest and most common cosmetic dentistry procedure. It involves cleaning of teeth that are stained or discolored by food debris, plaque, or tartar. Depending on the level of discoloration, your dentist can decide to use different bleaching agents like strips and gels.

Not every person with stained teeth is a candidate for teeth whitening procedure. Before you undergo the process, your dentist will investigate the health of your teeth and tell you if you qualify.

To avoid tooth discoloration, you should avoid habits like chewing or smoking tobacco and ensure that you regularly brush and floss your teeth.

Indirect Filings

These are also called inlays and onlays. They are made from materials like composite, gold, or porcelain. This procedure involves filling decayed teeth with dental fillings, which are manufactured in dental laboratories. They are called onlays when the fillings cover the biting surface and inlays when the material is bonded at the center of the tooth.

Cosmetic Dental Crowns

Crowns are also called caps and are made of porcelain or acrylic fused with metal to enable it to withstand pressure when biting. If you have teeth that are broken, chipped, or severely decayed, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist for this procedure.

Dental Implants

When you suffer accidental tooth loss, your dentist may recommend a dental implant. It can be challenging to differentiate a dental implant from a real tooth. The dentist inserts a titanium metal inside the jaw, which supports the crown.

During the implant placement period, ensure that you practice diligent oral hygiene to prevent debris build-up.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are made out of porcelain and composite materials. They help to treat conditions like discolored, chipped, and crooked teeth, as well as large spaces in between the teeth. Dentists perform this procedure by cementing the custom on the front side of the teeth.

Gum Reshaping

If your teeth appear too short or your gum line is irregular, you should have a gum shaping procedure done. The process involves the removal of excess bone tissue from your jaw.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are permanent structures that are used to replace one or several teeth. In this procedure, the dentist places crowns alongside the gap, then attaches an artificial tooth that is held in place by dental cement.

If you have crooked teeth, decayed teeth, or teeth that have been severely damaged, you should seek the appropriate cosmetic dentistry procedure to a stunning smile. Ensure that you choose the right dentist to achieve brilliant results!

The answers to hyperpigmentation are generally easier than most patients think. The pigment is what colors the skin; hyperpigmentation comes from more melanin than the body needs. It causes patches of skin or the nails to be darker in color. This condition can happen to all people no matter what their skin type, but is more prominent in people with darker skin. It is not a dangerous condition and instead requires monitoring for any abnormal changes along with special considerations like Rock Hill acne scar treatment.

What Types Exist And What Causes The Condition?

There are several types of hyperpigmentation like inflammatory hyperpigmentation, age spots, and melasma. Certain types of hyperpigmentation come from an injury such as a burn or an illness; sun damage is a major cause for the diagnosis. Skin inflammation and illnesses also contribute to this condition. Acne and lupus are two of the unlikely causes that still make an impact on the patient’s skin type. Other diseases that are connected to this skin condition are Addison’s disease and Cushing’s disease; these diseases deal with hormones. Sometimes laser use on the skin can bring on hyperpigmentation. Certain medications can also cause this to happen to a person’s skin. It often falls on the prescribing doctor to decide if the overall benefits outweigh any possible issues that could arise from selected doses.

Diagnosis

A doctor will assess your medical history first to see if this condition has appeared among any relatives. There will be an examination of the skin as well as a complete physical to find any underlying causes. After the exam, the doctor will look at the skin with a blacklight to better assess the current state of the outer layer of the skin itself. There may be a biopsy of the hyperpigmentation sent to a lab for testing. The pigment of a person’s skin influences what treatment options are chosen and the initial diagnosis plays an important role in this decision.

Treatments

One thing a doctor will tell someone to start with is to avoid the sun; if a person has to be outside they need a sunscreen of 30SPF or higher. Creams and lotions will lighten certain dark patches and these options can be bought over the counter or by prescription from a doctor. Anything from this category of products has ingredients like retinoids and acids to assist in the lightening. It needs to be used at least once a day. Patients with age spots are good candidates to use the creams and lotions.

Other treatments are done by a doctor in their office. A chemical peel uses stronger acids than over the counter ones and goes deeper than other treatments. These options have to be used with care because they make the skin more sensitive to the sun and could make things worse if not managed in conjunction with other conditions. Laser therapy or skin resurfacing can offer relief from hyperpigmentation; this treatment takes off layers of the skin. Intense pulsating light therapy is good for changes in pigmentation. The IPL is a form of laser therapy and is limited due to its intensity.