Lauren Wilkes, LA

Acne is a dermatological condition caused by inflammation and mild infection in clogged pores. If not properly treated, acne can cause emotional distress, low self-esteem, and depression. In severe cases, it can even lead to permanent scarring.

While not a serious physical health threat, acne is an embarrassing skin problem that can be life-altering for many patients. Though it is most common among teenagers, acne can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender, and can be mild, moderate or severe.

You might ask, what does hair loss have to do with skin?

Hair is actually a protein filament that grows from follicles deep in the skin up through the top layer of your skin. Your hair helps to regulate body temperature and also serves to protect your scalp. Almost everyone experiences some degree of hair loss at some point in life.

Melasma is a fairly common skin condition that creates the appearance of brown to gray-brown patches of skin, usually on the face. It can also occur on the neck and forearms and is the result of the body producing too much melanin, that natural substance that colors our hair, skin, and eyes.

If you’re dealing with dark spots or patches on your skin from the chronic condition melasma, the U.S. Dermatology Partners team can help you to improve the appearance of these spots and minimize the risk for future flare-ups of the condition. Read the page below to learn more or reach out to the U.S. Dermatology Partners location nearest you for more information.

Milia is a commonly occurring skin condition that causes small bumps on the skin, and while these bumps may be irritating, the skin condition is harmless. You can learn more about milia, how it’s treated, and when to visit your dermatologist for help managing this skin condition on this page. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment at U.S. Dermatology Partners, we invite you to take a few moments to complete our simple online request form.

A fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails typically looks like white or yellowed nails that may also be thick and brittle. The infection could affect one nail or part of a nail, or it could affect multiple nails. If left untreated, fungal infections can lead to permanent nail damage.

Fungal infections of the nails lead to white or yellowing nails that can be thick or brittle.

Rosacea is a fairly common skin condition that causes redness in your face. In some cases, it may also produce small, red, pus-filled bumps. Typically these signs and symptoms may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then diminish for a while.

Rosacea may sometimes be mistaken for acne, an allergic reaction or other skin problems. It is believed to be caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.

Learn more: 4 Types of Rosacea

Rosacea causes redness on the face.

Skin tags are small, soft skin growths that can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the eyelids, neck, armpits, groin folds and under the breasts. They are harmless but they can be annoying, particularly if they are in an area where they are rubbed on by clothing. They may be flesh-colored, pink or may darken.

Skin tags are small, soft growths that can be skin-colored, pink, or may darken.

The sun can age and burn your skin, and it can also cause damage on the cellular level, leading to skin cancer. The good news is, the U.S. Dermatology Partners team can help you formulate a plan to prevent sun damage and repair the effects of the sun’s UV rays so that you can go out and enjoy a sunny day. Learn more on this page or contact U.S. Dermatology Partners to schedule an appointment with us.

Individuals who are prone to sunburn are thought to be genetically predisposed to skin cancer. Risk is also increased when exposure to UV rays is excessive. Sunscreen helps prevent the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, including skin aging and skin cancer like melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Sunscreens are rated and labeled with a sun protection factor (SPF) that measures the fraction of sunburn-producing UV rays that reach the skin. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection.

Sunscreen is a topical product that is used to reflect or absorb some of the ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Body Contouring is a non-surgical way of reducing fat. Today there are many different technologies on the market that use technologies like ultra-low temperatures to freeze fat (see CoolSculpting, TruSculpt iD, CoolTone, or SculpSure for more details) or ultrasonic waves and radio frequencies to melt fat.

Body contouring can be done on many areas of the body, including the abdomen, waist, and arms and legs.

When it comes to dermatological treatments that will help people reclaim a youthful glow, create an even skin tone, and minimize the appearance of scars, chemical peels offer a conservative solution that addresses all of these concerns. Chemical peels are versatile treatments that help to improve the health and appearance of the skin, and just about every patient could benefit from the procedure. If you’re interested in learning more, continue reading below or get in touch with a U.S. Dermatology Partners location near you to schedule your visit.

The CO₂ laser is a carbon dioxide laser that is used for skin resurfacing. Thin layers of skin are vaporized using a high-energy beam of laser light. This creates a “controlled injury” to the skin: as the skin heals, it produces collagen as a natural part of the healing process, which restores your skin’s elasticity.

CO₂ laser resurfacing is designed to minimize wrinkles, reduce facial scarring, even out skin tone, and increase dermal collagen. When performed by an experienced provider, CO₂ laser resurfacing typically is more effective than other treatments like dermabrasion or microneedling.

Looking to improve and recover your skin’s youthful appearance?

As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity. At the same time, repetitive movements and expressions can create facial wrinkles. In addition to comprehensive medical procedures, dermatologists also provide a wide range of minimally-invasive, low impact treatments designed to address a number of aesthetic desires to help you look and feel your best.

While many conditions from unwanted hair and tattoos to wrinkles and rosacea may not be physically harmful, they can be uncomfortable and even cause emotional distress. Cosmetic dermatology offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical services focused on giving you the results you want without the pain, worry, and downtime.

Cosmetic dermatology focuses on aesthetic issues such as skin tone and overall appearance.

Dermaplaning is a safe and effective physical exfoliation procedure that triggers cell regeneration and allows products to better penetrate the skin. Dermaplaning is considered excellent for ridding the face of excess fine hairs which can often accumulate dirt and oil.

Dermaplaning is a form of physical skin exfoliation that helps the skin appear younger, healthier and more vibrant.

Facials are a multi-step skin treatment that cleans, exfoliates and nourishes the skin. They are designed to help your skin look younger and create a well-hydrated complexion.

Deep cleansing facials can be as relaxing as they are effective.

Fraxel laser skin resurfacing is a fractional laser technology designed to help restore your skin to its original texture. The laser treatment encourages the creation of new skin, which gives you fresher, younger looking skin and improved tone and texture. It also helps erase brown spots, acne scars and surgical scars, and can minimize fine line lines and wrinkles.

Fraxel skin resurfacing leaves the skin clear and beautiful.

A HydraFacial is a treatment, similar to microdermabrasion, that’s designed to refresh and rejuvenate your skin without downtime or irritation after the procedure. HydraFacials provide instant results and leave your skin looking healthier and younger. The three-step process begins by cleansing skin, then exfoliating, before finishing with a targeted “booster” serum designed to address your specific skin conditions and concerns while hydrating the skin.

Rather than using abrasive exfoliants, as is the case with microdermabrasion, the entire HydraFacial process relies on the unique tool that simultaneously draws dead skin cells, oils, toxins, and other buildup out of the skin while applying nutrient-rich and soothing products like hyaluronic acids, antioxidants, peptides, and other restorative products. This increases the efficacy of skincare products by introducing them to skin without dead skin cells or clogged pores presenting obstacles that prevent these treatments from being completely effective. In addition to the basic HydraFacial process, your dermatologist can also customize your treatment plan to include added procedures like light or oxygen therapy, dermal fillers, neurotoxin injections, and other cosmetic solutions.

HydraFacials offer numerous benefits, including:

• Loosening and removing dead skin cells
• Clearing pores
• Delivering a brighter skin tone
• Offering a low-intensity, gentle exfoliation solution
• Promoting skin’s collagen and elastin production
• Generating healthy cell turnover
• Reducing the number of flare-ups and breakouts related to common skin conditions
• Maintaining a more youthful appearance through increased fullness and elasticity
• Diminishing the size of enlarged pores
• Lightening dark spots on the skin
• Creating a personalized facial treatment that is tailored to the individual’s skin care needs

We all want to look our very best and an IPL photo rejuvenation treatment, also called a photofacial treatment, can help many people reclaim smooth, youthful skin with even tone and pigmentation. In short, you’ll be photo-ready. When it comes to aesthetic treatment like IPL, it’s always best to partner with a knowledgeable dermatologist who can ensure you achieve the results you’re after while limiting potential damage to your skin. You can learn more about this cosmetic treatment option on this page and by contacting the U.S. Dermatology Partners location nearest your home. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses laser technology to remove unwanted hair. U.S. Dermatology offers high-quality laser hair removal treatment all throughout the USA, click here to see which locations are near you.

Laser rosacea therapy is a way to treat a rosacea complexion. One of the most common and effective treatments is the pulsed dye laser (PDL), which targets visible blood vessels and can reduce redness and flushing by destroying the lining of the inflamed blood vessels.

Rosacea on facial skin is treatable with laser rosacea therapy.

Laser skin resurfacing is a treatment used to reduce facial wrinkles and skin conditions including acne, scars, warts, enlarged glands on the nose and more.

The process vaporizes the upper layers of skin, which creates a wound that encourages the body to produce new collagen. The collagen and elastic fibers tighten as they heal, and the tightened skin eliminates wrinkles as it pulls together.

Laser skin resurfacing reduces facial wrinkles and treats skin conditions.

Laser treatments work by using specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue, which can positively affect pigment, blood vessels, hair follicles and moisture in the skin. The result is improved skin tone and texture, as well as the tightening of loose skin.

Lasers can also be tuned to very specific frequencies to perform different tasks and can even be used in surgery to allow doctors to work on a very precise area with less pain, swelling and scarring than traditional surgery.

Cosmetically, lasers can be used for skin resurfacing and to treat such things as acne, wrinkles, rosacea and more.

Laser vein reduction uses light focused on a specific area to break up broken blood vessels. This allows them to be absorbed back into the body.  It is most often used for eliminating spider veins.

Vein laser treatment breaks up broken blood vessels.

Microdermabrasion is a treatment that can help improve the appearance of facial skin. It is used for reducing wrinkles and treating a variety of conditions including acne, scars, warts, enlarged glands on the nose and more.

Microdermabrasion improves the texture and appearance, along with creating better circulation and lymph flow.

We all want our skin to be smooth, flawless, and firm, but aging, sun exposure, acne, chronic skin conditions, and other issues can lead to rough, uneven skin tone and texture. Many people think that invasive cosmetic procedures or surgeries are the only options to improve the skin, but microneedling offers a minimally invasive solution to promote collagen production and healthy skin growth for a smoother and more youthful appearance. At U.S. Dermatology Partners, our dermatologists offer microneedling to help individuals look and feel their best without the need for more invasive procedures. When you’re ready to get started, contact the U.S. Dermatology Partners location near you to schedule your cosmetic dermatology consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP, is a non-surgical method of skin rejuvenation that uses your own blood to improve the appearance of facial tissue.

Recent research has shown that PRP is also effective at treating alopecia.

ProFractional therapy uses a laser to create small, microspherical holes in the surface of your skin to “aerate” or thicken your tissue and stimulate natural collagen growth. It is similar to the Fraxel treatment and is used for treating lines and wrinkles, loose skin, scars and depleted collagen.

ProFractional therapy uses a laser to create small, microspherical holes in the surface of your skin to “aerate” or thicken your tissue and stimulate natural collagen growth.

It’s no secret that skin peels are a popular cosmetic dermatology solution to improve the skin’s general health and appearance, but the itchy, dry, peeling skin that occurs in the aftermath is less than ideal. Enter PRX Derm Perfexion, formerly WiQO PRX-T33 (also known as CALM Glow). This innovative treatment offers the beautiful results possible with chemical skin peels without the peel. You can learn more about PRX Derm Perfexion treatment on this page or by scheduling a consultation with a U.S. Dermatology Partners location in your area.

We all want healthy, beautiful skin. But scars, a natural part of the healing process, leave a lasting mark and cause some people to struggle with the negative impact on the appearance of their skin and in some cases, limitations in function or other concerns. If you’re unhappy with the appearance, texture, or health of your skin after an injury, surgery, or other damage that leads to scarring, the U.S. Dermatology Partners team can offer treatment to improve the appearance of scarring.

Skin lightening is a process used for people who want to lighten certain areas of skin that are affected by such things as melasma, age spots or even freckles.

Skin lightening can help provide a smooth, even skin tone.

Microneedling is a cosmetic dermatology solution that harnesses the body’s innate ability for healing to improve the appearance of scarring (including acne scars), fine lines, and wrinkles by jump-starting the body’s self-repair process and triggering elastin and collagen production for more youthful, elastic skin. SkinPen is an innovative microneedling device that is the first to be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve the appearance of facial scars and wrinkles. You can learn more about SkinPen on this page or by contacting the U.S. Dermatology Partners location near your home or office to schedule a consultation visit.

The Spectra Laser Peel, also known as the Hollywood Peel, is designed to improve uneven pigment as well as reduce the appearance of irregularities in your skin’s texture and minimize fine lines. It can also help combat acne.

Spectra Laser Peel can improve uneven pigment, reduce the appearance of irregularities in your skin’s texture, and minimize fine lines.

Spider veins are blood vessels that are visibly enlarged and can be seen on the face as well as other areas of the body, most commonly the legs. They may also be called broken blood vessels or thread veins, and appear as hairline marks that can be red, bluish or purple. They most often appear on the nose, chin or cheeks.

Broken blood vessels occur when the skin has been damaged. They are often caused by falls or accidents that caused bruising, or by scrubbing the face too vigorously. However, spider veins also can be caused by such factors as aging, pregnancy, estrogen replacement therapy, sun damage and rosacea. In the legs, they may be caused or worsened by standing or sitting for long periods of time, obesity and constipation.

Spider veins are visibly enlarged blood vessels.

Tattoo removal is a way to remove unwanted tattoos using lasers to break down the ink particles in the design. The broken-down ink is then flushed out by the immune system, and it mimics the natural fading that would have happened over time or with exposure to the sun. Since no tattoo removal is guaranteed, it is important to speak with a professional to get an honest evaluation of what your final results will look like.

Tattoo removal will take more than one visit, depending on the size and color of your tattoo. It may take as few as two visits, or it may take 10 or more.

Laser tattoo removal makes the tattoo invisible.

ThermiRF is a new technology that uses radiofrequency energy to treat tissue below the skin, rather than addressing the problems on the surface of the skin. The procedure stimulates collagen growth over time, so its effects might not be seen immediately. It is used for contouring, treating wrinkles and sagging skin, as well as being used to reduce vaginal laxity. It can also be used to reduce sweating in underarms.

ThermiRF is used for contouring, and treating wrinkles and sagging skin.

Varicose veins are bulging, bluish veins that look like cords running under your skin and are typically found in the legs and feet. Swollen and twisted veins are considered superficial varicose veins. Although they are usually harmless, they often are painful and can become disfiguring. If they become inflamed, they will be tender to the touch and may prevent proper circulation.

When circulation is affected, it can cause such things as swollen ankles, aching legs and itchy skin.

Varicose veins are bulging, bluish veins that look like cords running under your skin and are typically found in the legs and feet.