Conditions Treated

Acne is a condition in which the sebaceous glands in the skin become clogged with excess oil, forming spots, pimples and cysts. Although typically seen during puberty, it is becoming more prevalent in adult women. There are many OTC products available and, without treatment, permanent scars can appear.

As difficult as they may be to deal with when you are young, acne scars become even more noticeable with age, since skin loses collagen. There are treatments available to address the different types of scars, from a simple filler to add volume, to laser treatments that can smooth rough, pitted skin.

Pigmentation means coloration. Pigmentation disorders—which may affect patches of skin or your whole body—can be caused by too little or too much melanin, sun damage, genetics, pregnancy, or a number of other things. Some of the more popular treatments for pigmentation disorders are chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing.

Age spots are flat brown or dark gray spots on the skin. The exact cause is not known, but they are usually associated with UV exposure. They pose no particular health risk but, for cosmetic reasons, may be treated with bleach, IPL, chemical peels, dermabrasion or cryosurgery.

Scars are permanent patches of skin that form over wounds when they heal. Though many fade over time, they often remain pinker or darker than the surrounding, healthy skin. Treatments may include over-the-counter or prescription creams or ointments, chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and skin-smoothing surgery.

Cellulite is normal fat beneath the skin. The lumpy, or “cottage cheese” look is caused by the fat pushing against the top layer of connective tissue and is found in people both fat and thin. Among the multiple treatments offered are freezing, laser treatments, massage, injectables and liposuction.

A double chin is a roll of fat below your chin, so that it looks like you have two chins. It may be caused by heredity, excess weight, or loss of skin elasticity due to aging. Treatments may include specific exercises, as well as lipolysis (a laser treatment) and injectables (Kybella).

Melasma is a patchy, facial skin discoloration caused by excessive UV exposure or hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy. (It is often called a “pregnancy mask.”) As with age spots, melasma poses no health risks and may be treated with bleach, IPL, chemical peels, dermabrasion or cryosurgery.

Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels near the skin’s surface, most frequently on the legs and feet. They are usually not painful but can be after long periods of standing. The two primary treatments are sclerotherapy, which closes the veins, so the blood is rerouted, and laser surgery.

Stretch marks are bands of skin that appear after sudden changes in weight, such as during pregnancy, and an increase in cortisone which is produced by the adrenal gland and causes loss of elasticity. Treatments that may potentially remove stretch marks include Retin-A, several types of laser therapies and microdermabrasion.

Sun damage can cause a variety of problems, from discoloration, wrinkles and leathery skin to cancer. Just as there are multiple results possible from overexposure to ultraviolet light, there are multiple treatment options. Your practitioner will recommend the treatment best suited to addressing the type of damage you have.

Wrinkles and fine lines can be caused by aging, sun damage, and poor nutrition, and are often as much a product of heredity as any environmental problems. Depending on their cause, severity and location, treatment options can range from non-invasive injectables to face-lift surgery.

Loss of facial volume is most often caused by the loss of skin elasticity that comes with aging. Two of the primary treatment methods are fat grafting, in which fat tissue is removed from one area of the body and injected into the face, and the use of injectables.

As we age, our body’s collagen production is reduced, and skin loses its elasticity. This can cause a loss of volume in the buttocks. In recent years, “butt lifts,” or transferring fat from one area of the body to the buttocks, has become one of the most requested cosmetic procedures.

Liposuction is the removal of fat tissue from a specific area of the body. There are several different techniques, but they all involve inserting a tube into an incision and suctioning out the fat. If massive weight loss is required or desired, gastric bypass surgery may be an option.

Both dark circles and eye bags have multiple potential causes, from genetics to lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and aging. There are just as many potential remedies, from using cucumber slices to pricey creams and ”eye bag” surgery. Consult with your doctor for the best treatment for you.

Although sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling itself down in hot weather or during exercise, excessive sweating for no apparent reason, called “hyperhidrosis,” may be an indication of a thyroid problem, diabetes or an infection. This should be brought to the attention of your physician.

Hair loss can be caused by certain medications, hormonal changes (such as pregnancy), medical conditions, trauma, nutritional deficiencies or genetics. There are many hair replacement options, but the cause may also be an underlying medical condition or disease. It is safest to discuss the situation with your physician.

Urinary incontinence is any lack of bladder control, from slight leakage when you cough or laugh to frequent, sudden urges that disrupt your life. Though often part of aging, it is not inevitable. Evaluation by a physician can help determine the cause and what can be done to treat it.

Vaginal dryness is most often caused by lack of estrogen, which is why it is often more prominent after menopause. Symptoms may be burning, itching or pain during intercourse. There are several vaginal creams available, as well as an estrogen treatment. Consult with your physician for the optimum solution for you.

Vaginal laxity is a “looseness” of the vagina, usually as the result of aging or childbirth. It can lead to loss of lubrication, affecting sensitivity during sexual intercourse and the ability to have an orgasm. Treatments include Kegel exercises, topical applications, and several different vaginal surgery procedures.

The causes of loss of energy are innumerable, from lack of sleep and depression to adrenal fatigue and food allergies. Unless you are experiencing the usual, occasional lack of energy—the “for tonight I’m a couch potato” syndrome—discuss the problem with your physician to find the underlying cause.