What tests should you take for skin problems: doctors answer

Dull complexion, enlarged pores, rosacea, comedones, acne - all these attributes of unhealthy facial skin can drive even the most patient woman into a frenzy.

Despite the fact that problematic facial skin is not recognized as a disease, a visit to the doctor can clarify a lot of questions. During the consultation, the specialist will determine the true causes of the problems and select the optimal method for solving them.

Intending to seek qualified help, many representatives of the fair sex are faced with the question: which doctor should I contact for problem skin? After all, the approaches chosen by a dermatologist and a cosmetologist are significantly different. We at Foto-elf were also interested in this issue and here is the information we found for you.

Analysis for determining the omega-3 index

Oksana Chashchina, medical dermatocosmetologist:

“An analysis to determine the omega-3 index is recommended for those who notice dry skin, brittle nails and hair. Omega-3s are part of the structure of the cell wall and maintain its elasticity in all cells. They have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, supporting the health of the protective hydrolipidic mantle of the skin. A deficiency of these fatty acids is one of the most common problems. However, dryness can also be caused by prolonged exposure to the sun without sunscreen, contact with chemicals, and frequent use of antiseptics.”

What is dermatology?

The skin not only performs the protective functions of the body, it is also a reflection of our overall health. And since the skin is the largest organ of the human body, a significant branch of medicine – dermatology – deals with its study. Thus, this science studies the functions, structure, anomalies and pathologies of the dermis, as well as hair and nails. It is surprising that dermatology is one of the oldest sciences, as evidenced by found documents dating back to 1.5 thousand years BC.

Dermatology is a fairly broad field of knowledge and there are several areas:

• Dermatocosmetology is a fairly new branch of dermatology that deals with the elimination of skin defects using cosmetic procedures.
• Dermatovenereology – deals with skin lesions caused by sexually transmitted diseases.
• Trichology – deals with diseases of the hair and skin underneath.

Blood zinc test

Deficiency of this trace element causes significant skin problems, including:

• formation of papules;
• seborrheic dermatitis;
• eczematous rash;
• white striae;
• pallor of the skin.

Oksana Chashchina:

“As a rule, dermatitis and rash are accompanied by problems with the gastrointestinal tract and hair, and decreased immunity. Also pay attention to your nails: are there any white spots? Be sure to check your zinc level."

Sweating and redness of the skin

Usually the skin sweats a lot and turns red in the heat, when visiting a bathhouse, or on the beach. If this happens under normal conditions, then excessive sweating of the skin and its redness, spots on the face and body may be a sign of increased thyroid function. This is due to the fact that thyroid hormones stimulate the activity of metabolic processes, which can cause body temperature to rise, blood circulation and sweating to increase. Problems with the thyroid gland may cause sleep disturbances and weight loss, which should also be reported to your doctor when seeking advice.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with Pityriasis rosea or Gibert's disease during pregnancy

Magnesium

Many people suffer from a lack of this microelement, because it is not so easy to get it from food in the required volume, and the body loses it very quickly due to stress, taking diuretics, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency may include the following:

• dry and brittle hair;
• dry irritated skin;
• spasmodic muscle pain;
• dental problems.

Oksana Chashchina:

“Thanks to advertising, the importance of magnesium for the nervous system is widely known. This means it’s also good for the skin, because magnesium is involved in the synthesis of proteins, including collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the tone and turgor of the skin.”

Purulent acne in adults

Acne and excess oily skin are typical of adolescence with its hormonal imbalances. But for adults, the constant appearance of pimples with purulent heads on the face and body is not typical. When it comes to women, such skin changes may be one of the signals that there are serious endocrine diseases.

For example, this is typical for PCOS - polycystic ovarian disease, which is accompanied by excess testosterone synthesis and an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. According to rough estimates, more than 10 million women around the world have similar problems. Acne is stimulated by the production of excess androgens.

Genetic test

Many clinics offer to take a so-called beauty test, which shows a set of genes associated with 17 categories of skin health. Identifying certain predispositions helps to determine the individual characteristics of the epidermis and dermis, avoid unnecessary or even contraindicated procedures and develop a special cosmetic program that will be truly effective.

Such genetic testing is carried out once in a lifetime; the patient receives a so-called genetic skin passport, which will be relevant regardless of age. The material for analysis is buccal epithelium, collected with a cotton applicator from the inside of the cheek (this is an absolutely painless procedure). The test examines a complex of 45 genes responsible for skin health. This set of genes is quite specific and is not considered in today’s popular DNA tests related to nutritional habits or diet selection.

Belyakova Elena Vladimirovna, head of the cosmetology department, cosmetologist, dermatovenerologist, candidate of medical sciences:

“Why is this necessary? At a minimum, so that the cosmetologist draws up a detailed action plan based on accurate data. With the same passport, you will accurately select your own care products, avoiding those that provoke allergic reactions. Agree, if we knew everything about our body, it would be much easier to stay healthy. It’s the same with skin: the more information, the simpler and more enjoyable the beauty routine. An important point: the test has no contraindications and is performed only once. And its results will be relevant throughout your life.”

New moles and freckles on the body

The most dangerous of all skin tumors are melanomas. This is a malignant skin tumor, which in the initial stage manifests itself as an ordinary freckle or mole. But melanoma is characterized by special signs: the spot grows, its color changes, different shades of color, uneven staining and uneven borders are typical in the area of ​​melanoma. To recognize melanoma, foreign scientists have even developed the ABCDE diagnostic system:

• A – asymmetry
• B – border
• C – color
• D – diameter
• E – evolution

What does this mean in translation: “asymmetry of a mole”, “irregularity of the border”, “change in color”, “diameter” (more than 60 mm) and “evolution”, a change in a neoplasm over time. Identification of at least 1-2 signs from this system is a reason to immediately visit a dermatologist and evaluate the mole. Every month it is important to examine all moles on the body, especially those that appear in adulthood.

Tests for sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen)

Excess testosterone can cause excessive sebum production, which means it contributes to breakouts and oily skin. Estrogen affects collagen production, skin hydration, and the rate of its regeneration (healing).

Oksana Chashchina:

“If you are unhappy with the condition of your skin, consult a cosmetologist. He will prescribe tests, focusing on complaints and medical history, and select skincare cosmetics that will locally correct the lack of vitamins and microelements. In addition, cosmetic procedures that stimulate microcirculation, lymphatic drainage and promote healthy skin have a positive effect on the quality of the skin: methods of using one’s own plasma; biorevitalization based on hyaluronic acid; mesotherapy techniques (introduction of vitamin cocktails, amino acid compounds, peptides, microelements and even glutathione, etc.).”

Text: Maria Karimova

Facial skin: what is the difference between dermatology and cosmetology techniques?

A dermatologist is a certified medical specialist who prevents and treats various skin ailments. A dermatologist does not just fight to eliminate symptoms: he tries to identify the source and minimize the harmful effects.

A consultation with such a doctor involves a conversation about the patient’s habits, his usual diet and hygiene procedures. Already on the basis of this information, a dermatologist can determine the diagnosis and find out all the negative preconditions. In ambiguous situations, the doctor focuses on test results.

Many ladies who don’t know which doctor to turn to for problem skin, go to see a cosmetologist. A cosmetologist is educated as a dermatologist, but his specialty is cosmetology. Such a doctor deals exclusively with smoothing out symptoms: eliminating defects without affecting their causes.

A cosmetologist can share a number of useful recommendations with the client - for example, recommend taking some kind of vitamin complex. But these judgments cannot be taken as an axiom, since they reflect only the point of view of a specific specialist. This means that it is quite possible that they will not only not help the skin, but even harm it.

Unfortunately, in Russia there are often cosmetologists who only have a certificate of completion of courses. Although neither beauty salons nor health centers seek to hire such “specialists” on their staff, there is still a chance of meeting them.

Thus, for treatment of skin diseases, you should first contact a dermatologist. And only then, after adjusting the health course, does it make sense to resort to the services of a cosmetologist: he will correct all the pronounced defects.

Consultation with a cosmetologist

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