Dermatological

Many cosmetic dermatological conditions can be avoided or alleviated through good personal hygiene, such as regular face cleaning and thorough showers. Nonetheless, severe dermatological conditions can be painful, distressing, and have long-lasting effects. If you start to experience severe symptoms, you should seek medical advice quickly to reduce the long-term impact of the condition.

Treatment will, of course, depend on the dermatological condition. Dermatologists are trained in specialist treatments that directly affect the root cause of the condition. For some people, treatment will be necessary to reduce physical pain or get rid of infections. For others, dermatological treatment is focused on aesthetics, such as in the case of acne, blackheads, or birthmarks.

The first step to getting medical treatment for a skin condition is to visit a GP. They will either be able to diagnose and treat your condition themselves, or refer you to a specialist should it be required. Common forms of treatment include:

• Prescriptions for oral medication
• Prescriptions for creams, lotions, or gels
• Light therapy
• Laser therapy
• Cosmetic treatments and surgery
• Chemical peels
• Microdermabrasion

It’s also possible to treat some skin conditions without visiting a doctor. Visiting a pharmacist may suffice for conditions like acne, blackheads, and eczema. Over-the-counter medications have been known to help with mild forms of these conditions.

There are also the options of visiting a private dermatologist, especially for forms of treatment such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion which are not covered by the NHS.