Common Cosmetic Problems in Dermatology

Dr.Radha Lachhiramani, MBBS; MD: DCD (UK), MS (Clinical Dermatology, UK)

Common Cosmetic Problems in Dermatology are easily managed with a combination of lasers, peeling, fillers, biological injections and other cosmetic procedures such as dermabrasion. Dr.Radha here reviews the most common cosmetic problems in dermatology that dermatologists come across in UAE.

 Acne and its scars

Acne is a common condition affecting adolescents and early adults which usually subsides with time. However it may sometimes persist for a longer time and leave scars and marks . This leads to social embarrassment and may cause psychological problems in some younger patients. Acne may also be as a result of menstrual irregularities, consumption of acne causing drugs, or application of any greasy substance to the skin. Picking acne can make it worse and cosmetics and facials causing acne should be avoided. Personal hygiene with repeated cleansing with anti bacterial soaps and face washes is recommended. Superficial scars can be treated by chemical peeling, mechanical abrasion also called microdermabrasion, or scar augmentation whereas deeper scars may require surgery or laser ablation.

Alopecia
Hair loss also known as alopecia is one of the most commonest complaints in cosmetology. It is estimated that an individual must lose at least 25-50% of the approximately 1 lakh scalp hair before an unacquainted observer can detect any noticeable reduction in hair shafts or thinning of scalp hair. However diffuse hair loss can be complex cosmetic problem mediated by various external and internal causes. Some amongst the important causes are stress, improper diet, hormonal imbalance due to drugs, pregnancy, child birth, thyroid disease, diabetes. Some external causes include extensive grooming practices, permanent dyeing, chemical waving, cosmetic abuse or psychological disorders. 
Hirsutism
Male pattern hair growth in women is called as hirsutism. It can result from excess male hormone production (androgen) in females . The severity and acceptance of this condition depends on cultural, social and racial factors. Various medical treatments , lasers, cosmetic treatments and surgical procedures are available to treat this condition. 
Dandruff
Most often , it is a purely cosmetic problem with presence of flaking on scalp spreading on to face and shoulders . rarely, it may be severe to cause itching of scalp . Medical therapy controls this condition effectively, however recurrences are common. Severe grades of dandruff may be helped by light therapy.
Pigmentary disorders
These may be classified according to color, that is hypo meaning lighter than normal skin tone or hyper that is darker than normal skin tone . Social implications especially may be attached to vitiligo. Cosmetic camouflage, use of sunscreens, light therapy, chemical peels, surgery are various options available for this condition.
Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating is an embarrassing condition which causes emotional problems disrupting social and professional life. Its severity can vary from just saturation of clothes to pools of water dripping with rusting of instruments at work place. There are several causes including fever, diabetes and other hormonal imbalances, following alcohol consumption etc to name a few. Treatment consist of medications to control sweating or botox injections and other surgical procedures. 
Ageing skin problems
Dryness, loss of elasticity, wrinkling, irregular pigmentation sun spots and age spots are most common signs of ageing. Moisturizers, anti ageing creams , peels, lasers are amongst the common methods of treatment, however ageing never stops and all the treatments may last between few weeks to few months. The desire to maintain a youthful appearance and delay the signs of ageing is becoming a common demand and apart from cosmetic counseling , certain medications and surgical procedures are now conclusively proved to help rejuvenate the skin.