"Four years ago my husband had a serious stroke. He now spends a good part of his day in bed and has developed bleeding upon sores on his elbows, and also Psoriasis. My family doctor tried numerous ointments. Finally, I came to Dr. Derick, she said vinegar and water every few hours and spray ointment. He was cured in two weeks. Thank you for making my husband’s life easier!"
Alma J.
Algonquin, IL
Skin care is the overall process through which an individual protects, nurtures, and repairs his or her skin. There is not one optimal skin care regimen that applies to all patients. Rather, each person’s unique combination of characteristics requires an individualized approach.
In consultation with a cosmetic dermatologist, everyone can develop a skin care routine that is well suited to his or her needs. For example, an expert cosmetic dermatologist will prescribe a different skin care regimen to a 55-year-old woman with dry skin and a fair complexion, than she would for a 23-year-old girl with oily skin and an olive complexion. There are some common elements, however, that all skin care routines share. The number one enemy of healthy, beautiful skin is over-exposure to UV radiation. The primary source of this radiation is the sun’s rays, and it is also found in the lights used in tanning beds. Exposure to this radiation causes the skin to age prematurely. It causes wrinkles, age spots, freckles, uneven tone and texture, broken blood vessels, and worst of all, skin cancer.
The first step in any well-planned skin care routine is to protect your skin from damage. Sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 should be worn every day.
There are many different vehicles and formulations of sunscreen available today, from lotions and sprays, to powders. Your dermatologist can help you determine what will work best for your skin and your lifestyle. In addition to sunscreen, a complete skin care routine will include a cleanser and a moisturizer. These are the nurturing phases of the regimen and ensure the skin looks its best in its current condition. When confronted with the almost limitless choices that the market offers, a patient can be comforted by the fact that the providers at Derick Dermatology will give them expert consultation. Once the basics have been covered, a patient can turn the focus toward repairing any issues that may need to be addressed.
Once the basics have been covered, a patient can turn the focus toward repairing any issues that may need to be addressed. For patients with pigmentation issues, such as freckles and photodamage, hydroquinone is an essential part of the skin care routine. Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that can gradually fade these blemishes and even out the appearance of photodamaged skin. For patients with uneven tone and texture, a retinoid such as tretinoin can be prescribed.
At Derick Dermatology, we work together with our patients to develop individualized plans that are tailored to each person’s unique skin care needs, and to help you on your road to your best skin ever.
Derick Dermatology is pleased to offer complimentary cosmetic consultations. These consultations will provide you with the opportunity to discuss your concerns and ambitions with our experts without making any financial commitments. Derick Dermatology looks forward to a long-term partnership with our patients and to your success in achieving all your skin care goals.
