Essentially every human being will eventually be afflicted by some sort of cosmetic or medical condition that they want to treat. Luckily, the treatment options are only expanding as the years go by. Research has become more prevalent, and with advancing technologies, there isn’t much standing in the way of treatment for common cosmetic and medical conditions. For a summary of conditions that can benefit from beauty treatments, read on. We explore hair loss, stretch marks, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and excessive sweating.

Hair Loss

While everyone naturally loses 50 to 100 hairs each day, over 25% of the Canadian population loses more than this. This condition is referred to quite generally as hair loss, or male/female pattern baldness. Hair loss can be gradual or sudden, and it may be temporary or permanent. No matter what type of hair loss an individual experiences, it can negatively affect their mood and social engagement. People often become embarrassed about their hair loss and begin to withdraw from their social groups. Hair loss can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most common on the scalp.

Luckily, there are treatments that can stop and even reverse hair loss. There are two types of medication you can have to treat hair loss. The most common form is a topical gel/cream that is applied directly to the scalp, but you may also receive oral medication as well. An extreme alternative is hair transplant surgery, in which pieces of your scalp that grow hair will be transplanted onto areas that don’t. There are a lot of risks with this though, as there are with any surgery.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are types of scars that result from rapid expansion or shrinking of the skin. It causes the collagen and elastin in our skin to rupture. Stretch marks can result from weight gain or loss, pregnancy, growth spurts, and even quick muscle gain. They affect both women and men, but it is more common in women, as 80% over 20 experience some form of stretch marks.

While stretch marks, like any scar, are permanent, there are treatment options that can reduce their appearance and eliminate any associated itching. There are a handful of lotions/gels/creams that may help make stretch marks less noticeable, but dermatologists have the most useful procedures. They include microdermabrasion, laser therapy, chemical peel, ultrasound, and radiofrequency treatments.

Acne Scarring

Acne scars are red or brown marks left behind after an acne spot begins to clear up. Most often, these scars will fade on their own over time. However, sometimes there is the need for further treatment to reduce or eliminate acne scars from the skin. It is important to note that acne needs to clear up before any scars can be treated.

Acne scars can be treated using a process known as microneedling, and using medical-grade skincare products. Lactic acid peels, topical retinoids, salicylic acid treatments, and even sunscreen can help treat acne scars at home. Treatments limited to dermatologists include dermabrasion, strong chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and injections. Different acne scar types respond differently to various treatments, so it is always recommended that you consult a dermatologist before treating acne scars.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is the name given to dark spots on your skin. They result from an overproduction of melanin in the skin. Sun exposure and aging are the two most common causes, but there are other associated risks. While preventing hyperpigmentation with sunscreen daily is the best option, there are ways to treat it once it is a permanent fixture on your skin.

Topical retinoid products are incredibly useful for treating and erasing hyperpigmentation spots. They promote the overture of skin cells, and this is the best way to get rid of dark spots entirely. Corticosteroids and vitamin C are also common ingredients in topical creams. More advanced cosmetic procedures that can help with this condition include microdermabrasion, light therapy, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles occur naturally over the aging process. As collagen and elastin deposition deteriorates, the facial movements that allow us to express emotions create lines in the skin that can no longer bounce back. There are also many environmental factors like smoking and sun exposure that can increase the rate at which wrinkles develop. Wrinkles can be compared to the lines that appear in a sheet of paper that is repeatedly folded.

The most common treatment for wrinkles is Botox injections, as they prevent the movements that cause wrinkles to appear and deepen over time. This results in a very youthful appearance. Other treatment options include topical retinoids, dermabrasion, chemical peels, facelifts, and fillers. Topical treatments can be done at home, but the others should only be attempted by medical professionals trained for the treatment.

Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a condition that results in an overproduction of sweat from glands all over the body. It happens most commonly in the underarms, but can occur elsewhere as well. Some people will have localized sweating, and others will experience it on large areas of the body. There are a few different types of hyperhidrosis, but they can be treated the same way. Many cases actually go untreated and undiagnosed because people often don’t even realize their problem is an actual condition.

The first treatment that will be attempted is a stronger antiperspirant product that contains aluminum chloride. This is usually adequate for less severe cases, but sometimes, more intensive treatments need to be considered. Iontophoresis is a procedure that uses electrical impulses while you are submerged in water to temporarily block sweat glands. Botox injections is another common treatment method that is extremely effective. If the condition is extreme and it originates in the underarm, an individual can undergo surgery to remove the sweat glands or sever the nerves to the sweat glands.

If you suffer from any of the following conditions and are interested in treatment or additional information, reach out to the experts at Enhanced Medical Aesthetics.