Do I Need a Dermatologist?

From Heather Brannon, MD, former About.com Guide

Updated September 24, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

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• aging skin
• skin infections
• acne
• eczema

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The first thing you need to know about picking a dermatologist is that you may not actually need a dermatologist. In fact, there are several types of health care providers who can take care of basic skin conditions.

Types of Providers

The following are descriptions of the different levels of health care providers:

• Nurse Practitioner - A registered nurse (RN) who has further training in diagnosing and treating patients. s a general rule, NP's are very interested in patient education.
• Physician Assistant - PA's have a 2-year training program instead of a 4-year medical school. Many specialize in certain fields just like doctors.
• Primary Care Doctor - An MD or DO who specializes in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics.
• Physician Specialist - Examples of specialists who take care of skin conditions include dermatologists, surgeons and allergists.
• Subspecialist - These specialties are the most narrow and require the most training. Examples are plastic surgery, dermatopathology, and Moh's micrographic surgery.

Treatment, Benefits and RiskTreatment, Benefits and Risk

Treatment, Benefits and RiskTreatment, Benefits and Risk

A standard massage therapy session typically lasts a half hour to an hour, but can be shorter or longer. The atmosphere should be relaxed and the patient comfortable.

The therapist may use oil or powder to reduce friction on the skin and employ ice, heat and fragrances as part of the therapy. You should feel free to discuss the techniques he or she will use prior to the therapy session.

And while there are few risks and side effects associated with massage therapy – temporary discomfort, bruising, swelling or an allergic reaction to massage oils are the most common – there are some people who should not receive massage therapy, emphasizing the need to talk to your healthcare professional prior to starting any regime. Those that should not receive massage therapy – or should consult their doctor before getting massage therapy – include:

* Those with deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs
* A bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin
* Damaged blood vessels
* Weakened bones from osteoporosis, a recent fracture, or cancer
* A fever
* Pregnancy
* Cancer
* Fragile skin
* Heart problems
* Dermatomyositis

The Role of the Massage Therapist

The Role of the Massage Therapist

Professionals who provide massages to patients are called massage therapists. They work in a variety of settings, from office locations to house calls and workplace visits.

If you are considering massage therapy, chose a licensed and trained practitioner. Your healthcare provider should be able to refer one to you. And in some cases, conventional medical professionals might also be licensed to perform massage therapy.

Most therapists attend a school or training program and, as stated, a fair number of massage therapists also practice medicine in another capacity, such as a nurse. Study typically covers subjects such as anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, therapeutic evaluation, massage techniques, first aid, legal issues, and hands-on practice.

Drinking from Bottle Causes Lip Wrinkles

Drinking from Bottle, the Reason for Lip Wrinkles

All cola drinks and juices come in pet bottles. To drink the liquid directly from the bottle one has to crease in his/her lips to get fit in the small mouth of the bottle. When it is done frequently the crease made on the lips take the form of wrinkles. It is further worsening if lips are mostly dry. Even drinking with a straw from the bottle is not of much help. This is the reason why hence forth always drink any liquid in a glass.

How to care Skin Fairness using Orange Peel

How to care Skin Fairness using Orange Peel

Natural Skin Fairness Tips
Take the peel of orange. Dry it in hot sun. Once it is fully dried up, grind it in the mixer. Next ground 20 almonds in the mixer. Similarly roughly crush oatmeal in mixer as well.

Almond Skin Fairness Tips
Soak 5-6 almonds in water overnight. Next morning soak 4-5 saffron strands in raw milk for 30 minutes. Remove the skin of almonds soaked in the night.

Get the Fair Skin by Rubbing Tomato
Take a fresh red tomato. Cut into two from the center. Rub one tomato piece directly on the cleaned face and neck for 5 minutes in anticlockwise motion.

Cucumber Face Pack for Skin Fairness
Grate one medium size cucumber. To this add one tablespoon milk powder, half teaspoon lemon juice and one tablespoon concentrated coconut milk.

Sandalwood and Turmeric Paste for Skin Fairness
Last time tested skin fairness tip is the sandalwood and turmeric mixture. To prepare the same take one tablespoon sandalwood powder, one-fourth teaspoon turmeric powder and one tablespoon rose water.

Natural Skin Fairness Tips

Skin Fairness Treatment with Orange Peel

Take the peel of orange. Dry it in hot sun. Once it is fully dried up, grind it in the mixer. Next ground 20 almonds in the mixer. Similarly roughly crush oatmeal in mixer as well. Now take one cup of dried orange peel powder, one cup of grounded almond and ½ cup of oatmeal. Blend all three powders well, store in any bottle and use it as required. To use this skin fairness treatment take one tablespoon of prepared mixture and one tablespoon rose water. Mix together well to make smooth paste. Scrub it on the clean skin for 5 minutes. Next hold it for another 10 minutes and later wash it off with water. It leaves the skin very smooth. Use it twice a week. After some days the complexion shall be improved.

Almond Skin Fairness Tips

Almond Paste for Fair Skin

Soak 5-6 almonds in water overnight. Next morning soak 4-5 saffron strands in raw milk for 30 minutes. Remove the skin of almonds soaked in the night. Grind it in the mixer to make a smooth paste using very little water. To this almond paste add raw milk having saffron strands and few drops of rose water. Blend all the ingredients well. Clean the face with any homemade cleanser. Then massage the prepared almond paste for 5 minutes in anti-circular motion. Later let the paste stay on the face for another 10 minutes. Finally in the end wash the face with lukewarm water. This skin fairness mask can be used everyday for lifelong fairness.

How to Get Fair Skin by Rubbing Tomato

How to Get Fair Skin by Rubbing Tomato

Natural Skin Fairness Tips
Take the peel of orange. Dry it in hot sun. Once it is fully dried up, grind it in the mixer. Next ground 20 almonds in the mixer. Similarly roughly crush oatmeal in mixer as well.

Almond Skin Fairness Tips
Soak 5-6 almonds in water overnight. Next morning soak 4-5 saffron strands in raw milk for 30 minutes. Remove the skin of almonds soaked in the night.

Get the Fair Skin by Rubbing Tomato
Take a fresh red tomato. Cut into two from the center. Rub one tomato piece directly on the cleaned face and neck for 5 minutes in anticlockwise motion.

Cucumber Face Pack for Skin Fairness
Grate one medium size cucumber. To this add one tablespoon milk powder, half teaspoon lemon juice and one tablespoon concentrated coconut milk.

Sandalwood and Turmeric Paste for Skin Fairness
Last time tested skin fairness tip is the sandalwood and turmeric mixture. To prepare the same take one tablespoon sandalwood powder, one-fourth teaspoon turmeric powder and one tablespoon rose water.

Get the Fair Skin by Rubbing Tomato

Fair Skin by Rubbing Tomato

Take a fresh red tomato. Cut into two from the center. Rub one tomato piece directly on the cleaned face and neck for 5 minutes in anticlockwise motion. It might cause some burning sensation but nothing to worry. After 5 minutes lie down, as let the juice penetrates in the skin. Later wash it off with water. This is a trouble-free mode of making skin fairer.