Cosmetology: diseases — симптомы, диагностика и лечение

Wrinkles are not the only or even the earliest sign of age-related changes: along with them come loss of elasticity, uneven tone, dullness, enlarged pores, spider veins and drooping facial contours. It is fundamentally important that this process consists of two completely different parts. The first is biological aging, which is genetically determined: it happens to everyone and cannot be reversed. The second is photoaging, that is, accumulated damage to the skin from ultraviolet radiation, and it accounts for up to eighty percent of visible changes in exposed areas. Hence the conclusion, which seems unexpected to many: the most effective anti-wrinkle remedy is not a cream with a loud name, but daily sun protection, started long before the first wrinkles appear. And the second thing you should take right away: not a single cream will smooth out a deep static fold, because it is located in those layers where the external product simply does not reach.

Pigment spots are areas of the skin where more melanin has been produced than around it. Their causes are different, and treatment directly depends on this: solar lentigo, melasma and inflammation marks look similar, but behave differently and require different approaches. Melasma stands out separately - symmetrical brown spots on the forehead, cheeks and upper lip, closely related to hormonal levels: it often first appears during pregnancy or while taking hormonal contraceptives. There is one fact that determines the success of any treatment: ultraviolet light is a trigger for almost all types of hyperpigmentation, so lightening without daily sun protection is a waste of time, and sometimes even a negative one. And one more warning that is worth hearing before starting experiments: attempts to remove stains with lemon, vinegar, soda or peroxide end in a chemical burn and pigmentation, which becomes darker and more persistent than the original one.

A scar is not a healing defect, but its normal result: damaged skin is not restored the same as it was, but is replaced by dense connective tissue. The only question is how noticeable the result will be, and here it is important to distinguish between two states that are called the same in everyday life. A hypertrophic scar rises above the skin, but remains strictly within the boundaries of the former wound and usually flattens itself over time. A keloid behaves differently: it goes beyond the initial damage, creeps onto healthy skin with claws and processes, itches, hurts and almost never regresses on its own. This difference determines all tactics, because an attempt to simply excise the keloid with a scalpel in the vast majority of cases leads to its return - and often in a larger size than it was before. And the main thing that is worth knowing in advance: the result of treatment depends decisively on how early it is started - it is incomparably easier to work with a fresh scar of the first year than with an old one.

Cuperosis is persistently dilated small vessels of the skin, which become visible as red and bluish threads, stars and mesh, most often on the wings of the nose, cheeks and chin. The key word here is “persistent”: ordinary redness from frost or excitement goes away in minutes, but with rosacea, the vessel wall has already lost its tone and is not able to return to its previous diameter. This is why rosacea does not go away on its own and does not “dissolve” with creams - the dilated vessel remains dilated forever if it is not physically removed. The main method remains laser treatment, in which the vessel is sealed and ceases to be visible. At the same time, care and control of provoking factors are no less important: without them, new ones will appear in place of the removed vessels over time, because the cause of the expansion has not gone away.

Acne is a disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, the most common reason for visiting a dermatologist in adolescents and young adults. Contrary to popular belief, acne does not arise from “dirty skin” or directly from sweets: it is based on excess sebum production, blockage of the duct, proliferation of the bacteria C. acnes and inflammation. Understanding this changes the tactics: aggressive washing and squeezing do not help, but correctly selected therapy eliminates rashes in almost everyone.

Perioral dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the facial skin, in which small red nodules, pustules and peeling appear around the mouth, and sometimes near the wings of the nose and near the eyes. A characteristic detail is a narrow strip of clean skin right at the edge of the lips. Young women and children are more often affected. The exact cause is unknown, but the leading role is played by creams with glucocorticosteroids, heavy cosmetics and disruption of the skin's protective barrier. The disease is not contagious and is not dangerous to health, but it causes severe cosmetic discomfort and is prone to recurrence. Treatment requires patience: improvement occurs after a few weeks, and hormonal ointments, which give a quick effect, ultimately worsen the course.

Dry skin, or xerosis, is a condition in which the skin loses moisture and lipids, causing it to become rough, tight, flaky and itchy. Most often, dryness is associated with external causes: hot water, frequent washing with soap, dry air, cold, wind and age-related changes. In hot, dry climates and when air conditioners and heaters are running, the problem becomes worse. However, dry skin can also be a sign of diseases: atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease, as well as a side effect of medications. In most cases, proper care is sufficient, but if there is persistent dryness, cracks and itching, it is worth getting examined.

Cellulite, or gynoid lipodystrophy, is a structural feature of the subcutaneous fatty tissue in women, due to which the skin of the thighs and buttocks looks lumpy. In women, the connective tissue partitions between the fat lobules are located vertically, so as the volume of fat increases, the lobules protrude upward, and the partitions pull the skin down - an orange peel texture appears. This is not a disease, not inflammation, or a sign of slagging: most adult women have some manifestations, regardless of weight. It is impossible to completely remove cellulite, but the severity can be reduced. It is important to distinguish it from acute inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, which requires urgent treatment.

Stretch marks, or stretch marks, are not a superficial cosmetic defect or “overstretched skin.” These are real scars that occur in the deep layer of skin, the dermis, when collagen and elastin fibers tear and connective tissue forms in their place. The key thing is worth understanding right away, because literally everything depends on it: fresh red, pink or purple stretch marks and old white ones are different tasks. Fresh ones still have blood supply and active cells, they respond well to treatment and are able to decrease significantly. White is a mature scar without vessels and pigment, and only partial improvement can be achieved from it. Therefore, the promise “the cream will completely remove stretch marks” cannot be fulfilled by any drug from the pharmacy, but treatment started on time in the first months gives a result that is then unattainable.

Rosacea is a chronic facial skin disease in which blood vessels dilate persistently and inflammation develops. It all starts with hot flashes: the face turns red from heat, spicy food, alcohol or excitement, and the redness first goes away and then stops. Later, spider veins, papules and pustules appear, because of which rosacea is often mistaken for acne and treated incorrectly. The difference is fundamental: with rosacea there are no comedones, but there is pronounced skin sensitivity, and aggressive acne products only worsen the condition.