Confidence comes from so many different places

July

Confidence comes from so many different places. Someone might feel confident about a physical aspect of themselves, perhaps their ability to perform something well, book-smarts or just an overall confidence that comes from happiness. This month we are focusing on confidence in not only yourselves, but MidState as providers of healthcare.

Many patients come to us for skin conditions that may not be life threatening but they affect their mental health. It’s just as important to feel good about yourself, after all self care is health care. In this months blog we will go over the different services that MidState offers that can help you boost your confidence from head to toe!

Common Skin Disorders

Some of the most common skin disorders can cause patients to be unhappy with their appearance. The good news is, there’s help! While there are a number of conditions that aren’t curable, there are treatments that MidState can offer to lessen or reduce the appearance of the issues that are associated with them and provide patients some comfort.

One of the most common skin disorders we treat is acne. In fact, acne is the most common skin condition in the US, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually. Approximately 85% of people ages 12-24 will experience at least minor acne however it can occur in up to 15% of adults. Treatment can range from creams like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and combinations of those. If a patient as cystic acne, treatment could involve prescription medications and antibiotics, as well as hormone therapy. Additionally, patients can have laser light therapy or corticosteroid injections for larger, painful breakouts. The important part is, treatment is available!

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis affects one in every 10 Americans. Typically, AD develops by age 5 and produces extremely itchy rashes that come and go. They can look like permanent goosebumps, dark patches, extremely dry skin, knots and red spots. The causes of AD are complex, and likely come from family history of AD, food allergies, asthma, your immune system, where you live, or external factors from everyday life such as tobacco smoke and pollution. Eczema is one of the conditions that cannot be cured, however proper treatment can control it. With a proper plan, you can reduce flare-ups, ease symptoms like itching, decrease your risk of developing thickened skin, lower your risk of infection. Medications like corticosteroids are prescribed and applied in conjunction with avoiding triggers to help patients.

Hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS has gotten some recent publicity as patients have taken to platforms like TikTok to bring it to light and find better cures. HS is a chronic, systemic (meaning it affects the entire body) inflammatory condition where an overactive immune condition causes inflammation under the surface of the skin. HS shows up as bumps, nodules and abscesses in the underarms, inner thighs, underneath breasts, buttocks, groin, back of the neck and ears. The cause of HS is unknown, and it can get worse overtime causing tracts or tunnels to form between abscessed deep within the skin. Some common misconceptions about HS are that it is caused by poor hygiene, or a patients weight. These are untrue, despite the exact cause being unknown it is directly linked to genetic and immune factors. Treatment options can range from antibiotics to corticosteroids, and even biologics have been used. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to drain and separate lesions.

Botox & Fillers

Botox has been around since the late 1980’s and was invented by a Vancouver ophthalmologist and her husband, a dermatologist. In stark contrast, fillers have been used since the 1800’s when an Australian surgeon experimented with mineral oil & paraffin as soft tissue filler for facial defects! The first traditional collagen fillers however were approved by the FDA in 1981 and HA fillers in 2003.

Botox and fillers have gotten a bad rep with misconceptions like “you won’t be able to move your face”, or “you’ll look fake!” circulating around the procedures. The truth is, it takes A LOT to over do it and if you find a trained injector, board certified dermatologist or APRN/PA like at MidState your chances of mishaps are slim to none. For example, unless you’re ready to shell out $5,000+ you won’t be looking like Kim Kardashian anytime soon. It would take over 10 syringes to achieve that look, and most people are starting with less than half of that. Similarly, a trained injector won’t leave you looking lifeless or in a constant state of shock with your neurotoxins. The goal is to achieve a less stressed look, and reduce those lines and wrinkles.

Common areas that neurotoxins can be used in are-

• Forehead
• Frown lines (11’s)
• Eyebrows
• Top of the nose
• Around the eyes/crows feet
• Lipstick lines
• Jawline/neck
• Masseters (TMJ)
• Chin (dimpling)

Some “off label” uses-

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Migraines
• Facial “lifts”
• Facial “slimming”
• Lip Flip

Common areas for filler-

• Tear trough
• Nasolabial folds (folds coming off the nose)
• Cheeks
• Marionette lines (smile lines)
• Plump lips
• Smooth chin
• Rejuvenate hands
• “Nose job”
• Jawline

Lastly, and a new addition to the MidState line up is the Core to Floor program. While you might not associate your dermatologist with body contouring and pelvic floor treatment, the truth is physicians are always on the hunt for tools to add to their toolbox that can benefit their patients. The recent addition of the Core to Floor program that utilizes the Emsculpt Neo & Emsella devices is leaving patients with a sense of confidence like never before. Now you can tackle-

• Core strength
• Muscle definition
• Back pain
• Reverse muscle loss
• Abdominal separation
• Pelvic floor issues
• Intimacy issues
• Fat cell loss
• Sooooo much more

The Emsculpt Neo is the first of it’s kind, simultaneously eliminating fat cells while building muscle. Back pain? Gone! Strengthen your core in four 30 minute sessions! Treatment areas include the abdomen, buttocks, arms, thighs and calves. Partnered with the Emsella, a revolutionary device that combats not only urinary incontinence, but intimacy issues, the Core to Floor program will leave you with a renewed confidence in all aspects of your life.

Featured Products

EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

EltaMD AM Therapy moisturizes while it smoothes skin texture and evens skin color and tone. This lightweight moisturizer stimulates the skin’s natural water system to moisturize without oil or heavy emollients. Hyaluronic acid helps increase moisture absorption and retention. AM Therapy is oil-free, fragrance-free, noncomedogenic and safe for sensitive skin.

Benefits:

• Moisturizes and smoothes skin
• Brightens and improves skin tone
• Stimulates the skin’s natural water system

EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

EltaMD PM Therapy is oil-free, fragrance-free, noncomedogenic and safe for sensitive skin. Ceramides strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Niacinamide and antioxidants work to improve skin color and tone, while also speeding the metabolism to maximize the nightly skin repair process. Small rice protein peptides penetrate to stimulate cell growth and collagen formation, resulting in more skin elasticity. As it nurtures, revitalizes and oxygenates the skin, wrinkles fade and skin tone improves, resulting in a smoother, fresher appearance.

Benefits:

• Strengthens skins natural moisture barrier
• An antioxidant, peptide and ceramide blend helps diminish visible signs of aging
• Repairs and restores elasticity and vitality