See a Dermatologist -- The Key to Good Skin Care

As you collect creams and lotions, powders and such, and you slather on these skin care products, you may be neglecting the most important part of your personal skin care program, your dermatologist, a doctor who focuses his or her attention on the proper care and treatment of skin and skin problems.

There are a number of reasons for seeking out a dermatologist, from skin cancer prevention to overall health.

Annual exam

By going to a dermatologist for a regular, annual skin care evaluation, you're taking an important step in skin cancer prevention. After your first visit, you'll have a baseline record for use in years to come as you and your dermatologist review your skin for changes that may signal a problem.

This kind of skin care can catch changing moles, expanding moles, or itchy or bleeding moles that can be one of the first signs of skin cancer. Your annual exam can also address other skin care needs, like dry skin, irritated patches, redness, age spots, areas of thin skin, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions.

By visiting a dermatologist when you're in good health will make it easier for him or her to address your needs in the event you have a problem.

Proper skin care

You may think you have oily, normal, or dry skin, and that's pretty much all you need to know about skin care. You wash it, dry it, put on make up and take it off. Not so fast.

Visit a dermatologist for a good skin care workup if you have questions. He or she can advise you on skin care for dry spots, blemishes, under-eye circles, skin irritations, and more.

Why over-medicate your face with over-the-counter products? Why use skin care products that are too harsh or ineffective? Rather than struggled and waste money with trial and error, seek out professional help if you have a problem so that you can get it addressed promptly and accurately.

Skin as a barometer of good health

It's said that your skin is your largest organ. Good skin care reveals a lot about your overall general health. For example, if you have jaundice, your skin will have a yellowish cast to it. Poor diet and exercise habits can be reflected in your skin.

Too much sun turns skin wrinkly and leathery, putting you at risk for skin cancer and premature aging. Visiting your dermatologist regularly can tip him or her off to important changes in your health that may require additional treatment or referrals back to your primary care physician.

While you may have a bathroom cabinet full of skin care products, don't forget that the human touch, visiting a doctor that specializes in skin care, can be the most important tool you have.

From establishing a good baseline exam by which future skin changes can be measured, to getting instruction on proper skin care for your skin type, to measuring the overall quality of your health, visiting a dermatologist can make all the different in the world for your skin care.