Category: Skin Treatment

When scratching that itch becomes less satisfying and more irritating, you may be dealing with common skin disorders such as psoriasis or eczema. While both psoriasis and eczema present as red, patchy, and itchy areas of skin, there are a few major differences that will help you determine the best course of treatment and steps you can take to prevent symptoms from becoming worse.

Psoriasis & Eczema Are Separate Conditions

Psoriasis is an auto-immune condition in which the outermost layer of skin grows faster than normal. This results in excessive skin thickness because your cells are producing faster than they shed. These underdeveloped and overproduced skin cells lead to flaky, burning, and itchy patches on the skin. 

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition often related to immune function. Eczema can develop following certain genetic and environmental triggers that create a reactive inflammatory skin response. While similar to psoriasis with itching, redness, and inflammation, many patients commonly report severe itching rather than burning. 

Common Differences in Symptoms

There are several ways to determine if you’re suffering from psoriasis or eczema. Comparing differences in symptom sensation, reactions to certain environmental factors, and visual appearance can help in determining which condition you have. Along with the different causes and sensations involved with psoriasis and eczema, each condition has unique texture differences and commonly presents in different areas of the body. 

With psoriasis, the red patches often involve raised skin, clearly defined edges, and can present as silvery or scaly in appearance. Many patients have reported the burning sensation associated with psoriasis feels like biting ants or stinging insects. Upon closer inspection, you can see the added thickness of the skin. While psoriasis can appear in locations similar to eczemas like the elbows or knees, psoriasis symptoms may appear in strange areas like the palms, soles of the feet, or the lower back. 

While eczema is similar to psoriasis because of the redness and swelling, differences like rough, leathery, or dry patches of skin that ooze or crust can help to identify eczema. Commonly found at bends in the body, eczema can appear at elbows, knees, wrists, neck, and ankles. Eczema is often inflamed by environmental factors; if soaps, detergents, or certain foods seem to spark a flare-up, your itching irritation is most likely eczema.

Different Treatment Options for Psoriasis & Eczema 

Depending on the severity of your skin conditions, there are a variety of methods to effectively reduce your symptoms. Although both psoriasis and eczema are chronic conditions and there is no cure, there are many steps you can take to alleviate the worst of your symptoms. 

While over-the-counter therapies may alleviate temporary symptoms like itching and irritation, proven remedies like phototherapy and immune-boosting medications from a dermatologist in Southampton, PA will better prevent flare-ups and more serious symptoms. Since there are so many potential skin therapies available, you must seek the guidance of a licensed dermatologist to determine a solution that works best for your specific skin type. 

If you suffer from chronic skin conditions like psoriasis or vitiligo, experience disruptive flare-ups, and have tried everything from topicals to oral medications without success, our medicated light therapy may be the solution you’re looking for. Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists’ advanced phototherapy is a safe, effective, and simple treatment that boosts your skin’s natural ability to heal. Phototherapy is a wonderful option for many patients; our service is painless, quick, and effectively reduces flare-ups, improves pigmentation, and provides relief from a variety of common skin symptoms. 

Why is Phototherapy so Effective? 

Unlike harmful, unfiltered UV light that can cause premature aging and increase your risk of skin cancers, our healing phototherapy utilizes medical-grade narrowband UVB light. Studies have shown that our phototherapy does not increase your risk of skin cancer, while successfully stimulating healthier skin regeneration. 

By targeting the source of your itching, rashes, or pigmentation issues, phototherapy is a reliable way to promote your skin’s natural healing processes. Following exposure to targeted medical grade UV wavelengths, problematic cells at the source of your symptoms begin to behave normally, resulting in long-lasting relief from irritated or inflamed skin symptoms. 

Discover Customized Phototherapy Healing

Depending on your skin condition and treatment goals, professional dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis treatment in Bucks County involves multiple, short UV healing sessions. By selecting the ideal UV wavelength specific to your condition, your skin care provider can target the source of your symptoms. Depending on your treatment goals, you can expect 2-3 treatments per week over several weeks. While the duration of symptom relief may vary, you can expect a significant reduction in many of your most irritating symptoms. 

Unfortunately, many chronic skin diseases involve lifelong recurrences. Since phototherapy is so safe and affordable, you can easily schedule beneficial UV appointments whenever you have a flare-up, rash, or itching irritation. Our phototherapy is minimally invasive, involves virtually no side effects (other than potential erythema; pinkness, like a sunburn), and is a safer solution than many medications and topicals. 

At Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists, we offer a range of phototherapy treatment solutions tailored to your healing needs. Our safe and flexible options for phototherapy include:

• Handheld & Tabletop Phototherapy: Ideal for small flare-ups, spot treatments, and quick healing sessions that provide reliable relief.
• Cabinet & Walk-In Phototherapy: For full-body treatments, our larger phototherapy units provide comprehensive skin therapy. With wheelchair accessibility and evenly dispersed lighting, receiving immersive healing is easily accessible. 

Schedule Lasting Relief With Phototherapy

At Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists, you can expect our caring medical team to provide in-depth skin diagnosis, compassionate understanding, and explain the best treatment options for your specific condition. If you’d like to learn more about our rejuvenating phototherapy in Southampton, PA, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our caring skincare professionals today! 

While Vitiligo is, itself, harmless, it can cause a great deal of emotional distress in those who have it. Luckily, there are a few harmless and quick ways that can help treat Vitiligo over time. One of the most effective is phototherapy. Here’s everything you need to know about phototherapy for Vitiligo.

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo refers to a condition in which patches of the skin are depigmented. It causes darker skin to become lighter. It can also alter the color of your skin in other shades. Vitiligo doesn’t harm you. However, several individuals who suffer from Vitiligo may find the change of their skin difficult to accept.

What is Phototherapy?

Phototherapy involves the use of a special device that emits UVB rays to the depigmented skin. These rays damage the skin just enough for the body’s immune system to become activated. Sensing the damage, the body forms new skin cells that can slowly return color to the depigmented areas.

The damage is not excessive. It injures the skin just enough for the body to respond and rejuvenate itself.

The idea of phototherapy stems from the natural light of the sun. It produces several rays. Those rays damage the skin, but it also darkens the color as a result. UVB is one of the safest waves of light to use on the body. You can trust the best dermatologist in Doylestown, PA to ensure your skin is cared for while receiving phototherapy.

What are the Side Effects of Phototherapy for Vitiligo?

There are very side effects. At most, you may experience some mild skin sensitivity or irritation. It’s most common to a sunburn. Because your skin is subjected to UVB rays, it can be sensitive to further sunlight. It’s always a good idea to wear sunscreen when undergoing phototherapy to limit your skin’s exposure to the sun’s rays.

There are also creams that you can use that further ease your skin’s irritation. Otherwise, the procedure is quick and can easily be done during your lunch hour or after work. It’s non-invasive as well. That means you can go back home or back to work immediately after your treatment.

Make Your Appointment for Phototherapy Today

If you suffer from Vitiligo, then you don’t have to. Call our office and schedule an appointment for phototherapy. You’ll be amazed at the results that you see after a few months of treatment with our best dermatologist.

Actinic keratoses are dry, scaly patches on the skin. They develop on your skin as the result of years of sun exposure. These patches can be dangerous to your health if they are not treated. That is why it is a good idea for you to consult with our dermatologist near Levittown, PA.

Photodynamic therapy is one of the treatments that you can use. These are some of the key things that you need to know about photodynamic therapy.

What Is Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy is a treatment that involves using light energy, oxygen, and a photosensitizer. It is activated by a wavelength of energy. When the light is activated, it will start to destroy atypical cells and can offer a great treatment for people who have Actinic Keratosis. You can call Penn Derm specialists to learn more about our Photodynamic therapy services.

The doctor will shine a red light exposure over your skin for 15 to 20 minutes after one hour of incubation. The total procedure is about an hour and a half in total. 

What Do You Need to Do After Photodynamic Therapy?

Make sure to stay out of direct sunlight for the next couple of days. The treatment makes your skin more sensitive to light exposure.

If you have any concerns, contact your dermatologist!

Contact Penn Derm Specialist with your questions about Actinic Keratosis and Photodynamic Therapy today.

One of the most bothersome skin symptoms is itching. If the itch is caused by a mosquito bite or poison ivy, at least you know it’s temporary and will resolve. A recurring rash, however, is more aggravating, especially if you don’t know the cause. Your exposure to an allergen can be either external, direct contact, or ingestion, usually in food, or by breathing it in. If the rash is limited to one area of the body, it is usually caused by a contact allergen.

Hand eczema is a type of rash. It tends to come and go. Many cases are due to exposure to some type of allergen. People who are employed in certain lines of work have a higher percentage of hand rashes. For example, doctors and nurses, plumbers, machinists, and chemists are frequently exposed to allergens that cause rashes. Latex used to be one of the worst. That’s why vinyl gloves have replaced Latex.

If you can identify the cause of the rash, avoidance is the first step. But many allergens cannot be singled out. So what is the treatment for hand eczema?

First-line treatment involves what you can do before you see our local Dermatologist for rash treatment in Bucks County.

• Limit your exposure to water. Do not hand wash dishes or clothes.
• Wear cotton gloves while doing housework. Change them if they get wet.
• Use disposable vinyl gloves when working with food or doing yard work.
• Using disposable gloves under heavier gloves at work may help.
• Apply a moisturizing cream after washing your hands.

If these steps do not succeed, you need to see a dermatologist. Our dermatologist will probably review your history. Then he will prescribe medications.

• Topical steroid creams are the first-line medications. The strength of the cream (or ointment) will depend on the severity of the rash.
• Dupilumab is an antibody that blocks certain proteins in allergic reactions. It has proven useful for eczema, asthma, and nasal polyps. The medication is given subcutaneously every two weeks in patients six years and older.
• Calcineurin is a T-cell activator. Calcineurin inhibitors, used topically, such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, are indicated for mild to severe eczema.

The best dermatologist in Montgomery County, PA can be found at Penn Derm Specialist. If you’re having problems with hand eczema and home treatment hasn’t worked, call the office and set up an appointment.

We all fancy that smooth skin with an even skin tone throughout the body. However, the skin may experience an excess of pigmentation. Pigmentation refers to skin color. Hyperpigmentation is a skin disorder arising from excessive production of melanin. Thus, the skin darkens. Melanin is responsible for the skin color. Hyperpigmentation may occur in spots, patches, or the entire skin. If you are unsure if you have Hyperpigmentation, it is important to contact our dermatologist in Bucks County, Pa.

Types of Hyperpigmentation

There are three major types of hyperpigmentation:

• Sunspots/ Liver Spots:

They arise from excessive exposure to sunlight over long durations. Sunspots appear as spots on the exposed skin region. Sunspots commonly occur on the face, legs, and arms.

• Melasma 

Majorly attributed to hormonal changes and is predominant during pregnancy. Due to pregnancy, the melasma skin patches appear on the abdomen region and the face.

• Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

It occurs due to inflammation of the skin layers. Eczema, lupus, and acne are common types of inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Treating Hyperpigmentation

Darkening of your skin due to excessive melanin production is not the end of the world. It is possible to treat hyperpigmentation. There is medical treatment as well as home remedies for this skin disorder.

Treatment: Cosmetic Procedures

Chemical Peel

This procedure utilizes concentrated acids to lighten the affected skin regions. These acids treat hyperpigmentation by removing the epidermis layer, containing the melanocytes. Chemical peels are strong and powerful and should be applied under a dermatologist’s prescription.

Laser Peel

This procedure removes affected skin layers using strong light beams. Ablative laser peels target the epidermis while the non-ablative one targets the collagen fibers in the dermis.

Microdermabrasion

The dermatologist swipes an abrasive tool across your affected skin region. This tool clears off the epidermis skin layer.

Topical Creams

They are majorly over the counter (OTC) medications to lighten the skin. 

They include:

• Retinoids: They are rich in Vitamin A and penetrate the skin to treat the dermal layers.

• Face Acids: These skin acids exfoliate the epidermal skin layer, giving room for new skin cells to develop. Common examples of these face acids are kojic acid, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, I-ascorbic acid, etc.

• Lightening Creams: These creams decrease the dark skin tone. They majorly consist of Vitamin B3, licorice extract, hydroquinone, and N-acetylglucosamine.

Home Remedies

You can also use natural remedies at home to lighten your skin pigmentation.

• Aloe Vera: Aloe vera contains aloin, an antioxidant that depigments the affected skin areas. Apply whole aloe vera fluid onto the affected skin daily before bed. Rinse it in the morning and repeat the cycle until all the skin patches clear off.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: The rich acetic acid lightens dark skin tones. Mix equal proportions of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Apply to the affected zones. Repeat the cycle daily.

• Black Tea Water: Add black tea leaves into hot water. Soak some cotton wool into the mixture and apply to the hyperpigmented areas.

Healthy skin is the epitome of holistic wellness. Hyperpigmentation is treatable. Visit Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists for top-notch medical dermatology services Montgomery County, Pa. We take pride in the best dermatologist in bucks county pa.

Though the cause of rosacea is still unknown, knowing how to treat it effectively is far less mysterious than it used to be. With a careful combination of lifestyle changes and medications or treatments, it’s possible to live life with little to no interference from rosacea flare-ups.  

1. Diet

Alcohol, refined sugars and flour, processed foods, and artificial sweeteners are known triggers for rosacea and many other chronic conditions. Spicy foods are the most commonly cited food-related to flare-ups, with hot drinks and histamine-triggering foods on the list as well.

2. Skincare Products

Certain ingredients to avoid are glycolic acid, lactic acid, urea, and camphor. Avoid skincare products that are scented or anything claiming to be ‘unscented’, and opt for something explicitly labeled ‘fragrance-free’ instead. Also, avoid anything abrasive like exfoliants and washcloths. Moisturize your skin daily and wear sunscreen year-round. Our dermatologists in Richboro, PA can make recommendations for lotions or serums if you’re interested in a more comprehensive skincare routine.

3. Skincare Habits

It’s not just what you use though, it’s how you use it.  It’s recommended to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning to wash away any oil and sweat that accumulated in your sleep and once at night to remove anything that accumulated during the day. Use a non-irritating facial soap and pat dry with a towel.

4. Specialized Therapies

Both laser therapy and light therapy are proven to be effective in treating rosacea. As providers of rosacea treatment in Southampton, PA, we offer phototherapy to help rosacea patients live without fear or shame often felt as a result of flare-ups. Light therapy is a good option for people who are struggling to find success with standard rosacea treatments.

5. Know Your Triggers

Perhaps this goes without saying, but there are so many variables not always taken into account with chronic illness management. This can cause you to experience a flare-up unexpectedly because you didn’t know how something could have affected you. Aside from skincare habits and diet things such as weather, climate, and stress can strongly impact your skin. Keep track of your flare-ups and make note of things like what you ate, your stress levels, the weather, and anything unusual that may have come in contact with your skin.

Better Skin Today

If rosacea is left untreated it can worsen over time, in some cases causing permanent damage to the skin or even eyes.  It can also severely diminish one’s quality of life. Don’t hesitate to have your rosacea looked at by the professionals at Pennsylvania Dermatology Specialists.  Contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment today.

Sometimes known as light therapy or heliotherapy, photography is a non-invasive medical treatment using light exposure.  By exposing the skin to fluorescent light bulbs, halogen lights, sunlight, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), phototherapy can treat several medical conditions.  This includes skin conditions such as eczema, mood disorders, and certain pre-cancers.  It involves a phototherapy technician but the duration of treatment and intensity of UV rays is determined by your primary healthcare physician.

Skin Conditions

Phototherapy is primarily used for the treatment of skin disorders.  This includes eczema, vitiligo, and psoriasis.  It can also be used to treat cysts and acne.  There are a couple types of phototherapy used for the skin- narrowband UVB (NBUVB), and psolaren ultraviolet-A (PUV-A.

NBUVB is a great treatment option, as it has no increased risk of skin cancer and is incredibly effective in a few sessions for the conditions it treats.  It is currently the most common form of treatment used by dermatologists.  PUV-A combines UVA light with a chemical called psolaren, which can be taken in pill form or applied topically.  We offer NBUVB treatment specifically.

In Children

It’s important to note that many children will outgrow their eczema, as the skin adjusts to exposure to the triggers.  This can include allergens such as pollen or dander, as well as non-allergens like dry air in wintertime.

However, eczema in children can be harder to treat than in adults.  Fortunately, we offer skincare services for your little one.  By maintaining the skin’s natural oils it’s less prone to cracking, which is how irritants and bacteria enter the skin.  Using the right medication can help make this happen.

Pre-Cancer and Cancer

By using a drug called a photosensitizer in combination with a special kind of light, known as photodynamic therapy, cancers and pre-cancers can be reached.  This includes skin cancer and cancer of the esophagus.  As the best dermatologists in Philadelphia, we specialize in skin cancer, such as Basal and squamous cell carcinomas (BCC/SCC).  Despite being the most common forms of skin cancer they don’t present themselves as life-threatening and are often mistaken for bug bites or pimples. 

The Best in Dermatological Treatment

At Pennsylvania Dermatologist Specialists we pride ourselves in offering effective phototherapy in Southampton, PA that combines modern medicine with compassion.  We work hard to treat our patients and help them feel comfortable while in our care.  We understand that any sort of specialized medical treatment can be intimidating or frustrating.  We’re here to help you every step of the way on the road to health and healing.  Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.