Beauty

[AngelPuppy1]

I recently went for my derm. visit.  Had to go for my routine check for existing conditions that I have.  However, I was hoping for some assistance for a couple other issues I have been having.  What was I thinking???  Disappointment --- as usual!  Don't get me wrong --- I really like my derm. and I have a long relationship with him --- over 20 years!  I know he cares about me and over the years he has really helped me with a very serious health issue.  But I was hoping he would help me with some issues I am having with facial things that I am not happy with.  

I have had Rosacea for years and now (I use Metrogel and/or cream) I have so many of those little white bumps --- milia --- whiteheads --- ??? -- or whatever?  Any way -- I told him I am very unhappy with my face --- it's not nice looking at all!  I asked him for some help or what I could do?  He said --- in order to get rid of the white bumps he would need to use a lancet and that I would not be happy because I would have red sore bumps all over my face, plus my insurance would not cover it!  

I said --- can't I use any product to get rid of them or prevent them and he said --- no!  I asked him if he could prescribe some kind of RetinA product and if this would help.  He said it would help but he would not prescribe it for me due to my very sensitive skin and my other skin issues!  In other words ---- just deal with and accept it!!!    And he also said --- for goodness sake, do not go to some spa and get facials and then really mess up my skin!  

I left there feeling very disappointed and down in the dumps.  I know he was just telling me what he felt was the best for me.  I know it's silly but who doesn't want to look better and feel better about themselves????  Just venting.....  Thanks for reading!

[chiclet]

Maybe change to a female Dermatologist. 

[jackthebear]

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@chiclet wrote:

Maybe change to a female Dermatologist. 

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gender doesn't mean better MD

[Skyegirl21]

I know how you feel. I have face issues that make me feel ummm... not pretty. But it sounds like your doctor has reasons why those solutions won't be good for you.
Sadly, sometimes there  is just not a solution for every issue we have that is cosmetic. We all focus on our flaws, but instead make the most of the assets you do have!  For me, it's my smile! What's yours? 

[hopi]

Some docs are just the worst... that being said @AngelPuppy1  I think you are adorable.

[San Antonio Gal]

Maybe get a second opinion @AngelPuppy1 ?

[jellyBEAN]

The problem is your derm doesn't know the cause of your skin issues.  The fact that you're not happy with how your skin looks reflects upon him as your doctor.  Just thank your lucky stars he didn't prescribe an oral antibiotic to see if anything would stick.

As my Mom aged, she developed a horrible looking growth on her upper arm.  I took her to see several doctors and derms and they didn't give her the time of day.  Was it due to her age or the fact they didn't know what caused, let alone how to stop the growth from enlarging?  She was so upset a couple of times she cried and I was angry with these "professionals" for not helping my Mom.  Let alone all the time we spent sitting around the waiting room when we showed up promptly ON TIME for our appointments.

Maybe its time you got a second opinion.

[Foxxee]

@AngelPuppy1 

I'm not recommending you do this, but, if you can stand a little pain, I know of someone who used a sterile needle to break open the skin covering her milia. 

You can buy sterile lancets, too from medical supply houses.  Pretty much doing the same thing as your doctor when he said he would use a lancet to break them open.  You could try one or two at first to see if the red mark heals and goes away. She also used Dr. Scholl's Freeze Wart Remover for the stubborn ones.  

She doesn't have rosacea, though, and tackles them one at a time when she gets them.  She never had a lot.  She applied Neosporin afterwards.  All healed nicely leaving no marks.  

She had one on her eyelid close to her eye that she rubbed (gently) with a rough washcloth whenever she washed her face.  It eventually broke open. 

[Shanus]

@AngelPuppy1  Sorry you were disappointed w/ your derm visit, but more puzzled why he wasn't more understanding about your issues that bothered you. 

There are now "cosmetic dematologists". Mine does regular 6 month full body checks for suspicious looking spots and freckles, as well as doing laser treatments, deep peels, prescribes my Retin A, removes millia (I can get a few right at my bottom lash line) and can't see well enough w/ one eye closed to do them myself.LOL

***BTW, I'm liscenced to remove millia during a facial with a lancet, some facialists are not. Your derm is correct that it leaves a tiny red spot, but it goes away in a few days...not permanent scarring as he led you to believe. Do not attempt to remove them yourself with a needle as suggested. 

A cosmetic dermatologist is specially trained to inject Botox and Fillers, too and has also studied facial structure (nerves, blood vessels, anatomy of the face, etc.) so if they do injections, you don't end up with misplacement that can lead to an unnatural look.  Cosmetic Derms also have taken courses in "facial issues" in general. They are more aware of treatments for rosea, etc. 

I would ask around for a recommendation, maybe from your primary care physician. You can google "laser treatments" and see if any in your area are MDs...Dermatologists. If you've been seeing your dermatologist for 20 years, there have been so many advances in 2 decades.

Good luck in your search or IF you want to stay with your dermatologist, you may have to be more assertive regarding issues that you'd like to have him address. If he's still reluctant, ask HIM for a recommendation for a cosmetic derm or another derm more familiar (or sensitive) to your concerns. 

There's also a difference in these derms when it comes to removal of those "spots" that may be pre-cancerous. They tend to take care not to leave scars. I've had many removed from my fair skin. A dermatologist I had previously left a divot in my lower back. It wasn't necessary to make such a deep, large scar and when the lab report came back negative, he was reassuring about it being "nothing", but I had to go a plastic surgeon for scar revision...That's when I changed docs!

[tends2dogs]

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@AngelPuppy1 wrote:

I recently went for my derm. visit.  Had to go for my routine check for existing conditions that I have.  However, I was hoping for some assistance for a couple other issues I have been having.  What was I thinking???  Disappointment --- as usual!  Don't get me wrong --- I really like my derm. and I have a long relationship with him --- over 20 years!  I know he cares about me and over the years he has really helped me with a very serious health issue.  But I was hoping he would help me with some issues I am having with facial things that I am not happy with.  

I have had Rosacea for years and now (I use Metrogel and/or cream) I have so many of those little white bumps --- milia --- whiteheads --- ??? -- or whatever?  Any way -- I told him I am very unhappy with my face --- it's not nice looking at all!  I asked him for some help or what I could do?  He said --- in order to get rid of the white bumps he would need to use a lancet and that I would not be happy because I would have red sore bumps all over my face, plus my insurance would not cover it!  

I said --- can't I use any product to get rid of them or prevent them and he said --- no!  I asked him if he could prescribe some kind of RetinA product and if this would help.  He said it would help but he would not prescribe it for me due to my very sensitive skin and my other skin issues!  In other words ---- just deal with and accept it!!!    And he also said --- for goodness sake, do not go to some spa and get facials and then really mess up my skin!  

I left there feeling very disappointed and down in the dumps.  I know he was just telling me what he felt was the best for me.  I know it's silly but who doesn't want to look better and feel better about themselves????  Just venting.....  Thanks for reading!

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@AngelPuppy1  Before DH and I went on Medicare, our derm would burn off as many spots as we wanted (liquid nitrogen).  After going on it, he doesn't even bring the "stuff" in the room anymore.  It is totally an insurance thing.  If Medicare doesn't approve it, your supplemental won't either.  We have excellent supplemental....never paid one cent for anything.  DH has been in the ER several times, had several procedures, and we haven't had to pay any $$.  I mentioned on another of your threads that DH has milia where his glasses hit his face.  The derm cleaned out a few the first time we brought it up, but then told him he could do this at home.  Again, I am sure it is an insurance thing.  BTW he did use a lancet.  I have him using Dr. Nasif's facial pads.  They have glycolic and salicylic acid.  That is as much as DH will do for "beauty" LOL.  I will let you know if it helps or not.  I feel for you and hope that others on here can come up with a doable solution.  I understand that with rosacea, you must be careful.

Maybe another derm would have other answers, but then again, the insurance thing.  Also, your insurance may not pay for another visit for a year.  It is hard to get into derms, at least that has been our experience. Ours schedules our next years appointment at our appointment.