It’s common knowledge that the best time to start orthodontic treatment is around the age of seven. But when it comes to taking care of skin, a good number of people often wait until their twenties to take dermatological care seriously. Fortunately, dermatologists have been using technology to revolutionize skincare for their patients. Here’s how.
Clinical Photography
Taking pictures might not seem like the height of technological innovation, but clinical photos are essential for dermatologists. Not only do high-quality photographs allow dermatologists to track the progress of patients’ treatments, but they can often help highlight important health conditions that a preliminary screening may have missed. With the advances in imaging technology over the last few years, photos are more accurate and high-quality now than ever. While factors like lighting and positioning can often affect the effectiveness of dermatological photographs, the fact remains that it’s simpler now than ever to keep track of a patient’s progress with high-quality photo imaging equipment.
Light Therapies
Light therapies have become incredibly popular over the last few years. From laser tattoo removal to phototherapy for acne, light technology has come a long way in helping to treat certain skin conditions. Take light therapy for vitiligo, for instance. Almost 50% of patients affected by vitiligo are diagnosed before the age of 21. Fortunately, advances in light therapy technology have allowed LED lights to be used as a form of vitiligo treatment. Using this type of light therapy, dermatologists can help restore and even out pigmentation in affected areas. In addition, light therapy can be incredibly precise. For applications like laser hair removal, presicion is absolutely key. Advances in laser and light technology have made it possible to remove hair from even the most delicate areas of the body while maintaining extreme precision and accuracy.
Cryoablation Technology
Thanks to technological advancements, some dermatological treatments have become so cool that they can freeze tissue off. That’s right, we’re talking about cryoablation services. Studies estimate that physicians and dermatologists have treated over 500 million lesions with canister-based cryo devices. This technology can be used to treat and remove warts, skin tags, and even some cancerous growths. Cryoablation is an especially innovative technology when it comes to cancerous tissue. By freezing off irregular growths, dermatologists are able to avoid an invasive procedure.
Telemedicine Services
In a world plagued by a new pandemic, telemedicine has become the new normal when it comes to medical appointments. That includes dermatology! And thanks to advances in smartphone technology, it’s become possible to diagnose and even treat skin conditions without ever having to step foot in your dermatologist’s office. Considering that almost 80% of illness-causing germs are spread via the hands, the fact that technology has allowed us to receive medical treatment from the safety of our own homes is truly amazing. Now, patients suffering from unknown skin conditions can reach out to their dermatologist for a telemedicine appointment and get an accurate diagnosis without putting anyone’s health at risk.
When it comes to taking care of your skin, technology has a bigger role to play than you might think at first. We can’t say for sure how else technology will impact medical practices like dermatology, but it’s safe to say that any future innovations will be for the good of all.
