laser treatment therapy, microdermabrasion, and others can reduce scarring.
6. Nail disorders, ingrown nails or fungus
Having a dermatologist look over your nails is a good thing, for a multitude of reasons.
Believe it or not, but your nails can show you signs of other body disorders like liver disease, heart conditions, anemia, or diabetes.
If your nail bed separates from the skin, it could be due to skin disease, an infection or a recent injury. Thickening of the nails, on the other hand, can be a sign of nail psoriasis.
If you have an ingrown nail, a fungal infection, or a wart, it’s also a good idea to get it checked out to ensure it isn’t being caused by something more serious.
- Normal: Occasional brittle feeling
- Not Normal: Nail lifts off the nail bed or nail becomes thickened
7. Hair loss
Hair loss can be devasting for anyone and naturally when we experience it, we want to try everything under the sun to prevent further hair loss. However, the root of your hair loss may not be something that you can fix on your own. You may have a scalp disorder.
A dermatologist can help you get to the root of what’s causing your hair loss and put you on preventive therapies before your hair loss makes a bigger impact on your life. Your dermatologist can also recommend laser therapies or other treatments to keep you looking your best.
- Normal: Losing up to 150 hairs per day
- Not Normal: Noticing bald patches in the shapes of circles on your scalp
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8. Patches of skin that are lighter or darker
Skin spots that are lighter or darker than other areas of your body are not uncommon and in some cases can be cosmetic concerns. However, there are serious conditions that can result in dark and light spots on your skin. To be on the safe side, a dermatologist can assess them to determine if there is cause for concern.
- Normal: Clear skin, or few scattered pesky brown spots that get worse in the sun
- Not Normal: Persistent blotchy brown pigment favoring forehead, cheeks and upper lip (may be associated with pregnancy and birth control pills)
RELATED: Dr. Zoe Indigo-Smith: “We Need More Black Dermatologists”
9. Excessive sweating
Although sweating is a normal body function, excessive sweating can be caused by certain medical conditions, supplements or medications. If you are sweating more than normal, a dermatologist can get to the root of it.
- Normal: Appropriate sweating with physical or emotional stimulus
- Not Normal: Sweating of the face, head, underarms, palms and soles that affects social and work life, job interviews, quality of life
10. Eyelash thinning
Sleeping in your eye makeup or being too aggressive with the eye makeup remover can cause your eyelashes to thin. However, in some cases, eyelash thinning can be caused by a bacterial infection, hormonal imbalances, or an autoimmune disorder. If you can’t find the culprit, a dermatologist can help get to the root of it.
- Normal: Gradual thinning of lashes with age
- Not Normal: Loss or thinning of lashes due to metabolic imbalances or from chemical/heat damage
RELATED: Q&A: Why Do My Eyelashes Hurt?
11. Skin aging
Does your skin seem to be showing signs of aging more quickly than it should? A dermatologist can help with that. He or she may recommend a change in your skincare routine or lifestyle habits.
- Normal: Loss of elasticity, loss of volume in the face and development of lines and wrinkles over time
- Not Normal: Premature aging with early onset wrinkling, dark spots and loss of skin luster and tone. The sun is the main culprit.
12. Dandruff
Mild dandruff can easily be treated with specialized shampoos and treatments. However, if those aren’t working and your itchy scalp and flakes are getting in the way of your everyday life; it’s time to seek professional help. Stress, environmental changes or imbalances within your body could be the culprit.
- Normal: Occasional little flakes that can be controlled with over-the-counter shampoos
- Not Normal: Thicker, scaly, itchy patches, especially if it affects work and social life
RELATED: You Think It’s Dandruff, But It’s Not (And What To Do About It)
13. Cold sores
Cold sores are often painful blisters that show up on or near the mouth and are typically small. If they don’t go away on their own or appear more than once or twice a year, talk to your dermatologist.
- Normal: Rare lesion once or twice a year
- Not Normal: Breakouts every month