How to choose a skin care professional

Seek advice from a pro

SheKnows.com: Why is it important for people to receive professional skin treatments or to see a dermatologist on a regular basis?

Holly Sherrard: Consumers need to seek advice from professional skin therapists to make sure they are using the correct products for their skin. So many people rely on self-selection and may end up choosing incorrect products. One of the most common mistakes is choosing an oil-based moisturizer for dehydrated, oily skin. If someone has oily skin to start, they may be adding extra oil [by using an oil-based product] when they should really have purchased a daily exfoliant and a water-based moisturizer to combat water loss. By seeking advice from a professional, skin conditions can be addressed in a customized manner.

Ask for credentials

SheKnows.com: What should people be looking for when choosing a dermatologist or skin care therapist?

Holly Sherrard: A professional skin therapist should possess (and display) a diploma or certificate from a reputable school, have solid knowledge about the skin and attend post-graduate education (again, displaying the certificates). Consumers should be able to ask questions about their skin and receive the answers in not only technical terms, but in terms they can easily understand.

Raise your expectations

SheKnows.com: If you've chosen a dermatologist, what should you expect during a skin treatment or analysis? When, as a patient, should you worry about the treatment or service you're receiving?

Holly Sherrard: A thorough consultation is the number one expectation during a skin treatment from any professional whether it be from a dermatologist or a skin therapist. This allows for customized service and prescriptive home care recommendations. When receiving treatments from a skin therapist, pain should never be felt. During extractions of blackheads, one may feel a slight pressure on the skin, but if redness results and persists, then the extraction may have been done incorrectly. Also, if a question is posed to the professional, a direct answer should be given and the consumer should feel confident with the advice given. The skin should always feel healthy, hydrated, calmed and soothed after a treatment.

Find a qualified skin care professional

SheKnows.com: Where can people go for more information on dermatological practices?

Holly Sherrard: Word of mouth is always the best recommendation when searching for professional skin therapists. To find a dermatologist in Canada, the website for The College of Physicians and Surgeons at www.cpso.on.ca/ can be utilized, however a doctor's recommendation is needed [to make an appointment]. In the United States check out the American Academy of Dermatology at www.aad.org/.

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• Facts on skin cancer

For more information on the International Dermal Institute visit www.dermalinstitute.com/.