Seeing A Dermatologist Vs An Esthetician?

Jan 15, 2014

Natalie T.

Hey ladies, I was hoping some of you could help point me in the right direction. I was wondering for what reasons should someone visit a dermatologist over an esthetician and vice versa? I’m getting REALLY sick of the quality of my skin so I’d like to see someone who is qualified to help me improve it, but I am not sure who would better fit my needs.


Background on my skin and my new problems:
My skin used to be pretty good; my only problems were very tiny blackheads on my nose and a couple of broken capillaries that appeared 8-10 years ago. Otherwise, I had a clear complexion, even skin tone, neither dry nor oily in texture, and very few (and extremely infrequent) breakouts that would result in very small, quickly cleared blemishes. After I started using my Clarisonic just over a year ago, I have been battling with a much poorer quality in skin. I never wanted to blame it on the Clarisonic, but that is a bench marker for when my skin went into a downward spiral. Since my skin changed it is no longer even in tone, it is very easily made red on my nose &cheeks (especially in the areas of my preexisting broken capillaries), it has become a tiny bit dry in areas, I now get a couple of larger blackheads (but still quite small in size), and I get frequent blemishes. None of my blemishes are too bad, they quickly appear and disappear but I feel like I constantly have one, I rarely have more than one at a time. On occasion, (about every 6 weeks or so), I do get a quite deep pimple that won’t come to surface and hurts. I’m assuming this is cystic acne? Its not very frequent and it doesn’t show very much on my face, but it is quite tender and irritating when it pops up every month or two. I’d like to get rid of these problems and have at the very least, the original quality of my skin back. Who should I be seeing for problems like this?

Jan 15, 2014

Kenzie L.

An esthetician is only licenced to do skin treatments whereas a derm can diagnose and prescribe medications to help with your skin.

Jan 15, 2014

Ellen M.

It wouldn't hurt to see both, it would be good to find out if it's a medical reason or if it's because just because your skin is changing from age. Phototherapy might be able to help with the capillaries.

Jan 15, 2014

Mya L.

I'd say see the dermatologist the clarisonic may be part of the problem depending on if you are being to rough with your face skin and depending on what you use with it they may just tell you to use a sensitive skin formula because of clarisonic.

Jan 15, 2014

Danny C.

I would see both too. start at a derm for a script of retin-a for acne and anti-aging or any other scrip and treatment they think is needed. after you can visit an esthetician for treatments,extractions and facials going forward. you could try stopping the clarisonic for awhile. see if it makes a difference in your skin. for me the clarisonic did not agree w my skin

Jan 15, 2014

Natalie T.

Thanks ladies! I was thinking of starting off with a dermatologist, but while reading reviews for local doctors, it seemed like my skin concerns were nothing compared to what most people were going for. That's when I got really confused and was wondering if just going to an esthetician would suffice. Granted, my insurance covers the dermatologist so I would almost prefer that... but not if it isn't necessary.

About my Clarisonic- I stopped using it after about 4-5 months of it not working for me (around May-June 2013). I recently picked it up again and am trying to incorporate it into my routine on a very infrequent schedule and nothing has changed for the better or worse. I'm just saying my skin was pretty great before I bought it, but after I started using it my skin got worse even when I stopped using it for an extended period of time (6-7 months without it).

Jan 15, 2014

Danny C.

I see a derm and my acne is well under control so don't worry about that. I'd get the retin-a it helps long term w acne. I sometimes do light peel while I'm getting my script. at the spa you can have a facial to get all the black heads extracted. maybe your skin is just changing and dosent have anything to do w the clarisonic. you may just need to add some different products in.

Jan 15, 2014

Natalie T.

Thank you Danny, that makes me feel a lot better! That would actually make me feel a lot better, then I wouldn't be wondering what I'm doing wrong and can just get started on working *with* my skin rather than against it with things that used to work for me. I really appreciate your help and insight =)

Jan 15, 2014

Brittany O.

I am an esthetician, the broken capillaries on your face are called cuperouse veins, they should not be exfoliated over often keep to 1-2 times a week being very gentle over them as exfoliation will make that problem worse , this problem with the capillaries can only be treated with a laser. As for breaking out the clarasonic is definitely bringing things to the surface of your skin and can cause breakouts. I highly recommend that you stop the use of the clarasonic, and start to manually clean your face and exfoliate. Look for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid or if you can find pure hyaluronic acid and apply before moisturizer at night. Hyaluronic acid holds 1000x it's own weight it moisture and will transform the texture and tone of your skin without causing breakouts or feeling heavy, a good at home exfoliant is brown sugar, it's gentle and very effective as I said before exfoliate only 1-2x a week, as your skin was normal before and did not need extra, feel free to message me with any questions and I would be more than happy to help :)