Professional Teledermatology Services in Arizona

Acne isn't just a "teenage phase"; it’s a complex condition where your skin’s oil glands and hair follicles get out of sync. When excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells "glue" together, they plug the pore. This creates a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to the redness and swelling we recognize as pimples, blackheads, or painful deep-seated cysts. It can affect anyone from newborns to adults.

Think of eczema as a "leaky" skin barrier. Normally, your skin acts like a brick wall to keep moisture in and irritants out. With eczema, that wall is weakened. This causes the skin to become extremely dry, sensitive, and intensely itchy. When you scratch, the skin becomes red, inflamed, and may even weep or crust over. It often shows up in the "bends" of the body, like elbows and behind the knees.

Often misunderstood, HS is a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs where skin rubs together, such as the armpits or groin. It starts when hair follicles become blocked, leading to painful, pea-sized lumps under the skin. These lumps can rupture, drain, and lead to tunnels forming under the skin (tracts). It is not caused by poor hygiene, and it is important to have a compassionate provider who understands the emotional toll it takes.

Rosacea often starts as a tendency to blush or flush more easily than other people. Over time, that redness can become permanent, usually appearing on the nose, cheeks, and forehead. It often feels like a warm or stinging sensation. Some people also develop small, red, pus-filled bumps that look like acne, or they may notice tiny "spider veins" (broken blood vessels) visible just beneath the skin.

Psoriasis is actually an overactive immune system issue. Your body starts producing new skin cells in days rather than weeks. Because the old skin can’t shed fast enough, the cells "pile up" on the surface. This creates thick, red, raised patches covered with silvery scales, known as plaques. These patches can feel itchy, sore, or even create a stinging sensation, and they are most common on the scalp, elbows, and knees.

This is often called the "mask of pregnancy," but it can happen to anyone. It appears as symmetrical, brownish-gray patches on the face. It occurs when your pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) go into overdrive. While it doesn't itch or hurt, it can be frustrating because it is very sensitive to the sun—even a small amount of heat or light can make the patches darker.