Dr. Dashing the Dermatologist... Charlatan?!

[Independent Gal]

My skin is a MESS so I got a referral to a derm dr. in hopes of being clear by the wedding day. I show up and the Doc. has a gorgeous slick waiting room and his Ph.D. and M.D. displayed over the desk. So I think "Obviously successful. Probably a good doc." I go into the room and his assistant / resident lady, who is very shy but also an MD asks me some questions. And then waltzes in Dr. Dermo. He''s wearing, I kid you not, a three piece suit, french cuffs and cufflinks, a gold tie and... a pocket square. I confess he looked delicious. I hope FI looks that hot on our wedding day.

So I''m all joking with him and asking if he dresses like that everyday. And he says something like "Every day I can!" He comes across as a real performer too, like he should have his own TV show. Charming, young and very handsome too.

Anyway, he prescribes some stuff for me, tells me to lay off perfume, moisturizer, make-up EVERYTHING, and not to wear a scarf, or any wool near my face. He even says I ihave to stop using scented products around the house. And then suggests a bunch of products I should buy: scent-free shampoo and conditioner and face wash... and they are... HIS OWN BRAND.

So I immediately become suspicious, of course. What a racket THAT could be. No wonder his waiting room is so plush.

A charlatan? Or is there something to this scent -> acne thing? Anyone ever heard of it?

 

[Aloros]

I''ve never heard of it, but I''ve been blessed enough never to have acne problems.

Just wanted to pipe in that you can always buy scent-free stuff that is NOT of his brand to see if it works. It might be cheaper, if this scent-less thing really works. Health stores tend to carry things like that. I know I''ve had samples, over the years.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/13/2008 6:54:03 PM
Author:Independent Gal

So I immediately become suspicious, of course. What a racket THAT could be. No wonder his waiting room is so plush.

A charlatan? Or is there something to this scent -> acne thing? Anyone ever heard of it?

1. I''ve never heard that, but I guess anything is possible.

2. I''d be very suspicious too at recommending his stuff.....

3. What''s a pocket square? Pocketwatch?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

He could be implying that your skin issues aren''t acne, but contact dermatitis or rosacea, which can be exacerbated by scents and harsh chemicals. I do think pushing products on you is unethical, nut I''ve encountered it in derms offices before.

Also, does he by chance practice facial rejuvination as well (like botox, collagen, etc)? I''ve found that plastic surgeons or derms who practice those vanity procedures are often more extravagent in their dress than the average doctor. I guess vanity sells vanity?

 

[mercoledi]

I have very sensitive, finicky skin and can't go near anything containing pigments/dyes or fragance. Aveno has a 'calming' line with two different cleansers, one foaming and one non. The non-foaming one is more moisturizing for this time of year; I would reccomend trying something OTC before going all out. There is some fragrance in my shampoo, but I wash my face last in the shower, so I can't say that that bothers me. Any chance your dashing doc is This Guy?


ETA: I'm allergic to fragrance in anything; dish soap, clothing soap, fabric softener so if those things don't bother the skin on the rest of your body, I'd be a tad suspicious.

 

[VegasAngel]

I dont know about his products but I 1000% agree with using unscented facewash & lotions, shampoo & conditioner if you have a sensitive scalp. Fragrance in skincare products are an irritant. All my skincare products are fragrance free.

Just one article http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/body.asp?ID=205

 

[Julianna]

Date: 2/13/2008 7:03:04 PM
Author: Ellen
1. I''ve never heard that, but I guess anything is possible.

2. I''d be very suspicious too at recommending his stuff.....

3. What''s a pocket square? Pocketwatch?

A pocket square is that little handkerchief dealio that formally-dressed men have sticking out of their suit coat pocket. Sometimes matches their tie, if they''re THAT anal about it...

 

[Julianna]

PS Your doc sounds hot. I had a hot endodontist once and was very hopeful that the cold test he was doing on me wasn't going to cause me to have any embarrassing reactions, such as jumping 10 feet out of my chair. Or punching him. Luckily, no need for a root canal.

But I digress....

 

[Independent Gal]

Dr. Dermo''s pocket square definitely matched his tie.

I definitely do not have contact dermatitis and we were definitely talking about acne. I''m going to google it. I bought some cetaphil instead and will lay off the perfume, but I wonder whether the shampoo thing is, well, taking it too far.

 

[Independent Gal]

Oh yeah, and he WAS hot. But don''t tell FI. Especially since I have to go back and see him regularly until the wedding. Could that be a racket too?

Why am I so suspicious? Maybe because a 3 piece suit, cufflinks, and a pocket square makes it look like he''s trying too hard... Sure nice to have some eye candy though.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/13/2008 7:14:45 PM
Author: Julianna

A pocket square is that little handkerchief dealio that formally-dressed men have sticking out of their suit coat pocket. Sometimes matches their tie, if they''re THAT anal about it...

Thank you miss!

I thought of that after I posted. Obviously I am hanging out with the wrong crowd.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/13/2008 7:23:29 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Dr. Dermo''s pocket square definitely matched his tie.

I definitely do not have contact dermatitis and we were definitely talking about acne. I''m going to google it. I bought some cetaphil instead and will lay off the perfume, but I wonder whether the shampoo thing is, well, taking it too far.

That helped me. And hubby, who all of a sudden started breaking out awhile back started using it and definitely helped him.

 

[VegasAngel]

Well, Shampoo & conditioner can cause acne on your face and back (Residue). I always wash & condition my hair first. When I rinse I flip my head to the side. After that I use my bodywash. Forgot to ask if you rest your hands on your face.? If you do, stop. That is another way I can guarantee myself a face full of nasties.

 

[Independent Gal]

Hmmm, Vegas, that's interesting. OK, I'll try it. But I won't buy HIS brand. On principle.

Ellen yes, you should really be hanging with more overdressed hot dermatologists. Then you wouldn't ask such questions!

 

[VegasAngel]

Ha, I wouldnt buy his brand, either. I wouldnt be able to get past his snazzy attire & posh office knowing I was helping to pay for it.

 

[Sparkalicious]

IG -- Serious charlatan.

Granted, there is some merit in offering unscented products that prevent skin irritation, however -- ONLY his overpriced products?

Is there some proprietary blend that makes them special? Are they renowned? If so, why haven''t you heard of them or why isn''t there more "buzz" about them?

Did he address any underlying issues that might be causing your acne ... especially if it''s never been a concern for you previously? I would think that, as a devout professional, that he would be able to offer advice that was at least as good as he looked, if not better. If his medical advice is not parallel or paramount to his appearance then possibly its not his medical advice that he is offering??

J/K but you get what I mean, right?

If he determined the root cause of your issue, or suggested that he was attempting to do so, I think that he would sound more credible, however, since he simply offered you his cure all in a bottle ... I would be skeptical. If I have skin problems, I want someone to tell me why and how I can fix it not to offer me some gobbedly goop and tell me to run along.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Was that really the sum of the appointment?

No suggestions to see his esthetician or anything? Just to show you have debonair he was??? We have a dermo in our city who created a product that is a pill form on the shelves of most us stores. When you visit his office it is all about his products too and nothing else.

My sil went to him and then asked every other if they hocked their own line...she had to see about 6 others before finally settling on this fabutabulous dermo. She has nothing to hock other than getting your skin in optimum condition as it is her reputation at stake. One size doesn''t fit all.

I wish you hadn''t had this experience because I bet you are leary of making another appointment with another. But I can assure you, just like with your Fi, you have to kiss a lot of dermo frogs

before you find a prince. Don''t let this suave charmer to avoid another stab at another.

This is my experience: I began to have chemical peels and it completely changed my skins issue and texture. (sometimes it would be a glycolic acid or a salicylic acid peel...she would switch it up depending on what she wanted to accomplish-one is for texture the other is for acne). The chemical can reach into the skin that is just under the layer you see. So laymans terms you loose that layer and get a fresh one far faster than you would normally. You have to have a few weeks in between trips to allow the next layer to be ready... the peel is followed by extractions by the esthetician and she covers every inch of my face. An appointment every two weeks for three in a row...then once a month may also give you fantastic results. These range from $50 to $90..and you really need to have a medical esthesctian as apposed to a cosmetic one. But the results are phenomial.

I haven''t been in for a treatment for three years...I have found a great product. I posted another thread about the AcneFree line. This is suggested at the same office for most to try first. It runs $20 and everyone I have ever spoken to ADORES it. It did stop my issues. And as long as I continue to use it as directed...twice a day...I have clear skin, and improved texture.

Hope something will help, in this lengthy post. Oh and by the way...the way you look in your dresses...no one is going to look at you skin. You are all that sweetie!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/13/2008 7:45:09 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Ellen yes, you should really be hanging with more overdressed hot dermatologists. Then you wouldn''t ask such questions!

 

[door knob solitaire]

PS... I know there are a few here that love

cetaphil...but there was something that made me finally go to the dermo...we couldn''t narrow down the culprit...it was the cetaphil lotion. I know that is hard to believe it is supposed to be the best and not affect your pores...but it did mine in a BIG way.

The derm office gives you samples of new lotions and products. I always take the retinol product samples...and when I get home I look in the bag and they give me up to 10 baby cetaphil bottles. Asked why...said they can''t give it away. More people in the office are also affected by it. Oops. No offense to those who it works for. I hope it will work for you!

Bottom line is find what works for you...but one size doesn''t fit all.

 

[lyra]

Hmmm. My dermatologist is a mess compared to yours! He''s dishevelled most of the time and always has 3 patients on the go. The office looks old and dated, the a/c is either too cold or not cold enough and he has books everywhere! However, he is straight up with advice and gives me sample products to try so that I don''t have to go to the expense of buying anything (even though I have 100% drug coverage). Sooo, yeah, I kind of think your guy might be a little too slick. My doc is just common sense, try this first, then we can try that, here''s a sample of this, if it works you don''t need the other, etc.

 

[Independent Gal]

Oh, he did give me two perscriptions too. One is a testosterone suppresant... does this mean that pesky hair on my neck won't grow back too? (Just one hair, but still, pisses me the heck off... what does it think it's doing there?!? who invited it?). The other is an antibiotic.

We'll just see. Whatever he gives me, if I'm fresh and clear on my wedding day, I'm going to kiss that man. On the cheek.

Lyra I'd be inclined that way too, but I assume Doc was all 'try evrything at once!' because my wedding is in... 6 weeks! No time for fun and games! I need clear skin ASAP!

 

[Ellen]

Interesting about the Cetaphil DK....

I meant soap, as in a bar. Now I don''t know what IG meant actually.

 

[Independent Gal]

Newsflash! I googled Dr. Derm, and he's a member of all kinds of fancy physicians associations and seems 1000% legit and well respected in the medical community.

The mystery of the dashing 3 piece suit might be explained by his name also coming up in association with a prominent LGBT publication. Dr. Derm is not batting for our team, ladies! I'm sure you're as disappointed as I am. FI, on the other hand, will no doubt be overjoyed.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Did he treat you professionally or did you feel hustled? Perhaps he was genuinely interested in your skin and if you were not terribly offended in the way he dressed, you''d return. Can you take his suggestions sans his product line?

My derm wears the same snazzy shoes as my DH, so I think he''s grand.

He promotes Dove soap, and Vaseline Intensive Care. Oh his practice has all the cosmetic bells and whistles, and I have been seeing him for 15 years for other stuff, but the way he treated my son over a plantar wart confirms that if there is any need for bell ringing/whistling it will be with him. Snazzy shoes notwithstanding.....

BTW...I''ve seen two Specialists in the last year, both terribly handsome (one of them a OBGyn

) and I just had to shake my head...

cheers--Sharon

 

[nclrgirl]

I''ve been struggling with acne since I was 10 years old. (YES! REALLY!) I''ve had some success at the dermatologist, but nothing has worked for me as well as Proactiv. (You can order online, and some malls sell it in a kiosk). I went from having really large red acne cists and scars to much less. One thing that is GREAT about going to the dermatologist if you have HUGE pores like I do is when they use that little machine to extract your blackheads (sorry if this is too gross!) But recently I''ve been getting microdermabrasion, which helps with the pores, blackheads, and even the acne a little! Hope this helps!

 

[movie zombie]

i''m allergic to EDTA and all its derivatives........i read the labels on everything. if i remember right, Cetaphil has it in it.....didn''t used to. some of the most expensive and highly recommended products have EDTA in it......some might benefit from using products w/o this in it.

movie zombie

 

[xapora]

I had a similar experience -

Right before the wedding my face broke out SO bad out of nowhere. I made an appointment with a very popular dermatologist in our area. So I''m sitting in her immaculately decorated examining room dwelling on the fact that I look like an ogre and my wedding is right around the corner, and in walks my doctor, who is one of the most stunning women I''ve ever seen - perfect skin, gorgeous hair, adorable work ensemble and shoes, glowing smile, with a GIGANTIC rock on her finger...I wanted to cry.

Anyway, I ended up walking out of her office with $100 in facewash and toner before I could say "no thanks". But they made a point of telling me they were unscented and all that, so I guess there must be something to it...although it didn''t really do anything special that my regular facewash couldn''t do for me.

 

[Julianna]

Date: 2/13/2008 8:50:33 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Newsflash! I googled Dr. Derm, and he''s a member of all kinds of fancy physicians associations and seems 1000% legit and well respected in the medical community.

The mystery of the dashing 3 piece suit might be explained by his name also coming up in association with a prominent LGBT publication. Dr. Derm is not batting for our team, ladies! I''m sure you''re as disappointed as I am. FI, on the other hand, will no doubt be overjoyed.

Dang it! There go MY hopes and dreams for the two of us!!

 

[diamondfan]

Hey, sounds a bit like Dr. Rey on Dr. 90210. Many docs now days want to have some style in their appearance. Also many sell their own stuff, you are free not to buy, but some people like the convenience. It is more common they sell stuff they do NOT make, but some have gotten into R and D and come up with stuff.

Scent and dye etc can be an issue if you have reactive skin. Also, dirty phones next to your face are yuck too.

 

[door knob solitaire]

not batting for our team, ladies

I am rolling on the floor!!

Too funny. Didn''t you refer to him as delicious? Poor Julianna...

she had her heart set on Mr Pocket Square. We can start a cause...for her, can''t we. Find the properly uniformed mc dreamy for Julianna?

Ha!! That is funny...this derm I told you about that sold his own products in our city...also runs in that upper echelon of top tier derms. That is why SIL went there first. You know, most physicians are guilty of hocking some line...they get a kick back for doing so. So, I suppose they think as long as I am going to be a *hore (sorry that is a tad offensive isn''t it?) about it, I might as well hock mine?

awhh....I don''t get out much...and I live in well cocooned world...would it be too much to ask what LGBT stands for? I think it is the name of the other bball team, but the old noggin is not registering anything. Is it best I remain clueless?