Shamila Gupta Rawal, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon, specializes in the management of hair loss and rejuvenation of the face and neck at The Rawal Institute for Hair Restoration and Aesthetic Medicine. Dr. Rawal is the only hair restoration surgeon providing comprehensive surgical and non-surgical treatment for all types of hair loss in Madison, Wisconsin, with an expansive patient base that travels in from coast-to-coast. 

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Skin is the largest organ in our bodies and plays a crucial role in shielding us from constant environmental insults, which can lead to irritation, inflammation, and even systemic disease. The outermost layer of skin forms a barrier that keeps the bad things out and the good things in, so taking care of our skin and keeping this barrier intact is an important way to promote overall health and wellness. Because skin issues can both arise from external influences, as well as represent disease states within the body, seeking a thorough medical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders and their related disease states is a necessary first step.

At The Rawal Institute for Hair Restoration and Aesthetic Medicine, Shamila Gupta Rawal, MD evaluates your skin concerns in the context of a comprehensive medical history and physical examination, to target the real cause of your skincare issue and give you the best result possible. Haute Beauty sits down with Haute Beauty expert Dr. Rawal to learn more on her practices regarding skin barrier. Here’s what she had to say:

What are some factors that can lead to skin barrier breakdown?

The skin barrier can be compromised by a combination of both external and internal factors.  Harsh skincare ingredients can strip the skin of moisture and impair the water-tight bonds present between skin cells. Fragrances and allergens in skincare and makeup are common irritants, and alterations in the pH or chemistry of the skin can lead to an increase in yeast and bacteria counts on the skin.  Internal disease states that can compromise the body’s ability to maintain an intact skin barrier include diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, hormonal imbalance, smoking, and dehydration, among others.

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What are some signs/symptoms that the skin barrier has been compromised?

When the skin barrier has been compromised, immunostimulatory materials such as toxins, bacteria, and allergens can enter the body and incite an inflammatory response, presenting as redness, swelling, textural irregularities and fine lines, sensitivity, itching/burning, hives and breakouts. Dryness results from the increased moisture loss through this leaky skin. Conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, melasma and others can flare up and sometimes lead to scarring or discoloration.

What are some of the approaches used to improve the skin barrier?

The most important goal of my medical approach to skin issues is to reduce overall external and internal inflammation and restore the skin barrier. By reviewing a patient’s personal and family medical histories, I can identify the root causes for their skin concerns and provide a robust medical and procedural treatment strategy that will treat the concern now and prevent it from flaring in the future.  The best results are additionally obtained through engaging my patient in an ongoing partnership with a commitment to daily sunscreen use and the practice of healthy lifestyle habits. Addressing the skin concern holistically, as part of a larger, all-body issue, means I am treating the real problem, rather than applying a band-aid and having the concern recur again and again.

Photo Credit: Shamila Gupta Rawal, MD

What do the pictures show?

This beautiful patient with rosacea had inflammation of her skin, showing as redness, thickened and rough texture, dryness, and sensitivity.  I performed a series of laser and radiofrequency skin resurfacing treatments to help shrink dilated blood vessels, break down scar tissue and promote new, healthy collagen production. I restored her skin barrier with my medical-grade skincare, tR(x)i, and she was prescribed metronidazole gel to address her rosacea internally.  Her results are shown several months after completion of her 3-treatment series, and she is ecstatic with the smoothness, calmness, and increased radiance of her skin.

Troubled by skin issues? Don’t waste any more time trying to self-medicate. Seek out a professional medical opinion to get to the root of the problem and treat them right the first time.