Pap smears and all they entail

Women’s healthcare has taken a front seat in the medical industry. This is because of the spread of information about their importance, primarily inspired by the onset of the internet. This has led to the formation of more women’s facilities to deal with their issues in a more personalized setting. An example of a standard procedure performed is the South Charleston Pap Smear. More about what a pap smear entails and its benefits is discussed below.

What is a Pap Smear?

A pap smear is an operation that is performed to screen for cancer of the cervix. This involves checking out the opening of your uterus for cancerous or precancerous cells. The cells found in the cervix are carefully obtained and checked out for abnormal growth during a routine procedure. This happens at your physician’s office without causing any long-term pain but may be slightly uncomfortable.

Who requires a pap smear?

Medical professionals recommend pap smear screenings begin at age twenty-five. Some women may have a higher risk of getting infections or cancer. Further frequent tests may be needed if:

  • An organ transplant or chemotherapy makes your immune system weakened
  • You are positive for the HIV

Women above the age of twenty-five who have not gotten abnormal pap tests may ask their physicians to perform one every five years combined with an HPV screening. This should apply even to those who do not suspect they have any issues.

HPV is a virus that heightens the likelihood of getting cervical cancer and warts. The leading causes of cervical cancer from HPV involve types sixteen and eighteen. HPV infection significantly increases your chances of contracting cancer of the cervix.

When women get above the age of sixty-five and have pap smear tests regularly may stop getting them in the future. Regardless of your sexual activity, regular pap smears are recommended, mainly because HPV can be dormant for a long time and be suddenly triggered to become active.

How often you get pap smears depends on factors like risk and age. These recommendations are only applicable to women with cervixes. Screening is not necessary if you have had a hysterectomy and have no history of cervical cancer.

What does a pap smear test involve?

This test is pretty quick but can be slightly uncomfortable. The procedure begins with lying on an examination table, resting your feet on stirrups supports, and your legs spread. A speculum device is placed in your vagina to keep the walls open and the cervix accessible.

The doctor will remove a small sample of cells from your cervix. This can be via:

  • Use of a brush and spatula
  • Using a spatula only
  • Using a cytobrush device that combines both a brush and spatula

The brief scraping involves irritation after a slight push. The sample collected is stored and taken to the lab to test for cells that seem abnormal.

A pap smear test can be a pretty invasive procedure, mainly due to the private body part it involves. This can make it quite unpopular even though it is crucial for women’s health. For any pap smear inquiries, visit us online, or call our offices in South Charleston, WV.

Explore Available Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

Your skin changes; wrinkles start appearing, fine lines appear, and scars show as you get older. These may not look good as they tell your tale so visibly. Fortunately, cosmetic dermatology Forest Hills treatments are available to help you correct those skin problems and leave you feeling young again.

What is skin rejuvenation?

This procedure involves processes that work to improve your skin appearance and leave you with smooth and youthful skin. You may have to use some skincare products and undergo procedures to help achieve your skin restoration goal. A typical example of skin rejuvenation is skin resurfacing, which works by removing the top layer of your skin and revealing the fresh inner skin.

What are the examples of skin resurfacing treatments?

You may have different options for skin rejuvenation methods from which you can choose. They may include:

  • Laser resurfacing

This skin rejuvenation process uses a beam of light to remove the epidermis, treat minor flaws, and improve your skin’s appearance. It may involve

  • Ablative laser

This laser treatment works by removing the thin outer skin and then heating the inner skin. This removal will encourage the collagen, therefore, improving the texture and firmness of your skin. As the treatment progresses, your skin grows smooth and tight.

  • Nonablative laser

This treatment is less aggressive than the ablative laser treatment. But it also promotes the growth of collagen to restore your skin. Though the improvements are not easily noticeable, it has a shorter and quicker recovery time.

  • Chemical peels

This procedure uses a chemical solution to eliminate the layers of your skin. This treatment can address your skin’s acne scars, wrinkles, and discoloration, especially on your face. You can either have the following depths of chemical peels:

  • Light chemical peel

This peeling uses a diluted chemical solution and can treat dryness, acne, and uneven skin tone. You may choose to have it regularly.

  • Medium chemical peel

This peeling uses a medium solution to remove the outer skin layer and some bit of the inner skin layer. It can treat uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and scars. You may need a regular repeat of this procedure for best results.

  • Deep chemical peel

This peeling procedure removes deeper skin cells, and your doctor may recommend it if you have deeper scars, wrinkles, and precancerous growth. A deep chemical peel offers the best results, and you may not need to repeat the procedure.

  • Microneedling

This procedure entails using tiny needles to prick the skin, causing the body to produce more collagen, which aids your skin to help regain a youthful look. Microneedling can help address skin issues like acne, hyperpigmentation, scars, stretch marks, and sun damage. You may consider microneedling if you have a darker skin tone as it uses no heat, therefore not affecting your skin pigmentation.

You may have to see a doctor who will conduct an evaluation and determine which skin rejuvenation technique can suit you best. This choice may also depend on your skin goals.

If you want to learn more about how you can benefit from skin rejuvenation, visit Adult and Pediatric Dermatology or request an appointment online.