Category: Our Blog

Toronto Dermatology Centre strives to be above the rest. We offer one-stop medical, surgical & cosmetic care for all of your skin care needs, as well as top of the line lasers, medical grade skin care and medical esthetics in a clean, caring environment.

Our dermatologists diagnose, recommend and prescribe, if necessary. Then the patient may be sent to the nurse, medical esthetician or plastic surgeon, if they are needed to complete the visit. If the patient has been sent to see one of the medical estheticians, it is our job to spend the time to explain their medications, necessary treatment and recommend proper protocol as per the dermatologist. In doing so, the patient is getting as much time at the clinic to fully understand what it is they have to deal with and what it will take to alleviate the problem. We work synergistically, like a well-oiled machine. We work together to provide the patient with a full understanding of what they have and are there to answer all of their questions. The medical estheticians and nurses are able to be there for the patients in person, and later, to answer any questions they might have via email or by phone as well as offering free follow up consultations as often and freely as they may feel necessary.

I have mentioned in previous blogs how honored I am to work at one of the largest, and probably the best dermatology clinic in Canada. Beyond our amazing dermatologists, who include our opinions and ideas in their everyday considerations, I love how our reception handles the constant flow of patients, directing them to the appropriate area of the clinic. I love how we are able to communicate internally with each other in a matter of minutes so that we are all on the same page with each patient. I love how we are able to collectively give our patients every option available to them, and value every person’s busy, busy day. From our dermatologists, to our nurses, incredible clinic manager, plastic surgeons, medical estheticians and front line, we are fully equipped to get our patients looked after quickly and efficiently. We are able to spend as much time with the patient as needed.

Welcome to the new way of thinking. Allow each of us to offer you what we have been trained to do. With all the knowledge shared with you by our various staff, you will be fully equipped and informed to deal with whatever problem is ailing you.

This is the future. It is amazing, fulfilling, and Toronto Dermatology Centre is leading the way.

~ Sheri Roselle, Medical Esthetician at Toronto Dermatology Centre

I prefer my patients who have normal to dry skin to cleanse once a day, at night time only. For those skin types, cleansing in the morning adds to dehydration of the skin, and in turn, can make the skin feel even drier than it already does. For an oily or acneic skin, washing twice a day, with the proper cleanser, can keep bacteria counts down and lessen the chance of breakouts.

Oily or acne-prone skin types should look for a foaming cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which will help to gently dislodge dead skin cells and debris from the pores. Avoid harsh scrubs, which can actually cause tiny lacerations in the skin and exacerbate acne.

Oily skin types should avoid “acne” cleansers, as they may be too strong if, in fact, the patient simply has oily skin and not acneic skin.

Acne sufferers can follow the cleansing step with a toner that contains glycolic or salicylic acid to help reduce clogged pores and control breakouts.

Creamy, emollient cleansers help mature skins to retain moisture. Those plagued with dull, dry skin can also try a cleanser with alpha hydroxy acids such as SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, which helps reveal brighter, smoother and more even-toned skin. I prefer to use this cleanser as a treatment, done once or twice a week to avoid over-treating.

Drier, sensitive skin types can follow up with a balancing toner, such as ZO Balatone, which helps to keep the skin soft and reduce redness.

Sensitive Skin Cleanser from SkinMedica provides extra-gentle cleansing for post-procedure patients or sensitive skin types, thanks to a blend of skin-soothing botanical extracts.
I tend to like this cleanser or Gentle Cleanser from SkinCeuticals for rosacea prone skin, as it helps retain moisture in the skin.

Remember that after cleansing, the skin should never feel tight or “squeaky-clean.” If it does, this indicates that your cleanser is too harsh and is stripping necessary oils from the skin; switch to a gentle, soap-free formula instead.

It is important to be sure you are cleaning the skin properly as well. Using good products is only half of the job. Using good tools really increases the efficacy of your moisturizer, medicine or serums. Go to YouTube and click onto Toronto Dermatology Centre to find the video for How to Cleanse Your Face Properly. There are three methods demonstrated, and your medical esthetician can tell you which one is most appropriate for your skin type.

One last thing…washing with water alone does not cleanse the skin. If you have dirty laundry and put it all in the washing machine without some form of cleanser, how clean do you think your clothing would get? The answer is: not clean enough! The same is true of you face. Be sure to treat your skin properly from start to finish. The best moisturizers or medicines in the world aren’t going to penetrate into the skin where they need to do their job if your skin isn’t cleansed right.

Start with a clean slate every night for your best skin every day!

~ Sheri Roselle, Medical Esthetician at Toronto Dermatology Centre

At a seminar I attended last month, there was a great presentation regarding promotion and social media. What is the best way for a newer clinic to get their name out to the public in an effective and affordable way?

Surprisingly, Facebook and Twitter were not on the list. Although we are constantly adding to our Facebook and Twitter pages, the reality is that most of its followers are already dedicated patients of Toronto Dermatology Centre. We put information on our sites to keep our patients updated on current events we are having as well as new dermatology or cosmetic technologies and remedies for their skin. I am sure that new patients will stumble upon us through Google, but the Search Engine Google alone will trigger more interest from new patients than Facebook or Twitter alone.

So, what is best for a clinic like ours? There are two things we do well that have been very beneficial in accounting for the rate of growth we have had in the five years we have been open. The first, we ask from our patients, and the second, we give back.

 Word of mouth is the single most significant way to make a business grow. If I need a place to get laser treatments done or if I feel I may have a pre-cancerous growth, I want to go to the best. With our patients talking about us to friends and family along with giving us great reviews online, our social media becomes escalated. As a society, we trust in our friends and family to refer us to the best places. Through review sites, those who don’t know us give uncensored and generally accurate reports. Obviously there are always going to be negative reviews along with excellent reviews, but most readers are intelligent to be able to weed out the “fake” reviews, whether they are overly negative or overly positive.

The second way for us to become better known is also our way of giving back to our health community. Toronto Dermatology Centre donates to numerous charities on an ongoing basis.

While not a complete list, here are some of the charities and societies we help out with:

•  Canadian Cancer Society
• Canadian Dermatology Association
• National Psoriasis Foundation
• Fertile Future
• The Kidney Foundation of Canada
• Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
• Eczema Society of Canada
• Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter
• American Academy of Dermatology’s Camp Discovery

Recently our dermatologists sent an email around asking each of their employees what their favorite charities were. This is a chance for us as employees to voice what is important to us and feels heard by the clinic. To be able to assist our favorite charity through the generosity of TDC not only makes us feel good about being able to help, but also lets TDC open up to a new charity and therefore, group of people, that otherwise we may never have met.

So there you have it. We do our best to help our patients, and through loyalty, they give us great reviews. This allows those looking for help to know we are the best clinic to trust in. In response, we are able to donate to numerous charities throughout the year and give back to our community. We love new followers on our Facebook and Twitter pages because we know our knowledge, research and information about upcoming specials and events are being received and benefitting our patients. But, when you come into Toronto Dermatology Centre and have a great experience, be sure to review us online so that others can enjoy the same great experience. In turn, we can continue to help our community through various and ever growing charity work, and that helps everyone!

~ Sheri Roselle, Medical Esthetician at Toronto Dermatology Centre