Visualize Healthy Skin

Living Magazine - September issues of Pearland and Katy edition
Health & Wellness Guide
Visualize Healthy Skin - Dr. Asra Ali

Story by Joan Mora.

Proper skincare is essential to a healthy life. Even so, many people put off going to the dermatologist, either because of lack of time or inconvenience. With three locations in the Houston area, Advanced Dermatology offers both medical and cosmetic services. In the Pearland office, Dr. Asra Ali treats adults and children with a wide range of ailments, from acne and rosacea to psoriasis and other skin diseases. She offers skin cancer screenings to identify pre-cancerous spots for early treatment and other surgical specialty procedures.

Dr. Ali said she was drawn to dermatology because, “It’s a very visual field. I like the fact that I can look at someone’s skin and make a diagnosis. It’s fascinating and rewarding.” She enjoys the different facets to her specialty, from treating acute poison ivy and chronic conditions to more serious blistering diseases.

As for our hot Texas sun, Dr. Ali said the best preventative care for your skin is sun protection. “We are very cognizant of identifying skin cancers.” People forget that sunscreen wears off so it needs to be reapplied, especially when in the sun for prolonged periods of time. “An even better defense against the sun is protective clothing,” Dr. Ali said. She recommends wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts for activities such as golfing, walking or gardening. “Proper clothing can be more protective than sunscreen.”

“The best way to keep skin looking healthy and young is with vitamin A creams, such as Retin-A, which builds collagen and rejuvenates skin.” She also recommends the use of a good moisturizer and to stay away from harsher anti-bacterial soaps in favor of gentler skin cleansers.

Dr. Ali is impressed by the newer treatments, such as new biologic drugs that target the immune system and help with inflammatory conditions including psoriasis. Lasers are more widely used to rejuvenate skin, and newer cosmetics, such as sunless tanners, have improved tremendously.

Whether your concern is medical or cosmetic, Dr. Ali is interested in making sure your skin is the healthiest it can be. What sets her practice apart is a desire to be thorough with her patients. She strives to provide good patient care in a timely fashion. Her goal is to make patients comfortable and relaxed and to address all their concerns. “Sometimes patients have a list of 10 things they want to ask about. We take our time and listen.”

MEET DR. ALI
Dr. Ali is a board-certified dermatologist licensed in the state of Texas. She is a 1997 graduate of The University of Texas at Houston Medical School. She also completed an internship in internal medicine and a dermatology residency at The University of Texas at Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas.

Dr. Ali was also an assistant professor, Department of Dermatology at The University of Texas at Houston Medical School. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the Texas Dermatologic Society, Women’s Dermatology Society, Houston Dermatology Society, Harris County Medical Society, and the Dermatology Foundation.

Advanced Dermatology And Skin Care, PA
2950 Cullen Parkway, Suite 102
Pearland, Texas 77584 281-412-6262