Skin Care Love Letter

Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, founder of Epionce skincare, suffered from severe eczema growing up and wrote the following inspirational message:

Dear Younger Self:

“The struggles you are facing…from the teasing and social exclusions, to learning how to cope with terrible itching…while you wish they would go away and you did not have to live through them, they are actually making you into the person you will one day become.  They will give you strength and an internal drive to push hard even when people tell you that you can’t.  They will give you the tenacity to focus so that you can study intensely, be relentless in your pursuit for answers, and rigorously analyze medical norms. These struggles will also give you compassion and an intimate understanding of what your patients live with.  You will want to do more and be a better doctor so they won’t have to live through what you are going through.  I know it hurts. I know it is a challenge you wish would be taken from you.  But you will get through it.  And as you channel these struggles, you will change lives.  You will help children and their families sleep at night.  You will choose to serve a patient population that has been forgotten by the rest of the world, but not forgotten by you.  It won’t be easy.  You will have more pain and tears in the struggle to find answers to the looming medical questions before you, but you will overcome again and again.  You are an overcomer.  This story, the story of Epionce as a skin care line that always puts the patient first because it’s the right thing to do, is your story.  The testimonials of the many lives changed by research is your story.  Keep pushing. Keep asking questions.  Stay strong.  You can do it.”

How can Olympic Dermatology help you?

First and foremost have eczema diagnosed by a dermatology provider.  Read real patient testimonials and learn how we treat individuals in a way that fits their unique age, skin type, lifestyle and preference.  Eczema can be treated not only when it’s active but we can also help prevent it.  Many forms of the condition may be minimized or avoided altogether with dry skin precautions and care including using gentle cleansers, fragrance free moisturizers, lukewarm water and avoiding harsh soaps and other things that irritate the skin.  The most common prescription for eczema is topical steroid medication (lotions or gels in varying strengths). Severe eczema that doesn’t respond to this may be treated systemically with medications in pill form designed to decrease the body’s inflammatory response.  Our providers are able to treat all the different types of eczema.

Schedule your appointment online or call us at 360-459-1700.