Acne

Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. Whiteheads, blackheads and raised red bumps are all the result of clogged pores. Acne is primarily caused by hormones, which is why so many young people get acne during puberty. Acne typically affects the face, upper part of the chest and back. Treatments can take many forms but as a general rule, people with acne should gently wash their face no more than twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser.

Alopecia areata (hair loss)

Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. This causes hair to fall out in round patches on the scalp, or can affect the entire scalp as well as elsewhere on the body. Treatment can help hair re-grow more quickly, and includes corticosteroids and other medications that affect the immune system.

Dermatitis (rashes)

Dermatitis refers to a group of skin conditions that includes atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis and stasis dermatitis. Dermatitis is characterized by red, inflamed skin, itchiness and a rash, and can be caused by a number of factors such as poison ivy, soaps, dry skin, an immune system dysfunction, bacteria and environmental conditions. Treatment includes corticosteroids, creams or lotions that affect the immune system, and phototherapy (light therapy).

Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic, long-lasting skin condition that is common in children but can occur at any age. Symptoms vary but typically include dry skin, itching, red to brownish-gray patches, small, raised bumps, and thickened, cracked, scaly skin. Treatment includes creams to control itching and help repair the skin, drugs to fight infection and control inflammation, and phototherapy (light therapy).

Fungal infections

Fungal infections of the skin are very common and include athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, toenail fungus and yeast infections. Fungi usually develop in moist areas of the body, especially between the toes, in the genital area and under the breasts. Fungal infections are typically treated with antifungal drugs such as corticosteroids to relieve inflammation and itching.

Hives (Urticaria)

Caused by an allergic reaction, hives (urticaria) appear as small, red, itchy bumps or welts which may be painful. Common allergies that produce hives include nuts, eggs, dairy, shellfish, certain medications and viruses. If you have hives and develop breathing trouble, such as coughing and/or wheezing, it might signal a more serious allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention. Antihistamines are the standard treatment for hives.

Moles (nevi)

Almost everyone has moles, which are growths on or under the skin of varying shapes, sizes and colors but usually brown or black. They can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups, and it is normal to have between 10-40 moles by adulthood. New moles and changes to existing moles can be a sign of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. If a mole is found to be cancerous, a dermatologist will surgically remove it along with a certain amount of normal skin around it.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common but chronic skin condition characterized by itchy, painful scales and red patches. Other symptoms include dry, cracked skin, thickened or ridged nails and swollen and stiff joints. People with psoriasis are at greater risk of developing certain diseases including arthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease and kidney disease. Treatments include corticosteroids, synthetic forms of vitamin D, retinoids, salicylic acid, phototherapy (light therapy) and oral or injected medications.

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. There are many types of skin cancer, including basal and squamous cell (the two most common kinds of skin cancer, typically from sun exposure), melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer), Merkel cell (a rare, aggressive skin cancer that often recurs and spreads), lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) and Kaposi sarcoma (often resulting from a weakened immune system). There are several effective means of treating skin cancer, with the specific treatment and prognosis depending on the type of cancer being treated.

Warts, calluses, corns

Warts, calluses and corns are three common problems of the feet. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) embedding itself in tissues of the body through cuts or abrasions in the skin. A callus is a patch of toughened skin tissue that results from repeated rubbing against another object, such as the inside of a shoe or the handle of a shovel. A corn is a type of callus that develops on thinner areas of skin, such as the tops of toes. Wearing better-fitting shoes will help relieve calluses and corns. The typical treatment for warts is salicylic acid.

We offer the following treatment and services:

Botox/Xeomin/Dysport

Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by a bacteria called clostridium botulinum. When injected into a muscle, botulinum blocks signals between the nerves and the muscle so that the injected muscle cannot contract. This “muscle blocking” decreases the appearance of wrinkles, lines and creases caused by squinting and/or muscle patterns. Botulinum toxin is also used to treat excessive sweating, eyelid spasms, lazy eyes, crossed eyes, psoriasis, migraines, chronic pain, urinary incontinence and depression.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are acidic solutions applied to the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and correct a number of issues by causing exfoliation, which is the shedding of dead cells on the skin’s surface. They are commonly available in three strengths—superficial peels which use alpha hydroxy acid, medium peels which use trichloroacetic acid, and deep phenol peels which use carbolic acid—and are applied according to the needs of the skin condition.

Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a laser (an intense, pulsating beam of light) to remove unwanted hair. During the procedure, a laser beam passes through the skin to an individual hair follicle. The intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which effectively slows hair growth. Laser hair removal is not permanent and multiple treatments are usually needed.

Narrow-band UVB and PUVA phototherapy

Narrowband UVB is the most common form of phototherapy used to treat eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and several other chronic skin conditions. “Narrowband” refers to a specific wavelength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. PUVA (psoralen and ultraviolet A) phototherapy is an ultraviolet light therapy treatment for many of the same skin conditions.

Sclerotherapy (spider vein therapy)

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to eliminate varicose veins and spider veins. During the procedure, a solution is injected directly into the vein that causes it to scar and collapse, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is re-absorbed into local tissue and eventually fades. Sometimes several treatments are needed for the veins to fade from view. The procedure also can improve related symptoms such as aching, swelling, burning and night cramps. Laser treatment of spider veins may also be performed.

Skin cancer excisions

Excision is the surgical removal of a skin cancer along with some of the healthy tissue around it. After the cancerous area is removed, the incision is closed with stitches. If the incision is large, sometimes a skin graft or flap is required. If the excision surgery creates a scar, reconstructive surgery may be needed.