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A dermatologist is a physician that treats numerous skin, hair, and nail conditions in children and adults.
The dermatologist provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatments of common conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, infections of the skin, conditions resulting from allergies, nail problems (due to psoriasis or fungus, for example), hair and scalp disorders (secondary to infection, chemicals, or genetics), skin conditions associated with autoimmunity.
The dermatologist provides full body screenings and then can diagnose and treat various skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Dermatology also includes numerous aesthetic assessments and treatments including through chemical peels, injectable fillers, Botox/Dysport, removal of benign growths and leg vein treatment.
Medical
Many medical conditions are chronic, meaning successful treatment can be achieved, but multiple or long term treatments may be necessary and the condition can recur. Some examples of these conditions follow. The appearance of the various conditions can vary from the examples presented here. To view details for any condition, simply click on the condition title.
- Acne
Acne
A common condition seen in all age groups, but especially in teenagers and young adults. There are many factors that contribute to acne development, and as such the treatment often requires a specific regimen, which may include topical and oral medications and the appropriate gentle skin care routine.
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| Rosacea
Rosacea
Another common condition seen in every age, but the greatest risk is between ages 30 to 50. This condition is often thought of as acne rosacea because the presentation is that of background redness and bumps that look like acne. Topical and oral medications are effective, but education on associated triggers is important as well.
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| Psoriasis
Psoriasis
This is a skin disorder characterized by red, scaly plaques occurring in a localized or diffuse fashion. It has a strong genetic predisposition, can be itchy, but is not contagious. Because the extent of the condition can vary, the treatment options can range from topical, to oral, and even injectable medications. Ultraviolet light therapy is another effective treatment option when given appropriately by the dermatologist.
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| Eczema
Eczema
This skin condition is seen is all age groups. The infantile form can actually completely resolve, but for many it is a recurrent condition. Eczema has genetic, environmental, and lifestyle associations. Unlike psoriasis, itching is the hallmark of eczema. Treatment options are numerous, thus, seeking a dermatologist is important to address all possible aspects of the condition.
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Skin infections tend to be superficial and often are not life threatening. In fact, some can resolve spontaneously, while others are not even contagious.
- Warts
Warts
A superficial viral infection of the skin that can occur on any part of the body. There are a variety of treatment options based on location of the body and age of the patient.
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| Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum Contagiosum
This is another superficial virus, but is usually smaller and smoother than a wart. It can also occur any place on the body, but the lesions are often more numerous. Treatment is tailored based on age, location, and number.
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| Tinea Versicolor
Tinea Versicolor
A yeast infection of the skin. Yeast naturally lives on the skin, but in this condition there is an overgrowth due to excess heat and humidity. It is not contagious. What often brings one to the office, is the discoloration of the skin that is produced with sun exposure. Topical and oral medications are available.
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Hair Loss can be treated. However, the time it takes to see significant improvement, in many conditions, can make the process frustrating.
- Hair Loss: Hereditary
Hair Loss: Hereditary
This occurs in men as early as the teenage years, but often much later in women. There are topical and oral medications that are effective, but not necessarily in everyone. Furthermore, if it is effective, the treatment has to be long term to keep up the result.
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| Hair Loss: Autoimmune
Hair Loss: Autoimmune
This is the type of hair loss where the body makes antibodies to its own hair. Examples include alopecia areata and lupus. Treatment options include topical, oral, and local injectable medications.
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| Scarring/Breakage
Hair Loss: Scarring/Breakage
This is often due to improper chemical treatments to the hair. Scarring or cicatricial alopecia may not always be due to chemicals — studies are ongoing to understand the cause. Treatment can be helpful in some cases. |
| Telogen Effluvium
Hair Loss: Telogen Effluvium
This is noticed as increased hair thinning without discrete bald patches. Stressors on the body can stimulate the hair to go into a resting stage. Some include medications, recent major surgery or severe infections, and internal conditions such as thyroid disease and anemia. There is no specific treatment for this type of hair loss.
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Full skin exams are essential in detecting skin cancers. These exams also make patients aware of many benign growths that can provide reassurance.
Benign growths, precancers, and skin cancers can be removed surgically, with topical modalities, and with a variety of devices, such as cautery and liquid nitrogen.
- Seborrheic Keratoses
Seborrheic Keratoses
These non-cancerous growths are inherited. They can get larger, darker, and thicker over time. There is the tendency to get more with age. Treatment is not necessary, but often desired for cosmetic reasons or due to irritation.
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| Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra (DPNs)
Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra (DPNs)
DPNs are common in skin of color. They are smaller variants of seborrheic keratosies. Removal is possible, but recurrence is the rule.
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| Actinic Keratoses
Actinic Keratoses
These growths are due to sun exposure, and often feel like sandpaper. If left untreated, an actinic keratosis becomes a squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer. Depending on location and number, a variety of treatment modalities can be considered.
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| Dysplastic Nevi
Dysplastic Nevi
Nevi are moles, and the dysplastic type are atypical moles that can later progress into melanoma. Any changing mole, no matter how minor, should be brought to the attention of the dermatologist.
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| Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
This is the most common type of skin cancer. It rarely spreads throughout the body, but it can be locally invasive. It often presents as a red, translucent lesion that bleeds easily.
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| Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This is the second most common skin cancer. It can spread throughout the body, but often does not occur as rapidly as a melanoma can.
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| Melanoma
Melanoma
This is the most dangerous type of skin cancer due to its sometimes rapid fatality potential. There is well publicized criteria to help detect melanoma: the ABCDEs of melanoma (asymmetry, border irregularity, color, diameter, and evolving moles). Despite this great reference, it is sometimes difficult for one to tell. It occurs in sun exposed and non-sun exposed areas of the body, and it is most common in fair-skinned individuals, but people of color are not excluded. As a result, regular skin exams are essential.
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Many skin conditions can effect self-confidence and esteem due to its visible appearance. Excessive sweating can cause similar embarrassment.
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Hyperhidrosis
This condition can interfere with daily routines. Thus, treatment can greatly improve quality of life. There are topical, oral and injectable treatment options. Depending on location, medical devices are available. In the most severe cases, surgical options can be considered.
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Cosmetic
Aesthetic dermatology can be directly associated with many medical dermatologic conditions. It can also be the sole concern for women, men, and children. There are various treatment options to address these cosmetic issues.
Botox/Dysport: These are products injected into the muscle to temporarily decrease muscle movements that contribute to line formation.
Fillers: There are many ingredients used to fill lines and folds. The most common ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which is found in Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm.
Sculptura: This injectable is often thought of as a filler, but it is injected to allow for collagen formation, thus giving a better, longer lasting effect on increasing the volume of the face.
Chemical Peels: These agents provide multiple benefits. There are peels that provide anti-aging effects, decrease dark pigmentation and sun spots, help in the treatment of acne and acne scarring, and can simply rejuvenate the skin. Not all chemical peels are amenable for certain skin types, thus it is important to have the proper initial assessment.
- Gloss Peel | Melanage Mini Peel | TCA (trichloroacetic acid) Peel | Vitalize Peel
Sclerotherapy: The appearance of spider veins is improved by injecting a solution into multiple small vessels. Multiple treatments and recurrence is the rule.
