Medical, or general, dermatology is the practice of diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair and nails. Internal disease or disorders can also uniquely affect the skin. In dermatology the medical interpretation begins with the visual exam that is then paired with a broad knowledge base to arrive at a diagnosis.
Blog
Surgical Dermatology
Since 1970, Associates in Dermatology has offered the latest treatment and medications available to treat skin conditions. As in established dermatology practice, helping our patients live a healthy, beautiful life is our goal. We provide diagnosis and treatment of common adult and pediatric dermatology.
Cosmetic Procedures
Associates in Dermatology wants to help you look and feel your best. Utilizing state-of-the-art cosmetic products and procedures, our goal is to reverse the effects of time, environment, and sun on your skin.
Products
Associates in Dermatology are pleased to offer medical grade skin care products for you and your entire family. Our products are carefully selected for you by our dermatologists.
These products and treatment kits are only available through our’ office to ensure proper compliance, clear instruction, and to protect your safety.
Summer Skin Care
Wear your sunscreen.
Find a sunscreen you like. If something is thick, stinky or sticky, you are less likely to use it frequently. One to two ounces of sunscreen, about the size of a golf ball, covers your body and needs to be reapplied every two to four hours. So, obviously, one tube of sunscreen shouldn’t last much more than a weekend at the beach. Also, overcast days provide plenty of harmful rays so remember your sunscreen when it’s cloudy outdoors.
Protect your lips and ears.
Skin cancers in these areas are often aggressive so wear a hat over your ears and/or use sunscreen on these vulnerable parts.
Seek shade.
Cover up with clothing. A typical cotton t-shirt only provides protection equal to about an SPF 15 sunscreen and when wet, it can drop to an SPF of 8. Sun-protective clothing is ideal if you dislike lathering up with lotion – especially great for kids who won’t stand still as well as athletes and outdoorsmen. Some of these fabrics are as light as tissue paper and provide optimal ventilation.
Learn to perform a good skin exam.
Look for anything that appears out of place. Learn the warning signs for melanoma, as well as basal or quamous cell skin cancers; google or www.aiderm.com – for photos.Visit our Skin Care Basics for more photos.
Schedule checkups.
Get a baseline exam by a dermatologist to ensure your skin stays healthy. Call Associates in Dermatology at 757-838-8030 to make your appointment today!
Skin Cancer Basics – Part 2
There are three types of skin cancer most frequently found in fair skinned individuals. These include basal cell carcinomas (the most common), squamous cell carcinomas and malignant melanoma (least common).
The sun is the leading cause of these skin cancers. The damage caused by chronic sun exposure and repeat sun burn as a child and adolescent persists long after the burn and tan have faded. Twenty to forty years later, after repeated small doses of sunshine, these cancers may sprout like weeds in a lawn.
Squamous cell carcinoma is fairly common and also arises in areas repeatedly exposed to the sun (ears, face, neck, back of hands). They may arise as tender skin colored bumps or thick crusted areas that will not heal . Some may resemble and be misdiagnosed as dermatitis, eczema or “ring worm”. Squamous cell skin cancer is often curable by destruction or removal however in the latest stages they have the potential of invading the blood stream and metastasizing.
Skin Cancer Basics – Part 1
There are three types of skin cancer most frequently found in fair skinned individuals. These include basal cell carcinomas (the most common), squamous cell carcinomas and malignant melanoma (least common).
The sun is the leading cause of these skin cancers. The damage caused by chronic sun exposure and repeat sun burn as a child and adolescent persists long after the burn and tan have faded. Twenty to forty years later, after repeated small doses of sunshine, these cancers may sprout like weeds in a lawn.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer seen in practice. It is highly correlated with amount of sun exposure and often begins as a tiny pearly pink bump . It is persistent, grows slowly and may eventually bleed and break down . It may also appear as a shiny scar like area. Men often complain of a bump that is repeatedly nicked while shaving. Fortunately these cancers are cured by destruction or removal.
Tissue Fillers: Juvederm and Resylane
Hyaluronic acid fillers are used to help “fill in facial creases such as marionette lines” (extending from corner of mouth to chin) or the nasolabial fold (corner of nose to corner of mouth). They are also popular for creating fuller lips, diminishing vertical lip lines and elevating depressed scars, or adding definition to the cheekbones.
These hyaluronic acid fillers, unlike collagen, are non-animal based and thus require no allergy testing and carry no risk for infectious disease transfer. They have been used for nearly 20 years worldwide and became available in the US after surpassing the FDA’s stringent criteria for safety and efficacy. The product is pre-packaged and purchased by the syringe to avoid risks of contamination.