Patient Education and Information

Warts are noncancerous benign growths on the skin caused by infection from viruses known as human papillomavirus (HPV). While there are several types of warts that you can develop, the most commonly occurring types of warts include common warts, plantar warts, flat warts, and genital warts.

Squamous cells are found throughout our body; they line the surface of many body parts, protecting the tissue and organs beneath. Squamous cell cancers occur when the normal cycle is disrupted, and the squamous cells grow out of control. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the second most common type of skin cancer. While most squamous cell carcinomas can be easily treated and cured, these skin cancers can be deadly if left unchecked.

While hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy is often associated with the female gender, men can benefit from it just as much as women. Many hormone therapy options for men can boost testosterone and have you feeling like your younger self in no time. The purpose of hormone therapy is to increase the testosterone levels of men. Additional testosterone is introduced into the body through creams, gels, sprays, pills, and injections.

The human body is incredible and uses various hormones to do many different things. Hormones are necessary to help women grow, develop, and mature into their adult bodies. They also help with the development and health of the reproductive organs, sex drive, and more. So, hormone therapy for women is one of the best ways to start feeling like yourself when these hormones get out of balance or deplete. There are two main types of hormone therapy for women, systemic hormone therapy and low-dose vaginal hormone therapy.

Are you experiencing unwanted wrinkles or excessive sweating? A botulinum toxin therapy session with us might be just what you need. Botulinum toxin therapy, or BOTOX for short, is a cosmetic dermatology treatment used to treat wrinkles and frown lines by targeting and paralyzing facial muscles. BOTOX injections are carefully placed by your dermatologist, resulting in smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.

A cold sore is a blister or a cluster of blisters that typically form on or around the lips and mouth. The condition is commonly referred to as herpes, herpes simplex labialis, or fever blisters. It is a life-long condition with affected people experiencing recurrent outbreaks of blisters from time to time. Cold sores, or herpes, are widespread. The herpes simplex virus causes an infection. It is estimated that more than half of people are infected with the virus, which causes cold sores by the time they become adults.

Impetigo is a common, highly contagious skin infection. A bacteria causes it, usually Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus. It enters the skin through a minor cut or scrape, causing a local infection. Antibiotics are effective at treating impetigo. Topical antibiotics are commonly used for mild, localized diseases. Your dermatologist may prescribe an oral antibiotic for more severe or widespread infections.

Dermal fillers are a popular cosmetic procedure used to smooth out wrinkles, plump up your skin, and give your face a more youthful appearance. In 2020 alone, over 3.4 million dermal filler injections were administered in the United States, making it the second most commonly requested cosmetic procedure. Minimally invasive, dermal, or soft tissue fillers are placed under the skin, adding volume and supporting different areas of your face, including your lips, jawline, and cheeks.

Body toning treatments are becoming increasingly popular. People are always excited to hear that there is a chance that they can handle their saggy skin, wrinkles, or aging skin with a treatment that will make their skin better than ever. These toning treatments can be done in various ways, but everyone considering getting them should know how they work and what risks might be associated with them. Fat-freezing treatments are the most common treatments for body toning in the US. As of 2018, 287,000 fat-freezing procedures were performed each year.

Have you recently experienced dry patches of red, inflamed, and extremely itchy skin? You may have atopic dermatitis or eczema and require a consultation from a licensed medical professional or dermatologist. Your doctor may suggest tests such as allergy tests before making a diagnosis. Treatment for atopic dermatitis varies from patient to patient and can include the prescription of medications and a new skincare routine.

Age spots are areas of darker skin discoloration that occur in sun-exposed areas, becoming more common as we age. They may also be called sun spots, liver spots, or solar lentigines. While age spots can be treated with various methods, the best defense is preventing the development of new brown spots. Sun protection and sun avoidance are a must. Dermatologists advise their patients to cover up, wear broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), and avoid the sun's peak hours.

About 1/3 of women experience hair loss in their lifetime, while men might experience hair loss as early as middle school. However, treating hair loss for both men and women has never been easier. There is an array of traditional treatment methods that you can access, but there are also some fascinating new treatments that you can elect to try if you are interested in halting your hair loss and promoting new hair growth. Some treatments include robotic hair transplants, stem cell therapy, plasma therapy, and a treatment called QR 678.

Getting a regular facial can:

• Reduce signs of aging
• Improve confidence 
• Relive the skin from stress

Aging is the natural process of life, but signs of aging, like hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, can be reduced, and facials help turn the clock back. During your facial, your aesthetician may suggest other skin treatments to handle peculiar skin issues like acne, wrinkles, and dark spots.

If the back of your hands are looking worn and old, a board-certified dermatologist can find ways to help rejuvenate your hands, giving them a more youthful appearance. Treatment options are available to give your hands a youthful appearance, including filler injections, laser therapy, or intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). To help maintain a youthful appearance, dermatologists recommend diligent sun protection and avoidance.

Moles are usually harmless, but they can be a sign of skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States. In 2021, melanoma skin cancer claimed over 7000 lives. Not all moles are cancerous, but they are the most common skin injury affecting 95% of the population. The bottom line is that you should always check your skin for suspicious moles, and if you find them, get them checked out by a dermatologist.

If you notice a sudden unevenness in skin tone with darker or darkened patches of skin, you may have a common skin condition known as melasma. If melasma has you feeling less confident about your appearance, scheduling an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist can help you correctly diagnose and treat this commonly-occurring skin disorder.

Hives are itchy, irritating, and sometimes painful welts or bumps that develop on the skin, seemingly at random. They're typically red, vary in size, pattern, and severity, and resemble a rash. Hives are also known as urticaria and affect nearly 20% of the human population worldwide at some point in their lives. Several solid treatment options exist to get rid of hives and manage the symptoms, including antihistamines and other medications, home remedies, and treatment from an allergist.

Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. They occur most frequently in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, back of the hands, and forearms. In addition to sun exposure, premature skin aging is associated with smoking, heredity, and skin type. Treating wrinkles runs the gamut from topical creams and moisturizers to cosmetic procedures. The most common treatments are alpha-hydroxy acids, antioxidants, moisturizers, vitamin A acid, chemical peels, and dermabrasion.

Treatment for wrinkles can include over-the-counter creams and lotions. However, seeing a board-certified dermatologist can help if you want lasting results. Common treatments to remove wrinkles include prescription-strength creams, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, Botox, and fillers. If you don't like the look of your wrinkles, your dermatologist can help.

Although there are no medical reasons you should be worried about enlarged pores, many feel their appearance would improve with less noticeable pores. A visit to your local dermatologist can also help identify in-office procedures which can be done to decrease the appearance of enlarged pores. Examples include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, microneedling, and laser treatment.

If you're looking to alleviate the symptoms that a loss of collagen has on your skin, seeing a board-certified dermatologist can undoubtedly help. Depending on your overall health and cosmetic requirements, your dermatologist can recommend one or more forms of treatment that will leave you with more youthful and plumper-looking skin. Popular remedies for replacing lost collagen include collagen fillers, vitamin C, and chemical peels.

Vitiligo is a skin condition where white patches appear on a person's skin due to loss of melanin (the pigment in our skin). Although there is currently no cure for vitiligo, different options exist to help patients treat their condition. Standard treatment options for vitiligo include camouflage, topical therapies, phototherapy, systemic therapies, surgery, and depigmentation procedures. Dermatologists can typically diagnose vitiligo after examining the affected areas of the skin.

Vaginal tightening or rejuvenation is a set of cosmetic procedures to improve and enhance your vagina and vulva's aesthetic appearance and function. Vaginal dryness resulting from a loss of estrogen due to aging or hormonal changes or a loosening in vaginal muscles after childbirth that leads to incontinence can impact your physical and sexual health and your emotional well-being. Common vaginal tightening and rejuvenation treatments include laser or RF therapy, platelet-rich protein (PRP) therapy, and hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers.

Regret getting your last ink? You're not alone—according to WebMD, approximately 25% of people with tattoos experience regret after getting one. If you're looking for a way to remove your unwanted tattoo, talking to a board-certified dermatologist can help. Laser tattoo removal to remove tattoos of various sizes and colors is a cosmetic procedure gaining popularity. A board-certified dermatologist can help determine the most effective form of laser treatment and the number of sessions before the desired outcome is reached.

Uneven skin tone happens when areas of your skin are lighter or darker than other parts. It affects your skin's overall pigmentation due to a pigment known as melanin. Disruption or damage to melanin-producing cells leads to changes in skin tone. Depending on your symptoms and desired results, your dermatologist may prescribe one or more treatments for an uneven skin tone, including chemical exfoliation, hydroquinone, and vitamin C.

Appearing on your legs, both varicose veins and spider veins can not only affect your outward appearance, but their presence can also signify health problems in your body. Scheduling an appointment with your dermatologist can help alleviate the symptoms of varicose and spider veins. Typical forms of treatment for varicose veins and spider veins include sclerotherapy, laser therapy, and IPL therapy.

Also known as chemoexfoliation, chemical peels are popular cosmetic procedures that exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin. Depending on your aesthetic needs, chemical peels come in three main types: light, medium, or deep, with deeper chemical peels using more potent chemical agents to treat deeper wrinkles and scarring. Scheduling an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist will help determine the right chemical peel for you based on your symptoms, overall health, and desired outcomes.

Treatments for eye bags can help fill in the lost volume, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles, and leave your face looking rejuvenated and youthful. Most treatments for under-eye bags are minimally invasive, require no downtime, and can be quick and easy procedures. Standard therapies for under-eye bags include dermal fillers and topical treatments. Talking to a board-certified dermatologist can help—several treatment options exist to decrease the appearance of your eye bags.

A lack of humidity and cold during winter can lead to dry, itchy, and flaky skin. Here are some top tips and skincare product recommendations to prepare your skin for winter and incorporate into your wellness routine. Use heavier creams and emollients, non-soap and hydrating cleansers, take lukewarm showers, exfoliate, and sunscreen. These tips and skincare products recommended by a board-certified dermatologist can help keep your skin looking young, supple, and refreshed all winter.

The most common problems caused by a tattoo are skin infections, rashes, or inflammation. These conditions are usually treatable following a professional diagnosis by a dermatologist. Treatment typically includes medications, topical antibiotics, and other minor interventions. However, treatment will be more invasive and extensive in a rare case of bloodborne disease. The best way to keep them from occurring is by following the aftercare instructions and consulting a dermatologist immediately if you start to notice irregularities with your skin.

Many people use tanning beds as a way to achieve a year-round tan. People erroneously believe that tanning beds are safer than sun tanning, that tanning beds can help build a base tan to ward off sunburns, and that tanning beds can treat low vitamin D levels. The truth about tanning beds is that they pose significant health risks and aren't safe to use. Dermatologists recommend routinely checking your skin and scheduling an appointment to evaluate any new, unusual, changing, or symptomatic growths.

The sun has always provided warmth, happiness, and a golden tan. However, it's essential to understand the dangers of the sun and the price your skin pays for unprotected exposure. While there are plenty of ways to have fun in the sun, protecting yourself from potential hazards is crucial. Protection from UV radiation is important all year round, even on cloudy or cold days. UV radiation can even reflect off water, sand, and snow. Be sure to use sunscreen, limit your sun time, and inspect your skin regularly when out in the sun for extended periods.

Stretch marks are medically termed "striae" and are scars on the skin. They appear in areas of the skin that have stretched to grow and expand the body. They don't cause harm or pain, but some people don't like how they look on the skin and may feel self-conscious about their stretch marks. They appear as indented streaks, lines, or stripes on the skin and can be pink, black, blue, red, or purple. Many stretch marks will naturally fade with time, but options for treatment include topical creams, laser treatments, microdermabrasion, and home treatments.

Heading to the dermatologist to stimulate your skin's production of collagen, an essential protein that results in youthful skin's characteristic plumpness, is a popular cosmetic choice for those experiencing the signs of aging. From fillers to over-the-counter creams and supplements, collagen is everywhere. If you're seeing signs of a loss of collagen in your skin, scheduling an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist can help.

From enlarged pores and bumps to textured skin and rough patches, the skin texture on your face and body can significantly influence how you feel about yourself. As you age, your skin loses suppleness as collagen and elastin production decreases. If your uneven skin texture affects your self-esteem, consider seeing a board-certified dermatologist. They can help smooth skin texture, leaving you with rejuvenated and more youthful skin.