Our specialists see patients of all ages and treat any disorder or concern of the skin, sweat glands, hair and nails including:

1. Acne »
2. Rosacea »
3. Eczema »
4. Psoriasis »
5. Hair Loss »
6. Skin Cancer Evaluation & treatment »
7. Actinic Keratoses (early skin cancer) »
8. Spider Veins »
9. Excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) »
10. Photo damaged skin and brown aging spots »
11. Warts, moles, skin tags, red marks and birthmarks »
12. Unwanted hair »
13. Unwanted tattoos »

Common treatments and procedures we perform include:

1. Cryosurgery
2. Excisions
3. Biopsies
4. Laser
5. Biologic Therapy
6. Intralesional Injections
7. Chemical Peels
8. Therapeutic Skin Treatments
   
   

Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting 80 to 90 percent of people during their lifetime. Acne usually starts in the teen years as a result of the hormonal changes that occur during this time. These hormones can cause excess oil to build up in the skin's pores. Acne can also affect adults, often beginning in their mid- twenties and persisting for many years.

Acne is caused by the sebaceous glands which produce an oily substance called sebum. This oil can mix with dead skin cells in the pores (follicles). The pore becomes clogged and possibly inflamed. Acne may appear as whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Occasionally they may become infected, rupture the wall of the pore and be quite painful.

Acne can appear on your face, back, chest, shoulders and/or neck. It may take several weeks for an acne lesion to be seen on the skin and 8-12 weeks for the breakout to run its course. Unfortunately, the risk of scarring is always present.

What causes acne?

Acne is caused by several factors including: genetics, hormones, bacteria, inflammation, and/or an overabundance of skin oils. It is often believed that lack of washing, chocolate or deep fried foods can cause acne, however, this is untrue.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin disease affecting men and women of all ages. Fair skinned adults, between the ages of 30 and 50, are at a higher risk.

Rosacea causes a redness or flushing of the face in its early stages. It may progress to persistent redness in the face and involve the ears, chest and back. Identifying it is the first step to controlling it, but people may not recognize rosacea in its early stages. Symptoms may include facial flushing due to dilated small blood vessels, pimples and the prominence of enlarged blood vessels.

Dermatologists often recommend a combination of treatments for the best results. These can include topical medications and creams. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed. Improvement can be seen within 3 to 4 weeks, but it may take several months to reduce redness.

Eczema

Eczema or dermatitis are terms often used to describe inflamed skin conditions. A special type is called atopic dermatitis which indicates an inflammation of the nose and lungs as well. It is often seen in families with a family history of allergies.

Atopic dermatitis is very common. Infantile eczema begins in infancy, appearing mainly on the face and scalp as an itchy, oozing and crusty rash. Many babies experience improvement or may outgrow the condition by the time they are two years of age. Treatment is available to help control the symptoms and offer relief.

Eczema can also appear in teens and young adults, usually on hands and feet. It may also affect elbows, knees, wrists and other areas where the skin bends. Eczema typically causes the skin to be dry with red or gray scaly patches. Areas of the skin can become thickened and people may suffer from intense itching.

Treatment involves an examination by a dermatologist who may prescribe topical medications, as well as antihistamines for the itching. Sometimes ultraviolet light treatments may be recommended. The disease can usually be controlled with proper treatment.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a persistent skin disorder with red, thickened areas and silvery scales. It often appears on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back. The cause of psoriasis is unknown. What is known is that inflammation triggers the skin to grow too rapidly. The disorder can often be triggered by sun, infections, weather and emotions.

Several treatments offer relief. However, it may take multiple visits to a dermatologist and different types of treatment to control the condition. Topical and oral medications, natural sunlight and ultraviolet light therapy may be prescribed. Cortisone injections may be used in difficult areas; however, caution must be used to avoid side effects.

Hair Loss

Many conditions, diseases and improper hair care can lead to excess hair loss. A dermatologist can ask questions, examine the scalp and determine whether the loss is normal or in need of treatment. Triggers for hair loss can include everything from a high fever or nutritional problem to an inherited condition. Other causes for hair loss can include:

• Childbirth
• Thyroid disease, both over and under-active
• Inadequate protein in diet
• Medications
• Cancer treatments
• Birth control pills
• Iron deficiency
• Major surgery
• Fungus infection
• Hair pulling

Actinic Keratoses

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are also called solar keratoses. They are considered to be the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer and should be taken seriously. AKs are common lesions of the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin), and are caused by long-term exposure to sunlight.

Chronic sun exposure damages the skin cells and changes the texture so the skin becomes rough, scaly or mottled. Further changes in cell growth can allow AKs to progress to squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.

AKs are most commonly found on fair-skinned people usually on the sides of the forehead, ears, scalp and backs of the hands. The lesions can range from the size of a pin head to larger than a quarter. They may feel like sandpaper.

There are several treatment options for AKs In all treatments there is some redness to the site until healing has been completed. Treatments include:

• Cryosurgery. Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the surface skin. This is the most commonly used treatment.
• Topical Therapy. The use of an anti-cancer cream or lotion that is applied to the AK lesions.
• Photodynamic Therapy. A chemical is applied to the lesion area. After a few hours the skin is exposed to a special light that activates the chemical to destroy the AKs.
• Chemical Peeling. A chemical solution is applied to the skin. After a period of several days, the skin peels and new skin forms.
• Laser Skin Resurfacing. One or a series of laser treatments to remove the surface skin.

Sun protection is essential to reduce the risk of actinic keratoses and skin cancer later in life.

Skin Cancer evaluation and treatment

Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all types of cancers with more than one million Americans developing skin cancer every year. Fair-skinned people are at the highest risk for developing skin cancer, especially those who sunburn easily.

There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type. It frequently appears on the head, neck and hands as a small, fleshy bump, nodule or red patch. A basal cell carcinoma can also appear as a sore that seems to heal, but recurs repeatedly. The good news is that they are slow growing. However, early detection and removal is important. Any lesion or sore that does not heal should be evaluated by a dermatologist, who will examine it and decide whether to perform a biopsy. Studies show that a person who develops a basal cell carcinoma has a 40 percent risk of reoccurrence. It is important to monitor and keep follow-up appointments with a dermatologist.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. Usually found in fair skinned people in the areas of the ear, face, lips and mouth. Persons with light skin, who sunburn easily are at the highest risk, although anyone can get squamous cell carcinoma. Heavy sun exposure and severe sunburns as a child may increase the likelihood of skin cancer. Appearing as a bump or crusty red, scaly patch, squamous cell carcinoma can develop into large masses and become invasive. A skin biopsy for microscopic examination is usually necessary to confirm diagnosis. When found early and treated properly, the cure rate for both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas is over 95 percent. Surgical treatment options can vary depending on the size, location and microscopic characteristics of the tumor as well as other factors.

Treatment methods may include:

• Simple surgical excision- removal by cutting out the cancer. The incision is closed using cosmetic dermatologic surgical techniques. The specimen is examined to be sure that all the skin cancer has been removed.
• Electrodesiccation and curettage - removal by scraping or cauterizing with an electric needle.
• Cryosurgery-removal by freezing the tissue with liquid nitrogen.
• Radiation therapy (x-ray) and laser surgery (wave lengths of light) - removal by destroying the cancerous tissue.
• Mohs micrographic controlled surgery- performed by a specially trained dermatologic surgeon. Skin cancer is removed and examined until the cancer is completely excised.
  
  

3. Malignant Melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers. If it spreads (metastasizes) to the internal organs, it can be life threatening, but if found in its early stage, it is almost always curable.

The sun and other ultraviolet light sources are triggers for melanoma. Heredity is also an influence if a close sibling has had a melanoma.

It's important to examine the skin all over your body once a month and have a physician check every year. Being aware of any skin changes can be key in stopping the disease as soon as possible. By acknowledging the five warning signs of melanoma we hope you will be aware that changes in moles or your skin need to be addressed by your physician.

Five early warning signs for Melanoma:

1. A) Asymmetry. If the appearance/shape of the mole is different on one side than the other, not matching. A benign (not cancer) mole is usually symmetrical in its shape.
2. B) Border. If the borders or edges of the mole are uneven or scalloped. A benign mole usually has smooth even borders.
3. C) Color. If the mole has a variety of colors, shades of brown, tan or black. A melanoma may also become red, white or blue. Benign moles are usually a single shade of brown.
4. D) Diameter. Melanomas are usually larger than 1/4 inch.
5. E) Evolving. A mole that is changing in shape or color, bleeding, itching or crusting. A benign mole stays the same over time.

Spider Veins (Sclerotherapy)

The cause of spider veins in not completely known. They seem to be hereditary and tend to appear more frequently in women. Spider veins on the nose or cheeks of fair skinned people may be related to sun exposure. Larger varicose veins occur mainly from genetic susceptibility. Sclerotherapy is the injection of a sclerosing solution directly into the small blood vessels with a very fine needle. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell, stick together and for the blood to clot. Over a period of weeks, the vessel turns to scar tissue and fades, becoming barely visible. More than one injection treatment may be needed.

Photo Damaged Skin

Photo Damaged Skin is the result of early and extended period of time exposure to the sun. Photo damaged or sun damaged skin is something few escape. Photo damage occurs with exposure to sunlight (UVA or UVB). Photo damage to skin manifests in a variety of ways including:

• Advanced aging or wrinkling
• Uneven or "pebbly" skin
• Irregular pigmentation
• Small blood vessels or red markings (telangiectasias)
• Rough or scaly patches (actinic keratoses)
• Freckles (ephilides)
• "Liver spots" and "age spots" (lentigines)
• Thinned or fragile skin
• Pre-cancerous lesions
• Skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma).

Generally, these changes occur most frequently on areas of chronic exposure such as the face, ears, neck, backs of the hands, chest, arms and legs.

To address the results of photo-damaged skin, Parkinson Dermatology offers TCA Skin Renewal with the Obagi Blue Peel. The Obagi Blue Peel is a highly effective peel that can only be performed by a physician who has specialized training and experience with this type of treatment.

What is the Obagi Blue Peel?

The Obagi Blue Peel is an in-office procedure designed to significantly improve the appearance and health of your skin. Using a low concentration of the chemical thrichloroacetic acid (TCA) mixed with a special blue base to slow penetration, the Obagi Blue Peel allows your doctor to monitor the appropriate depth to effectively remove the surface layers of aged and damaged skin from the face or other parts of the body. These dead skin cells are replaced by healthier ones, allowing the skin's own clarity and tightness to resurface.

The Obagi Blue Peel is typically performed on the face but can also be performed on the neck, chest, hands, back, arms and legs and is designed to work in conjunction with the Obagi Nuderm System.

Warts, Moles, Skin Tags,
Red Marks and Birthmarks

There are many treatment options used in the care of warts, moles and skin tags. These may include excisions, biopsies and laser treatment. An analysis of the specific condition would be conducted to determine the best course of treatment.

Hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating)
using BOTOX® treatment

Extreme underarm sweating that is not managed by topical agents can be treated with BOTOX. The BOTOX treatment helps control the sweating condition by temporarily blocking the signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. Without the signals, the severe sweating stops.

The procedure involves injecting a small amount of BOTOX solution into the underarm area with a fine needle. The only discomfort may be from the injection needle. The affected area will receive multiple injections for the best results. Patients usually notice a significant reduction in underarm sweating within four weeks of the first treatment. The effects of BOTOX are temporary and will last approximately six months before another treatment would need to be considered.

Unwanted Hair

For many men and women, unwanted hair may cause embarrassment, a lack of self-esteem and health and hygiene problems. Removing unwanted hair can be painful, time consuming and expensive. Parkinson Dermatology offers two effective solutions in the treatment of unwanted hair:

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal results in the reduction of unwanted hair, as the laser emits a beam of light that is absorbed only by the hair follicle, leaving the skin unharmed. The light beam delivers energy which is absorbed in the hair and transformed to heat. The heat destroys the hair follicle within a fraction of a second.

Vaniqa® (eflornithine HCI) Cream, 13.9%

VANIQA® is the first and only prescription cream that's clinically proven to reduce the growth of unwanted facial hair. VANIQA® is appropriate for all skin types and is well tolerated. VANIQA® is intended to be used along with your regular hair-removal method.

Tattoo Removal

Parkinson Dermatology offers tattoo removal by using laser technology. Laser works differently depending on the condition being treated. It simply works with a series of light pulses that target the energy. When treating skin discolorations such as tattoos (and brown spots) the laser energy is selectively absorbed by the pigment causing it to fragment into smaller particles that can be processed by the body.

Multiple treatments are always required and treatment sessions are usually spaced at 4-12 month intervals depending on the shape, size, color and location of the tattoo. An office consultation is required to determine treatment plan and cost.

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