Dermatology is the area of medicine devoted to the diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. It includes the knowledge, treatment, and rehabilitation of the dermal, epidermal, and subcutaneous layers of tissue. Using the latest medical and surgical advances, dermatologists treat a wide range of conditions from acne to skin cancer. Dermatology is probably the only remaining medical specialty that depends almost totally on physical diagnosis.
Dr. Cynthia Dreyer specializes in the cosmetic dermatological procedures to enhance your appearance.
As a board-certified dermatologist with over 21 years experience, Dr. Dreyer possesses vast knowledge in both cosmetic and general dermatology with the skills of an experienced surgeon.
When to see a dermatologist
So, when should you see a dermatologist? Here are a few red flags that should prompt you to schedule an appointment.
When you develop acne frequently. Acne is not just a
problem that teenagers have. Many adults both male
and female struggle with this condition.
When a rash appears. Any time a foreign discoloration
of the skin suddenly appears, then you should take the
time to have it evaluated, especially if it is rapidly
growing, oozing, changing color or itching.
When a mole begins to change. If a mole starts to
bleed, change, increase in size or itches for more than
a month, then it is time to see a dermatologist.
When a skin lesion suddenly appears or changes. A
lesion can occur anywhere on the body. If the lesion
persists, grows rapidly, bleeds or becomes tender,
then it should be evaluated.
When you start to notice the signs of aging and want to
find out what can be done to slow down the effect of
time on your skin. There are many procedures to
remedy unsightly broken blood vessels, superficial
pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, spider veins, and
more.
Moles
Most people think of moles as beauty marks. However, not all moles are beautiful. A mole can be raised from the skin and very noticeable or they may contain dark hairs. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups. They are usually brown in and can be various sizes and shapes. Changes occur slowly as the life cycle of the average mole is about 50 years. Over time, they may enlarge and some may develop hairs. Moles should be checked on a regular basis, following the rule of ABCD, evaluating your skin for risks of skin cancer.
A stands for ASYMMETRY, when one half of the mole doesn't match the other half.
B stands for BORDER, when the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular.
C stands for COLOR, when the color of the mole is not the same throughout or if it has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white or blue.
D stands for DIAMETER, if the diameter of the mole is larger than the eraser of a pencil.
Actinic Keratosis
Also called solar or senile keratoses, these are rough, red or brown scaly patches on the skin. They are caused by the sun and occur on body areas that have been exposed to sunlight. The face, hands, forearms and V of the neck are the most common areas for actinic keratoses. They are pre-cancerous, which means they may become skin cancers and need to be examined and treated by a dermatologist.
Seborrheic Keratoses
These are often confused with warts although they are quite different. They are non-cancerous growths of the outer layer of skin. There may be just one growth or in clusters. They are usually brown, but can vary in color from light tan all the way to black. The size varies from a fraction of an inch in diameter to larger than a half dollar. The main feature of seborrheic keratoses is the waxy, pasted-on or stuck-on look.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 500,000 new cases are reported each year and the incidence is rising faster than any other type of cancer. While skin cancers can be found on any part of the body, about 80% appear on the face, head or neck where they can be disfiguring as well as dangerous.
Anyone can get skin cancer - no matter what your skin type, race or age and no matter where you live or what you do. However, you are at greater risk if...
Your skin is fair and freckles easily.
You have light-colored hair and eyes.
You have a large number of moles, or moles of unusual
size or shape
You have a family history of skin cancer or a personal
history of blistering sunburn.
You spend a lot of time working or playing outdoors.
You live closer to the equator, at a higher altitude or in
any place that gets intense, year-round sunshine.
Types of Skin Cancer
The least dangerous type and (most common) of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. It tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads beyond its original site. Basal cell carcinoma is life-threatening, if left untreated it can grow deep beneath the skin and into the underlying tissue and bone, causing serious damage. This type of skin cancer is treated in several different ways such as excision or curettage (scraping them from the surface of the skin).
Squamous cell carcinoma is the next most common kind of skin cancer frequently appearing on the lips, face or ears. It sometimes spreads to distant sites including lymph nodes and internal organs. This type of skin cancer may become life threatening if not treated.
Malignant melanoma is the least common, although its incidence is increasing rapidly. It is also the most dangerous type of skin cancer. If discovered early enough, it can be completely cured. If it is not treated quickly, malignant melanoma may spread throughout the body and may be deadly.
Basal and squamous cell carcinomas can vary widely in appearance. The cancer may begin as a small, white or pink nodule or bump. Or it could be smooth and shiny, waxy or pitted on the surface. It may even appear as a red spot that is rough, dry or scaly. It could be a firm red lump that may form a crust or a crusted group of nodules. It may even be a sore that bleeds or doesn't heal after two to four weeks or a white patch that looks like scar tissue.
Recognizing skin cancer begins with you doing an overall skin check on a regular basis. Have someone you trust help you to examine the areas you can't see such as your back and scalp. Look for the ABCDs and if you notice any unusual changes, have a dermatologist evaluate it.
Sunscreen
The sun produces both visible and invisible rays. The invisible rays, known as ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB), cause most of the problems. Both cause suntan, sunburn, and sun damage. There is no "safe" UV light. Using sun protection will help prevent skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Sunscreens work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun's rays on the skin. They are available in many forms, including ointments, creams, gels, lotions, sprays, and wax sticks. All are labeled with SPF numbers. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection from sunburn, caused mostly by UVB rays. Some sunscreens, called "broad spectrum," block out both UVA and UVB rays. These do a better job of protecting skin from other effects of the sun. However, sunscreens are not perfect.
Sunscreens should be applied about 20 minutes before going outdoors. Even water-resistant sunscreens should be reapplied about every two hours, after swimming, or after strenuous activities. And remember, UV rays are invisible and can still bounce off sand, snow and water.
Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people to a varying degree and for varying periods. It is most common in teenagers, but is often seen through the forties. Don't think that because the acne is common, treatment is unnecessary. Waiting to "outgrow" acne can be a serious mistake, since treatment by a physician can prevent the development of pitted scars and may improve your appearance.
Laser Hair Removal
The perfect solution to unwanted hair. For many men and women, unwanted hair can be a nightmare and getting rid of it can be quite painful. Until now, the only options for removing hair were painful electrolysis needles, sharp razors, stinging wax or smelly hair removal creams. Laser hair removal treatments are safe, fast, gentle and effective alternative method for hair removal.
Using a low-energy laser it is possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. Laser treatments leave your skin looking and feeling smoother.
Laser hair removal is not 100% permanent. It does take a series of three treatments spaced approximately two months apart to get rid of the hair. For maintenance purposes, a re-treatment every nine to twelve months is required to eliminate the hair.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Cosmetic laser skin resurfacing also know as the "laser peel" is a procedure that smoothes the facial skin by using a Co2 laser to refinish the damaged areas and shrink fine wrinkles. This procedure is usually done at a short stay facility under anesthetic.
A beam of laser energy is used to vaporize the upper layers of damaged skin with accurate precision. As new cells form during the healing process, a smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin surface appears.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is the latest process for improving fine lines and wrinkles, superficial pigmentation and blotchy skin. This procedure helps with the overall tone and texture of your skin and best of all can be done in less than one hour with no downtime.
Botox
Botox injections although not a permanent treatment, is visibly effective on worry lines around the forehead and eyebrows. It is a quick, non-surgical procedure with little downtime.
Alpha Hydroxy Peels
Using naturally derived acids from certain plants and fruits (including sugar cane, apples, grapes and citrus), AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) peels are used to combat acne, dry skin, weathered sun damaged skin, blotchy pigmentation and fine wrinkles.
A solution containing high concentrations of AHA is applied to your skin for a brief period of time and then washed off. The solution causes several of the top layers of skin to dry up and to peel off over a period of several days. When the old layer of skin has peeled off, it exposes a new layer of undamaged skin which is smoother and more even in color.
