Acne
Although acne is most commonly a condition that occurs in the teenage years, almost every day we see an adult who laments that they still get acne breakouts. Acne can cause much frustration and self-consciousness, and if acne is extensive, may lead to scarring which is difficult or even impossible to improve.
At SkinPhysicians and Surgeons we treat both adolescents and adults suffering with acne, and we devise skin care programs specifically designed to improve your acne, whether it may include prescription oral and topical medications, chemical peels or recommendations from our extensive array of
cosmeceuticals specifically created to improve acne.
Moles
On the average, a person has approximately 100 moles on their body! Moles that are suspicious, irritated, or cosmetically unappealing can be safely and easily removed. This is a very common procedure performed in our office. Generally, the area around the mole is anesthetized with a local anesthetic and the mole is taken off either by removing it flush with the skin, or excision which may require a few sutures. The procedure is painless and quick. Whenever a mole is removed, it is processed so that it may be looked at under a microscope to ensure there are no atypical cells that may suggest or equate with skin cancer. The average person should have a full body skin exam every two to three years, but if you have a family history or a personal history of skin cancer, in particular melanoma, we recommend a skin exam at least every year. Luckily, we have both male and female physicians in our office, so if you feel more comfortable with a particular sex when a full body exam is conducted, the choice is yours.
Skin Cancer
Remember, that early detection of skin cancer and skin cancer prevention are keys to maintaining healthy skin. At SkinPhysicians & Surgeons complete skin exams are conducted by board certified dermatologists, trained in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. Periodic self examination is also recommended.
There are 3 common types of skin cancers:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Malignant Melanoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma: This is the most common type of skin cancer, and in fact is the most common type of cancer, period. Basal cell carcinomas typically appear as flesh colored, pink, or red bumps that persist, and may bleed, heal up, then bleed again. They are directly related to sun exposure and therefore occur most commonly on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, and upper body. They occur most commonly on people with light-colored hair and eyes, particularly if they don't tan easily. The good news about basal cell carcinomas is that they are very slow growing and are almost always confined to the skin. In other words, they have a very low risk of spreading internally (metastasizing). Basal cell carcinoma can be treated and cured effectively by a dermatologist and/or Mohs surgeon .
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This type of skin cancer is the second most common. Like basal cell carcinomas, they are more commonly seen in fair-skinned people, particularly in sun-exposed areas. They appear most commonly as red or pink bumps or scaly rough areas. They are commonly found on the tips of the ears, the face, and the lips, but they can occur anywhere on the body. This type of skin cancer is slow growing, but if allowed to develop to a very large size, it has the potential to spread internally (metastasize) and potentially affect other parts of the body. However, for the most part, these types of skin cancer can be treated and cured by a dermatologist and/or Mohs surgeon.
Malignant Melanoma: Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. At the time of its diagnosis, there is a much higher chance that it has spread to other areas of the body. In the past two decades, melanoma incidence has tripled. It is a cancer that affects young people. One in four persons who develops a melanoma is under 40 years old. While it is the ninth most common human cancer, it is second only to adult leukemia in terms of loss of potential years of life. However, if diagnosed early and removed while it is still very superficial in the skin, it can be almost 100% curable.
Melanomas originate in melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment melanin that darkens our skin, hair and eyes. This pigment and cell type are most concentrated in our moles. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but they can stop producing pigment and may appear skin-colored, pink, red, or purple.
Melanomas can appear on normal skin or within an existing mole. It is important to be aware of the location and appearance of the moles on your body. You should monitor your body for any changes in existing moles or the appearance of a new mole. Suspicious signs of melanoma can be summarized by the ABCDE's:
A: Asymmetry
Most melanomas are asymmetrical: A line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common benign moles are round and symmetrical. |
 |
| |
B: Border Irregularity
The borders of early melanomas are often irregular with scalloped or notched borders. Common benign moles have smoother, more even borders. |
 |
| |
C: Color Variability
Varied shades of brown, tan or black are often the first signs of melanoma. As melanomas progress, colors of red, white or blue may appear. Common benign moles are usually a single shade of brown. |
 |
| |
D: Diameter
Melanomas tend to grow a greater size than a common mole, generally at least the size of a pencil eraser (6 mm diameter). |
| |
E: Evolution
Moles should be watched over time, and if they show evidence of growing or changing, this increases the chances that they may be developing into a melanoma. |
| |
Remember, these are only guidelines to help you monitor your moles at home, an important aspect to maintaining healthy skin. Moles that do not have any of these suspicious signs could still be a melanoma, and we recommend having an examination by a board certified dermatologist to make a definitive diagnosis. |
Please contact us at SkinPhysicians & Surgeons for a complete skin exam or to exam something of concern.
Back to Top
