Signature Dermatology

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Cysts

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About Cysts

What is it?

There are many types of cysts that show up on our skin. A cyst is a sac-like pocket of membranous tissue that contains fluid, air, or other substances. They can grow almost anywhere in your body or under your skin.
There are many types of cysts. Most cysts are benign, or noncancerous.
Cysts can be small round bumps, usually white or yellow. Can form from blocked oil glands, and commonly appear on the face, back, neck or trunk. If a cyst becomes infected it will feel tender and become red. It can produce a thick yellow discharge when squeezed. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with your dermatologist if you think you have cysts. They will determine a treatment based on the type of cyst that you have.

What causes Cysts?

Cysts are common and can occur anywhere on the body. They are often a result of infection, clogged sebaceous glands, or piercings.
Some other common causes of cysts include:
  • tumors
  • genetic conditions
  • a defect in the cells
  • chronic inflammatory conditions
  • blockages of ducts in the body that cause fluids to build up
  • a parasite
  • an injury that breaks a vessel
In most cases, it is unusual for cysts to cause pain unless they rupture, become infected, or are inflamed.

Common treatments?

The treatment options for a cyst will depend on a range of factors, including the type of cyst, where it is, its size, and the degree of discomfort it is causing. For very large cysts that are causing symptoms, a doctor may recommend surgical removal.
Sometimes, they might drain or aspirate the cyst by inserting a needle or catheter into the cavity. If the cyst is not easily accessible, they may use radiologic imaging to accurately guide the needle or catheter.
Sometimes, a health professional may examine the removed liquid under a microscope to determine whether or not any cancerous cells are present. If they suspect that the cyst is cancerous, they may suggest surgical removal, order a biopsy of the cyst wall, or both.
Many cysts develop as a result of a chronic or underlying medical condition, as may be the case with fibrocystic breast disease or polycystic ovary syndrome. In such cases, the focus of the treatment will be on the medical condition itself, not the cyst.

Our approach & expertise

Cysts are common and affect each individual differently, therefore it is important that we see patients and assess the proper treatment method. Because cysts can also vary in severity, we are careful to treat each one carefully.
We understand how a cyst can be a physical nuisance and even affect your self-esteem. As your experienced community skin experts, we have the knowledge to help you manage this condition. Healthy skin is our passion. Contact us if you have a cyst that you want to eliminate so you can have clear, smooth skin once again.
Schedule an appointment with us now!

Actinic Keratosis

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About Actinic Keratosis

What is it?

Actinic keratosis (ak-TIN-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a rough, scaly patch on the skin that develops from years of sun exposure. It’s often found on the face, lips, ears, forearms, scalp, neck, or back of the hands.
Also known as a solar keratosis, an actinic keratosis grows slowly and usually first appears in people over 40.
You can reduce your risk of this skin condition by minimizing your sun exposure and protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Left untreated, the risk of actinic keratoses turning into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma is about 5% to 10%.

What causes Actinic Keratosis?

Actinic keratoses vary in appearance. Signs and symptoms include:
  • Rough, dry or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter
  • Flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin
  • In some cases, a hard, wartlike surface
  • Color variations, including pink, red or brown
  • Itching, burning, bleeding or crusting
  • New patches or bumps on sun-exposed areas of the head, neck, hands, and forearms

Common Treatments?

  • Freezing (cryotherapy). Actinic keratoses can be removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Your doctor applies the substance to the affected skin, which causes blistering or peeling. As your skin heals, the damaged cells slough off, allowing new skin to appear. Cryotherapy is the most common treatment. It takes only a few minutes and can be done in your doctor’s office. Side effects may include blisters, scarring, changes to skin texture, infection, and changes in skin color of the affected area.
  • Scraping (curettage). In this procedure, your doctor uses a device called a curet to scrape off damaged cells. Scraping may be followed by electrosurgery, in which the doctor uses a pencil-shaped instrument to cut and destroy the affected tissue with an electric current. This procedure requires local anesthesia. Side effects may include infection, scarring, and changes in skin color of the affected area.
  • Laser therapy. This technique is increasingly used to treat actinic keratosis. Your doctor uses an ablative laser device to destroy the patch, allowing new skin to appear. Side effects may include scarring and discoloration of the affected skin.
  • Photodynamic therapy. Your doctor might apply a light-sensitive chemical solution to the affected skin and then expose it to a special light that will destroy the actinic keratosis. Side effects may include redness, swelling, and a burning sensation during therapy.

Our approach & expertise

Our practice has skilled dermatologic experts who have the experience and knowledge to provide effective solutions for your particular needs and goals. Our focus on you as a person is what makes us different from others, and we’ll be with you each step of the way with empathy, advice, and support. Healthy skin is our passion. Contact us today if you have actinic keratosis so that we can help you.

Schedule an appointment with us now!

Aging / Sun Damaged Skin

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About Aging / Sun Damaged Skin

What is it?

We realize that our culture tends to associate suntanned skin with a lifestyle that is healthy and active. Unfortunately, this is a myth that should be retired; sun and age damage go hand in hand and can affect you both physically and psychologically. A “healthy tan” is not good for your skin; any sun exposure, no matter how small, causes irreversible damage. The subsequent damage is not just skin deep, as it alters the DNA of your skin cells. That’s why as much as 90 percent of the signs of aging are related to sun damaged skin and exposure.

The sun gives off ultraviolet light that damages the skin and contributes to premature skin aging, dark spots, and other problematic conditions.

What causes Sun Damaged Skin?

The sun’s UV rays are the main cause of aging, sun-damaged skin. Sun and age damage are linked because they exacerbate one another. Together, they reduce your skin’s elasticity by breaking down collagen while decreasing your skin’s shape and fullness. Telltale signs of sun and age damage include wrinkles on your face, neck, and chest, lines around your mouth and eyes, sagging skin, age spots, and freckles and/or moles.

Common treatments?

At Signature Dermatology, we have a variety of options to address sun and age damage, and we have the knowledge and experience to tailor it to your unique case. However, there are many steps you yourself can take to prevent and even repair your skin. These steps include wearing 30+ SPF sunscreen daily (even on cloudy days!), covering up exposed skin when outside, avoiding intense sun between the hours of 10:00am to 3:00pm, the avoidance of indoor tanning beds, and the use of moisturizing creams and lotions at night.

Our approach & expertise

At Signature Dermatology, we focus on you as a person. Our compassionate community staff works with you to address your signs of sun and age damage, and you can rely on us to answer your questions and be an integral part of your support system. Healthy skin is our passion. Contact us today if you notice sun and age damage so that we can help you repair and restore your skin.

Schedule an appointment with us now!

Alopecia Areata

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About Alopecia Areata

What is it?

Affecting nearly 5 million Americans, alopecia areata is a medical condition in which the hair falls out in patches. It is unpredictable; if you have it, your experience may not be the same as someone else’s. For example, you may have hair loss followed by full regrowth while another person may have only partial regrowth. Or your case may last a few months while someone else’s may last several years. In addition to patchy hair loss, other symptoms of this condition include widespread hair loss, nail irregularities (e.g., splitting or changes in color, texture, shape), and single strands of hair in or near the bald patch(es).

What causes Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata occurs when your immune system mysteriously attacks hair follicles, causing hair to fall out in clumps. Although the reasons for this are still unclear, it’s thought to be related to genetics.

Common treatments?

Despite there being no known cure for this type of alopecia areata, there are ways to manage the loss of hair and/or help it grow back. Among the options are Minoxidil, an over-the-counter topical lotion also offered in prescription strength; corticosteroids for immune system suppression; Anthralin, a topical medication that disrupts the immune system and promotes hair growth; and Diphencyprone, a topical medication that disturbs the immune system to stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth.

Our approach & expertise

We realize the impact that gradual hair loss can have on both appearance and self-esteem. However, alopecia areata is a different type of hair loss, and as your neighborhood skin and hair experts, we’re here with answers to all your questions about this condition. What sets our skin and hair experts apart is our focus on you as a person. Our neighborhood practitioners customize your treatment, and you can turn to us for compassionate support and advice.
Healthy skin is our passion. Contact us to know more about alopecia areata and how we can help manage this condition to improve your confidence in your appearance.

Dysport

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About Dysport

What is it?

Dysport is a brand name for a type of botulinum toxin type A injectable. Like Botox, Dysport is used for cosmetic and medical purposes, primarily for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles and lines by temporarily paralyzing underlying muscles. It works by blocking the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract, thus relaxing them and smoothing out wrinkles.

In addition to its cosmetic uses, Dysport is also used medically to treat various conditions, including muscle spasms, cervical dystonia (a neurological movement disorder affecting the neck muscles), and even excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). It’s important to note that Dysport should only be administered by trained medical professionals due to its potency and potential side effects. Our experts at Signature Dermatology will be there with you every step of the way.

What to expect with Dysport

The actual procedure is relatively quick and straightforward. Your provider will inject small amounts of Dysport directly into the muscles targeted for treatment using a fine needle. Depending on the areas being treated, the process typically takes around 10 to 30 minutes. You may start to notice the effects within a few days after treatment, with full results typically appearing within 1 to 2 weeks. Dysport temporarily relaxes the muscles, smoothing out wrinkles and lines in the treated areas. The results typically last for several months, after which you may choose to undergo additional treatments to maintain the effects.

After the procedure

Within a week after you should start to notice results, although this can vary from patient to patient. Over the following 3-4 months, the targeted wrinkles gradually vanish, and touch-up injections are suggested every 6 months in order to maintain the rejuvenating effects of the treatment..

Healthy skin is our passion at Signature Dermatology. Contact us today for more about Dysport and other injectable fillers and how it can revitalize your appearance.

Kybella

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About Kybella

What is it?

If you’re like many people, you may think that a double chin only affects overweight people and that it can be eliminated with conventional fat loss methods. However, a double chin can develop even if you are in good shape and keep an ideal weight. Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable designed specifically to destroy fat cells in a saggy chin. It consists of synthetic deoxycholic acid, which naturally and easily breaks down and absorbs fat. It’s a minimally-invasive way to eliminate a double chin that does not disappear due to exercise, diet, or regular fat-loss methods.

What to expect with Kybella

The experts have the experience to administer Kybella treatments that reduce a double chin. One treatment session with our skillful practitioners takes a half hour and depending on your aesthetic goals, you may need one session every 4-6 weeks for about 6 months. Another benefit of Kybella is that the destroyed fat cells will no longer store or accrue fat; it’s a permanent solution that other options cannot duplicate.

After the procedure

The full results of Kybella will be visible within 2-3 weeks after your injections, but results can vary. Downtime is minimal, although you should take it easy for 24-48 hours, and side effects such as swelling, redness, tenderness, and bruising are usually mild and subside in 5-7 days.

Our approach & expertise

We understand that changes to your appearance, such as a double chin, can lead to a decrease in self-esteem. We’re here to provide support and offer a variety of treatment options, and what distinguishes our Kybella treatments from others is our focus on you as an individual. Our compassionate staff is here to address your questions and concerns throughout the entire treatment process.
Healthy skin is our passion, so contact us to find out more about how Kybella can erase your double chin and restore a more attractive profile.

Skin Cancer

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About Skin Cancer

What is it?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, affecting around 20 percent of Americans. However, it does not have to be fatal, especially when caught early. That’s why you shouldn’t ignore unusual skin bumps, lesions, discolorations, and other irregularities when they appear. Although the causes of skin cancer vary, there are common risk factors to be aware of, which include chronic sun exposure, a family history of skin cancer, fair skin, multiple sunburns throughout your life, precancerous skin lesions, and sunny and/or high-altitude climates and locales.

What causes Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of skin cells, which then spreads to adjacent cells. When the spread is rapid or uncontrolled, it can easily become malignant. Three types of this disease are prevalent. The first is squamous cell carcinoma, which is located in cells just beneath the skin surface. The second is basal cell carcinoma (the most common type of skin cancer) which develops in the layer beneath squamous cells. Lastly, there is melanoma, the most dangerous variant. Melanoma forms under the other two layers of cells. A precancerous lesion, actinic keratosis (AK), also is possible; it usually is not life-threatening, but it can become cancerous if ignored.

Common treatments

Our experts at Signature Dermatology have the experience and training to help you overcome this disease. We highly recommend regular skin cancer screenings, especially if you are prone to the above risk factors. If a carcinoma is found, we’ll discuss the best solution with you from among the following treatment options: excisional surgery, electrodesiccation and curettage (EC&D), cryotherapy, and Mohs micrographic surgery.

Our approach & expertise

We provide an assortment of treatment options that can be customized to suit your needs based on your goals, concerns, and opinions about which treatment is right for you. We’ll be with you throughout the process with compassionate care and support so you can have your life back and live it to the fullest. We understand that a diagnosis can be traumatic and painful, both physically and emotionally. As your community skin cancer specialists, we’re here to provide encouragement, advice, and answers to your questions should you ever receive such a diagnosis. What sets us apart is our focus on you as a person. Our warm, compassionate practitioners are ready to address your concerns to be here as an essential part of your support.

Schedule an appointment with us now!