According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Here are some facts you need to know about skin cancer:

• Anyone can get skin cancer, even those who have skin of color
• The sun and indoor tanning are the leading causes of skin cancer
• If caught before it spreads, most skin cancers are curable
• That’s why having a yearly screening exam is so important!

To spot skin cancer or pre-cancerous growths, we will carefully examine your skin. Specifically, we will look for growths, moles, and any dry patches.

• Dr. Lee uses “dermatoscopy” for all her examinations
  • A “dermatoscope” is a special magnifying device that shines light on your skin
  • This special skin scope allows us to visualize skin abnormalities at a deeper level and assess patterns that may indicate dangerous spots
• If we find anything suspicious, we will gently remove all or part of the suspect area
  • This sample will be sent to a lab for a biopsy
  • Process causes minimal discomfort and generally does not leave a significant scar

If caught early through yearly screenings, most skin cancers are curable according to the American Academy of Dermatology. There are several types of skin cancer. Your treatment will be determined by the type of cancer you have:

• Most common types are:
  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Melanoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
• Many people also have “precancerous” growths called actinic keratosis
• A biopsy must be performed to diagnose your skin cance

• Precancerous growths can be treated with a special photodynamic (light) therapy
  • Involves applying a topical solution (Levulan) and then waiting for the skin to absorb the product (30-60 minutes)
  • Then, you’ll sit under a special blue light treatment for 8-15 minutes
  • Several treatment sessions are usually required
• Skin cancer is most commonly treated through the removal of the cancer via surgery
• Other treatments may include topical medicines, photodynamic (light) therapy or radiation

Rosacea is a common skin disorder. Signs of rosacea include facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels.

• Redness can extend beyond the face, affecting the back, ears, and chest
• There is no cure for rosacea, but we can develop a plan to:
  • Reduce the appearance of rosacea
  • Prevent symptoms from getting worse

Treatment Options for Rosacea
Rosacea can be managed and your appearance improved with:

• Topical creams
• Sunscreen
• Lasers and other light treatments
• Antibiotics (applied to skin and taken as pills)

Acne doesn’t just affect teenagers. Many adults, especially women, are challenged by acne well into their 20s, 30s, and even 40s. Some facts you need to know about adult acne are:

• Acne is the most common skin condition in the US
• It’s a myth that acne must just “run its course” or you must use harsh, drying treatments to combat acne
• We offer a customized treatment plan to address your specific skin type and improve your skin’s appearance
• We understand that acne causes more than breakouts – it can affect your confidence!

Treatments Available for Adult Acne
We offer a variety of treatments to help clear acne, prevent blemishes, and promote good skin health. The right treatment for you should not be irritating or cause your skin to be overly dry. Treatments include:

• Topical medicines to kill bacteria and reduce oil
• Medicines (pills) that help kill bacteria or manage your hormones
  • Antibiotics
  • Birth control
  • Isotretinoin (aka Accutane)
• Laser and light therapy
• Chemical peels
• Clinically proven skincare products to moisture and cleanse acne-prone skin
  • Ask about our own specialized line of products designed to give you superior results compared to most drug-store brands!

The medical term for hair loss is “alopecia.” If you suffer from hair loss, you are not alone. Millions of American suffer from hair loss – men and women alike.

• Some of the common causes are stress and a family history
• Women may also experience hair loss after the birth of a child
• Luckily, most cases of hair loss can be treated

Treatment Options for Hair Loss
The earlier you seek treatment for hair loss, the better the outcome. There are several treatment options we can offer people with hair loss:

• Topical creams (minoxidil)
• Laser devices that use light to stimulate the scalp
• Prescription medicine (pills)

Warts are skin growths caused by a virus infecting the skin. Some facts about warts you need to know are:

• Warts are often found on the hands, but they can grow anywhere on the body
• Because warts are caused by a virus, they are contagious – from person to person or body part to body part

Treatment Options for Warts
We have many options to rid people of unsightly warts; some include:

• Topical treatments (cantharidin)
  • Causes a blister to form beneath the wart so that it “dies” and can be clipped away
• Cryotherapy (freezing)
  • Creates a scab that ultimately peels off
• Removal via electrosurgery (burning) or simply excision (cutting)
• Injections to boost your immune system so that it can fight off the wart virus

“Mohs Surgery” is an effective way to remove most skin cancers – one skin layer at a time. Some facts you need to know about skin cancer surgery:

• Mohs Surgery is conveniently performed in our offices
  • Uses just a local numbing agent (anesthetic)
• After each layer of skin is removed, it is examined under the microscope to determine whether any residual cancer remains
  • The goal of Mohs Surgery is to eliminate the “roots” of the skin cancer, which can cause a recurrence if not removed completely
• Success rates are as high as 99%

Be prepared to spend at least half the day at the office because removal and preparation of each skin layer can take 20 to 60 minutes.

BEFORE
We’ll apply a local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort.

REMOVAL
A precise area of skin is removed. The average patient requires 2-3 layers for complete removal

PROCESS
A dressing (bandage) will be applied after the first layer is removed and you’ll sit in the waiting room while we process the skin.

REPAIR
Once all the skin cancer cells are removed, the area is repaired, usually with stiches.

AFTER
Most people have little to no pain after Mohs Surgery.

• Processing includes color-coding each layer with special dyes, freezing the skin, and examining under a microscope

Seeing us for skin cancer surgery? Download full instructions for surgery (PDF 212kb)

It is important to have all skin growths evaluated by the dermatologist. Changes in your skin, like when a mole changes color or shape, may be a signs of a serious condition such as skin cancer.

• Once we determine the mole, cyst or lipoma (fatty tissue growth) are not signs of a more serious condition, you may want to have them removed
  • This can be done easily and virtually painlessly in our office

Every effort is made to minimize any scarring so there is no sign of the previous mole, cyst or lipoma. Removal techniques vary by the type of skin growth:

• Moles can be removed by 1 of 2 techniques:
  • Surgical excision (cutting)
  • Surgical shaving
  • Never try to “shave off” a mole at home; this could put you at risk for infection and scarring
• Cysts and lipomas are generally removed through excision (cutting)