What
Is A Dermatologist ?
A dermatologist
is a medical and surgical specialist who primarily deals with
the diagnosis and treatment of problems of the skin, hair, and
nails. Some dermatologists take a special interest in the correction
of aging skin and cosmetic dermatological procedures.
What is
Dermatologic Surgery?
Dermatologic
Surgery is the practice of dermatology that specializes in
surgical procedures and minimally invasive treatments to improve
the health, function and appearance of your skin.
The subspecialty
is recognized by the American Medical Association as the field
of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of skin
conditions, including therapeutic, reconstructive and cosmetic
skincare.
Dermatologic
surgery is the largest specialty group in dermatology and represents
the fastest-growing segment of dermatologic practice.
Who is
a Dermatologic Surgeon?
A Dermatologic
Surgeon is a skin surgery specialist who focuses on the health
and beauty of your skin - from head to toe, from the cradle to
the golden years. Nearly all dermatologic surgeons perform both
medically necessary and cosmetic surgery procedures to maintain
the health, function and appearance of your skin.
Dermatologic
surgeons are Board-certified physicians who successfully complete
medical school and a one-year internship, followed by a specialized
three-year dermatology residency program. They continue their
research and training through accredited Continuing Medical Education
in the form of ongoing post-graduate courses and symposia, staying
abreast of the latest clinical advances and technologies in their
field.
Dermatologic
surgeons are pioneers in the research and development of many
of today's most effective therapeutic and cosmetic skincare solutions.
For example, the art and science of procedures for the treatment
of skin cancer, aging and sun-damaged skin unwanted hair, varicose
veins, scars, undesirable body fat, hair loss, and more were investigated
and refined by dermatology surgeons. You may directly seek the
services of a dermatologic surgeon or be referred to one by your
primary care provider or general dermatologist.
What Can
Dermatologic Surgeons Do For You?
Dermatologic
Surgeons specialize in the use of surgical and non-surgical
skills and methods for diagnosing and treating various skin, hair,
nail and vein conditions, including benign growths, skin cancers,
aging skin, unwanted fat, excess hair and varicose veins. As experts
on living skin cells, dermatologic surgeons are uniquely qualified
to employ a range of corrective and preventive techniques to keep
skin healthy, vibrant and youthful-looking. In fact, dermatologic
surgeons are responsible for the development and refinement of
many of today's therapeutic and cosmetic surgery procedures.
Great strides
in minimally invasive techniques and today's advanced technologies
now enable dermatologic surgeons to achieve medically effective
and cosmetically elegant results. Procedures are typically less
intense, safer and heal more quickly than ever before. Further,
treatment is usually performed in the physician's office, which
translates to added convenience and cost-effectiveness.
What
Are The Common Treatments Used in Dermatologic Surgery?
Anti-Aging
and Cosmetic Approaches
Skin rejuvenation techniques include topical products applied
to the skin, botulinum toxin, brow lifts, chemical peels, dermabrasion,
eyelid surgeries, laser treatment, liposuction, microdermabrasion,
mini face lifts, neck and jowl treatments, and soft tissue fillers.
Age Spots
and Birthmark Correction
With laser and light-based technologies, dermatologic surgeons
have dramatically advanced the treatment of birthmarks and age
spots, medically referred to as benign vascular and pigmented
lesions. They can now successfully treat birthmarks of virtually
every size, type and color on all parts of the body with or without
scalpels in an out-patient setting.
Botulinum
Toxin (BOTOX®)
First introduced in the U.S. by a dermatologic surgeon in 1991,
Botox injection therapy relaxes targeted facial muscles by blocking
nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions,
creating a smooth and improved appearance of lines and brow furrows.
It is one of the most popular skin surgeries.
Chemical
Peels
Chemical peels are beneficial in the treatment of wrinkles around
the eye and mouth, skin discoloration and age spots, as well as
dull skin texture and mild acne scars. The procedure involves
the application of a special chemical solution to remove outer
layers of aged, discolored and irregular skin. Fresh skin is then
generated, which is usually smoother, less wrinkled and more even
in color. Dermatologic surgeons pioneered chemical peeling procedures
more than 50 years ago and have perfected a range of peeling techniques
and solutions.
Collagen
and Other Soft Tissue Fillers
Collagen is one of several widely available injectable wrinkle
fillers used to "erase" lines, fill and plump furrows
and hollows in the face, and enhance the definition of the lips.
Certain scars and skin depressions also respond well to soft tissue
fillers. Cosmetic dermatologists have developed and tested various
natural and synthetic substances to give skin a smoother and more
pleasing appearance. In addition to collagen-based fillers, popular
substances include one's own fat, polymer implants and fascia
lata.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a resurfacing procedure where the skin is mechanically
smoothed to achieve a rejuvenated appearance. It is used to treat
substantial scarring, pigmentation and sun damage. The results
are generally quite remarkable and long lasting. For mild skin
damage, microdermabrasion achieves a light buffing of the skin
surface with microbeads.
Hair Loss
and Restoration
Dermatology is the only medical specialty that focuses on the
biology of hair, studying the causes and treatment of hair loss.
Having invented hair transplant procedures back in the 1950s,
dermatologic surgeons are trained in a combination of techniques
to produce the best results. These include hair restoration treatment
using standard, mini and micro-grafts; scalp reduction for extensive
balding; scalp extenders or tissue expanders; scalp lift and scalp
flaps.
Laser Hair
Removal
Laser and light-based technologies have revolutionized the therapeutic
and cosmetic practice of dermatologic surgery. By penetrating
the melanin in the hair shaft and disabling the hair follicle,
long wavelength lasers and pulsed light sources can effectively
remove unwanted hair from the face, underarms, back, legs and
bikini area on the patients of just about all skin types. Laser
hair removal can also successfully treat inflamed and bumpy skin
caused by ingrown hair.
Laser Resurfacing
and Skin Rejuvenation
Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic solution for skin with significant
sun damage, wrinkles, acne scars, freckles and age spots. This
technique removes the top layers of skin as it gently smoothes
and precisely contours the skin surface. Non-ablative (non-wounding)
skin rejuvenation is an ideal treatment for those with mild to
moderate aging and sun-damaged skin. Non-ablative lasers and light-based
devices bypass the top skin layers to stimulate collagen production
and tighten underlying skin with patient downtime.
Liposuction
Using Local Anesthesia
With the bottom layer of skin made up of fat cells, it is no wonder
cosmetic dermatologic surgeons have extensive experience in performing
liposuction to remove unwanted or excess body fat. In the 1980s,
they introduced the concept of using local anesthesia, often referred
to as tumescent liposuction, which allows the physician to perform
the procedure in the office with increased safety and superior
cosmetic results. Dermatologic surgeons also invented "power-assisted
liposuction" which used motorized instruments to shave and
remove more fat in less time with greater precision.
Scar Improvement
Whether as the result of acne, a skin disease like chicken pox,
stretch marks or trauma to the skin, there are several therapeutic
and cosmetic dermatologic remedies to improve the appearance of
scars. High-tech lasers, dermabrasion, punch grafts and chemical
peels are some of the more common treatments developed or refined
by dermatologic surgeons for scar improvement.
Skin Cancer
Dermatologic surgeons are the unrivaled specialists in the diagnosis,
removal, closure and overall treatment of skin cancer. From Mohs
micrographic surgery to simple biopsy and excisions as well as
preventive laser therapy of pre-cancerous growths, dermatologic
surgeons can control and effectively treat skin cancer with early
detection.
Skin Disease
Management: Acne, Psoriasis, Rosacea and Vitiligo
Advances in laser technology spearheaded by dermatologic surgeons
provide new treatments for chronic skin conditions like acne,
psoriasis, rosacea and vitiligo. These and other skin disorders,
which a mere 10 years ago required extensive and invasive surgery
or were simply resistant to treatment, can now be successfully
managed.
Tattoo
Removal
Several types of laser systems may be used to eliminate tattoos,
depending on anatomic location, size and ink color. The laser
beam targets the pigment in the skin and mechanically breaks it
down. The body then naturally removes the pigment and the tattoo
fades. Non-laser techniques are also effective for tattoo removal.
Most tattoos require multiple treatments for thorough removal.
Vein Treatments
There are a number of treatment options that improve vein conditions
by removing or destroying the defective spider or varicose vein
so its function can be quickly taken over by healthy veins. Sclerotherapy
using a very small needle and saline or special chemical solution
is considered the gold standard of care. For certain varicose
and spider leg veins or facial blood vessels, dermatologic surgeons
may perform ambulatory phlebectomy, endovenous techniques, laser
surgery or pulsed light therapy.
On the
Horizon
Dermatologic surgeons continue to research and develop new treatment
options for the health and beauty of your skin. Inventive techniques
under investigation include novel soft tissue fillers like hyaluronic
acid gel; Myobloc™, an alternative to botulinum toxin Type
A; high-tech radio frequency devices to tighten and lift aging
skin; and innovative applications for skin regeneration based
on the theory of LED (light-emitting diodes) photomodulation of
living cells.
What is
the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery?
The American
Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) was founded in 1970
to promote excellence in the subspecialty of dermatologic surgery
and to foster the highest standards of patient care. The Society
is dedicated to advancing education and research in the therapeutic,
reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the skin - from the basics
to the advanced, the traditional to the cutting edge breakthroughs.
It supports a variety of educational programs and advocacy issues
to enhance the ethical practice of dermatologic surgery on behalf
of its members and the public.
The field
of dermatologic surgery is constantly evolving and expanding with
the discovery of new technologies and treatment techniques. The
ASDS is made up of more then 2,500 dermatologic surgeons who are
committed to ethical conduct and lifelong education. The Society
publishes Dermatologic Surgery, a monthly peer-reviewed medical
journal, sponsors educational seminars and workshops, funds research
grants, and conducts an annual scientific meeting.
