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Dr. Kamell and Dr. Bodnar are trained to treat patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. This includes the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of problems of the skin, hair and nails. We treat all diseases of the skin including mild to severe acne including Accutane® for cystic acne. We also treat sun damaged skin including sun spots (actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses), skin cancers and provide evaluations of irregular moles and other growths to determine whether they are or may become cancerous. Treatment of all rashes is also provided including eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, allergies, infections and warts.
Acne
Acne is the term for the blocked pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that can appear typically on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Seventeen million Americans currently have acne, making it the most common skin disease in the country. While it affects mostly teenagers, and almost all teenagers have some form of acne, adults of any age can have it. Acne is not life-threatening, but it can cause physical disfigurement (scarring) and emotional distress.
Treatment for acne varies depending on the type and severity of lesions, as well as the patient's skin type, age and lifestyle. Options include:
- Topical Medications
- Antibiotics
- Accutane®
- Blackhead Extraction
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- Skin Care
- Laser Treatments - Smoothbeam
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Acne scarring can be treated in a variety of ways as well. These include:
- Chemical Peels
- Dermabrasion
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- Soft Tissue Fillers
- Smoothbeam Laser
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Acne can be unsightly and painful. In addition to the physical toll, it can also saddle sufferers with poor self-esteem and even depression. A drug called Accutane® (isotretinoin) offers acne sufferers a potent, highly effective option for clearing even the most stubborn acne. For over 20 years, Accutane has successfully helped patients with severe recalcitrant nodular acne. The small Accutane capsules are taken orally in several courses of 4-6 months each.
Sun Spots
Sun spots, also called liver spots, are flat brown patches on the skin that have darkened in color ("pigmented") after exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light. They are commonly seen in people over the age of 40 on areas of skin that are frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the hands, shoulders, forearms, face and forehead. Age spots may look unattractive, but age spots are painless and harmless, although their dark color can delay the diagnosis of some skin cancers.
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are lesions on the surface layer of the skin (epidermis) caused by chronic exposure to sunlight, particularly ultraviolet light. AKs occur when the cells that comprise 90 percent of the epidermis, the keratinocytes, change their size, shape and/or organization in a process called cutaneous dysplasia. This alters the texture of the skin surface and may extend deeper, into the dermis. AKs are only one of many kinds of keratinocyte lesions, which can be caused by factors other than sunlight (such as chemical carcinogens, x-rays, heat, papillomavirus infection and scarring).
Actinic keratoses can signal the onset of skin cancer; AKs can progress to squamous cell carcinoma, the second-most common form of epidermal skin cancer.
Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen is commonly used to treat these lesions as well as topical creams that kill precancerous cells.
Another modality of treatment for widespread or diffuse precancerous cells is Photodynamic Therapy. We use a photosensitizing agent called Levulan which is activated with the correct wavelength of light to treat the lesions. (BLU-U Treatment)
Seborrheic keratoses are noncancerous (benign) skin growths that some people develop as they age. They often appear on the back or chest, but can occur on any part of the body. Seborrheic keratoses grow slowly, in groups or singly. Most people will develop at least one seborrheic keratosis during their lifetime. You may decide, however, to have them removed if they become irritated by clothing or for cosmetic reasons.
Full Body Skin Exams
Full-body skin exams are an important tool in screening patients for benign or cancerous lesions that they may not have been able to see or recognize on their own. From head to toe and back to front, we inspect the skin for any irregular moles and other suspicious growths. This quick and painless preventive measure is an invaluable tool in the early detection of skin cancer as well as many other dermatological conditions.
Rashes
A rash is a change in the skin's color or texture. Simple rashes are called dermatitis, which means the skin is inflamed or swollen. Other common rashes include eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, shingles, chicken pox, measles, scarlet fever, insect bites and those caused by medical conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
A dermatologist is usually able to identify the rash by looking at it and asking about accompanying symptoms. Mild rashes can often be treated with simple home care practices such as avoiding soaps and bathing in warm water. Others may require moisturizing creams, prescription medications or more extensive treatment.
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