Dermatologists are medical doctors with special training that also allows them to diagnose and treat conditions and diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists diagnose and treat everything from skin cancers, moles, and warts, to acne, dry skin, and psoriasis. Additionally, they are surgeons who are able to perform certain types of surgery to prevent and control disease, as well as cosmetic procedures to improve how skin looks.
YOUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It varies depending on the complexity of your visit. New patient office visits are $?? (plus any additional services you may require). Return office visits range from $??? (plus any additional services you may require).
We advise patients to plan on their visit to take 30 – 60 minutes, with the exception of surgical procedures, which may take longer depending on the procedure. Actual time will depend on the complexity of your skin issue/procedure. We also prefer that you arrive about 15 minutes ahead of your appointment to complete any paperwork that may be necessary.
Please bring a list of all medications and supplements you currently take, as well as any to which you are allergic. Although you don’t need your actual medication, we will need to know what dosage you take of each.
We accept several different types of insurance, as well as a number of different payment options. For a full description, click here.
Most people don’t see a dermatologist until they have a skin condition or desire a cosmetic procedure. In truth, you should visit your dermatologist at least once a year for a thorough skin examination. If you develop any conditions between yearly visits, you should contact your dermatologist immediately.
We work very hard to get our patients in to see the doctor as quickly as possible. On average, it usually takes about one – two weeks for us to schedule a new patient. However, we try to accommodate all true emergencies on an immediate / same-day basis.
There are a number of different risk factors. If you have any of the following, you may want to get checked or take extra caution:
- Fair skin that easily freckles or burns, or is hyper-sensitive after being in the sun
- Eyes that are blue or green, or hair that is blonde or red
- Frequent exposure to the sun
- Sunburns, especially when you were young
- A family history of skin cancer
The only way to know for sure is to see a dermatologist. See one immediately if you have moles or areas on your skin that change shape or change color, grow, ooze blood or fluid, crust or clot over, or if you have a sore that doesn’t heal after a couple of weeks. If your doctor determines it suspicious, she’ll most likely remove part or all of the lesion in a biopsy for microscopic examination. If it turns out to be cancerous, she will most likely advise additional treatment to make sure all the cancerous cells have been removed.
